About a year and a half ago, I joined a website for fans of Chris Daughtry. Those that know me well, know that I'm a huge fan of his. Through this website, I learned about this little girl Janessa (aka Boey) who was also a big fan of Chris. Her mom Rachel had a blog and through the blog we were able to keep up to date with Boey, who was diagnosed in January of 2006 with a rare form of childhood cancer. You know how you feel like you know someone so well from reading months and months of their blogs? Well, that is how it became with me -- I even posted a few messages to Boey a few times. She finally got to meet Chris last summer - it was so great to see the pics of the smile on her face! There is an adorable picture of the two of them both rubbing each other's bald head! SO cute.
UPDATE 1/2/08: I found the picture:
The last time I checked Rachel's blog was about 2 months ago. After getting a clean bill of health last year, she had relapsed earlier this year. They were very positive that Boey was going to get through this again. (Then again, what else can you do when your child has cancer but be positive?)
So needless to say, I was pretty heartbroken to find out today that Boey passed away 2 days ago. Even though I did not know her or her family personally, my heart still grieves for them. So, if you are reading this - say a prayer for her family. Rest in peace, little girl.
That sums up the movie Sweeney Todd, which I saw this morning with my dear friend Melissa. I admit that the main reason I wanted to see it was because it had Johnny Depp in it. (Go ahead, call me shallow. I.Don't.Care.) I'd also like to add that they were again unsuccessful at trying to make JD not hot. It just can't be done. Stop trying. Add scissors on his hands, black out his teeth, nappy up his hair - it's not gonna work. He sweats hotness out of his pores. But back to the movie....
I really liked this movie! The funny thing is - despite all of the bloody slashings in the movie, the grossest (is that a word?) part of the movie to me were the cockroaches crawling all around Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Shop. I guess the "Worst Pies in Town" theme didn't help her as much as it did Cromer's Peanuts around here.
I loved seeing two Harry Potter people in the film - Professor Snape and Scabbers / Wormtail. And Sacha Baron Cohen was in the movie as well. ("This elixir is piss. Piss with ink.")
If you love musicals, blood and guts, and / or Johnny Depp - I highly recommend this film! And even if you don't, go see it anyway. Plus, you can't go wrong with Tim Burton. (Did I mention Johnny Depp is hot?)
Lift your razor high, Sweeney! Hear it singing, "Yes!" Sink it in the rosy skin Of righteousness! His voice was soft, his manner mild. He seldom laughed but he often smiled, He'd seen how civilized men behave. He never forgot and he never forgave, Not Sweeney, Not Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street...
My co-worker and I went to the Y yesterday, and when we saw it was double step night (we HATE double step) we decided to give the new cardio machines a try. She headed to the ellipticals - I have one of those at home and I hate them. So I went to the treadmill. Now before I joined the Y, I had gone to the riverfront walk a few times and did some "jog-walking." But nothing more than a few seconds. Well, I guess the past few months of these classes I have been taking have really made me stronger - lung capacity and leg strength both. I was able to run almost a mile without stopping! Ok, ok -- I know it's not much compared to these people who run a 5K or a marathon. But hey - it's a start. I was so proud. I actually can't wait to do it again. That's what she said! (Sorry, Office joke) I really have been thinking that I needed to up my cardio 2 days out of the week. (We do a LOT of strength training - my arms are gonna be guns by springtime.) So this will be a good way to do that. Hopefully I can keep this up!
I just have to say, the Y rocks my face off these days. They have replaced all their old machines with new machines that have TVs on them. The classes are awesome, and the people are super friendly. I have since gotten over my "newbie" annoyance and have met quite a few nice people. Also, last night I looked over and my state senator was working out right next to me. How cool is that?
This song by the Dixie Chicks is one of my all time favorites. This CD has been on permanent rotation in my car since it came out summer of 2006. But this song is sort've my personal anthem -- It fits me to a tee. I haven't done anything the "right way" and I always seem to take the long way with everything Iv'e done in my life, especially in high school and college! I screw things up a lot -- but the moral of the story is, I've always found my way somehow. :) (mainly with the help of my amazing friends and family!)
Here are the lyrics:
My friends from high school Married their high school boyfriends Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes Where their parents live
But I, I could never follow No I, I could never follow
I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling Lived like a gypsy Six strong hands on the steering wheel
I've been a long time gone now Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down But I've always found my way somehow
By taking the long way Taking the long way around Taking the long way Taking the long way around
I met the queen of whatever Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies Moved with the shakers Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to
No I, I could never follow No I, I could never follow
It's been two long years now Since the top of the world came crashing down And I'm getting' it back on the road now
But I'm taking the long way Taking the long way around I'm taking the long way Taking the long way around The long The long way around
Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself I opened my mouth and I heard myself It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself Guess I could have made it easier on myself
But I, I could never follow No I, I could never follow
Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Taking the long way Taking the long way around Taking the long way Taking the long way around
Our office is LOADED with peanuts, popcorn, cookies, etc. It hasn't been easy, but I've managed to resist for the most part.
Then today, this gorgeous monstrocity arrived:
NOT to sound ungrateful, but why can't people send their Christmas love with fruits and veggies?? I kid. (Not really) Needless to say, there are several little black paper wrappers in my trash now. *Sigh*
So the other weekend, a good friend of mine got married. At the reception, she and her new husband decide to introduce me to a guy they want me to meet. "Just see what happens," they say, "you never know!" So I say ok.
So on over to Single Guy in Glasses. They introduce us and conveniently shuffle away and leave us standing there awkwardly staring at each other. My first thought it "Wow he looks young." So I decide to get this awkward moment over with, and start up a conversation. It went like this:
Me: "So how do you know the groom?" Single Guy in Glasses: "Oh we go way back" Me: "That's cool, so you live here?" Single Guy in Glasses: "No" (me thinking what else can I ask) Me: "So do you have any hobbies?" Single Guy in Glasses: "Yes I was in a band for awhile..." Me: "Oh yeah??" Single Guy in Glasses: "yes, but then I had an accident, a seizure actually." Me: "oh no, that is terrible!" Single Guy in Glasses: "Yeah...actually it was from all the cocaine and vodka I had consumed."
*Insert Jim Halpert face here*
And yes, that is exactly how the conversation went.
My co-worker and I have been working out at the Y now for about 2 months, and let me tell you...if you think it gets easier, well you are WRONG.
This past week, my arms were sore, my booty was sore, my legs were sore, my shoulders were so sore I could barely shampoo my hair! And yes, I've been very faithful - going a minimum of 4 nights a week. (Usually 5)
So I'm thinking this all better pan out in a good way. Like by Spring, you better be able to bounce a quarter off my behind. (and at the very least not have it sink in, never to be seen again.)
So last night I thought it would be fun to torture my cat Elliott (otherwise known as Cat-Dog) and make him dress up. I had friends over for a Christmas get together, and he is a very social little being. He loves to entertain, so I thought why not make him wear a neck tie?
Well, first of all I had to sit on him to get him to stay still. Yes, literally sit on him. Then, after I managed to get the tie around his fat neck, he ripped it off within 2 minutes. Ok, I thought..you little bugger, you are gonna wear this thing whether you like it or not. (I'm such a mean mom)
Finally I got it on him again, and he looked at me like "You're gonna make me do this aren't you?" We had a moment of understanding. After that, he was fine. Walked around and strutted his stuff all night. Sexy bitch!
