I don't know if onions is a solution

My building reeks of paint thinner. It's really strong in the basement and my apartment just happens to be on the first floor. I've googled solutions for this problem and the top answers seem to be cutting up onion and placing it in a bowl of vinegar or lighting candles to burn up the fumes. I'm going the candle route so my apartment smells like a freshly painted Yankee Candle store rather than a freshly painted douche.

I was creeping around my basement trying to find the source of the smell. I'm glad no one saw me because I'm sure I looked weird. Considering hiding onions down there to see if that actually works.

Deliriously yours

G

Time to Peter Pan this

Sometimes I stress myself out and boy have I been doing a very good job at it lately. It sneaks up on me too. I'll be minding my own business and my brain is like WAIT! ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO! YOUR CAR, YOU'RE MOVING, YOUR A BRIDESMAID AND NEED TO GET YOUR DRESS ALTERED AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE SHOES TO MATCH THE DRESS AND YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IS SHEDDING A TEAR.

Let's Peter Pan this and think lovely thoughts.

I now have a car.

I am moving in with my boyfriend.

My cousin is getting married and her wedding is going to be so much fun!

Much better.

Sometimes I just don't get contemporary art. I like it old school.

Derek and I went to the Museum of Fine Arts today. Admission was free this weekend.

I saw many items that I wanted like mini llamas.

And artwork that I just don't get.

Is it tinfoil? Weird.

And we can't forget the giant cheese grater for your giant cheese.

The MFA has some very recognizable paintings.

It's strange seeing a famous painting in real life. It's like meeting a celebrity.

This is how Derek and I watch tv.

I call this painting "well this sucks...."

Fancy museum walls.

We walked around for about two hours and then ate dinner at Fridays. We can't be classy all day.

I also saw the new Star Trek movie and I really liked it. The ladies were squealing for Benedict Cumberbatch. The dialogue got a lot of laughs.

I think over all I had a very productive long weekend.

It's no Pulsar but I have a car again!

Yesterday I went car shopping and took my mother with me. I can't be trusted by to go by myself because I have no patience for haggling (or heckling according to drunk me. I meant haggling!).

I went to take a look at 2003 Honda Civic but I wasn't too impressed with it. It was pretty bare bones and it just didn't feel like the right car for me.

I ended up getting a 2005 Nissan Altima. I wasn't planning on getting a Nissan but I really like it. The mileage is higher than I wanted but the car seems like it's in good shape. I haven't had a Nissan since my first car, which was a 1986 Nissan Pulsar.

Just to show you how cool my ride was in high school.

Mine was light blue though and the headlights were stuck in the up position.

So we're back together again Nissan. My Pulsar treated me pretty well so let's hope the Altima does the same. I pick up my new (used) car next Saturday.

Now that I'll have all the fun expenses of owning a car again I better tighten my purse a little. I guess that means cutting back on all the 90s music I've been buying on itunes.

Smashly and Ginntastic

I finally got to see Ashley last night. Its been way too long.

Did I ever tell you that Ashley nicknamed me Ginntastic? Little did she know that would be my social media identity.

What is a "Red Headed Slut Fish Thing"?

Ashley posted this on my facebook and her mother thought this was the bill for the two of us. We had some help from a few other people.

Oh and Derek got hit on by a guy and I laughed.

E-mails from my mom - the ipod edition

"I’m rockin out with my ipod..listening to Sailor Peg, ha ha"

She's actually listening to Shipping Up to Boston but calls it Sailor Peg. I just set up her ipod last weekend.

Water girl

I drink so much water you don't even know.

Sometimes I'm surprised I haven't died from water intoxication.

I usually grab the first glass I can find in my kitchen. I happened to grab a champagne glass from some new years.

Whatever, I roll with it. Drink your water classy folks.

Granny carts and stress and what the "eff"

So I ordered a granny cart to help me lug my cat litter from the store.

That sentence would be pretty sad if I was single. Ah who am I kidding it's still lame.

Well the granny cart came in today and it is HUGE. I do not need this massive carriage to cart my kitty litter and groceries. I ordered it off of amazon and apparently did not pay attention to the size.

If anyone needs me to cart a dead body, give me a call. I have the perfect cart that we can use.

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Car shopping = STRESS.

I should be excited about having a car again but the process just stresses me out. I just want a car without all the hassle of searching and haggling. I haven't even gone and looked at a car and I'm annoyed.

Since we're on the topic would you recommend that I bring the car to a mechanic of my choosing even if I'm buying from a dealer (a used car that is)?  My mother says I should, this seems smart but like a lot more work trying to coordinate that.

