Fiesta de Chicas!

Also known as ladies' night... In March, I'm attending the bachelorette party of a girlfriend in Las Vegas with 11 other ladies from San Diego, LA, Phoenix, and Colorado. It's going to be a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting weekend, as this group of girlfriends can be a little... um, wild, at times. :)

Anyway, we've been discussing the need to gather and discuss plans for our weekend - strip club or not, what kinds of games/ activities should we plan for the weekend, which clubs should we check out, spa day or not, etc. etc. etc. I took the opportunity to invite the girls over for a planning session tonight, so that I can bring out all my favorite serving pieces and wine glasses, cocktail napkins, and show off my spanking new flatware. Should be fun!

The menu will be comprised of the following this evening:

Libby’s Stuffed Mushrooms

18 mushrooms
Salt
2 T butter, melted

½ cup fine dry breadcrumbs
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese (using Feta tonight, since Patou is lactose intolerant; sometimes I use bleu and it's great, too)
1 egg beaten
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp crushed, dried dill weed
2 T lemon juice

Clean mushrooms, remove stems, and reserve. Sprinkle inside of cups with salt.

Chop stems finely and sauté in butter 3-4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except for caps to the stem mixture. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps.

Place mushrooms on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until thoroughly heated. These can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Turkey meatballs

1 lb ground turkey 1 egg, slightly beaten
½ cup finely chopped onion 1 T butter
2 T brown sugar 1 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T bread crumbs Dash of hot pepper sauce
½ t salt ½ cup finely chopped green pepper
1 can tomato soup 1 T vinegar
1 t mustard

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix beef, bread crumbs, egg and salt; shape into meatballs. Place in shallow 9X13 baking pan. Broil until browned, turn once. Spoon off fat. Meanwhile, in saucepan, cook onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour over meatballs. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Christina’s Taco Dip

1 pound ground beef 1 can Brooks mild chili beans, drained
¼ cup Ortega taco sauce 1 small chopped onion
Shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown beef in skillet until slightly undercooked and drain fat. In blender, mix chili beans, taco sauce, chopped onions until well blended. Combine the mixture with the beef in a large bowl and stir until well mixed. Place mixture in an 8x8 baking dish and top with cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.

Homemade Guacamole

Meat and Cheese Platter

Oh yes, and lots and lots of red wine. Hope your evening is as yummy as mine! Happy Tuesday.

xx, Mer

Politics - Not Just for The Dinner Table

The State of the Union speech last week has really gotten me thinking about, well… the state of our union. 2 years ago, right around this time, I felt a real sense of doubt and sadness that our country had just re-elected a leader whom I vehemently felt was taking our country in the wrong direction – I was very sad and disheartened about the future of our country. Attacking another country for the purpose of revenge and protecting our financial interests in oil, forcing the government’s ethics and morals upon us, and helping the rich get richer felt, to me, like priorities for our government. And I was supremely disappointed that the slim majority of our country agreed with those priorities. But here in 2007, I am sensing winds of change, and am feeling more hopeful than ever that our country is re-awakening and ready to make changes for the best, no matter which political party is leading the charge.

Speaking of, more friends of mine than not are Republicans. And that’s cool with me – I respect everyone’s personal opinions. Yet I feel extremely confident with my left-leaning politics, because I have considered them thoroughly – I’m pro-choice; anti-war but pro-troops (my ex is heading to the Middle East with the Navy in March!); pro-gay marriage (gay brother whom I want to have the same opportunity for matrimony, benefits, and divorce as me); supportive of protecting our environment and resources; hope to determine fair, tough, and humane immigration policies; desire stronger gun control; demand a separation of church and state; and want to continue social programs that help those that need societal support, like social security, welfare, and unemployment. And I willingly pay my dues (taxes) to live in this country which has given me so much opportunity and a great life. Do you know your political beliefs? If not, I suggest you give it some thought, as everyone's opinions matter for our future.

