Life of a Single Girl

Feeling like a mom

2009-07-01T08:11:00.002-05:00

Over the past 4 years I have gotten many laughs from my older sister's tales of motherhood (semidesperatehousewife.blogspot.com) and today I felt like I was living one of those stories. Logan, my 4 yr old stepson always gets up at 6-7 and sits at the end of our bed to watch cartoons until we get up and make breakfast. Today however.....I woke up at 4:30 to him jumping on the bed and shaking me saying "Turn on my shooooowwwwss!!!" over and over until I finally realized I wasn't dreaming and turned on cartoons. I then attempted to go back to sleep but every time I started to he would randomly jump on my stomach (did I mention I also started my period last night so I had HORRENDOUS cramps at the time?) I never did go back to sleep, so when Clint got up to shower I tried to sleep because I figured he would let the dog out etc. (The dog always sleeps under the covers with us so you actually have to pull him out to get him to go outside in the mornings) At 7:15 I hear "Umm Rachel the puppy peed and pooped and daddy's in the shower!! BAD DOGGY!" Apparently Clint figured the dog could wait until I got up to go out but as soon as he got in the shower the dog crawled out and used the basement floor as a restroom. Does anyone else have a minpin that does this?? He hates going outside even when it's nice and sneaks off to corners in the house and goes to the bathroom as soon as we take our eyes off of him.

In other "parenting" news, I have found a way to not lose my mind watching endless hours of cartoons. Since I work from home most of the time and am always on my computer I simply plug in my headphones to the computer and either turn on Pandora.com (which is an awesome radio online that plays only songs and genres you like with no commercials.) or my iPod playlist. This way I can keep an eye on Logan, do my work, enjoy some good music, and not want to break the tv just so I don't have to watch Little Einstein's big adventure one more freaking time!

Changes to the Wedding Plan

2009-06-28T18:39:00.003-05:00

Because my fiance is amazing....he offered to have the wedding in my hometown so that everyone wouldn't have to travel so far, etc. We still want to have it outside so we moved the date up about 4 months too. This means...now I have bridesmaids, and a reception menu to plan, and a dj to hire, and florists, and photographers....wow. Luckily, the Hilton has an amazing wedding package! At $55 a head (which is expensive but we're having like 50 guests so it isn't that bad) we get the wedding ceremony outside (very pretty location) with a room just in case it rains, a ceremony with a gourmet meal (2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrees, 2 sides - all of your choice) , the wedding cake (anything you want...literally), an open bar for 4 hours, all the reception decor, tables and furniture, servers, etc. , plus the honeymoon suite complete with champaigne and chocolate covered strawberries in our room after the wedding and breakfast in bed the morning after. Pretty freakin sweet. I'm excited!

Get kids to drink their veggies!

2009-06-24T11:54:00.003-05:00

Seeing as I'm new to parenting most of you may already know this. If so, ignore how excited it makes me. I feel like I've accomplished something here! Logan, my 4yr old soon-to-be-step-son does not like veggies. The only fruit he will eat is golden apples- no skin of course. I love fruits and veggies but don't always have time to have them so for years I've been drinking V8 Fusion, Peach Mango flavor. The Fusion (as opposed to the splash or Fusion Light) has a full serving of fruit AND a full serving of veggies in each 8 oz serving. And it actually tastes good! It doesn't taste like most veggie juice. I only drink the Peach Mango but their are 3 other flavors.

But I digress.... Anyways, when I moved in and started experiencing the diet preferences of a 4yr old I thought I would see if he'd drink the V8, that way I wouldn't feel bad about his diet of meat, eggs, and more meat. Turns out, he loves it! Now it's the only juice we keep in the house and he drinks 3-4 glasses a day. Mission accomplished! Now he gets all the fruit and veggies he needs and doesn't even know it!

VOTE NOW!!

2009-06-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

If anyone else is confused as to why Heidi and Spencer are even considered "famous" please go to this website and vote! E! News is asking viewers to vote whether or not to make E! Speidi free. I saw this on Chelsea Lately last night and almost cried from happiness. VOTE NOW!

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b129655_Should_E_Be_a_Speidi-Free_Zone_You_Make_the_Call.html

At Home Spa

2009-06-18T09:15:00.002-05:00

In light of the ever-worsening economy and the fact that every spare cent is going to home renovations (I'll post pics soon!) .......I have given up on my massages and manicures. (Not that I got them that often before)

So I thought I would post some great at home spa treatments for those of us looking to save money and pamper ourselves.

(All treatments should be accompanied by a glass of wine or martini and Sex and The City.)

*** All of these treatments were found at http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HomeSpa.htm

COFFEE BODY SCRUB
2 cups of coarsely ground coffee 1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt 2-3 T massage oil
Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.

AVOCADO DRY SKIN MASQUE

Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy, then add the mashed pulp of a half avocado, blending it well (you may use a blender at this point). Cleanse your face thoroughly before using this masque (or any masque). Spread the avocado mixture over the face and neck evenly; relax on a slant board or bed for about 20 minutes. Remove with clear tepid water and a face cloth, followed by a rinse of cold water or a mild skin lotion. The result should be a marked improvement in skin texture, and all-around revitalizing.

AVOCADO OILY SKIN MASQUE

Put the white of an egg, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and the mashed pulp of a half avocado into a blender. In seconds, you should have a lovely green mixture. Wash your face and neck thoroughly, then apply masque evenly on those areas. Relax for 20 minutes; remove with tepid water and a face cloth. Follow with cold astringent or skin tonic.

CHOCOLATE FACIAL MASK

This decadent mask is actually an excellent moisturizer -- it leaves your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.1/3 cup cocoa powder3 tbsp. heavy cream 2 tsp. cottage cheese ¼ cup honey 3 tsp. oatmeal Mix all ingredients together (a bullet blender is ideal) and smooth onto face. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

SAVORY CRANBERRY FACIAL WASH (MY FAVORITE!)
Did you know the acidity in cranberries works as a mild astringent and toner? Did you know that the Greeks originally considered Savory to be an aphrodisiac? Cranberry and Savory posses antiseptic properties similar to those found in oregano and thyme, and help cleanse the skin of excess oils.1 tablespoon dried savory leaves, crushed
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cranberries
Steep the dried savory in boiling water in a small bowl, for fifteen minutes. Strain the liquid and set it aside. Puree the cranberries in a blender, and strain the fruit from the liquid. Discard the fruit, and save the juice. Combine the savory water and the cranberry juice, soak into cotton pads, or a fine textured washcloth, and press against your face for fifteen minutes, avoiding the eye area. Remove pads or cloth and rinse with warm water.

HAIR REMOVER - BODY SUGARING (I haven't tried this one yet..)
Juice of 1/2 a lemon 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup honey cornstarchclean cloth cotton stripswooden stick or spreader.Dust the area to be waxed, with cornstarch. Combine the first three ingredients in a clean glass bowl, and microwave for two minutes. Stop and stir your sugar mixture every 20-30 seconds. Let it cool to a comfortable warmth, and, using a wooden stick, spread a very thin layer onto your clean skin. Immediately cover the mixture with a strip of cotton fabric. Briskly stroke the strip several times in the direction of the hair growth, and then, pull the skin taut, and quickly rip away the cotton strip, against the direction of hair growth. As you proceed, you may need to reheat your sugar mixture in the microwave to keep it warm. Do not boil it or overheat as you could easily burn your skin.

Wedding Ideas....need opinions!!

2009-06-12T21:27:00.007-05:00

This is my wedding jewelry...I think. I got them on ebay and haven't received the necklace yet so I'm not sure if the colors will match. Oh well....they cost $5 : ) I wanted to do something that would be different and add some color to go with the beachy sunset theme. (These are amber set in white gold)

These are some of the choices for beach "decor". Since it will be at sunset I will have candles no matter what. I'm just not sure if I like the setup with tables surroun ding the couple. Thoughts?
These are my favorite hairstyles. I'm torn between doing a veil or doing just flowers in my hair....keep in mind I have thick dark hair that will be fairly long by the wedding.

I'm a horrid slacker...I know

2009-06-03T14:19:00.002-05:00

At the nagging of my mother.....I found time to blog, although I've probably lost all my readers by now~sorry!

Let me tell you why I haven't blogged in a almost a month......

1. I moved in with Clint a few weeks ago and now have an HOUR long commute
2. I started working at Victoria's Secret and they love me and have been dumping almost 30 hours a week on me (good for my wallet, not good for free time)
3. We've been re-doing the entire house, because let's face it ladies.....bachelor's houses need A LOT of work. Such as:
4. painting the entire upstairs
5. redecorating the entire upstairs
6. oh yeah...working my regular job at which I'm constantly working on documents that are freaking POINTLESS and time consuming
7. ripping up all flooring in the upstairs
8. laying down laminate flooring in the upstairs
9. helping take care of a 4 year old 3 days a week
10. getting the house baby-ready so we can have his 3 month old at the house finally!
11. reading up on how to be a good step-mom (any tips? thankfully my mother was a great stepmom to my halfsis so I had a good role model)
12. sleeping..when I can
13. visiting my parents for Memorial Day weekend (26 hours total roundtrip driving time, not fun!)

