For just 3 monthly payments...

So I want to know...what is your favorite infomercial product out there right now?

For some reason, I am enthralled by infomercials and those products! I can watch an infomercial from start to finish and really get excited about the product! I think that in my next career, I might have to be an infomercial host. Not necessarily the person who shows you the product (although I could do that, too!), but the host, who is CONSTANTLY AMAZED by the stellar performance of the product! Come on, peeps, you KNOW I could pull that one off!

I'm curious. Those (3?) of you who read this blog...what is your favorite product out there right now? Not necessarily favorite infomercial, but product. If you were going to get something for free, what would you get? Right now, I'm enjoying the Nu Wave Oven. Takes up some counter space, but cooks things oh-so-quickly and easily! Apparently, it uses less energy and lets the fat drip out of your food! Amazing!

I'm also amazed by the Mighty Putty!! Does it REALLY fix leaks and hold up to a billion pound?? How? How can putty be so mighty?

And, finally for now, how about that awesome GT Express 101? Who doesn't watch that infomercial and start wanting to make everything into little pocket food? I know I do!

We're RENTERS!!

Yes, after 6 years of being a homeowner, I am now a renter...at least until 9:30ish a.m. tomorrow! We closed on the MLK house on Friday. Frankly, I expected a little more excitement on the part of our buyer, but whatever. She bought it, I hope she likes it, she can be however emotional or non emotional she wants!

Tomorrow morning, we have our final walk through at Timberview at 8 a.m. followed by our closing at 9 a.m. I'm so excited to finally be able to get in there and start moving some of our things over! We've been boxing and packing for what seems like a long time (hello? A good chunk of our stuff is at Mom and Dad's house!), and I'm ready to unpack, clean, and GET ORGANIZED! I feel like my life has been so out of whack for so long, and I'm really counting on this move to get me back on track in a lot of ways! No pressure, Timberview move!!

And an update

Okay. Nick just got a call from his supervisor, saying that he is recommending they keep Nick on for 3rd shift. However, he will be getting a $0.50/hr pay cut. When it's all said and done, that's like $1040 less per year, but I think it's the principle of the thing that is bothering Nick, and I understand! He has worked for that company for around 11 years, and now a paycut? Not his fave, but at least he's still going to be employed there, right?

Still not freaking...

It's always something.

Well, so far, it's not so bad, but isn't there just always something? Today, Nick got a call from his coworker, who is also named Nick! Let's call him Nick2, just so we don't get confused. So Nick2 calls to tell Nick that they're restructuring and making cutbacks at work. There's a word I never like to hear!! Allegedly, according to Nick2 who talked to the site supervisor Steve, they're reducing the guys on 2nd and 3rd shift to just one guy per shift full time. Nick2 said that Steve said they'd be keeping Nick on and giving him his choice of either 2nd or 3rd shift, and then filling the other spot with Nick2.

Now, this sounds good so far, right? Yes! However, about 20 minutes after telling me this, my Nick says something like, "Hmmm. I'm wondering if they'll even offer me the job because they know I'm looking at other jobs!" Oh boy. Now you've done it! You've gotten the Emily Anxiety Factor started! Because, for as much as I maybe don't appreciate his current job since it's far away, it's still a full time job!! And he needs that!

I guess Nick is thinking that his work will call him today to talk to him about this, but so far (at 11:30 a.m.) they have not. Let's all think positive thoughts that my Nick ends up still employed full time after all this, okay? You do that, and I'll try to not freak out. Deal?

More Celebrity Lookalikes

Okay, people, you're not exempt from this game! Here are some more of my family members and friends and the celebrities they look like!

Here's Erin. Sorry the pic is so blurry! I like that she also has an African American woman in her lookalike list. That must be where Austin gets it! But please, please notice the strong resemblance to Aharon Appelfeld...


Here's Mom. She actually got decent people in her lookalike! Nice work, Mary!


Coming soon...Dad and Nick, if I can find decent pictures of them!

Saddest. Lunch. Ever.

Wanna know what I'm having for lunch? It will make you sad, a little. I'm having turkey lunchmeat. That's all. No bread, no bun, no sandwich, but just turkey lunchmeat.

