Blog Maintance

The blog is going to be down today, and possibly tomorrow, for a little (okay maybe a big) face lift.  Check back tomorrow afternoon for the big reveal and a giveaway!!

Recipe: Ricotta and Zucchini Galette

I love how I can turn anything into an adventure.  Or a disaster depending on how you look at things.

Take making this simple dinner for example.  It started last week when I realized I had some ricotta cheese in the freezer that needed to be used up.  I had recently pinned a new dish from Smitten Kitchen and decided that now was the perfect time to try it.  I bought the zucchini and the puff pastry (what, you think I'm going to make my own dough?  Yeah, right.) and put the galette on my menu plan.

Something nagging in the back of my mind told me to check the ricotta cheese the day I was planning on making the dish.  I can't remember if I was checking it to make sure I had enough or checking to make sure it hadn't gone bad.  Either way I ended up with well over a cup on ricotta cheese growing pink mold.  Oops.  Not okay.

So I made a mad dash to the store after work to pick up more ricotta because I HAD to make this for dinner (why I couldn't keep the pastry in the freezer and use the zucchini in something else I don't know.  My mind wasn't working like that on this particular day).  It turned out to be delicious and an excellent dinner decision.  However, now I'm stuck with ricotta cheese that needs to be used up before it too grows pink mold.

Ricotta and Zucchini Galette
Print this recipe!

1/2 box of frozen puff pastry (1 sheet), thawed
2 small zucchinis, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
I garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Spread the zucchini out on several layers of paper towels and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Let it drain for 30 minutes then gently blot the tops with more paper towels.  Meanwhile, mix the olive oil and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.  In another bowl mix the cheeses, 1 teaspoon of the garlic oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 400.  Roll the puff pastry dough out (on a floured surface) into a 12-inch circle or square (I have zero patience rolling already square things round, so I went with a square) and transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Spread the ricotta mixture out evenly, leaving a 2 inch border around the edges.  Top with the zucchini in an even, single layer.  Drizzle the rest of the garlic oil evenly over the top.  Fold the border over the filling as far as it will go.  It should really just form a crust, not cover the whole top.  Brush the crust with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water).  Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Top with the fresh basil, cut into wedges, and serve. 

-Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Delicious Dishes, and This Chick Cooks

Taking Risks

I am not a risk taker.

I am not the kind of person who jumps out of airplanes, takes spontanous road trips, or tries new and daring fashions.

I do not ride roller coasters or motorcycles, I don't walk up to people and strike up conversations, and I don't make decisions unless I'm almost positive of the outcome.

I am the type of person who chooses the safe career of librarianship over a career in paleo-anthropology because someone thought that I couldn't do it.  I am the type of person who doesn't move to England for graduate school, choosing to hide behind an excuse of "it's too expensive". 

I make safe choices.  Safe choices that could also be described as boring or cowardly. 

I have a choice to make right now.  To take a risk or stay at home.  To try something that may work and be amazing or play it safe. 

But I'm afraid. 

Afraid of having my heart broken.  Afraid of doing something I may regret.  Afraid of not doing something and regretting it. 

So I have to make a choice.  Take a chance and risk my heart?  Or stay safe and risk regret? 

Choices suck.

Reflections On My First Day at MLA'11

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.


Saturday was my first official day at MLA and I found that it was a great introduction as it was very low key.  I'm already feeling overwhelmed as I sit in this huge ballroom taking advantage of the free WiFi and official blogger tables.  

I started the day with my chosen CE for the year, Searching in Support of Systematic Reviews.  I took away a lot of great information (and some terrific handouts!) but mostly I learned that when the physicians at my hospital say they are interesting in writing a systematic review, they really have no clue what they are talking about and probably not all interested in writing an actual systematic review.  However, I did learn the process and the librarian's role in the systematic review process so I feel, that if called upon, I could do an adequate job in contributing. 

I was a bit worried about finding someone to have lunch with, but thanks to a trip to the ladies room, I met another hospital librarian AND found someone to have lunch with.  So, if you are looking for new connections, I highly recommend a trip to the restroom.  :)  In all seriousness, new friends and colleague connections abound, so if you are feeling lost, just find someone how looks friendly and ask them where they work.  Everyone here has been very nice and helpful so far.

