I’ll Have it on Ice, Please.

We’re holding out.

Our thermostat has sat in the OFF position for some time now. Eric and I are boycotting the heat. We have extra clothes. It’s cheaper than what the electric bill would be, should we decide to kick on the heat. Needless to say, it’s a chilly 62 degrees in here. I don’t know if you know what 62 degrees feels like in a home. It’s cold. We even have an upstairs. It’s cold up there, too. We sleep with 23 blankets on the bed and pray that we don’t wake up with icicles on our noses. Originally, we said we were going to try and make it without heat until Nov. 1st. Well, kiddos, that’s this weekend. It’s supposed to get pretty nice the next week or so (My weather-friends are saying 68 degrees on Election Tuesday!!!)

So, now, I have a new goal. Eric nervously laughed at me when I suggested it. “Let’s try and make it till Thanksgiving!!” I’m dreaming big… and I might sustain substantial frostbite in the process — but it’s worth a shot. Now, it’s more a matter of will. I’d feel like I’d be letting myself down if I switch that knob to “Heat: On.” We’ll see.

Heck, it’s pretty damn nice out today. just a tshirt and sweats coming out of the gym. I walked into my apartment… pretty sure it’s colder in here than it is outside. I actually walked outside… just to warm up.

Well, for a girl who sweats as much as I do (really, I do. I sweat. Like a man.)… the chilly apartment isn’t so bad.

Defeating the Purpose?

Two things I saw at the Y today that made me laugh:

1: I was washing my hands after lifting — threw my paper-towel in the trash… and saw a medium Wendy’s Frosty. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love me some chocolate Frosty (and I know my Frosty sizes, people.)… but if you’re going to eat those hundreds of calories, wouldn’t you NOT eat it on the way to the Y — or on the way out? Really… and just because you work out doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want. A lot of people think that way… I’m guilty of it too at times. But in order to lose weight, your calorie intake must be less than what you’re burning. Plain and simple. Frostys — no matter when you scarf them down… won’t help a sister lose those lbs. Again, not condoning Frostys. I heart them, too. I just hide my evidence a little better.

2: People who light up that cigarette as soon as they walk out the doors of the Y. Really, people? Again, defeating the damn purpose. Working out = good. Smoking those Virginia Slims the second you leave the place = mental. Whatevs, it’s your body. Do with it what you wish. Just know I’m judging you.

So. I Checked. It’s Been a While.

Hi. Sorry. Bet you thought I forgot about you. Nope, I didn’t. I thought about blogging plenty of times. Did I actually sit down and do it. No. Apologizes all around. You accept them? Great. Let’s move on, then. Obviously, I didn’t write down every single thing/story I could blog about. So, instead, you’ll get a list. I don’t know about you, but lists keep my attention more than a full-out story. Then again, I have a mild case of OCD. You understand. Here goes…

–I’ve been on 3rd shift now for nearly a month. I do the first two hours of our WakeUp show. I like it. I dislike the hours, but I love the crew and the show layout.

–I don’t really do anything anymore… other than sleep and eat an occasional meal. No, really. I get home at 7am, go right to bed. Try and sleep until about 3:30pm. I wake up groggy and not knowing what day/time it is. I stay that way until about 5pm, when Eric comes home. We eat dinner together. I get sleepy again. I shower and lay back down to try and take a min nap before I start getting ready for work at 9:10pm. I’m out the door 20 minutes later. That’s my day. Everyday.

–That is, except Fridays. I have real weekends off now. How ’bout them apples. Look at what it cost me though. Ha. 3rd shift. Whatever. I do things now on the weekend. Run errands on Saturday morning, go to church in the afternoon. I forgot, fish fry on Friday. Watch football Sunday afternoons. It’s pretty great.

–I think my ear-holes are too small. I try and sleep with earplugs in, but they don’t stay in my ears. I swear I’m crinkling them up enough — and shoving them as far into my ear as they’ll go. My ear-holes hurt after I wear my ear buds for a long time, too — especially after a long workout. I take them out of my ears and literally massage my ear-holes. Hot. I know.