Thoughts? HELP ME.

Too many caps in this post. I really need a vacation but even thinking about going on a vacation is stressful because then I'd have to catch up with everything at work and I feel like that will never happen.

I think I need to inhale some lavender and calm the eff down. Or maybe wheel me away in my giant granny cart the magical land of calm.

p.s. Derek thinks it's weird that sometimes I say "eff" like I'm censoring myself. I don't know why I do that, it's like I'm afraid a child will over hear me.

One year

Saturday was our one year anniversary.

Master blurry photo taker (myself). I mean I had a few drinks at this point so.....

We had dinner at the Back Bay Social Club which was good but we were still hungry due to upscale restaurant tiny portions syndrome. We went to a bar near by and ate some calamari.

We didn't end the night there though. We went to the Last Hurrah for a drink which is where we had our first date.

AND THEN we went to the Rosebud in Somerville which is closing. I'm really sad about that. I love the Rosebud. I think they're going to renovate the bar but it won't be the same.

Derek got me a necklace and earrings. (The earrings are not pictured)

I feel like a big jerk because I didn't get him a gift. Now I'm going to have to get him something awesome or maybe offer him many back rubs in return.

I've never had a one year anniversary before and Derek made it a good one.

Keep your knee caps in the proper place please

Oh my God knees!

I can't handle things happening to knees. I was innocently watching So You Think You Can Dance and this girl dislocates her knee. Not only does she dislocate her knee but they show it in slow motion with her knee cap sticking out awkwardly. Apparently this happens to her often. I would be like can we get something put in my knees to stop this from happening?

I had a real life knee incident happen before me when I was a kid at overnight camp. I think I was 11 or 12. It didn't happen to me but it is burned in my brain forever.

This girl and I were running down the hill to the dining hall. She was a bit ahead of me. She tripped and rolled the rest of the way down the hill. I ran to her at the bottom to see if she was ok and she was very much not. Her knee cap was now in the back of her knee. I was probably more freaked out than she was. I told her not to look at her knee and don't move. At this point some counselors saw us and came over to help. Thank God because all I know how to do is not look at a messed up knee. I'm good at that.

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I'm kind of freaking out (in a good way) after reading Unravel Me. If there is a love triangle I usually always able to pick a side and it won't change. After reading this book I think I've switched sides. I have never had that happen while reading a book. But besides that Tahereh Mafi has the most beautiful way of writing. It's like poetry, I love what she does with words.

“Loneliness is a strange sort of thing. It creeps up on you, quiet and still, sits by your side in the dark, strokes your hair as you sleep. It wraps itself around your bones, squeezing so tight you almost can't breathe. It leaves lies in your heart, lies next to you at night, leaches the light out from every corner. It's a constant companion, clasping your hand only to yank you down when you're struggling to stand up.”

On the non YA reading front I'm reading Sharp Objects and really enjoying that as well. I'm waiting for the twist. What will it be?!

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Good news for me. I think stopping one of my meds for my crazy allergies has brought my raging appetite under control. I didn't realize that one of the side effects was increased appetite. I mean I'm sure I was eating Boston's supply of Sun Chips so this is good news for all.

I know this is not the most exciting blog post but just you wait until I write about my newly purchased granny cart.

I think there's something on my face

The secret to Charlie's kitchen is to go when it's nice out because everyone is outside in the beer garden. I can't stand being packed like a sardine so I'd rather find a seat inside.

The bathroom at Charlie's Kitchen is pretty gross but they have Raspberry UFO and waffle fries.

My back has been feeling a little bit better. It's been bothering me for a week or two. I don't know what I did but it's really annoying. I'm trying exercise more but with a bum back I can't do much more than walk. Walking actually makes my back feel better. I'm going to go to the doctor if it doesn't get better soon, I promise.

My mother and the raisin thief

In honor of my mother on Mother's Day I shall tell you the tale of my mother and the raisin thief.

My mother loves cinnamon raisin bread. One morning I came down to the kitchen to find my mother very confused and investigating a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread.

"Where are the raisins? Do you see this? It looks like someone picked them out."

I looked at the bread and confirmed that there were no raisins but it did look like there were at some point. My mother had just bought the loaf and she was not happy with her defective bread.

She brought the loaf back to the supermarket and showed an employee her raisin-less bread. The man looked at the loaf and then at the bag and said "Ma'am this is just cinnamon bread. You grabbed the wrong one".

Mystery solved! There was no raisin thief after all.

I love this story because this is totally something I would do and my mother found the whole situation hilarious because it is.

Happy Mother's Day mom! I hope you enjoy a nice piece of cinnamon raisin toast today.

