After you've finished laughing, you may go forth and resume living your life. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
And just when you thought I was done for the year
I don't have a lot to say, but I did come across something that I COULD NOT PASS UP SHARING! My friend Jessica is a Patriots fan all the way, and she and I have arguments discussions about NFL players. She thinks Tom Brady is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I beg to differ. Now I know that all my points were valid. May I present to you...
After you've finished laughing, you may go forth and resume living your life. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!
After you've finished laughing, you may go forth and resume living your life. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Get out of here, 2013!
If you know me, you know that normally I do not celebrate New Year's Eve. Nine years ago on December 31 as the clock struck midnight, my step-dad had an accident that ultimately resulted in his death after 5 days in the ICU. Ever since then, the idea of celebrating (or even staying awake) for the midnight countdown made me squeamish. Since then I've been working on viewing Tony's life as a blessing - and that includes his death. If given the chance, of course I'd love to have him back, but that would require changing a plan that God has for my life. Instead it has taken me nearly a decade, but I have come to understand that I don't always need to understand. I just need to trust.
In church yesterday we had a guest speaker that touched on the subject of the new year. He said that we shouldn't just say "ugh, another year". We should run screaming toward 2014 like "look out, here I come!" The seasons and years will change regardless of whether you drag your feet or jump in anticipation. I don't give a flip about being another year older, so why dread the coming year? I know I've got a ton of blessings in store, so I'm running toward them.
I had a wonderful Christmas, although I'm glad it is over now. I felt the hectic holiday schedule as I'm sure most other people did too. I didn't get to spend it doing what I wanted to do (pajamas, hot chocolate, board games, not leaving the house), but I spent it with family and ultimately had a good time. During some of my Christmas activities the idea of Christ-centered Christmas traditions was brought up. I try my best to remember the reason for the season, but I don't actually have any Christian Christmas traditions. I put up a tree and watch lots of movies, but I don't so much as own a nativity. This year I started a new tradition where I give a gift to Jesus (I'm a wise woman, after all). It could be something good (a promise to volunteer regularly) or something bad that we wanted Him to destroy for us. I chose to give him my bad language. It may be a controversial idea, but I don't think cussing is a sin. However, I don't want anyone else to look at me and think negatively of God or Christianity because of the words coming out of my mouth. Therefore, I'm saying adios to all my bad words. I don't need them anyway. I have an extensive vocabulary. Let's bring that out and dust it off!
Since I don't normally celebrate New Year's, I also usually don't make resolutions, but I think I'll change that this year too. I'd love to be more organized. My house is always a wreck, I procrastinate anything and everything I don't want to do, I have ticket stubs from 2005 that are waiting to be scrapbooked, and sometimes I realize it's been 20 days since I last checked the mail. I don't even have children as an excuse. I'm going to make this year the year that I become organized for good. I may even make a blog schedule, although we'll see about that. Let's not get too crazy.
In church yesterday we had a guest speaker that touched on the subject of the new year. He said that we shouldn't just say "ugh, another year". We should run screaming toward 2014 like "look out, here I come!" The seasons and years will change regardless of whether you drag your feet or jump in anticipation. I don't give a flip about being another year older, so why dread the coming year? I know I've got a ton of blessings in store, so I'm running toward them.
I had a wonderful Christmas, although I'm glad it is over now. I felt the hectic holiday schedule as I'm sure most other people did too. I didn't get to spend it doing what I wanted to do (pajamas, hot chocolate, board games, not leaving the house), but I spent it with family and ultimately had a good time. During some of my Christmas activities the idea of Christ-centered Christmas traditions was brought up. I try my best to remember the reason for the season, but I don't actually have any Christian Christmas traditions. I put up a tree and watch lots of movies, but I don't so much as own a nativity. This year I started a new tradition where I give a gift to Jesus (I'm a wise woman, after all). It could be something good (a promise to volunteer regularly) or something bad that we wanted Him to destroy for us. I chose to give him my bad language. It may be a controversial idea, but I don't think cussing is a sin. However, I don't want anyone else to look at me and think negatively of God or Christianity because of the words coming out of my mouth. Therefore, I'm saying adios to all my bad words. I don't need them anyway. I have an extensive vocabulary. Let's bring that out and dust it off!
Since I don't normally celebrate New Year's, I also usually don't make resolutions, but I think I'll change that this year too. I'd love to be more organized. My house is always a wreck, I procrastinate anything and everything I don't want to do, I have ticket stubs from 2005 that are waiting to be scrapbooked, and sometimes I realize it's been 20 days since I last checked the mail. I don't even have children as an excuse. I'm going to make this year the year that I become organized for good. I may even make a blog schedule, although we'll see about that. Let's not get too crazy.
Monday, November 11, 2013
A Check-Up
It has almost been 3 months since I made the birthday resolutions 31 Things To Do This Year. My, how time flies. Since I'm all about checking things off a list, I thought I would take a look back and see what (if anything) I've accomplished so far.
31 Things To Do This Year
1.Go somewhere I've never been before. I've been to Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Monticello, KY, and the Student Union on the UT campus just to name a few!
2.Go to at least 1 UT football game this year. I need to celebrate the Butch Jones era! I went to the UT vs Western KY game. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been to even though the score ended up being a blowout. There were 5 WKY turnovers in their first 6 plays - not series. Plays! That means nearly every single time they got the ball they turned it over immediately. It was amazing to watch.
3.Have my dishwasher installed. It's just sitting there not plugged in. NOT HELPFUL! Boom! A family friend came over and hooked up the drain and electric, but the old copper pipes in my house weren't going to be sufficient. I went to Lowes, bought the right stuff, and finished the installation myself. I felt like Bob freaking Villa.
4. Sell my house.
5. Spend the holidays doing something I want to do. Usually I get roped into visiting other people's families. BTW, your crazy family is only endearing to you. To outsiders they are barely tolerable. Please don't inflict this on others on Christmas Day!
6. Get back into church. I love my new church very much. Everyone is welcome to visit!
7. Read more books and see more movies that are not necessarily "my style".
8. Go someplace where I need to dress fancy. I have so many clothes and heels that are neglected because of my mundane lifestyle!
9. Forgiveand forget. I'm trying so hard. I really am!
10. Get more pedicures, facials, massages, whatever. I used to treat myself all the time when I was young. Now I could actually use the maintenance.
11. Make my home a place that I enjoy being. Too often I use the kitchen table for a catch-all or pile things in the garage.
12. Enjoy time away from work without worrying about work.
13. Write. Write. Write. Revise. Then write some more.
14. Try Indian food.
15. Learn something. I love taking classes. I want to acquire new skills!
16. Explore my city like a tourist. I grew up here, but there are tons of things around Knoxville that I've never done or seen!
17. Downsize my stuff.
18. Rediscover my love for yoga. I took a class yesterday, and today I'm stiff. I used to take 2 or 3 classes a week and never felt anything but wonderfully rejuvenated. Gosh, I miss those days. Hahahaha. Well, I did more yoga, but I'm not sure I rediscovered my love for it. I got burned out pretty quickly, but I'm not giving it up forever.
19. Have quarterly game nights with my friends. We had one on October 20. Now we just have to keep it going!
20. Pay off some bills. I'm looking at you, Student Loan!
21. Get outside.
22. Do activities that make me uncomfortable. Not terrified (like skydiving) but out of my comfort zone (like indoor skydiving).
23. Figure out what I want out of life. I should know by now, but I don't yet. I'm pretending that's normal.
24. Cook more. I'll start on this just as soon as #3 is taken care of. Not washing the dishes by hand makes a world of difference.
25. Remember to call DirecTV and have ESPNU added to my channels. (I need something I can mark off today. It makes me feel accomplished.) I did it the same day I originally posted this list, but DirecTv has still not updated it yet.
26. Give my cat his hairball medicine on the regular so I'm not awakened by the sound of him hacking at 4:00 AM. I'm getting pretty good at this!
27. Learn to use a sewing machine once and for all! I'm really good at it for 5 minutes until I break the thread, need to change the bobbin, or otherwise destroy it.
28. Wear my jewelry. I have a ton of it. (It's all fake. Don't get excited, thieves.) I just never remember to put it on in the morning. I have on a necklace, a ring, and a bracelet today. That's about maximum accessorizing capacity for me.
29. Never fight via text. I am doing this, much to the chagrin of a particular person who loves to pick text fights. I always respond with "Is this something we should be talking about with texts?" It makes him more angry, I think.
30. Be nicer to my mom. She's really good to me, and sometimes I take my frustrations out on her. I see her more often, and we are fighting less, so I think this is working!
31. Blog more often! I have been!
Oh my goodness! And just when I think I have no follow-through... I've done pretty well so far!
31 Things To Do This Year
1.
2.
3.
4. Sell my house.
5. Spend the holidays doing something I want to do. Usually I get roped into visiting other people's families. BTW, your crazy family is only endearing to you. To outsiders they are barely tolerable. Please don't inflict this on others on Christmas Day!
7. Read more books and see more movies that are not necessarily "my style".
8. Go someplace where I need to dress fancy. I have so many clothes and heels that are neglected because of my mundane lifestyle!
9. Forgive
10. Get more pedicures, facials, massages, whatever. I used to treat myself all the time when I was young. Now I could actually use the maintenance.
11. Make my home a place that I enjoy being. Too often I use the kitchen table for a catch-all or pile things in the garage.
12. Enjoy time away from work without worrying about work.
13. Write. Write. Write. Revise. Then write some more.
14. Try Indian food.
15. Learn something. I love taking classes. I want to acquire new skills!
16. Explore my city like a tourist. I grew up here, but there are tons of things around Knoxville that I've never done or seen!
17. Downsize my stuff.
20. Pay off some bills. I'm looking at you, Student Loan!
21. Get outside.
22. Do activities that make me uncomfortable. Not terrified (like skydiving) but out of my comfort zone (like indoor skydiving).
23. Figure out what I want out of life. I should know by now, but I don't yet. I'm pretending that's normal.
27. Learn to use a sewing machine once and for all! I'm really good at it for 5 minutes until I break the thread, need to change the bobbin, or otherwise destroy it.
Oh my goodness! And just when I think I have no follow-through... I've done pretty well so far!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Peachtree and Patios
Earlier this month I went to Atlanta with 2 of my friends. We had a grand old time (but we usually do wherever we are). I had been meaning to get the pictures off my phone, but I've been SO TIRED this month, and can't seem to get anything done. Here's my trip in a nutshell:
The McD's south of Chattanooga has weird ref-killing pictures. I don't understand it, but then again I'm not an art critic. There wasn't even an in memory of plaque.
