NaBloPoMo #10- My Addiction

Hello. My name is Mamasoo, and I have an addiction.

I am addicted to Chipotle's Vegetarian Burrito Bowl.

Big freakin' deal, you may say? It's good for you.

Yes, it may be pretty healthy, and not the worse thing that I've consumed at lunchtime in NYC. But it's also eight freakin' dollars! For salad.

So what, you may also say? At least it's not as expensive as that Chop't place all the suits wait forever on line for.

Okay, yes. It's not as expensive as Chop't. But considering I can eat this every single day for lunch, as well as drag MR over to the one by PC Richard's on the weekend, it's frightening that I'm even considering shelling out $40 for my lunch for the week.

But think of all the guacamole goodness. And the cilantro. Don't you LOVE cilantro?

Okay, okay, I agree. The guacamole is absolutely to die for. And the rice with the cilantro makes me happy, very happy. But everyday? Won't I get sick of it? And it's eight dollars!

Think about the salsas, though. The fresh tomato salsa and the tomatillo red-chili salsa. The roasted corn salsa. The cheese! How can you possible get sick of the best burrito bowl in the world?

Okay, you're right. It's a GOOD addiction. And healthy, too!

That's right! Now pass the hot sauce...

NaBloPoMo #9- I'm Very Much in Demand

At least in the vampire world.

Lately, all I've been reading is vampire books. The Black Dagger Brotherhood, House of Night, Happy Hour of the Dead, The Anita Blake books and of course, Twilight. Either my taste has changed and this is what I'm honing in on at the library, or the literary world is tapping into the bloodlust of America. And with the popularity of HBO's True Blood it truly is a bloodfest.

And I found out while watching True Blood that I am in demand because of my rare blood type. I'm AB-, the favorite blood type of vamps and the New York City Blood Center, who calls 2-3 times a day for me to give blood. Isn't it nice that someone wants you unconditionally (at least parts of you?)

"I never knew what life was until it ran out in a red gush over my lips, my hands!" -Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire

Until dusk...

NaBloPoMo #8- A Bad Habit

It's 11:10 pm. I waited all day to write this post because I wasn't sure what direction I wanted it to go in. Today would've been a special day if if all was normal in my household. But four months ago (actually much longer than that) our family was turned upside down. There's alot of hurt and anger and resentment now so that special day won't be celebrated. And it's making me tired.

Too tired to prepare a post.

We were watching "Dead Like Me" on Hulu and I asked MR what I should write about. He said I should write that too many people were selling baby things at yard sales. Which is true, but not blog worthy. I thought about writing about our upcoming camping trip because I packed and prepared all day for it but it's not for a few days- it seems a little premature. I thought about writing about what I'm going to make for the craft sale in Westhampton in two weeks...but thinking about how much I don't have made is depressing.

So what to write?

MR just suggested I write about a habit of his. Since it makes me smile and look at him in a weird way that's what I'll write about.

MR skootches. I think I spelled that right. No, he doesn't rub his ass across the rug- he slides two pieces of material against each other between his fingers. It makes a skootching noise most of the time. It makes a skootching feel between your fingers. I know. Weird.

Here- try it. Take a piece of organza, pinch it between your fingers and slide it back and forth against itself. It goes skootch, skootch. It sets my teeth on edge sometimes but he's comforted by it. I'll wear something or we'll be shopping and he'll grab the material and skootch it. Proclaim it "good skootching material" and get a dreamy look on his face. I love this about him. His quirky little habit left over from his childhood (ever see the satin edge of a baby blanket? His first skootching experience.)

This is really his only compulsive habit. And it's not an every day thing. Not like me and my cuticle picking, or zit squeezing (I know, I know- disgusting. But hey- Googling that little gem just gave a name to MY condition- Dermatillomania! I have a disorder! Woohoo! Now about that therapist...) MR only skootches when the situation presents itself. He doesn't go out of his way to purposely skootch. It's actually kind of cute when I catch him doing it without him knowing I was watching. Zombiegirl hasn't displayed any kind of obsessive behavior yet, but she liked skootching when MR showed her how.

So there. On a day that was supposed to be a happy celebration, you got skootched!

NaBloPoMo #7- My First Commission!

One of my 101 Things in 1001 Days was to up my Etsy sales. I've had an Etsy shop since January, with a few of my bags and a few of my dinosaurs. I haven't sold anything yet. I was really thinking of taking down the shop and just concentrating on craft sales, but then I got the bill. A whopping $3.03 to keep these items active. Big deal, I decided- it's costing pennies and I'm not doing anything but waiting. So I kept it going.

