Comments (16)

By kilax, October 31, 2008 5:59 am

Do you answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number on the caller ID? Do you have a land line phone?

I’ve gotten into the bad habit of not answering my phone unless I know who is calling me, and I want to talk to them. How awful is that? I think it has been heightened by all of the stupid political calls I’ve been getting lately. I have to remember though, my friend who lives in Rome often calls from an “Unknown” number. I would hate to miss her call.

We don’t have a land line. Just our two cell phones. A statistic from this year says that nearly 1/5 of homes only have cell phones!

Comments (6)

By kilax, October 30, 2008 9:22 pm

I saw this dress in an add for White House | Black Market and thought, “Ooo, I want that dress.”

Then, after thinking about it, for you know, a split second, I thought, “I don’t need a dress like that! What is wrong with me?!”

Nothing’s wrong with me. I just want a pretty dress, and a pretty occasion, and an excuse to look pretty and act pretty. Apparently, the print ad worked on me. Sometimes, you just want to dress up.

I’m almost done reading Valerie Frankel’s Thin is the New Happpy. I really liked the blurb of it that was in Self, and hey, what’s one more inspirational weight-loss book? Woo-hoo!

I don’t like it as much as I thought I would, but it’s not bad. Surprisingly (to me), my favorite chapter is the one in which Frankel describes when Stacy London, of What Not to Wear fame, comes over to her home and goes through her closet (this surprises me because it made me like London – I’ve always been weary of her after seeing the show).

Frankel is resistant about getting rid of her old, non-fitting, sloppy clothes. She thinks caring about fashion is superficial.

London goes on to tell her that caring about fashion for the sake of having the newest “in” item is superficial, but there is a difference between caring about fashion and having personal style. Having personal style can make you feel empowered, confident, and secure. It can make you respect yourself. It can express who you are on the outside.

Yeah, I am not explaining it very well, but it really clicked with me. I get what she is saying, because I do feel better about myself when I dress nicer. Even if it means wearing a nice top instead of a t-shirt with jeans. Or wearing some nice shoes on the weekend. Or pants that fit to work.

But I have to be careful. Because I am only now beginning to be excited about fashion, and don’t have a base of essentials to build on. I have to be careful not to buy things, like the dress above, just because it catches my eye.

I need to work on developing my own personal style first. I think I’m getting there. Slowly.

Comments (20)

By kilax, October 29, 2008 5:44 am

Do you ever take blurbs like this seriously when you read them in magazines? (This is from the November issue of InStyle – I know, I need to find better sources for this stuff!)

I usually don’t, but this one caught my attention – they are taking smack about my beloved soy!

Okay, seriously, I do eat at least one serving of soy each day. Sometimes two! And I did forget to send my parents their anniversary card this year.*

Okay, I can’t take it seriously.

But this made me want to ask, do any of you eat soy products? Ever? Do non-vegetarians eat soy products on a regular basis? What a dumb question to ask, but I am wondering, because most restaurants and manufacturers (like Boca, Gardenburger, Morningstar, etc.) promote soy products as “nutritious,” as well as being vegetarian. These products are promoted as a “healthy alternative.” But I’ve always wondered if anyone eats them… besides us vegetarians!

*I am in charge of two things at home “Sentiment Manager” – keeping track of birthdays, anniversaries and holidays so we can send cards, gifts, etc. and “Scent Manager” – purchasing good- smelling things for the house (candles and wallflowers from Yankee Candle). We joke that I am in charge of things that begin with “s(c)ent.”

Comments (10)

By kilax, October 28, 2008 1:07 pm

While reviewing my senior portfolio, one of my college professors (a mentor, really) advised me not to go into a specialized field when making my “first job out of college” decision. He explained that he worked for a firm in Chicago known for designing skyscrapers. After he left that firm, every other place he worked for wanted him to design skyscrapers – even if other projects were going on in the office.

I was walking to work yesterday thinking about this. I passed a building that is being renovated – they are tearing down the exterior to install new offices.

Seeing that made me think about the fact that all I do is interior build-outs. We don’t do any “ground-up” construction. I am only getting experience in… a somewhat specialized field. I wonder if I should be trying to learn other things.

I wonder if I should take my professor’s advice.

I should just be cautious.

I love what I do and really like the people I work with. I just think about these things… from time to time.

Comments (16)

By kilax, October 27, 2008 12:29 pm

Within the group of people commuting to Chicago on Metra each day, there’s an entire subculture of people acting a certain way. A little ritualistic. A little obsessive. A little… crazy. They’ve been riding the train for a long time and they’ve developed a few… habits.

For example, a lot of people HAVE to sit in the same seat every morning AND every evening! I know this isn’t unique to riding a train, people do it in classrooms as well. But the Metra people get pissed off if they don’t get “their” seat. I’ve see it happen – “Why are you sitting in my seat?!” Your seat? You don’t own the train, buddy! We all paid (nearly) the same to get on.