–My new favorite drink on Planet Earth: Starbuck’s Caramel Apple Cider. It’s hot. It’s spiced. It’s got caramel. I’m only drinking them now because my Mom gave me a giftcard from there that she got from a co-worker. It’s a re-gift. I’ll stop drinking those wonderful, hot creations when the money on the card runs out. I have $3.64 left. That’s enough for a medium drink ( I know Starbucks doesn’t call it medium… I think it’s a Tall.)

–Eric and I have been consuming a lot of hard-boiled eggs lately. Don’t know why. They’re good, though. And kind of good-for-you.

–I’m ready for the election to be over. And for Barack to win. I’m also ready to giggle at all the McCain/Palin supporters who are crying in their richy-rich non-whipped, skim, extra hot fraps. (Sorry Republican friends.)

–Speaking of McCain… that’s what I’m going as for Halloween. Eric is Sarah Palin. This is funny for many reasons: One: We’re both voting for Obama. Two: He’s the girl, I’m the boy. Here’s the picture to prove how scary/funny we are. Wait. Kim hasn’t seen this yet. I can’t unveil it until after this weekend.

–Speaking of Kim. She’s throwing Klassy Bash ‘08 on Saturday. Long story, short… a bunch of us gals and our significant others are getting together for a day of costumes, the Badger game, chili, an awesome Kahlua dessert, Apples to Apples and plenty of beer. It’s a Halloween party, but better. Pictures to follow after the bash.

–Eric and I carved pumpkins to get into the spoooooky spirit. Too bad we did it all too early. I had to throw them out yesterday because they weren’t going to make it to this weekend. Sad. They were pretty mushy. A few good rains will do that to Jack. Here’s our handy-work.

–Sweeps is about the start. Better known to many others as ratings period. It’s one of four months of hell in the news business. Needless to say, I hope November flies. It won’t, though. I’m sure of it.

–We bought candy for trick-or-treaters. Not a one knocked on our door. Now Eric and I don’t feel so bad about noshing on gummy lifesavers… instead of a bag of mini peanut butter cups, which I exercised some constraint… and did NOT buy.

That’s about all I got for right now. I always say this, but Ill try and be a better blogger. Hope you enjoyed getting caught up on all my business.

Superstition Debunked.

Alright Kimmy, I get it. Billy Hall isn’t the best (or even close to being the best) player on the Brewers roster. I never said he was good. I just like to look at him (minus the chew).

Anyways, I wore my Hall t-shirt Wednesday. The team lost. So, I said to myself, “Self, let’s not wear the Hall shirt anymore on game-day because they lost last Saturday against the Cubs and Wednesday’s loss wasn’t pretty.”

Well, on Sunday (when the team got the wild card spot, I was sporting a pair of pink slipper-gripper booties on my feet. My Mom picked them up for me at MLB.com. They’ve got the Brewers logo on them. Super cute. So, I wore them Sunday — and the team won. It was huge.

So, when it was time to pick out my gear for Thursday night — I left the Hall t-shirt folded up, and whipped out the pink booties.  I was out in public, so…I paired them up with my clogs. No, not Crocs, my Birks.

Needless to say, my booties did jack-squat for my superstition of wearing the same things after a big win.

So, when they play tomorrow — maybe I’ll just leave all my Brew Crew gear at home.

I’ll say it’s Opposite Day.

Keep your fingers crossed — if the Brewers go oh-and-three…and shamefully get knocked out of the playoffs, I might kick and scream like a two-year-old.

I know. I’m mature.

Partyin’ Like it’s 1982.

I’m not one for bandwagons.  But I don’t need to reiterate, we’re in some tough economic times. And I don’t care if you watched a single Brewers game this season… the team’s in the frickin’ playoffs. Write it down, etch it in your mind… this might not happen for another 63 years. So, over the course of the next few days, watch the games, love the Brewers and catch the playoffs fever. It’s exciting. I might even tear up a little. I sure did on Sunday when the Brewers game was over… and the Mets lost.

It’s a big deal. Not just for the team, but for a city that’s been waiting… and fans who have been so patient and so willing to ride the season’s rollercoasters.

