Ring Ting Tinglin' Too.

I am thankful for Delaney Elizabeth.
(my niece...eeep!)

Pictures will clearly be posted soon.
Just as soon as I see her myself.
UM...yeah. I have yet to see
the little bugger. Thanks a lot
Ann Taylor for sucking every
second of visiting hours right out
of me. It's awful. Everyone
else has seen her. EVERYONE!
And I mean, I've seen her...
because they have all taken pictures
of course...but I haven't seen her
in the flesh. UGH.

Thankfully they are coming home
tomorrow. Which means...my butt
will be waiting at the door when
they arrive. Mmhmm.

And speaking of my much hate
for retail...I'm quitting. I can't
handle it anymore. Tonight, for
no real reason, was my very last
straw. So I shall give my two
weeks notice and call it a day.
Hollla.

High of the Weekend: A new addition to the Stout family.
Low of the Weekend: Not seeing the new addition.
(they were both obvious.)

What are your highs and lows for this kick-butt weekend?

I Don't Want To Sell Clothes.

I am thankful for being an aunt at some point today.

Yippy! My sister-in-law and
brother are currently at the
hospital right now. Her water
hasn't broken, though. So they
are just waiting around. But they
are in the room...contractions are
going...and now they are just
antipating for the lil' spud to make
its move. (Baby Stout is so cozy in Britt's
belly that it doesn't want to budge.)

But hopefully...within the next
few hours...I'll be an aunt to a
beautiful baby girl or boy. I can't
wait to find out what it is. And then
give the adorable bebe a big hug!
Unfortunately, I have to work
4-10:30 tonight. (ew) So I'll have
to wait until tomorrow to visit.
Number two million and 54 why
I h.a.t.e. working at Ann Taylor.

Indulgence.

I am thankful for this very moment.






Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

I Could Eat My Hand At The Moment.

I am thankful for making my train this morning.

I am hungry. Real hungry.
Normally the kitchen is
booming with yummy
treats for us to eat. But
not today. Seeing as the kitchen
staff has off. Which totally
stinks for the editorial staff
that relies on the delicious
goodness produced by the
kitchen staff. And well. I am
way too lazy to get up, ride the
elevator down 14 floors, and
walk out the doors into the
wet cold grossness going on.
So therefore, lil' Miss Amanda
hasn't put anything in her belly
since her Egg McMuffin this
morning.*

Instead. I have been filling up
with a ridiculous amount of
coffee. Because the coffee
maker is only a few steps away
from my desk area...and plus...
in order to get to the coffee
maker I need to walk by the free
table. And I like walking by
by the free table. Because I get to
see if anything exciting has been
put out. So far, I am completely
and utterly out of luck. Humpf!

I have been working on a recipe
project allll day. (I'm finishing
it up for my favorite intern-friend,
Kay, since she isn't in on Tuesdays...
enter sad face)

The project consists of lots and
lots of burger recipes. For
the Burger Bash contest. Do
you know which magazine I
work for yet?? Lauren took a
stab at it...but it's not Martha
Stewart...but ahem...that would
be nuts if we worked right down
the street from each other. That
would mean we'd have a bloggy
meet-up for lunch.
(Mmm...maybe that's still a possibility, eh?)

ANYWAYS...
I get side-tracked so easily.

The whole burger project
doesn't help with the hunger
issue. Clearly. But since I've
been dealing with these
tasty lip-smacking recipes...
I'm going to post some
recipes of my own. And when
I say of my own...I really mean
ones that I have stolen (borrowed)
from others.

Peanut Butter French Toast Sticks:

1/2 cup peanut butter 8 slices sandwich bread 1/2 cup jelly (any flavor) 5 large eggs 1/3 cup milk 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 4 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup maple syrup

1. Spread the peanut butter on 4 bread slices and the jelly on the other 4 slices, and combine to make 4 sammies.
2. In a wide, medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. When the butter is almost melted, dunk two of the sammies into the french toast batter and let the excess drip off. Place in the pan and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes for each side. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 2 sammies. Let cool slightly and cut into sticks; serve with the warm maple syrup.