Political party lines aside, in the 2008 election, we must vote for the best candidates with the best attributes and experience to lead our country in a better direction. Obviously W has led our country in a direction in which a good majority of the country disagrees... So now is the time to truly investigate to find who is going to be the best candidate to bridge the gap between our parties and lead us, once again, to become an ethical and well respected member of the international community. Who do you like? John McCain? John Edwards? Hillary? Barack Obama? Rudy Giuliani? Someone else? Now’s the time to do your homework, people.

Whatever direction we choose, I'm just SO sick of those old, boring, hypocritical, fat, white guys that went to high school in the 50s trying to guide my morality and making decisions with their checkbooks in mind, versus what the heart of our nation needs. Wouldn't it be nice to have a change of scenery, if not mentality, in Washington? Wouldn’t it be nice for our government to mirror the landscape of our population – white, black, Asian, Latino, healthy, disabled, gay, straight, etc.?

If we MUST continue electing the old, boring, hypocritical, fat, white guys in their bad suits, can we at least send in the Fab Five to update their look, so they're not so painful to watch on CNN? I'm going to Bravotv.com to nominate the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of our federal government for makeovers RIGHT NOW! Wouldn’t that be so fun to watch? I’d put Laura Bush in hair extensions, designer jeans, and leopard print heels. What do you think?

Have a great week, everyone! Love, Mer

Speaking of Cute Animals...

Meet Jasmine, my mischevious canine roommate. She's a total attention hog, an absolute brat, and she thinks she's a lap dog at 65 pounds! But she's a sweet, funny girl and I love her to pieces.

Love, Mer

Deep Thoughts, By Mer

Why I Don't Eat Cute Animals

I, admittedly, have very odd rules about what I eat. My first rule is that I don't eat cute animals - no sheep or lambs, deer, bunnies, ducks, goats, quail, horses, etc. OK, cows are mildly cute, but just not cute enough to abstain from eating beef (except babies, which is why I don't eat veal). And chickens are only cute when they're chicks; therefore, I don't eat baby chickens. But pigs? Totally NOT cute, so no worries there…

On the other hand, the thought of the farmers in China who farm St. Bernards (dogs) because they’re the largest and most docile breed, and therefore easier to raise, slaughter, and sell, absolutely turns my stomach!! And lambs are so cute and sweet – I even have photos from my trip to Wales when I fed and pet some of the gentle creatures. I would not dare eat one… And how could I ever sink my teeth into Thumper or Bambi? Never gonna happen.

Anyway, I am criticized by my hard and fast rule quite often. I really shouldn't take the time to explain, but I always do. I usually finalize my justification with the phrase 'cute as a lamb’. How can you eat something by which all cuteness is measured? (BTW, I don't eat buttons, either...)

My personal decision not to eat cute animals is challenged by the fact that I love animals, but achieve a high level of satisfaction from eating meat – I love the taste, variety, texture, and the art of preparing beautiful meals which include meat. However, if I visualize the animal that had to perish so that I could feast on it, I feel really terrible (and disgusted; and queasy!). For that reason, I only eat boneless meat that doesn’t resemble an animal in any way. I can sort of trick myself into thinking it’s more like… tofu!

I can only achieve this self-trickery with animals that I would never consider as a pet. Not that I have any room or real estate for ANY pets in Southern California, much less farm animals… But theoretically, if I had all the space and time in the world, I think I could have sheep as pets, like Cousin Sonia in Wales; or my cousins in Texas who have horses, bunnies, and ducks. I could potentially take a goat as a pet… Anna’s mom has one in NC, right, Anna?

I also find this self-trickery challenging when eating brisket in Texas, or barbecue in North Carolina, and the restaurants’ proprietors find it cute to decorate the restaurant in the theme of the animal which is the main ingredient of the menu. Steers’ heads mounted on the wall, or cartoon pigs with red and white checked aprons on, provoke me to walk right out of a restaurant and start looking for a Souplantation. It’s on the same level as those who insist on calling their filet mignon “a great piece of cow” or bacon “mighty fine pig” – it’s just so crass!! Perhaps that stems back to my sensibilities as a Southern Belle… who knows?

