Scattered Jigsaw Thoughts

masshole: somuchsass: Grilled Bruschetta with Asparagus and...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:57:07 -0600

somuchsass:

Grilled Bruschetta with Asparagus and Cheese

Unf.

ugh i need this so bad.

I have been craving asparagus lately. This looks amazing.

This morning, I went to Panera for breakfast. Yes, I know, I...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:51:00 -0600

This morning, I went to Panera for breakfast.

Yes, I know, I have no money to spend on this sort of stuff, but I also have no food at home and I actually NEED to have breakfast, so whatever. I do what I have to do.

Anyway, I got the Breakfast Power Sandwich, which is whole wheat toast with a poached egg, white cheddar cheese, and sliced ham. I don’t even like ham, but this sandwich is AMAZING.

And now all I can think about is how badly I want another one.

Presentable

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:39:44 -0600

I don’t have to dress up for my job. In fact, if I showed up in the sweats I wore to bed, I’d get made fun of, but it’d still be okay. So needless to say, I work in a pretty casual environment.

Still, I like to make at least a modicum of effort most mornings. I take a brush to my hair, toss on some mascara and concealer (since pregnancy is wreaking havoc on my skin), and generally leave the house thinking, “Yeah, okay, I pulled it together today.”

Yet it never fails that as soon as I walk into the bathroom at my office, I can’t help but be startled by my appearance. Hair is frizzy, skin is blotchy, and I just look like a general disaster. Granted, fluorescent lighting doesn’t do anyone any favors, but apparently it’s particularly harsh on me.

Christmas List

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:20:51 -0600

So obviously, with a baby on the way and the loss of a job (are you guys so sick of hearing about this stuff every post yet? Because I’m starting to get sick of writing it, but it’s almost funny at this point) the budget is a bit tight for Christmas this year.

I’ve talked to my brothers about not buying gifts for each other and they’re down with that. My mom has asked that we not get my parents anything. And even if one of my brothers-in-law wasn’t in Afghanistan, The Husband still rarely trades gifts with his brothers anyway and for sure won’t this year.

That leaves my two sisters-in-law, my goddaughter, my godson, and a couple cousins for Secret Santa stuff. I’m also going to do a little something for my mom, because it’s my dad’s bday but it just doesn’t seem fair that he’s the only one with presents.

So, I was thinking of doing these candles (as recommended by Jaclyn), these bath salts, and making several different flavored truffles that I put in pretty tins. I would give this gift combo to all the females in my xmas list.

Is that a total cop-out? Do I suck for doing an assembly line present?

I do have an Aldi by me...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:32:53 -0600

But I’m scared of it. I’ve gotten it into my head that everything there is on the brink of expiration. Will I die if I eat food from there? I mean, I guess I basically eat toxic waste anyway, but does Aldi carry even worse toxic waste?

I Need Advice

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:27:58 -0600

Grocery shopping is a constant battle for me.

I’m limited to $50/week and that includes stuff like food, toilet paper, dishwasher detergent, etc.

Generally, I do all my grocery shopping at Target. Good deals, nice environment, and excellent multitasking opportunities. But my grocery bags at target are generally filled with frozen pizzas and cans of spaghetti-o’s.

Yesterday, I realized I hadn’t had any produce in LITERALLY a week. Given that I’m growing another human being inside of me, that’s just not okay. I’m going to wind up with some sort of armless freak baby if I don’t eat better. But I just can’t seem to afford to.

So I’m thinking about making the switch to Trader Joe’s. I’m thinking that there’ll be healthier food options and different food options so that The Husband and I can attempt to get some variety and nutrition in our lives.

I’m just worried that Trader Joe’s will actually wind up being more expensive, though. So I need some professional opinions. Will I be able to feed The Husband and I for an entire week off food from Trader Joe’s and only spend $40?

Reblog, comment, email — I just need some advice and opinions. Thanks!

Proof I Work With a Bunch of Scared Suck-Ups

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:37 -0600

I got a text message this morning at 5:30 a.m. saying that the office wasn’t opening until noon because of the snow storm. I promptly rolled over and fell back asleep as the husband trudged out to plow the driveway.

I awoke at 8:30, realizing that I’m getting laid off at the end of next week, and I have a lot of shit to take care of, and shouldn’t be lounging around in bed. I’m a Minnesotan! I can handle this! I’ve seen WAY worse.

So I get up, get showered, get ready, and call my boss asking if anyone is in the office so that I can get in.

Ummm…over half the office was here.

PEOPLE! The office didn’t open until NOON!! I’m getting laid of in a week, but what the hell is your excuse for getting here?

People are so stupid.

My crazy new co-worker is talking loudly on the phone about her colonoscopy

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:59:14 -0600

Really? Lady. It’s 2:00 on a Tuesday. I don’t need to be hearing your personal conversation about how important you think a colonoscopy is.

I won’t even talk to my mom about my headache on the phone. You don’t need to be talking to a friend about your ass troubles.

If you must engage in such a private discussion, how about you at least try to use your indoor voice?

I can't catch a break

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:07:50 -0600

December is kicking my ass.

I’m going to hibernate until 2010, ok? Things are bound to get better then.

lickystickypickyme: Lauryn Hill - Can’t take my eyes off you.

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:06:47 -0600

lickystickypickyme:

Lauryn Hill - Can’t take my eyes off you.

jordanreid: I was served these delicious (and easy-to-make)...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:31:38 -0600

jordanreid:

I was served these delicious (and easy-to-make) Oreo truffles pretty much everywhere I went while visiting Kendrick’s relatives over Thanksgiving, and asked my mother-in-law to send me the recipe. Put them in a pretty tin, and they make a lovely, personal (and inexpensive) Christmas gift.

