11:59 P.M.

For the past two weeks, Mike has been planning, shopping, and talking about this weekend's backpacking adventure.  And for the last several days, there has been gear spread out on his side of the room, blocking my closet.  Ugh.  

 

I worked a closing shift this evening, and expected him to be all packed by the time I got home.  He wasn't.  In addition, his stuff was all over the bed.  Yes, the entire bed.  "We didn't get back from shopping until nine" he explained.  I sighed.  I felt a nagging irritation coming on, and reminded myself that in six hours, he would be gone for three days.

 

As I wandered into the kitchen to find something to eat, he continued.  "I got you two baskets of strawberries.  And I found those Lean Cuisine spring rolls you like.  They're 10 for 10 at Vons, so go back tomorrow and get yourself a whole bunch."  Then he handed me a plate.  "I saved you three, figured you'd be hungry."   

As I put them in the microwave and hit the minute button, I felt that warm, fuzzy feeling.  Mike is the most thoughtful man in the world.  With all that's swimming around in his head, he did a few special things for me.  So I figured while he clears off my side of the bed, I'd blog a little.

Coco, my sweet chocolate brown Chihuahua, is sitting in  my lap with her head tucked under my left arm.  I lean down to kiss her head, and she looks up and licks me on the nose.

 

Yes, life is good. ♥

(More About) Gina's Little Get Away

Two weeks ago, for the first time in about a year, Mike and I were apart for a few days when I went to San Diego.  He and Coco missed me like crazy.  Mike even put Coco on the phone so I could talk to her.  I think this made her very confused, and she apparently started looking around, expecting me to walk through the door at any moment.  It also made me feel like one of those crazy dog people. 


I felt a little guilty, because, though I missed them too, I really had been looking forward to taking a little adventure.  The train ride was so relaxing, in spite of the Bachelor Party Guys.  And the view was awesome...Somewhere between Ventura beaches and L.A. industrial neighborhoods, we went through a series of tunnels.  Right before the first tunnel, this is what I saw out my window.

And then, everything went black.  The train was eerily quiet, but only for a moment.
I continued listening to Pandora, and playing on my new "sort of smart" phone.

After a brief stop in L.A., we continued on to San Diego.  My friends Brian and Traci picked me up at the train station.  Traci was so sweet to remember that I wanted to try the food at Porkyland
Their Quesadilla Nopal (cactus) was yummy,  Traci and I ate it all.

Traci also remembered to call her husband Brian, (even though his first name is Alex) because that's what I call him.  I don't know if I told Traci, but I have the same issues with my other half.  Mike is my boyfriend's middle name, and I have grown accustomed to the occasional friend calling him George.  So I really appreciated Traci switching gears for me. 

I headed over to my hotel to unpack and before I knew it, it was time to head off to see a local production of Hamlet.  My brother played the role of Claudius, and a high school friend directed the show.  It was excellent.  I hadn't been to a play in over three years and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And it was really good to see my brother and my friend.  It had been too long.


Saturday was Bloggy Boot Camp, and if you missed my recap you can read more about it here.


As for Sunday, well, that was the only day I really got to catch my breath.  I left that day open to see a few special people.  Some of our plans fell through, so I just ordered some lunch and kicked back and watched Four Brothers on TV.

That calzone was friggin' delicious and I also had a small Greek salad,  I told you I was foregoing the diet, so don't judge me for getting that amazing chewy chocolate chip cookie.  After all, I did get Diet Pepsi.  Ha ha ha.


Later, I hopped on the San Diego Trolley and cruised out to my home town, El Cajon, to have some dinner with my dad and step mom.  It was so nice to catch up, but the visit was too short.
By the time I got back to my hotel, it was raining.  I didn't feel at all guilty just putting on my pajamas and kickin' back in front of the boob tube.

 That last night away was relaxing, and a little lonely. I was feeling ready to get home to my man and my dog. 

On Monday, when my train finally rolled into town, I got a text.  It was from Mike, and it said "I want a KISS!!!!!"

So do I, baby.  So do I. 

Weird Week Ahead

I am telling you right now, it's gonna be a weird week.  Not bad-weird, just different-weird.

You see, the thing is, I am a creature of habit.  For example, I usually work morning shifts at my job.  I have recently been scheduled later in the day, and I'm just not used to it.  My body is saying, "You should already be done for the day; why aren't we at home on the couch?"