So when it really comes down to it, I guess it’s not a moral or ethical dilemma that has spurred me to make this decision - just a simple decision based on my personal sensibilities, which may be completely senseless to the rest of the planet. And that’s absolutely fine with me.

Comments and feedback welcome!! Love, Mer

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I'm Glad This Happens To Other People, Too

Seriously, I have a blinking problem. It's like the phrase "one, two, three" puts me into a deep meditative state, or something. I've been wondering how I would continue my international celebutante career with this issue, but if Paris can pull it off, so can I. Yippee!

Love, Mer

End of An Era - New Beginnings for Shan

Leaving a job can sometimes be an emotional time, depending on the experience you had there, the kinds of friendships you made while there, and perhaps the amount of time you dedicated to that particular job. When I left Manpower Professional in Raleigh, I was REALLY sad to leave people that had become (and still are) incredible and life-long friends. I started my career there, obtained a mentor who taught me so much about being professional, and learned all the 'tricks of the trade' that allow me to be successful today within the recruiting industry.

Well, for my friend and sister-in-law, Shannon Darby (pictured), leaving her current job is particularly bittersweet. Shannon graduated from college and immediately began working for the Make a Wish Foundation of Houston, who, as you might know, grants wishes for sick children. They arrange for children with life-threatening diseases to meet their heroes, to visit Disneyland, or grant other wishes - big and small. Shannon met great colleagues and friends along the way, and even a husband!!

Anyway, Shannon has been working at Make a Wish since she graduated from college, which has been about 7 or 8 years now. Now she has little Finley, who’s one year old, and it’s time for her to pursue her passion for photography and other endeavours. I’m very proud of her! Leaving this role will be tough enough, as it is… but get this!!!

Shannon’s replacement is a weeeeee bit intimidating. She’s currently training a beautiful young woman named Morgan to take her place, who just happened to be Miss Texas 2005. Yep people, a beauty queen!!! I got an email from Shan yesterday stating “Nothing like a beauty queen taking your spot. My volunteers, etc…will be like ‘Shannon Who? We hit the jackpot!!’” How funny is that?!

Would you want this woman taking your place? If and when I ever have to hire someone to replace me in my job, I’m going to find someone way less beautiful and talented than I, so I can be remembered as the favorite person in this role ever. Is that bad?

Anyway, have a great day! Love, Mer

p.s. Please check out the Make A Wish Foundation at www.wish.org.
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Kati's Birthday

Here we are in Laguna Beach over the weekend for Kati's 29th birthday party. Good times!

Kerry, Nat, Mer, Kati
Miss you, Lauren!!

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Nat's Trip to Italy

Hi guys! My best friend Natalie traveled to Italy over the holidays with her boyfriend Michael (I know him better as just Mike, RPM (Running Partner Mike), or Roller Boy, etc.) and returned early this month. I've been bugging her about getting out the photos for 2 weeks now (I'm a pest) and she delivered them this morning.

I have to say that Nat's photography skills have become quite good. Nice work, Bobble!

I'll post a few for your enjoyment, but please view her photos here: http://michaelcutriphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/2384042 You can also take a look at Mike's here: http://michaelcutriphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/2325962#124114221 ENJOY!

Love, Mer

My Sweet Nephew

Excuse me, does it get any cuter than this?

Sing it, baby Finley!!!