This is the Brewers’ year. Let’s embrace it.

Go Brew Crew!!!

PS: I’ll be wearing my blue and gold apparel over the next few days. We’ll start today with my Hall t-shirt. I still love him, even if he is a man-whore. (Krista, I shuddered a little when I read your post…ick.) He’s still nice to look at (minus the chew. Blech, dude…switch to gum).

Did Anyone Save the Classifieds?

I don’t normally ask things of you…but some mini-prayers would appreciated.

Monday, my Mom found out she’s out of a job come mid-January. Her company was bought out by another one… and they’re closing the Waukesha branch (the one my Mom’s at). She’s worked there 14 years. I checked. That’s a long time. Now, at age 52, she’s gotta start looking for a new gig.  I feel terrible for her, but ya know what, we’re a strong bunch…we’ll get her right over this hurdle. I’ve offered up a few suggestions of new jobs: Diamond Dancer (for the Milwaukee Brewers), party planner (she’s pretty good at e-vites), professional Mom (obvious… but Lord knows I’m not payin’ her, I hardly have enough cash for myself) or Pottery Barn sales associate (I hear the discount is A-OK. She thought, maybe she could open up a Red Lobster. She loves the biscuits. I’m not sure a love of carbs is enough to do it…but the thought crossed her mind.

Then, my Mom got a phone call last night from my Aunt. My cousin (who’s my age) just lost her job, too. Same sort of thing…someone new (from an outside company) came in…and basically started handin’ out pink slips.

Seriously, people. With the state of our economy, people can’t afford to be losing jobs like this. Everyday, you hear about another company going under, cutting hundreds of jobs.

I don’t normally get on my political soapbox, but here’s my one rant…Bush is all “job creation this, and more American jobs that,” but where the hell is it? We NEED something different in the White House. That different is Senator Barack Obama. Gosh. I’ll sure think about jumpin’ off the Hoan if McCain is elected.

Lord help us all…

So yeah, that’s my plea for prayers. And when you pray, don’t just do it for my Mom and my cousin, Michele… do it for all the workers, who have families or bills piling up…and are now facing unemployment.

Doin’ It AM Style.

No, I’m not talking about my fashion sense, (Lord knows I don’t have that.) rather, my new way of living. For the next two months or so (cross your fingers it isn’t much longer than that), I’ll be working overnights. Yes, 10pm ’till 7am. O.ver.nights. I know, I shuddered, too. Over the past two weeks or so, we’ve had a lot of turn-around at the stations. A lot of producers are leaving (know anybody who needs a job?!) and there are a shit-ton of gaps to fill… and, well, not enough people to do it.

I’m trying to stay really positive about the whole thing. One perk, I’ll have weekends off. Friday night fish fry anyone? Saturday night dinners downtown followed by going out for a night cap or two (or four). I’m pretty excited about all that. I haven’t done that stuff, well, since I started here in the MKE.

I’ll still get to see the BF — I think I’ve got my sleep schedule plotted out, where I’ll sleep morning to afternoon…then, be up around the time he gets home — eat dinner, then hang out until 10. He goes to bed, I go to work. Makes sense, no? Eh.

The cons of this position include… well, sleep schedule. It’s weird. I’m such a morning person — yet now, I’ve got to try and fall asleep at 8am. Hmm, it should be interesting. I’ve never been so happy about earplugs and eye-masks to keep the light out.

I see this as a potential for advancement at the station… believe it or not, doing the WakeUp show is like a promotion (hmm, talk to me again in a month and see if I’m still as gung-ho about that idea…), so this is a good thing, right?! RIGHT?! That’s what I thought. (I get snippy when I don’t get enough sleep.)

So, for now, please don’t call me between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Really. I’ll be sleeping. (Not screening my calls, like I normally do.) If you want to get together after 4pm, it’s a done deal. But, I’ve got to be to work at 10pm. I’m like Cinderella. (ella, ella, aey, aey…)

But, if you need someone to talk to you, when you can’t fall back asleep after a pee-break at 3:46am…call me. I’ll be awake. And if I’m not, I’ve probably fallen asleep…on my keyboard.