And it doesn't help that my regular customers are pointing it out to me.  "Haven't seen you in a while" and "Hello, stranger" have replaced "Good Afternoon." And speaking of afternoon, apparently I can't remember that it's afternoon, because I keep telling people "Good Morning" at dinner time.  Okay, let's just say my body clock is all messed up.

At the end of my work week, the house is going to be quieter than usual.  Mike is gearing up for a short backpacking trip.  For the past few weeks, he has been putting together his gear, looking at maps and whatever else it is that backpackers do.  He is going with our good friend, and housemate, John, and John's dog, Rascal, a precocious young German Shepherd.  I'm expecting to hear a few Rascal stories, when they get home.

And I am already anticipating a wonderful weekend.  I love Mike with all my heart, but I can't wait to watch whatever I want on television.  And I will watch it late into the night at a volume above a whisper.  If the news comes on and there is talk of something serious, I will not turn it up, I will turn it off.  I will watch The Soup, Sister Wives, Desperate Housewives, Family Guy and King of the Hill.  I will laugh out loud and talk to the television.  



I will sleep late without Mike chiding me.  I love to sleep.  Plus, I have Coco.  Coco is the best little snuggler in the whole world. 

I will cook to please myself, and no one else.  This means I will more than likely eat some corn this weekend.  Yes, corn.  I don't know why, but whenever I suggest it, Mike turns his nose up at corn.  So this weekend, I am eating some corn.  And pasta - yes, I think make pasta too.


Wow, I am getting so excited!!


I hope it doesn't rain and spoil my whole weekend.

Bloggy Boot Camp Kicked Booty

My head is still reeling from my whirlwind experience at Bloggy Boot Camp.  Wow.  You SITS Ladies really know how to throw an informative, entertaining, knock-your-socks-off party.

I have been writing my blog for 33 days. This is my 22nd post.  I told myself that I was fortunate to be offered a ticket to this event, (thank you Angie Ballard), so it was meant to be.
I knew I would most certainly be in over my head.


I connected with Gabriela, on Twitter.  We talked via text and ended up on the same bus over to the Bahia Hotel for the big day.  It was so nice to have an anchor friend to start, and ultimately end, the day with...right away I loved Gabriela's sarcasm, and found out that her husband, like my Mike, often refers to her as a smart-ass.  Nice.  And familiar.


So we checked in and found our way to our first table assignments which would not be together again until lunch.  Okay,  So now it was time for me to meet Eva Smith.  Eva was bubbly and energetic, and immediately wanted to make sure I had the right apps for my phone.  She was taking pictures and giving tutorials and just generally making things a lot of fun.




When things got started, we were told to please take pictures and video.  Ladies, please feel free to tweet to your hearts' content. Wow. Awesome!  Thank you, Tiffany, and thank God I brought my phone charger, because I was gonna need it.  Eva was tweeting furiously.  I was tweeting Mary Burt-Godwin and Tricia and Siana messages like "Where are you? I'm at table one." 

I was trying to grasp some of what darling Ashley Stock was telling us, because I knew it was important.  The main take-away I got from Ashley was get a dot com.  Priceless.

Denae Handy added to that, get help transitioning from Blogger to Wordpress.  This lady is amazing.  Denae, I wanted to tell you "Stop talking about things that make you sad and you'll stop crying," but it isn't that simple.  I really, really like Denae. 

Mary Burt-Godwin of The Mama Mary Show did a great talk on vlogging.  My lighting and make-up techniques are lacking, and I only have the videocam in my phone, but what the heck, I'll give it a try.  She says it will spice up my blog.  Yummy 

Speaking of yummy, there was cheesecake.
And I ate every bite.  Did I mention that I decided to set aside the diet for the weekend? 
Well I did.  And looking at that dessert, wouldn't you?







Meanwhile, I was meeting so many women, and getting great tips.  Kat and Denae did a great section on writing, for the beginners.  I fell into this category.  I knew that the business discussion would just intimidate me, but I did come away with a great Contract Law attorney hook-up, Danielle Liss.  Other than the fact that she is super smart, you would never guess she is a lawyer.  I'm betting she likes that about herself.  I sure did.