I never knew how much I loved closets

We found an apartment! I'm sure everyone is glad as they will no longer have to hear my complaining about apartment hunting.

The apartment has 7 closets! I don't even know what to do with 7 closets. Even the bedroom has two closets so Derek and I can each have our own. It's a woman's dream. Derek doesn't know it yet but I think we should have a kitty closet. I'll set up little boxes and beds for them. I think it's a brilliant idea and the cats agree because cats love closets about as much as ladies do.

Other perks of the apartment:
+ closer to work
+ near a super market
+ has a dishwasher
+ a small room that can be used for storage or an office (we're going with office)
+ having a door to my bedroom (no longer living in a studio)
+ a "linen closet" and since I don't have linens I'm thinking this can be my nail polish closet.
+ and last but very much not the least - I get to live with my boyfriend!

Can you tell I'm excited? Because I am very very excited.

Always a book worm.

I miss the library in my home town. I know that library like the back of my hand. I had my favorite quiet corners where I'd read or study. I never left with just one book (I still am a book worm). When I was old enough my mother allowed me to walk to the library by myself. When I got my license the first place I drove to was the library. No joy riding for me. I wanted to read.

The library is still there. I need to visit sometime and see how much its changed.

Photo is a painting by Delphin Enjolars "Young Woman Reading by a Window". 

I look a little less fancy while reading.

I'll pass on the King's Landing pool thanks

Derek and I are apartment hunting and quite frankly it sucks.

We're not asking for much. It has to not be a shit hole, allows cats, has a dishwasher and is public transit accessible. Apparently realtors on Craigslist think we should pay them a full months rent as a fee for shit holes.

If you're too lazy to post pictures on Craigslist why would I even bother calling about the apartment and why would you ever deserve a fee? You don't.

Would it kill you to spell words properly? Can you read a rental contract because I'm concerned a 6 year old is posting ads.

One apartment we saw advertised a pool. Derek thought awesome! I thought this is too good to be true.

The pool was in the middle of a parking lot with giant spikes around the top. Am I swimming here or is this where Ned Stark's head goes? No thank you King's Landing pool.

The search continues and I may pull a Joffrey level fit soon.

She's a real cool cat

90s and cat ladies forever 

Someone tell me to go back to bed

I can't sleep.

Well this is very annoying. That's what I get for being lazy and taking a late afternoon nap. Let's just say it was an extended siesta. This is what I did for Cinco De Mayo. I think it's an upgrade from last years coming down with shingles Cinco De Mayo.

I'm not looking at backpacks online because I realize I don't have a backpack anymore and feel like I will need one in the future.

Flowers everywhere

I can't get enough tulips.

Walking from Derek's place to the T is quite pretty. Somerville peeps like to plant a lot of flowers.

Derek got me roses for no reason on Friday. Roses are still my favorite but tulips are my #2.

Derek also introduced me to Burning Love. I don't know how I didn't know that this show existed considering I love the Bachelor and Bachelorette. Adam Brody, Michael Cera and Adam Scott are all on the show. It's so spot on I love it.

I'm probably going to cry

Today is my co-worker Dana's last day. I'm going to cry I know it. I'm a sensitive Sally.

We went out last night as a little send off and I told her that she's like the cat that ruins your puzzle. You have the pieces together and then a cat jumps up and lays on your puzzle and you freak out and the cat flees ruining the puzzle in the process.

My analogies are weird but I might be losing my mind a little from my healthy eating kick. One can only eat so many salads before you need some bread in your life. I had some pizza and it was heaven. I'm trying. I may lose my sanity in the process but I'm trying.

New Hampshire you are one special snow flake.

I've come across two New Hampshire news stories in one week that really show just how special NH is. It also must be a slow news week there.

The first is a man who lost his life savings playing a carnival game. He was trying to win an Xbox and instead ended up winning a giant banana with dreadlocks. Watching a reporter say that out loud was pretty amazing. They even had shots of him walking down the street with his giant banana looking quite forlorn.

The second NH story is the man who stole items from a store called Finders Keepers and got caught. He claims he thought the items were free because of the store's name. He also had his son help him. Dad of the year right here folks. I'm giving it a 50/50 chance that he's that dumb and telling the truth.

My other question here is why the store would leave these items out if the store was closed. Wouldn't you bring them inside?

Life free or die my friends. New Hampshire is awesome,

A question regarding a cat who is the size of a dog.

So if an apartment listing says cats allowed or dogs 15 pounds and under and you have a cat that is 17 pounds, what does one do?

Just a question I'm asking for Bosco a friend. My cat doesn't weigh more than a small dog or anything.