The Sound of Music (on repeat)

You will probably never meet two people as disinterested in music as Ben and me. I'm totally content to listen to the same music over and over again.

Several weeks ago, Ben got into the car and realized I've been listening to the same two CDs for the past four months. Never mind the fact that the CD player in the car can hold 6 CDs. Never mind the fact that I actually do own more than 2 CDs. I simply can't help myself. Ingrid Michaelson, how I love you. I just keep listening to those same 12 songs over and over again. And, our wedding music CD. Over and over and over and over again.

"You may need new music." Ben said. I guess listening to two CDs for four months is excessive. But I really can't help myself. If I'm in a happy mood, the wedding music CD takes me right back to that blissful December day. If I'm in a despairing mood, all of Ingrid Michaelson's music is so dark....it makes me happy (morbid, I know).

All that to say, I'm on the search for new music. For Ben's sake, of course. I sincerely don't want him to go crazy as I jam out to Ingrid for another four months. So, I'm thinking of Katie Herzig, Rosie Thomas, and Lady Antebellum, just to name a few. For variety, for a change. I think it is needed.

Just.Don't.Take.My.Ingrid.Music.Away.

The End of a Mooo-ving Era

I have this habit of pushing things too far. Then, I regret it.

For instance, as you may (or may not) know, I am lactose-allergic. Basically and sadly, I have to avoid all milk products or I will be sick. For hours and hours. I would definitely make things easier for myself if I actually avoided milk products. But I can't. And, I don't. Of course, I get sick and proclaim I will NEVER do it AGAIN. But I'm a liar.

When Ben and I were dating, I convinced him I could eat an entire ice cream cone. "Are you sure?" His look revealed the depth of his concern. I rolled my eyes. "Of course! I will be fine." The next day? I ended up at the doctor because I experienced tightness in my chest. I couldn't breathe. Ben has never let me forget that either. I can't eat ANY milk products around him.

For the last year, I've had an allowance called "lactose pills". Those wonderful little green pills allow me to enjoy ice cream and pizza and nachos and lattes by blocking the lactaid in the diary product for a pain-free experience. (Doesn't that sound so scientific?) Its been blissful.

Except recently. About a week ago, I began to notice that my faithful green pills were not working. My worse fear was coming to pass - the eternal blockage of dairy from my diet. Panic set in - mostly over ice cream and Starbucks.

Last night, I gave it one last try. I called for my two favorite men to help me test out my fear: Ben & Jerry's. The verdict was tragic. My green pills have failed me. My allergy has gotten beyond my control. Good-bye all you wonderful dairy foods: lasgana, coffee creamer, and my favorite - ice cream. Farewell.

5 Things I Can't Live Without

It's been a long time since I have done a 5 Things I Can't Live Without...so, enjoy!

1. At our wedding, Ben and I played Outkast's "When I look In Your Eyes". (Ben is still glowing over the fact that Outkast was played at the wedding.) There is one line of the song that was a foretelling of Ben's (future-and-now-married) life: "I'm even gonna rub your feet when they stank" (source) That said, I absolutely cannot live without this:  Aveda Foot Relief. I know I have a flair for the dramatic, but when that lotion hits my feet and Ben rubs them...especially after we've run and I'm convinced my feet will fall off....life is renewed. Hope is restored. It is that good. Seriously.

2. This may make me sound like a stalker, but after 3 years, I feel like Jasmine Star and I are friends. For real. Let's not mention the fact that Jasmine has NO IDEA who I am...but let's definitely mention the fact that I LOVE her photography, her grace, her love for her husband, her dog, her family, her yoga pants and more. If you know me, then you know I'm all like "Jasmine and I are on a first-name basis" - even if it is all one-sided. If you love photography, CHECK.HER.OUT. NOW.

3. When Domino magazine - may it rest in peace - faded from the magazine aisle, I was heartbroken. There was nothing like it until now. Southern Flourish Magazine is 100% digital, 100% southern and 100% hip and chick. I'm in love. I love that this magazine has the edgy hipster look of all-things-that-I-love AND its all like, "Hey Ya'll" southern. READ IT!