The truth is, that Bloggy Boot Camp delivered exactly what I expected it to, and that hardly ever happens.  My expectations were to meet dozens of amazing women and to gather a ton of invaluable information.  I anticipated that the bulk of my newly acquired knowledge would be over my head, but I would take it home and review it later.  And that's precisely what I intend to do.

The one thing I didn't expect was the swag.  Thank you so much to Smart & Final, Good Cook Brand, Mirassou, Hop, Collective Bias, Invisalign, and of course The SITS Girls.  It was a great investment and I had  a wonderful time.

One more thing - A very special thank you goes out to Margo Porras for listening, answering so many questions, and for kindly giving me a ride back to my hotel.  You are a jewel.

Pandora Pensive

I'm on the train listening to Pandora. I just heard a beautiful song called "Still Hurting" from the Broadway show "The Last Five Years." I have never heard this song before.

It's one of those songs that just naturally makes me introspective. There are beautiful string solos so instantly, I'm hooked. Then I hear the the lyrics. Oh my God, it's about a relationship ending.

The song is from the girl's perspective. Her boyfriend left, but it was apparently all her fault. He took no responsibility for things not working.

It breaks my heart...she begs him to come back for just one day so she can see why he was so sure they weren't meant to be.

But he's not coming back, so even though there may be a lesson learned, she it's still hurting.

Wow, what a downer, right? It made me think of "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing", by Shania Twain. I know, for gosh sake Gina, will you please stop?

Okay, so after that I got to hear "Rent", "Halo" (Beyonce) and a mash-up of I'm Yours/ Over The Rainbow...Darren Criss and the Warblers from "Glee". Whee!

In "A Little Priest", Angela Landsbury and Len Cariou are the epitome of punny. This fantastic number from Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" talks about how people's flesh would taste were it determined by their profession It's ghoulish funny, and, dare I say, delicious?

"Dancing Queen" from the "Momma Mia" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Michael Buble, Jason Mraz, lots of Glee, Les Miserables, a lot of Wicked, Evanescence, Rhianna...Ahhh...Bebe Neuwirth singing "All That Jazz"...and of course Josh Groban.

My train ride is flying by...

If you like Glee, show tunes, pop, any of the music I have talked about...I can share my station with you. I named it Glee Cast Radio, but you can call it whatever you want.

DM me @GinasRealLife on Twitter, fb message Gina Morgavo, or email GinasRealLife@hotmail.com

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Train Of Thought

Friday morning, it was still dark when I got on the train. I had my bag of goodies- water, Special K bars, a sandwich, fruit and a big black iced tea with Splenda. I was good to go.

The train was quiet for about an hour, and then, it happened. Thirteen twenty-something guys boarded the train. They were all dressed in polyester, plaids and cheesy hats. One guy looked like Johnny Depp's
character in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." I soon overheard them explain to a conductor that this was a bachelor party.

I knew I should have ridden in business class.

After getting settled, a few of them took drink orders, and headed off to the cafe car. Minutes later, big bottles of Arrogant Bastard Ale, cans of Bud Light, and various cocktails were passed around.

I have to admit, they were really funny.  One guy (see picture above) actually shaved his head for that horseshoe bald look.  They all had pictures of the groom's head on a stick, I guess as a visual aid in case they lost him during the shenanigans.  They had also created a spinner (like you use for a board game) with all the train's destinations on it.  Apparently that's how they decided where they were going to go party some more.

They were all really cool, but they were definitely polishing off the cocktails.  I was amused at their antics and amazed at my own composure in what could have been a sticky situation for me.

As they began a second round, I updated my Facebook status:
"Listening to Jason Mraz on Pandora...I'm Yours, while surrounded by bachelor party guys getting their drink on...lmao.  If this is a test God, I'm laughing...damned good sense of humor."

Oh, wait. Did I mention that I don't drink? Okay, here's the thing. Simply put, when I drink, bad things happen. So, a few years ago, I quit.

Now it also must be said that, during my numerous trips up and down the coast on the train, I always drank. Always. This was my first train trip since I got sober.

So now that your up to speed...

No, I did not give in to temptation. I didn't even have an interest in breaking my "winning streak". It was actually hilarious to me, because really, what are the odds?


And so, I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing ride. The ocean was literally right out my window, and I was listening to Pandora...just chillin'...

Now I just have to decide how I'll handle Saturday night's wine tasting party.

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My First Blogger's Adventure...Bloggy Boot Camp

Today is the one month anniversary of my blog.   

