heart + ginger

the friday five(s)

2018-05-25T23:19:56Z

thefridayfive

Would you rather [entertainment version]...

1. Download music // buy a CD

Download. It's 2018, for pete's sake.

I will confess that at first, I fought it. But that was over 10 years ago, and today, I don't own a CD player. Not even in my Jeep or on my laptop. All digital. Maybe one day, I will make the effort to upload my v e r y e x t e n s i v e CD collection, but for now, they are all taking up a lot of space in my office closet.

2. Use MP3 player // Use CD Player

A what player?

I have music on my iPod (and my iPhone), but it's much more convenient to go the thumb drive route, especially in my Jeep. Thumb drives are the new mixed tape.

3. Watch a movie at a theater // Rent a video

I love watching movies in a theater! But I rarely go, and when I do, it's a treat for me. I don't rent movies, either. No DVD player! Again, all digital. I have Directv with a few premium channels, plus Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. I have enough to keep me entertained. Too much, really.

4. Amusement park for the day // Picnic in a park for a day

I need more details to make a decision. Haha. It depends on the amusement park more so than the picnic park. Let's just go with picnic park, as long as they have a little trail where I can ride my bike.

5. Read a magazine // Dollage with a magazineI'm not sure what the definition of "dollage" is, but I assume it might mean to "admire", "hoard", or something (or maybe it's a type and the writer meant "collage"?), so I'm going to answer it this way:
I am somewhat addicted to magazines. I have subscriptions to ~~several~~ many magazines. I begin skimming through them as soon as I pull them out of my mailbox, and earmark what I will read later. I set them down, in a pile with the others, and when the mood strikes me, I will grab an issue, skim it again, and read what I'm interested in. When I'm done, they go into a bookshelf. And when I begin to run out of space, I donate them.
Being that I missed the last few weeks, here they are:

May 18, 2018
Well, that makes ‘sense’ to me

1. Is there a smell that will immediately sicken you?

Not always, but occasionally certain fragrances will trigger a migraine so bad that sometimes causes me to overheat, become nauseated, and/or vomit. Also, the cooking of certain [cheap] meats in a skillet will make me gag and lose my appetite.

2. When you want quiet, where do you go?

If at home, in my bedroom. Elsewhere, either take a walk or a drive.

3. Do you need/prefer total darkness when you sleep?

I almost always sleep with the TV on, but if that is off, there is a tiny green light that emits from my smart outlet that gives me a little comfort during the night.

4. What is your least favorite taste?

Black eyed peas. Just the thought of them makes me gag.

5. How heavily do you rely upon your sense of touch?

Not heavily. Average, I suppose.

Somewhat related, I am not very fond of being touched, especially on the head. I don't know why, but I've always been like that.

May 11, 2018

1. Do you mostly prepare your meals at home or do you eat out more?

I prepare them at home. Sometimes, I will do meal preps for up to a week. When I do eat out, it's usually for a lunch date or during a shopping trip and/or errand day.

2. Is there a time of day when you are more likely to buy food already prepared?

If it's for immediate consumption, then during lunch time. If it is for an actual sit-down meal at home, I will buy prepared food late in the day when I'm pressed for time and/or exhausted. I usually save those fast food visits for when I'm on the road and have to eat in my car.

3. What is your average weekly grocery bill (for how many people)? What is your total restaurant/fast food bill for an average week?

Grocery bill? I have no clue. I really don't. I do most of my grocery shopping once or twice a week at Costco along with various other items, and in between, I'll pick up odds and ends and specialty items at several other stores and markets. Whatever it is, I know it's a lot. Too damn much.

As far as restaurant/fast food, I would have to guesstimate that it's around $20-30, on average. I don't eat out very often, but when I do, it's light and inexpensive (unless someone else is paying!)

4. What is your favorite meal to prepare at home?

I have a thing for chicken fajitas. Always with fresh guacamole. It's a simple meal to prepare, and they are s o d a m n g o o d.

5. What is your favorite meal to order in a restaurant?

Blackened red snapper is my absolute favorite, but my most go-to dish is grilled chicken and vegetables. It really depends on the type of restaurant. Fish/seafood and chicken are the first items I look at on a menu.

