Waste No Time

My, what a nice Saturday I had this weekend! Really and truly.

Since I ended up not having to work, CLRG and I made a plan to get up at a reasonable time and try to avoid sleeping in by doing something out and about. We got up probably close to ten, and soon walked up to the Swissvale business district type place. We stopped at the library, where I checked two wonderful books. I was excited to visit the library because it is an old Carnegie Library (as so many in Pittsburgh are- go figure) and it was vine-covered and beautiful. There were some war memorials in front of it, which I enjoyed admiring. Anyway, after we visited the library, we headed up toward a little shopping plaza because I needed to mail a book at the post office. Before stopping there, though, we stopped at a thrift store and discovered that the books were on sale! A whole brown grocery bag full for only $3!!!! I think we came home with something like 20 books. Hooray! CLRG always knows the things I would like to see and do. He patiently waited while I took some pictures during our stroll.

After doing book related things, we went to a little sub place for lunch. We walked toward the house after that, stopping at a little cafe that used to be a bakery until a few months ago. CLRG and I had some rice pudding and some chocolate ice cream, respectively, and he bought me a little knit clutch thing that they had for sale, made by a local woman. When we got home, we hung out in the living room, reading, until I had to drive him to a bachelor party. Then, I spent the rest of my time reading my library books. Grand times, friends. Grand times.

Oh, did I tell you about the lady that I made friends with at work? I suppose maybe not. She comes in several days a week, always ordering the same thing, and always staying to read for a while. One Sunday a few weekends ago, I asked her what she was reading/what she read normally, since it is always something different. We talked a bit about our love of the written word, and the next time I saw her, she brought a book for me to borrow. It isn't something that I would normally read, but I looked through it, skimmed some parts, and think it is a nice book. I am going to see if she comes in tomorrow, so I may return it.

Anywayyyy... the weekend was good! I got to spend cute times with CLRG (whom I just love, love, love, as you know), I read a lot, and generally hung out. I'm pleased.

Stadium Seating Instead of Park Benches

I took my car in for inspection this morning (at 9am or so) and finally picked it up after 2pm. Whoa man. It took forever. They called me and said that I needed my rear brakes replaced to pass inspection. Awesome, right? Yes. Thankfully, my dad came to the rescue and provided his dear daughter the funds to make this possible. I would be up a creek without a paddle without my parents saving me sometimes. I mean, seriously.

I can't wait until I have a job that allows me to actually have some money saved up. I am looking forward to the day when a paycheck isn't already totally spoken for when it is placed in my hand. Know what I mean? Money sucks.

Happily, I passed the time while waiting for my car at Starbucks. I used a gift card CLRG gave me to purchase some goodies, and read Oliver Twist. I am glad that I had the time to sit with my kindle, because I haven't been taking the time to read lately and I was thinking of giving up on Oliver recently. I can't do that now! I'm almost in the middle! ACK!

Life Goes On

Did I tell you that I sliced my finger at work? Yes... I was slicing tomatoes, and also sliced my pinky and paid yet another visit to the Emergency Room and received, again, three stitches. It was soooo much fun. I got the stitches out yesterday, which was nice.

I haven't written in a while, which I am very sorry about. I just haven't really been motivated to do so.

I had a monumental birthday last week. 25! I can't believe it. I don't really feel that much older, and I was dealing with this milestone pretty well, until A mentioned that we would next reach 26. Okayyyy... I do not need to think about that. Because THEN, I start thinking about how much closer to 30 I am and how scary that sounds to say. Oh boy. Anyway, the birthday was super fun. The day before was R's birthday and we went out for drinks. We were joined by her sister, her sister's friend, K, and CLRG. On my actual birthday, I did not have to work, so I met CLRG for lunch and then came home to do laundry and hang out with los gatos. On Friday, I had some people from school and that I know through CLRG over for drinks, and we just hung out. On Saturday, K and I went to East Liberty to attend Gene Kelly's birthday party at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. It was so much fun! We had free cake and punch, got a tour (not really, though, in my opinion), and attended a $2 showing of "Cover Girl"!!

Anywayyyy... things are good. The room is not yet done, so CLRG and I are still sharing a closet, but it's all good.

One More Bite of Eclair Each

I didn't even make the top three. :o(

We're Only Human

I didn't really want to bring this up yet, but I feel like I need to say something about it anyway. I had a job interview yesterday. I don't want to jinx it, so I won't say where and for what, but it would be a really, really awesome job. I should be getting a call this afternoon sometime, telling me whether or not I am in the top three. If I am, I will go tomorrow evening for a second interview and then they will decide that night. They want the person to start on Friday, but I guess I would start next week since I already have my Factory work schedule in place. It's only part time, but it would be perfect, I think. Think good thoughts for me, please oh please.

I Know I Like Dancing With You

Oh my word. Yesterday, CLRG and I went to the Salvation Army store to drop off a bag of clothes I decided it was time to donate, and he took me back to the book area. He is always so sweet to do this sort of thing. It's funny when he wonders why he can't get me out in a timely manner, though. Silly boy. You led me there! Anywayyyy... I bought a boxed set of the first four Sweet Valley Twins books. I probably have them somewhere, honestly, but I don't care. I was DEVOTED to these books when I was in elementary school. Seriously. During those years, my best friend and I were pretty certain that we WERE Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. It was ridiculous. I also got two books from the Little House on the Prairie series and this book about Cary Grant, though it is in large print and is kind of scary to read. I may donate it somewhere if I can't read it without going nutso.

The new room has made significant progress this weekend. Most of the drywall is up! There is a bit of insulation work to be done near one window, and then drywall needs to happen in the closet and near that window and then we can start with spackling! It will be glorious.

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Sweet Like Candy to My Soul

Today, I am grateful for:

-beautiful houses
-kitten paws
-cuddling
-books
-my family

Dance Floors and Magazines

Just a little while ago, I was cooking some hamburger (for future tacos... maybe tomorrow?) and Roommate C (I think I probably named him something else once, before I lived here, but I can't remember) came down and informed me that, since I moved in, the kitchen has seen more use than ever before. That's probably true, because all he ever eats is chicken patties and hamburgers. I am impressive, it seems, because I used the crock pot yesterday (swiss steak- turned out nicely), and I've made jambalaya and homemade mac & cheese here and tuna noodle casserole, among other things, since CLRG moved in here. Yes, indeed. I can't really remember where I was going with this, but whatever. I cook things sometimes. I got stuff to make a mac & cheese pasta bake thinger later this week (to eat with salads), and little shrimp to eat with pasta and pesto. Mmmm.

Fact is, I like doing these homey things. I have been doing my laundry with CLRG's and I enjoy doing it this way. I like going grocery shopping for us as a pair, but I don't like figuring out meals by myself. He never really has suggestions so I have to think really hard about meals. I really like living here. I will like it even more when the new room is finished.

Our set up plan for the new room and this other room is such: bed, love seats (couch won't make it up here, oh well), TV in the new room. Desks, dressers, storage containers in the older room. I am hopeful that my bookshelf will make it into the new side. I don't know why. We will soon each have a closet, rather than having to share one, and I will think about getting some drawers of some kind to make up for the shelves I won't have in my closet. We'll see, we'll see.