Potato Dumplings:
-2 pounds boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- Two 1-inch-thick slices white bread, crusts trimmed and bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
-1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
-1 teaspoon pepper
-1 to 1 1/2 cups flour
-2 large eggs
-salt

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan with enough salted cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, then transfer to a bowl and mash thoroughly. Spread the mashed potatoes on a plate and set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss the bread cubes with the melted butter and salt to taste. Bake until the croutons are crisp and slightly browned, about 10 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add the cooled mashed potatoes, 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the pepper and nutmeg; stir with a large wooden spoon until a heavy dough forms. If the dough is too wet to form into dumplings, add more flour, about 1/4 cup at a time; the dough should be slightly sticky.
4. On a work surface, cut the dumpling dough into 12 equal pieces. Press a crouton into a piece of dough and shape the dough into a ball around the crouton (wet your hands to prevent the dough from sticking). Repeat with the remaining dough and croutons.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the water and cook until they float to the surface, about 10 minutes. Remove and serve.

*I actually ate a little brownie dessert thing the one editor put out.

I'd Rather Not Go To Work Today.

I am thankful for a great weekend.

I saw the Twilight movie this
weekend. Along with oh so many
other die-hard fans. I want to say
I loved it. I want to say I'm obsessed
and want to go back and see it ten
million more times. I want to say
I can't wait until it comes out on
video. I want to proclaim in much
excitement of what an amazing job
they did with making the book into
a movie. . .

But. . .

That really isn't the case. I didn't
hate it. I just didn't love it. Maybe
my expectations were too high?
Maybe I wanted it to be exactly
like the book. Maybe I thought they
would be able to fit everything in
to a two hour flick. Maybe I was
just left at the end with wanting oh
so much more.

Edward was sexy. Yes. He was
v.v.v.v.very sexy. He was a very
pretty vamp. Bella was right there.
It was like she was picked right
out of the book. But gosh. Am I
the only one who thought that it
seriously lacked so much? As in...
where was the mad passionate
feelings that Bella Swan and Edward
Cullen felt for one another? Because.
Ahem. I wasn't seeing or feeling it.
And I wanted that so badly. Just like
when I read the book. I wanted to
tingle. But mmm...not so much.

Did they even tell each other they
loved one another? I don't recall.
That is how lustless I thought it was.

Maybe I'm just too hard of a critic.
Maybe I need to see it again and
leave my expectations at home. I
dunno.

Like I said. I didn't hate it. But I
just didn't love it.

And oh how I wanted to seriously
love it.

The Plus Side:

Edward in a baseball uniform-adorable.
Priceless.

Date Night With Edward Cullen. (and my cousins)

I am thankful for my ticket to see Twilight tonight.

It's the weekend. Yesss.
I wish that meant a
whole lot of relaxation...
but no. Not quite. I will be
working, running around,
and who knows what else.

But I must admit I'm
stoked for my weekend
kick-off tonight. At
9:50...I will be indulging
in the much anticipated
movie...Twilight. *Gasp*
I'm pumped. Honest
to goodness to pumped.

Who else is getting their
tush out tonight or this
weekend to take a bite at
the film?

I hope everyone has a
brighter
tomorrow!

I Should Go Build A Snowman.

I am thankful that it's snowing at this very moment.

The wall behind my desk
is filled with inspiration. It
is a collection of random odds
and ends. Pictures, quotes,
sayings, drawings, phone numbers,
my book list, a prayer, poems...

This is the most popular
wall in my room. And well,
truth is, it's only a tiny
space on my wall...but still
it draws the most attention.
And it is my favorite place.

Anyways.

I can't tell you how many
times my peepers glance over at
one clipping I must have cut out
from a magazine. I don't even know
what the ad is for anymore.
Maybe toothpaste? Maybe Nike?
Maybe birth control? I dunno.
But I do know that it is pretty
old. I have had it for quite
some time. It went all throughout
college with me. And it still
remains hanging on my wall space.
And this is why. . .

a brighter smile
a brighter laugh
a brighter hug
a brighter kiss
a brighter wish
a brighter dance
a brighter dream
a brighter morning
a brighter Monday
a brighter embrace
a brighter whisper
a brighter poem
a brighter purpose
a bright giggle
a brighter snuggle
a bright song
a brighter you

What are you going to do
brighter?

I'm No Martha Stewart...But Maybe One Day.

