CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

St. Valentine Approaches... I Run and Hide

I've never really been much of a chocolate person. Truly, my weakness is more of the carbohydrates variety -- bread, chips, crackers, cookies, etc. with a super special weakness for mac & cheese.

For the Superbowl, I am making a very special BACON mac & cheese. True story.

So I was just thinking, as I do every year, that Valentine's Day is not far off and I HATE it. If I were in a normal relationship filled with love and trust, would I hate it so much? Probably not. I'm willing to admit that.

And the stores will fill with flowers and chocolates and teddy bears. And I will loathe the flower shop that is directly across the street from my building that, annually, reminds me of puppy dogs and rainbows and cheer.

{{barf}}

(Just call me the Valentine's Grinch, ok?)

And that said, I have a promotion for you...

BTW, right now, the vendor is mentally thanking me for that bright and cheery introduction.

There's this spot on Malibu, should you live near it, that I've been dying to try. It's called the Chocolate Box Cafe. Now true, I'm not a chocolate lover but I've been wanting to go there cause I hear they have pretty killer sandwiches, which is right up my alley. BONUS for me, because I actually do not live near Malibu, they are opening in Beverly Hills come March.

And for Valentine's Day, they have a promo in conjunction with a neighboring salon, Prive - for $95, wash, dry, style... and a fancy box of chocolates.

Ladies, tell your men folk. That's a steal of a deal. (For those of you who do not live in Los Angeles, I automatically assume you pay less to get your hair done and so I envy you.)

Need a healthy alternative (I demand it)? My readers can customize their box of chocolates to substitute dark chocolate options.

All kidding and sarcasm aside, I was happy to plug this. Their publicity team is good people and I trust when I finally get my hands on a Chocolate Box sandwich, I will melt with delight.

 
And for more healthy sweets options, check this out: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/cookbooks.asp?cookbook=4065

Happy hump day!

My Friends FTW

Not so long ago, I tweeted to The Universe. Something like "Dear Universe, That's it. I can't take it anymore. I give up."

Amazingly, The Universe tweeted right back: "I know... But You're Strong Enough. Hugs, The Universe."

This made me happier with The Universe.

I had this beautiful and touching blog entry written out last night. A loving, meaningful tribute to my friends, who are awesome. I assure you, you would be in a puddle of tears right now had you been reading that instead of this. But Typepad went to the shits on me and so now I will have to try again. And see if I can meet my standard.

I've been impressed with myself recetly.  I'm shocked how much I've been able to take. Sickness, surgery, death, heartbreak, car accidents... And getting laid off from my job a few weeks ago.

And FYI, for now, that is all I will say about that last thing. They have been more than fair to me and I still have to work there until the end of February. :)

But needless to say, I've felt quite on-the-brink these days.

I am trying so very hard to keep it together but I have to allow myself a modicum of craziness. Otherwise my next entry will be written from atop a bridge.

And here is something I am sure many of you know -- in times like this, we really get to find out who out true friends are. And mine have turned out ten fold. I'm so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. They have been there with hugs and humor, dinners and drinks, e-mails and offers. My friends are my strength.

More than that, I am so lucky that the teens I volunteer with are a giant mass of warmth and love. With every hug, smile or proclamation of love, they pick me up a little bit more.  With every get well card or gift or "thank you," they remind me I am meaningful. And that is important.

The night before my surgery, my teens, not even aware I was about to have the surgery, gave me lots of hugs and a pretty fabulous Hanukkah present. They are perceptive and brilliant.

 
In short, I have a thing about Meerkats. Beyond that, you're just gonna have to trust me that this gift was the best thing ever.

To ALL of my friends, I thank you for letting me be stoic, for letting me be withdrawn AND emotional, for letting me totally closed off and then totally insane. I thank you for being amazing and being in my life.

To Typepad, I shake my fist. This entry did not even get halfway up the mountain I built last night. Damn you and your crashing uploader.

Scenes From a Theme Park

On Monday, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, I went with two friends to the most diverse park in all the land:

DISNEYLAND.

Don't believe me? Please. Know anywhere else a talking dog can be friends with a pixie fairy and a bouncing tiger? 

That's diversity at its finest, kids. 

And speaking of kids, I learned plenty about 'em at the so-called happiest place on earth. But primarily, that they have no manners. Like, literally, NONE. Like apparently, no one teaches children nowadays that when a person is standing in your way, it doesn't matter. No, no, just walk right into them. Don't worry, then they will move. If they are holding a hot drink they could accidentally drop on your head, all the better. Yeah, just go for it. Walk on, tiny tot. 

I also learned that the Jungle Cruise, with all its ridiculous whimsy and obvious falseness, is a foreign jungle of magic to a little boy. No one in his LIFE has EVER been so excited to see a giant, fake elephant or the backside of a waterfall. 

Also noteworthy - but not in a good way - Disneyland has some stinky bathrooms. I mean, REAL, REAL gross. The one back by Fantasy Land before you take the back path into Adventureland? You're gonna wanna avoid that one. Or hold your nose. And refrain from making eye contact. Trust me on this.

P.S. Try California Adventure. Trust me on that, too. It's magical.

Quote of the Day

Cry over cuts and stiches, not over sluts and bitches.

Yeah, that's so wisdome right there - I don't care how old you are.

Never Go Shopping When You're Hungry

How many of you read Daily Candy? It's long been one of my favorite dailies.

Typically, it's shopping deals and fabulous fashion and dining tips. I highly recommend it.

Today's was a little out of the ordinary and while I can't figure out how to embed the vid, please click here to see some pretty great grocery shopping tips.

Because how many of us resolved to eat healthier in 2011?