My Dream Guy has to Like Rudolph

Let me re-create a very serious conversation I had with a co-worker today. It will help explain the title of this post.

Coworker: You don't really want to get married, do you?

Me:  Not really. I'm pretty set in my ways. Well...he will have to be pretty special for me to consider it.

Coworker: He'll really have to like Rudolph, huh?

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Me:  I guess so (with a puzzled look on my face).

Coworker:  Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Me:  Wait a minute...don't make fun of my nose! I know it's red but I can't help it and it hurts.

Coworker: Ha, Ha, Ha...and his name will have to be Yukon Cornelius!

Me: And our date will be to the Island of the Misfit Toys!

Source: bing.com via Megan on Pinterest

Together singing: We're on the Island of Misfit Toys...


I love my coworkers...even when they make fun of my red nose!

Ending the Week OK

I've had a long week. I'm getting to the end of a really big project at work that is going to be awesome (more about that later) but there's still a lot of work to be done.

Take a heavy workload add a looming deadline and that equals STRESS!

But no matter how much stress I have at work, I need to keep it all in perspective.

So here are a few things I learned at work today...

First, that I have some AWESOME coworkers. On my desk this morning, I found a pick-me-up card and this...

What can I say...they get me! (Also, I'm loving Instagram on my iPad.)

Second, don't order 8 milkshakes and a Coke Zero in the drive-thru during Happy Hour at Steak 'n Shake and expect to get them in sooner than 20 minutes.

Third...

Source: wanelo.com via Megan on Pinterest

Fourth, a 20-minute wait for milkshakes is worth it when you surprise people with a Friday afternoon treat.

Fifth, I have always known that my brain works in a different way and that I have a habit of starting a conversation somewhere in the middle, not the beginning. However, I never realized how bad it is until we got a new intern and he point blank tells me - repeatedly -that he doesn't understand what I'm talking about.

Source: None via Megan on Pinterest

I guess he just doesn't get me!


Finally, I love the work I'm doing and that I get to things like this and consider it work!

TGIF, my friends!


Enjoy your weekend.

A Moose Mug, a Slap Chop or Dental Floss?

A couple years ago, my sisters and I (there are four of us) decided to quit buying gifts for each other for our birthdays and just go out to dinner once a year. We were basically giving each other gift cards so it wasn't like we were missing out on the perfect gift. It also forces us to find the time to get together JUST the four of us at least once a year. It's been a fun event so far.

We try to pick a restaurant or style of cooking that we might not normally select...like sushi or a tapas bar.  I'm lobbying for Greek food next year! My favorite Greek place is reopening soon after a devastating fire earlier this year. Can't wait to go, order some saganaki (flaming cheese) and yell "Opa!"

What does this all have to do with moose mugs and dental floss? Not much but I'm building to it. Stay with me!

At the same time my sisters and I stopped exchanging birthday gifts, we also changed up our Christmas gift giving routine. We bought some giant stockings...

OK, maybe not that big but they are much larger than the average Christmas stocking. We then drew names and had to buy gifts for the sister we drew. The rules were simple:

• Gifts had to fit into the stocking.
• No gift cards worth more than $10.
• Couldn't spend more than $50.
• No telling who you drew!

We've had fun with that over the last couple of years but we still fell into the trap of buying exactly what the person wanted...a new black belt, slippers or socks. This year we wanted to try something a little more fun and not so structured.

After MONTHS of thinking about it, we finally settled on each buying five gifts ranging in price from $10-15 each. Then we'll do a gift swap. I'm not sure what it's called...I think there are a variety of names for the concept. Basically, someone will start by choosing a gift. Then the next person can take the gift already open or choose another gift. Then the next person can choose to open or steal...you see where I'm going with this?

I think it will be fun. I bought five gifts that I would enjoy receiving (I can't say what they are because I THINK some of my sisters read my blog!) in case I get "stuck" with them. But I guess I can give a hint. Can you say lawn ornament...

Boy, I still haven't gotten to the point of this post, huh? Hang on...

When I was telling some coworkers about our gift exchange, we got to brainstorming (we love to brainstorm in my office) other "themed" gift exchange ideas. Here are a few we came up with:

Items from "classic" Christmas movies
The objective here would be to pick a movie and give gifts that were either featured in the movie or items that have become iconic because of the movie.

Anyone know what movies inspired these ideas...

Yep, A Christmas Story...a classic set in Indiana! I actually saw this leg lamp at my local Walgreens last week!

How about these?

 

Did you say...

Another classic!

As Seen on TV items

We've all seen those infomercials featuring the next great product that we can't live without. There are even whole stores dedicated to these products. Personally, I love looking at the endcap at my local CVS store where some of these products are prominently displayed.

This gift exchange is all about these products, like...

