We celebrated valentines last weekend (early because I had a conflict on the actual day). Another day of one thing after another.
1. Special Skin Treatment
I decided to go all out! I used my special oxidizing rejuvenating facial cream. It tingles and cleans out the pores and brightens up your whole face. It takes 10 minutes, so I decided to do my legs and eyebrows while I waited. When I washed the cream off, my skin was glowing and rosy. A little TOO rosy. Time for lots of foundation to even out my now blotchy skin.
2. I can see! NOT
When I went to put in contacts, I realized I'm all out. So glasses it is. So not the look I wanted. Oh well, the date must go on.
3. The dress
Boyfriend bought me a dress after Christmas from my favorite store (White House Black Market). The dress just wasn't right for me. There was an abstract bow on one side, with gathering to it. It's a nice dress, my best friend has it and it looks good on her - not me though. It emphasizes all the wrong parts. So the day before, I went with a friend and exchanged it for a little black dress unlike any other I've ever had. Short, with sparkle and embroidery in a band down the middle. So not like me, perfect for Vday! New pair of shoes to go with it too. Unfortunately, although my friend and the saleswomen and I all loved it in the store, day of, I had second thoughts. Just had to go with it though.
Next year, I will check my contacts a week early, use any skin treatment a day early (or at least a few hours), and ALWAYS have a backup dress!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
EA Active 2 for PS3 - Review
I'm an average woman, which means I want to get in better shape. I figure, I'm in my 20s, if I'm not in shape now, I never will be. Plus I have some dresses I'd love to look better in...like my Valentine's dress. So when I bought Boyfriend the Move, I picked up the EA Active 2 for myself.
You start out by designing yourself, wish there were more options on hair colors but still kinda cool. You then pick a workout program or pick as you go individual workouts. I decided to start the 9-week program, and chose the woman for my trainer - the woman is better for aerobics and the guy is better for pushing yourself according to the cd book.
I did the first workout today. Man, that trainer is mean! She kept yelling at me to push harder. Squats, skipping rope, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING (running, squatting, and jumping when prompted), even arm curls with a provided resistance band (or substitute your own hand weights). The planks almost did me in. A couple times, I wasn't sure if I wanted to hurl or cry, and I know I did more flailing when running than "pumping" my arms.
Riley seemed to enjoy watching mommy panting and jumping all around. During the planks and the cool down stretching, Riley seemed to think it was play time and kept getting into my face. We'll see if I loose any weight, I also ordered some magic supplement from Vitamin Shoppe that's supposed to help me "make the most" of my efforts.
You start out by designing yourself, wish there were more options on hair colors but still kinda cool. You then pick a workout program or pick as you go individual workouts. I decided to start the 9-week program, and chose the woman for my trainer - the woman is better for aerobics and the guy is better for pushing yourself according to the cd book.
I did the first workout today. Man, that trainer is mean! She kept yelling at me to push harder. Squats, skipping rope, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING (running, squatting, and jumping when prompted), even arm curls with a provided resistance band (or substitute your own hand weights). The planks almost did me in. A couple times, I wasn't sure if I wanted to hurl or cry, and I know I did more flailing when running than "pumping" my arms.
Riley seemed to enjoy watching mommy panting and jumping all around. During the planks and the cool down stretching, Riley seemed to think it was play time and kept getting into my face. We'll see if I loose any weight, I also ordered some magic supplement from Vitamin Shoppe that's supposed to help me "make the most" of my efforts.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
PS3 MOVE, Little Big Planet 2
For valentine's day, I bought Boyfriend the Move for PS3...did a lot of research before I bought it. Our parents have wii's so we are familiar with those, but we already have his PS3 and my Xbox360 so we wanted to get one of those. The PS3 was better rated (especially for our smaller living room), and less expensive ($99 for the starter bundle compared to $150 for Kinect)
I bought him the bundle (which comes with the motion camera, one wand, and a sports game) and an extra wand so I can play too. We decided to not buy any navigation controls because the games we got didn't require it, and we figured we could get one later.
It took a little bit to set up (due to blond moments on our parts), but once it did it was pretty easy to figure out. It is WAY more responsive than wii. I will say that I recommend buying a flat screen mount adapter for the camera if you are tall or have a smaller living room (will be picking one up soon). We've played table tennis, boccie, and volley ball. A lot of fun, and we both worked up a little sweat while playing!
He also got himself Little Big Planet 2, we'd played it at a friend's house and he really enjoyed it. I find the multi-player part of the game frustrating at times. If you get separated from your team you "die" and have to wait for a resurrection portal to play again. Very annoying. Though Boyfriend and I can be very competitive when we play against each other, which doesn't help...there was much muttering and gnashing of teeth. Riley slept through the whole thing. In a few hours we completed the first section of the game and will continue on together soon.