Am I forgiven? I'll try to be better about blogging when I have time........

I got my wedding dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-26T23:52:00.003-05:00

I was planning on doing a custom made dress since I'm so picking but I found the perfect dress!!!! On Friday I went to David's Bridal just to see how the different styles looked on me to get ideas for my custom dress. Within 20 minutes I had found my dress...... I love it!! It has every element I wanted. Its light and comfortable, the material is perfect for travel, it fits my body perfectly, and IT WAS ON SALE! : ) The picture shows it in white but I got it in ivory. It looks even better up close. You can zoom in if you go to Davidsbridal.com and search for style number T9845 I plan on wearing my hair down and curly with a flower in it, no veil, flip flops, just casual beach style. Let me know what you think! : )

8 Things Post

2009-04-26T23:32:00.002-05:00

Jess tagged me in the 8 things post....so here are my answers.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

1) My wedding!!!

2) Meeting my future step-son tomorrow night

3) Introducing my fiance to my family Memorial day weekend

4) Going to sleep tonight ; )

5) SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6) Finishing physical therapy so my knees stop hurting

7) Losing 10 lbs (ok...15 lol)

8) Buying a house!!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1) Went to work

2) Ate wings with my man

3) Slept in until 10....yay

4) Watched Enemy at the Gates with Clint

5) Got a migraine

6) Took a shower

7) Cuddled

8) Went to sleep

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1) Lose 10-20 lbs

2) Sell more cash registers : )

3) Take a vacation

4) Have a stress free wedding

5) Win the lottery

6) Find more time in the day to get things done

7) Be a better person

8) Help out more at the women's shelter (having more time would help)

8 Shows I Watch:

1) Chelsea Lately

2) Law and Order SVU

3) Law and Order Criminal Intent

4) Scrubs

5) Sex and the City

6) Friends

7) Project Runway

8) Top Chef

Now I'm supposed to tag 8 people:
I tag....anyone who wants to join! I love all your blogs so I want to read your 8 things

Wedding Day Detox

2009-04-21T23:56:00.003-05:00

Well, in my usual OCD manor, I have overstressed myself with trying to mentally plan a wedding, find a new job, find a dog for Clint, etc. all in like two weeks. After spending a wonderful weekend with my family (most of which I had a migraine) I got home, tonight, and went to workout. I forgot how good it feels to just workout and let your mind wander to nothing. I realized that I need to calm down and not overexert myself. I have over a year to plan a very simple wedding, lose 20 lbs, find a house, etc. I just got a nice raise at my job, although if the economy doesnt pick up it wont actually do me any good as half my total pay is commission, but I digress. My point it that I have so much to be thankful for and I need to stop constantly stressing myself out by trying to make it what I think it should be. Does my job irritate me? Of course! But I HAVE A JOB. I have no reason to complain especially in this economy. So my plan is to focus on kicking ass at my job and if a better job comes along, so be it. I'm going to focus on being healthy and stress free and most of all THANKFUL. Hope everyone has a wonderful evening and rememebers that it's the little things in life that make it beautiful.

On the prowl

2009-04-15T18:18:00.002-05:00

Soooo in other non-relationship related news....

I have decided to start looking for a new job (full time that is). Due to various frustrations that are about to push me over the edge at work, I am job hunting. Anyone know of any jobs in Minneapolis? I'm looking for something related to: marketing, planning, coordinating, designing, etc. I don't want to work in a huge corporation anymore and I'm getting sick of sales bull**** that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I have a few interviews this week so we shall see!! Hope you all are having a lovely week!

Romance is not lost!

2009-04-12T11:40:00.004-05:00

I have the sweetest fiance ever. Yesterday was my last day at the jewelry store, and my first day at Victoria's Secret. This meant I had to work from 9:30am-10:00pm. Needless to say, I was so exhausted when I got out of work. Clint was supposed to work all night but he left early and said he'd have dinner waiting when I got home. I thought that was sweet but figured we'd have a low-key meal and that was all. When I got home I walked in the door and saw that the whole house was lit with candles...there were roses on the table. (He also got me roses two nights ago when he made us dinner. Twice in three days, how sweet is that??) He had made an amazing meal for us too, with tons my favorite foods and had an Easter basket for me on the table.
The other night I was talking about how much I loved cheese and crackers with hot peppers so he got my two favorite cheeses, plus bri, banana peppers and jalapenos, and two kinds of crackers.

He also made pork tenderloin, potato salad, fruit salad, garlic cheese bread, and chocolate covered strawberries.
Seriously.......what guys do stuff like that anymore? And when I asked what the occasion was, he said "no reason, I just wanted to do this for you." Wow. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world : ) I love you babe!

The Proposal

2009-04-08T07:59:00.002-05:00

Well...we actually decided to get married about a week ago while watching movies. We were sitting on the couch having a glass of wine and watching a movie. Somehow we got to talking about how we both thought over the top huge weddings were a waste of money and were joking around that "if" we ever got married it would be on a beach in Mexico with no fuss no muss. Then I asked where the honeymoon would be, and said "Well when are we getting married?" I told him next fall worked for me and we started laughing then he said he was serious and that he realized a couple months ago (before I even knew he had feelings for me!) that he wanted to marry me. So we started laughing and I said yes.

A few days later we were out to dinner and as we were leaving we noticed a jewelry store next to us and decided to go in just for fun. Since he manages a jewelry store we weren't planning on getting a ring anywhere else. While we were in the store trying on rings and being silly we also decided to have a little fun with the salesman and told him that Clint was a stockboy at Bestboy which caused our snooty little salesman to sigh because he probably figured we were just messing with him. Then I tried a mounting that made us both stop laughing...it was perfect. We both looked at each other and smiled. He asked me to come outside with him and asked if I was sure because now it was for sure if we got a ring. I said yes.

He took the mounting with him and ordered in a few stones at our jewelry store to have mounted. They were taking too long to come in so he ended up buying a stone that was already in the store that we liked. Monday night, I knew he would be coming over to propose. He asked if I were prefer a surprise romantic proposal....but I wanted my ring and told him that I had already said yes when he asked me last week and to me that was a romantic proposal.

So I lit come candles and turned on Oasis, one of our favorite bands, and he came up and we laid down and talked about how crazy this was, but how sure we were and then he knelt down beside my bed and asked me to marry him. I said yes.

Then we celebrated by playing Wii bowling and having a few beers. It was perfect.

I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-07T16:41:00.006-05:00

This is my ring mounting except the side stones are marquise cut instead of trillion cut like in the picture.And the center stone is a princess cut and not a marquise cut.

Yes ladies....it's true. This single girl is off the market! I know it's crazy and fast but when you know, you know. We're getting married in fall of 2010 in Mexico on the beach.

Pics of the house!!

2009-04-06T13:54:00.009-05:00

The wall will be bright blue in the stairwell, I hung up the shelf and pictures already though.
The kitchen. Nothing too exciting

The living room....it will be painted a light green. The curtains still aren't hung-I'm waiting on the curtain rod to be delivered.
My bathroom. Done in my favorite color combo

The pictures are from Target
My bed...with the puppies trying to get in the shot : )

I got the job!

2009-04-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

YAY! I got the job at Victoria's Secret!!!!! I start Wednesday, which means that I was able to quit Kays today and we can now tell everyone we're together!!

picture time

2009-04-05T20:57:00.002-05:00

Well ladies......here he is. Playing guitar hero, and looking extremely intense haha. I swear my room has been taken over. Wii, Guitar Hero, clothes, shoes, shaving kits, DVDs, etc. I would show you a picture but it's too shameful for a neat freak like me to ever show to the public. We've become "one of those couples" the ones that can't spend a moment apart. It's rather disgusting, but I love it. And I'm neglecting my blogger, I'm sorry. There's no excuse. Last night I was going to blog....but let Clint show me how to play Wii bowling instead - and fyi I totally kicked his ass at it.

Please don't judge me.....I'll blog more I promise!

April Fools!

2009-04-01T12:37:00.004-05:00

No...I don't have any good jokes or pranks today. I tried to think of some but it's too cold and snowing. I would rather just sit and catch up on my blogging! I've been so busy with finishing the move, working, and being with my new man. Yes, I know it's pathetic but we're together everyday except when he has his son. I'll get some pics of me and him together and post soon I promise! In related news, I think I'll be working part-time at Victoria's Secret now instead of the jewelry store so we can finally tell everyone we work with! It's been kind of fun keeping it a secret.....but I'm ready for them to know. They been telling us to date for months so they'll be happy that we finally are.

