This guy sure likes posing...

Day: Ninety One

Photo taken on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at our kitchen counter at 917pm.

These are our brand spanking new barstools courtesy of Moma! Thank you so much for these awesome swivel chairs, mom! We're totally digging them; the seat is so comfortable and the checkerboard on the back is really fun looking. You get us such cool gifts! Love you lots!

Spooky Spiders

Day: Ninety

Photo taken on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the kitchen table at 409pm.

Jeanette and I are attempting to make a cute Halloween snack out of Oreos. I ripped the idea from Pillsbury but they are not quite coming out like the ones in the picture. All you need are M&Ms, black licorice, Oreos, and icing to make "spiders". Instead we're making a mess of the table. We're breaking the cookie tops constantly and there are candy pieces everywhere but the main idea of this baking exercise is that it's fun and that's exactly what Jeanette and I are having!

Jurassic Park

Day: Eighty Nine

Photo taken on Friday, October 29, 2010 while watching CSI on Asuma Awesomo at 1014pm.

I'm a HUGE fan of Hodges so who better to take a self portrait with while he himself is taking a self portrait?

The Curse

Day: Eighty Eight

Photo taken on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in the Surge kitchen after lunchtime.

The potluck was yesterday and since I was not here but definitely prepared for it already, I bring my dish in today instead. My coworkers had requested I make it for the potluck and I couldn't deny them even though I am a day late and judging by the picture to the right, they still really enjoyed it.

This is what is left of the Reab Taco Dip. It goes so fast that some people didn't even get a scoop! I feel terrible and promise to make more next potluck but in the meantime, I will share you the secrets of the taco dip:

I cannot take credit for the taco dip idea; it is all Steve. One night after we finish our Mexican dinner of tacos, chips & con queso, and quesadillas we realize there is still a lot of meat left over but no more taco shells. Instead of going out tomorrow and getting more taco casings, Steve suggests we dump the meat into the con queso dip and the leftovers can be eaten with chips. The next day we try this concoction and it is FANTASTIC! Steve is definitely onto something here...

I am now going to divulge the secrets and I must warn you, if you don't follow the directions it won't be fantastic just good.

Step One: Go to the store and buy the "special ingredients". This is where the secrets are hidden. First make sure to buy the regular sized Tostitos con queso dip (medium spiced) because it's the best brand out there. Trust me, we have tried others and they do not compare. Second you HAVE to get a packet of Taco Bell taco seasoning, HAVE TO! We have tried countless others, Old Paso, store brand, others, and they're just not as good. The taco dip will taste salty or it won't have as much of a kick. There's something special about Taco Bell seasoning, maybe it's dropped on the floor or made with Grade D spices but whatever the reason it's the best. It is also hard to find. If you live near a Waldbaums they always carry it, if you don't, maybe online or another grocery store? I know Stop & Shop doesn't carry it. And the best chips to get the job done are Tostitos Scoops only because the meat (oh yeah! the meat! make sure to get a pound of beef chop meat any leanness is fine because you're draining the fat anyway) is easier to scoop up.

Step Two: Go home. Fry up the pound of chop meat. Drain the fat (I recommend using a turkey baster to get it out, works better than a spoon. Steve taught me that one.).

Step Three: The taco seasoning then tells you to dump 3/4 water into the meat with the seasoning. Do that direction, it's a good one. Once you mix it in let it simmer as you go onto Step Four.

Step Four: Dump the con queso into a microwave safe bowl and heat it at 30 second intervals until it's piping hot. It'll probably take a total of three minutes to get it that hot but stirring it up every 30 seconds prevents it from bubbling up and decorating the inside of your microwave in cheese.

Step Five: Once that's hot, start spooning the meat into a bowl, a festive one is best. We use one that is orange and blue that has a positive message at the bottom about enjoying your day. There will be some watery seasoned goodness amongst the meat, it is okay if you get some in the bowl because it adds flavor but try to leave most of it in the pan. Then take the queso dip and pour it over the meat and mix it all up.