It seems fitting that this weekend, tomorrow actually, I embark on a little adventure.

That's right.  I'm going to Bloggy Boot Camp 

Can I hear a "Woot, Woot!"

Now I really don't know what to expect.  After all, I'm just a girl who started a blog almost by accident.  Notice I said "almost."  I wonder if I would have ever started blogging if it weren't for my own technical snafu.  I am still chuckling about that.

I was playing around on Blogger checking out the template designs, fonts and all that stuff.
When I went back to continue the next day, I noticed my friend Traci was my first follower.  After a few minutes of furiously texting her, I realized that my page was live, but of course, there were no posts on it.  Traci said to just start writing.  So that's what I did.  And the rest, well, the rest is available along the right side of my page...in the archives - all four weeks of them.

Anyhow, about Bloggy Boot Camp...

What I am told is that I will learn a ton of great stuff.  I'd like to have Twitter explained to me, cuz right now, I'm flying by the seat of my pants.  I am also expecting this to be, mostly, an amazing networking opportunity.  I love meeting new people. Andt I do realize that, when it comes to blogging, I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground.  So I will look to the SITS ladies and my fellow bloggers to show me the way.

So, off I go tomorrow morning to the train station.  There's something very relaxing about the train.  I like it because I don't have to sit in traffic.  It's very relaxing.  I can listen to music, sleep, eat, walk around and stretch my long legs...I could go on and on...

When I am on the train, I like to pretend that I am in a movie.  I will meet a mysterious stranger, and we will have a fascinating conversation about something terribly intriguing.  

Or this will be the day that the local schools take their students on a field trip, and it will be so noisy and crowded that I won't be able to hear myself think.  Ugh!

Maybe I should get a ticket in Business Class...

believe me, it's worth the extra seventeen bucks!

How About Those Sister Wives?

I just got finished watching the new "Sister Wives."  

 

I started watching "Sister Wives" purely out of curiosity, which quickly developed into more of a "learning about other cultures" feeling.  Naturally, being an open-minded person, I started to see how this plural lifestyle had more benefits than I had ever thought about.  And I started to really care about this family.

 

There is always someone home to greet the kids after school.  The wives have help-mates to fill in the gaps.  I mean really, hasn't every mom thought "My gosh, I can't be everywhere all at one time"?  In this family, she doesn't have to be.

And the kids receive an overabundance of love and friendship.  Four moms, 15 siblings, the bigger kids helping out with the little ones.  It's really the definition of what family is all about - Everybody pitching in to take care of each other. 

 

Of course, I'm sure everything's not perfect.  No family is perfect.  But this family, despite it's size, has incredible communication as a whole.  They have family meetings, discussing the kids' feelings, fears and concerns.  I'm sure there are some, especially since their lifestyle has been thrust into the spotlight.

Now that the family has "outed" themselves by participating in a television documentation of their lifestyle, the authorities have perked up and decided to investigate them.

I'm not sure that their situation warrants so much attention on the part of law enforcement.

I mean, I'm not an attorney, or a legal expert.  But Kody Brown, the husband, is only married to Meri, Wife #1.  He has children with Meri, as well as with 2nd and 3rd wives, Janelle and Christine.  4th wife, Robin, has three children from a previous marriage.  I don't understand how Kody can be charged with polygamy when he is only married to one woman.

 

I know a woman who has five children with three different fathers.  I see people - celebrities - who have multiple partners exposing questionable lifestyles to young children;  men with children from several different women;  people, both single and married, who adopt children from all over the world and work and travel, schlepping the entourage of children all over the world. I see people who are too hooked on various chemicals to take care of the children they have...I could go on and on...And what I see are a lot of messed up situations, which should not be allowed.

 

When I look at the Brown family, on the surface, I see a father, four mothers, and sixteen children Not your typical family, I will agree, but a family full of love.  These parents care about their children, 13 of whom grew up together as siblings, and are welcoming Robin's kids and blending extremely well.  When there are insecurities and concerns, there is communication.  

 

I don't know anyone today who has family meetings the way the Browns do. The family unity displayed among them is enviable.  No one can dispute that the parents are loving, responsible people who take good care of their children and each other.

 

I realize that I am just a layperson, looking at this from a non-religious point of view.  Just your average forty-something woman sticking up for some good people.  And I think the authorities in Utah need to go look for some real criminals.  

