Argh.  The day before the day before the Memorial Day holiday.

It’s BORING.  And quiet.  And I’m falling asleep.  So I call Bryan, who is at home.  He’s boring to talk to.  Geesh.  I hate boring.  Tonight, however, is the premier of “So You Think You Can Dance”, so I’ve got that to look forward to.

I spent the last half hour writing an incredibly witty and biting piece about the decay of education in America, and specifically what our commander-in-chief has to say about it.  Then the server ate it.  So, in lieu of that, I penned a funny piece about quotes from stupid people AND included video of fainting goats.  The server ate that, too.  I’m half expecting this piece that I’m typing r-i-g-h-t now to never see the light of publication.

Moving again.  HATE IT.  But, if all goes well, this will be one of just two more moves.  Then we can settle down.  I can’t wait to settle down.  I am hungry for a place that is ours.  One that we can totally fix up without worrying that we’re putting money into something we can’t keep.  One that is ours.

Excited about the prospect of working with Bryan, Steph, and Keboobalah on-stage.  Really excited about it, actually.  I missed working with Steph when we were doing our Hollow-Perky excursions (and, yes, I meant to describe it in just that order), and I haven’t been onstage with K in several years now.. and I’ve never worked with Bryan.  Throw in the fact that none of us give a damn about how foolish we look, and you’ve got a great time.

I had a manager come over to my desk today and look at my photo-booth collection.  “Is that really YOU?” he asked.  I nodded.. I mean, it looks just like me.  “Huh,” he thought, “I’ve never seen you look that happy.” 

Well, the tard in there with me really lights my fire, what can I say?

Cookout on Monday at Steph’s.  Very excited about that.  (And, it’s Terri’s birthday that day!!)

Well, crap.. I think Bryan has the stomach bug I just shook.  GUHRATE.  We were going to try and trek to Atlanta for a few days with The Boy, but we shall see how his health is doing.. and it’s his birthday on Sunday. :( Bummer.

Okay.  That’s all the stalling I can do right now.

Yay for Taylor Hicks and all that jazz.

We were tuned in to the Top Chef season finale.  Man, what an amazing finale.  We were completely sucked in to the show from day one, mainly because we were so put off with the Project Runway season finale (Chloe should NOT have won).  But Top Chef made it better. 

My favorite quote of the night was from Loraine Bracco, who was the guest judge for the finale.  Apparently, she’s also a foodie and a somelier, and is branching out into vinyards.  Her Bracco Wines were the tastings for the final meal.  Anyway, while judging the second chef’s plates, Loraine threw out the amazingly-Italian statement: “None of her dishes are making me want to lick the plates.  And that makes me sad.”

Yes, baby.  THAT’S how we do it.

Last night was nice.  After a comfort-food lunch yesterday, I went home and spent some time on the couch, expecting the horrible stomach cramping to continue.  It didn’t.  In fact, I became ravenous.  I ate some Cheez-Its until Bryan made it back from baseball practice, and then we went to Tellini’s.  I had never been, but it was very nice.  We ate out on the patio, and the warm summer breeze really made the evening.  We must’ve spent a good hour there, just sitting and talking.  It’s no front porch, but it was pretty damn close.

So I’m frustrated with my body.  Just thought I’d share.  Although I’ve been following the SparkPeople meal plans, and drinking TONS of water, and eating ALL DAY (just in small, calculated portions).. I’m actually putting on weight.  Specifically, in my already too-large ass.  Which SUCKS.  Granted, I haven’t run in a few weeks, but I have been exercising.  I finally gave in and ordered the Winsor Pilates Circle System (Pilates always made sense to me, but I couldn’t ever afford it), which should be here in another week.  The best part?  It guarantees that you will lose a pant size in 10 days or your money back.  Hell yeah, that’s nice.  I will keep everyone up-to-date on how that venture is going.

And you may be asking yourself, “Didn’t she just do this same routine with CoreSecrets?”  Yes.. yes, she did.  And CoreSecrets is amazing for your stomach and arms and .. well, your core.  But your ass and legs?  They’re left out in the cold.  So it’s fine if your upper body needs work.  But if you have an Italian ass and saddlebags, it’s not right for you.  Us.  Me.

Don’t you feel informed?

I don’t know how many times I’ve received this email.  But today of all days, it really hit home.  I think it comes from the fact that I’ve been unable and unwilling to eat anything for three days now, and she knew exactly what comfort food would sound good to me..

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is this the long way?” she asked. And the guide said: “Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.”

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, “Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.”

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,” A little patience and we are there.” So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, “Mother, we would not have done it without you.”

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I ‘ve given them strength.”

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: “Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. ” And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, “This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.”

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.”

And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.” And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: “We cannot see her but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence…….”

Your Mother is always with you…. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop. She’s the place you came from, your first home; and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space… not even death!