It takes me awhile to get into the holiday spirit. I don't get excited about Thanksgiving until the day before when we start cooking and I have just this week (with 6 days till Christmas) get excited about Christmas. That was mildly sequestered when I was told we are no longer having Christmas dinner at our apartment but instead having to go up to Tanner's Grandmothers. Not that I don't like her, because I do...a lot, but I just wanted to spend the day at my house for once. So now we will have to open presents with my mom and dad, have breakfast and then head up to Gtown, schlepping all the groceries required, to Grandma's house and then cook there. I am not sure why this irritates me, but it does. Anyway....I have sorta of felt Scrooge like for the past few weeks listening to freaking Christmas songs non-stop on the radio, in the elevator, at the grocery store and with everyone at work bustling around on their lunch hours, buying presents and the ginormous gift baskets that are arriving from vendors. I don't want to buy any co-workers gifts, not because I don't like them, I do, but because I don't want to spend my money on them. Obviously this year has been tight for everyone, but I am feeling it and don't want to spend my hard earned (on easily earned) dollars on people I have only known for a few months. I am having a hard enough time with just my family. My sister is canceling Christmas b/c they are buying a house and close on dec 30th. Which is fine with me, since her birthday is just 2 weeks later. I will get her something for that.
I haven't started my Christmas shopping, but plan to do it next week while I am not working. It makes me nervous as I have NO IDEA what to buy for Tanner's brothers. 24 and 26 year old young men....HELP! I have exactly the right present for Monica his sister and we are going in on a gift for him together. I know what I got my mom and my dad, and so do they - our family likes to tell each other exactly what to buy...it makes it easier and we all like our gifts!
I haven't even dug out the decorations yet, but hopefully Tanner will do that tonight. We still need to clean the house, which is a mess.
Anyway, today I am starting to feel a little less grinch-ish and plan to make a fresh Christmas mood start today!
I hope you all have a happy, safe and wonderfully joyful Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What Am I Missing
I was sent an article about getting the most from my downtime. This made me start thinking are the more succesful people in my life doing these things? I don't want my life to be the status quo. I want to accomplish things and go places and see things. Is this going to be possible for me? I don't know. Right now my focus is getting married, getting out of debt and getting going on my career. I want to start a family soon, but obviously would like to get the debt and marriage done first!
I usually come home from work really tired, have dinner and watch TV. I am sure this is not the most productive thing to do with my time, but I think all day at work and sometimes I just like to veg out when I get home. I usually read for 30 minutes or more before I go to bed, then lights out and the day starts all over again the next morning. Am I missing something? Should I be doing more with my time? Sometimes between my real job and working for the apartment complex as the resident team, I feel over scheduled! Where is the balance?
I usually come home from work really tired, have dinner and watch TV. I am sure this is not the most productive thing to do with my time, but I think all day at work and sometimes I just like to veg out when I get home. I usually read for 30 minutes or more before I go to bed, then lights out and the day starts all over again the next morning. Am I missing something? Should I be doing more with my time? Sometimes between my real job and working for the apartment complex as the resident team, I feel over scheduled! Where is the balance?
Friday, November 28, 2008
8 Things About Me
A cool blog that I like called The Yellow Brick Road tagged me for something called 8 random things. So here are 8, maybe not known things about me, which was harder than I thought! And since I am supposed to tag 4 people, I tag One Weak at a Time, Must Love Dogs..., Lone Starr State of Mind and Knight of Nothing.
1. I have to sleep with a small fan on. It doesn't actually circulate any air, it just makes noise. I started sleeping with it on in college to drownd out the noise of the dorms, but now I have to have it - but it keeps Tanner awake, so I am trying to sleep without, but isn't good sleep!!
2. I used to be a blonde! Many of you just said "WHAT?!?!!" but yes in college I dyed my hair blonde, really blonde. It looked pretty good!
3. My parents have been married for 41 years. This is a big thing to me. They havne't always gotten along great, but they love each other and always work it out. It is certainly something I look up to.
4. I love to bake. I love baked goods...they are my weakness, but I love making pies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc!
5. While I think this might be a known fact, since I have an entire entry dedicated to it, I love coffee! I worked as a Barista for over 2 years where my knowledge of the drink and my love for it grew!
6. I hate working out. I know I should, I know it is good for me, I know I need to, but I hate it! I have to basically drag myself. I always feel better afterward and know it is good for me, but I hate it!!
7. I love wine! I want to become more knowledgeable about it, but I love wine. I contribute it to a bonding experience with my sister, who also loves wine.
8. I am the perfect consumer. If a commercial or show is made to make you laugh, then I laugh. If it is made to make you cry, then I cry. I can't help it. I fall for it every time! Those damn Visa commercials where the little girl is imagining walking down the street with an elephant, but really it is the toy elephant that her dad bought her at the circus totally chokes me up! So if you want to know if something is going to work on consumers, I would be happy to tell you!
Hope you enjoyed learning more about me!
1. I have to sleep with a small fan on. It doesn't actually circulate any air, it just makes noise. I started sleeping with it on in college to drownd out the noise of the dorms, but now I have to have it - but it keeps Tanner awake, so I am trying to sleep without, but isn't good sleep!!
2. I used to be a blonde! Many of you just said "WHAT?!?!!" but yes in college I dyed my hair blonde, really blonde. It looked pretty good!