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the friday five ... favorite toy

2018-04-28T02:52:15Z

thefridayfive

1. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Baby Crissy. I found her in the Sears Christmas Catalog and she was all I wanted for Christmas that year. She was a life-sized baby doll whose hair could "grow," but most importantly, she had red hair. At last, a doll that "looked" like me! I cannot stress enough how much that meant to me. Also, I would dress her up in my old baby clothes which made me feel more connected to her.

2. What did you name it?

I kept her name, and often called her "Miss Crissy," especially when she was being bad. "Miss Crissy is throwing a little hissy!"

3. Who gave it to you?

Santa Claus!

4. Do you still have it?

Nope.

5. If not, what happened to it?

I have a sister who is four years my junior, and my mother would hand down my toys to her. I wasn't too pleased about that, particularly this toy because my sister ended up cutting her hair, thinking that it would grow back out. I don't know what happened to her, but I assume that she was either tossed, sold, or donated. While I hadn't thought about her in years, I kind of miss her, now.

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wear sensible shoes and get a good therapist

2018-04-26T05:25:14Z

I met my 10k step goal today, and then some. 11,126 so far, actually. I congratulated myself with a jumbo slice of pepperoni pizza and a Diet Pepsi from Costco.

My simple plan to run a few errands today turned into a day of shopping all over the place. And because I am quite vain, I wore my blue Converse low tops instead of sensible shows because they really tied the look together. Big mistake. BIG MISTAKE. Even with the heel cup, those blue fuckers kicked my ass and kicked it good. "My ass" being my feet, of course.

I've desperately needed some above and beyond awesome shoes for a while now. Between word of mouth and online chatter, I became interested in trying on a pair of Brooks Ghost 10 runners. And so I did. Jesus Christ Superstar! Those are some kind of kicks. They are a wee bit price-y, but so worth it. And they are all mine, now.

I will love them, and I will take care of them, and I will call them George.

While I was at the sporting goods mega store, I also picked out my next bike. For almost a year now, I thought I wanted a cruiser and that's what I went to look at, today. But then I found this sweet ride. Soon, she will be mine, too.

Isn't she so pretty?!

And because I am quite vain, these are now mine, too. #2cute2passup

And that's when she realized that she's in an unhealthy relationship with herself.

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the weight of lies. i mean, fries

2018-04-22T23:48:16Z

Blargh. I've mistakenly believed today was Saturday. Again.

It has been my goal to hit 10k steps a day every day, but I've failed miserably. It's almost sundown, and I haven't even hit half of that goal. Another blargh.

It's been at least six months since I began experiencing foot problems. My cute Coach flats I wore all last summer gave me plantar fasciitis. My plantar fasciitis gave me a heel spur in my right foot. My heel spur gave me sore pain in my left hip. And the hip pain gave me sciatica in my lower back. I'm too damn young to feel this damn old.

If I don't start something soon, I am afraid I'll be too far gone. The weight gain slowly crept up on me. I no longer have those "checks" that helped me keep from gaining more than 10 lbs, therefore my increasingly sedentary lifestyle and aging metabolism is really fucking me over. I haven't even weighed myself on over a year. I can name so many reasons and place blame all over the place, but the truth is, it's all on me. Literally.

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friday ona sunday

2018-04-22T19:17:37Z

thefridayfive

1. Do you suffer from Spring Fever?

Somewhat. I tend shop for spring clothes and scents, drive with the top open, and take the scenic, long way home. Wait. Is that Spring Fever? Okay, well. According to this, then probably. Yeah.

2. Have you ever been twitterpated (infatuated or obsessed. In a state of nervous excitement)?

Twitterpated? Oh, there's a new word to learn. Uh, yes. Totally. And I would kill to have that feeling again.

3. What does Spring taste like to you?

Mango sorbet, with a mint leaf.

4. When was the last time you visited an ice cream truck?

I haven't seen one in a long while. The last time I saw one drive by my house, the truck looked a little "corporate-y" with awesome tropical graphics and playing what sounded a lot like Jimmy Buffett. It was long gone before I was able to process it all, and I never saw it again.

If I were ever to chase down any refreshment truck, it would clearly be this one.

5. Do you know what song your ice cream truck plays?

See last answer, and before that, probably this little ditty. Oof.

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as friedrich nietzsche used to say, “if you ain’t grillin’, you ain’t livin’.”

