Walking With Nora

I’m guest posting for Mandy at Knowing the Difference today for her Lasting Impressions weekly series.

Hope you enjoy the story and of course, the rest of Mandy’s blog!

1. Discovering that the smoke in Irish’s condo last night was not due to a real fire; only an electrical mishap that was easily fixed.

2. A mid-day conversation with Irish’s sister about family dinner tonight. She has dessert covered so I don’t have to worry about it for a change.

3. Being totally smitten with a four-pound dog. (She will be the one I start watching tomorrow. Totally adorable, a little bundle of joy and happiness. I will admit she’s no Jack, but Jack gets to play at my parents house for the week.)

4. The downpours of rain StL received yesterday. Irish and I had the windows open (to get rid of electrical fire smell), sat on the couch and listened to the rain.

5. Having a bad, bad dream but waking up to find that it was just a dream.

6. The promise of lots of sleep this weekend.

7. A boyfriend who is willing to talk and work through the few problems we have as they arise, even if they seem miniscule to him.

8. Rosemary infused bread.

I’m almost halfway through Lent so I thought I’d do a quick udpate on my progress with all of my “give-ups.”

• Facebook. I’ll admit I was having serious withdrawals the first three days. My fingers itched to type in the URL and quickly sign-in to see what was what with who, but I didn’t. I haven’t checked Facebook once on any Sunday even though I told myself I could. I think I’m going to make it the full 40 days without it. With regards to my “real life friends,” it’s shown me a lot about who cares enough to make contact with me via email, text or phone call. It’s also de-cluttered my life, improved my sense of self (I don’t know about some of you but I get annoyed when I make the effort to stay in touch with FB friends and don’t get anything back… ever), and made me less addicted/reliant on my Blackberry. All good things. I’m sure I’ll check it when I’m “allowed,” to but not two or three times a day like I used too.
• Soda. For the first two weeks I didn’t miss it all. Then last week I broke down and had a Sprite. The real goal in giving up soda was to avoide caffeine and empty calories. I have since only had a few other Sprites but haven’t finished them nor come even close. It’s the carbonation I crave and miss. I feel a little guilty about this one.
• Fast food. Easy. Sure it smells good, especially when I’m stuck in traffic on my way home and crave a quick dinner but I keep driving. I keep my $7 bucks and avoid an excessive amount of disgusting food. I’m sure I’ll be able to keep the no fast-food thing up after Lent is over.
• Fried Food. Surprisingly not as easy, especially when eating out. (Surcharges to have a salad instead of fries are kind of silly if you ask me.) Also not as easy when really want something fried. But I’ve managed to pull it off so far and my body feels better overall for it. I wasn’t eating an excessive amount of fried food before, but hopefully I can be sure to limit my fried food consumption as much as possible after Lent is over. (All this “healthy,” eating is hard when you’re in a relationship, happy hours are common and parties are all about appetizer food!)

In hindsight I wish I had also attempted my hand at quitting chocolate and cheese cold turkey. Those are my absolute favorite things in the world. I’m thinking next year… or maybe after Lent is over, I could give up chocolate and cheese for 40 days and see how it goes? Although, I don’t think anyone would want to be around me if I gave up those things. I may turn into a bit of a monster.

This post has nothing to do with Agent 99 but I loved watching Get Smart as a kid.

I know have a lot of new readers so in an effort to help you get to know me a little better, here’s a list of 99 things (borrowed from SheShe). The ones in bold are things I have done.

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld/Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (carried is more like it as I was a toddler, but I’m counting it. I desperately want to go and do it myself!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (went to England in 2004 with Darling & my grandmother. An awesome experience on so many levels.)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (I was born in an ambulence — does this count?)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (this is all Irish. Prior to him I received flowers a total of five times in my whole dating career)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper ( I did some “modeling” in middle and high school for a local paper and was in for a protest I was a part of in high school)
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I spent my St. Patrick’s Day like most people: stuck in the office.

The weather in StL was a fabulous 75, maybe even 80 degrees outside.

The parade that takes place just mere blocks from my office drew close to 10,000 people, all wearing green, beer in hand and NOT AT WORK. (Random fun fact: only 23 tickets were given out yesterday, most for under-aged drinking, a few for fights and of course a few DUIs.)

When I finally escaped the office at 3:30 to have a brief meeting with our local State Senator about a great program from Microsoft for the unemployed, the wind whipped through my hair and the smell of beer seemed to be everywhere. The bar on the corner of my office building’s block which is normally dead was overcrowded with guys and gals alike with faces painted green, insanely large hats, and laughter. I’ll admit I was jealous.