I am thankful for the smell of Starbucks.

I don't bake. Nor do I cook.
But I appreciate all things
that have to do with baking
and cooking. In fact...I have
a number of cookbooks on
my shelves. I have a ton of
recipes in a little recipe folder
on my desk. I have a category
on my favorites list dedicated
to cooking slash baking blogs.
But yet...I don't really test any
of them out. I just like having
the option to if I ever feel
compelled. Besides, I hope to
one day have reason to put all
of these recipes of mine to use.
As in...making yummy treats for
my husband...my children...and
get togethers. Yes. One day. That
will be the case. And I will smile
at myself in the mirror for collecting
all of them along the way.

I do love food though.
(Even though I'm a v.v.v.v.very picky eater.)
I will try just about anything once.
Just about anything! I will not
eat ketchup. Nor will I eat mayo.
I really don't like olives. So as long
as none of that is included...I'm game.
And ohhh...I really weird when it
comes to cheese. So depending on
the type, what it is on, how it is melted...
cheese is quite a touchy subject as well.

Anyways. I've decided to start
posting some of these recipes.
Because my internship also
involves food. Yes...I'm interning
at a food magazine.
(Do you want to guess which one?)
So yeahh...I'm constantly
surrounding myself with compilations
of foodies. And I think it
is now time to share all the
goodness. Or should I say...
yumminess?

And if there is some type of
recipe that you are looking for...
a really amazing dip...a decadent
chocolate cake...a delicious
homemade pizza crust...shoot me
an email and I will for sure post
it. But until the email starts
rolling in...I will keep listing
some of my favorite (sounding)
recipes. Since...like I said...I don't
bake or cook. So most of these
I haven't quite tried.
(I'll let you know the ones I have.)
And I am seriously going to try
and start testing these bad boys
out...just so I'm prepared for
when the husband and children
thing happens. . .

Double-Decker Pumpkin
MAKES ONE 9-INCH PIE

Prep Time: 35 min (plus chilling)

Bake Time: 45 min

• 24 squares chocolate graham crackers, crushed (1 1/2 cups)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg white, plus 3 whole eggs
• 2 3/4 cups heavy cream
• One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 28 caramel candies
• 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, for grating

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small bowl, stir the graham cracker crumbs and butter until combined. Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan; freeze until set, about 15 minutes. In a small bowl, beat the egg white with a fork and lightly brush on the pie shell. Bake for 10 minutes; let cool.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the 3 whole eggs, 1 cup cream, the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt until just combined. Pour into the pie shell and bake until just set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. In a bowl, microwave the caramels with 1/2 cup cream at high power until melted, about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir until smooth, then let cool to room temperature.
4. Using an electric mixer, whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups cream until soft peaks form. Drizzle in the caramel and beat until well blended. Spoon the caramel whipped cream on top of the pumpkin filling and refrigerate until completely chilled. Before serving, coarsely grate the chocolate on top of the pie.

And still no Katie /Suri sighting.
Booooo.

I'll Dance On The Streets.

I am thankful for the George Foremen Grill
I snagged off the Free Table at work.

People.com narrowed down
the eleven hottest dads in
Hollywood. Yowza. With all
the baby daddy's going around...
how can you choose just eleven?
Hubba, Hubba.

I'm glad it wasn't up to me.
We all know how terrible I am
at sticking to an exact number.
Plus...there are way too many
delicious Hollywood hunks as
far as I'm concerned. But I
must admit...they did a pretty
darn good job. And I am
impressed.

What do you think of the list?
Who would you add? Who would
you take off?

Husband to one of my faves...
Daddy to one of the cutest...
The Bedazzling Ben Affleck:
Of course they put Brad on the list.
Even though he's not my ideal of sexy...
he'd for sure put up a fight for his adorable ones:

With a rawkstar of a wife...
And pops to a little head of sweet blond curls...
Gavin definitely deserves this spot:

I'll never believe that his intentions were
cruel...Yummy-faced Ryan Phillippe:

He can take me to the Danger Zone any day...
With his handsome ways, I have no
doubt that he isn't a great daddy to his
beautiful tater tot:
David Beckham...nuf' said. Seriously:
He is probably one heck of a Jiggy dad.
And I hope now that he is one, he totally
understands:

He's the winner of this runway star...and a
pretty precious padre:

How 'bout dem apples?
He does it his way on the dance floor...
but I'm sure his true confession would be that
he gives his cherub face his way at home:
He might be a wolverine on the big screen...
but I imagine this pretty man is a darling
kangaroo to his kiddies:

I Don't Want To Miss DWTS.