2018-04-19T01:11:02Z

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creamy cheese spinach

2018-04-18T01:10:03Z

I was home alone today and bored, so I decided to try a recipe that a friend recently posted. It calls for frozen spinach but fresh is always best, IMO. So, first I had to cook down the spinach with a little olive oil. And down did it go. Whoa.

I subbed half and half for heavy cream, and had to double the cheese sauce part because I overshot the frozen to fresh ratio on the spinach. Oops.

I had a little cream cheese leftover, so I dressed it up with red chili pepper jelly and crackers and had a few while waiting for the cheese to smooth. Not a bad decision, at all. This jelly is my jam.

Conclusion: pretty damn good. Very cheesy, and easy, too. I would definitely make this again.

Recipe here ➡️ https://lowcarbyum.com/cheesy-creamed-spinach/

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the friday five

2018-04-14T21:14:17Z

thefridayfive

1) Has the weather where you are finally started acting like spring is here?

That depends on your definition of spring weather. Humidity is kind of a big thing here, so as far as the ideal spring, then no. But spring in the deep south? Yes.

2) Do you have any special spring activities or outings planned?

Not quite exciting, but I do usually clean and purge around this time of the year. Maybe have a yard sale or two. Anything else like going to the beach or hiking is usually spontaneous.

3) Have you started wearing different clothing appropriate to spring?

I put away my winter clothes in February, and have since bought several new spring pieces. I also switched to fresh and floral lotions and fragrances. Spring is short down here, so I'm going to make the most of it.

4) What signs of spring are manifesting around you?

Blooms. So many blooms.

5) Are there special foods you enjoy preparing and/or eating in the spring?

More fruits and salads. And just about anything grilled!

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hey err’buddy!

2018-04-14T20:41:07Z

hey err’buddy! looks whos home from the animal hospital. its me, lil’ ellie! thanx to err’one who wished me well. it worked! and happy #nationalpetday2018!

now pleaz scuse me while i go zzzzzZZZ

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this is how i know it's spring

2018-04-14T20:13:03Z

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it's saturday, again?

2018-04-14T20:07:56Z

The week passed too quickly, yet much has happened. Lil' Ellie gave me scare for a minute, and now she seems to be doing well. The animal hospital sent us home with a case of canned food especially for digestive health, which I assume she really loves judging by the way she gobbles it up and "digs" the dish for more.

And as far as the outside world: holy fuck. I can't keep up with it all, and maybe I shouldn't. The state of things is stressing me out so badly, I might end up with pancreatitis, too.

I will admit, however, that I don't mind giving my attention to that attorney who is taking on the legality of a certain NDA. At first glance, he's alright. But when he starts talking all lawyer-ly and stuff... #swoon. He's not the type that I would go after IRL, but I could definitely sit in a courtroom to listen to him litigate for days.

Which reminds me, I really need to start preparing myself for the NALA exam. I'm so fucking lazy. Do something about that, girl. Gotdamn.

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crap

2018-04-11T03:01:00Z

All yesterday, Lil’ Ellie seemed to be not feeling well, and her condition worsened last night. I brought her to the animal hospital today, where she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. She will be there for a few days for treatment.

As if that weren’t worrisome enough, the exam room was the same room where I last said goodbye to Inanna almost 4 years ago. Needless to say, I’ve been somewhat an emotional mess for most of the day.

I love + hate much we become attached to those little assholes. Damn it.

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</3

2018-04-06T19:09:47Z

Postsecret posted this, today.

After I read the secret, I immediately crumbled.

This July will mark four years since I had to put down my dog of 14 years. I fought it for days, but I eventually realized I was being selfish. It was time.

I did stay with her for as long as I could. Understandably, I was an emotional mess. I laid on the floor with her, hugged and kissed her. But I couldn't take it anymore and I left right before she passed.

I hadn't thought about it before, but after seeing this secret, I regret not staying with her until the very end. My heart hurts so much, knowing that her last memory of me was walking out of the room. I hate myself for that. I really do.

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so fresh, so clean

2018-04-06T18:39:47Z

The plumbing in the house has been problematic for a while, and when the half bath began not flushing, it was time to call in a professional. I admit, my personal bathroom is almost always a bit of a mess. Partly because it resembles the health and beauty section at Walgreen's, but mainly because cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite house chore. The thought of someone inspecting my bathroom completely horrified me.