Tomorrow I'm going to start a new workout plan. I have a shakeweight, the palate's zone (both as-seen-on-tv products) and I picked up the Active 2 workout system for PS3 as well. We'll see if I can get in shape by my May 6th graduation! I want to try to wear the same dress I wore for my middle school AND high school graduation! Lofty goal huh?
I bought him the bundle (which comes with the motion camera, one wand, and a sports game) and an extra wand so I can play too. We decided to not buy any navigation controls because the games we got didn't require it, and we figured we could get one later.
It took a little bit to set up (due to blond moments on our parts), but once it did it was pretty easy to figure out. It is WAY more responsive than wii. I will say that I recommend buying a flat screen mount adapter for the camera if you are tall or have a smaller living room (will be picking one up soon). We've played table tennis, boccie, and volley ball. A lot of fun, and we both worked up a little sweat while playing!
He also got himself Little Big Planet 2, we'd played it at a friend's house and he really enjoyed it. I find the multi-player part of the game frustrating at times. If you get separated from your team you "die" and have to wait for a resurrection portal to play again. Very annoying. Though Boyfriend and I can be very competitive when we play against each other, which doesn't help...there was much muttering and gnashing of teeth. Riley slept through the whole thing. In a few hours we completed the first section of the game and will continue on together soon.
Tomorrow I'm going to start a new workout plan. I have a shakeweight, the palate's zone (both as-seen-on-tv products) and I picked up the Active 2 workout system for PS3 as well. We'll see if I can get in shape by my May 6th graduation! I want to try to wear the same dress I wore for my middle school AND high school graduation! Lofty goal huh?
The chicken disaster
So I gave in to the urgings of my girlfriends and made "Engagement Chicken" for dinner. For anyone who doesn't know what this is, its a recipe that appears in Glamor Magazine every so often, which consists of a roasted chicken that you shove a couple lemons up its rear. So why is it called "Engagement Chicken"? The dish is supposed to have magical properties! Make this for your boyfriend, and within two months he will be your fiancee. There have been over 22 reported successes with this dish, including the girlfriend of the proclaimed bachelor Howard Stern. Figured why not give it a whirl, if nothing else I could successfully roast my first chicken!
So you take a roughly 3 pound bird. Wash it out in and out, drown it in lemon juice (inside and out), salt and pepper, then shove 2 medium lemons up its butt. Roast in a 350 deg oven BREAST DOWN for 15 min, then FLIP IT OVER! and roast for 35 more min. I know what your thinking; you think I dropped it on the floor when I flipped it over...WRONG! That is not the disaster of this story!
First issue: I don't need to rely on timing, I have a thermometer timer that Boyfriend bought me. Just select the meat, insert the probe, and wait for it to beep when the meat is at the safe temperature. Well...as I put the chicken in the oven - with probe inserted - the timer part of the piece falls off the counter, hits the floor, and dies! The thing won't turn back on. Ok, guess I'll do it the old fashioned way and just time it.
Second Issue: Ok, 35 minutes breast up, should be done. Slice by the thigh, blood gushing out. NOT DONE...ok put back in.
...Ten Minutes later...
Use non digital stick in thermometer....150 ok still not done
....Ten Minutes later...."Honey, is dinner done yet??" grrrr...Cut the breast...still pink...throw it back in....five minutes later....pull it out, carve it up...well SOME of it is edible... Half the breast is cooked, half isn't, one thigh is done, one isn't. Throw carcass back in oven and serve what I can. We eat what we can off of that dish and nuke the rest when Boyfriend wants seconds.
Third Issue: When I went to get the wish bone...it was already broken.
I'm taking this as a sign...I have no luck or wishes to come true...and I'm not going to get engaged any time soon....which was confirmed at valentines dinner when Boyfriend said he didn't see us getting married until at least 2013
Maybe he's trying to keep me on my toes again? Seriously doubt it though!
So you take a roughly 3 pound bird. Wash it out in and out, drown it in lemon juice (inside and out), salt and pepper, then shove 2 medium lemons up its butt. Roast in a 350 deg oven BREAST DOWN for 15 min, then FLIP IT OVER! and roast for 35 more min. I know what your thinking; you think I dropped it on the floor when I flipped it over...WRONG! That is not the disaster of this story!
First issue: I don't need to rely on timing, I have a thermometer timer that Boyfriend bought me. Just select the meat, insert the probe, and wait for it to beep when the meat is at the safe temperature. Well...as I put the chicken in the oven - with probe inserted - the timer part of the piece falls off the counter, hits the floor, and dies! The thing won't turn back on. Ok, guess I'll do it the old fashioned way and just time it.
