Underdog!

I discovered that when you put a bib on your dog it makes him look like a super hero. Oskar does not like having clothes on which works to our benefit because he's kind of a spaz when people come over and when he's wearing his shirt he's much mellower.
You can just see the embarrassment on his face. So sad.

I get to Decorate!

This is my favorite thing I've made Ryan buy for me, next to my circle chair. When I got it I got to pull out all my little odds and ends and arrange and rearange them on the shelf until I got the right balance. I think I did pretty good if I do say so myself. I mean look how proud Osky looks. Target finally had the matching pieces on sale so we bought the entertainment center with two more small bookshelfs and to sofa end tables, we can't find the coffee table sadly. I now have 8 whole shelves to docorate and I'm excited. I bought the 2.50 buhda and shiva they are selling at target but that's all i've got so far. I'm thinking of doing one shelf for me and one for Ryan, but still matching. Wish me luck, I'll post them when I'm done.

Two of Ryan's friends just bought houses in Salt Lake and I think we've convinced atleast one of them to let me decorate. I'm excited! He really needs to paint but otherwise it's a super cute house. Thank goodness for Ikea coming to town because then I can do it for as cheap or as nice as he wants. If anyone has seen any cute modern inexpensive stuff let me know. My staple haunts are Target, Ikea, Tai Pan, and TJ Maxx but I'm willing to expand.

I feel like I don't have any friends

This isn't meant to be a woe is me or a guilt trip for my friends. But lately I feel like I don't really have many friends anymore. I have Sarah, Amy and Kellee Kellee who I love dearly and I would do anything for and they would do anything for me, but I don't get to see them as much as I would like to (let's do the pub soon!). I have my sister Rainey but she lives in Cali. I have my new gal pal at work Tiffany who I have fun shooting the shiz with at work (I'm going to get made fun of for saying shiz aren't I). And I have Ryan's family who I love and at least get to see every Sunday. Man now I feel guilty about complaining. But lately I feel like I'm out of sync with the friend thing, now that I'm a mom and living in Utah County it's weird I feel like I should be friends with woman who have kids. I've started stalking a few bloggers, and I'm almost tempted to start going to church again just to meet some people. The problem there is that I'm worried these women will be 5 years younger than me with 4 more kids than me. Plus I'm worried I'm too cynical and warped to hang out with woman who are too 'righteous', and be myself.
I remember going through this same thing when I graduated college and I moved back to California and all my roommates/close friends who I had just spent 5 years with moved all over the country. I didn't think I had the energy to make new friends and didn't think I would find ones as special to me as them. But then I moved to Salt Lake and met Merry Jane and Kellee and Sarah and life was good again. So I have hope, plus I get to live with my best friend and he makes me happier than anyone.
Really though lately I've also just had this feeling of elation. I've just felt really happy and fulfilled lately. So nobody feel bad for me, I just wanted to get it off my chest so maybe I could quit worrying about it.

Why Tivo would be good for our marriage.

I'm rarely a bitch. I've often thought that I'm too nice, sometimes to a fault. But ask for aspirin or sit in front of me and change the channel when a season premier is starting and watch out. I feel bad every time I'm rude to my sweety. Now if we had Tivo I wouldn't have gotten upset at him because Tivo would be doing it's magic and no showtime would be lost.

He complains that I watch too much TV. That may be true. But If we had Tivo I wouldn't be worried that I was missing something. I could pre-program it to record the shows I liked, then I could read or clean when those shows are on and be able to come back and watch them when I'm feeding Ike or cross stitching, oh wait I don't cross stitch.

Tivo would also help me more comply with Ryan's Socialist leanings as apposed to my Capitalist ideals by being able to fast forward through the commercials there by avoiding the mass consumerism shoved down the throats of most Americans.

Granted it's a luxury that we don't really need and Marx wouldn't approve of (see Ike's blog). But I think the argument can be made and hopefully has been that it would be beneficial for maintaining a strong marriage. It's either that or taking me to the Opera and Museums. Not a tough decision.

