Friday, May 29, 2009

The beginning

Hello bloggies!!
I mentioned in my 27 things about me post that I recently broke up with one of my best friends. It still feels very strange to say that because we really were the best of friends. The breakup was sudden and kind of nasty and it seems surreal to me at times. I am not as upset about it as I would have imagined (though I never imagined it). I feel kind of numb and unemotional about it, which is very odd because I am a VERY emotional person. So, I decided that it would be therapeutic for me to tell our story here on my blog. I think it fits in with my theme because I am trying to figure out how in the world I am supposed to balance the friendship that meant so much to me in my early twenties with the friendship that doesn't seem to be working for me in my late twenties. I am going to do this in several posts over a length of time so I don't totally bore everyone to death (though I am not really sure anyone is reading this anyways).
So, here goes....
I met by best friend in college. For anonymity purposes I am going to refer to her as K. K is a year older than me and was a junior when we first met. We were both double Political Science and Sociology majors with a Criminology minor and we were also both on the mock trial team - we were nerds:) I was intrigued by her at first because she was so confident and so sure of herself and at the time I was battling depression and trying to figure out what changes I needed to make in my own life to be a happier person. I was also intrigued because of her boyfriend. She was 21 at the time and dating one of our mock trial coaches who just happened to be a 30 year old lawyer at a local law firm in the town where our college was located. I was a runner/clerk at a different law firm and there was a lawyer there who hit on my constantly. He was good looking and smart and a lawyer so I was super impressed with him but I had never let it go anywhere because it seemed so taboo. He was 34 after all - gasp! At the time 34 seemed ancient to me. Now that I am 27 and my own husband is in his 30s it doesn't seem so bad but at the time I thought this guy could have qualified for social security:)
So, because K was doing it I decided I could do it and I let this old man lawyer take me out on a date. And I use the word date very loosely because basically he took me to the restaurant in town where he knew they would serve me even though I was under aged (he had a connection there and again for some reason I was impressed by this - oh to know what I know now) and he plied me with green apple martinis for a couple of hours. Somehow we ended up back at the stank ass house I lived in while in college and on the couch. I kissed him for about a minute before I couldn't take anymore of his old man lips and abruptly stopped. He then told me he would really like to lay in front of a fire on a bearskin rug with me and that was all I could take - I nearly threw up my green apple martinis in my mouth. I immediately told him to leave because I had to get up early for class the next day and that was the end of that. I continued to work at that same law firm until I graduated college and spent a large majority of my time trying to avoid this guy - getting on an old man totally wasn't worth it for me:)
After that I knew I had to get to know K better because how in the hell was she dating her old man lawyer - I was even more intrigued by her at this point. So, we quickly became friends and became best friends even quicker than that. We had so much in common and has so much fun together. Our friendship was easy - we understood each other, liked the same things, felt the same way about politics, had the same goals in life - she was truly my soul mate and I truly believe we were meant to find each other. And I still feel that way. Even if we aren't friends now I don't think that diminishes the amazing friendship we once had.
So, that is really more of a story of me making out with an old man lawyer but that really is how our friendship began. Stay tuned for more....

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Welcome Justice Sotomayor

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/26/supreme.court/index.html

Whoo hoo!! Another female on the bench!! Congratulations, Justice Sotomayor!

30 Things...

So, it is Tuesday morning. I have been at work for three hours and I haven't done a single ounce of work. I mean that. I haven't billed one single minute. I just cannot get myself to concentrate. And it's not like I don't have any work to do - I have tons to do but yet I continue to sit here. So what do I decide to do??? Blog. That only makes sense right?? Anyways, I received this list as an email last week and I am including my thoughts under each one. I am really into lists these days for some reason - I promise my whole blog will not be comprised of lists:)

1. Clothes that fit the size she is now, not the size she was five years ago
I don't believe in this one entirely. I have clothes in my closet that are the size I was 2 years ago and those babies aren't going anywhere. I feel as though giving those clothes away would be giving up and admitting defeat and I am far from admitting defeat - I will get back in those clothes.

2. A weekly income that covers the rent (or mortgage payment)
I have this one covered. Almost:) I recently started a job where I don't get a salary so my income varies but I think on average I have that one covered.

3. An orgasm.
Check:) 'Nough said.

4. Always enough toilet paper
I have been called a "pee monster." I drink somewhere between 84 and 100 ounces of water every single day and have a bladder the size of a pea (no pun intended). In my world there is never enough toilet paper.

5. A hair stylist she trusts
Check. In fact, I have two of them. One where I live now and one back in Louisville - Oh Jen, how I miss you!

6. A favorite song, porn site, image, movie or fantasy that always gets her in the mood
Hmm, I am so sure about this one...

7. Health insurance
Check!

8. A signature drink
Pinot Grigio or Vodka and Diet Tonic with extra lime or a Cosmo. So, I have several signature drinks:)

9. A healthy relationship with her parents
Check! My parents and I get along great. I can't believe how much I miss them sometimes and they only live 3 hours away.

