These would be good to find under the tree!

I was wondering around Target when I found this book to the left. It's basically an in your face nutrition book, which sounds like it is right up mom's alley- they avocate for getting rid of meat, dairy, and sugar. I was curious, so I looked it up on amazon.com and found a cookbook to go with it, which looks like it answers the question that' s been on my mind: If I don't eat meat and dairy, what can I make that will be healthy, filling, and not repulsive? Here is the publisher's summary: Skinny Bitches Can Bake Their Cake - And

Eat it Too! Quit your bitching--they've heard you already! You read Skinny Bitch and it totally rocked your world. Now you want to know, "What can I cook that's good for me, but doesn't taste like crap?" Well, lucky for you, the Bitches are on the case. Self-proclaimed pigs, Rory and Kim understand all too well: Life without lasagna isn't a life worth living; chocolate cake is vital to our survival; and no one can live without mac `n cheese--no one. So can you keep to your SB standards and eat like a whale? Shit yeah, bitches. To prove it, Rory and Kim came up with some kick-ass recipes for every craving there is:
-Bitchin' Breakfasts -PMS (Pissy Mood Snacks) -Sassy Soups and Stews -Grown-up Appetizers -Comfort Cookin' -Hearty Ass Sandwiches -Happy Endings (Desserts)
And a ton more! They are all so good (and easy to make) you're gonna freak out. Seriously. What are you waiting for? Get your skinny ass in the kitchen!

Decorating Chinese style

Inspired by Bridget Jones, I have decided to maybe try some Feng Shui. I am making this post red because that is such a lucky color in feng shui. So I was researching it and I mapped my room out. My toilet is located in my helpful people/travel corner (interestingly enough, in the apt my toilet was in the Knowledge corner- no wonder Liberty didn't work out!). My bed is located in several sectors: the knowlege, Family/health, and Career sections. Not quite sure what the interpretation could be for that. And the only thing in my Wealth section is my tv. and maybe one of the doors. Does anyone know what the significance of that would be? The Relationship/Romance section is where I have my desk, computer and bookshelves. They suggest using the colors pink and red (at the moment my red vacuum cleaner is in this corner), having pairs of things (does my pair of computer speakers count?), and having pictures of loved ones (I do have pictures of friends and family here already) I also read that peonies are supposed to help with love. So I changed my computer wallpaper to a pair of peonies. I also read that lucky bambo is supposed to be able to help in several areas- the area depends on how many sticks you have. I have one lucky bambo plant in my Fame/reputation area which has five sticks in it- five sticks is supposed to help with health.

Bibliotherapy for singletons

I decided to buy "bridget jones's diary" since I was given the sequel for my birthday (which is like giving a toy that requires batteries without the batteries!!!) LOVED it! I completely understand why it is both a bestseller and a movie, althought the book format doesn't seem to really lend it's self to a movie. Althought, I think you have to be single and in your late twenties to early thirties to fully appreciate the book. The only thing that bothered me was that she talks about how she is fat- but she only weighs 130. Now on to the sequel!

(Twilight Zone Music here)

I read my horoscope pretty much everyday, whether it is online or in a magazine- not because I actually believe that what is says will come true, but really just for entertainment. But every now and then, it contains a grain of truth. When I read my horoscope in "all you" last night it contained so many grains of truth I checked to see if I was being watched:
LEO( July 24- Aug.23) Some you win, some you lose, and some you just get on with. You don't have the option to think in terms of success or failure. So strong is the commitment, so deep is the connection, that you simply have to give-and keep giving-your all. As you now look at your options you feel a little frustrated. You aren't free to do what you would really like to be doing. You are, though, free to do what you need to do. While that's not as superficially satisfying, it is far more important. The moves you make this month will stand you in good stead for many months to come. You know this already. Trust what you feel. Accept what you might normally reject and move on.
I have been feeling a little pressed for time since I started the new client so while I am excited about starting my practicum(which is like having a part time job), the thought of working more hours worries me. I also just realized that I am going to have to do 2 classes and my practicum/internship for two semesters(which is the equivalent of 3 classes= full time in Grad school) if I want to be finished in a year which I do.