Today's Search Topic

Jonathan Safran Foer

He's one of my favorite authors and sadly he's only written two books. He gets most acclaim for Everything is illuminated which was made into a movie staring Frodo. One of the reasons I love this book is because it's the book I read when me and Ryan went to a bed and breakfast in Manti for his birthday. I was trying to make the weekend a surprise but when the 'Inn keeper' told me there wasn't a TV I figured it was necessary to make a trip to Barnes and Noble before we headed out. But I digress.

His second book is really my favorite. Extremely loud and Incredibly close. It's about this smart, silly boy named Oskar (I wanted to name Ike Oskar but our dog is already named that) who finds a key that belong to his dad who died in 9/11, he then goes on a search through New York for clues. Like Everything is Illuminated there are several different narratives going on at the same time. I'd like to think I've gotten the word out to most of my friends about this book, but if you haven't read it you should. Sadly I haven't been reading much lately but I need to get back in the habit. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.

Blockbuster Insight

I went to blockbuster to rent the second disc of Grey's season one. The gregarious (I define as fat and happy) check out girl decided to share some of her wisdom with me.
Check out girl: Do you like this show
Me: I just started watching it but so far.
COG: You know this actress Ellen Pompeo had a big controversy with the press thinking she was anorexic because she lost like 20 pounds between the first and second season.
Me: Oh yeah. (I haven't been living in a cave the last 5 years)
COG: I hate that these actress's are super skinny now a days
Me: nod, (start to leave)
COG: Back in the day the people who were heavier were the ones that were considered rich.
Me: That's true (as I hurried and grabbed my video's and went out the door)

Back in the day? does she mean the the 1600's, are we talking during the plague or the depression, I'm not sure, but keep living the dream lady.

Ebay Virgin

I listed my first Item on Ebay. I'm worried I may get addicted to it but that might be a good thing, I have a lot of 'junk' I'm sure Ryan would be happy to see me part with.
We finally bought some pieces from Target that match the bookshelf Ryan bought me for my birthday, so we need to get rid of this cool piece. I really like it but it's too big and heavy and our house is too small. I should have put it on my blog first to see if anyone wanted it, but if anyone is interested and it doesn't sell let me know, I don't want to have to throw it away.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200156238589&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=010

Don't use generic spray.

My Pam ran out.

Enough said. Except I had been literally craving Coconut cake all week and I made myself wait till Sunday to make it because I usually make dessert for family dinner. As I laid in bed this morning before getting up I was thinking should I make cupcakes, should I make it a layer cake, what about the filling, should I use one of my pretty cake stands from my wedding. I even bought coconut that I was going to toast and sprinkle on top. I decided on the bundt cake since I didn't come up with a solid filling idea. Sprayed the pan... something doesn't seem right with this spray, oh it will be fine.

Then This!

Be the first to see the video that Millions have already seen.

I just discovered this band that is featured in a national ad campaign for one of the most popular products in the world. Jk, but every time I see the commercial I ask Ryan who that band is, he said it was Bjork, but you and I both know it's not.

Here's the wiki on her: Leslie Feist (born February 13, 1976) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She performs as a solo artist under the name Feist and as a member of Broken Social Scene.

She's Canadian but I'll overlook that for now. And as I'm writing this the commercial just came on again. I'm sure I'll be sick of it before I even start listening to her stuff.

Good morning sunshine

You know when you're sick like with a sore throat and you realize you've never appreciated swallowing so much. Well this morning I woke up and I'm feeling so much better. I actually feel like leaving the house and getting some stuff done today, Yeah! It is only 9am though so the feeling may fade. But my favoritest Kellee Kellee is coming by today!!! So maybe that's what's making me feel happy too. She always brightens my day. That and waking up next to my cutest baby ever.

Best Sister Ever!

My sister Rainey sent me a little care package for my post surgery rehab. Just when I was kicking my animal circus cookie habit, but she justified it with a post it note telling me it's ok if it makes me feel better, and oh yes it makes me feel better. The In Touch is to put my life in perspective, I mean I could be a celebrity heaven forbid, and honestly I wouldn't trade Ryan for Brad. She snuck in a few secret somethings as well that I will be eternally grateful for. The best part was I got to answer the door in my robe, too bad the male man wasn't some hot stud, In my drugged dreams he will be don't worry.
Thanks again, you're the best.
To my other sisters credit they didn't know about the surgery so they are off the hook.