I am thankful for warm and cuddly coats.

Ugh. I'm rather disappointed.
I got Simon off to school
this morning, ack, I over slept...
and then I loaded up all of
my stuff...and headed home.
Granted, that was all quite
exciting. I love being homeee.
BUT. I couldn't and can't
stop thinking about having to
go into my retail job at three.
I so just don't feel like doing it.
I know! I'm a baby.

It is freezing outside. I'm pretty
tired. I have a buttload of shows
on tonight. I'm currently in
sweats and a sweatshirt. I'm not
in the mood to sell clothes. I'm
not in the mood to be on my feet
for eight hours. Psh.

Unfortunately, my New York
commute three days a week
isn't going to pay for itself.
So therefore, I need to make
money somehow. And for the
time being...the wonderful world
of Ann Taylor is doing the trick.
Well...kind of.

The only really positive thing
about getting to go spend the
evening in the mall...
the Christmas decorations are
up and Santa's Workshop is almost
finished...and it is so cute! So I
guess that can motivate me
enough to put on a real life outfit
and get the tush out the door.
Hopefully.

Everyone Is Preggers.

I am thankful for family.

I'm sleepy. But wanted to
get my thankfulness in for
the day. And after my
cousins baby shower this
afternoon, I figure...what
better thing to be thankful
for than mi familia.

One Day I'll Have Children.

I am thankful for cute boys.

So. Mister Simon fell asleep
at 6:30. Which is extremely
early for this dude. And
extremely early for me. Since
he is my entertainment and all.
I wanted to take him to the
movies, but I knew he was
way too sleepy for that.
(So I postponed our Bolt date until tomorrow.)
But when I thought he was too sleepy...
I wasn't expecting him to crash at 6:30.
Now I'm left by myself for the
rest of the evening. If only I
had someone sexy to call to come
keep me company. But that just
isn't the case. (Too bad)

Grrr.

So now...I am sitting here on the
couch, with Si-Man laying in
the same position as he was last
night...and watching Knocked Up.
I've never seen it. Yet I've heard
relatively positive things. And
so far, so good. Minus the major
raunch entailed. But since I'm
not weird with that...I likey.
My mama on the other hand would
have turned it off during the first
five minutes in pure disgust. Mmm.
And I sure do hope Simon can't hear
in his sleep...otherwise, I've just
put complete and utter filth in his
sweet innocent five year old head!

I hope everyone is having a smashing
Saturday!

Sippy Cups and Car Seats.

I am thankful for Simon.

I'm spending this weekend with
the lil tyke I nanny for. He
is currently curled up next to
me on the couch. Laying on my
pillow...wrapped around my blanket.
His sweetness of a foot is peeking
out. And well...maybe I'm bias,
but he looks simply a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

I seriously love this five year old
to pieces. Because in all honesty,
what's not to love

And oh...this muggy and very rainy
weather needs to get da' steppin'.
I'm just not into it. Ickkk.

Happy Weekend, Bloggettes!

Twelve On Thursdays.

I am thankful for being home.

I haven't done a Twelve On Thursdays
in the LONGEST time. So since
I'm exhausted...and want nothing
more than to crawl into bed and
get ready for Ugly Betty and
Greys...I shall do one tonight!
(I'm so excited for my shows!)

Twelve Topics I Can Always Talk About:

-1. Celebrities.
-2. Christmas.
-3. My family.
-4. Books.
-5. Religion.
-6. Television slash movies.
-7. Relationships and/or love.
-8. Food.
-9. Magazines.
-10. Sex.
-11. My friends.
-12. How badly I want a job.

But lets be serious. There are
about a million more topics I'm
always in the mood to discuss.

What are some topics that will
never leave you speechless?

This Boy That Got Me To The Gym.

I am thankful that it is already 4o'clock.