I spent my time between lunch and the Welcome Reception people watching near the registration desk.  I met a number of very nice people just by sitting at a table, and had a great time watching all the librarians coming and going.  Medical librarians are one of the most diverse groups of librarians I've seen yet!  It quickly became clear to this new MLA member (and new medical librarian in general) that there is a place for everyone in MLA.

My favorite part of Saturday was the Welcome Reception.  After attending ALA in 2008 where I was completely overwhelmed by the exhibition hall and number of vendors, I was relieved to find that the MLA exhibits are much smaller and cozier.  I was able to find some food and a grab a drink while wandering around to a few vendor booths with my new colleague connection mentor.  I even ran into a few library school friends and some other people I know while wandering around.  

I made a special trip to the MLA booth to check out the store (I sort of want an official tshirt now) and the chapter/section booth.  I learned that you can join 3 extra sections for free until the end of the year.  This is a great opportunity to try out new sections, make new connections, and learn new things.  I'm thinking about the Leadership and Management section as I'm a solo and can use all the management help I can get. 

I was supposed to finish the day by attending the MD Consult party, but I got so caught up in chatting with new colleagues that I completely missed the party and apparently missed some really great food.  But I really think I came off with the better deal - after new friends and colleagues are really what I'm here for?

5 Things I'm Looking Forward To at MLA'11

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.

I'm very excited to be attending my first MLA conference and sharing my experiences with you.  I graduated from library school in December 2009 and became a medical librarian in May 2010, so not only am I new to medical libraries and MLA, I'm also new to the profession in general.  By way of introduction, I thought I would share what I'm looking forward to most here at MLA'11.

Top 5 Things I'm Looking Forward to Most:
1. My CE course on systematic reviews.  I consider myself a fairly decent searcher and I've been known to generate some excellent results on almost no information.  However, I'm at sea when it comes to major reviews.  I've read a few articles but I have no idea where to begin a systematic review.  I have a physician who is in the beginning stages of research on a new project and I know he is going to require a comprehensive review of the literature.  I've done what I can but I recognize my limits and when I need more knowledge on the subject.  Hopefully this course will help me better serve this physician and prepare me for other reviews I may do in the future.

2. New Member Breakfast.  I only joined the medical librarian force a year ago when I became an accidental medical librarian.  I don't know very many people in the field so I'm really excited about meeting other new medical librarians and hopefully learning more about MLA overall, despite the fact that this Sunday event starts at 7:30.  In the morning.  I hope there is enough caffeine. 

3. Rethinking the Librarian's Role in EHRs, PHRs, and EMRs: A Place at the Table.  This 5th annual lecture series sponsored by STAT!Ref (Sunday at 4:30) is of special interest to me because my hospital just purchased an EHR system and I would love to get involved.  Except I have no clue how such things work or what I can do to help.  I'm hoping to get some interesting tidbits and advice from librarians who been in my shoes.  

4. The Janet Doe Lecture. I'm very excited about the Janet Doe lecture (Monday at 9:00) because the speaker is T.Scott Plutchak who happens to be the director of UAB's Lister Hill Library, my resource library.  The title of his lecture, “Breaking the Barriers of Time and Space: The Dawning of the Great Age of Librarians” is very intriguing to me as I love anything that has to do with reaffirming the awesomeness of my chosen profession. 

5. Shopping at the Mall of America and generally exploring Minneapolis.  I've never been to Minneapolis and I love any chance to explore a new city.  For years I've been wondering what all the hoopla about the Mall of America so I'm making a special trip out there to see if for myself.  After reading all the great blog posts about places to eat around town, I'm dying to try out some of the restaurants.  Anyone want to go exploring with me?

What are you most looking forward to at MLA'11?


Since most of you aren't at MLA, what do you look forward most to at conferences?  If you've never been to a conference, what would you like to do/see/learn? 

Please Don't Forget

I know there is a lot going on in your life right now.  There is a lot going on in the world.  Big floods.  Bombs falling in Libya.  Crazy high gas prices. 

An E-F 4 tornado bearing down on Tuscaloosa.