10. Bras in the correct size
Check!

11. Enough alcohol in her home to offer drop-by guests a cocktail
Check and check! My husband has our bar fully stocked at all times! I will have to post pictures at some point - it is quite impressive.

12. An emergency hangover remedy
I wish. I get horrible hangovers and the only thing I have found that remotely works is McDonald's french fries and a sprite (not the healthiest option).

13. A voter registration card
Check! I am a registered Democrat and for the most part will vote no other way!

14. A wardrobe that includes the perfectly flattering little black dress, a great pair of heels, jeans that make her ass look great, and a cute hat that hides a bad hair day
I have several black dresses and tons of great heels!!! My ass isn't looking too great in anything these days and I am not big on hats.

15. A yearly appointment with her gynecologist
Check! I have been once a year since I turned 18!!

16. The name of reliable movers to give her friends when they ask for help relocating
Two Men in a Truck - that's all I got:)

17. The gumption to ask a man out
I am pretty sure I have the gumption but I am married so I haven't had the chance to test it out.

18. A group of girlfriends who get it
Unfortunately I don't have a whole group of girlfriends who get it. Fortunately I have a couple great ones who do.

19. A set of tools (and the ability to use them…even if it’s just to hang a piece of art)
My garage is filled with tools and if push came to shove I could use them:) I did work at a hardware school in high school so I am schooled on the subject!

20. A balanced checkbook
We don't balance our checkbooks!! But I check my bank account online multiple times each day. Does that count???

21. No interest in men who just aren’t that into her
I think I have this one covered. Other than Edward Cullen my interest is in my husband and he is very, very into me!!

22. A vacation to look forward to at least once a year
Check! We are leaving for a 7 day Alaskan Cruse in less than 3 weeks!!!!

23. A good bullshit detector
Check! I have figured out that about 90 percent of what people say is bullshit - or at least that is true for my clients anyways.

24. The courage to stand up for herself and her beliefs
Check! I have always been outspoken and proud of it. My mom wouldn't have raised me any other way.

25. A favorite sex position
Check! But I plead the Fifth on the specifics.

26. A set of hand towels so guests don’t have dry their hands on her bath towel (gross!)
Check! I have two sets of nice hand towels - I even have monogrammed ones.

27. Enough self-love to avoid and break off unhealthy friendships and relationships
Sort of check! I recently broke off what I consider a very unhealthy friendship. I am not sure I did it because of self-love though. The motivation more came from not being able to take any more of it and exploding. Oh well, even if my motivation wasn't in the right place it was still a good decision.

28. A commitment to exercise
Check!! I exercise at least 3 times a week. My goal is always to get in 5 workouts but life just gets in the way sometimes. I probably average 4 a week.

29. A retirement fund
Check! I have a funded Roth IRA!!! Yay for me.

30. A great vibrator
Check!!

So, I haven't quite achieved all of those things yet but I am only 27 so I have a few years!!!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Check this out!!

The amazing zestycook is giving away a blog makerover!! How awesome is that?

Check it out here!

http://zestycook.com/zesty-giveaway-blog-makeover//

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Date Night In!!!

Because we went to Cena ( http://www.cenarestaurant.com/) for tapas (make sure to check out the tapas menu) and drinks last night we decided to have a date night in tonight! Plus, today is our 6 year dating anniversary so we are kind of celebrating!!
On the menu is Chicken Pesto Pasta (with homemade pesto sauce) and yummy bread!! I use the recipe for pesto from The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook as a base but I do not follow the recipe exactly.

In fact, I hardly ever follow a recipe exactly (unless I am baking and exact measurements are a must). Whenever possible I use healthier ingredients or omit the stuff I/we do not like - like mushrooms!

Pesto Sauce
For my pesto sauce I use the following ingredients:
- about 2 cups of basil leaves
- about 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of chopped fresh garlic (we are HUGE garlic lovers) WARNING - this amount of garlic is for garlic lovers only!! If you are not a huge garlic fan than I would suggest using only 1 clove
- a big handful of Parmesan cheese
I put all of the ingredients except the evoo in the food processor. I put the food processor on pulse and stream in the evoo from the top. You might need to stop once or twice and use a spatula and scrape down the sides of the food processor.


Chicken
I use two chicken breasts (trimmed and ready) or four chicken breast tenderloins. I marinate them with a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil, a little bit of salt and lots of pepper. Then my husband cooks them on the grill until they are a wonderful golden brown. Then I cut it into bit sized pieces.




Pasta
My husband prefers penne pasta because it is easier to "stab" with a fork but I prefer long noodles such as spaghetti or fettucine noodles. Tonight we used spaghetti noodles for the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the directions and set aside. I add salt to my water before it boils. Rachael Rays says to do it and therefore I do it. Her thought is that this is the only chance you get to season your pasta and that makes enough sense to me to do it!

Then I combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss. I usually add a little extra Parmesan cheese to the top! Add a piece of crusty bread for the side and this meal is a winner!


While cooking and eating my meal I indulged in the following:

It was a great meal and a wonderful way to celebrate our 6 year dating anniversary!!!!