Just Cute

Tonight I had my client,M, doing a packet about herself (with my help of course). The one page was about your family tree. When I told her this, she screwed her face up and then, with a very confused look on her face, said "umm..I don't have a family tree". I explained what a family tree was, but I think she was still a little confused.

Separated at birth?

Anybody else think they resemble each other?

Cursed? You make the call..

Today as I was leaving the office parking lot, minding my own business, a lady backed up in to me. Never fear, it left a very tiny scratch on my front bumper, not visible to the naked eye unless you are the owner of the car. I decided to be nice and let it go because we all make mistakes sometimes. However, I was a little freaked out because this happened so close to my close call from yesterday and as we all know, bad things happen it threes. My drive to the client's was uneventful so I told myself to shake it off- the day would get better! Nope. When I came out to get back in my car I was greeted by the sight of a meter maid writing me a parking ticket. ARGGG! And the day just got better from there- my clients were off, I was stuck behind every slowpoke on the road, I was late to every client, and other stuff too!

Your prayers and happy thoughts please!

Next Thursday I have an interview for an internship at Pinebrook Services!! What a relief it would be to have my internship lined up! Everybody cross their fingers for me please!

A Close Call

So today I was driving down 78 in the left lane and there was a truck in the right lane beside me. Out of no where, a small red car pulls out in front of both of us to get to the paved part of the median(on the other side of my lane), I'm assuming to turn around. I came so close to hitting the car that I braced my self for the crash- probably within a couple inches of hitting it. If I had not been paying attention, I would have hit the driver's door of this car, most likely killing the driver on impact, and I would have been, at the least, seriously injured. So this driver risked the lives of at least two people all to save himself a minute or two. How can you be so selfish?! Not to mention stupid.

Another one bites the dust!

I finished and turned in my final assignment for Family Therapy with Children. So am officially on break. Until October 1st when I start my next class- Couple and sex therapy. Six classes down. Seven classes, two practicums, and an internship to go!! Why, I can see a very faint light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy Birthday Steph

You're probably going to think this is cheesy but I'm doin' it anyway!
Dear Steph,
Thank you for posting about all the funny, frustrating, and cute things your kids do with such love. After spending at least a portion of my day with parents who act as if their child(ren) is a bother, your blog is therapeutic for me.

Thank you for listening to my rants about work, mom and/or Dad, Claire, singlehood, welfare, and so many other topics.

Thank you for being weird- you make me feel normal!

Thank you making sure I am up to date regarding the latest celebrity scandals and have ample opportunity to discuss them.

Thank you for not teaching your kids to call me something evil.

Thank you for being so frickin' concerned about my "girls". Seriously, even mom wasn't that concerned.

Thank you for being my continual shopping companion. Despite what you think, I really enjoy those trips.


"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. " ~Barbara Alpert

Oy Vey

I started a new client tonight, M. I cannot honestly say that it was a good start, but it was a start. M lives in Allentown, so I figured I did not need directions, but I mapquested the address as a back up. So naturally, I got lost and wound up being a half hour late. Thankfully, her mother wasn't upset about this. She seemed friendly and m is adorable. However, I realized about half way through that in my mad dash to get to the client, I had forgotten to take a drink and was now desperately in need of one- I smelled the dry mouth smell at one point. M didn't seem to be bothered by this, but her mother asked if I needed a drink. How embarassing!! It wouldn't have been so bad if this wasn't the first time we were meeting. I'm just going to have to make sure that my breath smells minty fresh the next time.

Wanted: man with tools

My elliptical machine arived today- not in one piece like it was pictured- in many, many pieces. So as soon as I was done eating dinner, I began to put it together. This required about 2 hours, a (new) rubber mallet, and lots of elbow grease- but I got it done. I now have a decent tool collection. I don't want a decent tool collection. I want a man with a decent tool collection!(and before anyone says it: one that I'm not related to) Don't get me wrong, I am proud of the fact that I can put things together and hang a picture- I am not a helpless little lady, but I find myself getting increasingly jealous of my peers who have a husband, fiance, or boyfriend to do the dirty work for them. I'm not asking for much, I just want to stop buying tools.