But please don't forget about the tornado victims in Alabama and across the southeast.  259 tornadoes were reported in 16 states on one day.  238 people in Alabama alone lost there lives.

Tornado damage in Tuscaloosa.  That's a Hobby Lobby in the background.  A BBQ restaurant and a fast food restaurant (or what is left) is the front.

Please don't forget them.  News coverage has drifted away and volunteer and donation levels are dropping off.  Please don't stop sending donations and praying for those who were affected.  They need your help.

Horrifying tornado damage.

Luckily, despite the total lack of news coverage, there are so many people who haven't forgotten about the tornado victims.

Sarah Wendall from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books (who is so full of awesome it isn't even funny) has organized a list of needed supplies and names and address of volunteers in Alabama willing to accept them and take them to be donated.  I am one of those volunteers and I got my first two shipments yesterday and today.

What's in the boxes??

Feminine hygiene supplies! Not pictured: ladies underwear.

A picture from another volunteer.  Readers of SBTB FTW!!

So this is just a friend reminder to please do something.  Give blood.  Give money.  Send supplies.  Send prayers.  SOMETHING.  These areas are devastated and will continue to need help for a long time.  

So please don't forget.

Alabama Tornado Relief

Osama bin Laden may be dead, but so are 240 Alabamians. 

It's been one week since disaster struck in the form of 197 devastating tornadoes.  80 people are still unaccounted for in the Tuscaloosa area alone.  The government is estimating the financial impact of the storms will equal or exceed Hurricane Katrina. 

In short, it was a disaster AND it's still a disaster.  And my state needs your help. 

How can you help?

The best way to help is in the form of monetary donations.  Long after the initial rush of supplies fades, money is still going to be needed to help victims heal and recover.  Some of the best places to give money:

Mid Alabama Region of The American Red Cross - the Red Cross is serving meals, hosting shelters, providing medical care, and passing out much-needed supplies.  Red Cross support in Tuscaloosa.

United Way - United Way supports organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army as well as runs local volunteer organizations.  They are hosting a telethon today, collection supplies, and have a phone bank open to support those in need. United Way assistance in West Alabama.

UA Greek Relief - While there may be lots of criticism of the Greek system, one thing can not be overlooked: their ability to come together and help others.  Philanthropy is a cornerstone of the Greek system and never has that been more evident that at The University of Alabama in the past week.  Fraternity and sorority members have been cooking and serving meals, assisting with cleanup, coordinating donations, and delivering supplies around Tuscaloosa.  They are now turning their attention to fundraising for the city of Tuscaloosa.

UA Acts of Kindness Fund - 6 students at The University of Alabama lost their lives during the storm.  The Acts of Kindness fund will be used to financially support employees and students who were victims of the storm. 

Other ways to help:
Give blood
Ask for your blood to go to victims of the Alabama tornadoes. 


Donate supplies
-The Christian Service Mission in Birmingham has set up an Amazon wish list page that will allow you to purchase and ship much-needed to supplies to impacted areas. 
-Follow James Spann on Twitter or on Facebook for up-to-the-minute needs around the state. 
-Check out this post from Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books fame.  She is coordinating mail drop locations for out-of-state folks to mail supplies to Alabama.  Mail drop volunteers (myself included) will be collecting the donations and taking them to distribution areas.  Sarah has provided a list of donation sources and needed supplies. 

Observe a moment of silence today at 5:13 PM CST. 

We will get through this, but can only succeed with your help.  Please consider donating in some way.

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" Pslam 31:24.

May Goals

1. Budget - Put money into savings.  I haven't been as diligent as I would like when it comes to saving money.  Instead of focusing so much on how much I'm spending, I want to turn my attention to the things I want to save for and actually putting money into my various savings accounts.
2. Food - Cook more.  I feel like I've falling down on cooking lately.  I love to cook and try new recipes so this month that's what I'm going to do!  I've already built some new things into my menu and I plan on cooking smaller portions to help curb any food waste that may occur.
3. Blogging - Blog. Period.  I've made some changes and I have even more changes coming later this month, but my focus needs to remain on providing good content.  As always, let me know if there is something you would like to see me blog about and I'll keep attempting to write natural, personal, and random posts about whatever I can think of.
4. Social - Maintain a balance.  This goes along with cooking more, I think.  I love going out to dinner with friends, but a) it's expensive and b) it stresses me out to be out most every night.  But, I don't need to hide away either.  A good, solid, balance is needed.
5. Personal - Organize my office.  This is the same as last month, because I didn't do it.  And it needs to be done.  I went looking for something yesterday and couldn't find it.  I must fix that before I lose something really important in my mess. 