Friday, May 22, 2009

Achieving Balance

Hello blog world!!! I started a blog last week called Esquire Eats Well and I got fed up with it and deleted it. I quickly realized that a blog devoted to my attempts at healthy eating and my workouts was not for me. That is not to put down the healthy eating and workout blogs out there - I love them and read many of them religiously and gain tons of insight, knowledge, inspiration and motivation from them - it just isn't for me. Mainly because I don't eat all that healthy. I try to eat healthy but it doesn't always work out for me and I absolutely love great food and good wine and refuse to give any of it up!!

I decided to call this blog "Life is a Balancing Act" because I have recently come to realize that balancing all of the many aspects of my life is very difficult and often times impossible. To give you a glimpse into the many things I am "balancing" at the moment I am going to complete the ubiquitous twenty-seven things about me (I know it is usually twenty-five but I figure I am twenty-seven so my list should be too!).

1. I am a newlywed and am married to my best friend and absolute love of my life. I have been married for 2 years but I still consider that a newlywed!
2. I am an attorney who practices mainly family law and a tiny bit of criminal work.
3. I once thought taking the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) was the hardest thing I had ever done. Then I started law school and thought that was the hardest thing. Then I took the bar exam and thought that was the hardest thing. Then I started practicing law and I think it is the hardest thing. I am scared to find out what is the next hardest thing:)
4. I have gained about ** pounds since I got married and desperately want to get the extra weight off. This quest oftentimes consumes my thoughts and effects my self worth on a daily basis. I am trying to end all "fat talk" and realize that whether I get the weight off or not doesn't make me a better person and shouldn't make me a happier person. We'll see how that goes. Getting the weight off however will improve my wardrobe tremendously!!
5. I am from Louisville, Kentucky - the absolute best city in the United States!! I don't live there anymore but visit often and so many of my posts and pictures will be Louisville inspired!!!!
6. My husband is also my brother's best friend. My brother introduced us but not in an attempt at setting us up and was quite bothered my our relationship at first. He has since gotten over it and was the best man at our wedding!!
7. I recently broke up with one of my best friends. Yes, you read that right. I broke up with one of my best girlfriends. It was hard and difficult and I miss her but it was the right thing to do.
8. I have recently become even closer to my other best girlfriend and am able to even better recognize all of the wonderful, healthy, inspiring and happy things about our friendship!
9. I have a cat named Cassandra. I named her Cassandra because when I was in college and would get wasted and roam the bars looking for eligible males (this was prior to meeting my hubby) I would tell guys my name was Cassandra. That's very random but that his how she got her name. She weighs close to 14 pounds and is an even bigger bitch than I am. She is also very beautiful and I am sure I will post pictures of her often:)
10. I live three hours away from my whole entire family and it is difficult on a daily basis.
11. I practice family law, which means I deal with people going through some of the worst times of their life on a daily basis. It is very draining and makes me thankful for my husband on a daily basis.
12. I love, love, love, love, love wine!! I drink mostly white but am trying to expand my palette and move on to reds!
13. I am the aunt to a beautiful niece and adorable nephew. Seriously, you would (and probably will be) jealous when you see how cute they are!!
14. I have terrible allergies and sneeze constantly.
15. I love to cook and I love to entertain. We have an amazing basement for entertaining and I wish we did it more!
16. I try to be a runner and I constantly fail at it but I don't give up so maybe I am not failing after all.
17. I am 5'1" and try to surround myself with other shorties!
18. I want a German Shepherd puppy really, really, really bad.
19. My husband and I are DINKs - Dual Income No Kids - and currently we love it.
20. I think I want kids but I have no idea who I will ever have time for my career and babies - and that terrifies me. My husband doesn't seem to understand that fear and that often upsets me.
21. I love the Twilight books and have zero embarrassment about it. I love Harry Potter even more. It is a serious toss up whether I would rather be a witch or a vampire.
22. I like to challenge people to water chugging contests but I have never one.
23. French fries are my favorite food in the whole world. My second is pizza. See number 4 above.
24. People often mistake me for a teenager. People always tell me I should be flattered and that I will appreciate it when I am old but right now it is annoying. A couple of weeks ago I started to walk into a courtroom and was told by a deputy that I couldn't enter the courtroom without my attorney. I told him I was the attorney and he didn't believe me. My client (a 60 year old man) assured him that I was his attorney and the deputy then let us enter. Talk about embarrassing.
25. I sleep walk and talk in my sleep when I am stressed. My parents put a bell on my door throughout my childhood so they would be alerted when I was moving around because they were afraid I was going to fall down the stairs.
26. I have a serious issue with the comma and often commit the egregious error of the "comma splice." I am sure you will notice it in my writing. My legal writing professor in college made me cry because of commas. I am still not over it.
27. My study group in college was called the "ho-bags" and this is a name we came up with ourselves. We even had jackets made. People still refer to us as the "ho bags" sometimes. I assume we will never live it down and I think I am okay with that.

Okay y'all that's all I have for today. I have a fairly uneventful weekend ahead of me but I am sure I will come up with something delightfully witty to post about!

Love from,
Jessica