Love, Auntie Mer

Two Things

Happy Monday, everyone! I just had a great weekend and am ready to attack all the items on my to do list of personal and professional endeavours today. Meanwhile, I have a couple of things I'd like to share before starting my afternoon:

1. Let's discuss little Bindi Irwin, the little daughter of Steve Irwin, the late Australian naturalist and "The Crocodile Hunter". Truthfully, I'm in no situation to judge anyone, but I'm just so completely confused at the family's capitalization of fame resulting from Mr. Irwin's death in September 2006. I've seen news of Bindi's speaking at Steve's funeral (which apparently caused quite a splash), late night show apperances, news specials, magazine articles, and now she's starting a new show of her own! I'm just concerned that an eight year old seems to be thrown into the spotlight at such a young age and wish her mom reigned in the little girl's ambitions during this vulnerable time. Did they even take time to mourn? When I die, I want people to be really, really sad for a couple of months, then move on, but geeeez, have some respect!!

2. I made some of my homemade pasta sauce last night and MAAAAN, was it good!! If I do say so myself... I haven't made it since last February in Houston - when Finley was born, I made it for the crazy Darby household to help out with feeding the masses. But I do have to say that last night's batch was the best I've ever made. Good thing I made a ton - I have two more dinners' worth of sauce in the freezer for future enjoyment. Meanwhile, I'll share my recipe here with you guys, in case anyone's interested. :)

Mer's Homemade Pasta Sauce

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 large onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

1 can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce

Three 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid

2 teaspoons

Freshly ground black pepper

3 pounds ground turkey, sausage, or ground beef

(Or you can add spicy Italian sausage, then you won't have to use the spices below*; that includes pork, chicken, or turkey sausage)

1 tablespoon dried rosemary, crumbled into small pieces*

1 tablespoon dried thyme*

1 tablespoon dried oregano*

1 tablespoon fennel seeds, cracked*
1 cup grated Parmesan

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pepper flakes and cook for 15 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes one at a time, crushing them by hand as you go. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce over low heat, covered.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat, rosemary, thyme, oregano. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon, and cook until it loses its raw color. Add the meat to the sauce, holding back any excess fat.

Simmer the sauce, covered, over low heat, for 1-1 1/2 hours. (If the sauce gets too thick, adjust the consistency with some red wine or water.) Just before serving, add the grated cheese.

Yields about 15 cups, so there’s plenty to freeze for later. Or you can halve the recipe, if you like, which feeds 4-6.

Mangia, mangia! Love, Mer xx

Serenity Prayer, Part II

My boss sent me this today, and I thought it was particularly apropos, given my week. I like it - I feel like someone in the universe is on the same wavelength as me today!

Love, Mer

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I cannot accept,

and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had

to kill today because they pissed me off...

Desiderata

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

RIP Chargers Season, 2006 - 2007

Can someone please call the waaaaaaaambulance? :(

We'll try harder next year!

Dear Spinning Bike...

I wish I could say that I missed you, but I really haven't. We got to be very close during November and December, and you served a great purpose. I did, indeed, shed some pounds so that I felt great during the holidays. I didn't once get a comment from my rude mother about looking "puffy" and my ex said that he heard that I looked great, so I'm appreciative of your effect on my mental well-being.

However, the holidays are over, my New Year's hangover is gone, I'm starting to make plans for springtime visits to Vegas, I bought my first bikini of the year today, and I'm sure that plans will abound for poolside barbecues shortly. It IS San Diego, you know... and bikini weather comes quickly!!! Therefore, it's time for us to become reacquainted.

I shall spend one more weekend feasting on wintertime favorites such as juicy steaks and Mexican comfort food, but Monday, Operation Fatass must resume and I shall plop my once-again growing ass on your uncomfortable seat on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

Did you miss me? I didn't think so.

Love, Mer

Serenity Now!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Words, words, words!

For those of you that know me, I love expanding my vocabulary, writing, and all things grammarian (henceforth this pretty pointless blog). I found this article on Yahoo and thought I'd share it. If you start hearing me use the word 'plutoed' (I love the word plutonic), please note that it means to disregard something altogether, as Pluto the planet, was disregarded as an official planet, in 2006. To use it in a sentence, "I absolutely plutoed the editor's review of the movie 8 Mile, because I love it nonetheless!". Does that help?