I am so happy it's kind of ridiculous : ) There's none of the drama, none of the anxiety that I usually get the first couple weeks in a relationship. I'm just happy. He and I have worked together for almost 6 months, we've seen every side of each other, we know all of each others stories, we work well together. We make a good team. It just works, it's natural, it's easy... that's only way I can explain it.

I have been in love several times, I've been engaged, I've lived with someone.....but no matter how happy I was, I always second guess everything and constantly analyze. You all know this....you've read my stories where I over analyze men and relationships. This feels different. And yes I know it's only been like a week and a half, but that's how I feel.

life is crazy

2009-03-29T10:04:00.002-05:00

I have a story for you ladies......

5 months ago we got a new manager at my part-time job. There was instant chemistry between us and we had a great time joking around at work and having fun. He had a long-distance girlfriend up until 2 weeks ago........

two weeks ago we were closing the store together and started talking about things like how we could never date because he's my boss, etc. Then somehow we ended up kissing in the backroom. We went out to dinner afterward and talked for a couple hours about what we were going to do...which led to more kissing. The next day he broke things off with his girlfriend and came over to make me dinner. Over the next couple of days we've spent almost every moment together talking and learning more about each other. He's been divorced for the past 2 years, and has an almost 4 year old son. He'll be 30 in April, and wants to go to Mexico this summer with me : )

The only way I can describe things is that it feels right. He and I are both pretty big commitment phobes and yet we both feel that this is just right. More to come..................

It's good to be back

2009-03-24T19:48:00.003-05:00

I didn't realize how much I missed blogging! I have literally had no free time in the past two weeks....I have so much reading to catch up on!! I'll give you some updates on my life the past two weeks.....

#1. The whole Paul thing is kinda done. It was weird, he was sick so he didn't want to get together then I was too busy to call him. Then last weekend he was supposed to help move my bed because it's really heaving and big and I never heard from him. Lucky for me, my roommate's brother came to visit and helped me move it. He also asked me out, but he just wasn't my type. So then last night I get a text from Paul saying that he's sorry he blew me off and would like to explain. He said there were a lot of thoughts and things going on in his head that he needed to work out. I still don't know what that means and don't really care. Sorry Paul.

#2. Things at work are good!!! I actually got a meeting to pitch a new product and Trent, my account partner, is on vacation so I'm running the whole meeting myself! And to top it off, the people at Target are bringing like 15 people to the meeting and my team is bringing in about 5 people. That's a big freaking sales meeting. So if I close the deal........promotion? If not.....layoff? We shall see!!

#3. My room is almost done so I can post pictures soon!!!!

#4. I've learned to get by on like 5 hours of sleep per night, however my body is hating me for it.

Other than that, nothing too exciting........ I'm off to give myself and much needed mani-pedi I seriously have missed you all so much!!!! : )

Moving......

2009-03-21T15:46:00.003-05:00

Ok, it's official...I have too much stuff. No matter how many "spring cleanings" I do I still feel like I have too much. Or maybe it's just that my room and bathroom are small. Regardless, I'm sick of moving. I'm sick of my body aching, and not sleeping, and having bruises all over from carrying big awkward pieces of furniture that bump into my legs, I'm sick of not having a moment of rest.

Ok enough complaining. At least I'm almost done then I can relax a little. Hope all of you are having a relaxing weekend!!

I've missed you all

2009-03-19T08:51:00.001-05:00

Sorry it's been so long ladies! I moved finally and had some major issues with internet that I'll explain later.....to much to do this week! I'll be back to my regular schedule soon I promise!

BBBBRRRRRRR

2009-03-11T15:00:00.003-05:00

OH FOR THE LOVE OF PETE.........WHY IS THIS STATE SO COLD??!?!?!?!?!??!!

I'm serious, winds blowing at up to 40mph, wind chill of -15 degrees, snow, ice. What a lovely day. At least there's sunshine....although it's not helping to warm me up. Thankfully the only reason I had to leave the house today was to get an MRI on my knees. Here's hoping they can do something to help my poor little knees. This moving crap has done a number on them.
****Ok it's now Friday, I was interrupted and never posted this yesterday. I ventured out with my roomy last night to meet her blind date. Good times. Poor guy didn't know he was getting 2 for 1! We had a good time, and somehow I wound up on the phone with Miranda's brother and he and I are going out Friday night. Other than that I'm working 24/7 the rest of the weekend and when I have free time (haha yeah right) I'll be moving the rest of my stuff into Miranda's. So basically I won't have time to sleep. Awesome! I'll be back to blogging next week though. Have a great weekend everyone!

Game Playing

2009-03-08T12:47:00.004-05:00

I was recently talking with a friend of mine about game playing and why we hate it. *Luke* is an internet friend that I met through Myspace. He writes a blog about dating, relationships, etc. and while he and I have some very different views on things we always have interesting debates. The one thing we can agree on is how much we hate fake people and how we wish everyone would just show their cards right away.

I find that so many people are desperate for love that they give off an image of what they think the other person wants to see. As *Luke* so eloquently put it, "If I went on a date wearing a Matthew McConaughey mask the woman I'm with would love the way I look, but it wouldn't be the real me."

The same goes for our personalities, our likes and dislikes. I've always been a very up front person. If someone doesn't like me, oh well. I don't want to ever feel like I have to put on an act to get someone to like me. The only friends and lovers I want are people who will love me for me and not want me to be anything other than what I am.

I am strong, I am independent, I am a closet romantic, I am sarcastic, I am sometimes a bitch, I am a go-getter, I am a hard worker, I am a lover, I am a fighter, I am a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, lover, I am me and that's something no one else can be.

Why is it that people are willing to change who they are to make someone love them? If that's what you're doing, then that person doesn't really love you. They love the you that you are portraying. It's sad, but it happens everyday. I think it's one of the biggest reasons for divorce. Ever heard the saying, "We grew apart. We had different interests than we did when we got married. I fell out of love with him/her." The thing is, that while everyone does change somewhat throughout their life, they don't really change that drastically. Could it be that what's really going on is that they stop putting on their mask everyday and eventually the real them comes out?

Have you ever worn a mask to make someone love you?

Skin Care for Oily Skin

2009-03-06T10:34:00.006-06:00

In highschool I had some major oily-skin problems. I didn't have the giant red sore type of acne but I had super oily skin which caused hundreds of tiny bumps and pimples all over my face. Back then my solution was make-up to cover it and a few facial products that didn't help much.

Now that I'm older my skin has calmed down quite a bit and I've found a simple routine that works wonders. The girl that does my microderms always gushes about how she loves my skin. Not that my skin is perfect by any means, I still get a few breakouts but my complexion is now very even and I no longer have oil problems.

Now I know my older sister and few others are probably cringing at the Dial soap but trust me....it works!

In the morning I clean my face, neck, shoulders, and back with Biore Tripe Action Astringent. It doesn't burn or dry out my skin and it gets so much oil and dirt off.

After that, I wash my face with just a bit of Dial Gold liquid soap. It's important not to use anything but the Gold. It's antibacterial and moisturizing and has no fragrances in it that I'm aware of. The other kinds can be really irritating. Washing with this helps get anything out of my pores that the astringent missed and also washes away a few litte fuzzies that the cotton balls leave behind after using astringent.

At the end of the day instead of using soap after astringent I use Olay Total Affects Face Wash. I use the 7 Signs kind that treats acne and is anti-aging. Not sure if it really doesn anything for anti-aging but it can't hurt right? This face wash has little crystals in it that scrub your face gently. It's like a mini-microderm every night. It's great for getting make-up off. (Dial soap is also gentle enough to get eye makeup off fyi)

After the above steps are done I use Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. It treats acne without over drying. I only put it on at night every other day so it doesn't clog my pores. In the summer I never use it at night. I always use it before I put on my makeup though.

Does anyone have an unconventional product (like Dial) that they use for their skin?

Imaginary Shopping Trip

2009-03-06T09:15:00.008-06:00

I'm tired, and bored on this conference call so I'm going on an imaginary shopping trip. These are items I can't afford and probably wouldn't spend the money on even if I could afford them.

Michael Kors = sexy dresses Jimmy Choo these shoes are yummy. And look so hot with the Michael Kors dress above.Diane Von Furstenberg knows classy style. This is my new favorite dress. It's sexy without being over the top, girly and fun with the classic DVF detailing.

Miu Miu I love the bow on the front and the pink detail on the inside of the heel. So flirty and sexy and they look adorable with the DVF dress above.
Catherine Malendrino I love this flowy summer dress and the color would look great with a dark tan and black hair (my favorite look in the summer)Jimmy Choo........I love (almost) all of their shoes. These hot little numbers hurt my feet just looking at them but I still love them so.