Ta-Da! Taco dip! Yum.

Tenzo

Day: Eighty Seven

Photo taken on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in our bathroom with a Halloween decoration at 503pm.

Yay for the fake tea lights Christine put around the hotel room on our wedding night! (I kept them, thanks!) Now I don't have to worry about leaving real tea lights lit in rooms that I'm not in, such a relief.

This picture is actually inspired by a fan art created by Julie D. on deviantArt. I wish I had a fish eye lens to play with, that would make selfers definitely more interesting. Here is the fan art of Yamato that I adore:

Rumble, RUMBLE!

Day: Eighty Six

Photo taken Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at my desk in the Surge at 848am.

It is finally official: my job hurts my stomach.

I'm completely fine on the commute in everyday but the minute I sit down at my desk my stomach starts to roll and complain loudly. I am constantly apologizing to Valerie for its obnoxious and rude behavior throughout the day as it grumbles and gurgles. And the second I step out of the door to go back home? Completely stops. Hmmm...

Tenten

Day: Eighty Five

Photo taken on Monday, October 25, 2010 in the medical records room at 1012am.



I figure since I will be cutting off all my hair in two weeks, I might as well have some fun with it before we part.

Write to me, Sick Sickly

Day: Eighty Four

Photo taken on Sunday, October 24, 2010 on my side of the bed at 853am.

I am not a happy camper in this picture.

I am on the verge of tears as I lie in bed and watch the time tick away, knowing that I'm supposed to be somewhere right now but I don't have the strength to move.

543 I wake with a start. I'm sweating because I'm dreaming about the Blazing Trails race today and in my dream I'm late, close to missing out on participating. I realize my alarm is going to go off for this race in about 20 minutes and by the current state my body is in, I know I can't participate. Steve reassures me it's okay to miss a race and that even though I paid for it the money went for a good cause; I have to think of it that way so I do.

At 630 I jolt awake again and stare at the clock, thinking that if I get up now I can still make it. I sit up and shake my head at my thinking; I can barely stay in this position without slumping forward. I think about being a spectator instead but I honestly know what would happen if I tried that...I'd end up running.

I keep waking up in a panic, keep having dreams about missing various races for various reasons. Every time I look at the clock I think about what I would be doing if actually going to the race: right now we would be picking up Nick, right now I would be throwing my goody bag in the car, right now I would be eating my breakfast, right now I would be warming up with Christina, right now I would be stripping down to my tiny shorts. This goes on even after I find the strength to go get breakfast: right now I'd be three minutes into my first mile, right now I would be on pace to beat my 4 mile PR, right now I would have been done with the race for five minutes.

I so wanted to be there today, for Robyn, Allan, and the boys, to see all my teacher friends from Genesis, to run with Christina, to take a shot at placing in my category. It's truly a wonderful race with a challenging course and for a great cause. I wanted this to be the race that in 20 years I would still be running every October and say, "I've been running this since year one! Haven't missed a race!"

I hope the event had a wonderful turnout and that everyone had a fantastic time running or walking the tough course. You all were in my thoughts today!

GO SPIDEY!

Day: Eighty Three

Photo taken on Saturday, October 23, 2010 outside our door at 945pm (looking sickly and puffy-eyed).

You can't see him but our apartment guard is out and about in his giant web that spans across our door frame and our neighbor's. Steve named him Walter and he's been living there all summer. We left him there because A) we don't have the guts to knock him down since he's as big as my hand and B) he eats all the other annoying insects that buzz around outdoor lights. Right now he's part of our Halloween decorations.

CEO/CFO/Treasurer/Partner

Day: Eighty Two

Photo taken on Friday, October 22, 2010 in the Surge kitchen at 1209pm.

Happy Boss's Day, Bossdad!

I know it was supposed to be celebrated last week on the 16th but Daddio had a convention in Chicago and I was down in Virginia so we waited until today. He had no idea! We got him good! I even found him a key lime pie which is one of his favorites. Valerie brought in a 6 layer dip and chips; I topped it off with cake cookies and homemade brownies. The staff also bought him a nice bottle of wine and then sang to him when he entered the room-thinking something was wrong with the photocopier again (as he grumbled on the way in).

