rachelpink rides the bus

Greedy Gumdrops

If I got these for Christmas, I would be so happy.

Or these:

I am not so good at subtle.

It Would Be So Nice

Bad First:
I hate meetings. They suck. If I would shut up in meetings, they'd be shorter. But talking makes my blood boil less. So damned if I do. And if I don't.

Good Good Good: 
I did not work late tonight! Woohoo. And Chuck made me pork chops and I filled out some Christmas cards--and they're slightly sparkly.

And the poison man came and brought more poison and sprinkled it everywhere! And the people downstairs just got treated too. I want Santa to bring me a sack full of dead bed bugs.

I love getting catalogs--and this is the best time of year for catalog love.

The Christmas trees outside Western Beef smell beautiful. If you close your eyes, you're in an evergreen forest. If you open them, you're at Western Beef in front of a half-dead tree. My eyes are closed.

I really love the TMBG songs in the Dunkin' Donuts commercials.

I keep thinking I see Meg in the morning, but it's another chick. And she really doesn't look like Meg. Three times, I've come really close to catching up with her to say hi. But then it's not Meg. Not at ALL (Meg would NOT wear white Reebok hi-tops with a dress). And I'm happy that I didn't run for naught. But I'm kind of bummed that I don't get to say hi to Meg.

Mythbusters is cool. So is BoingBoing. I regret not paying attention in AP Physics. I got a 2 on the test--so sad.

I just killed a baby cockroach. Ha. The good thing about bed bugs? Everything else seems pretty lame. We could have a locust infestation and I don't think we'd care. And Samantha would probably have fun hunting the locusts.

I keep loving my friends more and more until my head hurts. In the best possible way.

Snuggle

My cat is snuggled right up against me and I don't want to go to work. I just want to sit here and pet here until she bites me (which she will).

Instead, I'll get dressed and slog into the office. I'm glad I have a few days off in December before the big holiday break. I have Christmas-itis. Yesterday, I spent half an hour wrapping presents in my office. On a more legit note, I started my business-related Christmas card list.

I can't wait to go to Maine. And then to Tampa to see my Laney and Donovan in January. Good good good things to come.

Fall, Where Art Thou?

I want breeze and a chill in the air!

More on Bedbugs

So E.'s friend interviewed me for an article on bedbugs (for the AFP), and apparently it hit the wire today. Read all about it here.

And in the ironic department, I suspect I got bitten by one of those MFers tonight. I think the upstairs neighbors are battling them (based on their rate of vacuuming and the general panicked banging coming from upstairs).  Oy. And after I spent an entire 9-5 day cleaning and scrubbing and boiling the apartment. I thought we had peace.

Secret Santa, Anyone?

This year I signed up to help two kids through the New York Cares Secret Santa program. I slipped in right under the deadline, and I just got the letters today.

My 11-yr. old girl wants a Bratz "styling torso doll"--I just ordered it via Amazon (despite the fact that it's super creepy) and the 4-yr. old girl wants a Barbie veterinarian set (with a puppy) because she can't have a real pet.

Oh geez, that's cute and sad all rolled into one.

So I've taken care of the big gifts (and of course each girl will get some snazzy books)--but there's always room for more goodness. If you'd like to send something to either girl, please give it to me (or send it to my office) by December 5th. The gifts need to arrive  by December 12th. NY Cares helps get gifts to over 28,000 kids each holiday. It's always the highest point of the holidays when I wrap my NY Cares presents. Giving is truly a million times better than receiving (even when you're giving a really creepy sexy doll torso).

Today on Today

Today was fun. Woke up tired, but soon I was wide awake and wired.

Got to the Today Show building and was quickly nestled into the new green room. My boss was already there with her mom, and we waited and waited. They ushered me outside, popped on a mike, and then suddenly I was on TV. I was nervous as soon as it was over which makes no sense, but it's true.

Back in the green room, the Harlem Globetrotters were awaiting their appearance. They were so v. nice and let us take a picture (that's me and my boss).

So it's all over. Donovan watched me. He told me that I had been on TV two times. Then he said, "Let's go for three!"  Love that kid.

Much Meat and Thanks

Look at that beast! Mmmm. We just got home from a really lovely Thanksgiving. Maria brought a giant tray of Veniero's pastries and delicious wine. All the food was yummy and I managed to keep my mom in her chair for some of the evening (she still did most everything--but sometimes I made her sit and relax).

The dog was REALLY happy to have company. She went on a long walk with Chuck and she got lots of love from Maria. Maria made me practice for TV, and she looked through my baby album. I hadn't looked through it in years, and it was full of funny pictures and fascinating information. My first word was da-da. Weird, I didn't know it.

And now Chuck and I are home with a fridge full of lots of leftovers. And now I need to sleep for tomorrow's early morning excitement. I'm starting to feel a little buzzy about it. Should I really wear the green velvet blazer???

Happy Thanksgiving

Note to everyone: Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for so many things. I'm a lucky duck (or turducken)--and I hope you're a lucky duck too.

XO rachel

Bubbly-Making Holiday Time

Sometime after lunch yesterday, I was moved by the (holiday) spirit. My foggy, long-lasting bad mood dissolved. I think I started buzzing with joy.

I was moved to order my holiday cards--since you, reader, will probably get one, I'm not going to show them here. But they satisfy all my requirements: bright colors, non-denominational, and full of happy strangeness.

Maria and Ann helped me practice for The Today Show. Vince told me I need to keep the books straighter--but it's so much less awkward just to rest them on my ladies. Aside from the book issue, I think I have my spiel down. I'd feel much better about the whole thing if my friends interviewed me instead of a TV person. But I'll deal, because it's funny to be on TV.

The cookies I made on Sunday sat on my desk all day--and I had lots of hungry visitors. They were messy, but appreciated. And they made everyone a little more Kennedy-like (Chuck: Insert joke here).

And Sarah named her kitty Kiko (sp?) and that's such a perfect kitty name.

And yes, I stayed late at work and got lots done. I want to enjoy my days off. I don't want the work-worries to encroach on my happyholidaysunshine mood.

So far so good. I go home tomorrow to help cook the Turduchen. Chuck and Maria arrive on Thursday afternoon--and then we'll all head back to Queens that night.

Buzz buzz buzz.