4. You. The reader of my blog. You may just skirt over, laugh and leave. Or you may follow. Or you may stay awhile and read every single blog post and never admit it to anyone. It's okay. I do it, too. I literally squeal with delight when someone tells me they read my blog. Or laughed at my blog. Or leave a comment. I squeal. Out loud. Regardless of where I am. Every.Single.Time. I squeal. Some people will have thought I'd won a million dollars. And, I haven't. I just got a comment. And it made me feel like I just got a present. Don't be shy, please. I crave your attention. (Is that weird?) Tell me who you are. Please.

5. I know it is suppose to be 5 Things I Can't Live Without...but what if I can only come up with 4?!?!?!

Why I Don't Watch Wrestling

This scenario just occurred in our household:

Ben: You know Hulk Hogan?

Me: No. Who is that?

Ben: You don't know Hulk Hogan? How can you not know Hulk Hogan the wrestler?!

Me: I don't know him. (I don't watch wrestling)

Ben: You don't know Hulk Hogan? He had a reality TV show with his family. His wife ran away with their son's friend.

Me: I don't know him. Maybe the show was in the '90s. (Weird that his wife ran away off with their son's friend.)

Ben: HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW Hulk Hogan? That show was three years ago.

Me: I consider myself very well educated...particularly in the entertainment department. But I don't know him. (I read People in the Grocery store line)

Ben: Are you Amish?

So, here I am...up late to look at this scary creature (Just to prove I'm not Amish):

(source)

Desperate Housewife

Not having a job will do strange, strange things to you. Especially, if you don't have a car. Especially, if your husband is gone all day (workin' for the bacon..workin' for the rent).

So, yesterday, I counted it an immense victory when I kept the TV off til 11am. I needed noise in between the looking for jobs, establishing profiles to post my resume and reading an e-book... Especially, if that noise comes in the form of Tyra Banks from America's Next Top Model or Patti from Millionaire Matchmaker. Apparently, I didn't need just any noise...I needed Bravo noise, especially.

But, when Ben FINALLY came home after a long day of pressure washing and then a painful evening of enjoying free tickets to the NBA playoff games, he came home to me. Which did not look like this:

(source)

It looked at lot like this (minus the police officer):

 (source)

Apparently, I don't do well being stuck in a house for over 15 hours with only Patti and Tyra to talk to me.

Photo/Blog Monday

I hope you guys have missed Photo/Blog Monday! I certainly have missed sharing all my fun finds.

My Photo of the Week was taken by my very-own-one-of-a-kind-husband, Ben. It took a lot of effort., as we circled around the man....4 times. It was embarrassing. But, it isn't everyday you see a hardcore hiker...in the middle of the city. In the end, Ben thanked him.

Blog of the week.... http://www.younghouselove.com/ . Seriously! This blog is OVERFLOWING with so many DYI and fun projects. I'm salivating at the projects I Ben will take on will be doing.

I'm Now A Housewife

I've had a job since I was 9 years old. Babysitting, office work,whatever, I've always been able to make my own money. The past couple of days, I've been home more than I've been in a long time. Years, even. Its been an adjustment. So, are you curious as to what I've done, lately? Let me tell you.

-Vacuumed (includes emptying that dust collector...why was I against vacuum cleaner bags, again?)
- Mopped
- Laundry (including handwashing pillowcases; 4 loads of laundry)
- Cleaning the bathroom (including cleaning the baseboards)
- Cleaning the kitchen (again and again and again...WHO keeps making this mess? Oh, wait. Me.)
- Cleaned all windows
- Updated my resume
- 12 billions episodes of various TV shows

Its crazy. Up to this week and because of our work schedules, Ben has done a lot of the cleaning. (Plus, he is OCD!) So, I will admit I had some difficulty in my new occupation -until I find a new job - as a housewife.
I've spent the days conversing with myself..."Where did Ben put that thing?" I had to search for the vacuum cleaner. Then, it was the "How do I work that dryer for maximum drying?"...

All I want to do now? Get a job. For real. I'm tired.  Not from the cleaning, oh no. From the SEARCHING for the cleaning items! When Ben comes home, he asks what I've done...I can't even remember because I'm reliving the scavenger hunt he has unknowingly put me through. Its been incredible. I'm finding the iron, the dryer sheets, the vacuum cleaner, the gazillion plastic grocery bags under the sink...

I've come to the conclusion that I've GOT to take up an in-house hobby. If nothing else for my sanity. For realz.