I have to admit that I've picked up one or two of these in my time but there are SO many to choose from that a gift exchange devoted to these products could yield some great fun. One that I personally have been tempted to buy is...

If only for the awesome infomercial remix that I saw late one night. Miss it? No worries, I found it on YouTube for you. Check it out at the end of this post!

Restaurant Gift Cards

This one is tame compared to the first two ideas.

Everyone simply brings a gift card to their favorite restaurant (for a pre-determined amount) and the cards are chosen, stolen and kept.

Used but Still Useful

A co-worker and her family chose to do this one for Christmas this year. Each person chooses something they already have around the house that they may not want anymore but that still has a use. I thought this was a very clever idea. Real Simple magazine even did a post about "new uses for old things" that could be used as inspiration for this exchange.

I love the idea of an old cast iron skillet as a recipe card holder...

Or a gift box as a cupcake holder...

Or even dental floss as a cheese slicer (see I tied into the blog title eventually!)...



I think this last exchange is quirky and fun. Now, my coworker and her family added one more step. In addition to bringing their "used but useful" gift, each person is also to bring $10 cash to donate to a pre-determined charity. This year it is a school in Africa where my coworker's sister taught earlier this year.

I LOVE the idea! It truly is a season of giving when you think of those less fortunate than you and do something to help them. There's nothing stopping you from having a bit of fun while doing that.

Do you have any fun gift exchange ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Now, I'm off to start my gift wrapping...anyone know an easy way to wrap a flamingo?

Almost forgot...here's the Slap Chop Infomercial Remix!

Random View from My Commute...Polly Want to Hit the Drive Thru?

I know that this post has a really long title, but I couldn't resist.

As a coworker and I were headed over to Illinois this weekend for a work function, she spotted something very unusual.

Now, I've seen plenty of dogs riding shotgun in cars. I've even seen a cat in the passenger seat. I have even seen a hand and foot hanging out of the trunk of a car (I'm assuming it was a Halloween decoration).

I have NEVER seen a parrot perched on the backseat of a car driving down the interstate! No cage in sight.

I did a double take but it was still there, just looking out the back window.

What's the strangest pet/animal you have spotted sitting shotgun in a passing car?

Ain't Itchin' Anymore!

It's the weekend! I'm back from Chicago after a quick work trip and guess what?

No BED BUGS...despite my co worker's dire warning. (Pause for me to do a "na-na-boo-boo" dance.)

OK, I'm back.

As part of the meeting, we headed to the Lincoln Park Zoo in a trolley...here's Hannah from Off the Cuff and me in a "self-portrait." I'm usually a hater of my photos, but I think she did a good job on this one! It's a keeper, unlike several others of me that she has squirreled away in her phone or computer...someday I'll find and delete them all...that's a promise.

While at Lincoln Park Zoo, we had dinner in a cool red barn housing the Farm-in-the-Zoo exhibit. Imagine a red barn surrounded by high rise buildings...such a cool visual!

The exhibit was very interactive - even for 30 adults! In addition to an actual John Deere tractor, the exhibit included a cool weather room, an incubator with live chicks and so much more. If you have children and are headed to Chicago, be sure to put this on your short list. No kids? Still a fun way to spend an hour or two.

I was enamored with the oversize eggs below. Not sure why I was...please no psychoanalyzing here.

Got my photo taken in a variety of poses on these eggs (I'm afraid those are going to show up on the most embarrassing places someday), including one with a couple of gal pals.



The trip to the zoo was the ONLY time they let us venture out of the hotel. To be a block away from Michigan Avenue and a couple of blocks away from Lake Michigan and not get to spend time at either one is a travesty! Gotta love business travel!

Happy Friday everyone!

I Itch...the Power of Suggestion

I really hate my coworkers sometimes.

OK, I don't really hate them but I majorly dislike them at times.

Well, not so much dislike as annoyed by them on occasion.

Just before I headed to Chicago on my solo road trip, a concerned know-it-all coworker asked me if I had seen the news reports about bed bugs and hotel rooms.

Of course I had! However, she went on to say how the nasty little biting hitch-hikers are more prevalent in hotels near airports. Now, I had NOT heard that particular news report!

Where was I headed the next day...a hotel near O'Hare...an AIRPORT, in case you didn't know.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

I went home and packed all of my clothes in those big, resealable spacesaver bags. When I got to the hotel room, I set my bag on a stool away from the bed. Then I threw the comforter off the bed and did a thorough check for unwanted bed partners.

Now, it was a shame that I was so paranoid because it was a beautiful hotel room...no bed bugs at all. Lots of character and a way cool bathroom. But with the thought of those stupid bed bugs in the back of my head, I couldn't fully enjoy the experience!

Instead, I itched the entire time.

Now, I'm headed back to Chicago for another meeting soon. This time the hotel is downtown but I can't help but worry a bit about the possibility of getting bit!

Darn it...I itch again.