Musings of the Week

I usually wear scrubs to work. Gray ones with hot pink trim. I used to think they were sort of cute. Today though, I dressed up on the account of no clean scrubs. Pretty sure the entire hospital said something. "You clean up nice," "What are you so dressed up for?" "Wow you look so different dressed up," (?) "Don't you look nice today" and "Where you goin' after this, the club?" Ummm...I had on an eyelet white skirt, pink top, and black cardigan. If that doesn't scream I'm 'bout to hit the club, I don't know what does. I was going for more sexy librarian, but cool. Lesson learned: I should probably dress up more, and maybe the scrubs aren't as cute as I thought.

I have my clients keep food diaries for me. It's just a way for them to be accountable to someone and a way for me to give feedback. Today my 2 o'clock asked me if I kept one (no), and to tell her what would be in mine for the day. I'm not a typical RD...I like chips and salsa and french fries and Snickers ice cream bars. I preach at my patients to never skip breakfast, eat small amounts every few hours, drink lots of water. But I told her I was going to be honest. I had two cups of black coffee for breakfast, and I hadn't had lunch yet. But that I already had dinner planned out - turkey sandwich with avocados and cheese and a huge piece of chocolate pie. She laughed and said she was glad I was human. Another lesson learned: At least a couple days of the week, eat like someone who went to school for 6 years to learn how to tell people how to eat. Just in case someone asks.

When Marli gets onto Peyton for doing something naughty (i.e. de-rolling a roll of toilet paper and then putting it all in the toilet), I secretly love it that she runs to me crying with her arms out. And I'll confess, I usually pick her up and hug her and say something along the lines of "yes, mama's bein' mean...poor baby." That's bad, right? I'm going to be a wonderful parent someday.

My mom always told me I have an old soul. I'm not sure I know what it means, but I SO love older people and get along with them quite nicely. Case in point: I talked with a patient in the skilled nursing unit the other day for 30 minutes about trying to crochet, how to season dried white lima beans properly, weather and hurricanes, and how the world moves so much faster these days (as if I was around in the old days).

I have a new tv guilty pleasure. I'm aware the tv and I are already a little too close. That relationship could stand to take a hiatus. But look, after work one of the best things ever is to come home and sit on the couch with your man, a glass of wine (or lately, vodka and crystal lite), and an episode of Entourage.

Sugar and spice...

Have you heard about my new house-mates? My sister and my niece are staying with us kind of indefinitely. It's no secret that I'm crazy about this kid. She's too cute for words. Now that she's been staying here I've seen more of her funny little personality shine through. A few things she does that crack us up...

When Marli (sister) yells at her to stop doing something (i.e., picking up the dogs' water and pouring it over herself), Peyton points her finger at us and makes a mean "you're in trouble" face. Sometimes she even runs over and swats us on the hand and says "OUCH!"

She and Alan have a long-running game of chase/peekaboo going. It starts when he gets home and keeps going as long as he's within eyeshot of her. She covers up her face and says, "Where's Peyton? There ya go!"

ANY time rap music comes on the tv, this child starts BOOTY DANCIN'! Where did she learn that? She also has some sort of square dance move she frequently busts.

She carries my dogs, Sophie and Sammi ("Opie" and "Mammy" to Peyton) upside down by the legs through the house...they are downright terrifed of her. She eats their food, pours out their water, pokes them in the eyes, pulls their tails, and hauls them around. And they just take it. Poor darlins.

She has a chubby little belly, and she rubs it and says "awwwweee baby" like there's a baby inside!! What in the world!!

We have NO bed for her anymore...she climbs ALL the way out of her play pen and her crib and runs wild through the house! But she's too small for a "big-girl" bed...it's a dilemma!

My sisters and I have always sat on the floor to do makeup. We sit Indian style in front of a mirror or even sometimes "perch" on the countertops and do it (side note - when we first got married and Alan saw me perched on top of the bathroom counter he didn't know what the crap I was doing). Anyhow, Peyton has picked up on this trait. We always find her sitting on the floor in front of the mirror playing in our makeup. She loves to paint charcoal gray eyeshadow on her cheeks. And on the walls.

She's so sweet and funny...she makes me want my OWN!

Southern belles

My great-great aunt Stella is the epitome of a southern belle. She is my pawpaw Benny's mother's sister, and one of my favorite people in the world. She's way too good at cooking (this woman can make canned peas taste like heaven). She is so sweet and mannerly that if you didn't know her, you might think it was an act. But she has a sharp sense of humor. A heart of gold. She makes the best coffee. Keeps her house tidy. She's on the conservative side. And of course, that soft, sweet southern drawl. "Well, Ah neva!" I've never actually heard her say that, but you can imagine.