You're truly a great boss, dad! We all hope you enjoyed your treat today and that you know how much you're appreciated! Love you!

Working in a Coal Mine

Day: Eighty One

Photo taken on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Sai on my way to Stop and Shop at 615pm (obviously).

I'm just pointing out the fact that I'm home at a reasonable hour today and can be any day now that bossdad has officially changed my hours at the Surge! Yipee! I no longer have to ask permission to leave at 4 (even when I had been there since 7) because technically my hours have always been 9 to 5. I have never come in at 9. Ever. I rarely come in after 8!

You are now looking at an 8 to 4 worker...and I'll probably still work 7 to 515 anyway...

Nudie Kadoody

Day: Eighty

Photo taken Wednesday, October 20, 2010 on the living room floor at 734pm.

This is what I wore today. That's pretty much it.

*Side Note* Moma always called us nudie kadoody when we would get out of the bath as children so I Googled it and had the hardest time finding a way to spell it since it's not a real word. Steve suggested spelling it with a K and low and behold! I got a hit! Thank you, Sarah Silverman!

Pizzatime!

Day: Seventy Nine

Photo taken on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 in the kitchen at 1014pm.

For some unknown reason we have been getting free pizza coupons in the mail (not like I'm complaining) but whenever I go to these places to retrieve my free pie, I can't help feeling a little guilty. How do you go into a pizza parlor and just walk out with a large pie for free? So I usually make Steve buy a soda or something to make up for the $15 freebie. Only today do we run into a problem; they don't take cards unless there's a $10 minimum. So now we're leaving Monte's with a free pie, two sodas, two pieces of cheesecake, a half dozen knots, and a buffalo slice for just $13. Not too shabby yet Steve can't help glaring at me on the way out for some unknown reason.

On a Bench

Day: Seventy Eight

Photo taken on Monday, October 18, 2010 outside of the  jetBlue baggage claim in JFK airport in Queens county, NY at 801pm.

I'm just chillin' outside, waiting for Steve to come get me. Not much to report. I will, however, miss Moma, Kim, and Preston because we had a really nice weekend and Thanksgiving feels too far away.

Be-ah

Day: Seventy Seven

Photo taken on Sunday, October 17, 2010 by the kitchen counter in The Big House at 818pm.

Kim and I are about to head into the living room to watch the Colts game. We're indulging in some beer after a fun-filled weekend of eating, shopping, and now Peyton Manning. Life is good.

Carter Mountain, Charlie!

Day: Seventy Six

Photo taken on Saturday, October 16, 2010 in the Winesap section of the Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville, VA at 211 pm.

Gorgeous day to go apple picking for the first time ever! The view is amazing and the freshly made and very warm apple donuts (that kind of taste like churros) make the trip up here worthwhile. My mom's neighborhood friend, Kelly, drives us and her son, Alec, to the beautiful orchard to take fun pictures and pick a bunch of apples. Afterward Kim treats us to a hayride around the back part of the orchard. I think Preston enjoys pulling the fruit off the trees though one of the apples has a worm in it so therefore he thinks all of them do. As we pass a little baby eating a juicy Winesap, he stops and points at her apple, and says in all seriousness, "that has a worm in it."

Definitely a fun experience!

Girl's Weekend (No Bossdads Allowed)

Day: Seventy Five

Photo taken on Friday, October 15, 2010 in my parents living room at 941pm in Moseley, VA.

Moma and I are sitting on the couch after coming back from her personal trainer, Mary's Pampered Chef party. We're recounting the events for our audience of Kim who is sitting on the other couch to our right. Interesting tidbit about these Ethan Allen couches: they are stuffed with goose down feathers. Whenever I sit on them and nothing happens to me, Kim gets annoyed. Let me explain:

I'm allergic to feathers. Kim thinks I am not allergic to feathers. I took a test back in 2005 and found out I am allergic to feathers. Kim still thinks I'm not allergic to feathers. Despite the conclusion a doctor comes to that I'm allergic to feathers, Kim still firmly believes that this allergy to feathers does not exist. So when I sit on this couch and I don't sneeze, or wheeze, or itch, or die, she doesn't understand how I'm allergic to feathers and this seems to infuriate her.

