Sundays...

It's finally upon us...Sunday. Technically I should be starting a new unit for school, but I tend to take Sunday off and do whatever I want. This is a perfect day to update my blog, check out Facebook and see what's new, catch up on my writing if I want or my latest book club book (which currently is "Drood" and I highly recommend it!). The problem is that sometimes, I want to do a little of everything and time simply doesn't permit it.

I was fortunate enough to spend time with the kids this morning playing games and putting puzzles together. We loved it! Now, I feel inspired and although I want to continue working on a writing project that I've begun, "Drood" keeps calling for me to open up my Sony Reader to see what he's up to.

As scheduled as my days are it's so nice to not have anything planned and to just make it up as I go along. Days like this are relaxing and help me to forget how crazy and hectic life can get. So, the moral of this blog is...step back, take a day and just "be". Find something that you enjoy that you normally would not take time to do and just do it. And most important: do not feel guilty for indulging. You've earned it and you deserve it. I know I do! ;) Happy Sunday!!!

Time for me...

It's 7:36pm and my family just finished having dinner. What a day!!! I was swamped with last minute school work that I put off from yesterday and the day before. In the middle of doing two exams, two homework assignments and one discussion post, I managed to cook a pot roast with rice, honey bbq chicken wings and cut up a watermelon, of which I had none. My dinner? Coffee. After today, it relaxes me and comforts me. The craziness will start again Monday, so I'll just enjoy this evening and tomorrow (taking it off from schoolwork) and try not to feel guilty about it.

I feel the need to come clean here and admit that I got a "B" on one of my exams and it's KILLING ME!!! I missed two questions - one was my own dumb fault for not double-checking, the other is contestable, which I have already submitted an email requesting correction. And my "type A", obsessive-ish personality can't stop thinking about that damn "B"!!! In my almost two years studying Forensics, I've never gotten less than an "A" on anything and now this atrocity!?!!! The lesson for me is learning to deal with "less than" sometimes.

I spoke with my mother-in-law today. Yes, I called her. I just had an overwhelming desire to chit-chat with her. It was pleasant as always and during our conversation, I missed her. She's really a dear and sadly is simply taken for granted by her kids and it bothers me. I updated her on the happenings here and she updated me on the goings-on there and in the end, I was very thankful that we live 2,936 miles away - not from her, rather from the DRAMA that invades every part of their lives. My in-laws anniversary is coming up and Fonzie and I decided (on my suggestion) to buy them new flatware. We chose a lovely style and not only is it really pretty, but it's durable and low and behold...It doesn't bend!!! I wish I could be there to give it to them, but we'll be sending it out Monday. Tomorrow I will pick-up the anniversary cookie (we opted for that instead of cake) and a Key Lime pie (my dad's favorite) for their anniversary. Although it isn't until Monday, we'll present their gift to them tomorrow. 42 years!!!! The mere thought stuns me! Fonzie and I have been together only 6 years and I feel proud of that small accomplishment. These days marriages are disposible it seems and I miss the days when marriage was sacred. Although my dear husband and I don't always see eye-to-eye, I think the best thing he's ever said to me was during a time when we were fighting and he said, "The fact is that we're going to be together forever, so we might as well learn how to deal with each other." I'll never forget that, and no doubt - I'll hold him to it. ;)

Cynful Scents...

Today, "my favorite things" are perfumes. I absolutely adore fine fragrances, or fragrances that make me feel pretty, energized, sexy, or even happy. Here are a few of my favs!

Quelques Fleurs - An all-time favorite. It's rich, timeless, and smells classic and elegant.

Donna Karan - Black Cashmere was originally described to me as having leather and suede notes with pepper. The saleswoman told me that it smelled like sex in the very best way. I bought it immediately! It's absolutely intoxicating!!!

Jivago 24K - This is a beautiful scent. It's luxurious, fresh, and very feminine.

The great thing is that each of these fragrances can be worn any time of the year. They are lovely and worth the price. Start dropping hints now to your husband, boyfriend, partner, or significant other and you may just score one of these as a sweet surprise!

A little "pretty"...

So from time to time I realize that I need to get a few things for myself. Now these are "things" that I consider a luxury, although, the truth is that they are in fact a necessity, and after I mention them you'll understand why I say that. During one of my "late-night, can't sleep" events, I turned to QVC and watch Bare Escentuals. Leslie Blogget was talking about her new Buxom colors of lip gloss and I found myself contemplating calling up and ordering. I didn't, however I decided to pop by Ulta yesterday and check them out. $15.00 would buy me lovely, shiny, plump, glossy lips that would surely tantalize my husband as well as moisturize my chapped lips. SOLD! My thoughts were: I really did need a new lip gloss and I would just end up at Walgreens to buy something I didn't really want at almost the same cost, so...?

I've gone from a fine fragrances gal to a Calgon user, so while in Ulta, I decided to see if there were any sales on non-Calgonish body scents. I stumbled across Sula. They are fragrances and body oils that smell heavenly!!! As I stood there sampling the different delicious scents, one stood out above the rest and I kept gravitating towards the same delicious, intoxicating scent: Butterfly Kisses!!!! I decided then and there that I deserved this $18.00 indulgence. I bought it along with a few other items that I "needed" (as I can't be expected to go out of the house with no make-up for fear of frightening children and the elderly), and promptly put some on (just a dab) as soon as I got out of the store. I LOVE IT!!! It's subtle, lovely, and oh-so-feminine!!!! Did I HAVE to have it? No. Do I have buyers remorse over it? Not a chance! I deserve a little "pretty" from time to time.

Today...

This week has found me smack in the middle of a scholastic dilema of sorts. I have found myself going head-to-head (in the most respectful way of course) with my Biological Evidence Professor, who also happens to be a Lieutenant. I won't bore you with the details, however I will say that I find myself surprised at my tenacity over this issue. Okay, I am very self-aware. I know I am very Type A. I know I am a bit obsessive about my grades, etc. I get that. And in really thinking about this issue that I've been dealing with, I've come to realize that it's not over ego, it's not about me being right, it's not wholly about my grades, rather it's about what is just. It consumes me (right up until my anti-anxiety pill kicks in.) :) I presented my case, took it to the next level after not receiving the result I wanted and in the end, the issue got resolved to my satisfaction. The point of my sharing this with you? The point is that for a few moments I began to doubt myself. I wondered if I was really making a mountain out of a mole-hill for no good reason. My instincts told me to persist, but a little, uninvited voice planted a seed of doubt. What I learned was that I have to always trust myself. From now on, I will.

Moving on to the rest of this week. Well I am looking forward to it. I am treating myself to nail services tomorrow and my husband is off of work, so he and Gunnar are getting "groomed" at the salon. Tomorrow, I'll whip up some chicken vegetable soup (as I do every week.) It's a perfect staple to have on hand. When I want to snack, I grab a bowl of veggie soup. Since Fonzie's not a fan of the veg., I'll make some BBQ chicken for him and the kids. I adore cooking and am happy to have my family to cook for. I well remember the days of being single when I rarely cooked because cooking for one is harder than one would think. Overall, this has been a good week, one that I will definitely file in my mental Rolodex for use on future dates.

Tonight, I sit here catching up on e-mail, Facebooking, and watching the hour get later knowing that Fonzie and I get to sleep in tomorrow. The kids are content watching a movie before going to bed. Fonzie's watching ESPN (no doubt) and I can sit back and catch up on the latest book in my Sony reader. I'm in no rush, and it's the most delicious feeling. Today,...tonight,...life is good. My cup runneth over. :)