Yesterday I get a convo from Etsy. My first commission! This little baby is sold!She's going to a customer who, six years ago, asked his girlfriend if he could buy her anything what would she want? She said "A Stegosaurus!" He finally decided to ask her to be his wife and he's using MY stegosaurus to help him propose! How freaking awesome is this? I hope he puts the ring on the tail!

I made three of these dinos for my nieces and nephew, and one each for Parker and JJ. I took the pictures before I wrapped them, and put them on Etsy as a made-to-order item. The customer picks the colors and I'll sew it up. This way I don't have these giant dinosaurs (two feet long) sitting in my office waiting to be sold. So this customer wants black, red and green. (eesh) I'll go and pick the fabric, email him the samples and get his approval. While I'm at it, I'll make a second one to sell at the West Hampton craft sale in 3 weeks. It's really not a big deal to make two at the same time. (I don't have a picture of the Brontosaurus I made for Lilly. I also made that Brontosaurus for the little girl in the family my office adopted at Christmas. Is it a Brontosaurus anymore? I think it's really an Apatosaurus, but the pattern is so old they still call it a Bronto!)

I get so excited when someone actually wants to pay money for the things I create. When I make something for someone as a gift, I always picture that item in the recipient's life. As a gift, it's kind of forced on them. But when someone wants to pay me for my talent- wow. That just blows me away every time.


Check out the Etsy tab for other stuff I'm still selling!

NaBloPoMo #6- Happy Llama Day!

Hey Zombie girl and Kendal-

HAPPY LLAMA

SAD LLAMA

CRAZY, NUTTY, MENTAL LLAMA

SUPER LLAMA

LLAMA DRAMA

MAMA LLAMA

MOOSE!

So, to explain...Kendal taught Z-girl this finger play rhyme one day going to the beach. Like most of their exchanges (Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom) it's been stuck in my head.

[ More video click WiNKKK.com ]

I found this video which adds a whole lot more animals. I'm going to try to teach the kids at camp, but it'll be hard. I can't do them without getting all tangled up. Be patient with the video- it loads slowly.

Also, Crazy, Nutty, Mental Llama is really Mentally Disabled Llama, but I changed it in order not to offend my mentally disabled friends. Hi guys! (waving frantically!)

NaBloPoMo #5- My 101 in 1001

I recently found this awesome idea on this blog. Y'all know how much I like making resolutions and how much I like NOT keeping them! But I'm going to try this and roll all of my resolutions into one list. I think my problem is not setting a deadline. My resolutions are more like life changes, but life moves on and I "forget" or become preoccupied with something else. This way I have a list, and a deadline to think about. I think I can clean up my life in three years!

Here goes:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific with a result that is either measurable or defined.

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows several months or seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: August 5, 2009

End Date: May 12, 2012

Body

1. Lose 30 pounds (0/30)
2. Fit into old pair of jeans- the ones in my bottom drawer.
3. Complete 6 sessions with Tameko, my trainer. (0/6)
4. Maintain a workout schedule of at least 3 days a week at the gym.
5. Practice yoga at least 4 days a week.
6. No cheating with bacon. Or meatballs. Unless it's deer.
7. Have a green salad once a day.
8. Cut back the pre-made veggie burgers to once a week.
9. Buy and use the Diva Cup.
10. Continue going to the dentist to have my teeth fixed.
11. Take my vitamins and herbs daily.
12. Put makeup on everyday. At home, before I leave. Not at work or on the train.
13. Blog about the progress of these Body items on the first of every month.

Finances

14. Build up savings account to equal 6 months of salary.
15. Fix credit report.
16. Refinance the house.
17. Get quotes on new insurance for house and car.
18. Secure 2 more years of student loans for Beena.
19. Sell stuff on Ebay.
20. Transfer coupon savings into ING account. Try to save $700 a year.

Family and Friends

21. Arrange ceremony to scatter Mom's ashes.
22. Spend more time with Dad.
23. Attend Beena's college graduation.
24. Attend Zombiegirl's 5th grade graduation.
25. Have Communion party for Zombiegirl.
26. Celebrate Beena's 21st birthday in a big way.
27. Be active in PTA for 5th grade.
28. Write or email my aunts regularly.
29. Make and follow family meal plan. Remember to keep it healthy.
30. Meet a long lost friend for lunch.
31. Have a "no reason" dinner party.
32. Go shopping more with the girls.
33. Yearly camping trip or rent a house with soccer families.
34. Yearly "Mom's" overnight trip. (0/3)
35. Go out with "Mom's" once a month. (0/33)
36. Plan MR and my 50th birthday party.
37. Send handmade birthday cards to everyone in my calendar. And NOT late.
38. Do not gossip or rant about friends to friends.
39. {Private}

Craftiness

40. Finish all the alterations on that pile of clothes in the sewing room.
41. Build up my Etsy shop and sell something.
42. Make all my own Christmas cards. (0/3)
43. Make 50% of all my Christmas gifts. (0/3)
44. Make enough merchandise to rent my own table at craft sales.
45. Make an article of clothing and wear it to work.
46. Clean out and organize sewing room.
47. Make mirror for living room using broken Fiesta pieces.
48. Learn how to crochet a granny square.
49. Finish MR's Christmas stocking.