Is it March already??

2009-03-06T08:27:00.002-06:00

I seriously didn't even realize until today that it was March already. Me thinks I've been too busy lately. I have been painting until about midnight every night (after I get done working a full day at my regular job then work a few hours at my part time job.) What fun!!! Not to mention all of the climbing up and down to do the edging on the walls by the ceiling has been doing some fun things to my knees. I finally called my doctor to set up an MRI for my legs. I really don't want to hear how jacked up my knees really are and have her tell me to get knee replacement, however I need to do something. It was tons of fun when I called and she never ordered one or put any notes in my chart about it, so the nurse refused to schedule it and kept saying "Are you suuuuure she said you needed on??" Umm, no I just made it up. I have great respect for people in the medical field but I seem to always find the nastiest nurses who insist on treating patients like they're just pretending to be sick for the hell of it.

On a lighter note, I'm making some headway with the new house and I should be able to move in next week. Then I'll have roughly a month and a half to get my old place primed and painted, all my addresses changed to the new one, get a MN driver's license, etc.

And yes mom, I am going to come home to visit soon! : )

Busy Week

2009-03-03T08:02:00.002-06:00

Do you know what's depressing? Having your Performance Evaluation with your boss to find out that if your company didn't cancel all raises this year you would have gotten an $11,000 raise. Seriously!! I could have paid off my car with that raise. Or my student loan. I am so freaking annoyed.

In other news, I've been sick for the past week but worked through it and got Miranda's room all done so now I can begin work on my room! Once the house is done I'll post pictures! (If any of you live in the Twin Cities you're invited to our housewarming party - which will happen in the next month or so)

Paul brought me lunch yesterday since I still wasn't feeling well. He's such a sweety. He's in Tampa on business all week which is actually a good thing because I'm crazy busy with work and painting.

I hope all of you are having a lovely week so far. Sorry my posts have been a bit boring the past couple times, I promise when I'm not so busy I'll think of some juicy dating stories from my past to entertain you all.

Quick Recap

2009-02-28T23:47:00.003-06:00

I'm beyond tired but wanted to give you a quick update because I won't have time to blog tomorrow.

Ok it's hard to see because of my crappy camera, but I have a scab on my chin because Paul's whiskers gave me something akin to rug-burn. (a.k.a. I finally got lots of kisses lol) And we're probably going to have dinner tomorrow : ) He also brought up the R word last night. "Relationship" as in.... he said "I want to take this relationship slow so we don't mess it up." I'll admit, that's a little fast for the R word but I guess we have been friends for almost a year now. I can't believe I thought we didn't have chemistry and thought he was a bad kisser. He is awesome! And we have amazing chemistry. Interesting. Also a very random fact, Paul's dad and stepmom have worked for Laura's (Miranda's cousin) parents for like 20 years so she knew Paul! Such a small world! Leave it to me to move to a state where I don't know anyone, then the few people I meet randomly know each other. Also, Laura's friend Amy is from the same hometown I'm from! I haven't met her yet but I'm sure we'll have lots of fun stories to share about the small town we're from. Such a random day.

Miranda and I have been painting all freaking day only to discover that the "trainee" at Wal-Mart mixed the paint wrong so we did 3 coats of paint only to realize they were two different shades of blue. Needless to say, tomorrow I will be turning on the bitch switch and getting some free stuff from Wal-Mart

Hi, my name is Rachel and I am a decorating addict.

2009-02-27T14:07:00.016-06:00

This morning I decided to start hunting for decorations on Ebay. For the stairwell, this Greek statue that will sit on the white shelf I bought....

And this other Greek statue to go on the shelf in the stairway...

This lovely vintage purse (and the other two below will be hung on the wall in the bathroom to go with the French/couture theme. I'm also painting the phrase "Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir" around the wall as a border.

These Nicole Millers (that just happen to be my size) we like $7 with shipping!!! they will sit on a black shelf on the bathroom wall.
I'm going to frame this print and hang it in the bathroom.
This is one panel of a set that I'm using as curtains in the living room.
All of these pillows will be going on the couches. I didn't want them to be matchy because I wanted it to look authentic and colorful and eclectic. (All of these pillows, and the curtains were handmade in Indian and the details are beautiful!! And they were cheaper than buying Pier 1 pillows!!)

Sleepless in Seattle

2009-02-27T00:16:00.002-06:00

I hate that even though I can't stand movies like "Walk to Remember", "The Notebook", or "P.S. I Love You", I still love "Sleepless in Seattle". It still makes me wish that I believed in "the one". I really wish I did. To those of you that have found their one, I'm so happy for you. To those of you that haven't, don't ever stop looking. To those of us who don't believe....well, maybe we'll change our minds. To those of us who have found them and lost them.....don't ever forget them, they will always be with you in your memories even if they're with someone else now, or passed away, or just too far away. There is a rhyme and reason to this crazy thing called life and one of these days I'll figure it out....or maybe not. Sleep well........

So Confused

2009-02-26T00:33:00.002-06:00

As you can probably tell by the fact that I'm posting at 12:30..........Paul is not here! I am so confused!! I had candles lit, made a great dinner, drank good wine, and he stayed to watch 3 movies! We leaned against each other on the couch, talked the whole time we were watching movies and had a great time. When he went to leave he asked if he could make me dinner on Friday night and also said he'll come and help paint my new place on Saturday. But then he didn't try to kiss me!!! I got a hug goodbye and that's all. I don't get it! I almost just kissed him but since he did ask to make dinner for me at his place I figured maybe he's more comfortable on his own turf.

**It also may have something to do with the fact that he's allergic to cats, and I have a cat, hence his eyes were itching and watering the whole time - yet he was still here for 4 1/2 hours!

My gut says he's into me, but what's with the no kiss? I'm quite frustrated. First I get a guy who's all over me that I don't want to kiss, now I have a guy who seems into me but didn't try to kiss me. It seemed like he wanted to but then he didn't. Maybe he's just a little shy. Why else would a guy hang out through 3 movies and an allergic reaction, ask to cook me dinner in 2 days, and offer to help paint my new place if he wasn't interested? Ok, no more over analyzing. I need my beauty sleep.

By the way, 5-10 inches on snow tomorrow in MN!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH I hate winter.

Lasagna

2009-02-25T13:41:00.014-06:00

I love to cook. I mean LOVE to cook. I like making up recipes and finding new ingredients to use. Although I don't know some of the fancy cooking terms, or how to make fine French cuisine, I can make some yummy comfort food and I'm especially good at Mexican and Italian food. Tonight I am making lasagna for Paul and I happen to love my recipe and thought I would share it. It takes about 1 1/2 hours of prep and 1 hour to cook.

I'm not cool enough to make my own sauce so I start with just plain sauce, and then add stuff to make it my own.
Fresh garlic is an absolute must!!!
I love fresh basil and put in almost everything I cook.

I like to use the flat sheet noodles instead of the crinkly kind. They lay better. I also soak the noodles in hot water while I prep everything else. I know most boxes say they will cook without boiling first but I find the noodles need a little softening first.
Romano cheese is a staple in lasagna of course.
Also, fresh mozzarella...
And fresh provolone.
Instead of beef I use lean ground turkey in everything. It takes better and it's way better for you! (And if you have people in your family that would prefer beef just don't tell them and I promise they won't taste the difference!)
I use fresh mushrooms chopped up in the sauce to add flavor.

PREP:
Preheat oven to 350. (You'll need it to cook the mushrooms before you put them in the sauce.)
Fill a pan with hot water and place noodles in it to soak during prep.
Brown garlic and extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet.
Heat up two cans of sauce in pot and add oregano, chopped fresh basil, and finely chopped garlic.
Place the mushroom slices on a sheet pan and brush with extra virgin olive oil, cook for 15 min.
Once garlic is browned add ground turkey and cook until browned(usually takes around 20 min.)
Once mushrooms are cooked, chop up and put in sauce. (let sauce simmer for about 20 min to let the flavors come out.)

Once all the prep work is done, layer sauce, noodles, cheese, and meat. Top with a bunch of mozzarella : ) Cook for about an hour until top of cheese is browning and bubbling.

Serve with a side salad, french bread - with oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, and nice glass of Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon - my favorite wine!

Enjoy ladies!!

******EDITED TO ADD: I also slice up fresh tomatoes and layer them in the lasagna.

Back in The Saddle Again

2009-02-24T21:05:00.003-06:00

Well my lovelies, I can't just give up on dating because of one weirdo can I? Oh no I can't!

Tomorrow night, my friend Paul (who you may remember I went out on a couple dates with after Mike and I broke up the first time in September, didn't feel a ton of chemistry but really liked him and stayed friends, and he took me to dinner for my bday a couple weeks ago.) is coming over and I am cooking him dinner and then we're watching movies. He also said that next week he wants to take me to this Mongolian place that just opened by his house.