Not so sure about the word 'truthiness', however... It just SOUNDS like a fictitious word! 'Murse', 'flog', and 'macaca' are winners in my book, though. I need to figure out how to fit those in to my everyday vocabulary... :)

Love, Mer

'Plutoed' chosen as '06 Word of the Year

Sun Jan 7, 8:38 PM ET

Pluto is finally getting some respect — not from astronomers, but from wordsmiths.

"Plutoed" was chosen 2006's Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society at its annual meeting Friday.

To "pluto" is "to demote or devalue someone or something," much like what happened to the former planet last year when the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union decided Pluto didn't meet its definition of a planet.

"Our members believe the great emotional reaction of the public to the demotion of Pluto shows the importance of Pluto as a name," said society president Cleveland Evans. "We may no longer believe in the Roman god Pluto, but we still have a sense of personal connection with the former planet."

"Plutoed" won in a runoff against "climate canary," defined as "an organism or species whose poor health or declining numbers hint at a larger environmental catastrophe on the horizon."

Other words considered: murse (man's purse), flog (a fake blog that promotes products) and macaca (an American citizen treated as an alien).

Republican former Sen. George Allen (news, bio, voting record) was ahead in his re-election campaign when he said "macaca," which some regard as a racial slur, and "welcome to America" in referring to a U.S.-born man of Indian descent who was volunteering for Allen's opponent. Allen lost to Democrat Jim Webb.

The 117-year-old American Dialect Society comprises linguists, grammarians, historians and independent scholars, among others. Members conduct the vote for fun and not in an official capacity to induct words into the English language.

The society chose "truthiness" as its top word last year. The word is credited to Comedy Central satirist Stephen Colbert, who defined it as "truth that comes from the gut, not books."

Last month, an online survey by dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster declared "truthiness" the word of the year for 2006.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070108/ap_on_re_us/word_of_the_year

NYE Recap

It was a New Year's Eve to remember, if only I could remember all of it... ;) The day started with watching LT (MVP of the NFL today, WHAT!) lead the Chargers to victory at Qualcomm Stadium. Steve treated me to a day of burgers, beers, Cracker Jacks, and football on the 40 yard line. Always treating me like a queen, my Steve!!

The day ended with a lovely little houseparty at our friends' house, surrounded by many friends, and ended at a crazy little dive bar called Morena Club. If I told you anymore about the night, I'd have to kill you. All in all, it was a super fun way to bring in the New Year!

Christmas Recap

So, as promised, I’ll give you the scoop on my Christmas. Starting at the beginning, Steve and I had our second annual Christmas date on Friday the 22nd. When I was a little kid, I always hated turkey and stuffing and all the crap my family had just gorged on 4 weeks before at Thanksgiving… so I always said that when I have my OWN family, I wanted to do a Mexican themed Christmas. I’m talking fajitas, margaritas, sombreros, mariachi Christmas music, and everything else. Very fortunately for me, I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with a Muslim, whose family hasn’t already indoctrinated him with their own idea of Christmas traditions, so I get to do with him whatever I please. How cool is that? So on Friday night we went and had a great Mexican meal, exchanged gifts, and had a very romantic Christmas date for two. Afterward, we attended a fun little gathering on Friday night the 22nd at our friend Cwik’s house with about 20 friends. One drink led to lots of drinks, and before we knew it, it was dark:30.

Getting up for our flights the next morning was a bit painful… we were like Dumb & Dumber on the way to the airport!! Steve was still a little wasto, and thought it was hilarious to joke about bombs and guns in the security checkpoint line – thank God the TSA peeps didn’t hear my bearded Middle Eastern boyfriend making these stupid jokes, or I’d be breaking him out of Guantanamo about now. I almost killed him… ANYWAY, we finally got to Houston and the family madness ensued. The first night we were there, my mom practically forced us to make Christmas cookies, because she bought all the stuff for it (we were tired and hungover, but did it anyway - see photo above). They were Steve's first Christmas cookies!!