Outside the lovely World of Coca-Cola downtown. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day
We stayed at a Hyatt hotel on Peachtree Street NE in Buckhead, and the restaurant next door was SO GOOD with some of the biggest asparagus I've ever seen in my life!!!
Our last stop was IKEA, and we had to rearrange the car to make room for our purchases. Next time, we are taking a Uhaul!
----
I posted a picture before of the patio I was obsessed with. I was looking for the cheapest option (because building a 450 sq ft patio was going to be expensive no matter what. My local Lowes has these hideously plain concrete pavers for $1.27 each, and that was the cheapest place around (Walmart was 1.33!).
After taxes that would be $627.22!!!!! Holy crap, that's a lot of money for a plain patio.
I reasoned with myself that since I really wanted flagstone and was going to be shelling out big bucks anyway, I might as well get what I wanted and just shell out really big bucks! Luckily I was able to get an amazing deal on a pallet of flagstone from Out of Eden Garden Center, and it was exactly what I wanted. Bonus: it ended up costing less than the pavers!
I relayed my ideas to Mr. Fix It, and while I was at Bible study last Friday night, he came over with Fix It Jr. and laid down the entire thing!
I don't know what made them decide to do this for me, but...
I am so grateful! That was a lot of work I missed out on!
Now all I need to do is fill in the cracks with pea gravel (which was given to me for free by an acquaintance that was moving)
Once I put an edging around it, it'll be perfect!!! Now I just need more time to spend on it. Hmmm...
The McD's south of Chattanooga has weird ref-killing pictures. I don't understand it, but then again I'm not an art critic. There wasn't even an in memory of plaque.
Outside the lovely World of Coca-Cola downtown. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day
We stayed at a Hyatt hotel on Peachtree Street NE in Buckhead, and the restaurant next door was SO GOOD with some of the biggest asparagus I've ever seen in my life!!!
Our last stop was IKEA, and we had to rearrange the car to make room for our purchases. Next time, we are taking a Uhaul!
----
I posted a picture before of the patio I was obsessed with. I was looking for the cheapest option (because building a 450 sq ft patio was going to be expensive no matter what. My local Lowes has these hideously plain concrete pavers for $1.27 each, and that was the cheapest place around (Walmart was 1.33!).
After taxes that would be $627.22!!!!! Holy crap, that's a lot of money for a plain patio.
I reasoned with myself that since I really wanted flagstone and was going to be shelling out big bucks anyway, I might as well get what I wanted and just shell out really big bucks! Luckily I was able to get an amazing deal on a pallet of flagstone from Out of Eden Garden Center, and it was exactly what I wanted. Bonus: it ended up costing less than the pavers!
I relayed my ideas to Mr. Fix It, and while I was at Bible study last Friday night, he came over with Fix It Jr. and laid down the entire thing!
I don't know what made them decide to do this for me, but...
I am so grateful! That was a lot of work I missed out on!
Now all I need to do is fill in the cracks with pea gravel (which was given to me for free by an acquaintance that was moving)
Once I put an edging around it, it'll be perfect!!! Now I just need more time to spend on it. Hmmm...
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
All the things I'm obsessed with right this minute
If you know me personally, you probably know that I get on these kicks where I become fascinated with an idea or object and can't get enough. If you don't know me personally then let me put it to you this way: I have OCD. I am both obsessive and compulsive. Luckily it's mostly charming (I hope) and very rarely disruptive.
Here are my obsessions of the moment:
1. Halloween! Well, yeah it's October. That makes sense. But as some people have to get in the Christmas spirit (Mom, this means you), I have to get in the Halloween spirit by watching movies and doing fun activities. I have a few things left on my list to do in the next week including: watching Hocus Pocus and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, going to a corn maze, and completing my costume. This is a preview:
2. Vegetables. I'm trying to eat more veggies because a) I love them and b) they are good for me. I've been doing a personal challenge where I try not to eat potatoes and I limit my bread quite a bit. Since I started I've been enjoying many more salads for lunch (rather than sandwiches) and veggies on the side instead of fries or chips. I had the chicken Caesar salad from Walmart for lunch today, and it was delicious. I highly recommend it!
3. Patios. This time of year makes me want to get outside more than any other time. Recently I took out my swimming pool, and now I have a big backyard just begging for me to do something with it. My idea is a flagstone patio. It's going to be back-breaking work, but I am OBSESSED with the idea. This is pretty much what I want with the exception of the tree in the middle.
4. Studying the Bible. Obviously this list is in no particular order or God would be at the top. Very top. Above the title. In September Jen started a new small group through Faith Promise that I've become a member of. It is for women ages 25-35. I adore all the ladies, and we've been having some good studies so far. I've been going to my family's Bible study too, and currently we are in the book of Revelation, which is deep and heavy but so interesting. And I've also found a home church at Rio Revolution. If you are looking for a church to attend, I invite you to visit it.
All of the studying and fellowship has really made a difference in my relationship with God, and I'm so glad for that. I'm excited and hungry for it for the first time in a long time.
5. Travel. Like always, I crave travel. I need it! I recently got back from Atlanta with Jennifer and Brad, and we had a great time. I got on TripAdvisor to post my reviews of the places we went, and BOOM! The need to travel hit me again. TripAdvisor has this new thing where it shows you how much of the world you've seen. I'm at 4%. Are you joking? Four measly percent?! I've got to remedy that immediately!
This is me with the Coca-Cola bear in Atlanta. He was so cute, I wanted to take him home!
Here are my obsessions of the moment:
1. Halloween! Well, yeah it's October. That makes sense. But as some people have to get in the Christmas spirit (Mom, this means you), I have to get in the Halloween spirit by watching movies and doing fun activities. I have a few things left on my list to do in the next week including: watching Hocus Pocus and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, going to a corn maze, and completing my costume. This is a preview:
2. Vegetables. I'm trying to eat more veggies because a) I love them and b) they are good for me. I've been doing a personal challenge where I try not to eat potatoes and I limit my bread quite a bit. Since I started I've been enjoying many more salads for lunch (rather than sandwiches) and veggies on the side instead of fries or chips. I had the chicken Caesar salad from Walmart for lunch today, and it was delicious. I highly recommend it!
3. Patios. This time of year makes me want to get outside more than any other time. Recently I took out my swimming pool, and now I have a big backyard just begging for me to do something with it. My idea is a flagstone patio. It's going to be back-breaking work, but I am OBSESSED with the idea. This is pretty much what I want with the exception of the tree in the middle.
4. Studying the Bible. Obviously this list is in no particular order or God would be at the top. Very top. Above the title. In September Jen started a new small group through Faith Promise that I've become a member of. It is for women ages 25-35. I adore all the ladies, and we've been having some good studies so far. I've been going to my family's Bible study too, and currently we are in the book of Revelation, which is deep and heavy but so interesting. And I've also found a home church at Rio Revolution. If you are looking for a church to attend, I invite you to visit it.
All of the studying and fellowship has really made a difference in my relationship with God, and I'm so glad for that. I'm excited and hungry for it for the first time in a long time.
5. Travel. Like always, I crave travel. I need it! I recently got back from Atlanta with Jennifer and Brad, and we had a great time. I got on TripAdvisor to post my reviews of the places we went, and BOOM! The need to travel hit me again. TripAdvisor has this new thing where it shows you how much of the world you've seen. I'm at 4%. Are you joking? Four measly percent?! I've got to remedy that immediately!
This is me with the Coca-Cola bear in Atlanta. He was so cute, I wanted to take him home!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
As long as I can remember, I've always LOVED October. Not that you need it, but here are 31 reasons why you should love it too:
1. The air is crisp. Something about October air makes me want to open the windows, pile under blankets, and just breathe more. (Sinus infections be damned.)
2. Football. Okay, it is no secret that I love me some football. October is when things start getting exciting. UT Vols play 3 very highly ranked teams in the month of October. Will we win? We shouldn't, but that doesn't mean we won't! Also, it is much more comfortable to go to football games in October (see #1).
3. The Corn Maze. I don't love being lost, but I love being lost inside a giant maze of corn. Go figure. It smells earthy and a psycho may jump out at any minute. That could describe the whole state of TN actually...
4. Halloween. It is the best holiday. Period.
5. Costumes. Not to be confused with Halloween, costumes are an important part of October. Some people have costume parties. Some events are costume themed. Any excuse to dress up in a costume is good enough for me.
6. Fall colored foliage. The leaves are gorgeous in this part of the country for just about a week, until inevitably, we get a big rainstorm. They are still pretty after that, but they are on the ground rather than the branches.
7. Chili. I'm hard to please when it comes to chili, but I think I make some of the best around. No cheese, Frito chips, or anything weird in my bowl. Maybe saltines and a butt-ton of pepper.
8. Bonfire smells. If someone could accurately capture the smell that is a bonfire, brush pile, or something of the like, I would buy them out (whether it be candles or air freshener, or fabric softener) and never leave home. I love that smell beyond words.
9. Pumpkin everything except coffee. Carving pumpkins - good. Pumpkin muffins - good. Pumpkin pie - very good. You get the picture.
10. Horror movies. Being fake scared is so much fun! Being actually scared (like in a hostage situation) is probably not so much fun. But when it comes to horror movies, I pre-game. I get myself scared before the movie actually starts by thinking about how scared I will be. Voila! No horror movie is ever disappointing. And yes, my imagination is so much scarier than movies.
11. Outdoor festivals. Our town throws a big fall concert with fried foods (yay!) and live music. It seems like people just want to get outside in October. You can't contain it!
12. Sweaters and boots. This is easily one of my favorite style combinations. It even makes hard faced Victoria Beckham look sweet and cuddly.
13. Darker makeup is acceptable. I wear it regardless of season, but black eyeliner and October go together like peanut butter and ladies. (Bonus points if you know what movie that line is from.)
14. Thunderstorms. When it's cool outside and it storms, the windows steam up, and everything feels cozy inside. It's magical.
15. Candy. The treats are in mini, guilt-free portions. What's not to love? One of my favorite bits from a stand-up comic is Jerry Seinfeld talking about Halloween. He describes the first moment a child figures out the concept of Halloween and their reaction is "what is this about candy? Who is giving out candy? EVERYONE THAT WE KNOW IS JUST GIVING OUT CANDY?!"