I had totally put him in the friend zone but he's been such a great friend, and he's such a great guy that I've started to wonder if maybe I wrote him off too quickly. I decided it was best to investigate so I invited him for dinner. I'll let you all know how it goes!

The New Roomy (Miranda)

2009-02-23T22:06:00.005-06:00

My challenger in the 80's dance off

Miranda is the redhead, her cousin Laura is the dark haired one in the middle...and then me. (I love my double chin in this pic haha)
Laura, dancing of course : )

Me and Laura

New House!!!!

2009-02-23T16:33:00.002-06:00

YAY!!! You know how I was going to meet that girl about moving into her townhouse? Well I met her Saturday, ended up spending the day with her and going out with her and her cousin that night and had a blast!! It's better than I could have imagined!! She's so awesome, the place is a beautiful 2 bed, 2 1/2 bath townhouse. She has two little tiny dogs that I adore! And she's letting me decorate the whole place however I want!!! And it's way cheaper than my rent now!! I'm so excited! I start paying rent in April but she said I can move in whenever I want.

I already decided how to decorate-yes I am a decorating nerd! I'm doing a "world" theme. Every room will be a different country. The living room will be either India or Morocco, the kitchen will be Italy, the downstairs guest bathroom will be France, the stairwell leading up to our bedrooms with be Greece, her room will be New Zealand (she picked that country bc she lived there for 6 months!) if I do a theme for my bedroom it'll probably be China since I have a huge painting of a cherry blossom tree with a Chinese signature on it, and tons of Asian decorations. I am so excited to start decorating!!!!!

We also had a great time Saturday night. By the end of the night we ended up at a Ramada Inn and I decided we should have an 80's Dance Off and I ended up in a dance off with this 4 foot tall dude from China. He was sweet and totally beat me haha.

Congrats!!!!

2009-02-23T10:05:00.002-06:00

And the winner is...............Island Girl! Congratulations!!! Send me an email at rachelh96@yahoo.com with your address and I'll send it today!!

Just realized...

2009-02-20T16:40:00.001-06:00

Ok that actually wasn't my 100th post, I thought it was bc under "edit posts" it said 100, but it was counting a few drafts that I never posted. Oh well!

GIVE-AWAY!!!!

2009-02-20T15:41:00.015-06:00

It's give-away time!! I have some goodies for you ladies. So here's how to enter:

1 entry-post a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to relax

2 entries-post a comment (see above), and put up a post on your blog about this give-away and let me know you posted it

3 entries-(do both of the above mentioned) and become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower then you automatically get an extra entry)

You have until Sunday at midnight to enter.

Here are the goodies!!

A vintage inspired clutch

A Starbucks goody bag with mint cocoa, tea, coffee, & coffee mug

The Sweet Dreams Package: Herba-gel eyelid compress, Dream Silk Comfort Cream, Elixir of Dreams Pillow Mist, and a Dream Zone Sleep Mask

A silky, lacy, black Vera Wang robe

I couldn't do a give-away without Sharpies and Post-it Notes! There are three different notepads, one reads "Why yes, I am looking for a shoe sale!", the second one reads "Yes, I am personally bringing sexy back", and the third reads "Don't postpone chocolate". The sharpies are part of Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise so part of the profits go to cancer research. (My mom's mom died of breast cancer so I like to support BCR as much as possible!)

Pomegranate candles and reed diffuser with oil

And of course, a fierce red lipstick because every woman needs one. Brand: Flirt Shade: Wicked - of course ; )

Good Luck Ladies!!!!!

Lots to Say

2009-02-20T13:36:00.003-06:00

*Well I took all of your advice and just talked to him this morning. I told him that I just didn't feel the chemistry and it was nothing he did I just didn't feel it and I was sorry. He was upset but took it ok. The only annoying part was when he asked if we could still make-out so that the trip wasn't a total waste. UMMM NO! Men.

*I looked at a few apartments and found one that I like, and I'm also meeting a girl this weekend to see about moving into her house - I'm hoping she and I get along bc it would be super cheap and I'd have someone to hang out when I'm bored.

*This is my 99th post which means....drum roll please.......it's time for a giveaway on my next post!!! Get ready to enter for a lovely box of goodies : )

She's Just Not That Into You

2009-02-19T08:03:00.002-06:00

I knew it. No spark. No chemistry. No zha-zha-zoo. And he's a bad kisser. Very bad, like in the one Sex and The City Episode where the guys rapes Charlotte's face with his tongue. (Although it wasn't quuuiiitee as bad as that.) He's very nice, but it's not gonna happen.

Ok ladies I need help here ASAP. How do I nicely tell him "I'm just not that into him"?????

My Diet

2009-02-17T15:11:00.004-06:00

Ok my body is officially freaking me out. Yesterday I got weighed and had gained 8 lbs in like 2-3 weeks. Then today I try on "the pants" I've been trying to fit into and they fit! They're slightly tight but I could button and zip them and they feel fine. WHAT IS GOING ON?????

My doctor said my thyroid levels are fine so she doesn't know why my weight is yo-yoing like this. Weird.

On a different note I finally finished the paintings for Krystyn's girls! Here they are.... Hope you like them Krystyn! (sorry for the bad pic quality!)

Roleplay

2009-02-16T20:59:00.006-06:00

“I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” ---Carrie Bradshaw

I'm watching the movie "My Best Friend's Girl"(hilarious movie by the way if you have the sense of humor of a 15yr old boy-as I do) It's interesting....and it's so true. Women love assholes. This isn't news to any of us. We all know that fact by heart. We date and we date and we date. We date the nice guys, the assholes, the smart guys, the rich guys, the artsy guys, the normal guys, the marrying guys, and the list goes on. We play the part of the perfect girlfriend for each guy and find new and interesting things about ourselves in the process.....but what if the woman is the asshole? I love the game, I love flirting and getting to know guys, etc. The roles change in some cases and in my case it sometimes is that way. AND IT WORKS Lance, for example. We have these lovely conversations and talk for hours about how much we have in common, and how great it is lalala. Then I start to lose interest a bit.... I stop calling as much. I cut the conversations short, I actually act pissy when I've had a bad day. And guess what? He sounds offended at first, starts to wonder if he really likes me after all....but then magically it turns into "Oh it's ok I'll put you in a better mood when I come visit! I'm going to make you smile!" blah blah blah And I'm turned off.

I know how it feels to be the asshole. I also know how it feels to regret it. I did it before with Weston. I let him go, we stayed friends, back and forth over and over as you've read in my previous blogs. He's still with her, he seems happy enough I guess. He's going to have a lovely little life with her and I'm left standing here going "Umm wtf did I do and where do I go now?"

Do I date this guy who's slightly annoying? Should I have stayed with Mike and put up with his crap? Do I keep dating and meeting guys that just don't make the cut? I just don't see how I'll find someone that I can slow down and just be with and let it happen and not worry about it and not have the drama. I'm picky, and I can be emotional, but I'm also very loyal, funny, and very loving. I make a kickass girlfriend, but only if the guy is man enough to handle me. Hmmm.

"...if you can find someone to love the you you love, well that's just fabulous." And it is! But here's the kicker, you have to know yourself and love yourself the way you are to let anyone else love you. Then it should be easy, right?? You meet the right guy and poof, like magic everything falls right into place. Ummmm perhaps in the movies but in real life it's not so simple.

But I digress...

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Workin' so hard like a soldier
Can't afford a thing on TV
Deep in my heart I'm a warrior
Can't get food for them kid, good God

Rock it in the daytime
Rock it in the night ...

Rock on ladies, rock on.

Frustrated

2009-02-16T18:13:00.002-06:00

Well, just got back from the doctor. She did X-rays of my knees and also did a test of my Thyroid because when they weighed I had GAINED 8lbs. Are you kidding me?? I've been doing cardio - with no resistance so it isn't muscle mass that I've gained - and eating a ton less and eating every few hours to keep my metabolism going and I've still gained weight. She thinks I may have a thyroid problem or my body is having a reaction to my birth control. I could go off of it but then my ovarian cysts would come back and keeps bursting randomly which makes me feel like I'm getting stabbed. I'm hating my body right now. First my cervix, now my knees and hips, my weight, and my ovaries.

Work is also stressing me out because even though I took Thurs and Fri off, I still somehow got roped into meetings all day Thurs. I have a lunch meeting I can't get out of and 3 conference calls. So I told Lance to come Thurs but he insisted on coming Wed and said he'll just read a book while I'm working. Ummmm.... what? So now I'm going to feel rushed in my meetings and irritated because I'll feel like I have to entertain him. Whatever.

Sorry, I'm in a very very bad mood.

