I’m happy, you know? I like my life, I like my friends, I like my… stuff. My time, my space, my TV.

Except for me, I’d probably say “computer” instead of TV.  Or perhaps bookshelves.  Not sure.

The point being, I’m really freaking happy with how things are going.  And yet I’m so busy getting upset because the stuff I want to happen hasn’t happened yet.  I’m a rather impatient person.  I have trouble remembering to enjoy the gifts I have right now.

I’m having a party tomorrow night.  We’re making Christmas ornaments.  I’m going to watch curling tonight.  These are things that I love.  We’re in the middle of advent right now, which is my absolute favorite time of year.  A time of year that focuses on expectant waiting.

And I don’t want to wait.  I’ve never really wanted to wait.  I don’t think I’ve ever been very good at that whole patience thing.  I’m just praying that I’ll remember that this, right now, is good.  And the future will be good too, but I don’t need to worry about it.  Now go watch some curling and make some ornaments.  Don’t know how?  I can’t help you with the first, but here’s a super simple recipe for you.

You’re like chocolate ice cream.  Really good chocolate ice cream.  Chocolate ice cream like this.

Some coworkers and I went to our favorite taco place for lunch today.  Some how or another it only took us 30 minutes to order, get our food, and eat.  So as we were walking to the car to drive back to the office, we all decided to stop for milkshakes.  I ordered a strawberry shake, which was a good decision.  Until I started questioning it.

As the ice cream man was scooping the ice cream, I saw a sign advertising their new special: pumpkin spice ice cream.  And then I started hesitating.  I couldn’t decide.  Ice cream man assured me there was no rush.  Finally, I took the plunge: pumpkin spice milkshake.

And that was a mistake.  Two reasons for this: 1) Seasonal items can sometimes be delicious, and are especially appealing because you know you might not be able to have them next month (Exhibit A), but if your choice to have a seasonal food item is based solely, or even predominately, in their scarcity the other 11 months, you probably don’t really like it to begin with.  2)  When you recently made pumpkin spice ice cream with real actual pumpkin in it, you’re bound to be disappointed by a “pumpkin spice” syrup being added to a vanilla shake.

It was a milkshake.  I’m not complaining.  And generally speaking, I try to live my life in such a way that I don’t have any real regrets.  Unfortunately, today, I regret my choices.  In fact, I regret almost every day I don’t have a strawberry shake.

I’ve written every single day for a month.  I’ve thought about food more.  I’ve tried more recipes this month.  But mostly… I’ve enjoyed knowing that for a few paragraphs every day, nobody’s going to interrupt me.

My month in review should be more than that.  It really should.  But it’s not.  Because sometimes, it’s just really nice to know that somebody’s listening.  And when you don’t know that, it’s nice to know that nobody’s going to stop you midway through your story/rant/explanation and just talk right over you.

See how I was able to explain all of that in one breath?  Wow… that’s great! Having an audience is nice at times.  And interacting with the audience is even better.  But sometimes, it’s nice to say something regardless.

You’ll probably see a lot more of me in the coming month.  I still have an ice cream recipe or two to share with you.  And I fully intend to tell you all about Sam’s Clam Disco (or not…).  But mostly, expect me to talk to you without being interrupted.  ;)

That’s the trick of the week.  If you could be a ladylike broad, that is perfection.  … If you can sneak a little broad in on the weekend.  … If a ladylike person says “What the hell are you talking about?”, she should be able to get away with that because she says it in a ladylike way.
- Elaine Stritch

If you haven’t gotten on the Dinner Party Download bandwagon yet, do it now.  They’re teaching me about Little Dragon and how to be a ladylike broad.  Tell me you don’t want in on this action.

So I went to a hockey game with the boyfriend tonight.  And I really wanted to see a fight.  That didn’t happen.  I was bummed.  My boyfriend was shocked.  I’ve told you before how dainty he thinks I am.  I’m not really.  Although Elaine there has gotten me to wanting to be in a way.

Sometimes I look like this:

cardigan, cupcake, purple swirly frosting, and totally waiting patiently for it

And other times I look like this:

same cardigan, mouth full of meat, totally scarfing a giant turkey leg

So yes, I totally wanted to see a fight at the hockey game.  But I’m also going to spend a half hour doing my hair the morning of the hockey game.  No biggie, ok?

P.S.  It’s not weird that I’m wearing the same outfit in these pictures, is it?  Oh, it is?  Whoops…