I've been going to visit her in south Alabama since I was young, and some of my fondest memories are from those times. Her house being filled with people I love, and me trying to sneak in and sit at the grown-up table instead of eating with the kids, because that's how I've always been. Iced tea, food to feed a small army, cold watermelon outside on picnic tables, trips to the beach, playing with all my uncle Clarence's rocks and gadgets. Listening to him tell me about the Great Depression. Starched white sheets and old hardwood floors. So many things that you other G.R.I.T.S can identify with. If you don't know what G.R.I.T.S. are...well, you probably aren't one! Which is just fine...yankee ;)

Some of my other favorite southern belles (real and fictional):
- Shelby from Steel Magnolias
- Ruth and Idgie from Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
- All of my grandmothers and great-grandmothers
- Scarlett O'Hara
- Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird
- Melanie "Carmichael" from Sweet Home Alabama
- Dolly Parton
- Aunt Bee from Andy Griffith
- Stella and Blanche from A Streecar Named Desire

Sundresses and Sand dollars

The husband and I have a new tradition: to go to the beach every summer. Poor darling hadn't ever been to the beach until our honeymoon, and now he wants to live on it. We have spent a week in a small beach house during the summer twice now. I love it. I'm ruined. Because I can hardly think of summer now without wanting this:
I want hot sand, sundresses, parasailing, big sun glasses, boiled seafood, kites on the beach, sunrises and sunsets, banana daquiris, flip flops, jammin' to Kenny Chesney, sand dollars, the smell of sun screen (yes, I love it), sea foam, fireworks, sand castles...

And if I try really hard, I can squint my eyes and morph the outside view of my office into this:

LOST love

I recently caught up on several LOST episodes (I literally have months' worth of DVR to watch right now)...And I just want to say a few things about the characters. I don't have any clever theories; my brain hurts too much for that today. Although I do believe I know who's gonna get the axe.

I still love Desmond, brotha.

I'm on team Sawyer/Juliet...hardcore. I love Sawyer this season. I sort of wish Kate would get eaten by that Dharma shark.

What the heck happened to Rose and Bernard? Does anyone care?

I wish Mr. Eko would come haunt the island. He was legit...However, if that manly girl cop ever shows up again I'll chew my hand off.

Old Charles Widmore is kinda hot. Even if he was mean to my Desmond. Young Ellie is hot too, so how'd they create such a squirrely little physicist?

Still diggin' John Locke and Richard. I've always been a Locke fan and a Jack tolerator. Richard's a tad creepy and I love it. Pretty sure he rocks the Pete Wentz guy-liner. His eyes are just too darn pretty.

Sayid is beastmode this season. And semi-crazy.

UM...is Walt coming back? Vincent needs him!

Did sweet Hurley get bigger? God love him. I'm loving that he tried to write Empire Strikes Back. Why's he carrying the guitar case around? Is there food in it?

MAN that's good television. So excited to have some questions answered next Wednesday!!!

Inquiring mind

I'm going to play copy cat and borrow this "What's your answer Wednesday" blog theme from about 5 others I read today! Because I love to ask people weird questions and even better, to hear weird answers. Normal answers are cool too, if that's your thing.

So here we go, what's your answer Wednesday...

1. Do you have any strange sleeping habits? (i.e. talking, singing, walking, sleeping with 11 pillows, etc.)

I'm a blanket-hogger and sleep talker. I recently asked Alan to "sharpen those pencils over there." Can't even remember the last time I used a pencil. I had a roommate who used to direct the choir in her sleep.

2. What food could you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two weeks straight?

My mom's mashed potatoes and gravy

3. What would you bring as your luxury item on Survivor? (As in...you're going to a desserted island for 90 days, what one thing would you bring besides bare necessities?)

Ipod, loaded, fully charged. I might not smell like a rose, but I shall be singing whilst I stink.

4. If you could change your name, would you? To what?

I'm okay with my name. Although I have been told by a doctor that I have a porn-star name. Awesome, whatever. I used to be obsessed with the name Alex when I was a kid. So maybe Alex.

Favorite things (girl-stuff edition)

Ohhh how I love to browse the health and beauty aisle at Target. It's one of my girlier habits. I love to try new kinds of lip gloss and mascara, and of course the "smell goods" as my man calls them. My buddy Amanda gave me the fun idea of sharing favorites here. Check hers out for some more girly fun. Here are some of my faves.

An essential - Burt's Bees! I like the pomegranate version.

Joico shampoo/conditioner...my old roomie got me hooked on salon shampoo. I don't buy it all the time, but this is good stuff here.

My new favorite nail polish. Goes by the name of "You Don't Know Jacques" and is quite pretty!

Clinique 7 day scrub: I wanted a good anti-aging and exfoliating scrub. This one wins. Whenever I have guests over, they always ask what the awesome scrub in the shower is. :)

Sunblock! I love a good tan...but it's spray tans only for me. The older I get (or maybe the more medically educated I get) the more afraid I am of the sun. I like this one because it's not messy and it feels cool when you spray it on!

Sugar scrub...I always have this around. It makes your skin feel extra soft! I got my sister hooked on it too, so now there are two in my shower. My favorite is the "tranquil mint" from Bath & Body Works. I'm convinced it has magic stress-relieving powers.

Is it just me, or does talking about beauty products take you back to slumber party days of pizza, face masks, attempting leg-waxing (ouch - mistake), manicures, and blasting Madonna's "Vogue" and "Take a Bow" on the stereo? Just me? Ok.