Second Issue: Ok, 35 minutes breast up, should be done. Slice by the thigh, blood gushing out. NOT DONE...ok put back in.
...Ten Minutes later...
Use non digital stick in thermometer....150 ok still not done
....Ten Minutes later...."Honey, is dinner done yet??" grrrr...Cut the breast...still pink...throw it back in....five minutes later....pull it out, carve it up...well SOME of it is edible... Half the breast is cooked, half isn't, one thigh is done, one isn't. Throw carcass back in oven and serve what I can. We eat what we can off of that dish and nuke the rest when Boyfriend wants seconds.
Third Issue: When I went to get the wish bone...it was already broken.
I'm taking this as a sign...I have no luck or wishes to come true...and I'm not going to get engaged any time soon....which was confirmed at valentines dinner when Boyfriend said he didn't see us getting married until at least 2013
Maybe he's trying to keep me on my toes again? Seriously doubt it though!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Blogging Bug
This blogging business is dangerous. Its really addicting just putting your thoughts out there; you can say what you want and not have to look people in the eye while doing it! Perfect for anyone who is too shy to speak up all the time.
I've really gotten into forums too. Well one. If you go to the Blackveil page on Amazon.com and go to the discussion board "Plot Shock...", the three posts that are by "Bethany" are all me. One person even referenced me in one of the follow up posts! So exciting...so sad that it's that exciting...
I'm happy to report though that there is someone who is very delusional regarding the plot of the series, but another poster and myself are trying to put her in her place!
How do these, basically public online diaries start? How do they catch on? Why do we all get caught up on the most meaningless things! This one discussion thread on Amazon has 90 posts over 8 days....most of them in the last couple of days. Over 10 posts a day on ONE book, one not even vastly popular book! Yet my forum for science fair project help has ZERO posts over a few months! Wouldn't you think help on a school assignment or learning project skills that will help over your life time would be more popular or more important than a sci/fi novel?
Then again, I bet there are a million times more high school students who have seen "Numa Numa" on YouTube than have read Jane Eyre. And there I will stop, because I'm starting to sound like my mother.
I've really gotten into forums too. Well one. If you go to the Blackveil page on Amazon.com and go to the discussion board "Plot Shock...", the three posts that are by "Bethany" are all me. One person even referenced me in one of the follow up posts! So exciting...so sad that it's that exciting...
I'm happy to report though that there is someone who is very delusional regarding the plot of the series, but another poster and myself are trying to put her in her place!
How do these, basically public online diaries start? How do they catch on? Why do we all get caught up on the most meaningless things! This one discussion thread on Amazon has 90 posts over 8 days....most of them in the last couple of days. Over 10 posts a day on ONE book, one not even vastly popular book! Yet my forum for science fair project help has ZERO posts over a few months! Wouldn't you think help on a school assignment or learning project skills that will help over your life time would be more popular or more important than a sci/fi novel?
Then again, I bet there are a million times more high school students who have seen "Numa Numa" on YouTube than have read Jane Eyre. And there I will stop, because I'm starting to sound like my mother.
Peanut Butter Cups
On Friday, I made peanut butter cups from scratch - they are Boyfriend's favorite, and we're doing low-cost valentines day this year (though he already broke that by buying diamond bracelets for me...so pretty)
I followed these directions,*NOT* as easy as they look. Making the initial shell took some practice. I'd recommend using foil mini cupcake holders, or maybe actual candy molds. I used V-day themed mini cupcake from the craft store - VERY THIN. I ended up having to hold the liner in my hand and smooshing around the edges with the spoon, practically folding the thing in on itself in the process. The final chocolate cap was a lot easier and more fun. I also got pink melting chocolate to put little hearts on top or to differentiate different fillings - but the one filling was hard enough that I didn't want to try another batch so I didn't use it. In the end, very worth it. They are delicious! The filling tastes just like Reese's (I used "Great Value" reduced fat smooth), and I prefer the richness of the semi-sweet chocolate over the milk chocolate. We've been eating them out of the refrigerator, which occasionally hurts the teeth, but, again, SO WORTH IT.
I followed these directions,*NOT* as easy as they look. Making the initial shell took some practice. I'd recommend using foil mini cupcake holders, or maybe actual candy molds. I used V-day themed mini cupcake from the craft store - VERY THIN. I ended up having to hold the liner in my hand and smooshing around the edges with the spoon, practically folding the thing in on itself in the process. The final chocolate cap was a lot easier and more fun. I also got pink melting chocolate to put little hearts on top or to differentiate different fillings - but the one filling was hard enough that I didn't want to try another batch so I didn't use it. In the end, very worth it. They are delicious! The filling tastes just like Reese's (I used "Great Value" reduced fat smooth), and I prefer the richness of the semi-sweet chocolate over the milk chocolate. We've been eating them out of the refrigerator, which occasionally hurts the teeth, but, again, SO WORTH IT.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Blackveil - The Review
The book finally came at 7pm on Tuesday....so I waited to start it Wednesday morning because I knew once I started I wouldn't want to stop. Read all day Wed, had to stop to go to class, and then half the day Thursday.
