I’m 30, yo! Happy birthday to me!

BIG THANKS to Twinkie, Brooke and Matt for setting up Friday's field trip. I had such a good time. I just wish we could have spent a few more hours drinking at Chalet Basque. I can't believe how fast time flew by while we were there.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun and hopefully Twinkie will have a recap of the night's events soon! She's always so good at that. Hair was really a great show though. I enjoyed it and so did my honey who was practically forced to be there. ha! He's such a good sport. Anyway, he thought it was pretty good. Thank goodness for that, otherwise I'd still be hearing about how I dragged him out there. :) I can't believe how much talent is right here in Bakersfield. Everyone was amazing! I have to admit I'm a bit sheltered, but I won't be anymore. Bakotopian's honor.

Thanks to the three of you and everyone else who helped organize it. It was so much fun meeting everyone. I felt so cool being part of the Bakotopian clique on Friday! :) hehe...

Until next time...

 

Yay! I'm sooooo excited! I can't wait to watch it. I probably won't watch it today or tomorrow, but I promise you I will watch it before or on the 22nd. Why such a specific date, you ask? Well let me tell you a story….   [Cue dream sequence harp music here]   A long long time ago… okay not very long ago… it really was only about 3 years ago, I was hanging out with some friends at a local bar attempting to get over my break-up with Satan's spawn only 4 months before. I wasn't emotionally ready for a relationship. I was bitter, angry, sad, and skeptical and untrusting of everyone… especially men. There was no way I was getting into another relationship right away… and I didn't. It'd be less than year until I would become exclusive with the very sweet guy I met on a very special night. [awwww]   But anyway, there I sat at the table with my two drunken friends and a Corona bottle in hand. "Damn men!" we would exclaim to the skies above, "Damn them all!"  Then we all busted out with a Vicente Fernandez song… or was it Ramon Ayala? I can't remember. Anyway, so there we sat looking all disheveled and desperate when this young guy walked up to me and asked if he and his friend could come sit at our table. I took one look at this guy and was completely mesmerized… by his friend.  So I said to my friend, "Move, slut! He's sitting here."   Okay, so I really didn't say that… in those exact words.   We chatted and knocked back a few drinks with these two guys for awhile. Eventually, he asked me to dance, and we hung out for another hour or so. He asked for my number, and I reluctantly gave it to him even after he admitted he was a few years younger than me and was also FROM Delano. (GAH!)  [But that's another story for another blog.] I decided there was no harm in having made another friend, right, especially since I thought he was cute!   Anyway, he called me the very next day and asked me out on a date that night. We decided on a movie and he let me choose. And do you know what I chose?? Come on, guess!…………. It was Shrek 2! Hehe… [Man, I HEART Shrek!]   And so a love story began on May 22, 2004 with Shrek and me. Ha! I kid! A real love story began the day I had my first date with my honey boo, butter biscuit, sweet Edge. And how lucky am I that we get to commemorate this day with Shrek the Third?! It's fate, my dear friends. Ha!   Of course, we weren't exclusive from day one, and there were lots of doubts, questions and mixed emotions that came into play with age and my previous relationship, but we overcame that eventually. May definitely is a special month for me, though. I met a wonderful and sweet person and we had our first date. I had no idea how much my life would change. I went from being depressed and heartbroken to meeting and ultimately falling in love with my best friend. There's no one more perfect for me. So here's to Shrek! [clink] Watch it! And think of my Edgie and me!

(Jiggler? Is that even a word?)

 

Yesterday I was on a mission to find a good pair (or two) of exercise shorts. How dare I even shop for shorts! I swore off shorts over a year ago after one day I awoke to find that I was… dun dun dun overweight! I’m thisclose to swearing off short-sleeve tops as well, but the only reason I haven’t is because I can’t afford to replace every item in my closet with muumuus. (sigh)

 

Anyway, I was lucky enough to find two pairs of shorts yesterday, now if only I could muster up the courage of actually sporting them. Sheesh! I had no problem wearing shorts when I was an itty bitty size 2/4, but let me tell you I’m definitely not a fo’ no mo’!

I really needed to buy these shorts though. I’m the only girl in the whole gym that I frequent that wears long workout pants with a sweater wrapped around my waist to cover up the jiggly boo-tay! (As if that’s not going to attract attention to the rump that’s suffocating underneath all that clothing.) Not only that, how long can I really last with a sweater in this Bakersfield heat!?

 

Seriously, there are so many people at the gym of so many different shapes and sizes, but it seems like no one at that gym, no matter how overweight they are, have a backside that bounces when he/she runs. Not to mention, one that is nearly as wide as mine. Once upon a time my booty was a cutie, but obviously I failed to see that since I was a young, unconfident, insecure girl. Now I’m just an old, insecure woman who wishes she looked that way again. Sheesh!

