knowing what''s coming

... doesn't make it any easier.

My grandmother passed away yesterday, after many years of illness. Please keep her in your prayers or at least send good vibes to my family. We need it.

I want these...

You know, in case you wondered what I want for Christmas:

 

A good book

A thermos to keep my coffee hot at my desk

New Pajamas

Jewelry (here and here)

Art supplies (for sketching and watercolor painting)

 

heaven...

…is a hot cup of strong coffee when you are very tired and congested.

 

I have the cold that just won’t quit.  My nasal congestion is gone, but the sinus congestion remains.  It’s not enough to warrant taking more medication.  I’m thinking my allergy meds might just do the trick on the inflammation and clear it up.  Which would be great… if I could find the bottle…

 

UpDATE!

The forecast today called for scattered flurries.  FLURRIES.  I live in Ohio.  I expected this sooner.  But then, I forget I live in Central Ohio, which is a GIANT MASSIVE HEAT SINK where it doesn’t get cold until well after fall starts and my flowers planted next to the house are STILL BLOOMING.

they say you know you are out of things to say...

...when all you can think of to talk about is the weather.

Considering the current date, I shouldn't be bummed by the weather. But the awful way that the weather flips from nice to nasty has got me down and has got me sick. So here's to hoping I feel better before tomorrow and can think of something better to say.

bonus 2

[post 2]

I was talking yesterday to a large group of people, and we all agreed that this time of year is just hard.  There is a lot of transition, you face burnout from nearing the end-of-year/end-of-semester/holidays, and usually life just piles up on you like a stack of unfolded laundry.  They all kept apologizing and worrying and expressing anxiety over this “blah” they all felt – knowing it could have an effect on their work or performance was a huge issue for them. 

 

I have experienced this feeling before, so I reminded them – it is NORMAL.  A period of the “blahs” after a lot of activity or in the midst of demands from life is very common.  It’s also common this time of year, with changing weather, shifting day length, change of seasons.  So don’t fret over it.  Just OWN it.  Let yourself feel this feeling.  Realize it is temporary and use it as a time to reflect and recharge with the knowledge that after the first of the year, you can come back fully enthused and ready to tackle life.

 

bonus

[Okay yes, I know I did not post yesterday.  I thought about it.  A Lot.  But being as I was in the CAR for a large majority of the day, posting via computer was impossible.  I need to figure out how to post via phone…Since I didn’t post yesterday, I’m doing double duty today.]

 

[post one]

Go HERE to check out iGive.com.  Best idea ever.  Since online shopping is all the rage, this combines it with the idea of “ads” that iGive tracks.  For every purchase you make online via the iGive.com portal, a donation is made to your favorite charity.  Mine is the foundation associated with my fraternity.  So go sign up.

 

Day 3 - sent from the present

[Now that we are properly caught up... let's do this thing!!!]

After hearing about the Pillsbury Bake-Off, my interest in becoming an instant millionaire has been piqued. Now, personally, I think the chances of me winning that are higher than the ideas I came up with.

• Win the lottery.
• Invest well.
• Find a long-lost rich relative.
• Invent best ice cream flavor ever and sell to Ben and Jerry's
• Write and have best-selling book published.
• Become an instant reality star.
• Sell advertising space on forehead.
• Pursue career as plus-sized supermodel.
• Or I could just work my tail off for years for the same company and then get promoted and promoted and promoted til I am CEO.
  

Day 2 -- from the future!

Fridays rock.

After a very busy week, today was the day I rolled out of bed and decided that today, I did not need to wear makeup. However, I did do my skincare routine. After I finished, I realized that really, today, I didn't need the makeup. My skin looks that good right now. This is what 4.5 months of wedded bliss will do to you...

retroactive ambition

I will here belie my stupidity of the internetverse and say that I cannot remember what the stinkin' acronym is for this thing. This thing that I am doing -- posting everyday for a month. Since I now have internets at home (YAY for WOW cable!), I can do that. You know. Post from home. Rather than risking a job.

I suppose I could backdate this post that it "appears" as November 1. Being as I am writing it on November 3, it'll be like going back in time...

shorty shorty...

I went on vacation for a week, and then when I come back – PooF – it’s fall.  What happened?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it rains it pours – last week I was agonizing over one, then yesterday I got four.

 

 

 

 

mooch

Having just purchased a used Apple Powerbook (because I am lazy about getting my old PC set up for home use), my goal in life has been to find wireless internet access.  I’ve priced out wireless for our house, I’m hunting for a reasonably priced wireless router, I’m constantly racking my brain for places to get wireless access that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

 

Items my search has procured:

 

1.  WOW cable has a KICK BUTT deal.  For just $5 more than what we pay for digital cable now, we can get digital cable, plus a free DVR, and internet.

 

2.  Local library = not enough computers for the patrons, but free wireless internet!  FREE! 

 

3.  Kinko’s internet = Slow and costs $0.15 per minute for computer/internet use.  But very good and nice sales guy now recognizes me by sight because I am constantly there making copies for my new business.

 

4. Panera Bread has free wi-fi.  FREE WIRELESS INTERNETS!!!  And… they give you FREE REFILLS on your coffee.

 

The Problem of no internet access at home is solved.  Mental breakdown has been averted.

september slump

So the days are getting shorter.  I could actually wear a sweater today and not be too hot.  It’s near fall – the fall equinox is this weekend.

 

I’ve had some down days this week too.  That’s another way I know it is soon fall.  My depression always acts up in the fall and winter – my doc thinks there is a bit of the Seasonal Affective Disorder connected to my symptoms.  I’m really worried about having a relapse of my depression in the next few months.  I’ve been doing well, but I think I am finally coming down from the manic pace of the summer, despite adding things to my plate as of late.