Maybe the fabric is really thick?

If you would like to know the extent of my allergies (which I'm sure you do) you can find them listed here.

Glitter in the Air

Day: Seventy Four

Photo taken on Thursday, October 14, 2010 on top of Steve's cocoon blanket while watching South Park reruns at 1123pm.

My new camera has a ton of cool features and apparently this frilly love frame is one of them.

Sawks

Day: Seventy Three

Photo taken on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 on my bed after showertime.

I've broken out the Halloween socks this month and Moma has bought me even more for me to wear! I was then going to write about my favorite Halloween sock moment but it seems I already have back in 2008 in my Livejournal so I won't waste your time retelling it here.

Breakfast of Champions

Day: Seventy Two

Photo taken on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at my desk in the Surge around 830am.

This is an Entenmann's Halloween cupcake and this is how we always ate them as children. We would peel off the top which consists of fudge, icing, and some sort of candy depending on the holiday. We then ate the bottom cake first and just before we could reach for the top of goodness, Moma would come over and point at it and ask if she could have it. She delivered it in such a serious tone that would stop us in our tracks because you don't want to deny your mother but you also don't want to give up the best part of the cupcake!

Luckily she was only pulling our legs.

Catwalk

Day: Seventy One

Photo taken on Monday, October 11, 2010 at 938 pm in our kitchen after my celebratory dinner for the Diva Run at Hotoke in Smithtown, NY (courtesy of moma and bossdad).

My parents wanted me to go out to a nice dinner with Steve-O because they felt bad that some days I had to watch what I consumed in order to run "pain-free" the next day. So of course I choose a hibachi place complete with a sushi roll app, my usual seafood mix for dinner, and a large Kirin Ichiban. Mmmmmm. Since we have some money left over we hit up Baskin because I know one of my favorite flavors has to be out by now, it is the fall...

PUMPKIN!

I love pumpkin flavored stuff! Obviously.

Chillin' Like a Vee-in

Day: Seventy

Photo taken on Sunday, October 10, 2010 in our living room in the late afternoon.

While Mike watches football at their house, Jenn comes over to visit with me at our house. We head up to the manga loft so I can do some work as Jenn knits comfortably on a beanbag chair. It is such a pleasant afternoon of good conversation, funny stories, and pelting Steve with Nerf darts down below. I love days like these, relaxing and laughing with family. I look forward to more Sundays exactly like this one.

Don't be dirty...okay be dirty.

Day: Sixty Nine

Photo taken on Saturday, October 9, 2010 inside The Best (and Worst) Games From Japan That You’ve Never Heard Of panel in Room 1E13 of the Jacob Javits Center in New York, NY at 740pm.

This is my new bag that I just purchased on the merchandise floor of Comic Con. I seriously debated if I needed this bag or not considering I came here carrying a very similar bag. As Steve and I share a lukewarm Coke before heading into another panel, I tell him my thought process on how I came to own the bag. After my ridiculously long explanation of my thought process on said bag, he realizes I must have two personalities duking it out inside my head at all times plus a voice of reason to mediate between the dual parts. Being that we are currently in the heart of a geek convention, Steve assigns anime characters to the three voices in my head:

Meet the Mediator: This is Iruka-sensei from Naruto.

A pretty benign character that kids tend to vote for in the popularity polls even though he hasn’t been in a chapter since the first volume of the manga but he’s likeable. He’s the typical teacher type, fair and nice. He’s the perfect voice of reason.

Meet Voice #1: Ed from Cowboy Bebop.

You spend most of the anime series thinking Ed’s a boy but really Ed’s a girl. She’s a quirky computer hacker that loves games and messing around. Her whole life revolves around having fun. Ed represents the side of me that gets giddy at the sight of shiny new toys and loves amusement parks.