I have realized that I haven't

been to the gym in far too long.
For starters, gym memberships
are ridiculously expensive.
(And I don't really like that)
Plus...I have plenty of aerobic,
yoga, ab, and whatever else
jump around DVD's to last
me weeks.
(Some nice equipment as well)
Mmm. Also. I'd take running
outside as opposed to running
on a treadmill any day!
Sooo. There really isn't much
need for the gym. Righttt?

However. In college...I really
liked going to the gym. (it was free)
Well.
At least some of college
I did. For the adorable senior
in my English class I had been
crushin' on was a work-out
fanatic. I'm convinced he spent
most of his college experience
pumping iron. (Not that I minded)
And reading literature. He was
really sexy. After class he'd pop
over to the gym to lift weights.
Which naturally meant that I
soon began to feel the urge to
get into shape. (Sort of)

I'd drag (make) whatever friend
I could along with me. For moral
support of course.

I was relatively friendly with this
guy in and out of class. Meaning...
we discussed Shirley Jackson, Nathaniel
Hawthorne, James Joyce and many other
short story writers like the brilliant scholars
we were...are? We smiled and said hello in the
hall. And we'd occasionally compete against
each other at beer pong on Friday or
Saturday nights. But that was as good
as our friendship got. Ugh. Plus.
I wasn't looking for another friend.
I liked this boy. I liked this boy a lot.

Finally. One day. After one too
many fake sessions at the gym,
this boy asked me out. I was,
a. ecstatic I'd get to dine with such
a yummy creature of the opposite
sex. b. happy to be going on a
date...I'd been in such a slump
after breaking up with my high
school boyfriend. c. relieved he
asked BEFORE the gym routine...
this meant I didn't have to attend
that day. PHEW.

It was pure bliss. He was equally
as pretty and so much more
interesting than I had ever given
him credit for. We hit it off over
dinner. And I was falling
even harder with every bite he took
of his burger.

Once I got this guy in my bed, no,
once he invited me into his bed,
I felt no need for my little gym
excursions. I mean...I'd still
go to the gym...but only because
he told me he liked my company.
So I'd go and watch.
(I was devoted to his rock hard body!)
But my gym days were pretty
much long gone.

We weren't dating. Well.
We were dating in the most
casual way possible. As in...we
enjoyed each other. We spent
a lot of time together. He had a
key to my dorm on campus.
(He lived in an apartment off) I loved
coming back from my 9:45
class and finding him curled up in my
bed sound asleep. Usually with some
type of cute note on my desk. I loved
the fact that he had an 8:15 that always
ended way early. And that he didn't
have class until later that day. Leaving
me much time to get my fill of him.
(Not that I ever got tired of this boy)

But for some odd reason, unlike any
other guy, ever, he had this weird thing
over me. I'm calling it a weird thing
because I don't really know what
else to call it. For instance...the weird
thing he had over me got me going
to the gym every single day. The weird
thing had me reading intellectual books
that I'd never pick up on my own. The
weird thing had me waking up at 5:30
in the morning to stand outside for tickets
for some band I'd never heard of. The
weird thing encouraged me to strive for
straight A's...even though I wasn't a straight
A student. The weird thing had me doing
weird things left and right for this boy.
And it drove me nuts!

But whatever. It all eventually
came to an end. With no hard
feelings. It just went back to how
it used to be. Before I started leaving
my toothbrush at his place. And
that was that.

It wasn't love by any means. But this
guy was definitely something.

So ladies...I ask you this!
Has some guy, any guy, ever had
some weird thing over you to
get you to do something completely
out of character?

I'm Going To Make Myself Famous.

November 10th: I am thankful for pumpkin beer.
November 11th: I am thankful for this chilly day in Manhattan.

Happy Tuesday, folks!
November is seriously
whizzing right byyyy. I
can't get over that it
is already November 11th.
That Halloween is over.
Thanksgiving is right around
the corner. And then Santa
will be here not too long after
that. And ummm. That
my brother and sister-in-law
are soon to be parents for the
first time! HOLLA. She is sooo
about to pop. Just look at that belly.

Any day now. Any day.

Anyways! On to meeee.

Currently I am. . .