So, when the plumber said yesterday afternoon that he would be here at 9 am today, naturally I waited until 10 pm to start cleaning it.

And I didn't just do the normal clean. I found myself tackling it all. And by all, I mean walls, trim, baseboards, and then some. Yep. All of it.

I followed my task with a hot shower. I even gave myself a blowout when I finished, which was around 3:30-4. I thought I would be able to take a quick nap before the plumber arrived, but I suppose I was so excited about my accomplishment, that any attempt to fall asleep failed me.

The plumber has long since done his job and left, and here I am, still awake. I couldn't go asleep if I tried. But my bathroom is the cleanest it's been in years, the plumbing has been fixed, and my hair looks fabulous. So there's that.

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Standards Shmandards

2018-04-04T18:47:22Z

I haven't convinced myself to forever delete my Facebook account, yet. Honestly, I probably won't, unless something major happens that sets off a mass exodus, which would (hopefully) motivate more people to find other means to keep in touch with each other. In the meantime, I'll continue being a pawn to Facebook's game, but this time I'll be limiting my comments and likes, and concentrate on posting IG photos of my food and other nonsense. IOW, stalking and food porn. Just like the old days... before the old people came along and ruined it.

I am seriously thinking about completely deleting Messenger. Bloomberg has reported that "Facebook Scans the Photos and Links You Send on Messenger." Knowing too well how pathetic their "community standards" are, I don't trust those fuckers one bit.

Am I overreacting? Perhaps I am. Let's see what FB decides to handle this privacy thing.

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no, YOU shut up

2018-03-31T03:15:31Z

Today is Good Friday, so like any good Catholic daughter, I took my mom to Captain D's for lunch. I had a coupon, obviously.

I also took mom shopping to pick up some things for Easter Sunday. We are lazy Catholics. Our only plans for Sunday is to grill some steaks and veggies. It's what Jesus would've wanted.

I think it's safe to say that no one might mistake me as a religious person. I do, however, shop religiously. While my only agenda today was to get food and an incidental or two, I surprised myself when I firmly talked myself out of buying shoes -- two different pair from two different stores. That is a big deal.

But yet, I just had to get this nifty little hammock with a canopy and this classy Bergen tote. I can't be perfect all the time, okay?

And this also happened:
I lucked up and found a parking spot close to the shopping center. Adjacent to the spot was an area painted with lines which designated it as a loading area for handicapped parking. In this spot was an illegally parked red late model Dodge van or SUV with mom, dad, and young adult son -- all wearing matching Roll Tide gear -- loading up their ride with their Good Friday purchases. I admit, my first impression of this woman was already tainted before I even turned off my engine, but when she pushed her cart right up to my Jeep as I was getting out, the words "So fucking rude" just rolled off my tongue when I pushed it over to a safer spot. It was two inches from the driver side fender, FFS.

I didn't say it loud and angrily. In fact, I didn't even think she would have heard me. But she did, and she had something to say about that, apparently. I didn't catch all what she said, but she was going on and on and on to her hubs and son. Something about me overreacting, something else something something, and then "It's not like it's a Mercedes!"

What?

The thing is, I didn't even realize she was "talking to" me until I made it to the entrance of the store. I kind of wish I knew at that moment, but then again, I bet it riled her even more when I didn't acknowledge her hair-trigger rant.

But those six little words -- "It's not like it's a Mercedes!" -- tells me all I need to know about that ugly-on-the-inside-and-out fucking hag.

"I bet she has a Trump sticker on that wagon." Oh, you know she did.

Also, Jeep > Mercedes any fucking day. Bitch.

AND TOMORROW IM PUTTING TOGETHER MY NEW FUCKING HAMMOCK! =D

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click

2018-03-29T18:49:42Z

Almost every night, I have the same television routine. News is usually the priority, as I ~~like~~ need to keep up with current events. And by current events, I mean the "dailies" on the destruction of this country. With breaking news occurring all.the.time, it's imperative that I keep my eyes and ears open way into the night.

While I'm watching the US burn in real time, my primetime shows are recording on the DVR, which I begin watching as soon as my pinko commie shows have ended. My tastes vary, but mostly I like smart, edgy comedies and thrilling dramas and I have had no shame that I've been a loyal fan to all my shows, never missing an episode. But things have taken a turn.