16. Coffee tastes better. Coffee is yummy! I take it with 2 creams and 2 sweet-n-lows if anyone out there wants to bring me some. In the fall when the morning temps dip below 50 degrees, coffee changes from a delicious drink to a must-have. It doesn't hurt that the steam rises up and gives you a mini facial while you drink it.
17. Less Sweating. Speaking of facials, summer wreaks havoc on my skin. I hate that my makeup melts off and my hair is continually frizzy. Sweating is just not a good look. Thankfully October brings less sweating and more temperature contentedness.
18. Apples. I've never actually been apple picking, but something tells me I'd love it. Like October, apples are crisp and delicious. Fujis are my favorite. I'll take them with or without caramel and peanuts (although never candied!).
19. ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween. Read this lineup and tell me you don't want to fill your DVR with it!
20. Suddenly it's acceptable to wear head to toe black. As if I needed a reason!
21. Straightening my hair. Humidity makes curly haired people insane. Autumn has less humidity and therefore more ways I can style my hair without it looking like a bird's nest. (See also #17)
22. Tanning season is done. I don't really "lay out in the sun" during the summer although I do get a tan from being in the sun. You don't have to worry about weird tan lines by October. It doesn't matter that you wore a halter bathing suit all summer and have strange stripes across your shoulders. By October your tan has mostly faded away.
23. People wear overalls in non-ironic ways. It must be something about farming and harvesting crops. I don't know why, but I see a huge surge in people wearing overalls and flannel in the fall. I love them both (although I don't wear either), so I say keep em coming!
24. Campy witchcraft movies. My favorite witchcraft movies are The Worst Witch, Hocus Pocus, and The Craft. If there is one you haven't seen, you are totally missing out!
25. Re-reading old favorites. I love the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (I love everything by her actually, but this book is beautiful). Nothing beat R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike when I was a kid. And do you remember the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books? Holy crap, those illustrations were NO JOKE!
26. Scariest Places on Earth shows. I love the Travel Channel programming that has to do with the most haunted places on Earth or the scariest hotels. I do not like the shows that use night vision to catch ghostly footage (unless it is Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files and then only because Ben Hansen is ridiculously dreamy). I would rather hear about the history of a place than see a bunch of people scaring themselves.
27. Mosquitoes are almost gone. Self-explanatory.
28. Seeing my friends. November and December are jam packed with family-related events, but it seems like October is designed perfectly for friend hangouts.
29. The nights aren't too long yet. In the winter it is so depressing that I never get to see daylight. I work all the time. I actually do that in the summer too now that I think about it. In October, the days are shortening, but they aren't too short yet. It's the perfect time to build campfires and shoot fireworks because you don't have to wait until 9:30 for it to be dark enough!
30. No more lawn care. If you know anything about my childhood, you know how much I detest mowing. Here's hoping all my grass dies this winter and never comes back!
31. Tim Curry. Not many 6 year old children grew up wanting to marry Tim, but I did. Even now at 67 years old, I find him totally dapper. More than likely he's gay, but when I fell in love with Tim, I didn't even know what that meant. I just knew he had large, googley eyes (which is a reoccurring trait I find attractive to this day), a voice like velvet, and a certain something. The Worst Witch, Clue, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Stephen King's It, and the list goes on. This man was made for October. He should be called Mr. October instead of Reggie Jackson.
1. The air is crisp. Something about October air makes me want to open the windows, pile under blankets, and just breathe more. (Sinus infections be damned.)
2. Football. Okay, it is no secret that I love me some football. October is when things start getting exciting. UT Vols play 3 very highly ranked teams in the month of October. Will we win? We shouldn't, but that doesn't mean we won't! Also, it is much more comfortable to go to football games in October (see #1).
3. The Corn Maze. I don't love being lost, but I love being lost inside a giant maze of corn. Go figure. It smells earthy and a psycho may jump out at any minute. That could describe the whole state of TN actually...
4. Halloween. It is the best holiday. Period.
5. Costumes. Not to be confused with Halloween, costumes are an important part of October. Some people have costume parties. Some events are costume themed. Any excuse to dress up in a costume is good enough for me.
6. Fall colored foliage. The leaves are gorgeous in this part of the country for just about a week, until inevitably, we get a big rainstorm. They are still pretty after that, but they are on the ground rather than the branches.
7. Chili. I'm hard to please when it comes to chili, but I think I make some of the best around. No cheese, Frito chips, or anything weird in my bowl. Maybe saltines and a butt-ton of pepper.
8. Bonfire smells. If someone could accurately capture the smell that is a bonfire, brush pile, or something of the like, I would buy them out (whether it be candles or air freshener, or fabric softener) and never leave home. I love that smell beyond words.
9. Pumpkin everything except coffee. Carving pumpkins - good. Pumpkin muffins - good. Pumpkin pie - very good. You get the picture.
10. Horror movies. Being fake scared is so much fun! Being actually scared (like in a hostage situation) is probably not so much fun. But when it comes to horror movies, I pre-game. I get myself scared before the movie actually starts by thinking about how scared I will be. Voila! No horror movie is ever disappointing. And yes, my imagination is so much scarier than movies.
11. Outdoor festivals. Our town throws a big fall concert with fried foods (yay!) and live music. It seems like people just want to get outside in October. You can't contain it!
12. Sweaters and boots. This is easily one of my favorite style combinations. It even makes hard faced Victoria Beckham look sweet and cuddly.
13. Darker makeup is acceptable. I wear it regardless of season, but black eyeliner and October go together like peanut butter and ladies. (Bonus points if you know what movie that line is from.)
14. Thunderstorms. When it's cool outside and it storms, the windows steam up, and everything feels cozy inside. It's magical.
15. Candy. The treats are in mini, guilt-free portions. What's not to love? One of my favorite bits from a stand-up comic is Jerry Seinfeld talking about Halloween. He describes the first moment a child figures out the concept of Halloween and their reaction is "what is this about candy? Who is giving out candy? EVERYONE THAT WE KNOW IS JUST GIVING OUT CANDY?!"
16. Coffee tastes better. Coffee is yummy! I take it with 2 creams and 2 sweet-n-lows if anyone out there wants to bring me some. In the fall when the morning temps dip below 50 degrees, coffee changes from a delicious drink to a must-have. It doesn't hurt that the steam rises up and gives you a mini facial while you drink it.
17. Less Sweating. Speaking of facials, summer wreaks havoc on my skin. I hate that my makeup melts off and my hair is continually frizzy. Sweating is just not a good look. Thankfully October brings less sweating and more temperature contentedness.
18. Apples. I've never actually been apple picking, but something tells me I'd love it. Like October, apples are crisp and delicious. Fujis are my favorite. I'll take them with or without caramel and peanuts (although never candied!).
19. ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween. Read this lineup and tell me you don't want to fill your DVR with it!
20. Suddenly it's acceptable to wear head to toe black. As if I needed a reason!
21. Straightening my hair. Humidity makes curly haired people insane. Autumn has less humidity and therefore more ways I can style my hair without it looking like a bird's nest. (See also #17)
22. Tanning season is done. I don't really "lay out in the sun" during the summer although I do get a tan from being in the sun. You don't have to worry about weird tan lines by October. It doesn't matter that you wore a halter bathing suit all summer and have strange stripes across your shoulders. By October your tan has mostly faded away.
23. People wear overalls in non-ironic ways. It must be something about farming and harvesting crops. I don't know why, but I see a huge surge in people wearing overalls and flannel in the fall. I love them both (although I don't wear either), so I say keep em coming!
24. Campy witchcraft movies. My favorite witchcraft movies are The Worst Witch, Hocus Pocus, and The Craft. If there is one you haven't seen, you are totally missing out!
25. Re-reading old favorites. I love the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (I love everything by her actually, but this book is beautiful). Nothing beat R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike when I was a kid. And do you remember the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books? Holy crap, those illustrations were NO JOKE!
26. Scariest Places on Earth shows. I love the Travel Channel programming that has to do with the most haunted places on Earth or the scariest hotels. I do not like the shows that use night vision to catch ghostly footage (unless it is Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files and then only because Ben Hansen is ridiculously dreamy). I would rather hear about the history of a place than see a bunch of people scaring themselves.
27. Mosquitoes are almost gone. Self-explanatory.
28. Seeing my friends. November and December are jam packed with family-related events, but it seems like October is designed perfectly for friend hangouts.
29. The nights aren't too long yet. In the winter it is so depressing that I never get to see daylight. I work all the time. I actually do that in the summer too now that I think about it. In October, the days are shortening, but they aren't too short yet. It's the perfect time to build campfires and shoot fireworks because you don't have to wait until 9:30 for it to be dark enough!
30. No more lawn care. If you know anything about my childhood, you know how much I detest mowing. Here's hoping all my grass dies this winter and never comes back!
31. Tim Curry. Not many 6 year old children grew up wanting to marry Tim, but I did. Even now at 67 years old, I find him totally dapper. More than likely he's gay, but when I fell in love with Tim, I didn't even know what that meant. I just knew he had large, googley eyes (which is a reoccurring trait I find attractive to this day), a voice like velvet, and a certain something. The Worst Witch, Clue, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Stephen King's It, and the list goes on. This man was made for October. He should be called Mr. October instead of Reggie Jackson.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Too Much of a Good Thing
To be perfectly honest (and why be any other way?) I am SICK TO DEATH OF YOGA! I really didn't see that coming, but then again I've never attempted to do that much yoga. The purpose of the challenge was to get me to rediscover my love for yoga, but after a week it became a chore. I wanted to do something else...anything else! I would have gladly run wind sprints, and I hate running. I longed for the elliptical machine or anything that didn't involve quiet. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to do yoga and another exercise, so I kept plugging along miserable. I tried meditation (which I usually also love) and I just couldn't get into it. I don't want to finish this challenge and never want to do yoga again, so I'm throwing in the towel. I did 11 days.
PS: I did get my butt off the ground in lifted lotus. SO THERE!
And now onto other stuff. I'm doing a photo challenge with Jen. I'm a bit behind at the moment. I'm taking pictures, I just haven't had a second to post them yet. You can find a page dedicated to the photo challenge to the right ---->
PS: I did get my butt off the ground in lifted lotus. SO THERE!