Boys will be boys

So today one of my clients and I were playing with Flarp(noise putty). He had minimal interest in playing with it and repeated "all done" urgently. So I put it away and on a whim, pressed down on it with one of my fingers, which produced a realistic fart noise. My client's head whipped around- what could have made this wonderous sound he thought (I'm guessing) So I did it again. And suddenly the Flarp was THE most facinating thing in the room.

Just Why?!

An email I recieved through Myspace:

Date:
Sep 5, 2007 5:01 AM Date Sent: 9/5/2007 5:01:00
AMBody:Hi, dear Laura Nice to meet you. Your photos are lovely. How do you do ? I am Hongwu in Beijing, China. I am software engineer. I study in Beijing University in spare time. In Beijing University, there are some foreign students & scholars came from USA. I feel Myspace.com is a very good place. What do you do on Myspace.com ? Do you know something about China ? If you are interested, I will send you some pictures about China & myself at once. So you can understand something about China at first. Please give me your email address. About me, I seek girlfriend & a marriage here. Please view my profile & my photos there, if you are interested. My email address: xuhowu@hotmail.com xuhowu@yahoo.com.cn On hotmail.com, I have instant messanger. It's also called MSN. On MSN, my user name is xuhowu@hotmail.com Hope to hear from you Hongwu in Beijing University, China "

Somebody please tell WHY I only attract weirdos like this!

Great Shape me?

I have decided to purchase an elliptical machine- they provide an excellent cardio workout. Yes I still belong to the gym and I intend to keep the membership so that I can strenght train. However, my trainer tells me that cardio is essential to physical fitness and to weight loss. I decided to buy my own elliptical because I always feel self conscious when I go on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical at the gym-there are people there to stare at me sweating on the elliptical and judge me based on my speed. Plus I am pretty busy, so if it's right there I will be more likely to do it while I am watching tv or reading. I found one that has all the features that the ones at the gym have, but at a really good price. To the left is a picture of the one I bought.

Frustrations

It seems like I have been job searching for an eternity now. I finally got a call for an interview, which I scheduled, but I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. The job would involve a lot of driving and I would be taking a sizable pay cut, but I would have benefits and a 401K. I could always supplement my income by staying at VCG part time, but that wouldn't leave me much time for an internship (if that ever gets set up!!!), which is an important consideration.
In other news, I am still struggling to set up my internship. I have to be supervised be an AAMFT approved supervisor, of which there are only seven in the valley, and I have to find a place that will let me do master's level work with a BS- not an easy task. Between this and my job search I want to pull my hair out!!! But at least my class is going well.

For the record

With the exception of the gel booties (thanks mom!), once again, my list was ignored!!! and you wonder why I drag my feet about making them up!

Cleanin' Out My Closet

I was looking through my closet today, mostly because JcPenney always sends me a coupon in August, to see if I was in need of any clothes. While I don't absolutely need anything, I decided to use the coupon on a long sleeved shirt or two- most of mine fit but are big and make me look either dumpy or ten pounds heavier. So off I went to JcPenney where I was reminded of why my body sucks. Apparently, I am at that akward stage of body transformation ( some call it weight lose, I prefer the more positive and dramatic "body transformation") where nothing fits exactly right. (sigh) You see, empire waists are all the rage right now. This good because I happen to like this style and they (usually) look good on me. So I picked one out in a medium (because that is my size now!!!) and it fit everywhere but the chest. So, because I really liked the shirt, I lowered myself and picked up a large- which was too big. Bastards! After trying on both sizes several times, I decided to get the medium and wear it so that the "waist" is under the girls but with a camisole so that I can still be modest.

At Last...!

I FINALLY have high speed internet!!!!!