Oww

2009-02-16T08:31:00.002-06:00

My knee/hip joint pain has gotten to the point where I'm giving in a going to the doctor. Ever since I was little my knees have hurt due to the fact that I have little to no cartilage in them. The past few months it's been horrible and I blamed it on the severe cold, but this week has been much warmer and they still hurt. I couldn't even workout the past 4 days because of it and this morning I woke up at 4am because I was in so much pain and couldn't go back to sleep. I have an appt. with my doctor at 5 today so hopefully I can get this figured out! This week is going to be crazy busy what with my 4 new accounts for work, and the boy coming to visit.

***on the "boy" note, I'm so stressed this week I would almost rather not have him come but he's so excited that I would feel bad. Plus if I don't like him I can stop talking to him sooner rather than later.

***I got new bath towels at Kohls(my favorite store) last night and I am in love!!! They're the Luxury Supima bath towels and they are so soft and big and snuggly. The towels I currently have are either from college or are old towels I stole from my parents house when they got new towels. I thought it was time to get towels that are soft and yummy that actually match my bathroom. (I got the chocolate brown ones.)

***Also at Kohls is the Vera Wang collection of everyday clothes which I am obsessed with and right now it's all 30-50% off with some items on clearence 80% off even! She has a very loose, flowy, feminine style that I love.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T11:07:00.004-06:00

First of all a big Awww for the roses I got from Lance today : ) Also we did have a little talk last night and he does do his own laundry most of the time and he admitted he should be nicer to his mom even when she annoys him. We shall see. I've been snippy with my own mom before (sorry mom, love you!) and it doesn't mean I'm a bad person so I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

***** I need you ladies to be my sounding board. Am I too picky? I feel like sometimes I pick and pick at the little things and write guys off before they ever have a chance, then I give the chance to the ones that don't deserve it. Why is this???? Do I have a subconscious aversion to commitment so I only date men that I know I won't end up with for the long term? Something to consider.

My new hair. Sorry I couldn't get the lighting right to really see and I also have no makeup on and just woke up. Yes I am a scrub. I'll post better pics when I get a chance.

Enjoy your saturday everyone!! (Hope you all survived Friday the 13th!)

Hmmmmm...

2009-02-13T21:49:00.003-06:00

So it's a few days until Lance comes to visit and I'm still not sure how much I really like him. He has a lot of good qualities and we have a ton in common which is good, but at the same time there are some things I don't like.

#1. He still lives at home because after he graduated he went to boot camp for the marines, decided it wasn't for him and moved home to work with his dad.
#2. He quit bootcamp in the middle. I couldn't handle bootcamp myself so I can't judge but it shows a lack of follow-through.
#3. Tonight he was on the phone with me and starting get snotty with his mom because his jeans were missing and he couldn't find them because she did his laundry and put them away in the wrong place.
#4. HIS MOM STILL DOES HIS LAUNDRY
#5. He still wants to go oversees and now wants to join the National Guard, and I don't know if I really want to date a military guy because I've seen how hard it is on my friends who go through it. (But I respect the military and their families a ton, don't get me wrong! I just don't know if I could handle it.)

I'm getting frustrated......I still want him to come, but I sort of feel like I may not like him as much as I thought I would and I don't want to have to go through a whole weekend if I decide I don't like him. Would it be rude to tell him that if I feel that way when he comes, and ask him to leave? THIS is why online dating can be a bitch.

*************
I edited this post to add that he apologized for me overhearing him fight with his mom, it's just that he gets tired of her misplacing his laundry. Umm WTF
My response : Well perhaps she gets tired of doing your laundry. You're 25, perhaps it's time you start doing your own.

I still haven't heard back haha........ I might just adopt a little girl and live happily ever after on my own. I'm getting a bit bored with the men I date. I'm like Goldylocks...I want one that's Juuuuust Right.

**Speaking of Goldylocks I got super blond highlights - by accident sort of - and now my hair is really light and I'm not sure if I like it. Will post pics tomorrow if I get time.

My Diet...Day 8

2009-02-12T10:26:00.002-06:00

Well, so far so good! I had a really stressful day yesterday and was swamped with work but still went to the gym at midnight! I did 45 of cardio then my knee about gave out so I just did the bike very slowly for another 15 min to keep my muscles from cramping up. Then I did 15 min of yoga to relax, and went tanning.

I tried on "the pants" this morning and I could button them and zip them but they're still very tight. 6 days to go!

I must say though that cardio gets addicting! I don't go super fast, that way I don't get too worn out too quickly but I find myself wanting to run longer! And I've also started looking at food as just a way to keep my metabolism going. I haven't been snacking at all and I go to bed hungry every night. I hope I get addicted to working out! How great would that be?? : )

My Diet, Week 1

2009-02-10T14:05:00.004-06:00

Well, in light of the pending visit from Clay-I mean Lance, I have decided to lose 10lb in 2 weeks. (technically it's only a week and a half from the start of my diet until he comes but I'm being hopeful that I can still achieve the 10lb weight loss.) Can I do it? We shall see!

So far I have done an hour of cardio every other day for the past 5 days and for the past 3 days have consumed around 1200 calories per day of healthy food! I'm going strong. My problems at this point include my semi-sprained knee from last week which is hating me for the running and bike riding, and my stomach which keeps asking for McDonald's fries and a double cheese. So far I have resisted this craving. I don't even own a scale to know how much I weigh-sad I know, so I will be measuring my success by the way my pants fit. I have this pair of dress pants that are a size too small and also have no stretch. When I wore them was about 5-10lbs lighter than I am now. If I can wear those and have them fit loosely I will know I have succeeded. This morning I could put them on and zip but not button them and they were tight.

7 days to go! If I succeed I will further challenge myself to lose another 10, in which case I would weigh less than I did in highschool! If anyone would like to join me on this challenge for moral support I would love that!!!

The Letter Game

2009-02-09T13:13:00.002-06:00

Here's the deal: If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know, and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it on your blog. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on.

The lovely Tara assigned me the letter "R" for the game

1. Riesling....one of my favorite kinds of wine
2. Racehorses...I actually love any horse but this way I could put it on the list ; )
3. Red...one of my favorite colors
4. Rain...I love the smell and the sound of rain
5. Random...I use that word all the time
6. Retro...I love retro clothes and furniture...even some music
7. Reagan..my cat
8. Recipes...I love cooking and trying out new recipes
9. Relaxing...nothing like have a long work week and relaxing in the tub listening to music
10. Redecorating...growing up my mom always let us redecorate our rooms and now I love decorating all the time

Leave a comment by Wed. at midnight and I'll assign you a letter!

wedding crashers

2009-02-08T19:04:00.003-06:00

Wedding Crashers is one of my favorite movies and as many of my friends know, I quote it all the time. I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes. What are your favorite movies/movie quotes?

"You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!"

"[sigh] Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced awkward intimate situation that people like to call dating. I don't like the feeling. You're sitting there, you're wondering do I have food on my face, am I eating, am I talking too much, are they talking enough, am I interested I'm not really interested, should I play like I'm interested but I'm not that interested but I think she might be interested but do I want to be interested but now she's not interested? So all of the sudden I'm getting, I'm starting to get interested... And when am I supposed to kiss her? Do I have to wait for the door cause then it's awkward, it's like well goodnight. Do you do like that ass-out hug? Where you like, you hug each other like this and your ass sticks out cause you're trying not to get too close or do you just go right in and kiss them on the lips or don't kiss them at all? It's very difficult trying to read the situation. And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions? Perhaps play a little game called "just the tip". Just for a second, just to see how it feels. Or, ouch, ouch you're on my hair."

"Yeah! Crabcakes and Football. That's what Maryland does!"

"What's wrong with you?
What do you mean "what's wrong with me?" What's wrong with you?
No, what's wrong with you?
No, what's wrong with you? You're projecting!
Drop it.
You drop it! You stop projecting on me! Why don't you go enjoy yourself while I go ice my balls and spit up blood.
Drop it!
Team player!"

"He lived with his mom till he was forty! She tried to poison his oatmeal!"
"Erroneous! Erroneous! Erroneous on both counts!"

"I didn't get a lot of sleep last night.
Soft mattress?
Yeah, it could have been the soft mattress. Or the midnight rape. Or the nude gay art show that took place in my room. One of those probably added to the lack of sleep. "

"Wow. Mr. Environmental is also a hunter. That's got to be an interesting combination.
I hunt quail, Jeremy. They're overpopulated in this region and they're decimating the grubworm population. You got a problem with that?
Not nearly as much as I do with the attire that you have on, or just your general point of view towards everybody. But let's go kill some birds. I'm psyched. "

"Mom! The meat loaf!"