Listening to: The freelancer next to me type.
Pondering about: When I'm going to start my Christmas shopping.
Wishing for: An apartment in New York.
Reading: Eat, Pray, Love. By Elizabeth Gilbert.
Craving: Cool Ranch Doritos. A big bag all to myself. And a Mexican salad.
Worried about: Not finding a full-time paying job after my internship.
Loving: That I was listening to Christmas music on my ipod this morning.
Mad about: Missing alllll of my TV shows last night.
Anxious for: Baby Stout to come.
Inspired by: Others.
Watching: My computer screen. Mmm.
Sick of: Working retail. UGHHH. and seeing people beg on the streets.
Dancing to: The humming in my head.
Hoping for: Miracles.
Dreaming of: Finding the perfect man for me.
Eating: These disgusting Clif Shot Bloks. Ickk.
Drinking: Water.
Smelling: Nothing. The kitchen hasn't started to make anything yet. Pshh.
Wanting: To bump into Katie and Suri. or Josh and Diane.

So there you have it. My most current
status. Amazingggg.

I Can't Believe It's November 10th Tomorrow.

November 8th: I am thankful for dresses with pockets.
November 9th: I am thankful for tonight. <3

I just got back from visiting my college.
I never thought I would, but I miss it.
I have always been the girl that was
so ready to move on to the next chapter of
her life. I wasn't sad as graduation
approached, I didn't dread
the days of the professional world.
Instead, I looked forward to what was ahead.
(And I still do.)
Of course, I was bummed to be leaving that
college-esque lifestyle. And having to
say goodbye to some of my most favorite people
on the planet...but I was honest to goodness
ready for what was to come. But tonight,
after being back, I think the emotions I was
supposed to feel way back when, finally hit me.
Is that even possible?

I got to see the faces of loved ones I
haven't seen in far too long.
People I spent laughing
with, crying with, complaining with,
dancing with, dealing with, getting
drunk with, exploring new things
with, praying with, eating with,
studying with, encouraging with,
shopping with, helping with, coping
with, sneaking in with, cuddling with,
playing with, and simply people who
are so much more than just people
to me.

The rush of excitement I got pulling
onto the gorgeous campus.
(it was always my fave in the fall)
It was such a thrill to walk through the
doors and see my people. To talk like
we haven't missed a beat. To see that
even though we don't cross paths like
we used to...and I don't know the latest
in their lives...our friendship is still
as fresh and vibrant as ever.

We decided to stay at school after
the much needed reunion, and attend
mass. A place where we went almost
every Sunday night of our college
experience. We were such a good Catholic
group. Giggle. But sitting in our seats,
sharing the hymn book with my one
friend like we always did, made it feel
like we never left the place.
And a little piece of me wishes that
were the case. That we were still
those silly college kids going to mass.
Eagerly checking out the pamphlet to
see the music choice, singing the songs,
getting chills from Erin's solos, anticipating
a Drew solo, waiting for Father Michaels
amazing and encouraging homily,
smiling when President Idorola
walked through the doors wearing
something adorably cute, eying up Caitlin
and Danielle from across the aisles, watching
Rob groove as he played the piano,
hoping Pio didn't have a baseball game
and would be playing the drums that night,
and the most important and satisfying part,
the socializing that went on afterwards.
Because after all, besides all the goodness
that goes on during mass, and my love
for Father Mike, the socializing is what
makes up a college mass. It is all about
the ones sitting in each seat. The ones
who come out week after week. No
matter how much homework, what is
on TV, or if it is down pouring outside.
Even the snow-covered grounds didn't
keep us away. Call us nerds. Call us
overly dedicated. But I wouldn't
trade those days in for nuttin'.

So now. Even though I know another
busy week is to come...I think
tonight helped with starting it
off right.

Before It Turns Midnight.

November 6th: I am thankful for Thursday night TV.
November 7th: I am thankful for being in my bed right now.

I missed my thankfulness for yesterday...
and wanted to get todays in as well.
So before I put my little lids of eyes
to sleep I just needed to jot
them down. To keep up with my
whole routine and all.

I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully,
with a real post of goodness.

TGIF, sweet peas!

What are you thankful for on this
lovely Friday in November?

I Want To Crawl Into Bed and Sleep Until Friday.

I am thankful for not getting charged
five extra dollars on the train tonight.