Finally broke down

I finally caved to peer pressure and started watching Grey's Anatomy. Yeah I know it's starting on it's fourth season. I partly held out for so long because I knew Ryan would make fun of me and partly because everyone and there dog watched it. I decided to take the plunge because I was going in for a minor surgery on Monday and needed something mindless to watch during recovery. Well the minor ran into some complications and I had to stay overnight in the hospital. It started with taking 4 tries to get the IV in so I should have known something. It's all fine now though and I got to watch the first 5 episodes of grey and I actually like it, go figure. I'm doing OK, I got some much needed rest and a full prescription of drugs so it wasn't so bad. Not to mention Ryan's mom thinks he looks like McDreamy, personally I think my man is even cuter.

Manflaps

I found this today looking up pricing on Mudflaps. I now work for a company that manufactures mudflaps if you were asking yourself, did Marj become a truck driver without telling me, No, although my aptitude test in high school recommended that career path. I showed my boss and after his initial wince he said 'order me some of those'. Then his mind started reeling about who's truck he could stick them on.

Rocky Addict

No not Balboa, that would be Ryan's addiction. I'm hooked on Rocky Votolato, I get to see him at club Velour again this Friday with the girls. I had been anxiously anticipating this new album coming out since I can't get enough of Makers and Suicide Medicine. So the new album comes out, I listen to it once and thought, ah, a little too country sounding, but I liked it, but kind of neglected it. With the show coming up I decided I needed to listen to the album again. It's now on non-stop repeat on my Ipod and I love it. You can't just listen to Rocky, you need to let his music infect you. You need to get to the point you can sing along to every song then you can't get enough. I'm excited for the show, It's at my friend Corey Fox's club in Provo, which is a intimate venue. Last time Rocky was walking around afterwards, I could have easily stopped and talked to him but my groupie days have passed. If you haven't listened to him I highly recommend him to anyone.

http://www.rockyvotolato.com/

Never Forget

I just don't think this is the best way to Never Forget what happened on this tragic day. Is it just me or does it seem sacrilegious for lack of a better term, to have a picture of the twin towers on the side of a fire cracker that you light on fire.

But wait, the box explains itself. "In lighting this fountain you are not reliving the tragedy but remembering the many innocent lives that were lost." Really? We still have this firework from the 4th of July cause it just didn't seem right to light it. I don't know, maybe we should Never Forget with a little more reverence and a little less 'kick ass' fireworks. Maybe it's just me.

Glad to be me

I watched two movies this weekend that made me glad to be married. The year of the dog with Molly Shannon, and Broken English with Parker Posey. They were both good movies, well entertaining and Broken English had a hot French guy in it, but they both had similar themes, a woman over thirty that has a hard time finding a man as well as having some neurotic tendencies. Movies like these use to put me in a funk, now after I'm done watching them I can go kiss my husband and baby. No offense to any of you single girls out there. I was there long enough to know how it is, and really it's not as tragic as movies make it seem.

LMAO ROFL

First of all I hate those acronyms, I've always had a pet peeve with 'lol' and the like as well as 'emoticons'. If you don't know what lmao or rofl stand for consider yourself lucky. That being said, this part of the finale of Flight of the Conchords did make me lmoa. As soon as he puts his hands on the park bench I knew where it was headed. If you can't drive past the Lehi Mills without saying or thinking, 'Hey that's where Footloose was filmed' you'll know where it's headed as well. I'm so sad this is the final episode for a while, crossing my fingers not forever.

I wanted to cry

How does it always work that a show you hardly ever watch always ends up being a re-run when you watch it again. Sundays we always have dinner with Ryans family but today they were driving to St. George so we had a late lunch instead. So I'm home Sunday at 7pm which never happens. Oh wait, I can watch Extreme Make over home edition. I like watching it cause it always makes me cry, Ryan won't watch it cause it always makes him cry, especially if it's a sport related remodel. Of coarse it's one of maybe 7 episodes that I've already seen, phooey. So I'm left to blog till Entorage and Flight of the Conchords comes on. Thank goodness for the Simpsons.

Thanks you very much.

Ryan recieved the coolest blanket from his sister emily for his belated birthday. It's not gay to sleep with a blanket that has a full size picture of a man on it. I guess if it's the king it's ok to be a little that way.