As much as I try to fight developing those behaviors/habits, I notice that I am.

I do like to sit in the same seat in the morning, because it is the most comfortable one for me to sleep in without bringing a pillow. And… I do get a little frustrated when someone is sitting there! There, I admitted it! But, I tell myself to get over it, because it IS ridiculous. And I don’t care where I sit on the way home (as long as the person next to me isn’t on the phone).

There’s a monthly Metra newsletter you can grab a copy of on the train. It contains news, but also a section called “Sound Off,” for people to write in and complain about whatever they want. I appreciate the letters complaining about people yapping on their phone and hogging seats with all of their bags. That annoys me too.

Some of the letters are just funny though. You have to read this one (taken from pg. 3 “Take the high road?”):

I love reading about the complaints people have, sometimes about the strangest things. Well, I’m going to try to contribute to that:

I personally have a problem with how people are too courteous to others while getting off the trains. You see, the upper level passengers, though there are fewer of them compared to the ground level, always get to merge while exiting at a one-to one ratio with all the passengers on the main floor (sometimes even two-to-one since one person from each side of the upper level gets to go!). That then leads to the whole upper level clearing out before even the first three to four rows of passengers on the ground level getting off – it’s pretty unfair if you ask me! I mean, so if you’re in the last two to three rows of that cabin – forget it, you might as well sit down, have breakfast, read War and Peace if you’re trying to get off quick – all the while you see the smirking faces of the upper level passengers as they get off without delay. I propose a four-to-one ratio be unofficially implemented, where the upper level passengers should wait before coming down and merging with all the other traffic. This would only be fair. Otherwise, I’m going to start practicing my climbing skills to get myself up there so I can get off the train sooner!

I write all this with a smirk on my face –– but honestly, it is my pet peeve!

Of course this made me laugh. I sit on the top so I CAN get off first! Ha ha ha! Really though, at least this guy had a sense of humor about the whole thing.

So what would I write if I was going to contribute a crazy letter to “Sound Off”? Let me tell you what bothers me (so you can laugh at me!).

In the morning, before the train arrives, people line up on the platform in groups, where the doors will likely open. People do the same thing in the evening, but the difference is that the train is sometimes already there (just not opened yet).

At my stop in the morning, there is a woman who sits in the station, staying warm while people stand outside in the cold, waiting for the train. As soon as she hears the train coming, she runs out and gets right in front of everyone to be the first on the train.

Yes, this drives me nuts. It’s not Italy* lady! We DO follow lines here in the U.S.!

In the evening, people do the same thing. There is a large group waiting to get on, and someone comes traipsing along and stands right in front of everyone, because THEY want to get on first.

Of course, this bothers me, because I am one to follow unwritten rules, courtesies and ethics. But it does say – yes, I am turning into one of these crazy train people.

*When I lived in Italy, I realized no one there follows the concept of “standing in line.” It’s kind of just a big huddle of people trying to funnel and push their way into wherever they are all trying to go. I got used to it and began to embrace it. I liked pushing other people around. Ha!

Comments (12)

By kilax, October 26, 2008 7:04 am

Last night, Steven (and I) made homemade veggie patties.

They took about 45 minutes to make. We had to chop up carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green onion, zucchini and celery, then add spices to that mix and saute it all in a pan. We eventually mixed in some flour until it got to the right consistency, then took it all out to form into patties and cook like normal veggie burgers.

Voila!

Every time I spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking something (okay, helping Steven cook something, I am only a sous chef, afterall), I think about how fast I eat. Last night was no different. Even though the pattie was big, and a little bit squishy and falling apart… I still scarfed it down. We had our veggie patties with fresh broccoli, and I ate it all so fast, I got a little bit of an upset stomach.

Okay, I don’t just think about this problem when something takes a long time to prepare. I think about it a lot. And have probably mentioned it before.

No matter where I am, no matter what I am eating, I scarf it down. I eat so fast, I am usually the first one done. I have to consciously try to eat slow in restaurants with friends so I don’t finish too soon and feel like an idiot.

I’ve read all the tips on how to slow down while eating:

• Eat at the dining room table
• Use a fork and knife
• Put your silverware down between each bite
• Chew each bite 30 times before swallowing
• Don’t put more food into your mouth until it’s empty
• Chat to others at the table
• Turn off the tv/computer while eating
• Pay attention to the taste and texture while you’re eating
• Avoid eating on the run
• Eat foods that require some work
• Use chopsticks!

But even though I know all of these tricks, I don’t follow them. Even though I sit down at every meal, thinking “Today’s going to be the day! I am going to have a nice, long, slow meal!” – it never is.

I know the benefits of eating slower. I wouldn’t get an upset stomach (although that rarely happens). I might eat less, because my stomach figures out I am full sooner than normal. I might enjoy the food.

I might actually develop a normal relationship with food!

