10/100

I just realized that many of you know very, very little about me and my "about" page isn't much help either. So, since writing 100 things all at once is a daunting task, I've decided to give you a list of 10 things about me once a week until I hit 100. Since this is my first post, the title is 10/100. The next one will be 20/100 (get it?). I know, I'm a genius.

Before I get into the ten things I want to quickly explain the name of this blog and my alias, Dillygirl. The name "Dilly" is not homage to the dill pickle, although I do like me a good pickle with my turkey sandwich every now and then. But seriously... Dilly is a slang or shortening of the word Delightful. I consider myself to be a mostly positive, upbeat person, so I thought it was a great fit (and to my knowledge, there are no other Dilly Diaries in the blogosphere). The true definition of Dilly is: One that is remarkable or extraordinary, as in size or quality. Which now that I read that, I'm not sure this site is 100% dilly yet, but I'm working on it.

As for going by the alias Dillygirl. Some of you might find it very silly (rhymes with dilly) of me to go by a nickname and yet post a photo of my face at the same time (seems a little counter-productive and stuff). You're right, it sorta' is. I don't have any qualms about sharing my name with people, but I LOATHE the idea that someone might google my name and find this site. I want to maintain a certain level of privacy, even though many people who visit this blog know me in person. I am an extrovert... kind of loud and outspoken at times. I've been called a ham, a drama queen, and I'm not at all camera shy. So that kind of explains the photo thing. This blog just wouldn't feel as personal for me if I couldn't post pictures of myself. BUT. My hubby refuses to allow me to post pictures of him (I'm working on it) and I'm still not comfortable with posting pictures of my family or friends yet because I want to respect their privacy until they give me their permission. So that's the scoop on that.

Ok. Onto the first ten things about me...

1. I am 25 years old. Born in June of 1980 in upstate NY. I'm a Gemini but I don't often share that with people because I don't believe in astronomy. However I have been told I am a typical Gemini. Whatever that means.

2. My favorite time of the year is fall/winter. I can safely say this because I've lived in Florida since the age of 6. Winter here is beautiful. I do enjoy visiting family in NY and rolling around in the snow a bit, but after a few weeks I'm ready to come home.

3. I have a BFA in Studio Art. My current job involves creating stage sets, large scale artwork, and murals while leading a team of visual artists and craftsmen. I have worked as a freelance artist, graphic designer, Starbucks barista, and pet store employee.

4. I was homeschooled for 3 years, 7th-9th grade, (why?) because I hated going to school and wanted to have more free time for my equestrian hobbies. After school (which took about 3 hours a day), I would go to the stables to ride and train horses with my other homeschooled friends. I loved it!

5. I'm married to an amazingly handsome man (he looks a lot like this guy) who is the love of my life. He's my best friend. We married in October of 2002. He currently works as an editor/graphics guy at one of the largest TV broadcasting companies in the United States. His dream job would be to work at Disney as a 3D animator.

6. I'm horribly and hopelessly sentimental. I get so attached to things, people and places. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a pack rat or a hoarder! A good example of my sentimentalism is when I watch the "Parent Trap" with Hayley Mills and start to cry a little because I remember how much I LOVED that movie when I was a kid.

7. I wear flip-flops almost everyday. Even if my toenails are not painted!

8. When I was 12 I peed my pants at a haunted house because I seriously thought for a minute that the characters were ACTUALLY trying to kill me with their bloody axes and such! (run-on) It was only a tiny bit, though, and none of my friends noticed, but that was the last time I went in a haunted house (at least a fake one).

9. I hate hate hate talking on the phone. Hate it.

10. I wear socks to bed every night. If I'm not wearing them I can't fall asleep no matter what. I don't remember when I started doing this because when I was a kid and a teenager my feet would always get so blazing hot at night! I would stick them out from under my blankets and turn the ceiling fan on high. Now if my feet feel the slightest draft I instantly wake up.