So I decided to pick up a few random things at the grocery store on my way home from work for Irish and I to enjoy since he decided he wasn’t really up for going out:

• An insane amount of green beads, some with green beer charms attached to them, other with white beads weaved into the mix. Side Note: I tried to get Jack to wear a pair of beads but he kept shaking them off.
• Skinny Cow mint ice cream sandwiches (because they were green and um, I love mint ice cream and they are healthy)
• Green decals that spell out the word “Irish,” with three-leaf clovers made out of hearts which I plastered to his hallway closet
• A picnic dinner of roast chicken, salad, fantastic bread, a selection of cheeses and my personal favorite the “Kiss Me, I’m Irish!” decorated brownie cake. I know it’s no corned beef and cabbage but I can’t have cabbage and didn’t have time to even think about cooking corned beef. Maybe next year!
• Oh, and Guiness. Can’t forget the Guinness!

Add Boondock Saints to the mix, the fact that we wore the beads throughout our meal and during the movie (even though I fell asleep at 7pm because I’m a lame-o) and it all makes a pretty awesome St. Patrick’s Day.

I think this is the first time in my life I actively celebrated the occasion. It wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe one of these years I’ll get to the parade or dare to take the day off of work to pretend I’m Irish!

• My brother has a blog. Check it out. (Yes, I’m a proud big sister. Oh, and to clarify he’s not going to my undergrad college because I went there in case anyone interpreted it that way. He’s working on transferring there to attend the best Journalism School in the Nation. It still makes me all kinds of happy!)
• It’s St. Patrick’s Day today. I remember to wear my green but really, who pinches non-green wearing people any more? I remember the days in elementary school and middle school when it would happen all the time: in the lunch line, during recess, on the bus. I tricked people into thinking I wasn’t wearing green but I always had on shamrock socks. I was told it didn’t count, but I think it did.
• The Tiling Project. Irish and I (mostly Irish) started tiling on Saturday. It looks awesome so far and I must say having the small hand in the DIY project is really rewarding. I am in charge of grouting after all the tile is laid; I get a special grout-piping bag which is very similar to that of a cake icing bag, just thicker. We hit a bit of a roadblock on Sunday afternoon as the tile cutter we purchased is giving us all sorts of grief and is managing to ruin several of the tiles which means we either need to educate ourselves on the scoring process better or rent a tile cutter this weekend. Hopefully it will all be done by Sunday!
• This Is… theme this week is about my creative space. Sadly, I don’t have a creative space right now. When it comes to writing, it’s in my head, and it pops up at the most random times: at the movies, out to dinner with friends, at the gym, in the shower. Totally boring and not exciting at all, but it’s true. I do long for the days in which I’ll have a room to put my scrapbooking stuff, camera, journals, photos, blog ideas and etc. For now I’ll settle for using my laptop and the random thoughts that pop into my head that I consider to be creative.
• House Sitting. This Friday marks the beginning of my yearly house (okay, let’s be honest, mansion) sitting for a friend, though it’s with a twist this time around: I get to take care of a puppy! Hanging out at this house for a week is more like a spa vacation than a job. I’m contemplating taking a day off of work this time around just to enjoy some time to myself (I’ve always wanted to do it and never have. This could be the year.)
• Interval Training. Wow, does it kick some serious butt. Fortunately I located the “speed interval,” button so I don’t have to attempt to run at a speed of 8.0 and change it back to 6.3. I already feel better and maybe even a little bit stronger. I have no idea if that’s possible, but maybe.
• That’s all I’ve got other than I’m jonesing for a serious vacation somewhere, away from computers, cell phones, the MidWest, preferably a place that has a beach, margaritas and loads of books for me to read.

(I have taken to doing GiST in bundles, in case you haven’t noticed. I’m sure somehow it will amount to 365 days of GiST in the end.)

1. Leftovers for dinner on Friday: mongolian beef, Indian food and nachos were included in the mix. Also: giving myself permission to take a nap instead of hitting up the gym. (Bad, I know, but I am so exhausted by the time Friday rolls around.)

2. Wandering around Sam’s Club with Irish on Saturday afternoon ending up in the purchase of two pairs of yoga pants for exercise purposes.

3. Buying the final supplies needed for tiling Irish’s place.

4. Helping Irish plan the tile pattern for his foyer/kitchen and then hitting up the gym.

5. Starting a new crazy-intense routine that I plan to follow for the next three and a half weeks which I’m sharing a) to keep me accountable and b) I know many of you have expressed interest in my workout plans: one hour of cardio,  five days a week to include: interval treadmill training three days a week, varying speeds 6.5 and 8.0, the rolling stair climber, and elliptical on Gluteal Level Two. Ab work to follow each day after the hour of cardio. One day a week 45 minutes of cardio along with arm/ab weight training.

6. Finding a new Mexican restaurant to frequent. Kudos to Irish for finding it.

7. Geeking out/pretending we were kids and checking out “Race to Witch Mountain,” late Saturday night.

8. Weather warm enough to walk Jack in without a coat.

9. Celebrating Darling’s birthday with style and fashion on Sunday evening.

10. My brother is considering transferring to the college where I received my undergraduate degree. This makes me all kinds of happy.