I did wrap it around a mozzarella cheese stick, though. I think that makes it look fancy, myself!

This is what happens when you do not plan ahead, people!

And, no, Lindsay...this is not a pudding day! :( Boo.

Celebrity Lookalikes?

So I found this place online where you can upload a picture and it will generate a list of celebs you most resemble. Apparently, my child looks MOST like Condoleeza Rice and Diana Ross...interesting. I had not noticed his resemblance to black women.



I, on the other hand, look like all of these women...and Ashton Kutcher?

The latest

Well, it's Monday again. I really don't mind Mondays, because I love my job! I also love coming back to a place where my friends work and where I can get some good adult conversations! Not that Austin isn't stimulating (or Nick, for that matter, but he's usually asleep!), but sometimes, I need to not be looking after anyone for a while.

It's quiet around here today. Many people are either out or coming in late. Luckily, we're in the slow time of the semester, so we haven't been inundated with students in the last couple of weeks, which is nice!

Currently, there is a lot of weather-related talk going on outside my office. There is a lady who works in our suite who seems to be OBSESSED with all things weather! Don't even get her started during the wintertime, either, because when snow is on the horizon, EACH PERSON who comes through the doors gets asked something like, "How's it looking out there? Is it coming down yet?" It's like being in the audience of some sort of weather game show or infomercial or something! Anyway, with all the rain from Ike this weekend, you KNOW there was lots of discussion!

I'm still sick! Blech! I'm going to guess sinus infection, maybe, because I do have more sinus pressure and snottiness (sorry, I know). I'm starting to develop more of a cough, although it's not completely all the time still. Last night was rough. I didn't fall asleep until 2 a.m. and then was up almost every half hour on the hour coughing and blowing my nose! I may resort to either stronger OTC meds or a trip to the doc-in-the-box to try to weasel and antibiotic out of them. We'll see how today goes.

That's it for now. I might post more later, but maybe not. Not a ton of new info from this weekend...just hanging out! Oh, we did buy a new living room set for our new house, which was exciting, so yay for that!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 4th anniversary with Nick! That's 4 years of marriage, people. We've been together for 7 years. And, yes, we did get married on September 11. You know, it was a Saturday in September that worked for our location, and we thought, "Hey, let's have a happy memory associated with this date instead of just a horrible one!" Some people were appalled, especially one travel agent from AAA (side note: we did NOT end up going with her for our travel agent! We like customer service skills!). But the world doesn't stop for tragedies forever, folks. We remember, but we move on. So we did!

Marriage is working out. There are good times, bad times, and neutral times, but overall, we're doing pretty well. It's interesting to experience the ups and downs and then look back and think, "Huh...we did make it through that horrible period. Well, good for us!"

Right now, we're in the "We have a young child plus we both work 2 jobs so we're really busy and maybe I'll see you around the bedroom sometime but maybe not but whatever," part of our lives. There are some awesome, fantastic times in there, really! However, we have also fallen victim to the "we never get to go out together" situation that a lot of people face. But we're making it work!

So, here's to us. 4 (really 7) years into it, and we still mostly like each other and have things to talk about!

Just kidding...I love you, Nick!

The sickness has set in...

Ugh.

My boy and I are sick. He's had a runny nose for a couple of weeks that has "gone green", and not in a good way! He's also had this gross cough for a week or so that has motivated us to call the doctor and take him in this afternoon. It probably will be something that just has to run its course (and, really, I hope that's what it is because we don't want it to be something more severe), but sometimes you just need the doc to check out your kid, you know? Kind of like an official, "You're Doing It Right!" stamp of approval!

In the last 2 days, I have developed the stuffy head/runny nose/sneeze kind of thing that I always enjoy. So far, I'm managing to avoid the coughs, which I hate THE MOST!! I'm going to try to head this one off because I'm too busy to be sick, people! Sick + moving + work + toddler = BAD COMBINATION!

Stay healthy!

I'm thinking...