What are your goals for this month?

A Lenten Update

I had big plans to post regular updates on my Lenten promise to give up meat.  But seeing as how this is me we are talking about, of course that didn't happen. 

I'm sure you're not surprised. :)

I intended for this Lent to be very meaningful and to think of Christ and His sacrifice every time I was tempted to eat meat, but that didn't really happen either.  I was very conscious of my choices and my reasonings at the beginning of the Lenten season, but as I got used to choosing vegetarian options, this sort of went by the wayside. 

However, in terms of sticking with my promise, I think I did very well.  In the past 43 days, I have eaten meat twice.  Once in an egg roll (pork) and in a few wantons (pork again) in some wanton soup and the other time was a chicken biscuit (chicken. obviously). 

Wait, do the egg roll and wantons count as two separate incidences?  I'm going to say no.

The Chinese food meat intake happened because a) I was sick, b) they were out of hot and sour soup (how this happened I have no idea), and c) I can't eat Chinese without ordering an egg roll.  It's un-American.  Or is it un-Chinese?  Probably un-American.

So that was really an accident.  I had a sinus infection and was very medicated and not thinking clearly.  So - not my fault.  Plus I had a great case of Catholic guilt after which has to count for something.

The chicken biscuit incidence was not a mistake.  It was intentional.  I was running late for work, I was starving, and dammit, I wanted a freaking chicken biscuit from Chick-fil-A! (Side note: Chick-fil-A is the only place where I will eat a chicken biscuit.  Whoever says a chicken biscuit is a chicken biscuit is a liar.)  So I allowed myself to be even later for work and got my chicken biscuit and some tater tots. (Second side note: Chick-fil-A is also the only place where I will eat tater tots.  I'm not weird at all.  Not one bit.) 

And you know what?  That chicken biscuit didn't taste good.  Not at all.  I was devastated.  Here I had made myself late for work (okay, so not that big of deal), sat in a never ending drive-thru line, paid close to $6.00 for breakfast, and broke my Lenten promise for chicken that tasted bad. 

I have no idea if my taste buds were off from not eating meat or if that chicken biscuit really wasn't great to begin with.  Needless to say, one bad experience has not stopped me from craving a chicken biscuit almost every day. 

So what have I learned from this experience?  I've learned:
1. Being a vegetarian is hard.  It gets you weird looks, especially in the south.  It's hard to eat out at places with limited options (such as my hospital cafeteria which specializes in chicken wings and hot dogs).  And peanut butter and jelly gets really old really fast.
2. Being a vegetarian does not mean weight loss.  If anything, I've probably gained weight from relying too much on pasta, cheese, and other, wonderful but unhealthy, dairy options. 
3. I like tofu. And quinoa.  And veggie burgers. Okay, these are all things I've eaten before, but I reaffirmed the fact that I like them.  I didn't expand my vegetarian cooking options quite as much as I hoped, but I did try a few new recipes.
4. That I cannot be a vegetarian forever.  My waistline can't handle it and I really like having the option of eating meat when I want to.
5. That giving up something for Lent just for the sake of giving up something doesn't mean jack if you don't keep the real reason behind it.

Lent comes to an end on Sunday and I've already planned out exactly where I'm going to be eating on Monday.  I'm sure I'm going to make myself sick eating meat three times in one day , but I really want a hamburger! And a chicken biscuit.

Did you give up anything for Lent?  How did you do?  What did you learn?

Changes Ahoy!

Well, hello there!

I realize it's been almost a week since I last posted and I apologize.

Tap tap...are you still there?

I sure hope so! 

If you are reading this through your feed reader or in an email, I invite you to click over now.  You may be in for a surprise.

Notice anything different?  A new title perhaps?  The new domain name?

