Everyone is out of the house and I really like it. Unfortunately I stayed up all night last night so my body is ready for bed. However I am going to fight to stay awake so I can enjoy the rare moment of quiet.

Once upon a time I was good at web design. No seriously, I was pretty good at it--well good enough to make a decent living. Then life took over and the next thing you know, I was focusing on content development, community management and most recently, social media.

Somewhere along the way, my coding skills became outdated and my dream job as a UI designer was out of reach. So I continued to focus on producing content and learned all I could about social media. My new goal was to let everyone know what I was doing or thinking in 140 characters or less.

But in the past few months I've realized that my sarcastic style doesn't always play out well in short verse. Things I perceive as humorous often causes others to pray for my safety or worse. Despite what he thought, I felt my post about my boyfriend's bro-mance was quite funny.

Doesn't anyone out there understand my sick and twisted sense of humor?

So I think it's time to resurrect the old blog. Yes I know blogging is "old school" and there is a good chance that no one will read it. But at least I can refer anyone concerned about my sanity to a page that possibly explains it all.

Then again my ramblings may just confirm the insanity theories once and for all.
If you are out there, stay tuned...

Oh my, I can't believe it's been a year since I last posted. I won't bore you with the details, I'll just say it has been a year of adventure, lots of drama and I turned 44. However, a surprising turn of events has given me hope that 2010 is going to be fabulous. for the first time in years I am actually looking forward to the second chapter of my life. Stay tuned....I looks like it will be an amazing ride.

I never realized how peaceful life could be. I am just sitting here in my little apartment, wearing my Santa Claus PJs and ignoring the SUV full of boxes that need to be unloaded. Living life at my own tempo ... priceless.

I love Annapolis. There are so many fun things to do and interesting people to meet. Life is good.

I can't believe it has been more than two months since I posted. I suck. So much has happened. To sum it all up, I took a new job and now live in Annapolis MD, 30 minutes east of Washington DC.

I forgot how lonely it gets when you first move and you don't know anyone. Also it seems that my network of friends is falling apart. Everyone is so busy that it's getting harder to keep in touch. I remember going through this same feeeling of being lonely when I first left Louisville. It eventually got better but I never got past missing everyone.

To make matters worse I broke my phone and the person I share an office with speaks very little English. If you guys are still out there send me some love, I need it.

As a woman who has been able to destroy 3 marriages and several serious relationships I always seem to think there must be something wrong with me. However I just read the post "101 (Small) Things to Keep the Wife Happy" and it reminds me that it's the little things that kill a relationship. (Once again I stole the post idea from Skippy, who stole it from Kim.)

Why is it that spouses always seem to over look the little things that mean so much?

In case anyone is listening (or reading for that mater) here are list items that I loved:

101 (Small) Things To Keep The Wife Happy

3. Remember to take out the garbage
5. Make her her favorite drink (whether it be coffee, tea, soda, or martini)
7. Make dinner every now and again (or bring home take out without being asked)
9. Paint her toe nails (or fingers. She might have a preference)
11. Pick up your dirty laundry off the floor
12. Play footsie in bed
14. Offer to help her carry the groceries
16. Bring home unexpected small gifts
19. Offer to watch the movie of her choice
20. Clean the kitchen
24. Smile the first time you see her each day.
25. Fold a load of laundry. Or start a new load in the washer. Or do both.
27. Listen when she's trying to tell you she's upset
30. Offer to wash her car
31. Bring home a favorite flower (or bouquet)
32. Take out some favorite photos of the both of you and reminisce
33. Give her a back rub (or massage her feet. Or shoulders. Or really,
whatever she likes)
36. Ask about one of her biggest wishes or dreams
37. Leave a love note in her purse/car/wallet
38. Buy a coffee shop gift card (if that's her thing) and leave it for her
in the morning
39. If you empty the toilet paper roll, get and place the new one
40. Windex the bathroom mirror
41. Take they dry cleaning in
43. Clean off the dinner table dishes
44. Ask her to go for a walk with you
45. Talk to each other... have a conversation about something meaningful
or nothing in particular
49. Fill her car up with gas (and wash the windshield)
51. Zip up or button the back of her dress or shirt
52. Gently place a blanket over her if she falls asleep in the afternoon or on
the couch in the evening
56. Make dinner reservations (complete with arrangements for a baby sitter)
59. Take a picture of her favorite place and send it to her (or leave it in
a card on the table)
61. Feed the pets
62. Run her a bubble bath. With candles.
63. Offer her your jacket if it is cold.
64. Rub lotion on her hands (and hell anywhere else you want)
67. Make a mix tape (or playlist)
68. Send funny e-mails. Either share a funny remark, send love notes, or even
or the funniest videos you've ever seen. It just means you are thinking
of her. And she of you.
69. Shut the door sometimes when you are in the restroom
70. Hang up your coat after you come in (and the shoes, put them away too)
71. Warm and pull up the car to the restaurant/store door if it is cold
or raining or windy
72. Buy her earrings. Or a necklace. A ring. Something inexpensive,
but fun/beautiful/reminiscent of you
73. Let her cry if she needs to
74. Help get that item off the "high shelf"
76. Clean up the clutter in the living room/kitchen/bathroom--any room.
Just spruce it up tonight. She'll notice
78. Offer to cook her dinner (not on the grill. In the kitchen please)
81. Look her in the eye and tell her how you feel about her
82. Look up her Favorites or Wish Lists at an online store... and buy her
something small from the list
84. Ask her what one small thing you could do to make her life easier at
that moment and do it
87. Pack her lunch for the day
89. Bake her a cake/pie/muffin/favorite dessert
90. Remember a special moment you had together, talk about it, discuss it,
and share it with her (this can just be done verbally, in a letter
...anything that you want to do)
92. Fluff her pillow before bed
93. Next time you are at a party or social gathering--give her wink from
across the room. Or a knowing glance. Or a grin. Some sort of shared
thought or expression that the two of you can share
94. Find out how she likes her eggs and/or coffee. This can be valuable information.
95. Clean the toilet(s)
97. Open the car/restaurant/store door for her
100. Find a way to make her laugh. Really laugh. It does wonders for the soul.

This is my fourth summer in Mayberry and so far we haven't had much severe weather. Of course there have been several times when lightning has hit the house taking out major electronic devices and scaring the begeezus out of one child.

I guess we now have to pay for being Hurricane free for several years. Look at this map of Hurricane Hanna's path. See where the white line crosses the black line pointing to Raleigh? Well that's my house.

Once we make it through Hanna we will be facing a mean Ike, closely followed by Josephine. Are you kidding me? Three hurricanes in less than two weeks. The sad thing is I can't even flee. I am a town employee and I have to be on hand in case of an emergency.

Tonight I stocked up on water and tomorrow I might actually buy some food for the house and fill the car up. I can hear Twinkie laughing at the thought of me putting more than $5 in the tank at one time.

Well on that note, feel free to come visit this week if you want to join in the Hurricane celebrations. Did I forget to mention that one of the items on my Hurricane preparedness list is "stock up at the liquor store?"

Someone recently suggested that the main character on New Adventures of Old Christine was "so me". I am not sure if I totally agree with that but there are some similarities. Any of you who have been through a breakdown with me might find this familiar.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Again I am taking content fro Skippy. But he took this list of questions with one word answers first so no harm done.

1. Where is your cell phone? Couch
2. Your significant other? Loyal
3. Your hair? Brown
4. Your mother? Stressed
5. Your father? Quiet
6. Your favorite thing? Laughing
7. Your dream last night? Sad
8. Your favorite drink? Water
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. The room you’re in? Hotel
11. Your friends? Crazy
12. Your fear? Alone
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Settled
14. Where were you last night? San Francisco
15. What you’re not? Normal
16. Muffins? Healthy Harvest
17. One of your wish list items? Car
18. Where you grew up? Kentucky
19. The last thing you did? Email
20. What are you wishing? Company
21. Your TV? Off
22. Your pets? None
23. Your computer? On
24. Your life? Insane
25. Your mood? Panic
26. Missing someone? Yes
27. Your car? Dying
28. Something you’re not wearing? Bra
29. Favorite store? Barnes & Noble
30. Your summer? Crazy
31. Loves? Many
32. Your favorite word? I’m in
33. Last time you laughed? 3:30 ish
34. Last time you cried? Tonight
35. Your kids? Fabulous
36. Favorite green veggie? Asparagus