Happy Anniversary!

Apparently I have been writing my blog for a year now, so I figured it was time to celebrate. I know I write about mostly inconsequential stuff, but I hope friends and loved ones enjoying reading my quips. I haven't received many comments recently, so I hope people are still reading. Looking forward to another year of blogging.

Big Project in the Works

I know I ranted over this last spring but once again, there is not enough time to finish everything. This is a little crazy considering I took a week off from work to dedicate all my energy to one goal. Yet I am only half way finished with my project. Let the grousing begin!

For those who don't know about my pet project...sorry, you can personally e-mail me and we'll discuss it. I'm still a little self-depreciating over it, yet it's extremely important to me. Think, big major dreams coming true. Well, at least I wish! If only I could finish it. I was not lazy this past week, I actually worked hours on my project to the exclusion of everything. One evening I realized it was five in the morning and I needed to get some sleep since I had been focused since three in the afternoon.

I really am closer to being finished. I'm in the final stages, so I should feel some relief. Right? Wrong, I feel a sense of urgency. I wish I could discover more time somewhere so I can complete my task, especially cause another one is looming on the horizon.

I know this makes no sense to those who don't know what I am talking about. Once again, my apologies. For those who know what the crazy lady is talking about...I have a favor...who is willing to be my critic? I've had people offer before, but now it's seriously game time in the coming month or so. Before you readily offer, I have a few thoughts 1) I request absolute confidentiality (no discussing it with other friends) and 2) remember my fragile ego but 3) give total honesty 4) knowing that we'll still be friends and have to see each other. Let me know who is willing to be my oh-so-suffering-friend. BTW, I have to thank Kay, Delia, Sonia, Michelle, and James for listening to all my grousing the past few weeks and supporting me in my endeavor and insanity.

Winter Fun

Last week, I tried WinterFest, work's holiday party. It was an enjoyable time at the Botannical Conservatory (the exception of an allergy attack). It was nice to spend time with friends and talk about non-work related items. With the holidays, some are busy with family obligations, so this was a good time to get together. I swear, us Ladies in Red, did not plan to wear matching outfits.

On Tuesday as we all unburied our cars from the snow, Steve said MrsSnowQueen must have been enjoying herself. I was until the drive home. 2 hours later, I finally made it. I swear we never went over 5 mph.

On Thursday, the ice storm hit. The weather people said it was the worse in 2 decades. James pointed out I was in Florida during the 3 hurricane summer, here last year during one of the top ten snowiest winters, and now the ice storm of 2008. What can I say, I have never denied having bad luck. Thankfully, I did not have to work, so I avoided the major chaos. I found the trees beautiful though. Walking on grass that was snow covered then iced over is an interesting experience. My favorite moment of the day was cracking the ice on my encapsulated car. There had to be over an inch of ice covering my car.

I know crazy girl from Florida enjoying the winter. Who knew?

Hair Fun

I have been feeling a little down lately. Call it post-vacation blues. Typically when I get this way, I decide to do something different with my appearance. For those who have known me through the years, there have been drastic changes in my appearance. I have had the short pixie hair, every shade of blond, red, brunette, long hair, flippy hair, straight hair, curly hair, etc. I have done it all and I usually change it within the year. The fact that I have remained a short-styled redhead this long is honestly a shock.

So off I went to the salon this week with no idea in mind except for a change. My stylist, who is a guru, Erinn had several ideas and of course I chose the most drastic one. Imagine my shock when everything was finished, that it looks the same. There are differences, but it is hard to notice. We went with a warm brown tone with blond instead of red and added black low-lights.

As you can see from the pictures, it looks slightly different. I like the color, which Delia called mahogany. Of course my natural red came through. I plan to grow it out a little longer and see where we'll go from here.

So it wasn't as drastic as say cutting my mid-back length hair to above my shoulders or dyeing the light brown to a deep red, but overall I like it. It gave me the boost I was seeking.

BCS National Championship

Gators are going to the BCS National Championship Game on January 8. Woo-hoo! I can't deny I was screaming at the tv most of this weekend. Between the SEC Championship Game and the BCS Bowl announcement, I am in the Gator zone. I am beyond excited and very proud of this team.

So the one pitfall is I have no one to watch the game with me. For the 2007 game, my girlfriends and I went to Beef 'O Bradys and watched the game. Now, Jen and Sonia are major fans, just like me. We had the face stickers and outfits, but the rest of the gang was there since I dragged them to it. And they had fun!

So I am sending out a request for my fellow friends. Those who watched the 2007 Championship Game with me, please comment on how much fun we had. For others, I am issuing an invite...does anyone want to go watch the game with me on 1/8? I swear it will be a good time. I love watching college football! GO GATORS!

Gator Mania

The next two weekends are very stressful for Gator fanatics such as I. Last weekend we had the ever entertaining UF vs. FSU game. In the 90s this game impacted who was eligible for the National Championship game, so the rivalry was intense. FSU has not been as highly ranked the past few years, but the competition between these teams is still strong as evidenced by the near fight during the first quarter. It took 4 referees jumping in to split the teams up. Reminds me of the days when the bands came to blows pre-game.

To begin, the game upset me because Percy Harvin was injured. With the big SEC Championship against Alabama on 12/6, the Gators need Harvin. The commentators upset me when they discussed how the Gators really wouldn't even notice Harvin being out next week. This comment was a disservice to the caliber of this remarkable player. Harvin deserves more credit than this. At the same time, I'm glad to know the commentators felt the Gator offense is strong. Sonia, my ever vigilant Gator, sent me an article stating that Harvin may play on Saturday. The SEC Championship is a big deal. The Gators dominated the SEC in the 90s. Many times it was a no-brainer that they would win. With Alabama, deservedly being #1, I'm looking forward to the game and the competition.

This leads me to my concern for the following Saturday, 12/13. The Heisman Trophy will be awarded. I am frustrated with the continuous commentary on how Tim Tebow is not pulling the stats like he did last year. My response, so what? He's not competing against his previous record. This young man is an amazing player. Besides that, he is a humble, personable, and a self-possessing man. Every time I see him being interviewed I am more impressed with him. He's not into all the hype about himself. He wants to play, and make his team and fans proud. As for those stats, well they just keep improving. Here's a great commentary on MSNBC concerning Tebow and the Heisman. The commentators this weekend made me laugh when they were discussing Tebow. One stated that Superman wears Tim Tebow pajamas. Love that comment.

As a Gator fan, I am very proud of this team and how far they have gone this year. Can't wait to see how the next two weeks play out. Of course as a die-hard fan, I fully believe that Florida will beat Alabama this weekend and leave no doubt in the minds of Gator-critics that Tebow deserves the Heisman. Now I need some of you Gator fans to comment.