Surely this isn’t a new theory but based upon the events that have taken place in the last seven days, I’m pretty sure that full moons/Friday the 13th effect the entire week before their occurrence.

I am superstitious to a point: I hold my breath when I drive past cemeteries so the spirits don’t take over my body, I don’t walk under ladders, never open an umbrella in my home and I always make every concerted effort to “make a wish,” with any eyelashes that may have fallen onto my cheek. But Friday the 13th? I usually laugh at it. And full moons? They just light up the sky nicely. Until last Saturday, that is.

I briefly alluded to the ridiculousness in my life that started after my blogging hiatus which could perhaps be attributed to the Blogging Gods being furious with my absence, though I doubt it. Here’s a rundown, with as much huor as is possible:

• Saturday morning my dear dog Jack decided that it was time for him to spew from both ends which is a) not a lovely way to wake up, b) incredibly disgusting c) nearly impossible to get rid of the stink and d) makes your neighbors in the apartment building angry with you. I have no idea what Jack got into, when he did or why he did, but the poor little guy was running in and out of the apartment building with me ever 20 minutes for a good two hours, and throwing up in between. Fortunately I have hard wood floors in my apartment… the hallway, however, not so much. Poor Jack lost his cookies on one of our runs out the door which left me in a non-ventilated hallway to deal with the mess. Irish was throwing me paper towels and trash bags, Jack was on the balcony cowering because he thought I was mad (I so was not), and I was feverishly cleaning up, de-staining, de-odorizing (which I did all weekend) so my neighbors wouldn’t go ballistic on me. (Of course my priority was him getting healthy and he is fine. He slept all afternoon like a sick child would, his head in my lap and he’s been fine ever since) Didn’t work because…
• Tuesday. Busy day at the office. My landlord calls and I sincerely hoped was an update on the most bizarre fly infestation that seems to have made their way into my sunroom. Boy was I wrong. “Nora, we have complaints of a smell in the hallway. It’s on the third floor and you know the place across from you is vacant. My crew tells me there is (Such and such) kind of stain. I’m going to have to charge you for carpet cleaning.” I am not disputing the fact that I should have to pay for anything but I did clean/deodorize and de-stain four times. And trust me, it’s gone. Why did this upset me so much? Up until this point I had no neighbor troubles, my landlord thought I was awesome and I felt embarassed (it’s how I’m wired). I’m hiding out at Irish’s for the next four days.
• Jump back to Saturday night. A great double date planned with Irish’s best friend and his gal for dinner and the experience that is the Roller Derby. Due to my insane allergies I have to choose restaurants carefully, wisely and order cautiously when I’m out. The Japanese Steak House waitress assured me that I could eat their food after I rattled off a list of my allergies, left the vegetables out of my food and that sesame seeds weren’t in the dishes I ordered. Unfortunately no vegetables but sesame seeds everywhere. Cue red rash on face, light-headed feeling and rash on my body which is just now FINALLY gone. Also cue everone’s panic at the table which is completely sweet but embarasses me to no end. I’m starting to feel like I can’t go out for fear of a near-death experience. Fortunately two potent benadyrls and at least a gallon of water later, I knew there wasn’t going to be any hospital trip. Just a really itchy night. (Roller Derby deserves a post all to itself.)
• You already know about Wednesday night. Certainly not a bad evening but it was just bizarre and of course I hoped with all my might that Irish wasn’t totally freaked out by the conversation. I mean, we talk about serious things between the two of us, but it’s a whole new ball game when it happens in a social setting in front of the friends. And then last night, out with some of Irish’s friends, they accidentally call me his wife. As far as I’m concerend we have both been embarassed by our friends, so it’s “even.” I wonder how many shades of red I turned yesterday when they called me his “wife?”

Also this week: a friend of mine was dumped, another lost her job and everyone just seemed a bit “off “from their normal personality not to mention insane work questions/co-workers and clients. Worse than usual. I mean, when you’re living life a certain amount of absurdity comes your way but it’s like someone threw a fistful of absurdity at me this week. Twice.

I have no choice but to attribute weeks like this on the moon/Friday the 13th. I also have no choice but to laugh because since Jack is fine, I’m paying for the damages without a fight, sesame seeds didn’t exact the revenge they had hoped to on me and because Irish and I are still together and stronger than ever, the joke is on the moon. We all came out alive, healthier, stronger and smiling.

The fantastic Alyssa bestowed upon me a new award that’s been making the rounds on the blogosphere the last few weeks.

The Honest Scrap award comes with a caveat or 2. Firstly you have to tell your readers 10 things about you they may not know, but that are true. Secondly you have to tag 10 people with the award.