Recreation

50. Visit 2 states I've never been to before. (0/2)
51. Hike 2 more sections of the Appalachian trail. Overnite. (0/2)
52. Take a "real" family vacation. (0/1)
53. Play "tourist" in NY once a month. (0/33)
54. Try five new restaurants. (0/5)
55. Go to new Citi Field and new Yankee Stadium. (0/2)

Just for Me

56. Get my Pistol Permit
57. Upload all our CD's into our hard drive
58. Scrapbook 2008 photos in 2011.
59. Scrapbook 2007 photos in 2010.
60. Scrapbook 2006 photos in 2009.
61. Finish Beena's school scrapbook.
62. Help dad get the Mustang on the road.
63. Get passports for the whole family.
64. Cross 3 things off my bucket list. (0/3)
65. Learn the basics of Photoshop.
66. Learn how to make a blog template using html and Photoshop.
67. Get my 2 tattoos. (0/2)
68. Organize my computer files. Including flash drives.
69. Find a therapist.
70. Read the newspaper everyday.
71. Watch Gone With the Wind, Doctor Zhivago, Great Expectations, The Maltese Falcon, La Dolce Vita, Casablanca , North by Northwest, Rear Window, 39 Steps, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Psycho, Notorious, Dial M for Murder and Spellbound. With popcorn. (0/14)
72. Re-read Sherlock Holmes.
73. Blog about each completed item.

Greening my life

74. Make net produce bags.
75. Compost.
76. Collect rainwater- ask for barrel for Christmas!
77. Grow herbs every year.

House stuff

78. Balustrades and newel posts for the upstairs stairwell.
79. Replace the ceiling and tile in the upstairs bathroom.
80. Change the theme of the upstairs bathroom.
81. New baseboard molding in the kitchen.
82. Start cleaning out the basement for TV room.
83. Start demolition on the downstairs bathroom.
84. Make the fountain for the backyard.
85. Finish walkways in backyard.
86. Follow Flylady everyday.

Spirit

87. Renew relationship with St. Andrew's.
88. Engage in 25 random acts of kindness. (0/25)
89. Read the Bible.
90. List 100 things that make me happy in a blog.
91. Participate in 5 community service activities. (0/5)
92. Maintain St. A's website.
93. Sketch and doodle in new sketchbook.
94. See beauty everyday. Blog or put it down in sketchbook.

Purchase

95. New digital SLR camera
96. A pistol
97. A drawer dishwasher
98. A dual flush toilet for the downstairs bathroom
99. A sink for the downstairs bathroom
100. A new refrigerator for the basement
101. A new hybrid car

NaBloPoMo#4- I Love NY!

Tomorrow (August's theme, remember?) is what I like to call "Polyester Day." Wednesdays are matinee days on Broadway, and that means all the tourists and suburbanites in their polyester pantsuits come in and invade the city every Wednesday. Hey, I'm a suburbanite too- don't get the wrong idea. I love that tourism in New York is flourishing despite the downturn in the economy. And I've been a tourist many times in NY. But I think I can give all the tourists and the"polyesters" a few tips so that they don't piss off the people that actually have to commute and work alongside them.

Tip#1: Walk like you're driving. Walk on the right side of the sidewalk. When entering or exiting the subway, keep to the right. Don't "double park" on the sidewalk- pull it over to the side so that people can pass. Don't hog the highway. If you're with a group, don't walk side-by-side, four abreast and slow so no one can get by. And mostly- don't talk or text on the cell in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over!

Tip#2: Be conscious of people around you. If you're walking down the streets of Manhattan, chances are a thousand other people are walking down the same block as you. If you suddenly stop to look up at the Empire State Building, someone is going to run into your ass. Know this, and do not be pissed off. Again- pull your ass over. And if you stop to take a picture without looking around to see if anyone is going to cross into your picture, do NOT call that person a bitch because she ruined your picture. Take your socks and sandals over to the side of the sidewalk and look around and WAIT if necessary until the coast is clear. We did NOT get the memo to vacate Manhattan so that you can take pictures at your leisure.