If I don’t approach each meal acting like it is going to be my last, I may be able to take away some of the power that food has over me. I might eat for enjoyment. I might eat to fuel my body.

This has been a problem I’ve had all my life. Somehow, I feel like now, I can tackle it and overcome it. I would love to sit down at Thanksgiving dinner with a plate full of delicious food, taking small bites and savoring each one (and maybe not going back for seconds!).

I’ll let you know how it all goes.

Comments (13)

By kilax, October 25, 2008 8:17 am

I was at New York & Company on Wednesday, and I really, really, really wanted to buy this sweater (below). But I resisted, because I bought a bunch of sweaters last Saturday at Kohl’s.

New York & Company “City Style Wide Turtleneck”

I love the “wide turtleneck” neckline on this sweater though.

For some reason, I’m attracted to unique necklines – like this one above, or the square neck below (which I did end up buying in two colors. It was only $8.50 after the discount and my coupon. $8.50!!! Each!!!)

New York & Company “City Style Square Neck Sweater”

I also really like the “cowl neck,” which I didn’t realize was a style until I saw in on the New York & Company website when I was looking up the “Wide Turtleneck” Top.

New York & Company “City Style Cowl Neck Top”

I have this (below) “cowl neck” top at home in a few different colors. When I find a clothing item like, I tend to buy it in 2 or 3 colors. Does anyone else do that?

A cheapo top from Sears I have in FOUR colors! (this green, plum, black and pumpkin orange)

I also really like turtlenecks (they keep my neck so warm!) and V-necks because they “draw attention to your waistline and elongates the neck.”

I think unique necklines dress up otherwise ordinary tops, making them a little more… feminine. I tried finding a list online of different necklines to try, and this is the best I found.

Do you stick to one neckline, or do you try a few different things?

Comments (23)

By kilax, October 24, 2008 5:40 am

Do you plan on handing out treats to trick-or-treaters for Halloween this year? What kind of treats will you hand out?

Our town is kind of goofy. It seems they always have the trick-or-treating on the Sunday before Halloween, which means it will be this Sunday, October 26th. Seems kind of early.

We handed out candy last year, and it was such a bust. It was almost like we had to do the work to get the trick-or-treaters to come to us. I was disappointed. It was my first year handing out treats in “my own” home.

I haven’t asked Steven if he wants to hand out treats this year, and I am guessing he will say no. But, if we do decide, for some reason, I would like to hand out those little packs of animal crackers. They’re only 60 calories each, and would make a good “snack” for me if we had leftovers!

Comments (18)

By kilax, October 23, 2008 7:53 am

Even though it is an entire month away, I am already getting really excited for a trip my parents and sister are planning to Chicago for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

When I was back home last weekend, my mom said, “You know what would be fun? If all of us girls got together at Grandma’s house and baked a bunch of cookies like we did that one year*!”

Of course, I had to be selfish and say, “Why don’t you all come out to Chicago? We can spend one day ‘window shopping’ downtown, and the next day baking the treats!”

My sister is going to be in Chicago for a one-day trip the Friday before Thanksgiving, so it works out perfectly for her to just stay here and ride home with my parents! Yay!

And Steven is really excited that they are visiting, because it means free slave labor he’ll have some help (my dad) working on his “project car” – a 1978 Datsun 280Z.

Now… we just need to figure out who we are going to give all these cookies to!

* In December 2001, when I was a senior in high school, my mother, grandmother, and a friend of mine decided to make tons of cookies for all of our friends, family, and teachers at school. We baked them all at my Grandmother’s (now she lives in a different town that my parents). I have always loved to bake! I am excited we are going to be doing this again!

All of the trays of cookies.

Small plates of cookies to hand out!

Me, looking like the goober I really am.

Comments (14)

By kilax, October 22, 2008 8:20 am

The short article below, from the November issue of Self, gave me the courage to write about something that’s been on my mind lately.

I think blogging can lend itself to be a platform for oversharing. Which is fine with me. I need that outlet. I need to let my thoughts out, even if they are too personal, detailed or crazy.

But I sometimes feel like “blogging” is my only friend. Sure, I have my live-in best friend, Data Steven to talk to every day, but I sometimes wish for someone else, a girlfriend, to talk to about life. Someone close to me, who knows me well. Someone to vent to, cry with, and share happy moments with… someone who would also feel comfortable to be that open with me.

I love talking to Steven. But I am continually bouncing the same repetitive stuff off of him. He needs a break from time to time. And I need a fresh perspective.

Feeling like this gives me urges to overshare. I don’t dish out things I regret, but I find myself eager to talk to someone different. I think I am looking for someone else to care about what’s going on in my life… besides my husband, family and extended blog family.

That’s not too much to ask for, is it?

(Yikes, this came out all wrong. It’s not meant to offend any of the wonderful people already in my life. It’s just meant to explain a yearning I have.)