And now onto other stuff. I'm doing a photo challenge with Jen. I'm a bit behind at the moment. I'm taking pictures, I just haven't had a second to post them yet. You can find a page dedicated to the photo challenge to the right ---->
Monday, September 2, 2013
Yoga Challenge Days 2-6
I'm still trucking! Jen told me that September is National Yoga Month which I didn't know, but I thought it was kind of funny since I just so happen to be doing my challenge now. I'm also doing the 30 day photo challenge, but I'm only 2 days in so far. I don't know where or if I'll post those pictures yet.
On to yoga!
Thursday, August 29
Pilates (My Yoga Online)
Duration: 15 mins
Level: beginner
I am not a fan of Pilates mainly because it's all about core strength, and I don't have much! This was a fast paced class that stuck with the basics (read: sit-ups). I got off work late, and I didn't really have a lot of time to commit to a session. My favorite part of this video was the part about imprinting the spine to the floor. For someone with back problems that move is everything. I may try Pilates again in the future, but eh.
--------------------------------
Friday, August 30
Long Hold Yoga (my imagination)
Duration: 15 mins
Level: somewhere between relaxing and ouch
I had heard of Long Hold Yoga aka getting in a pose and staying there for a long time. I wanted to try it so I just turned on my DirecTV to the Zen music channel and used the stopwatch feature on my phone. A few of the positions felt fab (seated forward fold) while others felt...less so (plank). Overall I really liked this, and I will probably do it again sometime when I don't have a bunch of time.
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Saturday, August 31
Long Hold Yoga (on my couch)
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
Level: what is less than beginner?
Saturday was kinda rough so I did a Savasana pose for 90 minutes. Savasana means dead body, and I was dead asleep. That counts, right?
-------------------------------
Sunday, September 1
Yoga class at the gym with Jen
Duration: 1 hour
Level: Intermediate
So the gym has a rotating instructor schedule on Sundays. This week's instructor was different from last week's. I liked the other lady better, but whatev. I tried a pose I had never done before called the Hindi. Newsflash: It gives you an atomic wedgie.
Jen and I decided that this gym is the only one where your resting yoga position is a downward facing dog. I've taken many in the past when the class rests in mountain pose. If you are on the floor it makes sense to rest in lotus or table. Doing a downward dog for 36 out of 60 minutes puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Especially if your shoulders were used to lift heavy desks the day before. Just me? Ok, fine.
------------------------------
Monday, September 2
Hatha yoga (My Yoga Online)
Duration: 24 minutes
Level: Moderate
I really enjoyed this video. I will definitely be coming back to it. There were lots of standing forward folds. One of my favorite things was a pose called Sunbird bend that I had never done before. I liked it because I was instantly good at it. Hey, take your victories where you can get them.
See you later!
On to yoga!
Thursday, August 29
Pilates (My Yoga Online)
Duration: 15 mins
Level: beginner
I am not a fan of Pilates mainly because it's all about core strength, and I don't have much! This was a fast paced class that stuck with the basics (read: sit-ups). I got off work late, and I didn't really have a lot of time to commit to a session. My favorite part of this video was the part about imprinting the spine to the floor. For someone with back problems that move is everything. I may try Pilates again in the future, but eh.
--------------------------------
Friday, August 30
Long Hold Yoga (my imagination)
Duration: 15 mins
Level: somewhere between relaxing and ouch
I had heard of Long Hold Yoga aka getting in a pose and staying there for a long time. I wanted to try it so I just turned on my DirecTV to the Zen music channel and used the stopwatch feature on my phone. A few of the positions felt fab (seated forward fold) while others felt...less so (plank). Overall I really liked this, and I will probably do it again sometime when I don't have a bunch of time.
-------------------------------
Saturday, August 31
Long Hold Yoga (on my couch)
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
Level: what is less than beginner?
Saturday was kinda rough so I did a Savasana pose for 90 minutes. Savasana means dead body, and I was dead asleep. That counts, right?
-------------------------------
Sunday, September 1
Yoga class at the gym with Jen
Duration: 1 hour
Level: Intermediate
So the gym has a rotating instructor schedule on Sundays. This week's instructor was different from last week's. I liked the other lady better, but whatev. I tried a pose I had never done before called the Hindi. Newsflash: It gives you an atomic wedgie.
Jen and I decided that this gym is the only one where your resting yoga position is a downward facing dog. I've taken many in the past when the class rests in mountain pose. If you are on the floor it makes sense to rest in lotus or table. Doing a downward dog for 36 out of 60 minutes puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Especially if your shoulders were used to lift heavy desks the day before. Just me? Ok, fine.
------------------------------
Monday, September 2
Hatha yoga (My Yoga Online)
Duration: 24 minutes
Level: Moderate
I really enjoyed this video. I will definitely be coming back to it. There were lots of standing forward folds. One of my favorite things was a pose called Sunbird bend that I had never done before. I liked it because I was instantly good at it. Hey, take your victories where you can get them.
See you later!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Daily Yoga Challenge - Days 0-1
Day 0
Technically this isn't a day in the challenge since I made up the challenge on 8/28, and I took this class on 8/25. I'm not including it. However, I did notice a few notes I wanted to make about the experience.
Sunday, August 25
Took a class at the gym with Jen
Duration: 1 hour
Level: Intermediate
It was hard getting back into yoga after spending so much time away. It had probably been 4+ years since I had taken a class. I found myself sweating a lot (like more than when I take a spin class!), and afterwards I felt my muscles were very loose. I joked with Jen that I was undulating rather than walking to the car.
Move I loved: Pigeon
It always feels amazing to me to stretch my hips.
Bonus move I loved: Bridge
I was able to hold this for a long time with no discomfort. It felt really fabulous on my lower back, but the next day my butt was paying the price!
Move I need to work on: Lunges
I really need to strengthen my butt. I consider myself to have pretty strong legs, but a non-existent derriere.
Move I am excited to work on: overall endurance
Random observation: How does one wash a yoga mat? They perform all manners of sweaty aerobics in this studio. Hmmm...
-------------------------------------------------------
Day 1 Wednesday, August 28
Intro to Ashtanga Yoga by Kino MacGregor (MyYogaOnline)
Duration: 28 minutes
Level: Beginner
This was very very basic. She explains yoga in a way I like by talking about each word or movement and what it means. When you get right down to the poses though, they are very beginner. The video ended with a 5 minute meditation so it was really only 23 minutes long.
Move I loved: The OK sign used during meditation or while in the cross legged position. I had no idea that it meant unification of the individual soul with the divine soul. It makes sense, but I have never heard that before. Yoga isn't just for health. It is also bringing me closer to God.
Move I need to work on: Chandrasana
I've been doing this move wrong all this time, and I had no idea. It is like the 2nd half of a push-up. Plank is the first half of a push-up where your arms are fully extended. Chandrasana is where your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle, but your stomach and knees do not touch the floor. Oops. I was just kinda laying on the floor.
Move I am excited to work on: Lifting off the ground during lotus. The instructor Kino said it took her 3 months to get her butt off the ground in this position. I want to do it in one month!
Random observation: The ceiling fan in my living room hangs down really low. That is problematic if I want to keep my hands in tact.
Technically this isn't a day in the challenge since I made up the challenge on 8/28, and I took this class on 8/25. I'm not including it. However, I did notice a few notes I wanted to make about the experience.
Sunday, August 25
Took a class at the gym with Jen
Duration: 1 hour
Level: Intermediate
It was hard getting back into yoga after spending so much time away. It had probably been 4+ years since I had taken a class. I found myself sweating a lot (like more than when I take a spin class!), and afterwards I felt my muscles were very loose. I joked with Jen that I was undulating rather than walking to the car.
Move I loved: Pigeon
It always feels amazing to me to stretch my hips.
Bonus move I loved: Bridge
I was able to hold this for a long time with no discomfort. It felt really fabulous on my lower back, but the next day my butt was paying the price!
Move I need to work on: Lunges
I really need to strengthen my butt. I consider myself to have pretty strong legs, but a non-existent derriere.
Move I am excited to work on: overall endurance
Random observation: How does one wash a yoga mat? They perform all manners of sweaty aerobics in this studio. Hmmm...
-------------------------------------------------------
Day 1 Wednesday, August 28
Intro to Ashtanga Yoga by Kino MacGregor (MyYogaOnline)
Duration: 28 minutes
Level: Beginner
This was very very basic. She explains yoga in a way I like by talking about each word or movement and what it means. When you get right down to the poses though, they are very beginner. The video ended with a 5 minute meditation so it was really only 23 minutes long.
Move I loved: The OK sign used during meditation or while in the cross legged position. I had no idea that it meant unification of the individual soul with the divine soul. It makes sense, but I have never heard that before. Yoga isn't just for health. It is also bringing me closer to God.
Move I need to work on: Chandrasana
I've been doing this move wrong all this time, and I had no idea. It is like the 2nd half of a push-up. Plank is the first half of a push-up where your arms are fully extended. Chandrasana is where your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle, but your stomach and knees do not touch the floor. Oops. I was just kinda laying on the floor.
Move I am excited to work on: Lifting off the ground during lotus. The instructor Kino said it took her 3 months to get her butt off the ground in this position. I want to do it in one month!
Random observation: The ceiling fan in my living room hangs down really low. That is problematic if I want to keep my hands in tact.
Caution: Challenges ahead!
There are a lot of challenges coming up in the fall. I don't mean that my life is going to be difficult or anything like that (I hope it isn't!). I mean some of the games I've done in the past like DietBet are coming back.
DietBet, for those of you who don't know, is a pledge to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. Everyone throws in some money at the beginning, and the people who complete their bet split the pot at the end. The website has different games going on all the time, but I participated in a celebrity hosted game by Biggest Loser stars Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward last March. I have met them, and they are just the most precious women EVER! I love their hearts. Anyway, I'm going to join their Diet Bet #3 which starts in 11 days.
Another challenge I'm interested in is a 30 day photo challenge. These have been around since the days of MySpace, but I've never done one. I recently bought a new cell phone, and it has a good camera, so I'd like to try it. I pinned one to Pintrest on the Best Friend Bucket List page, and I may try to convince Jen to participate with me. I just think it would be more fun to see how we each interpret the challenges (especially since we normally share a brain!).