Gah

Work is kicking my butt. I'm so exhausted from working extra late and extra early. Took a 3 hour nap this afternoon.

This is so boring.

Hmmm..... anything exciting in my mind to share with you?

Nope.

Mr. Ambition

Today was the hubby's first day of his new job. It was so cute. He got up early, full of anxious excitement about the day ahead. We even got him a bunch of new clothes over the weekend. So there he was, all clean shaven in his new duds... like the first day of school. I gave him a kiss and said bye, told him he'd be great and not to be nervous.

He practically skipped out the front door and into his car with a grin spread wide on his face.

It's so good to see him so happy and fulfilled about his dreams and aspirations. This job is such a huge climb up the ladder for him. For the longest time it seemed he'd never make it big in this town. But today? The sky opened up and the angels were singing for him. I'm so happy for my cute little hubby and I can't wait to hear how his first day went!

TV, Comfort Food, Makin' Babies

Hi, this is me. Oh! And this is my hair (I actually kind of like it now).

Now onto other, more important, things... Things like TV!!! and MAC N CHEESE!!! and BABIES!!!

Nothing could make me happier than the return of decent, daily television options. I've already marked my calendar to remind me of several very important appointments with my couch to watch LOST, House, Survivor, Medium, and The Biggest Loser. I know I could be doing something much, much more productive with my time. I feel (slightly) guilty about how much pleasure I derive from watching the boob tube. But it's the only way I can get my overactive mind to just take a breather. Just veg out, be entertained, maybe laugh, maybe cry. It's therapy (especially if the hubby-guy decides to offer me a back or foot massage).

Speaking of therapy, a few days ago I made some good home cooked macaroni and cheese. You know, the baked kind with breadcrumbs on top? Yum. Better than Cracker Barrel! For some reason I've been really into comfort food. The good (bad) stuff. Maybe it's the way fall weather is creeping up on us here in South Florida. The way the air smells first thing in the morning... a tinge of autumn is there. I can smell it. It's still hellishly hot, though. That is, until I walk into a craft strore like the Rag Shop where the A/C is cranked up and they've got pumpkins and cinnamon pinecones everywhere. Oh! And candycorn! There's some really good comfort food. And pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks.

Seasons change, people change. Very cliche, I know.

Really, though, I've changed a lot. Look at me! I feel like a totally different person than I've ever been. Grown up, almost. It's crazy! And sex has changed this month. It has a whole new meaning to us. So now it's just waiting until CD28 or 29 to see if Aunt Flo will visit, and if she does, try again (and again and again). Not only am I changing, but my day-to-day also. I'm growing tired of my "career" and my job. It all seems so pointless compared to being a mom. Every day at work seems like a purgatory I'm sort of hanging out in until the day comes when I can do what my heart really longs for.

Oh, and I'm cutting out caffeine! *choke-sob*

It's the pits! I'm slowly having the Starbucks girl put more and more decaf in my venti iced coffee. It's a painful process (the headaches), but a small one compared to the many life changes I'll probably have to face in the coming years, right!?

Dear God, Make Me A Bird...

I hate stress.

The heaviness of it on my shoulders. The tightness of it in my gut. The tossing, turning sleep and scary nightmares. The immense feeling of impending failure. The oogy-ness of it that just makes me feel like everything about me is not good enough. Stress. I hate it.

The really crappy thing is when this stress is about work stuff. It's just not worth it to feel this kind of stress over a little job. In the scope of life, and who I am, work is nothing. Yet here I am, dreading to head out and go to the office.

When I feel stressed about work I know something is not right. I must be lacking in some essential ability: the ability to deal, to be tough skinned, to problem-solve, to self-relax, to move on, to get it done. I must be focusing on the wrong thing? Otherwise I wouldn't have this stress. I can only do my best! The key is when I ask myself: am I doing my best?

I don't know the answer to that question. I guess that's why I feel this way.