Ten Things about me:
1. My very first job ever was a “Mommy’s Helper,” which is pretty much a babysitter, even though the mom is around. The first lady I worked for was Mexican and had the cutest little baby.

2. I graduated from college in three and a half years and it wasn’t intentional. One day my counselor called me and said I had enough credits to graduate and so I did. I’m taking my time on my M.B.A. though, to make up for it.

3. People assume that because I’m Italian I have connections to the mafia. When they ask me, I put my sunglasses on and act all mysterious, just to keep them guessing when frankly the stereotype annoys me.

4. I do have an strong love to learn more about the Mafia. I’ve read several really powerful stories, biographies and government-published books on the organization.

5. I have dreamed of living in NYC since I was in high school. I’m not entirely sure it’s ever going to happen.

6. Prior to Irish I had 2.5 serious relationships.

7. I’m super “young” for my age, meaning I didn’t turn 16 until my junior year in high school or 21 until my final semester in college. It ceratinly was a challenge at times.

8. I broke my ankle in three places at camp when I was in sixth grade. Ruined my entire summer but the cast with the tie-dye on it was totally rockin’. (Looking back I don’t know why I didn’t get pink or something more normal. Sigh.)

9. I could eat Mexican and Italian food every other day and be totally happy. Quite large, probably, but happy.

10. I should live in a bubble: I’m allergic to all trees, flowers, dusts, mold, pollens, mildews, grasses, and bushes we have in Missouri. I’m also allergic to 100% of fruits, 95% of vegetables, all tree nuts, soy, sesame seeds and celery.

I happily give this award to the following to many women I haven’t been able to give an award to yet:
1. Fabulous at Fab Obsessed
2. Larissa at Confessions of a Broken Heart
3. Kelly at Dear Friend,
4. Mandy at Knowing the Difference
5. Insomniac Lolita
6. Carina, A Blogette
7. Auburn Kat
8. Charlotte at Butterfly Rush
9. SSG at Wake Up it’s Tuesday!
10. Tabitha at Just Tabitha

(photo courtesy of Photobucket)

You know how you have those friends that are life friends? The ones that accept you for you, don’t judge, don’t question your actions, and certainly don’t whine and moan when you are busy but instead embrace you with open arms when you return? I’m fortunate to have several of those life-type friends. I’ve known five of them since 1997 which is  a heck of a long time as far as I’m concerned.

We’ve endured miles of separation, medical school admissions and boards, break-ups, hook-ups, engagements, weddings (theirs, obviously), new houses, new dogs, family drama, tragedy, stress, and everything else that goes along with a friendship that has endured over many years. The girls have stuck by me through thick and thin, the men in the group have offered to beat up exes, stand-in as dates, help me move and all the other big-brother type stuff.

The best thing about my life friends is that they insist on getting together every Wednesday, without fail. I confess I haven’t been frequenting the events as much lately (partially due to my gym dedication, a bit because I’m watching what I spend more than usual, and some nights I need to just chill out) but when I do go, I have the. best. time.

Last night for example, we were all gathering at a restaurant/bar by Irish’s house for beer from around-the-world, trivia, and to catch up. Turns out nothing was super new and ironically the group turns to Irish and I for the latest and greatest in the dating world (this group is made up of three married couples, myself, Irish and then the mother of two of the boys in the group). We had nothing exciting to tell them.

S, my best friend in the group, is a doctor, enduring her second year of residency and has started planning for the year 2010. In case you didn’t know, doctors are required to request vacation time one year in advance. How’s that for some serious planning?

She briefly mentioned that she’s planning when she hopes to start trying for a baby, talked about her upcoming trip to India and abruptly turns to Irish and says, “HEY! If you are planning on proposing to Nora anytime soon, you’ve got to tell me by March 20th. You don’t have to do it by then, I just need to know so I can plan for time off for the showers, wedding and etc. So let me know, would ya? That would be great. By March 20th. Thanks,” and just like that she goes back to her normal conversation.

If I had a picture of how surprised and bright red Irish was during this conversation I would post it. Hilarious, though I admit I wasn’t shocked. S is bold, she’s not afraid to say it, but I don’t think Irish was entirely prepared, even though I warned him she may say something like that. (Last week she called to ask me if I’m engaged yet. No, I say. You’ll know if I am!) That’s S for you.

Fast forward to a few more beers and about 15 trivia questions in and the DJ asks “What does a leprachaun make?”  (Correct Answer: Shoes). I still have no idea how we  got from shoes to Shalalys to the idea that a shalaly is a mini-vibrator to  leprachauns manufacturing the “Wee Little Vibrator.” I was near tears from laughing so darn hard.

I’m not sure if Irish will hang out with us again anytime soon, but laughing with life friends is one of my favorite things to do. They are crazy, wacky, and lovable and they are my life friends.