I have finally (finally!) made the jump to my own domain name and changed the title of this here humble blog.  Since I'm approaching the one year mark of being gainfully employed, I figured the time was ripe for changes. 

That and I'm not so much the newly employed librarian any more.  :)

The next few weeks will be bringing several other surprises.  The content will not be changing, however.  I'll still be here sharing recipes and the general randomness you've come to expect.  But, by all means, if you have any suggestions or ideas of what you would like to see more of (or less, your choice), please feel free to drop me an email or leave a comment!

A Bit of Randomness

I'm feeling a little scattered today so I thought I would upload a few random pictures I had on my phone of my house.  These are fairly horrible pictures as the iPhone (or maybe it's just me?) isn't the best camera ever. 

One of my April goals is to organize my office.  Why?  Because it looks like this:

Clearly, it needs some work.  You can't really tell, but I have all sorts of papers on my desk and on the chair.  That purple basket?  FULL of paperwork.  I need to get started on this ASAP. 

I recently acquired this chair for an empty corner of my room.  I think I need a lamp on the right side to hide those cords, don't you think?

A friend needed a place to keep her piano while she was looking for a buyer.  I volunteered my empty landing and Caty approves. 

I reorganized my bookshelf this past weekend and created a To Be Read (TBR) shelf instead of mixing them in with my other books, which are arranged by subject, then alphabetized by author.  This is good for the OCD librarian side of me. :)

Caty likes to get my attention by clawing at the carpet.  She only claws at the carpet on the stairs, and only on three specific steps.  No clue as to why and I'm not having any luck getting her to stop.  Any ideas?

What's random in your life at the moment?

April Goals

1.      Budget – Stick to my spending limits!  I have limits for a reason and that is to keep my budget in check so I can save for fun things like travel and necessary things like a new computer.  I need to keep this in mind the next time I’m tempted to order pizza instead of cooking what I already have or buying something just because it’s on sale.

2.      Food – Stop collecting recipes.  It’s no surprise that I love everything about food – shopping for it, preparing it, eating it, serving it, you name it, I love it.  And a product of that is my mammoth recipe collection.  Sometimes I get a recipe on purpose, like when I’m looking for a recipe that uses a specific ingredient, but most of the time, I collect recipes that I think I’ll make one day.  The problem is, I have two binders and 4 folders stuffed full of recipes I’ll probably never get around to trying.  So this month, I’m going to stop printing out recipes to try.  I need to come up with meals based on the recipes I already have and turn to my collection first, not the Internet, when I want to make something new.

3.      Blogging – Set aside some time each day to blog.  This was a goal last month, and it needs to be one this month as well.  I have tons of ideas for posts and if I just sit down and get them written, my life would be so much easier.

4.      Social – Stay connected.  I’m an “out of sight, out of mind” type of person.  If I don’t see something often, it’s probably going to slip my mind.  I find this especially true of friends I don’t see or talk to on a regular basis.  I have some very good friends here in town that I rarely see.  I want to do better getting together (or at least talking) with them this month.  There is no reason to neglect good friends.

5.      Personal – Organize my office.  My office is a disaster.  It's completely unpacked and I've organized my bookcase (of course!), but I never organized all my paperwork.  I have a huge basket of paperwork that needs to be sorted and organized.  My desk has also become a clutter spot and needs to be cleared off and put to good use.

What are your April goals?

March Goal Review

1.      Budget – Stick to my spending limits and adjust accordingly.  I did better here.  I under spent in my coffee shops, fast food, and entertainment budgets, but I overspent in my grocery, restaurant, and gas budgets.  What really happened was I forgot to take into account that I went on vacation in March.  I had upped my gas budget to compensate for the higher gas prices, but I didn’t account for the fact that I would be driving to and from the beach.  I didn’t raise my budgets for groceries and restaurants, because, well, I forgot.  I guess I’m human.

2.      Food – Bust out the cookbooks.  We’ll call this a partial fail.  I did cook two recipes (look for one on Tuesday!) from my cookbooks and I kept this goal in mind throughout the month, but I failed to really follow through. 