Meet Voice #2: Another Ed, this time Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist.

This Eddo is extremely smart and determined to accomplish whatever task set before him. Edward is prone to violent outbursts which usually come about when someone doesn’t take him seriously or mentions his height. Edward represents the cynical side of me that bites back with sarcasm and knows that amusement parks set off my Positional Vertigo.

So pretty much when I spot the bag hanging at the back of a booth, Cowboy Ed pops up with Fullmetal Ed close on her heels:

CE: OOoooooOOO An FMA bag!

FE: You have plenty of bags. Move along.

CE: But Katie doesn’t have an FMA bag!

FE: It looks like the man-bag you have over your shoulder right now. Let’s go, next booth.

CE: Yeah but the price is reasonable.

FE: I don’t care about the price. You said you were only spending $50 and that bag will send you over. Iruka, she’s being unreasonable!

I: Okay, settle down. Let’s see, you both make good arguments but the pros and cons seem even so it might be a wash-

CE: The bag is gray! Katie doesn’t own a gray bag!

I: Ah, touché. Buy the bag then.

FE: That was such bullshit, Iruka. Fine then, I want a tee shirt too…

KHAN!

Day: Sixty Eight

Photo taken on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 520pm in the IGN Theater in the Jacob Javits Center.

Oh yes, yes I am. I'm at New York Comic Con/New York Anime Festival 2010. Currently I am eagerly awaiting the following two panels: DC First Look and Robot Chicken both of which will be awesome and funny. Steve forbids me to cosplay this time around even though I so want to one of these Cons but he does allow me to wear what I have affectionately started calling my "jounin vest". Little did mom know when she purchased this corduroy vest years ago that it would look almost identical to the ones they wear in Naruto. I had hoped to find a Kakashi or Iruka walking around tonight so I could do my self portrait with one of them but most cosplayers are hiding in other panels at the moment.

E.T.

Day: Sixty Seven

Photo taken on Thursday, October 7, 2010 on the treadmill at 745pm in our community gym.

Because who in their right mind would think 3 days off from running is excessive?

No Place That Far

Day: Sixty Six

Photo taken on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 245pm in the Surge kitchen.

I am so unbelievably OCD it isn't even funny. Actually it is. It is funny. It's so funny that it's pathetic.

One laundry day I go into our walk-in closet to fetch our quarter bag but when I look at the shelf in the spot it sits in, I find the cloth bag is missing. I inform Steve and we search around the apartment looking for the coin bag until Steve goes back into the walk-in closet. "I already looked in there," I say. He comes out holding the bag. "Really? You looked in there?" he says skeptically. I ask him where he found it and he leads me inside and points to the shelf directly above the one it normally sits on. "Well," I say in a huff, "you must have put it away then." Steve learns then that things I use tend to have a "permanant resting place" and if he moves anything in the future he would honestly try to remember where he moved it to.

I'm like this in my own office but today I learn that I have places for things outside of my office, like the hot beverage cups. When I go to make a hot chocolate this afternoon, there are no hot beverage cups left underneath the paper towel dispenser. In my head, that means there are no hot beverage cups to be found. Yeah, I'm annoyed that no one replaced them but I go and grab another batch and put it in its rightful place, under the paper towel dispenser. As I go to reach for a spoon I notice another stack of hot beverage cups that were right in front of me the whole damn time...just not under the paper towel dispenser.

Better Than a Waterbug

Day: Sixty Five

Photo taken on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 815am outside of Tania's office.

It is such a nice surprise to flick on the hallway lights and find a HUGE congratulations poster hanging in my honor this morning. Bossdad made this for me yesterday and hung it on the nurses' board so I would see it when I opened up the Surge the following morning. Thank you so much, Daddio!

Ah the potatoes.

Day: Sixty Four

Photo taken on Monday, October 4, 2010 at night, out by the garages.