Tip#3: Do your research before you come into the city. There are TONS of websites and books devoted to making your stay in Manhattan a memorable experience. Just because the LIRR goes to New York doesn't mean you should just get on it and figure it out when you get there. Plan your trip. Find out what train goes where you need to go. Standing at the subway map blocking the platform is inconsiderate and pisses me off when I can't get by. Take a map with you- it's downloadable from the NYC Transit website.

Tip#4: If you don't know, ask. Native New Yorkers and New York City commuters are not as scary as people have been lead to believe. If you can't figure out where you're going (see Rule #3) ask someone- a security guard, the hot dog vendor, the guy holding the Wall Street Journal, the woman smoking on the sidewalk in front of her building (thanks lady!) I can't vouch for everyone, but I know when I'm asked a question like which way is Madison Avenue, I'm happy to help out.

Tip#5: Orient yourself. In midtown, if you're facing uptown (street numbers going up) then the East side is on your right and the West side is on your left. Reverse facing downtown.

Tip#6: Don't wear matching outfits. This only works if you're in a large group and need to keep track of everyone. Mom, Dad and the kids? You look like morons.

Tip#7: Speaking of groups- If you're all together and waiting to get into the matinee of Mamma Mia, don't all stand around blabbing and blocking the sidewalk. Stand next to the building. You had time enough to blab on the bus.

Those are my tips for a happy healthy symbiotic relationship with New Yorkers. Now if we can get the inconsiderate New Yorkers to work on the SAME TIPS it'll be a happy place for everyone. Especially me. Cuz you know how cranky I get...

NaBloPoMo#3- Lobster Roll Review

I've been going out to the Beach House for about 17-18 years now. At the beginning of the season it's always interesting to see what's popped up or what's been closed over the winter. One spring in 1999, this restaurant popped up almost exactly in front of the entrance to our little beach house community. Lobster Roll Northside is an extension of the famous Hampton's eatery known to the locals as "Lunch".

Ten years ago. And we just stopped in there this year.

Don't get out much, do we?

While Zombiegirl was at camp, MR and I had the whole week to ourselves. After a few days of "so, what do YOU want to do?" we decided to go out to eat. We ended up here since it was so close and we were hot and tired from the beach. Nestled in a little shopping area that includes such stores as the East End Candle Shop, The Teddybear Factory and The Gingerbread Shoppe (oh, so quaint! lol!) this family-friendly restaurant is pretty- there are two outdoor eating areas and the inside areas are airy and open. There's even a little playground for the kids. We requested seating in one of the outdoor areas where there are big blue umbrellas shading the tables.

We started off with beers. MR ordered a burger platter, and I ordered the Horseradish Crusted Salmon Special. Our waitress was great- very attentive. Food was good- the salmon was cooked perfectly. We noticed the Basket of Shrimp Appetizers and decided to take Zombiegirl here the day she got home from camp.

Fast forward to that day...

Zombiegirl, Rob, MR and myself go back to the Lobster Roll Northside. This is after we once again visit the LiV distillery. We again opt to sit outside, this time in the "tall" chairs. Rob and MR order beers and I order, on the waitresses recommendation, a "19th Hole"- vodka, lemonade and iced tea. I decide to support the local economy and ask if they serve LiV vodka. And they do.

Rob and MR get the burger platter (real original, these two!) I order the Grilled Vegetable Wrap and Z-girl orders the Shrimp basket (no kidding!) She also orders the Seafood Nachos- a $15.oo appetizer special. My kid has expensive taste! We didn't mind, though- we missed her and I figured I could help out with the nachos.

Everything was good. I wouldn't go raving about the food, however. On the whole I think it was a little high priced for the quality of the food we got. My two vodka drinks (I switched to LiV vokda and lemonade since the iced tea they gave me in the first drink was nasty) came out to $9 each. Which would've been acceptable if they were both in the tall glass I got with the first drink. Since I took away the iced tea, the drink came in a glass half the size of the first drink. Go figure. So you're definitely paying for the ambience. And because it's situated on Sound Avenue, it's the perfect touristy type place to stop for a bite to eat on the way home from a trip to Greenport or the wineries. Soak the tourists, I always say! Will we go there again? Probably not. Been there, did that (finally) and wasn't really impressed.

NaBloPoMo #2- Time for a Quickie

Still cleaning. Jeez! How much dog hair can I possible vacuum up? I really think we have a spare dog hiding around here. How much hair can one Yellow Lab possibly produce?

We have to find him another home.

But that's another story...