I am so sleepy. Blah blah blah.
I have stuff I need to get
accomplished by tomorrow
afternoon, and I don't have
the least bit of motivation to
do so. Even though the things
I need to get finished are things
I really want to do. Two things
I totally am all about, interested
and passionate about being a part
of. So I'm sure once I get the ball
rolling, the juices flowing, I'll be
purely golden. Mmmhmm. Well.
At least that is what I'm hoping
will happen. *Cross Fingers*

I can't believe Wednesday is
already over...and it is Thursday
tomorrow. I can't believe we have
a new President of the United States,
HOLLA OBAMA!, and I can't believe
I have to work from 2-10 tomorrow.
GAHHH. (I'm really not looking
forward to that.)

I am thrilled that Susan Lucci went
home on Dancing With The Stars
tonight. Not because I don't like her.
But just because she isn't as good as
the others.
(THANK GOSH CLORIS WENT HOME LAST WEEK!!)
I am thrilled that Lance and Lacey get
to prove themselves worthy again
next week. Because despite what the
judges think, the two of them are
the BEST. And as much as I love
Brooke and Derek, Lance and Lacey
can dance circles around them.
WELL...what I should say is that
Lance can dance circles around
Brooke. Derek is a superstar.
Who am I kidding.

Okayyyy. Now I must be a
good lil' dedicated gal and do
what was asked of me. And
what I promised. And hopefully
I'll get some blogs read as well. . .

Rocking The Vote. Why Not?

I am thankful for having a say.

I had off for Election Day.
Mmmhmm. The editorial
department for the magazine
I internship at gave the lovely
staff off. In hopes that everyone
would cast their vote and
take advantage of our American
right. I know I sure did. Holla.
I look forward to seeing the
results as the evening
goes on.

But that is all the coverage I'm
going to give up the election.
Since I feel like everywhere I
turn, that is all the hype. Not
that I disagree. But I just don't
feel like beating a dead horse.
So I hope your vote wins!
(Well...only if your vote was for Obama-heheee)

I am in need of a new book. I have
finished the last Twilight book.
Definitely not my favorite. Not
one single bit. I wanted to end up
loving it. I wanted for it to get
better. I wanted it to not be over.
But that so wasn't the case. Psh.
I'm so sad. But still so PUMPED
for the movie. Wooo.

So. Gimme some book recommendations!
Please! Some real page turners.
I'm up for anything. Minus Harry
Potter and anything having to do
with dinosaurs.

Thanks, love!

Running Away With November.

I can't believe it is November.
November 3rd to be exact.
How did that even happen?
Sheesh. Halloween came and
it went. Just like it always does.
And now, one of our stations
on the radio has already
started playing Christmas music.
Yes. Christmas music. I'm not
even kidding, it gets earlier and
earlier each year. And I, of course,
am very guilty of listening to it.
What can I say?
I'm a major sucker for the Christmas
music...and all things holiday
related. Mmm.

But. Before Santa comes down
the chimney...let me rewind to October.
Halloween was a smash. As I
intended for it to be. I seriously
dig Halloween. It is just so neat.
Now I have always loved that
way catchy "Monster Mash" song,
but I came very much attached
to it this year. For reasons that
will go left unsaid. But it is so
underrated. Pshhh.

Now let me fast forward and pause
at November. Since the radio
and everything else have
skipped the month completely.
Fo'real. The Christmas decorations
are going up by the second! Not that
I'm upset about that...but November
and Thanksgiving are both so fabulous,
I see no reason to overlook either.

So I have decided to steal the
month of November back.
Gobble, Gobble.
And by doing this...I'm going
to, each day, post something
I'm thankful for. Because ahem...
that is my favorite thing about
Thanksgiving. Children in schools
making turkeys and writing their
thanks on the feathers. People
writing up thankful lists. Sitting
around the Thanksgiving Day
table and going around hearing
what everyone is thankful for
this year. Call me a nerd, but
I just lurveee it!

So...since I'm a little late on this
random act of thankfulness...I shall
do some catching up and call it a
night.

I'm Thankful For. . .

November 1st: My dad. He saved the day for me on Friday.
November 2nd: My brother starts a new job on Monday.
Yayyy, Erik!
November 3rd: My car made it to the gas station this morning without
running out of gas.