I love burgers!

So, we ended up at the Cherry Cricket for my birthday dinner.  We started with an order of jalapeno poppers and they were phenomenal!  For my entree, I ordered a "Little Cricket" (1/4# patty) with smoked cheddar, bacon and herbed cream cheese and a side of frings (fries and onion rings) that Hamilton and I shared.  He ordered a 1/3# turkey burger with smoked cheddar, avocado and sauteed bermuda onions.  The food was great and the atmosphere was cool, except for a table near us acting like a bunch of asshats.  They were getting their buzz on after work and being quite loud and obnoxious.  It was all we could do to hear each other and we were sitting side-by-side.  Our waiter, Clifton* (thanks, dad!) was great and very attentive.  All in all, it was a good night!  Another day has come and gone, but the calories will sit on my ass forever!

* I thank my dad here because his name is Clifton, too.  He's been gone five years now and I miss him a lot!  I took this as a sign from my dad that he was acknowledging my birthday and it made me smile!!!

Number 38

Yep, it's that day again.  Let's hope this year is better than previous years!  I just texted my brother and stated that I won't be taking calls from anyone I don't regularly talk to, because I don't have to!  I'm not going to be the recipient of anyone's obligatory BS.

So, what to do tonight?  Maybe a movie and dinner?  I didn't see any movies playing that I'm particularly 'dying' to see.  Maybe "Eat Pray Love" again???  ;)  I'm thinking I'd like to go to the Cherry Cricket for dinner.  Can't get better than a big, honkin' burger!!!

I feel the need to list some goals I have for my 38th year on our crazy, mixed-up planet.  I guess I'll put it in the form of a bulleted manifest:

~learn to meditate and do it daily
~adopt some form of exercise and do at least 20 minutes everyday
~blog at least once per week
~incorporate more healthful foods into my daily routine
~cook more often; incorporate new recipes into my repertoire
~take a class:  guitar or piano lessons, American Sign Language
~go to the damn dentist!
~get a massage
~read more instead of watching TV

I could probably go on for days, but that's a good start.  I have already accomplished banning most soda from my diet; that's HUGE for me.  I now drink Sobe Life Water (0 calorie), unsweetened iced tea, coffee and water.  I do sometimes indulge, but only when I go out for dinner, which isn't often.

I also want to get a plan into place to realize my dream of designing/creating (art, photography, fluffy girl clothes and jewelry, etc.) things that people will want to buy so I can be an entrepreneur and get out of the rat race run by someone other than me.  That is the end result I'm going to attain, so now I'll work my way backward to figure out what I need to do to accomplish that.

Alrighty then...enough babbling for now.  Time to get this show on the road!  I have to decide which movie, if any, I want to see tonight and make a decision where to eat in celebration of the day I made my debut in this wondrously hysterical trip we call life.  (((HUGS)))

Eat Pray Love

I went to see this movie yesterday with Cindy on our "Girl's Day."  We both LOVED it!  It really hit home with me as I've been floundering for quite some time as to what to do with my life and in my quest for connection to a Higher Power.  One quote that really struck a chord with us is, "I don't have to love you to prove that I love myself."  Pretty powerful, huh?  I am going to buy this movie when it comes out on DVD because I could watch it over and over again and probably get a different message each time.

I am very envious that Liz was able to leave it all behind for one year to travel half way around the world in order to find herself and own her truth.  I'd love to do that right now, however, my bank is shaking it's head and saying, "Tsk, tsk, tsk."  I'll simply adjust her self-discovery methods to suit me and my wallet.

I could go on and on about this, but I'll keep it brief...for now.  My journey has yet to begin, but I am anticipating it like no other event in my life.  I'm not that great about writing here, but check back for updates.  I'll be sure to write about any and all discoveries I make.

'sup? by Stephanie

On Thursday, I was on my way to my PPD follow-up and the art store when Katie spotted me at the bus stop on her way home from work.  She turned around and told me to hop in; she'd take me where I needed to go so I wouldn't have to be out in the heat.  Have I told you lately just how much I like Katie?!?!  She's such a great person who goes out of her way to help everyone, not because she feels she has to, but because she wants to.

I popped into Occ Health so Alessandra could check out her handiwork (above) and I could collect my final $10 pittance.  The bruise doesn't hurt, but I forget it's there and when I catch a glimpse of it, I think there's a bug on my arm.  I've been freaked out several times by this gnarly thing!

Then, it was off to Meininger's to pick up my canvas and some paint.  It was sensory-overload with the vast array of art supplies available.  I picked up several tubes of acrylic paint, a set of brushes, a pallate and a couple of credit card holders.  Yeah, I know, not an art supply, but a splurge just the same!

On a day when I could have been baking in the sun for hours and inhaling various diseases on the germ tube (RTD bus), Katie was my saving grace.  I was back home within an hour and happily busting out a practice canvas.  It's not worth posting, but I will do so when I produce something that is.

Another creative endeavor I'm tinkering with is making fragranced oils you can wear like perfume.  Rachael (a nurse I work with) makes her own blend and it smells wonderful.  Although she opts to use florals, I prefer citrus, sweets, and musks.  I purchased some oils from http://www.wellingtonfragrance.com/ as she recommended and have her "recipe" on hand.  Now, it's time to create!

I know I've talked about finding my passion and my path in this life.  I am 100% sure that I was put on this Earth to create.  I'm so content when I am putting my brain through a creative workout that is spilling onto whatever medium is at task, be it cooking, painting, drawing, jewelry making, writing, etc.  I am most happy when I do my own thing in my own time.

My mantra:  I have found my creative calling and I have turned it into a very lucrative career.

Off to the races!

Well, not the races, but I'm getting ready to go to Occ Health for my final PPD study follow-up and my big $10 participation check.  Then, it's off to Meininger's for my canvas and painting supplies.  Back to the ole homestead, and maybe out tonight with Katie.  I have a somewhat busy day ahead of me, so I better get crack-a-lackin'!!!

Sorry the update is lame for the one, maybe two people reading this.  I hope to create some works of art and I'll post pics.  More later on other creative endeavors I'll be working on.