Lancey-pants

2009-02-08T09:09:00.003-06:00

Friday night in my living room. The phone rings around 10 and it's Lance. We start talking, a bit awkward at first since we've never spoken, but eventually we started cracking up and telling each other about ourselves. By the time we got off the phone it was 5 am!!! It was like one of those great first dates where you don't want to stop talking. The best part was that he's just as big of a dork as I am. The next morning I realized I have a bit of a crush on him, so very 9th grade of me.

Yesterday we text each other all day and made plans to see each other. He's coming to visit the weekend after next : ) He wanted to come for Valentines but A. I have too much work to do and B. I felt like that was too soon.

Saturday night we talked for 4 hours before both of us were too tired to hold a phone. Again laughing and joking around all night. He also informed me that his nickname is Lancey-pants which made me laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. I then told him about my nickname, Fancy. And the rest of the night consisted of Lancey-pants and Fancy-pants making fun of each other.

I kinda like him ; )

For Your Viewing Enjoyment

2009-02-06T23:56:00.006-06:00

Lance and his dog, Champ
Lance being a dork at his mom's house

He's growing on me, even though he resembles Clay Aiken.

Oh and p.s., as of right now, I am officially 23.

Sleep well everyone!

Karma

2009-02-06T22:05:00.002-06:00

What is the universe trying to tell me? Let's see, Saturday me and my bf broke up, today I found out that I'm not getting the transfer to Dallas, and then as I was getting in my car after grocery shopping, I slipped and twisted my knee and ankle (the same knee that I sprained really bad about a year ago) got muddy slush all over my jeans and boots-both of which are now stained really bad.

My birthday is in 2 hours and I'm afraid of what tomorrow will bring!!!! I'm crossing my fingers

Clay Aiken

2009-02-06T14:44:00.011-06:00

Ladies, observe.

Clay: "Wow, Lance you're really sexy. It's like looking in a mirror. I'd like to take you out sometime and make sweet sweet love to you. How does that sound?"

Lance: "Hey dude, I have my conceal &
carry so back off!"

Clay (singing): "All byyy myself... don't wanna be, all by myseeeeelf"

Lance: "I'm going to punch you in your squirly little mouth."

Clay (singing): "Come on baby make it hurt so good!"

Lance: "You look like a girl."

Clay: "No, I'm very butch and have superfly hair be-otch."

A Little Detective Work

2009-02-06T13:26:00.002-06:00

I love my sneaky ways. Lance, from eHarmony mentioned something to me in one of his messages that got me to thinking...and Google-ing. Because of this I found his name, age, hometown, college, fraternity, and several articles he wrote about politics. Damn I'm good.

The good news is, he told the truth about who he is, the pictures are of him, and he is the age he said and from the town he said. So far he's honest. And we seem to have a lot in common. More juicy info to come!

Crappy Day

2009-02-06T10:35:00.000-06:00

I didn't get Dallas. Happy birthday to me.

Aww

2009-02-05T22:57:00.003-06:00

I forgot to post about this.....
I volunteer once a week at a women's halfway house and last week when I went they had made me a poster with cute little notes all over it. These women are great. Most are ex-drug addicts, or ex-cons or both; but they have so much strength. These women have grown up in horrible situations for the most part and they made so many mistakes but they work so hard everyday to turn their lives around. They are truly an inspiration to me.

Birthday Date

2009-02-05T22:43:00.002-06:00

Well I got me a birthday date! (Ok actually it was more of a coincidence.) I went out with Paul a couple times last fall after Mike and I broke up the first time. He's not a very good kisser. Therefore I never went out with him again. He's a nice guy but there's not really any chemistry. Anyways, we keep in touch through texting now and then and today he asked if I was busy Saturday. We haven't seen each other in months and he wanted to catch up. I said my evening was free and that it happened to be my birthday. So now I have a little date/hangout on my birthday. Hey it's not a guy I really wanna date but he's a friend and at least I won't be alone on my bday now! : )

Another Giveaway!

2009-02-05T22:24:00.000-06:00

Want a Lilly P headband and keychain? Check out Pink Cupcake!

Giveaway!

2009-02-05T10:57:00.001-06:00

No, not from me, sorry! But check out Chic&Pink! It's her 100th post and she has a fabulous giveaway!!!

2am...still can't sleep

2009-02-05T01:49:00.002-06:00

Ok, so since I can't sleep still I'm going to share my personality profile from eHarmony with you. It's very long so feel free not to read it : )

You are best described as:

TAKING CARE OF OTHERS AND TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

Words that describe you:

Fair
Considered
Collaborative

Responsive
Sensible
Diplomatic

Contemplative
Indulgent
Rational

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

You are important. So are other people, especially if they are in trouble. You have a tender heart, but you know how to establish and keep personal boundaries. You are empathetic and compassionate, but you also believe that it's best if people solve their own problems and learn to take care of themselves, if they are able.

You are deeply moved by the needs of others, but you know that if you don't take good care of yourself, you'll wind up being of no use to anyone. So yours is a thoughtful compassion. You strive to be fair and sensible, taking care of others while also taking care of yourself.

When someone really is in trouble, you like to collaborate with them toward a solution; they do their part, you do yours. You consider carefully, and respond in a sensible way; they do their part, and together you move through the difficulty.

You seldom act impulsively; rather, when a problem arises, you take your time to think through the situation. This contemplative quality usually means that you'll arrive at a diplomatic solution, one that's fair for the other person and also fair to you. It's frequently a win/win situation.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

For people who are ruled by tender-hearted compassion, your more diplomatic response to problems might seem too cool, too focused on fairness and not filled enough with sympathy and selflessness.

For them, when someone's life is on fire, what is needed is not collaboration but rescue. And the person who experiences their life on fire may resent the time you take to contemplate. "I need you, and I need you NOW! This isn't about fairness, it's about the fire." "All deliberate speed" may seem too deliberate and not fast enough, either to the more compassionate or to people in genuine trouble.

At the other end of the spectrum of compassion, those who believe people should take care of themselves may find even your thoughtful sympathies too soft. They expect people, themselves included, to work their own way out of trouble. They are convinced that the helping hand you lend just fosters dependence and is not good for the development of character, either in you or in the person you assist.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Many people, perhaps the majority, will come to appreciate your balance as a compassionate person. The more they get to know you, the more they will admire your thoughtful compassion for others and its compliment in the sensible ways you take good care of yourself.

Those whom you help will appreciate the way you leave them with their dignity by expecting them to collaborate in their own rescue. Those who are more tender-hearted will find in you a balance they lack; when they've run out of energy because they fail to take good care of themselves, you will still have enough compassion left to lift others out of trouble.

Even the tough-hearted, those who believe people should solve their own problems, might come to admire your tenderness which they don't find in themselves. So the people you help will be grateful, and the people who see your balance between self and others will admire you. Certainly, balanced is not bad at all as a way to be known among your friends.

On the Openness Dimension you are:

CURIOUS

Words that describe you:

Original
Inventive
Thinker

Brave
Eccentric
Avant-Garde

Out-of-Touch
Unique

A General Description of How You Approach New Information and Experiences

You think like an artist. Or better, you SEE like an artist. While most people look at life's straight lines, its height and depth and width, you're bending the lines with your imagination and turning black and white into shades of blue and yellow. And in conversations at work or with your friends you want to ask, "Do you see what I see?" A few might, most don't, but you've piqued everyone's curiosity with your own original and inventive ways of thinking.

You can, if you must, think in conventional ways. But left on your own, you'll usually opt for the eccentric or avant-garde; in fact you're usually bored with what everyone else is comfortable with. You learn from reading, talking, watching people and other fauna and flora, and simply sitting in the soft chair of your mind and wondering how people would learn how to count if they could only use uneven numbers. You are out in front of conventional ideas, bravely originally defining true and false, right and wrong, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward Your Style of Thinking

You drive through life faster than the speed limit, and when you hit speed bumps, and you hit a lot of them with your mind distracted from the straight line ahead your wheels leave the ground.

For people who like life at a safer speed, you move too fast and lose touch too often with the solid ground they prefer, hence their discomfort with you. As odd as you might find this, many people feel safe in the shelter of the world they already know. They like the familiar. They breathe easily and sleep deeply knowing with more certainty how the world works. So although they might enjoy your company and be curious about your latest notion of how to count backwards by threes, they can only take you in small doses. And they wish you'd quit trying to push the boundaries of their personal and social cosmos.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Even those whom you make uncomfortable know, as just about everyone does, that you're not a flake. You think well, and even your wildest fancies have their roots in the deep soil of sound ideas and tested beliefs. So even if some people don't want to drive at high speed with you, they will respect you for your courage as an innovative and unconventional thinker. You lend color and imagination to what would otherwise be the straight black and white lines of their work world and social environments.

A few more daring people of your circle might even learn from you to take a risk they would otherwise never consider. As comfortable as they are on solid ground, they may be curious about what it would be like to go faster than the speed limit, or paint the living room two shades of blue, or question ideas or beliefs they've fingered like sacred beads since they were children.