 

I think what relieves some of the worry, however, is that I have a support system set up this time.  Unfortunately, my tendency at times like these is to withdraw - which of course is counter to the idea of using the support system to snap back.

 

 

what every one needs to watch...

THIS is great.  Just what I needed today.

 

Although I started WeightWatchers two weeks ago, and have LOST weight… I now weigh 245.

 

TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE POUNDS.

 

I am 5’ 8”.  When I tell people how much I weigh, they never believe me.  I wear at size 18-20, depending on the style, cut, etc.  I fit into a size 2X.  I HAVE BOOBS.  And a BUTT.  Believe it or not, one of my concerns about switching to a healthy lifestyle is that I will lose my curves.  They are a part of my identity.  I have never been a small girl.  I will never BE a small girl.  But I can and will be an in-shape girl, who can take three flights of stairs at work and not get winded.  A girl who can swim laps and keep up with her former-lifeguard/swimmer husband.

 

When I started WW the intent was strictly to lose weight.  I’m changing my mind.  It’s now to change my lifestyle – to incorporate healthy food, food that isn’t healthy that I love anyway, and more exercise!!! – to change my attitude towards food – to be able to have the ice cream.  Joy is right – life is too short to not live it.  I will eat my full fat, loaded with sugar, full of flavor ice cream now.  And you?  The person who judges me for eating ice cream, for telling me I don’t “need” it?  Well, enjoy your tasteless fat free frozen yogurt with no flavor in a futile attempt to deny yourself any of life’s small pleasures in pursuit of the skinny jean (which doesn’t look good on ANYONE).  If I’m going to eat ice cream, I’m going to eat Godiva Belgian Chocolate ICE CREAM.

 

Can you hand me a spoon please?  Thanks.

 

 

just another manic Monday...

Not having work on Monday is supposed to be a good thing, but it just made Tuesday worse.  Not only was it Monday at work, it was Monday at home.  And after three days of no crazy pills (because they were not packed for the weekend trip…), that is not a good thing.

 

But the weekend was fun – camping with my folks and having no chores to do but sit around and drink beer, do word puzzles, and just BE.

 

I think what made Tuesday overwhelming was my decision to start a small business.  I have the first of my inventory on its way as I write this.  I’m hopeful and excited, but also nervous and overwhelmed by all the little stuff I have to do in order to get started.  First task: to set up my computer - reformat the hard drive, invest in better software (business expense) and internet connectivity (business expense) to help manage everything.  Now, considering I am really my own boss at this, I can’t technically get dooced, but I’m not going to tempt fate any further since I do have people helping me out and a company supplying inventory (both of which can cut me out like a bad skin tag if they feel like it).  That’s the thing with contractual agreements – both parties have an “out” clause for “no fault at all reasons.”  Suffice it to say, I’m excited about the opportunity to make a little extra money and to have something I can call my own ambition.

if I had a million dollars...

…I would buy new clubs.  Right now, although I have a kick-butt stand-bag my sister chose for me as a Christmas present, I am playing with my sister’s old driver and fairway woods (which need re-gripped, but I LOVE the way they hit) and my dad’s old irons and putter.  I dig the putter, but I feel like I should be playing with a slightly different flex club.  Or a longer club shaft.  I just don’t feel comfortable with the irons.

 

What I need to do is go get fitted for new irons.  According to this article in Golf for Women, though, I may have some trouble with that.  However, I have to say, every time I’ve gone to our local Golfsmith, they are more than helpful.  I am usually approached by a salesperson in less than 5 minutes of entering the store.  My sister bought her new driver and hybrid woods there, and the person doing the club fitting was professional and knew his stuff.  He was also patient and offered solid advice, including ordering what my sister wanted and needed on a special order, because it wasn’t in stock.

 

Golfsmith also carries a wide variety of two layer golf balls, women’s shoes, and a fair amount of women’s clubs and clothing.  I did notice that the women’s clothing section is bigger than the club section though.  I know I like to look good when I golf (because at least that is one thing I’ll do right that round), but isn’t the equipment more important?

 

she is a sewing queen...

For some crazy odd reason I have the bug to sew.  Don’t understand it.  Considering how many Other More Important Things I have to do right now.  Oh wait, that is how I deal with stress.  I do other things instead.  At least this time it is productive OCD behavior not destructive.  Help me.  Please.

 

One plus side of this is that the sewing… it cannot happen til the Mess that Will Become My Sewing Room is put in order.  So yea.  And yet that is not on the list of things to do after work today.  Which, by the way includes:

·                     paint shelves for massive armoire

·                     buy beetle bags, mulch, and landscape cloth at Lowe’s

·                     lay cloth and spread mulch

·                     Clean garage (some)

·                     Pull electric trimmer out of garage (see Clean garage – “Some” = only enough to accomplish getting the trimmer out)

·                     Trim lawn around patio, house, fence, electrical wiring, sidewalk, etc.

·                     Go to fraternity alumnae meeting (and try to not be bored out of skull while seemingly pointless yet inevitable debate ensues over Issues that Do Not Matter – anyone who is in any sort of group knows this is how meetings always go.  CUT TO THE MEAT PEOPLE!  I have sleep to be getting tonight!)

 

And I am sure I will be sidetracked somehow from the List.  Right now, it will be by actual work.

 

All photos are shared copyright, credit to Mary Stephenson/ Acorns Graphics

Okay... since I didn't post the ONE picture I promised. Here are a BUNCH. Because, quite frankly, I couldn't choose. :-) Enjoy!

All photos are shared copyright, credit to Mary Stephenson/ Acorns Graphics

All photos are shared copyright, credit to Mary Stephenson/ Acorns Graphics