picture of sisterly love

Yes, that's right: here is a pic of me and Poka Bean enjoying some Thanksgiving family togetherness. In this photo, we are snapping the ends off some grean beans while posing for our camera-happy father. She looks normal, but what is up with my weird head tilt?!? I appear to be about to tip over.

it's a bad day when...

At 3:16 pm on a Wednesday, you develop an intense craving for a Snickers bar, which you fight as long as possible, which turns out to be approximately 30 minutes, and then you finally give in and drag your lazy behind out of your desk chair to go up two floors to the ONLY vending machines in this building, and then find yourself standing in front of a sign that says "Out of Order."

what's for dinner?

I have so many things swirling around in my head right now that I’m finding it hard to formulate a cohesive post. Work: crazy. Holiday planning: crazy. Toddler who refuses at all costs to be strapped into a stroller: crazy.

Also, that hour and a half between arriving home after work and when Evan goes to bed: crazy. There is mail-opening, dinner-making, bath-giving, book-reading and more all before we collapse like zombies on the couch to watch whatever drama Fox has to offer. (seriously, did you watch Prison Break last night? Way to redeem a sub-par season with a decent ending.)

But back to the original point… anyone out there with the same problem? And what do you make for dinner that can take less than 30 minutes?

beware, we won't be solving world hunger with the contents of this post.

After reading your comments and taking a comprehensive tour through my closet last night, I have settled on a Uniform outfit: jeans and a sassy black top. I was going to take Whoorl’s advice and do a photo collage of my potential sassy tops, but I was launched into a shame spiral of epic proportions when I attempted it. I think the problem could have been any of a number of factors: a) the fact that I was wearing a sloppy ponytail and sweats, which made every top look ridiculous, b) the incredible messiness of my closet, or c) the realization that I have a boatload of clothes but all of them are either work- or weekend-appropriate. I am lacking in sassy going-out attire appropriate for martini drinking. Which makes sense given, shall we say, my home-centric social life?

Nevertheless: shame spiral.

But peeps! I now feel just fine about it. I mean, jeans and a black top may not be the most inventive choice, but damn if I’m not gonna work it. I will accessorize and wear awesome lip gloss. Because that is how I roll! And because I was terrified of UC’s suggestion for leggings. Leggings! Let’s not forget that I lived through the 80’s when they actually happened and therefore, unlike the youth of today (kids these days!) I cannot in good conscience go back.

Now, stepping off soapbox…

What are you all doing for Thanksgiving? I will be eating two Thanksgiving dinners, one on Thursday and one on Friday. I will likely be gaining several pounds, possibly rendering my safe and boring Sassy Uniform ill-fitting.

Can you say shame spiral?!?

in which I beg desperately for your help

If one is invited to a surprise birthday party for one’s friend, that involves an overnight babysitter, staying at a schwanky hotel in Los Angeles and possibly the consumption of multiple expensive martinis, what should one wear? I should mention that bowling will also be involved.

I’m confused!

My current vote is for The Uniform, aka cute jeans and a sassy top. But which sassy top? Do I even own the perfect one?

This is what happens when your social life begins revolving around a child’s bedtime and DVR. Help me.

open letter

Dear 3 faithful readers:

For some reason, I appear to be doing some sort of NaBloPoMo in reverse. NaNoBloPoMo: it’s the Bearca way of life! This could be because of any or all of the following factors:

1. I have been traveling for work WAY more than I’d like to. My recent destinations have included such glamorous destinations as Rockville, MD; Columbus, OH; and Ottawa (ooh, international!).
2. I recently got a promotion (yay me!), which has kept me busier at work than usual.
3. I participated in a 1 mile ocean swim recently which rendered me too sore to effectively manipulate my keyboard.
4. I have been home, desperately want to write to you, but have been trapped under something heavy*.

Well, regardless, I will be back to regularly scheduled programming shortly. I promise!

Love, Bearca

*please tell me you recognize this reference.

come on now, OF COURSE he was a Wiggle for Halloween...