I find myself very unsure of how I feel about the book - I probably won't know until after a long discussion with my best friend who also reads the series. It definitely draws you in. I was so engrossed that I laughed, cried, and fumed right along with the characters. Also, I about jumped out of my skins a couple times when someone knocked on the door or the dog jumped on me.
The book is not being received well by the fans of the series though. As of this morning, there are 22 reviews on Amazon, and even the best are less than positive, and the worst are SCATHING: "too little too late." Many are yelling that they will not "waste" their money on buying the next books in the series. All are less than thrilled about the long wait between books, as Kristen Britain averages 3-4 years between books. According to Ms. Britain's blog, she is already at work on book 5, so I'm hopeful it will only be 2 years. The last book was released 3 years and 4 months after its predecessor, so if she can shave 9 months off her process again (especially since she started writing 5 before 4 was published), then hopefully in 2013 we'll find out what happens.
I will agree with the other reviewers that it feels a little unfinished, that it was definitely not a lighthearted read like some of the past books. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Harry Potter book 6 - a lot of character development, a lot of things you don't want to happen, and a set-up book.
I disagree that "nothing happened." I know many would have preferred an all action book, but its hard to have plot and character development with nothing but swashbuckling action. I found many questions from past novels answered, and many of my predictions fulfilled. Also, for all the "it wasn't happy, I want happy-go-lucky" unfortunately, not all stories go the way you want. Even though I had a way to fix everything perfectly during the book, in hindsight, if that had happened, I bet just as many people would be angry. If everything went perfectly, it would feel empty and pointless. The characters need to suffer a little to feel real, and coming from ME - the queen of happy plots all tied up in pretty bows - that's saying A LOT.
Hmm...what to read or cook next...I'm supposed to make peanut butter cups for Boyfriend for valentines day...and I was thinking of working on my long-standing DIY project - refinishing the bathroom - only the floor is left to do!
Wednesday at 8:32am
page 1 of 663 :-)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 12:15pm
page 178....so freaking good...dog finally passed out and stopped bugging me
Wednesday at 4:13pm:
REALLY doesn't want to go to class...why couldn't the book have come
YESTERDAY when it was supposed to and I didn't have class???
on page 393...i better not bring this to class with me...
Thursday at 7:23am:
page 416...hopefully Riley isn't sick all day so I don't have to
keep stopping
Thursday at 11:04 am:
hopefully there will be no more interruptions! page 524...NO CLUE
how they're going to wrap any of this up in 140 pages!
Thursday at 12:04 pm:
page 663....no comment...I find myself very unsure of how I feel about the book - I probably won't know until after a long discussion with my best friend who also reads the series. It definitely draws you in. I was so engrossed that I laughed, cried, and fumed right along with the characters. Also, I about jumped out of my skins a couple times when someone knocked on the door or the dog jumped on me.
The book is not being received well by the fans of the series though. As of this morning, there are 22 reviews on Amazon, and even the best are less than positive, and the worst are SCATHING: "too little too late." Many are yelling that they will not "waste" their money on buying the next books in the series. All are less than thrilled about the long wait between books, as Kristen Britain averages 3-4 years between books. According to Ms. Britain's blog, she is already at work on book 5, so I'm hopeful it will only be 2 years. The last book was released 3 years and 4 months after its predecessor, so if she can shave 9 months off her process again (especially since she started writing 5 before 4 was published), then hopefully in 2013 we'll find out what happens.
I will agree with the other reviewers that it feels a little unfinished, that it was definitely not a lighthearted read like some of the past books. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Harry Potter book 6 - a lot of character development, a lot of things you don't want to happen, and a set-up book.
I disagree that "nothing happened." I know many would have preferred an all action book, but its hard to have plot and character development with nothing but swashbuckling action. I found many questions from past novels answered, and many of my predictions fulfilled. Also, for all the "it wasn't happy, I want happy-go-lucky" unfortunately, not all stories go the way you want. Even though I had a way to fix everything perfectly during the book, in hindsight, if that had happened, I bet just as many people would be angry. If everything went perfectly, it would feel empty and pointless. The characters need to suffer a little to feel real, and coming from ME - the queen of happy plots all tied up in pretty bows - that's saying A LOT.
Hmm...what to read or cook next...I'm supposed to make peanut butter cups for Boyfriend for valentines day...and I was thinking of working on my long-standing DIY project - refinishing the bathroom - only the floor is left to do!
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