 

I'd like to know what you think.  Let me know.

Gotta Love Orchids ♥

We went to the Orchid Show today.  

 I even wore my orchid earrings to celebrate!!

 I don't know anything about orchids, except that they are gorgeous.  And that there are about 30,000 different kinds, and over 100,000 different hybrids. 

 The aroma of the flowers hits you in the face when you walk into an exhibit of this size.

I was overwhelmed as to where to look.

As it was the 66th Anniversary of this show,  the theme was Route 66.  There were lots of automobile-related displays

This was one of my favorites.

To see all of the pictures we took, check out the slide show at the top of my blog.

Hope you had a great weekend. ♥

Finally Friday!!!

Today definitely feels like a Friday.  This damned cold is still hanging on, much to my chagrin.  But there is a light at the end of the tunnel...for I have the whole weekend off!!

Woot, Woot!!  

My job requires me to work on the weekend quite often, so when it just so happens that I am scheduled OFF on the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, a few things happen.

First, I think "There must be some mistake."

Second, I am very careful to see who's calling before I answer the phone.  That's because I am a kind and understanding soul who knows that in life, shit happens.  And if I hear a desperate voice on the other end of the line...well, I just can't trust myself.

"Gina, someone didn't show up," or "Thank God you answered, I am so sick and I really shouldn't be here sneezing all over the cinnamon buns." or "So-and-so's ass is falling off, and the coffee grinder broke, so we need you to come in and smash the beans with your gi-normous size ten feet."  Well, you get the picture...

So, this weekend, I will be sleeping in.  Mike is making some incredible baked apple/pastry concoction with cinnamon and sugar.  We will have big cups of coffee, and sit in the sunny living room and plan our days.

We will finally use that California Pizza Kitchen gift card given to us by my aunt and uncle for Christmas.  We will go down to State Street to meander and shop and undoubtedly run into people we know.  We always see someone we know down on State Street.  That's one of the things I love about this town.

And we will make our second trip to the Santa Barbara Orchid Festival.  

I will take pictures, and post them here next week.  Looking at the orchids on display and getting awesome pics of them is my only goal.  I'm really only going because Mike wants to go - 

AND the flowers are gorgeous.  

Well, and because this is a milestone for us.  One of the first weekends I spent with Mike was last year.  We went to the orchid festival.  So it's a one-year anniversary of sorts.  

Yep, I am feeling very warm and fuzzy about having the weekend off.  That's not how I started out feeling, it just kind of snuck up on me.

Enjoy the weekend with people who make you happy ♥

Wow, It's Already Wednesday?

I was at the grocery store only to use the bathroom.  Seriously.

But when I came out, I noticed this "Clearance" rack set up right outside the bathroom doors.

I guess they are aiming for a specific market.  I don't know.

Here's what I saw.

Yes, folks!  50% off select condoms!

My guess is they are nearing their expiration date, so...

Well, you can finish that thought, can't you?

Still chuckling, I went around the corner to see this:

Yes!  You see where I'm going with this, right?

Okay, so then, I saw the perfect mood-setter for what appears to be 

a romantic and responsible rendezvous.

 Ah, nothing like a roaring fire!  
But wait.  There's something else...ahhh, 
I've got it! 

Yes, very nice.

I'm telling you, all that's missing is a bearskin rug!  

(And I'm guessing they don't sell those at 

my local grocery store.) 

Well, folks, you'd better get to shopping!

The weekend will be here before you know it.

(Wink, wink!)

Happy Humpday!!!

My Coco Puff

When I was a kid, we had pets - dogs, mostly.  I remember that, at first, it was so neat

to have a dog.  But, as kids do, I lost interest.  My parents ended up feeding and

cleaning up after them.  It kind of bums me out to think of it now.

I guess that's one of the things that comes to mind when I think of our little Coco. 

Being in a place in my life where I can enjoy and truly appreciate a sweet little dog

is truly refreshing.  It touches my heart that she loves us so much, and that we

all make each other so happy.


I come home from work, aching and tired, and there she is, jumping and whimpering and wiggling her little butt, her tail wagging furiously.  As soon as I am close enough, she smothers me with wet puppy kisses and it's like I'm the most special person in the whole wide world, returning from what must have been an interminable journey away from home.  