It seems as though my parents have been on a quest to remodel the entire house in which I grew up, and their target date for completion was the day we arrived for the holidays. Apparently, the plumber had just left our house about 2 hours before we arrived. My mother was an anxious mess and my father was frustrated and ready to kill her. Most of our trip consisted of my mother apologizing for everything that wasn’t picture perfect in the house, and explaining that it’ll be better next year. An anxious perfectionist, my mother…

My grandmother, the matriarch of our family, also passed in June of this year, so this was the first Christmas for us not to have her with us. It was very sad for all of us, but it almost drove my mother over the edge. I wanted to offer her some of my Xanax so badly, but wasn’t sure if that’s appropriate…

On a more positive note, Steve and I had a lovely trip together, plus I got to see the Orrs and Darbys, which was fantastic!! I got to show Steve much of why I am the way I am (turns out my dad is weird about eating particular animals, such as lamb, too; and my mother is a total snob about using the crystal and silver at Christmas dinner, too) and teach him a little more about what Christmas means to me – giving and tradition. Seeing Gina and Ray (my former in-laws) and Shannon, Petri, and Finley (my former sister-in-law and her family) is always a pleasure. They will always be family to me and I aspire to have a loving family someday like theirs.

It was great to get back home, but I was physically and emotionally exhausted from the 5 day dog and pony show. San Diego sweet San Diego!

Hope you enjoy the photos. Love, Mer

2006 Recap, Continued :)

One of the most important events of 2006, I totally forgot to mention yesterday! I'm a little under the weather, so you'll have to forgive me.

My beautiful friend Shannon gave birthday to the adorable Finley Joseph Darby on February 13th, 2006. I'm an auntie for the first time and in love with a baby for the first time, as well! Below are photos of my holding Baby Finley and hugging Shannon in Houston over Christmas.

Hello 2007!!!

Hi guys! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Mine was fantastic!! I have so much to share, that I'm going to have to break it up over the week, so I can actually get some work done. Yes, the reason I haven't been posting is because I haven't been anywhere near a computer, which has been fabulous. It was a much-needed rest.

I'll give you more details later this week about my holidays in Houston, Steve's first Christmas, parties and events I arranged and attended, and PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS!!!

But first, let's look back at 2006. Events and notable circumstances included:

• Steve and I loved and hated each other a great deal, and always came out loving and understanding each other more.
• Natalie fell in love with the man of her dreams and is happier than ever. She got a passport and traveled the world this year - our Bobble is growing into herself so beautifully.
  
• Lauren got engaged on Christmas morning to Rob in England. Looks like she's moving to Europe, after all!! So excited for her and hope they find every happiness together.
• Kerry started her student teaching and is getting closer to her Masters degree, landed at a fantastic job with Blue Point downtown, and is dating happily after a small rough patch. She's so very strong and intelligent and I'm very proud of her for her successes.
  
• Two of my close friends in NC got married this year - Nancy and Anna. Congratulations to the happy couples!
  
• I left my job for a new one at a crazy startup, got sexually harassed then subsequently fired for my big mouth, treatened legal action to obtain my commission-owed (got it!), and was blessed to return to my former job with BOT. So happy to be back with a professional, ethical group of amazing people that give me so much room for achievement!
• My Granny died. I hope she's enjoying heaven with my grandfather.

Things I look forward to in 2007:

Loving and hating Steve more and more, and moving in together.

Getting a KITTY CAT in February!!!

Weddings, weddings, weddings!!! Lauren, Alisha and Mike, Steve's sister Mandy, and who knows who else is getting married?!

Spending time with Lauren up in San Fran before she moves to England

Continuing Operation Fatass and continuing my quest for wholehearted contentment, emotionally and physically

New Year's Resolutions:

• Get to work on time EVERY DAY
• Take a multivitamin EVERY DAY
• Recycle my glass and plastic at home, and get Steve and Tony, as well

And a repeat of last year's:

• Watch more TV!! (To stay home and out of trouble)

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2007!! Love, Mer