When some shows began their new season at the start of the year, I made the decision to drop a good bit of them, starting with the mediocre shows that lead into or follow my favorite shows. I also chose not to pick up any more to add to the time-sucking list.

This was around the time that I also cut out Facebook and other social media. While I may have still been stressed about the state of the nation, at least I had more time to work it out without avoiding those things that needed to get done.

I will admit, I did pick up a show or two on HBO. But that's different, you see...

Two returning shows that I kept were American Crime (Assassination of Gianni Versace, duh) and The X-Files. I watched American Crime with curiosity, and The X-Files with loyalty. Both started out intriguing, but the closer to the end of the season, began feeling like a chore. I watched the finale of AC, and I was bored and disappointed. Angry that I felt like I had to watch it to the end.

Hoping that it would at least level me, I followed with TXF. I found myself bored enough to pause it for half an hour to follow links on iMdb on the cast and another time I fell asleep. While trying to catch up, I went to Twitter to see what everyone else was saying about this waste of episode. That's where I found out that was the series finale, and I felt like throwing things. How dafuq did Chris Carter put that shit on a platter and hand it to us without an apology? That was a week ago, and I'm still fuming about it.

I've watched Modern Family from the beginning, and have never missed an episode. The same for The Goldbergs. I adored the premise of each show, as different as they are. I easily grew to love the characters, and yadda yadda yadda. Long story short, both shows are now boring AF and I'm no longer allowing them to steal my time.

I deleted those series off the DVR along with several more. Which ones? I really don't remember, and I probably won't miss them. And if I can stream my other shows (the real good ones), then I might as well cut the cord. I don't really do local news and I can always get my pinko commie news online. Actually, I can cut back on that, too. I might then be able to finally afford a place with my own garage.

Besides, life is too short for bad television.

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Morals Shmorals

2018-03-28T18:09:03Z

As I do every morning, I check the notifications on my phone that I received while I was sleeping. Now that I'm "kinda" back on Facebook, I hit a FB notification and ended up scrolling Facebook for a good while. One after another, the posts on my feed began to make me feel uneasy and angry. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just the insane bullshit that has now become the norm.

And then there was the Roseanne thing. The reboot premiered last night, so that has been a trending topic. And it seems my friends are torn about it all.

I was never a Roseanne fan to begin with. I found her crass and annoying. Any redeeming quality on that show might have been found in Dan or Darlene. Roseanne seemed to normalize "white trash" and anti-intellectualism. Now that I am grown and have had therapy, I recognize some of those characterizations in my own family. Perhaps not on the surface, but under the layers that aren't so transparent.

Not being a fan of a show that has been getting a lot of hype isn't what has been bothering me. What bothers me is Roseanne, the person. For the last few years, she has been a horrible human being. I'm not just talking about her being a Trump supporter. I'm talking about Roseanne being a hate-filled racist who has continuously spewed her nonsense as well as damaging conspiracy theories. That is, until the reboot of her show came along.

To put it plainly, Roseanne Barr is a total cunt.

And because she is who she is, what she has said and done, I have become quite conflicted when my friends - who share the same values as I do - are praising this hag's show. I'm definitely disappointed.

A friend tweeted during the airing that it was "painful" and seemed "kind of forced," so naturally I wanted to look. Only five minutes told me all I needed to know. Unfunny sarcasm (the worst sarcasm) while trying to be two things at once.

Granted, it was the first episode, and those are usually kind of lame. That and my bias as well as my higher standards for entertainment, I think it's safe to say that I won't become a fan anytime in the future.

And as far as my friends who have put their values aside for a few lame laughs, I'm still processing that mess.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit avoiding Facebook.

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heart + ginger

the friday five(s)

the friday five ... favorite toy

wear sensible shoes and get a good therapist

the weight of lies. i mean, fries

friday ona sunday

as friedrich nietzsche used to say, “if you ain’t grillin’, you ain’t livin’.”

creamy cheese spinach

the friday five

hey err’buddy!

this is how i know it's spring

it's saturday, again?

crap

</3

so fresh, so clean

Standards Shmandards

no, YOU shut up

*click*

Morals Shmorals

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