Finally, I've been trying to incorporate more yoga (see previous post), and I decided to join My Yoga Online. It's only $9.95 for a monthly subscription. I figure I would spend more than that if I bought 1 DVD. They have all kinds of videos and routines along with message boards, etc. They accepted Paypal too, and that kinda sealed my decision. I'd like to try different kinds of classes and keep track of what I like and what I need to work harder on. I'd also like to do it every day for 30 days! I'm a little lame on follow-through, so we'll see if I keep at it!
DietBet, for those of you who don't know, is a pledge to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. Everyone throws in some money at the beginning, and the people who complete their bet split the pot at the end. The website has different games going on all the time, but I participated in a celebrity hosted game by Biggest Loser stars Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward last March. I have met them, and they are just the most precious women EVER! I love their hearts. Anyway, I'm going to join their Diet Bet #3 which starts in 11 days.
Another challenge I'm interested in is a 30 day photo challenge. These have been around since the days of MySpace, but I've never done one. I recently bought a new cell phone, and it has a good camera, so I'd like to try it. I pinned one to Pintrest on the Best Friend Bucket List page, and I may try to convince Jen to participate with me. I just think it would be more fun to see how we each interpret the challenges (especially since we normally share a brain!).
Finally, I've been trying to incorporate more yoga (see previous post), and I decided to join My Yoga Online. It's only $9.95 for a monthly subscription. I figure I would spend more than that if I bought 1 DVD. They have all kinds of videos and routines along with message boards, etc. They accepted Paypal too, and that kinda sealed my decision. I'd like to try different kinds of classes and keep track of what I like and what I need to work harder on. I'd also like to do it every day for 30 days! I'm a little lame on follow-through, so we'll see if I keep at it!
Monday, August 26, 2013
31 Things To Do This Year
I recently had a birthday (hint: my new age is in the title of this post!), and while I don't believe in making New Year's Resolutions, I'm cool with birthday resolutions. Here are 31 things I'd like to do in the next 359 days in no particular order.
1. Go somewhere I've never been before.
2. Go to at least 1 UT football game this year. I need to celebrate the Butch Jones era!
3. Have my dishwasher installed. It's just sitting there not plugged in. NOT HELPFUL!
4. Sell my house.
5. Spend the holidays doing something I want to do. Usually I get roped into visiting other people's families. BTW, your crazy family is only endearing to you. To outsiders they are barely tolerable. Please don't inflict this on others on Christmas Day!
6. Get back into church.
7. Read more books and see more movies that are not necessarily "my style".
8. Go someplace where I need to dress fancy. I have so many clothes and heels that are neglected because of my mundane lifestyle!
9. Forgive and forget.
10. Get more pedicures, facials, massages, whatever. I used to treat myself all the time when I was young. Now I could actually use the maintenance.
11. Make my home a place that I enjoy being. Too often I use the kitchen table for a catch-all or pile things in the garage.
12. Enjoy time away from work without worrying about work.
13. Write. Write. Write. Revise. Then write some more.
14. Try Indian food.
15. Learn something. I love taking classes. I want to acquire new skills!
16. Explore my city like a tourist. I grew up here, but there are tons of things around Knoxville that I've never done or seen!
17. Downsize my stuff.
18. Rediscover my love for yoga. I took a class yesterday, and today I'm stiff. I used to take 2 or 3 classes a week and never felt anything but wonderfully rejuvenated. Gosh, I miss those days.
19. Have quarterly game nights with my friends.
20. Pay off some bills. I'm looking at you, Student Loan!
21. Get outside.
22. Do activities that make me uncomfortable. Not terrified (like skydiving) but out of my comfort zone (like indoor skydiving).
23. Figure out what I want out of life. I should know by now, but I don't yet. I'm pretending that's normal.
24. Cook more. I'll start on this just as soon as #3 is taken care of.
25. Remember to call DirecTV and have ESPNU added to my channels. (I need something I can mark off today. It makes me feel accomplished.)
26. Give my cat his hairball medicine on the regular so I'm not awakened by the sound of him hacking at 4:00 AM.
27. Learn to use a sewing machine once and for all! I'm really good at it for 5 minutes until I break the thread, need to change the bobbin, or otherwise destroy it.
28. Wear my jewelry. I have a ton of it. (It's all fake. Don't get excited, thieves.) I just never remember to put it on in the morning.
29. Never fight via text.
30. Be nicer to my mom. She's really good to me, and sometimes I take my frustrations out on her.
31. Blog more often!
1. Go somewhere I've never been before.
2. Go to at least 1 UT football game this year. I need to celebrate the Butch Jones era!
3. Have my dishwasher installed. It's just sitting there not plugged in. NOT HELPFUL!
4. Sell my house.
5. Spend the holidays doing something I want to do. Usually I get roped into visiting other people's families. BTW, your crazy family is only endearing to you. To outsiders they are barely tolerable. Please don't inflict this on others on Christmas Day!
6. Get back into church.
7. Read more books and see more movies that are not necessarily "my style".
8. Go someplace where I need to dress fancy. I have so many clothes and heels that are neglected because of my mundane lifestyle!
9. Forgive and forget.
10. Get more pedicures, facials, massages, whatever. I used to treat myself all the time when I was young. Now I could actually use the maintenance.
11. Make my home a place that I enjoy being. Too often I use the kitchen table for a catch-all or pile things in the garage.
12. Enjoy time away from work without worrying about work.
13. Write. Write. Write. Revise. Then write some more.
14. Try Indian food.
15. Learn something. I love taking classes. I want to acquire new skills!
16. Explore my city like a tourist. I grew up here, but there are tons of things around Knoxville that I've never done or seen!
17. Downsize my stuff.
18. Rediscover my love for yoga. I took a class yesterday, and today I'm stiff. I used to take 2 or 3 classes a week and never felt anything but wonderfully rejuvenated. Gosh, I miss those days.
19. Have quarterly game nights with my friends.
20. Pay off some bills. I'm looking at you, Student Loan!
21. Get outside.
22. Do activities that make me uncomfortable. Not terrified (like skydiving) but out of my comfort zone (like indoor skydiving).
23. Figure out what I want out of life. I should know by now, but I don't yet. I'm pretending that's normal.
24. Cook more. I'll start on this just as soon as #3 is taken care of.
25. Remember to call DirecTV and have ESPNU added to my channels. (I need something I can mark off today. It makes me feel accomplished.)
26. Give my cat his hairball medicine on the regular so I'm not awakened by the sound of him hacking at 4:00 AM.
27. Learn to use a sewing machine once and for all! I'm really good at it for 5 minutes until I break the thread, need to change the bobbin, or otherwise destroy it.
28. Wear my jewelry. I have a ton of it. (It's all fake. Don't get excited, thieves.) I just never remember to put it on in the morning.
29. Never fight via text.
30. Be nicer to my mom. She's really good to me, and sometimes I take my frustrations out on her.
31. Blog more often!
Monday, August 5, 2013
Five things to love about August
August is by no-means my favorite month, (Hello, October? I love you.) but it is pretty great. Have doubts? Dig this:
1. Your summer tan has kicked in. Usually by August I have a gorgeous glow that has been earned both from working and playing outdoors. This year it is not quite fully developed, but I still have another month.
2. There are no national holidays. I love holidays, but in the retail (or resale) business they are pretty much consuming. August is great because you can celebrate the smaller things that may have been overlooked in a more jam-packed month. Tennessee's tax free weekend is intended for back to school, but I see it as a version of summertime Christmas except I only buy presents for myself. It is practically my duty to buy clothes, shoes, and office supplies that I don't need! Also, my birthday is in August which is great because hardly anyone has plans otherwise. What is there to do in this heat anyway?
3. Fall is coming. It seems wrong to look ahead when I'm all about celebrating the present, but sometimes I can't help it. You can feel it on the breeze. The mornings and evenings are cooler. The mosquitoes have all died from heat stroke. Kids are back in school. In June and July it's easy to take it for granted, but by August you know the summertime is coming to an end.
4. Football is here. Preseason games, high school games, and finally on the last day of the month, University of Tennessee games. I love football. Why? People can sit for weeks and analyze what will happen. They can use past stats and prior meetings, but in the end it all comes down to heart and talent. You never know what is going to happen in football, and sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes that's a very bad thing.
5. It is the month of possibilities. You could make straight As this year and keep your locker organized. Your team could go undefeated. You could start your Christmas shopping early. You could start your diet early so you'll have earned a "cheat day" by Thanksgiving. Maybe you'll become a better person. Maybe you'll try harder at work. Summer is ending and it's time to get down to business. Maybe this will turn out to be the best year ever. You still have time!
1. Your summer tan has kicked in. Usually by August I have a gorgeous glow that has been earned both from working and playing outdoors. This year it is not quite fully developed, but I still have another month.
2. There are no national holidays. I love holidays, but in the retail (or resale) business they are pretty much consuming. August is great because you can celebrate the smaller things that may have been overlooked in a more jam-packed month. Tennessee's tax free weekend is intended for back to school, but I see it as a version of summertime Christmas except I only buy presents for myself. It is practically my duty to buy clothes, shoes, and office supplies that I don't need! Also, my birthday is in August which is great because hardly anyone has plans otherwise. What is there to do in this heat anyway?
3. Fall is coming. It seems wrong to look ahead when I'm all about celebrating the present, but sometimes I can't help it. You can feel it on the breeze. The mornings and evenings are cooler. The mosquitoes have all died from heat stroke. Kids are back in school. In June and July it's easy to take it for granted, but by August you know the summertime is coming to an end.
4. Football is here. Preseason games, high school games, and finally on the last day of the month, University of Tennessee games. I love football. Why? People can sit for weeks and analyze what will happen. They can use past stats and prior meetings, but in the end it all comes down to heart and talent. You never know what is going to happen in football, and sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes that's a very bad thing.
5. It is the month of possibilities. You could make straight As this year and keep your locker organized. Your team could go undefeated. You could start your Christmas shopping early. You could start your diet early so you'll have earned a "cheat day" by Thanksgiving. Maybe you'll become a better person. Maybe you'll try harder at work. Summer is ending and it's time to get down to business. Maybe this will turn out to be the best year ever. You still have time!
Friday, July 19, 2013
A few words about customer service...
Even when you own the company, sometimes you have to be on the front line dealing with the public. Seeing as I am not a people person, this has never been one of my favorite parts of gainful employment. I'd love to have a job *cough*WRITER*cough* where I don't have to see the majority of bargain hunting tourists on their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For now, however, I suffer in silence. One thing I do love is lists, so... let's make a list of customers I love to hate!
