Amazing Fruit Sculptures

DumDums

Dum dums have come a long way.

I don't know how many of you have a had a dum dum in recent years, but they've come a long way. It was once an item reserved for eating out of courtesy for the bank teller that gave it to you.

Not anymore.

I know this because I've been feasting on nothing but dum dums and smokehouse jalapeno almonds today.

There is a world of new flavors available, turns out. I have decided that my favorites are cotton candy, coconut and mango. I'm impressed.

So, next time you're at the bank... I suggest shuffling the teller's basket around a little and seeing what flavors surface.

Daycare Loans

Work has been crazy busy lately. While it feels good to be in such high demand, I am exhausted. I hate working long hours and being away from Olivia. I wish I could stay home with her all day everyday. I've done the math and it isn't possible! I've done some other interesting math lately...

Do you people realize how much daycare costs??? It costs more to put your child in daycare than it does to send them to most in state colleges. With all the talk about education and saving for college I can't help but scoff. People have 18 years to plan and save to send a child to college and nine months to figure out how to pay for daycare. I want daycare loans. I hope whoever is reading this truly knows my sarcastic nature.... Obviously paying for daycare isn't my biggest expense.. but it sure would make the payment on the new Jaguar I'm wanting these days....

Story of My Life

Not only do I appreciate this, I am considering deleting my entire blog as this could serve as the story of my life.

Open Toed Show Pledge

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit.

My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the

sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free.

I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 or 20 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Wine & Cheese, Time For Me

So, for those of you who are following my attempt to re-enter the dating world, it is important to note the events of yesterday. I found out "wine and cheese" is married. I know, I couldn't believe it either. I finally make an attempt to date a "better caliber" of a man, and this is what happens?!?! I've been shaking my head for 24 hrs straight.

The funny thing is, I don't even care. No, I don't mean I am going to keep seeing him. I mean it didn't even really phase me. I'm not all that surprised. I didn't cry. I'm not angry or hostile. In fact, mostly.... I've laughed. I'm officially jaded. I'm numb. I've been hurt and knocked down and scorned to the point where I've hit rock bottom.

And I'm okay with that. I feel resolved. I feel wise and like I've been through it all. I'm resilient, and I feel empowered.

I know that now is not the time for love for me. Now is the time for me to focus on Olivia and my career. Its time to spend time with her that I can never get back. Its not time to worry about pleasing another person or working dating into my already chaotic schedule.

I jumped back in too soon. I didn't even test the water. So, for now... you can find me in the shallow end with Olivia... splashing in our floatees. And who knows... maybe sometime towards the end of the summer I'll skim the dating pool with my big toe... just to test the waters.