Thank God it's Friday.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Things I'm Really LOVING right now:

1. Maple Sugar candies from upstate New York
These little creamy candies are made from pure maple sugar. They melt in your mouth like a little taste of tree sap heaven. I got a small box of these from Sprauge's when I was in New York. I wish I had bought a BIG box. Also, their maple butter is really good spread on a slice of toast, too. Maple, maple, maple. Yum. Just YUM!

2. Brighton
I LURVE Brighton. Their jewelry and purses are so well made and girly (and I can actually afford them). I'm not really into overly flashy or gold jewelry, so this place is perfect for my style... a lot of simple silver pieces. Everytime I put on my Brighton jewelry it makes me feel special. I'm currently liking the new Bordeaux Heart collection. Maybe I should get a new purse for fall? Methinks so.

3. Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Seriously. I could not get out of my house in the morning without this stuff. I'm so surprised more people don't use it. Do you use it? It's so much easier than ironing (although it doesn't work that swell on certain fabrics). It's even easy enough for hubby to use ON HIS OWN. Amazing, aye?

4. This website rocks my world. (www.allrecipes.com)
I can't live without allrecipes.com. I have found some of the best recipes on this site. It's so great. I can search according to what I have in my pantry and it will give me recipes that use those ingredients. Also, I love to look at the recipe reviews and see what people say about it before I try it. If you're ever STUCK and don't know what to make for dinner...

duh, eat out or order in!

But if you can't do that, try this website. It's a lifesaver.

5. Burt's Bees Lip Balm
Warning: once you start wearing this pepperminty beeswax lip balm, your lips will never be the same again. They will crave the minty tingle. It's addicting in the worst way. I have to apply this lip balm a frigillion times a day. Love it. Need it. Can't live without it.

6. Target!
How much do I love thee, Target? Let me count the ways. OK. One, you make me smile as soon as I walk into your doors and smell the unadulterated odor of low cost shopping. Two, you hold my attention like nothing else can. I am satisfied within your walls for HOURS and HOURS on end. Three, red is my favorite color. Four, if I get famished while shopping I can eat a personal pan pizza from your Pizza Hut Express! I could go on forever. I love Target. The ugly stepsister Wal-Mart can't even compete (but we won't go there today).

7. Silk Soymilk
Oy! Soy! I never thought I would be a soymilk drinker. I don't mind driking cow's milk, but decided to make a partial switch to soy for my health. I still have regular milk most of the time, but I prefer soy. I'm really lovin' the Silk Chocolate Soymilk as a little treat at night and the regular un-flavored soymilk with my cereal (Kashi Heart-to-Heart or Cheerios) in the morning. You must try it!

8. Mojito's
I'm not a big drinker, but on a recent trip to St. Augustine, FL, I had a Mojito! Have you ever tried one? Oh my! They are really good. Really, really good. Better than anything I've ever tried before. I could have used one (or five) of these last week.

9. Breathing is good. (Kenmore EnviroSense™ True HEPA Air Cleaner)
I've had asthma since I was a kid, so breathing isn't always an easy thing for me. When we bought this house it was such an improvement over the crappy air quality in our apartment. But still. Florida is full of flora and fauna. Or whatever they call it. It's full of stuff that bothers my wittle lungs. So this air purifier has been great. I turn it on at night and it's 100% quiet.

And when my husband farts in bed, the odor sensor turns red.

10. I feel pretty, oh so pretty. And I smell like a Koala chewing Wrigley's Doublemint gum. (Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint body splash)
And I'm proud of it. I spray myself with this "relaxing" body splash every morning. I'm not convinced it lasts all day, but I'm OK with that. I don't like wearing anything overpowering that'll make others choke or sneeze when I walk by. But let me tell you! There's something magical about the way this stuff smells. It's so soothing-- the smell is so fresh and earthy. Makes me feel like hugging a tree. Specifically, a eucalyptus one.