3.      Blogging – Dedicate some time each day for blogging.  I did really well with this goal early on in the month.  I wrote some quality blog posts and didn’t allow myself to get behind.  But by the end of the month, I was back to where I started, blogging behind schedule, or worse, not blogging at all.  I must do better on this.

4.      Social – Establish a balance.  I did much better on this.  I’ve had several quiet days at home and I don’t feel like I’ve neglected anyone, including myself.  I’ve been able to get stuff done around the house and still enjoy being with friends.  I think going on vacation with friends really helped. 

5.      Personal – Read 4 books.  I actually read 7!  I read I’m a Stranger Here Myself, Gone Too Far, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged (I’m on a Black Dagger Brotherhood kick at the moment.  Don’t judge me; you know you love some angsty vampire romance too.), The Spymaster’s Lady, and listened to Over the Edge.  Currently I’m reading Lover Mine and next on the list are Not Quite a Husband and The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie; it’s time to get back to my Reading List.

How did you do on your March Goals?

Recharging the Batteries

All the work I've been doing for the past few months is finally coming to fruition.  But that also means this is a very busy week for me.  I've been running all over the hospital for the past two days helping to get everything set up for Research Week in addition to handling the work from both libraries as my coworker is a symposium learning awesome stuff for us.

Did I mention that I do all of this running in heels?  Ouch, my feet hurt.

So it's no surprise that I'm exhausted.  And sick.  Allergy season is in full swing and the pollen seems to be affecting me even more this week.  I look like I've spent all day crying, my eyes and nose are so red.

So I'm taking today (and potentially tomorrow depending on how things go today) off from any real blogging and focusing on recharging my batteries and getting some rest. 

Anyone else feeling run down?

Practically Perfect In Every Way...Or Not

For some reason some people are under the impression that I’m a bit like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.  And I can sort of see why.

You come here every day and read about my menu planning, my cooking prowess, how I’m such a great librarian, own a house, and have such an amazing social life that I actually complain about being too busy. 

Yeah, I could see where you might hate me.  If I was really like that, I would hate me too.

So I’m here to correct all those misunderstandings and clear the air.  I am not perfect.  Not in any way, shape, form, or fashion.  Nor will I ever be.   

Attempting to be perfect was something I worked incredibly hard at growing up.  I would look around school or dance class and see these girls who looked as if everything they did was effortless; that being so together and so good at everything came naturally.  They seemed like they had it all right, all together, and were just so perfect.  I tried and I tried to be like that and failed every time. 

But then I learned that I don’t have to be perfect.  And I especially don’t have to be perfect at things I’m not good at.  Which is probably why I (and this blog) sometimes give off the impression that I am perfect.  I only write about things that I do well; I only post recipes that are successful (or that at least turned out successful even though I messed up the recipe); I generally only share the happy parts of my life.  I have a very bad habit of only talking about the good and the things that go right.

I used to be much more forward about the crappy parts of life, admitting to things like being bullied as a teen, lacking in motivation, or struggling with depression, but, after taking a quick pass through my more recent blog posts, I noticed that I’ve stopped doing that.  Not for any particular reason, but it’s probably not a good thing as it has led to several emails, tweets, and comments as to how I manage to do it all.  How do I keep myself together, run a blog, own a home, work full time, and still have a great social life?

The answer is I don’t. 

At any given time, my house is a complete disaster from all the cat litter Caty tracks around and from the fact that I haven’t done laundry in two weeks.  I haven’t, despite my very best intentions, worked out in almost two weeks but I have baked several wonderful treats that I have no intentions of sharing.  I often ignore phone calls when I don’t feel like talking.  I abandon my meal plan (and my budget) at the slightest sign of a better opportunity such as grocery store sushi or an entire pint of Turtle Tracks ice cream.  I shut out everything and everyone for days at a time so I can do nothing but lay around, read, and watch way too much TV.  I oversleep every day and am almost always late for work.  I have OCD to the point that it occasionally interferes with everyday life.  I gossip and talk too much.  I complain, often to the point of ridiculous.  I procrastinate more than you could ever imagine. 

I don’t do it all.  I can’t do it all.  I never will.  And I will never be perfect, not in a million years.  Neither are you.  And that’s okay.

Do you struggle with perfection or feeling unequal to some of the bloggers you read?