1. The oversharer: This person has absolutely no problem telling you all about their son who is in jail for hitting his pregnant girlfriend, their need for adult diapers, and everything their doctor learned from their recent blood test. If you are lucky, they'll skip the backstory (which can take FOR-EV-ER) and just jump right in and assume you know them and everyone they know.
(There are a few customers that I have a rapport with. I actually enjoy their stories and want to know about their family. The oversharer is more than likely someone I've never met.)
2. The undersharer: This person doesn't talk at all. Ever. You can ask them if they are ready to check out because they are standing an ambivalent distance from the cash register, but don't expect a response. You can tell them "Thanks! Have a nice day!" but they won't say it back to you. Because they don't care if you have a nice day. You are just the hired help. Either that or they are a deaf mute.
3. The licker: Don't you ever lick your fingers when you are counting out money to me! Crazy sycophant! (BTW, I do actually know what sycophant means, and it is not used correctly here. It's an in-joke, grammar Nazi!)
4. The person who puts change on the counter even though I am holding out my hand: Pretty self-explanatory. I'm literally holding out my hand to accept your change. Why would you bypass my hand to put it on the counter just to make me pick it up again? WHY?!
5. The person who doesn't know when to stay home: If you are sick, stay home. If you are too lazy to put on clothes and decide to just throw on unlaced work boots under your nightgown, stay home. If you haven't bathed in 3 days and smell like hot, wet garbage, please for the love of God, stay home!
6. The insulter: "This thrift store smells like someone's grandma's garage." Guess what! WE SELL USED SHIZ! This ain't Bloomingdales, lady. Insulting my business, our prices, the things we sell, or even the weather is going to piss me off (even if I secretly agree with you). Keep it to yourself, A-Hole.
VIDEO: SNL - The A-Holes
7. The "helpful" one: "This one is $.99. It should come to $1.08 after tax. I'll give you a five, and you give me back 3.92." Hey, helpy helper. I've got this. Thanks, but I can add and subtract all by myself!
8. The preoccupied mother: No, I will not watch your children. No, I will not let you know your baby just picked up a thumb tack and put it in it's mouth. No, I will not think it's cute when you smile and tell me that your ankle biter just broke something but your husband only gave you $10 to spend for the week, and you can't afford to buy it. I don't know you. I don't know your child. When you take it in public, put it in a stroller or on a leash!
9. The curious cat: For some reason, I have more of this type of customer than all the others combined. They stand in front of the bathroom and ask if we have a bathroom. They ask if we have boy's clothes in a size 8 with Transformers on the shirts. They ask if I know what this random kitchen gadget is for. They ask if I know anything about a piece of furniture. I know it was donated. That's about it. Use your eyeballs and/or your imagination.
10. The permission seeker: "I'm just going to look around. Is that ok?" No. We force people to buy things with their eyes shut. "Can I use this public bathroom?" It's actually an empty elevator shaft, so aren't you glad you asked first?
And just so I don't sound like an awful tyrant, let's list 5 customers I didn't think I'd enjoy but I do
1. The hipster: As people they are super annoying. As thrift store customers, they appreciate the cheap and eclectic.
2. Brides: There is nothing better than a crafty bride when you work at a thrift store. Everything has possibilities. They can look it up on Pintrest and make something magical. Plus they have big budgets.
3. Children buying books: Enough said. I see some of my childhood self in you, tiny readers.
4. Lonely old ladies: Seeing as I plan on becoming a lonely, old, spinster woman, I have a soft spot for these ladies. They just want fabric for their sewing machines or some powder for their feet. The best things in life are simple pleasures.
5. Nope, I can only think of 4. I am an awful tyrant.
PS: I love the majority of my customers. I am really lucky to do what I do. There is just that 1% that drives me insane!
1. The oversharer: This person has absolutely no problem telling you all about their son who is in jail for hitting his pregnant girlfriend, their need for adult diapers, and everything their doctor learned from their recent blood test. If you are lucky, they'll skip the backstory (which can take FOR-EV-ER) and just jump right in and assume you know them and everyone they know.
(There are a few customers that I have a rapport with. I actually enjoy their stories and want to know about their family. The oversharer is more than likely someone I've never met.)
2. The undersharer: This person doesn't talk at all. Ever. You can ask them if they are ready to check out because they are standing an ambivalent distance from the cash register, but don't expect a response. You can tell them "Thanks! Have a nice day!" but they won't say it back to you. Because they don't care if you have a nice day. You are just the hired help. Either that or they are a deaf mute.
3. The licker: Don't you ever lick your fingers when you are counting out money to me! Crazy sycophant! (BTW, I do actually know what sycophant means, and it is not used correctly here. It's an in-joke, grammar Nazi!)
4. The person who puts change on the counter even though I am holding out my hand: Pretty self-explanatory. I'm literally holding out my hand to accept your change. Why would you bypass my hand to put it on the counter just to make me pick it up again? WHY?!
5. The person who doesn't know when to stay home: If you are sick, stay home. If you are too lazy to put on clothes and decide to just throw on unlaced work boots under your nightgown, stay home. If you haven't bathed in 3 days and smell like hot, wet garbage, please for the love of God, stay home!
6. The insulter: "This thrift store smells like someone's grandma's garage." Guess what! WE SELL USED SHIZ! This ain't Bloomingdales, lady. Insulting my business, our prices, the things we sell, or even the weather is going to piss me off (even if I secretly agree with you). Keep it to yourself, A-Hole.
VIDEO: SNL - The A-Holes
7. The "helpful" one: "This one is $.99. It should come to $1.08 after tax. I'll give you a five, and you give me back 3.92." Hey, helpy helper. I've got this. Thanks, but I can add and subtract all by myself!
8. The preoccupied mother: No, I will not watch your children. No, I will not let you know your baby just picked up a thumb tack and put it in it's mouth. No, I will not think it's cute when you smile and tell me that your ankle biter just broke something but your husband only gave you $10 to spend for the week, and you can't afford to buy it. I don't know you. I don't know your child. When you take it in public, put it in a stroller or on a leash!
9. The curious cat: For some reason, I have more of this type of customer than all the others combined. They stand in front of the bathroom and ask if we have a bathroom. They ask if we have boy's clothes in a size 8 with Transformers on the shirts. They ask if I know what this random kitchen gadget is for. They ask if I know anything about a piece of furniture. I know it was donated. That's about it. Use your eyeballs and/or your imagination.
10. The permission seeker: "I'm just going to look around. Is that ok?" No. We force people to buy things with their eyes shut. "Can I use this public bathroom?" It's actually an empty elevator shaft, so aren't you glad you asked first?
And just so I don't sound like an awful tyrant, let's list 5 customers I didn't think I'd enjoy but I do
1. The hipster: As people they are super annoying. As thrift store customers, they appreciate the cheap and eclectic.
2. Brides: There is nothing better than a crafty bride when you work at a thrift store. Everything has possibilities. They can look it up on Pintrest and make something magical. Plus they have big budgets.
3. Children buying books: Enough said. I see some of my childhood self in you, tiny readers.
4. Lonely old ladies: Seeing as I plan on becoming a lonely, old, spinster woman, I have a soft spot for these ladies. They just want fabric for their sewing machines or some powder for their feet. The best things in life are simple pleasures.
5. Nope, I can only think of 4. I am an awful tyrant.
PS: I love the majority of my customers. I am really lucky to do what I do. There is just that 1% that drives me insane!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
I have 32 teeth
Oral hygiene is important. That's why it isn't good that I grind my teeth when I'm frustrated. It also isn't good when I have headaches and dizzy spells from clenching my jaw. But some days (yesterday), I have to clench in order to not attack stupid people. It's a full-time job, and I already have about 3 of those.
So in honor of my teeth, I'm going to list 32 things that make me annoyed/angry in the hopes that they will reside here rather than in my mouth.
1. People who try to take advantage of me. I'm pretty generous. Therefore, if you try to take advantage of me, chances are you are a sub-par human being.
2. Humming and/or whistling. It grates on my nerves. I will cut you.
3. People who insult something because they want it. At first I thought this was an occupational hazard, but the more I think about it the more I realize it happens in all aspects of life. In terms of my job, the best example I can think of is: We had just purchased a chain from Lowes to lock up a bicycle that was for sale. Twenty minutes after locking up the bicycle, it sold (see also: examples of my luck). The customer loaded the bicycle and drove away. The very next customer noticed the chain puddled around the pole and asked "how much do you want for that old, rusty chain out there?" It was literally less than one hour old. It was shiny as heck and had no rust whatsoever. But if he made it seem worthless, he might be able to score it for a bargain. This doesn't work with me. What I wanted to say was "if it's worthless, why do you want it? I wouldn't want to insult your wallet by making you pay for such a hunk of junk! I'll just keep it rather than pass the burden of owning such a heap of trash." Don't pull my pigtails if you like me. Don't insult my stuff if you want to buy it. Everything has worth, and everything has flaws. Pointing them out will not make you a hero. It will just make you an asshole.
4. People who play the victim.
5. People who lick their fingers to count money or turn the page of a magazine.
6. Liars and thieves.
7. Running out of Coke Zero.
8. Baby talk in any form - even to a baby.
9. When my cat licks my leg to get my attention.
10. Having cat hair all over everything.
11. People who compliment my eyes (thank you!) but then call them blue (wha...? My eyes are green. They are so green that they sometimes appear yellow. Are you just complimenting that I have two? Maybe you should focus on your own eyes and get them checked. I know a really cute optometrist.)
12. Getting a run or pick in my tights.
13. People who hate something just because it's popular.
14. Hormones. The problem is not that I have some, but they literally make me angry, and I can't help it.
15. Needing to stop what I'm doing to go pee.
16. Spoilers.
17. When someone is purposefully vague to make you question them further. I don’t enjoy the sport of fishing, and neither do I enjoy you fishing for someone to gossip to.
18. Feeling helpless.
19. Not knowing how to do something. This is my biggie. I really, really, really hate not knowing how to do it. This is different from feeling helpless. Sometimes when you are helpless, there isn't anything to be done. When there is a solution but I don't have it, it drives me crazy!