 

Nevertheless, I am going to attempt to wear the shorts today… or maybe tomorrow. I just really hate to put these portly, flabby, cellulite infested thighs on display for the world to see. How could I torture the poor souls on the elliptical machines and stationary bikes behind me? And how do I get rid of my security blanket, or in this case my security sweater? The torture! Maybe this will be the motivation I need to get serious about my weight loss. Okay, that’s it. I’m dropping the sweater and getting into a pair of shorts. Aughhh! Wish  me luck!

Check them out!

 

:: Stretch::

Ahhhh... So, I've been MIA for a bit around these here parts. I'm not really sure who else but Twinkie reads my blog, but I've been stupid busy at work.  Gah! But today?? Today is Friday and I refuse to work. Maybe I'll work a little, just so that  I won't be swamped come Monday but I seriously refuse to stress myself out today. Which, by the way, isn't working. You wanna know why? Well, since I decided I wasn't going to work, I decided to be productive in an alternate way and shop online for Christmas gifts. Yeah, and I didn't want to stress! WTH was I thinking!? I'm stressing now. BIG TIME!

I have no idea what to get anyone. Oh and I'm forcing myself to stick to my budget this year. Every year I promise myself the same exact thing and then I go overboard, which in turn leaves me broke for the next 4-5 months. Totally not cool, man! I'm trying my best not to set foot into a store this Christmas season unless I really have to (ie. toiletries, feminine products). I know I will end up spending more money than I need to and buy myself unnecessary items just because I think it looks cute.

I only have ONE really cool gift idea this year, and that is a gift for my brother. He happens to be a big time Superman fan so I decided on The Ultimate Superman DVD Collection... or whatever it's called. Yeah, I'm a good sister. He'll be ecstatic, I'm sure. I just wish I knew what to get everyone else.

Anyway, I'll leave ya'll for now. I must return to my online shopping. There are only 24 days left until Christmas.  AUGH!

Before I forget, I got the following email forward today. Just something to think about if any of you are interested.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David_Ebel@usw.salvationarmy.org
To: "Dr. Phil Foley" <pfoley@co.kern.ca.us>
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:56:49 -0800
Subject: Christmas Volunteers Needed

The Salvation Army and The Marines Reserve Toys for Tots are partnering with many other agencies to become the Bakersfield Community Christmas. As this cooperation works together we will get to provide over 3000 Christmas food boxes and over 25,000 toys to needy families this season.

This is more than DOUBLE our Salvation Army record for Christmas Baskets and TRIPLE the toys, too.

We urgently need at least 500 volunteers that can give at least 2 hours
each to assemble everything in the old "Zodies Building" at 4001 Ming.

Times are Monday thru Friday- 9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm
Saturdays. We need help Dec 3 till 18 to assemble and 19-21 to do
distribution.

To volunteer please call 836-8487 right away.

Kids and families will have Christmas if we work together.

See you there

Captain David Ebel

It's Thanksgiving eve. Yay! I love Thanksgiving.  I love the food... gawd do I love the food, but I especially love spending it with my family.

So since it is Thanksgiving eve, I thought it'd be fun to list a few things I'm thankful for:

1. My baby nephew. He seriously brings a smile to my face everytime I see him. I love how it feels when I hold him close to me.

2. My 6 year old niece and the fact that she calls me tia. We've missed so much of her life because of her parents' bitter divorce but I'm so happy she now feels closer to us.

3. My mama, a single woman raising 5 children on her own. I'm happy to say we've all turned out well. I owe her so much.

4. My two brothers and two sisters. They mean the world to me and I'm so happy that we are so close. I bitch to them sometimes (I'm the oldest) but I know they forgive me and I'm thankful for that.

5. My ENTIRE  family. They seriously are the best. I have nearly 40 cousins on my mother's side and we all grew up like brothers and sisters. I love that! My aunts who are each like a second mother, my uncles who are each the father I never had, my tata who is still alive and kicking and was the number one father in my life. I'm thankful for each and every family member in my life.

6. My nana, may she rest in peace. She passed when I was only 11 years old, but I'm so happy that I remember all the moments I spent with her, the riddles she told, the empanadas she made, the hugs she gave, the kisses on my cheek... absolutely everything. I'm so thankful I remember her. My younger cousins and baby sister never got the chance to meet her.

7. The clothes in my closet that actually still fit after my recent weight gain even if they are a bit snug.

8. A boyfriend who thinks I'm beautiful despite my recent weight gain. He said he doesn't notice. I don't believe him, but either way I'm thankful.

9. My boyfriend's family. I love them. Never did I think I'd feel as comfortable with anyone else's family as I do with his. "It's the best. I love it." -Nacho

10. Nacho Libre. What? It's funny. It makes me laugh and I'm forever grateful for anything or anyone that makes me laugh. I love Nacho! "When you are a man sometimes you wear stretchy pants... in your room. It's for fun."