I have not seen Maeve in at least sixty four days. That is so not cool. I miss hanging out with my bestest. Yesterday Maeve and I discuss my self portraits and she tells me that she's bummed that she hasn't been in a photo yet. I wholeheartedly agree. She then comes up with a clever idea to get herself in one of my pictures even though she's out of state which I think is a marvelous idea:

Here I am, in mid-conversion with Maeve courtesy of one of her Facebook default photos.

I love you, BFF! I'm looking forward to when we can take one of these for reals!

PS- I'm totally wearing the Bride hat she got me.

I'm a diva!

Day: Sixty Three

Photo taken on Sunday, October 3, 2010 in the living room while icing my knees and enjoying a celebratory Smashed Pumpkins beer from Shipyard.

Today I run my first half marathon.

I use the Hal Higdon half marathon 12 week training schedule in order to prepare myself for my longest run to date. I always find the even weeks to be easier than the odd weeks and there are a few occasions when the schedule causes a minor breakdown and I dissolve into tears on the treadmill in mile 2. Luckily Steve is there for each occurrence to rub my back and talk me down from the ledge. In the three months I train, Moma sends me encouragement cards which I display on the mantel to remind me on days I'm about to throw in the towel to just keep going because I can do it.

And I do!

Kim and Preston decide to drive all the way up here after dropping mom off at the airport because they too want to be there for me and cheer me on during the race. I can't explain to you how incredibly happy and loved this makes me feel to have my sister and nephew joining my parents this morning. To have the support of friends and family is what makes this goal of mine possible to accomplish.

At the start of the race I'm nervous but as usual I converse with other runners and this always puts me at ease. I see my fan club when I head into the first mile then on my way back towards the starting line in mile 3. I catch them again around mile 8 and I'm feeling so fantastic and grateful for 8 pain-free miles. Unfortunately around mile 9.5 my body starts to gradually break down. Stiffness starts in my hip joints and a pain winds its way from the bones down into my quads, limiting my movement a bit. My stride shortens considerably in mile 11 and by mile 12 I'm in so much pain I have to pull off to the side to stretch my lower back. Even with the tiara on my head and the pink boa draped around my neck, I start to doubt that I'll find the energy to cross the finish line. But once I enter Eisenhower Park and hear people cheering in the distance I find a hidden energy reserve and pull through the last half mile. When I cross I seriously cry like a baby as I'm swept up in Steve's arms then passed off to Moma. Even Kim's buddy, Jay, has stayed to congratulate me even though his wife, Erin-Kate, came in almost an hour ago (she's an amazing ultra runner and came in 6th overall). It is such an emotional day for us all so my parents take me and the fan club to a wonderful breakfast at Maureen's Kitchen to celebrate.

Thank you everyone for your advice, support, and love through the past three months! You're the best!

^_\

 (Kim wrote a beautiful piece about her impromptu NY trip here at her BLOG.)

Ghost Hand

Day: Sixty Two

Photo taken on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Donovan's in Bayside, NY at dinner time.

Steve, Charlie, Grandma Zgombick, Kim, Preston, Dad, Moma, Aunt Pat, Uncle Dennis,  cousin Caitlin, and cousin Danny have all come out to celebrate Aunt Pat's birthday. Originally it was supposed to be just our parents but us kids have a way of finagling our way into "Grown-ups Only Dinners". I'm glad we did because it's always a fun time to get together with family. I'm super excited to have Kim and Pres at the table since they decide last minute to drive all the way from Virginia to see me race tomorrow! They are the best! I also like that I'm at the head of the table this time because I can see everyone and stick my nose into every conversation.

I sincerely love being a part of this family.  :-)

Have you ever seen the rain?

Day: Sixty One

Photo taken on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 8am outside of the Surge.

I like how you can almost tell that my umbrella is hot pink in the reflection off the sidewalk. However, I don't like that it is raining. When it rains in the city you get wet despite the umbrella you are carrying since it rains sideways and it rains up and the back of your pants get soaked because you walk everywhere. It makes me appreciate my car more on gloomy days like this.