She even insists on sitting on my lap when I am at the computer.
It makes typing a bit tricky, but I manage. (Sigh.) 

And as for Mike - Well, Mike is so head over heels for our four-pound bundle of joy.  
And she loves him right back.He has named her always-wagging tail, 
"The Tail of Perpetual Motion."  
She will tuck herself up under his left arm, wherever he may be sitting...

'cuz that's where the action is, apparently.

And I have never seen a dog enjoy the sun as much as Coco.  
When she discovered that glorious patch of carpet in front of the
living room window, she was in heaven...

...complete with a beautiful view of palm trees and a balmy sky.


Yeah, it's a dog's life.  And so far, I think she'd tell you it's pretty damn good. ♥

Monday #10

Ugh!  I work the closing shift today, so I was planning on sleeping in this morning.  Much too early, my phone woke me from a sound sleep.  I won't get into what the call was about.  Let's just say that it was important, worrisome and irritating, all at the same time.

So now, here I am, still in my jammies.  Ugh. 

I am trying to drink some coffee, 

But the coffee is way too friggin' hot. 

 WAIT!  Check the fridge...Is it possible...???

 YES!!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Oh, and I will take that apple too, thank-you-very-much!

Okay, now I gotta get my butt moving.  

You all have a great day!

 

It Happens

So, since "Life Happens", I haven't been very motivated to sit at the computer.  While fighting the damn cold all week, I haven't been interested in doing anything which requires being vertical, to be honest.  

Alas, I did manage to drag myself in to work for a few hours today.  Thank God, I work at a coffee shop.

Caffeine and carbohydrates a-plenty can be found there.  (Did I say, "Thank God"?) 

Yep, two Sugar-free Red Bulls, a couple of Chocolatey Pretzel Special K bars, and 4 shots of espresso  later, and...still not feelin' it.

So I made a salad, with butter lettuce.  I decided that the reason I fell in love with butter lettuce, is because it has the word "butter" in its name.  That stuff is delicious!  

Boy, do I miss butter.

And yet, I am lacking the zsah zsah zsooo today.

Eh. It happens.  I'll live to write another day.

 Besides, look at who's sitting in my lap, waiting patiently for me to finish?  Nothing says, 

"Mommy, can we cuddle now?" quite like my little chocolate cream cheese muffin, Coco.

Hope you all have a great weekend ♥

Sniffling, Sneezing Ramblings...

 When I am sick, I am just sleepy and weak and harmless. All of that is true, as long

 as I am left alone. Completely alone.  I want the bed to myself, the television 

to myself, yeah, the entire room must be mine all mine.

So Tuesday morning, when I got sent home sick at 7 something in the morning, I 

thanked God that Mike was headed off to work.  I powered down a quart of O.J., 

vitamins, TWO different cold medicines, and a huge glass of water.  Then I settled 

in to sip on a big mug of herbal tea. 

Once Coco, my lovable little chihuahua, realized there was nothing good in 

that mug for her, she hunkered down under the covers next to me.  Armed with a 

handful of shows, D.V.R.'d from last night's Adult Swim lineup, I set the sleep

timer, and pressed play.  Ah, I love Family Guy. 

The next thing I knew, it was mid-afternoon.  I love sleeping. 

And yet, sadly, I still feel like crap.

So. more sleep.  More chicken noodle soup and orange juice, vitamins

and cold medicine - two different kinds.  And water.

Day two.  Mike's work day got rained out.  I think I heard you say "Rut roh!"

But Mike was a dear.  He banned himself from our room, and came in from

time to time to see if there was anything I needed.  I'd like to think it was sweet,

and it was.  But it was also a means of self-preservation.

Day three.  Thank God the rain stopped.  I've been sleeping all day.

When I threw away the Alka-Seltzer wrapper, it missed the trash can. 

I bent over to pick it up, and I thought I was going to faint.

I guess I forgot to eat.  Time for more soup.

And for goodness sake, why am I so gassy?  I mean, it's not like 

I am eating anything exciting.  It's all been bland - low-sodium soups, OJ, water,

ugh! I'm boring my taste buds to death with this diet. 

Oh, and speaking of my diet, I haven't lost any weight while fighting this

stupid cold.  I guess sleeping doesn't burn calories the way I do

when I am running my ass off at work.  Damn!

Ok, that's all the energy I have for today. 

I'll try to catch up with you again on the weekend.