Cottage Girl's Rants

Observations While Driving

1. Two landscapers eating their lunch on the steps of a crypt in the cemetery where they were working. It just seemed so comical to me. These two guys who keep the cemetery looking nice and neat (for the living), taking a lunch break, and the only place to sit is on the steps of a huge, granite family crypt.

2. A big yellow lab sitting on the top step at the front entrance to his house. It was right out of a movie scene. He was kind of draped over the step with his head resting on his paws. He perked up when I drove by. It was just one of those perfect moments, and made me smile.

3. Noticing the empty storefronts. There has always been one or two shops that are vacant, but in past years they'd usually be rented by a toy store or a restaurant. Not these days. Even on the posh Main Street there are at least four empty stores. I drive by them each morning on the way to work. It's kind of sad to see, but I know it's probably worse in other cities and towns across the country.

4. While some stores remain vacant, I've also noticed a new crop of businesses that have opened. An Italian restaurant, a fancy baby/home decor store, new mega shoe store (yay!), and a cupcake bakery! I hear the cupcakes cost $3.50 each! What are they made with to cost that much?

Have You Lost Weight?

He's an interesting dilemma you don't often hear about. I'm a thin person, and I want to gain weight.

Back in the fall of 2008, I decided it would be a good idea to start exercising regularly for cardio health. I did not need to lose weight, just wanted to be healthier and perhaps feel better overall. I started walking on the treadmill about 30 minutes a day (I know, not that big of a workout). This was going well and I was feeling good. Then I noticed that I was losing weight and not gaining it back. Now, I'm only 5'1" - a petite woman, and I've always been thin and healthy. But when you're already wearing the smallest size pants you can find and still buy from the women's clothing section, and said pants can't be worn without a belt, you're losing too much weight.

It pissed me off. Nothing fits me. And before people start getting all up in my face for complaining about being thin, I just want to say that skinny people have their weight issues too.

I started a new job back in January, and not a week goes by that someone doesn't comment on my weight. People seem to think that if you are skinny, it's okay to comment. I know why they do it, because they aren't thin. Most of the people I work with are overweight. I get it. So, when they make their comments, I understand from where it comes, but I also get sick of hearing it.

Yesterday, I was at a party and a woman who knows me asked me if I'd lost weight. Now, this is a person whom I probably see a handful of times in a year, and she noticed I'd gotten thinner. I told her the story about working out, etc. Then I said, "Yeah, people at work are always commenting on my weight." and she apologized and said she should have been more sensitive about it. She is a very sweet person and I wasn't mad at all.

Just because someone, me, is thin, it doesn't give everyone else free reign to comment on my weight. I have an entire wardrobe of clothes going to waste because I can't fit into them, and I'd like to gain back the 6-8 pounds I lost in order to wear them again. Again, I know this may not seem like a big deal to those of you who are trying to lose weight, but it's a big deal to me.

And, next time you see someone who is skinny or seems a bit underweight, don't assume they want to hear your comments about "how thin you are" because we don't. I'd never go up to an overweight person and say, "Gee, looks like you gained weight today - what are you up to, 200-250 lbs?"

Thanks.

It's My Party

Today is my birthday, and I'm trying to get the most out of this week to celebrate it. I just returned from a nice meal at a fun Italian restaurant that was packed for a Wednesday night. I guess people know good food. Had espresso creme brule for dessert - yum!

I also received a happy birthday serenade over the phone from my friend and some very nice gifts. Although I had to work today (I usually try and get the day off, but since I started a new job, I'm on six months probation with no vacation), the day flew by and I got a lot of calls to wish me a happy day. My friends and family are great!

If today is anyone else's birthday out in Blogland, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, TOO!

Mr. President

Our new President.

 

Got MLK?

In remembrance and celebration of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. It's a shame he isn't alive today to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. In essence, he paved the way for it to happen.

Jon Stewart Is My Hero

I love Jon Stewart.

The guy is too damn funny. I love his sense of humor. I relate to it.

Check him out online if you can't watch the show on cable tv.

Limp Fish

What is up with the limp handshake? I've always thought that when meeting someone at any time, when you give them a handshake it should be firm and strong. None of this half hand, barely a squeeze, like I have a disease handshaking. I especially dislike it in men...hell, I dislike it in anyone. Give me a good handshake, it means something; well at least it does to me. I always give a firm handshake, so it feels weird when I am squeezing the hand and it just hangs there like the person has no idea what to do with it.

A good handshake exudes confidence, strength, and it feels better than a limp, floppy fish. Just my two cents.

New Music for the New Year

OK - hit me with it...what new music out there do you recommend? I need a new soundtrack for January, and the songs on my iPod are old and tired. Give me anything...any genre, any time periond. What'cha got? (Yes, I'm talking to you).

Happy New Year!

My new life motto for 2009: Just do it!

Enjoy the first day of the new year.

Goodbye '08

This was the fastest year on record for me. I guess though, really, I'm just getting older and time seems more fleeting.

What did I do or learn in 2008? I started a small home-based business, and did well in the first few months. I made a conscious choice to take the steps to make necessary changes in my life, so that I achieve several personal goals. I realized that I need to have more fun in my life, because not having fun sucks. I need a real vacation away from home. My friends are awesome! Life is good. Life is now.

There was more, but that's basically it. I'm going to ramp it up in 2009!

I wish you all a wonderful, peaceful, abundant, fulfilling, healthy, and happy New Year!!

A quote to take you into 2009:

"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities." ~Robert H. Schuller