3. My parents have been married for 41 years. This is a big thing to me. They havne't always gotten along great, but they love each other and always work it out. It is certainly something I look up to.
4. I love to bake. I love baked goods...they are my weakness, but I love making pies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc!
5. While I think this might be a known fact, since I have an entire entry dedicated to it, I love coffee! I worked as a Barista for over 2 years where my knowledge of the drink and my love for it grew!
6. I hate working out. I know I should, I know it is good for me, I know I need to, but I hate it! I have to basically drag myself. I always feel better afterward and know it is good for me, but I hate it!!
7. I love wine! I want to become more knowledgeable about it, but I love wine. I contribute it to a bonding experience with my sister, who also loves wine.
8. I am the perfect consumer. If a commercial or show is made to make you laugh, then I laugh. If it is made to make you cry, then I cry. I can't help it. I fall for it every time! Those damn Visa commercials where the little girl is imagining walking down the street with an elephant, but really it is the toy elephant that her dad bought her at the circus totally chokes me up! So if you want to know if something is going to work on consumers, I would be happy to tell you!
Hope you enjoyed learning more about me!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Diet and some progress
I have been doing Nutrisystem for a little over a month now. I have lost a total of 16lbs. I know I have lost inches b/c my clothes are fitting better and I can tell there is a reduction in my belly. I no longer look as though I am 4 or 5 month pregnant! Now stop right there, I know you will say "you didn't look pregnant" but kids will say the darndest things and before I started this diet I was hanging out with a friend's 6 year old daughter and we went to the pool. While we were there she came up, put her hand on my belly and said "are you having a baby?" That might have been the last straw for me, knowing that I had to do something! I am glad I did. I have found NS to be very easy to follow and a good way to learn about portion control and what portions of things should look like. Now it is short on the carbs, outside of what is in the NS food, you really aren't allowed. This is the hardest thing for me b/c I LOVE bread and toast. Overall I have been impressed with the food. Sure some of it needs to be doctored with spices and salads get boring after awhile. NS has discussion boards where you can read about other people's ideas/struggles, etc.
Coming into the holiday weekend I am scared of what will happen on Thanksgiving. I am going to Tanner's sister's in Keller. I think there will be a ton of people. I can eat the turkey (4oz) and I am going to make myself some mashed cauliflower fake potatoes instead of eating the real ones. I am also in charge of pies, so I plan to make a lowfat or fat free pumpkin cheesecake and then a regular pumpkin and a apple pie (made with Splenda instead of sugar) But I love dressing and gravy! I am going to miss them! At least I can eat the cranberry sauce! And I guess as long as I don't gain weight a by-week of weight loss will be ok.
Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
Coming into the holiday weekend I am scared of what will happen on Thanksgiving. I am going to Tanner's sister's in Keller. I think there will be a ton of people. I can eat the turkey (4oz) and I am going to make myself some mashed cauliflower fake potatoes instead of eating the real ones. I am also in charge of pies, so I plan to make a lowfat or fat free pumpkin cheesecake and then a regular pumpkin and a apple pie (made with Splenda instead of sugar) But I love dressing and gravy! I am going to miss them! At least I can eat the cranberry sauce! And I guess as long as I don't gain weight a by-week of weight loss will be ok.
Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
Monday, November 17, 2008
PC America is getting out of hand
Today has gotten me thinking being PC is getting ridiculous!! Don’t get me wrong, I think all people are created equal, I am not racist or a bigot and I think everyone deserves the same rights. I do not, however think that I am a bad person because I used the word ‘black’ to describe someone of African American decent! I would not be offended if someone described me as ‘white’, nor ‘straight’ or republican. But why is it that I am made to feel like I practically used the “N” word when I said “you know that black guy”? I have friends that are black….all of which consider themselves American, not African American, because as my friend Sam said “I am from Florida! I haven’t been to Africa, my mom and dad haven’t been to Africa and my grandparents haven’t been to Africa!” I have gay friends, now I won’t use words like ‘dyke’ or ‘homo’ but I call them gay. They are GAY! I don’t judge, I am just using words to describe people! Come on world, when did it get sensitive to use adjectives? If I say them in a descriptive, not hurtful way, what does it matter?
I was watching a comic this weekend, he was making a lot of non-PC jokes, but they were funny. He was a Hispanic and poked fun at everyone equally. He made a comment that I thought was a poignant …”if you are white and don’t know if you should laugh or not, turn and find the nearest black or Mexican and see if they are laughing, if they are you’re good!” Why do only the white people have to figure out if it is ok to laugh?
I was watching a comic this weekend, he was making a lot of non-PC jokes, but they were funny. He was a Hispanic and poked fun at everyone equally. He made a comment that I thought was a poignant …”if you are white and don’t know if you should laugh or not, turn and find the nearest black or Mexican and see if they are laughing, if they are you’re good!” Why do only the white people have to figure out if it is ok to laugh?
Elf Yourself
I encourage you all to Elf Yourself! It is fun times! Here are Tanner and I doing a jig!
Send your own ElfYourself eCards
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I am a Bette -- "I must be strong"
My friend Lauren had this quiz posted on her blog, so I thought I would give it a shot! I would say this is pretty spot on! :)
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.
What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes
What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right
Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings
Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.
What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes
What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right
Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings
Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid
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