20. Underwear that rolls down or rides up.
21. Telemarketers. If you call me on our business phone, you will get an airhorn in the ear, and that's no joke.
22. Mosquitoes.
23. Picking on or belittling someone I love.
24. Drama.
25. When I'm out buying paint, painters tape, drop cloths, and rollers and the cashier asks me "are you going to do some painting?" It happens regardless of what I'm buying. I could be buying a book on ducks, a bag of mini Snickers, and a wall clock, and the cashier would ask me "are you doing an experiment to see what time of day ducks most like to eat Snickers?". Salespeople are always up in my business.
26. When someone asks me a question and then cuts off my answer. People do this ALL. THE. TIME. to me when they are asking directions. If you knew, why did you ask? I’ll will send your butt to Nebo Mountain, tourist!
27. When people don't watch their kids. I'm sure you think them jumping on my couch is cute, but I think they are brats and you should be sterilized.
28. Friends you can never rely on.
29. Humidity.
30. Text forwards.
31. Painful pimples. Damn hormones again!
32. Naturally skinny people. ‘Nuff said.
For someone with my anger issues, I thought this list would be easier to compile. Don’t worry, I could have 32 different ones by tomorrow.
So in honor of my teeth, I'm going to list 32 things that make me annoyed/angry in the hopes that they will reside here rather than in my mouth.
1. People who try to take advantage of me. I'm pretty generous. Therefore, if you try to take advantage of me, chances are you are a sub-par human being.
2. Humming and/or whistling. It grates on my nerves. I will cut you.
3. People who insult something because they want it. At first I thought this was an occupational hazard, but the more I think about it the more I realize it happens in all aspects of life. In terms of my job, the best example I can think of is: We had just purchased a chain from Lowes to lock up a bicycle that was for sale. Twenty minutes after locking up the bicycle, it sold (see also: examples of my luck). The customer loaded the bicycle and drove away. The very next customer noticed the chain puddled around the pole and asked "how much do you want for that old, rusty chain out there?" It was literally less than one hour old. It was shiny as heck and had no rust whatsoever. But if he made it seem worthless, he might be able to score it for a bargain. This doesn't work with me. What I wanted to say was "if it's worthless, why do you want it? I wouldn't want to insult your wallet by making you pay for such a hunk of junk! I'll just keep it rather than pass the burden of owning such a heap of trash." Don't pull my pigtails if you like me. Don't insult my stuff if you want to buy it. Everything has worth, and everything has flaws. Pointing them out will not make you a hero. It will just make you an asshole.
4. People who play the victim.
5. People who lick their fingers to count money or turn the page of a magazine.
6. Liars and thieves.
7. Running out of Coke Zero.
8. Baby talk in any form - even to a baby.
9. When my cat licks my leg to get my attention.
10. Having cat hair all over everything.
11. People who compliment my eyes (thank you!) but then call them blue (wha...? My eyes are green. They are so green that they sometimes appear yellow. Are you just complimenting that I have two? Maybe you should focus on your own eyes and get them checked. I know a really cute optometrist.)
12. Getting a run or pick in my tights.
13. People who hate something just because it's popular.
14. Hormones. The problem is not that I have some, but they literally make me angry, and I can't help it.
15. Needing to stop what I'm doing to go pee.
16. Spoilers.
17. When someone is purposefully vague to make you question them further. I don’t enjoy the sport of fishing, and neither do I enjoy you fishing for someone to gossip to.
18. Feeling helpless.
19. Not knowing how to do something. This is my biggie. I really, really, really hate not knowing how to do it. This is different from feeling helpless. Sometimes when you are helpless, there isn't anything to be done. When there is a solution but I don't have it, it drives me crazy!
20. Underwear that rolls down or rides up.
21. Telemarketers. If you call me on our business phone, you will get an airhorn in the ear, and that's no joke.
22. Mosquitoes.
23. Picking on or belittling someone I love.
24. Drama.
25. When I'm out buying paint, painters tape, drop cloths, and rollers and the cashier asks me "are you going to do some painting?" It happens regardless of what I'm buying. I could be buying a book on ducks, a bag of mini Snickers, and a wall clock, and the cashier would ask me "are you doing an experiment to see what time of day ducks most like to eat Snickers?". Salespeople are always up in my business.
26. When someone asks me a question and then cuts off my answer. People do this ALL. THE. TIME. to me when they are asking directions. If you knew, why did you ask? I’ll will send your butt to Nebo Mountain, tourist!
27. When people don't watch their kids. I'm sure you think them jumping on my couch is cute, but I think they are brats and you should be sterilized.
28. Friends you can never rely on.
29. Humidity.
30. Text forwards.
31. Painful pimples. Damn hormones again!
32. Naturally skinny people. ‘Nuff said.
For someone with my anger issues, I thought this list would be easier to compile. Don’t worry, I could have 32 different ones by tomorrow.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Is It Better to Be Poor or Fat?
This is the question I asked myself when I was standing at WMart contemplating peanut butter. The kind I like JIF Whipped only comes in small jars while the less liked JIF Creamy comes in a gargantuan tubs. Vats, really. Barrels.
I don't usually stand around contemplating peanut butter in the first place. I'm on sort of a kick right now where that is all I want to eat for breakfast. Peanut butter on toast. Not exactly inventive, but oh so good. So I'm going through some JIF fast. The whipped is light both in texture and in calories at about 150 for 2 tablespoons. The creamy is 210 calories for the same amount. So, should I get the big one that I like less and has more calories because it's cheaper or stick with the little one and spend more money?
I bought the vat. Being poor is hard.
I don't usually stand around contemplating peanut butter in the first place. I'm on sort of a kick right now where that is all I want to eat for breakfast. Peanut butter on toast. Not exactly inventive, but oh so good. So I'm going through some JIF fast. The whipped is light both in texture and in calories at about 150 for 2 tablespoons. The creamy is 210 calories for the same amount. So, should I get the big one that I like less and has more calories because it's cheaper or stick with the little one and spend more money?
I bought the vat. Being poor is hard.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love all holidays. I think it's because we celebrated even the smallest one when I was a child. I don't celebrate much anymore. Birthdays, anniversaries, and even Christmas has become a little toned down. I'm not one to celebrate Valentine's Day ever (relationship or not), but I think this year I will. It seems strange that THIS is the year I chose to participate in a holiday about love. The fact is that I have lots of love, and I want to celebrate it! I might celebrate Daylight Savings Time too. Don't put me in a box! I'm unpredictable!
Back to the things I love. First of all, I love THIS
Why yes, that is very inappropriate for a child's valentine. JUST WHAT I WAS THINKING!
I also love THIS and THAT!
And in closing... someone asked me to be their Valentine, and I responded with "Is this a mass text?" It wasn't. It doesn't get any better than that!
Back to the things I love. First of all, I love THIS
Why yes, that is very inappropriate for a child's valentine. JUST WHAT I WAS THINKING!
I also love THIS and THAT!
And in closing... someone asked me to be their Valentine, and I responded with "Is this a mass text?" It wasn't. It doesn't get any better than that!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Fear
I used to live my life in a... we'll say fearless way (for lack of a better word). Young people are accused of thinking they are invincible, and for me that was true. Two things happened to change me: 1) I matured and stopped making idiotic life choices and 2) I lost someone very close to me in an accident. It is lucky (if you could ever call someone you love dying lucky) that the accident happened AFTER I had matured. Otherwise it might have pushed me further into avoiding reality by employing some BS theory that you only live once. YOLO, as it has been coined, is the bread and butter of today's youth. They use it as an excuse to act stupid and bratty, get their way, or justify their lack of responsibility. It has become the battle cry of a generation. If a generation too self-absorbed to get off their iPhones needs a battle cry. 
Saturday Night Live spoofed the YOLO craze with a Lonely Island music video featuring Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. Their message was if you only live once you should be uber careful. The song is great. It features examples of how to be watchful from the true "there's no such thing as too much Purell" to the hilariously ridiculous "two words about furniture - killing machines." My take on YOLO is somewhere in between the two worlds. If you are only meant to live once, make it meaningful. That doesn't mean do whatever you want or nothing you want. Everything good is bad for you. Just don't go over the deep end. (Hello, I'm addicted to Aspartame, deal with it.)
We are going to pretend Zac Efron was interrupted while tattooing Yolonda, the name of his dying grandmother because aside from this ill-fated choice of body art, I think he's very dreamy.
What it all boils down to is fear. You can either laugh in the face of fear by saying (and meaning) that you only live once and to heck with everyone else but yourself. Or you can acknowledge the fear and try to shelter yourself from it. I am the latter. I have lived dangerously in the past, so now I am aware of every single risk. What if, like a cat, you only have 9 lives and I used 8 of mine before I turned 18? Which brings me to this week's fear. I didn't even know I had it until it was too late. Sometimes things sneak up on you like that.
This is a 26 ft Uhaul truck.
I can drive pretty well. I grew up in the country. There is no public transportation here. If you want to get somewhere you drive. You could walk, but in most cases you'd have to pack a meal or two and a blanket for nap time. I have driven many vehicles in many different weather conditions. I do not like to drive on the interstate. I try to avoid it, but if it isn't avoidable I suck it up and do it. I have been in a few accidents over the years both as a passenger and a driver. None were my fault. Technically one was, but I blame it on that the road was covered in ice. Anyway...
When my work started renting Uhaul trucks, I had no idea I'd have to go pick one up. Not to mention that I'd have to drive the biggest one (and the biggest truck I've ever driven). Across town. By myself. With no practice. Now some people may say I'm overreacting, but I have a respect for human life, so I'll tell you that this supposed road trip was routed to be on the DEADLIEST HIGHWAY EVER! So deadly in fact that its nickname is I'll-kill-ya Highway (actual name Alcoa). If that ain't fear, I don't know what is.
It wasn't actually that bad, which is the tricky part about fear. The anticipation is almost always worse. I prayed the whole time. Sometimes it was a normal prayer "please Lord, let me not kill that car full of people next to me. God, please don't let that truck pull out in front of me." Most of the time, however, it was incoherant ramblings "help me and be with me" over and over and over again. One terrific surprise was that I only had to drive a 17 ft truck instead of the bohemeth 26 ft one. The 9 feet probably makes a world of difference.
The tiny by comparison 17 ft truck.
I realized something during my drive. God doesn't want us to live in fear. He wants us to be confident and at peace. He wants us to live. Not because we ONLY live once, but because we GET to live once. Life is a gift. And thankfully I didn't cause any returns with my big ol' truck!