I'm trying to think of something good to write. I feel as though I've inundated you all (that's right, all 3 of you who read this!) with lots of house talk lately. I can't help it, it's the big topic of our lives for a while! We're getting close, though. We went couch and TV shopping this weekend. Couch shopping is hard, though! I wish all the places that sold couches could be in one giant warehouse, and then I could pick out the ones we like and sit them side by side so that we could more easily compare! Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen, so it's back to the ol' memory way. It's tough to pick something when there are so many nice options! Hopefully, I'll be able to do some internet looking, too, and that will be able to help us make some decisions.

As far as TVs go, I think we know what we are wanting on that front. This is really Nick's domain, as I don't care all that much. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE TV!! Please reference my 90210 posts below for evidence on this. However, I would be okay watching a much smaller TV than my husband. Since it's more important to him (and since, let's be honest, I'll probably end up having more input on the couches), let's give him this one! As my sister once said, "Let the guy get whatever TV he wants (within reason) and then he'll shut up about it!"

Hear, hear!

Home Inspections...So Far, So Good

Yes. So far, no major issues with the home inspections on either our house or our new house. Our new house is great. Only a minor thing -- needs a new electrical outlet upstairs in a bathroom -- and a carbon monoxide detector needs to be hung up downstairs. Otherwise, everything looks great. The A/C is pretty old, but we have a home warranty that we get for a year from the sellers that will cover it if it poops out. Also, we can continue the warranty at a fairly manageable cost if the A/C doesn't kick the bucket within the first year.

As far as our current house goes, I think things look okay. Jean was there for a few minutes while the inspector was there today and he only pointed out one thing to her. Apparently, the pipe that runs from the A/C to the drain was missing. An easy fix, I've been told by Dad. I told Nick, and he said, "You mean that pipe that Danny and I broke while putting in the new water heater?" Oh yeah! That one! I guess that could have been fixed a while ago, huh? Hey, if that's the main problem, we'll be good! We also need to hang up our carbon monoxide detector. We have one, it's just not up on the wall. The inspector has to come back later to inspect outside because it's so rainy today, but I'm crossing my fingers that everything looks okay!

We're getting closer...

Um....what now?

This is a copy of an email I got a while back. I've gotten a couple like this, and I'm posting this one for your interpretation and enjoyment:

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To: Emily Miller
Subject: vicinal wherever nude plentiful profit

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cottonseed graft.

Hmmmm. That's a puzzler.

Exercise = BAD!!!

My poor boy bumped his head last night in a big way! He was standing up on our recliner (yes, I know, not the safest of all things to do!) and Nick and I were BOTH standing right there. Nick tossed a t-shirt at Austin and, after it landed on his head, he laughed and went to move it or throw it down or something. This motion apparently got him off balance and he fell BACKWARDS OVER THE ARM OF THE RECLINER!!!! I saw this almost in slow motion and tried to grab for him, but just didn't get there fast enough! He totally whacked the back/side of his lower head area on the freaking foot pedal of our elliptical machine! Damn that thing!!! I knew exercise was bad for you!!

Luckily, Nick is an EMT. Unfortunately, Nick also freaked out and started YELLING, "Sh*t! F*ck!" This did not help the situation regain any sort of calm. I picked up our boy and held him while he cried -- so sad! Nick got it together and started checking Austin's noggin out. It was red but not overwhelmingly bumpy. Nick got an ice pack and tried to put it on Austin's head, which did not go over very well. Later, though, the ice pack was on the floor for a minute and Austin did go grab it and put it up on his head/neck while saying, "Ow!" in his little baby voice!!! My boy!!!

I did my part and ran him through my own version of a neurological test by asking him all the things he knows. He successfully identified all body parts that he can identify, said all the animal sounds he knows, and pointed out Mama and Daddy and Kitty. Whew! Crisis averted!

Nick also gave him a clean bill of health, and we checked on him multiple times during the evening and night. He seems fine this morning, too, so I think he's okay! Poor guy! I felt like Mother of the Year, though, letting him fall like that! See? Exercise is bad!

