Bondage

Day 151

I realized that my new shoes look like ankle restraints, and I think I like them more because of it. Besides, I look great in heels. Especially with my newly pedicured toes.

Tabby cats

Day 150

So apparently Luna and I have another thing in common now - stripes. The awesome time I had yesterday is totally worth the weird tan lines. But I still find it funny that I look like I'm wearing thigh high stockings when I'm not.

Pistachiopocalypse

Day 149

Toni is one of my favorite people. Unfortunately, we do not get to hang out as often as I would like. Hopefully that will change now that the weather is nicer and we live practically around the block from each other.

Toni and I met a few years ago through PXF. I don't know if he suspected we would get along quite as well as we did. It was pretty much an instantaneous bond. She's one of the few people I feel like I can tell anything to. She's a good egg.

When she invited me to a pool party to celebrate her adorable cat Pistachio's first birthday, the world not ending on May 21st, and the gorgeous weather predicted for Memorial Day weekend, I jumped at the chance. I invited Clem to go along with me, and by the time I picked him up from the train station, I could tell he was in a giddy mood and ready to have fun.

I really had a great time, drinking and eating... and drinking some more. I met so many nice, fun people. Unfortunately, I felt it was too cold to go swimming in the pool, so that was a waste of a bikini wax. I never even took my shorts off. That resulted in an odd looking tan line. Well, that's not entirely true; I took my shorts off to put jeans on later in the night when I got cold. But other than being disappointed that I didn't just suck it up and jump in the pool, I had an absolute blast. Toni is a great hostess, and Pistachiopocalypse 2011 was a big success!

Color me happy

Day 148

It's hard to believe that with the amount of time I've spent getting my nails done over the years, I've never gotten a pedicure. But up until today, I was a pedicure virgin. Katie was nice enough to take me for my very first pedicure, and she gave me a coupon to get a mani/pedi for $20. Bonus!

It felt so good to have my feet in the warm, swirling water. I thought I wouldn't like the filing and cuticle clipping, but I really didn't mind it. Then they exfoliated my feet and calves with a nice sea salt scrub. Next, they used lotion to massage into my feet and calves, and then as a special treat, they continued the massage with hot stones. It was lovely. I picked out a summery purple color, which ended up matching my flip flops perfectly.

I loved my first pedicure experience, and it may have to become a bi-weekly indulgence along with the manicure.

Sleepover

Day 147

Luna and I are camped out in Smithtown for the night. I have an appointment with the eye doctor tomorrow, and I won't be able to drive after they dialate my eyes. Mom was nice enough to volunteer. Luna isn't too keen on this whole overnight trip idea. Anything that disrupts her routine already isn't her favorite thing, and then I added a car ride on top of it. At least there wasn't an airplane flight this time.

Hello me, meet the real me

Day 146

A few years ago, I lost myself. I wasn't sure where I was, but I just wasn't there anymore. It wasn't so much a quest to find myself again as it was a blind stumble through confusion and uncertainty.

The latter part of 2010 helped put me in the mindframe to change that. From late summer on, I made a genuine effort to figure myself out - who I was and who I wanted to be. I made some good progress and laid the groundwork for the necessary changes.

2011 has proven to be the year I finally got my shit together. I got a great job in marketing in March. I moved into my own place in April. I did a lot of soul searching. I found myself. I'm Michelle again, and I know who that is, and I like me.

I'm the girl in the super cute outfit, toting a laptop and a Smart Phone. I'm independent and self-sufficient. I have a great job and a nice apartment. I go to the gym regularly. I've found my confidence, and it feels great. I love my friends, and my life, and there's only one last missing piece. It's nice to take a deep breath and a look around and realize you're right where you want to be.

Finally!

Day 145

The weather was nice enough that I was able to rock a pretty sun dress and strappy shoes to work today. Hellooo, spring! Better late than never.

Like a good neighbor

Day 144

Ron, Mom, and I have just gotten out of a 3 hour defensive driving class. Saving 10% on car insurance really shouldn't be that torturous.

My only direction for this picture was, "Look miserable." Mom is the only one who got it right. Apparently, this is Ron's "miserable" face - epic fail. I look like I'm completely apathetic to life in general, which counts as an epic fail as well, considering I'm the one who said to look miserable, and I'm the one with acting experience. Although, in fairness, Mom was a model, so she had to be able to take direction. Thank you, Mom, for carrying the rest of us.

So our family time for the week was spent being bored out of our skulls, filling out a booklet, and watching awful videos. At least we did it together.

Chillaxin'

Day 143

I have gone to the gym, taken a shower, cooked dinner, and am now sacked out on my couch for the rest of the night. As it should be. And the fuzzy GIR blanket just makes it better. Not to mention the purring kitty.