OREO TRUFFLES

What you need:

1 package Oreo cookies, finely crushed

1 8 oz package cream cheese (no reduced fat stuff, please…we’re talking truffles here)

2 packages (8 squares each) semi-sweet chocolate, melted (in the microwave is easiest)

What you do:

1. Mix 3 cups of the cookie crumbs with the cream cheese until well-blended.

2. Shape cookie/cream cheese mixture into 42 1” balls.

3. Dip balls in melted chocolate (use two forks and sort of roll them around until evenly coated; allow excess to drip off) and place on wax paper.

4. Sprinkle over remaining cookie crumbs and refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.

Other decorating ideas: Adorn your truffles with sprinkles, colored sugar, or even edible glitter.

I don’t know how I missed this recipe a few days ago, but this sounds fabulous!! I’d already planned on making Pioneer Woman’s Chocolate Truffles With Sea Salt to give as gifts to my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, but now I have more truffles to throw into the mix!!

And this recipe just looks so stupid easy that even I couldn’t screw it up!

Another football thing...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:01:33 -0600

needtherapy:

I’m kind of pissed that Boise State and TCU are playing each other in the Fiesta Bowl. You know it’s just so that none of the BCS teams will have to suffer a loss to a non-BCS team that’s supposed to be inferior, but actually isn’t, right? It’s lame. I want to see Florida or Ohio play Boise State or TCU and get blown away, so we can stop talking about how great the BCS is, and admit that it’s a stupid, flawed system.

It’s like you’re in my head. AGREED. Couldn’t be more bummed about this match-up.

A coincidence? I think not.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:32:51 -0600

I realized last night that Boise State’s appearances in the Fiesta Bowl provide the bookends for my current job.

3 years ago, I started here on January 3rd, the day after returning from the game.

In 3 short weeks, my job here will end, just before I attend the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

Such a strange coincidence.

Is asking for curtains a bizarre Christmas gift?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:07:15 -0600

My aunt wants my Christmas list, but all I really want are gift certificates so I can buy maternity clothes, and curtains for my living room.

Would it be weird to ask for curtains?

Things I Learned This Weekend:

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:35:46 -0600

Well, obviously, the number one item is that I learned I am soon-to-be unemployed.

I have better friends than I ever dreamed
The Husband is far more supportive and protective than I give him credit for
My dad has taught me well how to handle adversity with dignity. He provided an excellent model for how to act in these types of situations.
Christmas trees are freaking expensive.
In 24 hours, 3 dogs can mess up my house more than I ever thought possible.
I gotta stop dog-sitting full-grown puppies. None of the cuteness, all of the damage.

slackmo: Slight explanation, if that’s even possible: 1) This...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:08:06 -0600

slackmo:

Slight explanation, if that’s even possible:

1) This was created by a coworker. (My job is awesome.)

2) To frighten another coworker who’s afraid that one day a midget might hump her leg. (No, seriously.)

3) The leprechaun is tonguing yet another designer who works here who has a storied affinity for little people.

One day two midgets simultaneously humped my leg. I think it was supposed to be dancing, but it felt a lot more like humping.

It was terrifying. I hid in the bathroom for most of the night. It has scarred me for life.

Your co-worker has every right to be afraid of this scenario.

I'm sorry, I'll get out of this funk soon

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:23:00 -0600

It’s just that I’m dreading tomorrow.

I know I’m not the first person to get laid off. I know I’m not the first person to get laid off under really shitty circumstances. But I just can’t get over the shock of it all, you know?

And I’m sorry to write about it so often as if my getting laid off is the end of the world. It’s just that I’ve got some feelings I’ve gotta get out on the subject.

3 years with this company. A review a few months ago where I was given and excellent performance analysis and a raise to back that praise up. The sense that I was just finally growing into my position and making it my own. This getting laid off thing…it’s a punch in the gut.

But everything happens for a reason. I haven’t been happy there for a long time. And I know there’s something better out there for me. Sam is a visionary, and I can’t wait to chase her dream with her. And I have some amazing friends with great connections. I will be ok. I will find what makes me happy.

I will not let the cold and cruel behavior of one CEO bring me down.

Looks like I'm going to the Fiesta Bowl

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:18:11 -0600

Pitting Boise and TCU against each other seems like a cop-out to me, though. It makes it impossible for either team to further their argument of why it’s so important to have a playoff system if neither of them get the opportunity to beat a BCS team.

Kinda lame.

Also, my other brother’s girlfriend is going. I can’t stand her. If I have to hear about her stupid ulcer for 3 days, I’m going to punch her in the throat. Girl, I’m growing a person. STFU.

Whatever, I’m a brat. I’m getting my second trip to see my baby brother play in a BCS bowl game. That’s pretty incredible and I need to STFU.

Hurray Fiesta Bowl!!!

I’ve come to the realization that I know NOTHING about...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:39:58 -0600

I’ve come to the realization that I know NOTHING about unemployment.

Seriously, nothing.

And I’m trying to read up on it and understand it and figure it out, but something is just not clicking for me.

So I’m nearly unemployed AND I’m an idiot. Things are not looking good for me…

I still haven't quite gotten over the shock

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:58:49 -0600

I mean…who lays off a pregnant woman? At Christmastime? One who does her job well? My mind just cannot comprehend this.

I just need to stay positive. It could be worse, and there are so many people who have it worse than me. I know that.

But still…this is unreal. Right? How does this happen???