The new 90210

Okay, get excited, because here comes another 90210-related post! Last night was the premiere of the new version of 90210. I most certainly did DVR it and watched almost the whole thing, until I fell asleep in the recliner. Here are the highlights:

• You can almost, ALMOST pretend that you're watching a continued version of the original, because you've got Kelly Taylor, Brenda Walsh, and Nat Buccichio (spelling, anyone?) kickin' it old school on the new show. Also, there are some "all grown up" kids from the original on the new version, including Erin Silver and a brief glimpse of Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez.
• Kudos to the writers for including the line from the teacher regarding Hannah Z-V, "Wow, she looks like she's 30 or something!" because you know Andrea was at least 30 when the original premiered!
• There's the promise of more to be revealed with the whole Kelly-has-a-son storyline. Who is the father? Also, is Brenda staying in town long term?

Some of the things I wasn't in love with:

• Why do all these people who are like 15-16 years old on the show dress and act and look like they're about 28 years old?? I mean, these people look way cooler than I ever did! Let's be honest, they also look cooler than I do now, too!
• Also, we're really going to start Day 1 of school with Ethan getting a BJ in an SUV right in the school parking lot? Come on...that's taking it a little far!
• I felt like there were a couple of things that just came out of nowhere and didn't go anywhere. For example, Annie sneaks out to go to the "not-so-sweet-sixteen" party for Naomi. Her parents realize she's gone and dad goes to try to track her down at the party. Later, she's getting ready to go on a date with a boy from school and calls her mom for permission. There is no mention of the sneaking out. Is she in trouble? Has she been reprimanded? Jim and Cindy Walsh would NEVER have let that behavior fly!! They would have sent Annie directly to Paris for the summer with her best friend as punishment!

We will see about you, new 90210. Can you rise to the challenge of providing entertainment like the original did or will you fizzle out?

90210 -- The Marathon

Oh, what a marathon it was! In case you are unaware, the original Beverly Hills 90210 had a 24 HOUR MARATHON of episodes on yesterday. 24 hours, people!!! That's some good tv! I did not catch all 24 hours of this marathon (my mother just cringed at the thought of me watching 24 hours of tv!), but I did watch a lot of it! Nothing is better than the high school 9-0 episodes on in the background of your day. Nothing.

I have some thoughts about some of the 9-0 episodes, storylines, characters, etc. that I'd like to share here. Some of these came from my sister, too:

• Sometimes, all you need to do to solve racial tensions is DANCE IT OUT while wearing spandex dresses and military boots. Trust me.
• It also helps to have a scrawny white kid rappin' on stage while this DANCE FOR UNITY takes place.
• If you are drunk at prom and you have like 325 friends in your group, don't you think that a few of them could, I don't know, be on the LOOKOUT for Mrs. T so that you don't get caught leaving drunk? Let's plan it out a little better, people!
  
• Okay. Donna Martin got drunk for prom. Now, I'm not a huge stick in the mud, but when the rule says, "Don't get drunk for prom or you won't be allowed to graduate," and then you get drunk for prom, let's not be so haughty and go around the school saying, "Come on! Donna has never done anything wrong! I'm sure they're not going to keep her from graduating just to make her a scapegoat!" I'm talking to you, here, Brandon Walsh!!!
• Also, kids, walking out on finals to make a point? I'm not sure that would really work. But let's say you tried it anyway. And then you and your large, chanting-off-beat crowd did manage to push your way into the school board meeting...don't take that high and mighty tone with Superintendent Ep-HARDT! I would be kind of irratated if this high school senior guy was getting all snotty on my ass if I were the superintendent!
• Are you telling me that in the whole senior class of 1993, Steve Sanders and David Silver were the ONLY PEOPLE with last names starting with "S"? And David Silver actually wasn't even technically in that class! So just one "S" person? Isn't "S" one of the most common name letters?
  
• How in the hell did they get those big ass letters up to the Hollywood sign? I know that got a van, but wouldn't those letters still be enormous? And just those 8 people did all that work? I don't know if I buy that.
• Let's get serious, people. That Erica-Suzanne-Kevin storyline? Annoying!!

That's all for now, but I reserve the right to add to this list in a future post! Tell me some of your favorite 9-0 thoughts!