• It’s entirely impossible that whilst out at First Thursday last night I had WAY TOO MUCH WINE.
• But, I was drowning my sorrows as I went to my Grandma’s house to measure furniture and accidentally ran into the realtor, who insisted that her STAGING looked good. And, really? The staging looked stupid.
• My boy is leaving me for the ENTIRE WEEKEND. I’ll be at home watching One Tree Hill if you want to come over and keep me company.
• It’s also Kerri/Rhi Mani/Pedi Date 3.0 - Ask her if she’ll be getting the NAIL ART again
• I have very exciting internet dates planned. VERY EXCITING
• Next week, Bethany Actually is coming to play with Kerri and I
• And, in the SAME FUN PACKED WEEKEND in October my beloved Carrisa and my other beloved Nic will be here. We shall drink wine that weekend. And giggle.
• If you are in the area and you’d like to meet up with us, please let me know and I’ll schedule a fun date.
• Who else wants to come visit me? I’m a VERY NICE GIRL.
• Do you wonder on a daily basis what I am wearing? I know it keeps you up at night. You can keep up with my work wardrobe in the Working Closet Pool on Flickr.
• It seems that I accidentally sent a Engagement Card to a friend who just listed herself on Facebook as SINGLE. Um, oops!
• Now pardon me, I have to go wring out my liver. Or, get a bloody mary. I’m not sure which.

Have a great weekend, I love you all!

I’ve not been cooking much as of late. Why cook when you can go out or eat fancy frozen foods from Trader Joe’s? Also, I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but I JUST HAD SURGERY (yep, still using that excuse). Anyway, yesterday I read a blog post from Martha Stewart’s Dinner Tonight that piqued my interest. I had time to kill last night while the boy was golfing and decided to throw this together. Twenty minutes! That’s all it was supposed to take!

I quickly put together the few ingredients the recipe called for and then put part of my soup mixture in my blender. I also grated some cheese for my Cheddar Scallion Panini and set that aside.

 Then, I lifted the pitcher from the blender to empty the puree into my bowl.

Exhibit A: The reason why I had 3 Amstel Lights for Dinner

The bottom of my blender fell out and now I have grean pea puree all over my kitchen. I’ve quit cooking until further notice. But, I will be replacing my blender for the sole purpose of frosty adult beverages. That doesn’t count as cooking.

Exhibit B: Don’t worry, I had some sandwich with my beer

*SIGH*

Disclaimer: The little bit of soup that I salvaged was really, quite good. I just wasn’t that excited to eat it after cleaning it off every surface of my kitchen. I do not hold my beloved Martha Stewart responsible for the demise of my blender. But, Hamilton Beach? YOU’RE ON MY LIST!

Oh, look! It’s September! And, in just 3 months and 8ish days, I shall become a woman turn 30. I’m far too lazy to come up with a list of 30 things to accomplish before 30, and if I did it would quite honestly contain the word WINE far too often - so can we compromise and do 10? (MY LIST, MY RULES!)

Okay, so these are the ten very important things I’d like to accomplish before December 10th, 2008. Of course if I accomplish them all, I’ll reward myself with something nice. And, if I don’t accomplish them I’ll console myself with something nice. Again, I MAKE THE RULES AROUND HERE.

1. Be in the escrow process for my very own home (I had wanted to be an official homeowner, but some stuff is going on with the permits, etc on the condo and escrow is a better bet).
2. Retake the GRE so that I can apply to Graduate School
3. Play 18, fine 9 holes of golf with my dad (and have him roll his eyes at me under 20 times)
4. Run a 5K (AND RUN THE ENTIRE TIME)
5. Knit a pair of socks
6. Sew something (ANYTHING)
7. Throw a dinner party, successfully
8. Learn to actually USE that fancy camera I paid a lot of money for
9. Learn new ways to manage my anxiety so that I can live without Effexor
10. Visit a state I’ve never been to before (being in the airport does NOT count)

Quite honestly, I’m proud of where I am at 29. But, had you told me 5 years ago that at my age I’d still be single, childless and about to go through menopause, I’d probably have slapped you. I’m excited to turn 30 (because it’s totally the new 20) and I think my new decade will be exciting, even if my car insurance STILL isn’t going to go down.

My voter registration card is stuck to the front of my refrigerator with a magnet. Under party, it says ‘Republican’. The concept of a voter registration card in Oregon is a bit silly, as we don’t actually go to the polls to vote - we can actually vote at home in our underwear if we want. But, that’s really neither here nor there (but, note to self: purchase cute elephanty underwear to vote in come November).

I fully plan on voting for John McCain in November. And, I couldn’t agree with Amanda more in saying voting for McCain doesn’t make me stupid. I don’t make any assumptions about people who are voting for Obama, and I expect the same from you. I’m not the type of person who votes straight down the line for my party. I consider myself to be a careful and thoughtful voter and I would hope the same of everyone. I had the honor of participating in Girls’ State in High School and also Oregon’s Mock Republican Convention in 1996. I see these two opportunities as what made me the person, and voter I am today.

Here’s what you should know about me:

• I do not believe in abortion - but I do not think Roe V. Wade should be overturned. Abortion is a choice that I would never, ever make for myself, but I don’t feel that choice should be taken away from other women. I do fear that abortion is too often used as birth control - and it really should only be used in dire situations.
• I’m fiscally conservative and fear that if Obama is elected that we’ll get to keep less of our paychecks. I’m successful and single, and I firmly believe that I should keep more of what I make.
• I totally support McCain’s Immigration plan - I agree that our border must be strengthened and those who have been waiting to immigrate here legally should be allowed entrance before those who got here illegally.

So, with that, I’m back to my Labor Day weekend. You’re allowed to disagree with me, but you’re not allowed to be mean about it. We’re all adults here and I think we can be respectful to one another. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend

• I am SO READY for this long weekend. In 7 short hours, I shall head to the beach house where I will park myself in a recliner and hopefully finish Twilight.
• Tomorrow, I will be introducing my father to my boyfriend. The boy is nervous but I’ve assured him that there won’t be any need for him to say anything because around my dad I’m usually all, “Look what I can do!” (bonus points to you if you can tell me where that is from)
• I’ve been lax in mentioning a couple things. Please excuse me. I don’t know if you heard but I HAD SURGERY (how long can I play the surgery card? Is it getting old? Because I plan on playing a lot this weekend for my dad).
• Mamikaze gave me a kick ass blogger award. I love Mamikaze not only because she’s from the Pacific Northwest, but also because she’s hilarious and also because she loves Trader Joe’s wine just as much as I do (and maybe a little more).
• Amber gave me a Brillante Weblog Award. Amber is adorable and has the cutest little owl on her banner that I want to kidnap and call my very own.
• And, the 3 Giraffes who I dined with at BlogHer and and are ALSO from the Pacific NW gave me the Arte Y Pico Award.
• I am so thankful and want to give each one of you a big wet kiss. You’re welcome.
• Also, I’m far too lazy to follow the rules and give these awards out myself. So, consider yourselves awarded. All of you! For all 3 awards! You’re welcome again!
• Please don’t forget to watch my beloved Oregon Ducks play kick the canine behinds of the Washington Huskies tomorrow night at 7 p.m. PST. I’ll be wearing my brand new Oregon Underpants.
• Our grand prize winner of the Book Giveaway has still not claimed her prize. Ashley? ARE YOU OUT THERE?
• I just this very second began to crave Fried Chicken. Why?

That is all, friends! Enjoy your LONG weekend! See you Tuesday (or maybe Monday, if I get lonely)