So I really only have time for a quickie post. The neph-cies (nephew and nieces) will be here in a little while, and I still have to get ready for this wedding. While cleaning (and singing my Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom song) I figured I would post on my choice of cleaning supplies. I've been interested in the "green" movement for awhile now, and I'm recycling everything. It's only natural that I would bring my cleaning supplies into the green scene.

Windows- This is an old trick I attribute to my mom. Vinegar and water. She used this the day she went into labor with me- she did all the windows in the apartment to try to stimulate labor. It worked! Vinegar is natural, biodegradable, chemical-free and does a far superior job on leaving windows streak free than Windex or other window cleaners. Use a sheet of newspaper to get a beautiful shine. Lay the newspapers out flat to dry, and you can recycle them! No paper towels in the landfill.

For general cleaning- I've found, at Costco, the Kirkland Environmentally Friendly Multi-Purpose Cleaner. It's a 170oz container with an additional 32oz spray bottle. It's a plant-based cleaner with a nice citrus scent. Finally! Thank you Costco, for offering a few more of these environmentally friendly organic items! It works just as well as Fantastic or any of the other chemical based cleaners.

Rug Deodorizer- With the aforementioned Yellow Lab, and the other Lola-like dog, my rug stinks. I sprinkle a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the rug (it's a small area rug- 6' x 8') and let it sit for a few minutes. I vacuum it up with my Dyson and no more smell! Plus it makes the vacuum smell better...

Counter tops and Stove tops- We have tile counter tops, and the grout gets discolored and gross- especially in the wet areas. I do use a diluted bleach once a week to bring back the color of the grout, but for everyday use I put a little of the Baking Soda on a sponge and wipe the counters down. Follow up with a rinse and my counter tops are deodorized and sparkling!

Those are some of my contributions to the planet. There's no reason to bring chemical cleaners into your house, or contribute paper towels to the landfill. If everyone did their part and put a little thought into their consumption the world would be a better place!

Cue upbeat music.

I'm out. Tomorrow I'll do the restaurant review- I'll have more time at work!

NaBloPoMo #1- Procrastination to the nth Power

It's 11:04 pm. I've been putting off posting all day and now I have a less than an hour to get a post in. Wow- nothing like starting the month off on a postitive note. But I have excuses. I've been scrubbing, weeding and painting all day in preparation of my nieces and nephew coming over tomorrow. This place has to be spotless, especially at a knee-high level. Beena and Zombiegirl are watching the kids while we go to Barbara and John's wedding. Barbara is my FIL's daughter- MR's step-sister. She's my step-sister-in-law. Follow all that? Good. It gives me a headache.

I haven't been able to give the house a good cleaning, or the garden a good weeding in weeks. Summer's always tough since we go to the beach house on the weekends. Add to that trying to *finally* finish up the painting in the hallway upstairs.

So while I'm doing all this work, instead of listening to showtunes on one of the upper cable channels (like I always do when I'm either home alone or cleaning) I've been humming these little songs Zombiegirl has turned us on to:

The video is awesome. So of course we have to investigate more of these brilliant videos, and we discover Parry Gripp.

According to the LA Times, "Gripp is a 41-year old Santa Barbara native and lead guitarist and vocalist for his band Nerf Herder" and part owner of an orchid nursery. "Between working shifts at the family-owned nursery, he writes music to acccompany various YouTube clips. Some of his most popular are "Cat Flushing a Toilet", and "Chimpanzee Riding on a Segwey".

"Then there's his biggest hit, "Do You Like Waffles," which has been mashed up by numerous fans on YouTube. The song has been selling between 300 to 400 per week for the last year, Gripp said. That adds up to $20,000 before Apple takes its cut. And that's just one song.
Gripp can't participate in YouTube's revenue sharing model, where the company gives some of the ad money to video producers, because he doesn't own the underlying videos that his music accompanies. He instead uses the videos' popularity to drive sales of the songs on iTunes and ringtones.

He's pleased with the money coming from these outlets. All the attention, he said, has spurred deals to write promotional songs for the Wawa chain of convenience stores and for a cartoon called "Super Hero Squad."

It beats the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, he says. "Most of your time is spent either in a van or a bus," he wrote in an instant message. "You get to whatever place you are going to play at, and then you wait around forever. The actual playing is fun, but the rest of it sucks."

Well, Parry, thanks. Your song "Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom" is going through my head this minute. My kids are tired of me asking them if they like waffles. My husband doesn't understand why I'm telling him "up my butt with a coconut." You're a genius, Parry. And you're my next cell ringtone. Now to decide which song...

Tomorrow? My first restaurant review.