Saturday Night Live spoofed the YOLO craze with a Lonely Island music video featuring Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. Their message was if you only live once you should be uber careful. The song is great. It features examples of how to be watchful from the true "there's no such thing as too much Purell" to the hilariously ridiculous "two words about furniture - killing machines." My take on YOLO is somewhere in between the two worlds. If you are only meant to live once, make it meaningful. That doesn't mean do whatever you want or nothing you want. Everything good is bad for you. Just don't go over the deep end. (Hello, I'm addicted to Aspartame, deal with it.)
What it all boils down to is fear. You can either laugh in the face of fear by saying (and meaning) that you only live once and to heck with everyone else but yourself. Or you can acknowledge the fear and try to shelter yourself from it. I am the latter. I have lived dangerously in the past, so now I am aware of every single risk. What if, like a cat, you only have 9 lives and I used 8 of mine before I turned 18? Which brings me to this week's fear. I didn't even know I had it until it was too late. Sometimes things sneak up on you like that.
I can drive pretty well. I grew up in the country. There is no public transportation here. If you want to get somewhere you drive. You could walk, but in most cases you'd have to pack a meal or two and a blanket for nap time. I have driven many vehicles in many different weather conditions. I do not like to drive on the interstate. I try to avoid it, but if it isn't avoidable I suck it up and do it. I have been in a few accidents over the years both as a passenger and a driver. None were my fault. Technically one was, but I blame it on that the road was covered in ice. Anyway...
When my work started renting Uhaul trucks, I had no idea I'd have to go pick one up. Not to mention that I'd have to drive the biggest one (and the biggest truck I've ever driven). Across town. By myself. With no practice. Now some people may say I'm overreacting, but I have a respect for human life, so I'll tell you that this supposed road trip was routed to be on the DEADLIEST HIGHWAY EVER! So deadly in fact that its nickname is I'll-kill-ya Highway (actual name Alcoa). If that ain't fear, I don't know what is.
It wasn't actually that bad, which is the tricky part about fear. The anticipation is almost always worse. I prayed the whole time. Sometimes it was a normal prayer "please Lord, let me not kill that car full of people next to me. God, please don't let that truck pull out in front of me." Most of the time, however, it was incoherant ramblings "help me and be with me" over and over and over again. One terrific surprise was that I only had to drive a 17 ft truck instead of the bohemeth 26 ft one. The 9 feet probably makes a world of difference.
I realized something during my drive. God doesn't want us to live in fear. He wants us to be confident and at peace. He wants us to live. Not because we ONLY live once, but because we GET to live once. Life is a gift. And thankfully I didn't cause any returns with my big ol' truck!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Interest lost
It has been so long since I've logged into this blog that I typed CrabsVsCountryGirl. That is a whole other story all together, and not one that I know anything about (thank God). I'm not a fan of ocean life. Haha. Bet you thought I was going somewhere else with that. Anyway...
I've been going through some pretty drastic changes in the past year. I moved, I separated from my husband, and I've had some medical issues (no, not crabs, although I do appreciate a good throwback joke). In all of this, plus the consequences (financial worry, emotional distress, financial worry, unorganization that comes with uprooting your life, did I mention finances yet?) I seem to have lost my way a little bit. Things that used to bring me pleasure no longer do.
I've been a reader my whole life. Even before I could read I was fascinated with books. Lately I've tried a few different books, and I just can't seem to be engaged. The first one I really noticed a problem with was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The lovely and talented Jen recommended this book to me. At first I was intrigued by the idea, but as I got further and further into the book two things struck me. 1) This lady didn't start out unhappy. She came from a place of discontent and ungratitude for all the blessings she had, but stopping to smell the roses is not the same as finding happiness. 2) I'm a little too bitter right now about my divorce to hear about how she spent a week being really nice to her husband. The second book I tried to read was Warm Bodies. I saw the trailer for the film, and I thought it looked interesting. Surprisingly the book was donated to my thrift store about a week later, and it seemed like a magical sign (we get lots of great books, but rarely are they THAT new and pop culturally relevant). I've been reading it for month, and I'm about 60 pages in. Normally I read a book in under 2 days. Finally, I tried Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. My friend Jessica thought the two of us should read it because we both have a penchant for YA Fiction. Coincidentally it is also being made into a movie, and if we both liked the book we would plan to see the movie. She was waiting on me to give her the copy of the book when I was finished, and she helpfully reminded me of the movie's release date a couple of times. This nudging was the ONLY reason I finished the book. To say I hated it was an understatment. It inspired me to write a bad review, which is pretty unheard of. I can generally find something nice to say. I could not find a thing in this book that I enjoyed. (If you are interested in my review, you can read it here.)
I've had a problem with writing recently too. If you couldn't tell by how long it has been between my blog posts, you could look at my Twitter feed which used to be filled daily, or my Facebook which hardly ever gets anything but a shared link from Yahoo News. I mentioned before that I took a writing class last summer. It helped me write a novel in 2 weeks. Unfortunately it also changed my opinion of the writer who taught the class. I use the term "taught" loosely. She was flighty 99% of the time, never responded to anyone's work, didn't bother to update her syllabus from 2008, and didn't follow through with the features of the class that were promised. She did, however, demand we purchase her new book (after already shelling out $100 for the class) during week 4 of a 6 week class. Finally she resorted to bribery by asking that if we could work as her own little mini publicists and get her to a NYT bestseller that she would "take us under her wing". I was so disillusioned by the hard sale, that I dropped out of the class and haven't wrote much since. Granted, I did get my novel out of it, and I am so so proud of it, but I haven't bothered to go back and revise it.
Finally I get to fashion. Or more accurate I suppose is appearance. I love clothes. I love buying them. I love watching shows about sewing them. I even love selling used ones to needy families. It may just be part of the grieving process, but I don't spend as much time as I used to on the way I look. I let my hair's roots go un-dyed. Forget plucking my eyebrows. I chose glasses over contacts more frequently than I used to. Part of it is that I feel like I don't have anywhere to go. I work, I come home, I sleep, I repeat. The other part of it is that I feel like I'm in this great big holding pattern. I'm not divorced yet, but I'm not married either. What good would it do me to feel confident and pretty? I can't move on. I can't go back. I can't afford a divorce. I just have to sit and wait. In the meantime, you can bet I won't be reading, writing, or grooming.
To get myself out of the funk I'm in, I'm trying to do other things to occupy my time. I exercise although I could really kick that up a notch. I cook although it's easier to just eat out when it's for one. I'd love to try my hand at making clothes, but I'm a sewing machine killer. I can break one so fast it isn't even funny. What will I do to pass the time and ease the boredom? Will my love of reading, writing, and fashion ever return? Stay tuned!
I've been going through some pretty drastic changes in the past year. I moved, I separated from my husband, and I've had some medical issues (no, not crabs, although I do appreciate a good throwback joke). In all of this, plus the consequences (financial worry, emotional distress, financial worry, unorganization that comes with uprooting your life, did I mention finances yet?) I seem to have lost my way a little bit. Things that used to bring me pleasure no longer do.
I've been a reader my whole life. Even before I could read I was fascinated with books. Lately I've tried a few different books, and I just can't seem to be engaged. The first one I really noticed a problem with was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The lovely and talented Jen recommended this book to me. At first I was intrigued by the idea, but as I got further and further into the book two things struck me. 1) This lady didn't start out unhappy. She came from a place of discontent and ungratitude for all the blessings she had, but stopping to smell the roses is not the same as finding happiness. 2) I'm a little too bitter right now about my divorce to hear about how she spent a week being really nice to her husband. The second book I tried to read was Warm Bodies. I saw the trailer for the film, and I thought it looked interesting. Surprisingly the book was donated to my thrift store about a week later, and it seemed like a magical sign (we get lots of great books, but rarely are they THAT new and pop culturally relevant). I've been reading it for month, and I'm about 60 pages in. Normally I read a book in under 2 days. Finally, I tried Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. My friend Jessica thought the two of us should read it because we both have a penchant for YA Fiction. Coincidentally it is also being made into a movie, and if we both liked the book we would plan to see the movie. She was waiting on me to give her the copy of the book when I was finished, and she helpfully reminded me of the movie's release date a couple of times. This nudging was the ONLY reason I finished the book. To say I hated it was an understatment. It inspired me to write a bad review, which is pretty unheard of. I can generally find something nice to say. I could not find a thing in this book that I enjoyed. (If you are interested in my review, you can read it here.)
I've had a problem with writing recently too. If you couldn't tell by how long it has been between my blog posts, you could look at my Twitter feed which used to be filled daily, or my Facebook which hardly ever gets anything but a shared link from Yahoo News. I mentioned before that I took a writing class last summer. It helped me write a novel in 2 weeks. Unfortunately it also changed my opinion of the writer who taught the class. I use the term "taught" loosely. She was flighty 99% of the time, never responded to anyone's work, didn't bother to update her syllabus from 2008, and didn't follow through with the features of the class that were promised. She did, however, demand we purchase her new book (after already shelling out $100 for the class) during week 4 of a 6 week class. Finally she resorted to bribery by asking that if we could work as her own little mini publicists and get her to a NYT bestseller that she would "take us under her wing". I was so disillusioned by the hard sale, that I dropped out of the class and haven't wrote much since. Granted, I did get my novel out of it, and I am so so proud of it, but I haven't bothered to go back and revise it.
Finally I get to fashion. Or more accurate I suppose is appearance. I love clothes. I love buying them. I love watching shows about sewing them. I even love selling used ones to needy families. It may just be part of the grieving process, but I don't spend as much time as I used to on the way I look. I let my hair's roots go un-dyed. Forget plucking my eyebrows. I chose glasses over contacts more frequently than I used to. Part of it is that I feel like I don't have anywhere to go. I work, I come home, I sleep, I repeat. The other part of it is that I feel like I'm in this great big holding pattern. I'm not divorced yet, but I'm not married either. What good would it do me to feel confident and pretty? I can't move on. I can't go back. I can't afford a divorce. I just have to sit and wait. In the meantime, you can bet I won't be reading, writing, or grooming.
To get myself out of the funk I'm in, I'm trying to do other things to occupy my time. I exercise although I could really kick that up a notch. I cook although it's easier to just eat out when it's for one. I'd love to try my hand at making clothes, but I'm a sewing machine killer. I can break one so fast it isn't even funny. What will I do to pass the time and ease the boredom? Will my love of reading, writing, and fashion ever return? Stay tuned!
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