11. My new MySpace and Bakotopia friends and old Blogger buds. I love that you get to meet people you wouldn't normally meet. You get to know them on a different level and develop a relationship with them. I'm easily intimidated and slightly shy so it's not as easy to make friends. So I'm thankful for my cyber buddies!

12. My carrito, even though it's prone to flat tires and cracked windshields, I'm thankful for her. [Yes, it's female. :) ]

13. My laptop!  I LOVE IT!

14. Being able to blog at work. Doesn't get any better than this.

15. Having 4 different functions to go to on Thanksgiving. Even though, I'll probably be stressed and tired tomorrow, I'm so thankful I have places to be and people who love me... and who love to feed me. I couldn't ask for more.

 

Jim is back, but now Karen is in the picture.

What is Pam to do? I feel so bad for her. I must have missed something in the previous episode, Jim's seeing someone? Is he officially seeing Karen? I was completely thrown off by that. Aww... poor, poor homely-looking Pam.

I finally joined a gym, and man, do I feel better. I feel 5 lbs lighter already.

I don't know what did it. Maybe it was because I knew the elderly man would be using our apartment complex treadmill yesterday like he has been for the past  five months. That man has ruined my routine. For the past two years I'd been using the treadmill at our apartment complex. I didn't really have problems with anyone else using it when I needed to, at least not really. Not until this man showed up out of nowhere. I was tired of trying to beat this man to the gym so I began jogging around the running track at a nearby school until the soccer kids started practicing every day inside and around the running track. Well, so much for that. So guess what? I stopped working out. I gave it up altogether. I felt the pounds packing on. I felt so disgusting that I looked for comfort in chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, candy, hamburgers, pizza, french fries, Hostess cupcakes, whatever... until earlier this week.

I convinced my fat ass that it was time to make a change, so I began using the treadmill at my apartment complex again. The elderly man was still using the treadmill daily, but I'd wait for him to get done. Yesterday, however, I decided I would wait no longer, so I took my chubby butt to a nearby gym. Yeah! (*cyber five*) The best part about it is that it isn't a meet market. No half naked woman with make-up on their face running around, no one sitting on equipment chatting away, no big, bulky men intimidating me in the free weight area. It is totally family oriented and I love it. And the best part?? There are 14 treadmills and when I arrived at 5:30 p.m. only two were being used. Tralalalala... I loved that! I'd have the hardest time finding a treadmill at 24 Hour Fitness and they had that stupid 20 minute rule. Grrrr...

I'm so excited, though. I'm even looking forward to going tonight. What?? When have I ever looked forward to going to a gym??

Pretty soon, fellow Bakotopians, I will be a skinny bitch. Nicole Ritchie will have nuthin' on me. Ha! Okay, so basically that means, I'll have to lose about 100 lbs, but with my newfound motivation, who says I can't do it?

Okay, so this Fall season I have become a TV addict.  I have no idea what happened to me. When did I become this person? Gah! I remember when I had no idea what shows were on television. I didn't even have time for the news. I no longer read the way I once did. I'm losing brain cells by the minute. I am so far behind on the Harry Potter series. Seriously, dude? What kind of crap is that, when a woman can't even be caught up with Harry Potter. Oh I know! TV! Damn, that TV. Damn it to hell!

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but since I can't show my face (Yay for blogging!) I will let y'all know how many shows I'm watching this season.

Hmm... let us count, shall we? Prison Break (I LOVE WENTWORTH, what a doll!); Heroes (GO HIRO!);  The Nine, Six Degrees, Ugly Betty, Ghost Whisperer, Kidnapped, Cold Case, and not to mention the upcoming Medium. Wait... that doesn't even include My Name is Earl, The Office, and the upcoming Scrubs. Oh and I can't forget CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, Law and Order: CI and Law and Order: SVU. AUGH!! Granted I don't get to watch ALL Law and Order and CSI shows, but I do watch a lot of the episodes. At times when I don't get to watch CSI all I have to do is go to cbs.com and watch them there. In fact, I watch most shows online. Okay, so was anyone counting? Ugh!

Except, last night I decided to download mozilla and something happened. Oh the horror! I can no longer access the abc.com streaming video page. WTH! I'm going through withdrawals over here. I asked a friend about it and he told me to download the latest internet explorer. I believe its 7.0 and nada. What's a girl to do? I'm behind two episodes on The Nine. Any nerds out there? Help me! I need to find out what happens in the bank with all those people.

Maybe it's for the best. That'll teach my fat ass to sit on the couch watching shows online and on television. Geez.

But if anyone knows what I did wrong, give me the 411, yo!

All rightee... I'm out of here. I need to schedule my AverTV for Ghost Whisperer tonight. Augh!