I have many more favorite things, but I'm going to save them for later. Gotta make sure I don't go and reveal ALL OF ME to you people too soon, you know?

By the way? I even took a picture of my hair for you today. It's finally grown into itself. I was dead-set on sharing this photo with you right now in this very post you are currently reading. However, I am such a dingle-berry! The USB cable thingie that connects the camera to my laptop is nowhere to be found. I think it might be somewhere at work (pray, pray, pray it is). So, stay tuned. Later.

What The Frack?!

Where the hay have I been? Good question. I know I haven't been around in a few weeks, but I have lots of really really good excuses.

Wanna hear them?

M'kay. First, the whole Katrina thing happened. I felt a moment of silence on the Dilly Diaries was sort of warranted. I mean, what the heck could I have written that wouldn't have sounded A. horribly shallow B. seemingly insensitive or C. just plain dumb. The only things I could think of sharing were SO little compared to what they are going through in the areas that got completely destroyed. Last week I thought of posting about an asthma attack I had. But, hello? People died. I lived! I just took my inhaler. So, that's the first excuse.

Second, my hubby was in the process of getting a new job. It was all so overwhelming because he wasn't even looking for a new job. It just sort of fell in his lap, everything came together, doors opened and shut and BA-BAM! New job! Lots of money! Really good benefits! Good location! Excellent promotion possibilities! Dancing girls!

(Just kidding about the dancing girls thing. I just felt like adding it to see if you're still awake.)

So, hubby was in agony about leaving his current job. Why? Because he's a really loyal guy and he likes his boss a lot (they're friends). Oh, and he's the only employee other than his boss. Leaving his current job was a huge, ugly thing but he just couldn't pass up this opportunity. It's just too sweet for words. I was very distracted by this change in our lives... and writing about all these good things seemed insensitive (see above).

Thirdly, we're doing it. Yes, you heard right. Doing it.

After many months of thinking and worrying and all that silly stuff we decided: there's nothing sane about having a baby! It's never going to make sense! We're never going to be rich enough, or have a big enough house, and we're never going to like losing sleep and spending all of our money and having no free time. We don't care to think about all the negatives anymore. What we want is to start a family, and there's no time like the present.

This month we started "trying" to get pregnant. We've practiced enough.

It's so hard for me to not get psycho about it. I'm the type of person who, once I decide what I want, can't wait! Like at Christmas time when I was a kid? I knew what I was getting before it was even wrapped. I would search the house and attic for the stash of presents before mom wrapped them. I was instantly gratified and yet I was STILL excited to open them on Christmas day (plus Santa always threw in a few surprises). Because I'm annoying like that, I'd really like to get pregnant this month. Like, DING! Pregnant! So I'm checking fluids and stuff, but I haven't gotten into the basal body temp stuff yet. I'll probably go there if I don't get pregnant in 3 months. Trust me, I may sound really naieve to a lot of you women who tried for YEARS to get pregnant. And, you're right. I'm stupid and clueless about the miracle of pregnancy. I'm just hoping it happens for me without too much fuss and muss. And if it doesn't, I'll deal with it accordingly.

What's going on with the Dilly right now, you ask?

Well, as of now, I'm just so stinkin' busy at work! I can't get a break. Poor me. No rest for the weary, they say. Well, boy, are they right! But here I go again with excuse #1 for not posting: the people in New Orleans, Louisiana and Mississippi would probably be thankful to trade my little tiny problems for theirs right now. On that note, please (if you haven't already) give to a charity or organization and help the victims of Hurricane Katrina get back on their feet. Hubby and I already gave to a charity through our church. They are giving people homes, food and clothing. If you gave anything to the Tsunami victims... please give to this, too. Let's take care of our fellow Americans. Even if it's just giving a few bucks, lending a hand, or saying a prayer.

Anyways. I'm back in the groove, my friends. I've broken the silence. You'll be hearing from me again very soon. I've been working on something to share with you: a long list of things I love. Until then. :)