After all, they watch you do it, and you seem no worse for the risks you take. In fact, your eyes are wider and your breath quicker, and maybe they can find at least a bit of this for themselves. To be certain, they don't want their wheels to leave the ground, but maybe the next time they approach a speed bump they might just brace themselves and speed up just a little bit.

On Emotional Stability you are:

SOMETIMES STEADY, SOMETIMES RESPONSIVE

Words that describe you:

Adaptable
Engaged
Able to Cope

Passionate
Perceptive
Flexible

Receptive
Aware
Avid

A General Description of Your Reactivity

In some ways, you've got the best of emotional worlds. When emotions rise up from inside you or are brought forth from a conversation by a friend, you know how to engage them. You deal with sadness, fear, joy, anger - whatever comes up - in ways that are perceptive and flexible. You can adapt to whatever level of emotion is appropriate to the moment. At other times, you are able to cope with your emotions in a more reserved manner. Because you are aware of what does and does not make emotional sense in a particular situation, you will decide when it is an appropriate time to express your emotions and when it would be best to keep them to yourself.

All of this gives you a rich emotional life. You are free to express your passions about certain subjects with appropriate people. But you are also emotionally adaptable; if the conversation needs to be more cerebral, you'll keep it "in your head" and talk calmly through whatever issue is on the table. This emotional awareness serves you well. You seldom get in over your head, either by opening up to the wrong person or by triggering in someone else's emotions they may not be able to deal with.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

When it comes to dealing with emotions we all meet some people with whom we don't match well. You bring a balanced approach to your emotional life. As such, those who are at the extremes are most likely to have a negative reaction to you. Those who live in their emotions may feel you tend to "live in your head" while those who go through life as an emotional rock may feel that you are a bit too "touchy feely" for their approach.

And of course it is always possible that because you do balance your emotional approach to life you may misread others - we all do at times. So there have undoubtedly been those times when you have misread cues and stayed in your head with someone who hoped for a more open emotional approach or you may have opened up emotionally with someone who keeps their emotions bottled up. But these things happen and since you do have a good balance of being in touch with your emotions and not being overly impacted by emotional swings, you undoubtedly are able to adapt.

Another potential problem is that as people get to know you well, they will discover that you have a great balance between emotional expression and emotional control. If they don't have this balance they may wind up envying you. They can't express feelings as well as you, or they are too often out of emotional control and resent you for your ability to cope so well with the very emotions that may trip them up.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Many people will be grateful to find a friend like you who can stay in control when emotions verge on chaos, but who can also go into the tangle of emotions when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Because of your ability to engage them at whatever level they are comfortable, to adapt to whatever changes in emotion emerge in the conversation, and to cope so well with all of it - well, they'll be very glad they found a person like you. You may, in fact, wind up as something of an emotional mentor. Your awareness of the emotional temperature of a situation, your ability to adapt to either heat or cold, and your ability to cope with whatever winds up happening in the conversation could be models for them to follow as they come to terms with their own emotional worlds.

Your approach toward your obligations is:

FOCUSED AND FLEXIBLE

Words that describe you:

Casual
Informal
Compliant

Reliable
Organized
Solid

Dependable
Uncommitted
Genuine

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

When you take on a task at work or at home, you are reliable; you get the job done. In an organized way, you define the goal, lay out a plan, figure how long the task will take, and get to work "solid and dependable you".

But and this is important you're not a slave to the plan. You're committed to it, but not chained to it; the connection is more casual and informal. You know that sometimes "the best laid plans" fall off the tracks; when this happens, you clean up the train wreck and start over, undeterred.

Though not happening often, when plans change, you're okay with it. In fact, sometimes you change the plan. It's too nice of a Saturday to finish organizing the garage. Let's go for a bike ride instead. True, the next rainy Saturday will likely find you back in the garage, but for now the work can wait.

What an interesting combination of qualities in you're organized, but casual; solid, but compliant; and dependable, but informal. At home and at work, people know they can rely on you. You take great satisfaction in knowing that people think of you as disciplined and responsible, but you also know that you have something of a free spirit in you, and when this spirit moves you, off you go, following the impulse of the moment. You are rightly proud of your work ethic, but you also enjoy your willingness to lay the tools down, crank up the music and play like a child.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

Some people live like Marines: duty-bound, disciplined and driven. To these people you might seem uncommitted; where they would never leave work for play or change plans in the middle of their life's forced march, you let the circumstance sway you and move in a different direction, and they don't understand.

Others live like kites on a string, attached by thin threads to the solid ground of responsibility and are blown about by every gust of impulse or imagination. To these people you might seem too cowardly, like you'll flirt with your impulses but never give in fully, play on a Saturday but never blow of the entire work-week to "follow your bliss".

While these Marines and kite-flyers might look down on you for your combination of focus and flexibility, others might be envious. They can't free themselves from a sense that they're not doing enough, or from the equally frustrating feeling that they're not free enough.

And here you are with your accomplishments and your pleasures, getting the job done but also getting your hair blown back as you run with the wind. As far as these people are concerned, you're lucky you've got the best of both of the worlds in which they feel they fail.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

What a great life you have, and a great attitude to boot. You know when to buckle down and push ahead to get the job done, and you do it well. You know when to lay the tools of your trade aside, grab your kite and head for the meadow where you can run with the wind. Many people will see and admire in you this lovely combination of a person who can focus, but who is flexible enough to know when to let the spirit move you in some new and livelier direction.

It's a life they aspire to, and they delight in seeing it played out in your life. They may ask your advice and turn you into a mentor of the full and balanced experience. They will want to know how you do it, what the costs are, and if you get frightened that you're not working hard enough or playing often enough. They may make you think about your own life more than you have, so you can share it with those who want to emulate this balance between flexibility and focus. They may be correct lucky you!

When it comes to Extraversion you are:

OUTGOING

Words that describe you:

Friendly
Gregarious
Full of Life

Unreserved
Kindhearted
Talkative

Emotional
Spontaneous
Vigorous

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

People light you up. In conversations, planning meetings or almost any social situation, you bring your energy and your friendly, outgoing personality into these engagements with other people, and you come away pumped up. You can hardly wait for the next event, as long as other people will be there. And you're good at it.

You know how to communicate. You listen well, the first rule of good communication, and then, when it's your turn, you talk vigorously and with animation; in your uninhibited way you give all that you've got to the encounter.

In situations where you feel very safe, when you know and trust the people you're with, you can be very kindhearted and unrestrained. You let your affection for and pleasure in being with others flow freely. You're wide open And when you get back this same kind of unrestrained warmth, you are deeply satisfied. Because you are so friendly and full of life, these are among your favorite moments.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

As much as you like being with other people, not everyone will like being with you. Hard to believe, but your gregarious and warm manner is not everyone's cup of tea. Some people are more cautious than you in personal encounters; others think the work place should be more formal, more impersonal than is comfortable for you. Still others, who may want more of the spotlight, will find you too much to compete with once you get your lively and outgoing self in motion.

Here's another word of caution. You've been at this warm and open way of relating for a while, but for some people it's a brand new experience. They may be protecting something inside themselves, some fear or guilt or shame, or some private part of their story that they're not yet ready to share. Your openness might threaten them, and they'll take a step back and be reluctant the next time to engage you in the kind of exchange you find so easy and satisfying but they find so dangerous.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Many people, most probably, will be glad to be in the room you're in. At work you make the environment livelier and the banter more interesting, so the time moves swiftly and the experience is a happier one. At home you keep everyone connected because you engage each of them in the conversational action, and as a result they are more connected as well with one another. You make home a warmer and more interesting place for everyone who lives there.

You might also be helpful to some people. There are those who need to talk but aren't very good at it. They don't know how to begin the kind of conversation that would allow them to share whatever is in their personal stories that they'd like or need to talk about. You could make that easier for them with your way with words. Some people just need an example and a little encouragement to come out of their shell and get into the greater fun and personal connectedness that will make their lives so much more satisfying. Again, you might be just the right person to make that happen for them.

So almost everyone will be glad to be with you, you make life more interesting for those you live and work with, and you could help some of your friends who need just a little encouragement to open up and find in themselves the kinds of energetic and warm connections that you thrive on. Not that you are a pushover; in fact, you are often quite assertive. In taking care of yourself you also make sure that others are engaged and energized.

27 Posts Away

2009-02-05T00:18:00.003-06:00

Ok....yes this is very premature but I can't sleep AGAIN and was laying awake wondering how close I am to my 100th post. Yes I am a loser ; )

Anywhoo, I will doing a fabulous goody box give-away for my 100th post. I almost feel like doing it now, but that would break with Blogger tradition. I'm think this goody box will be filled with fabulous girly things to pamper yourself with.

*In related give-aways.....(ok it's actually a swap) An Undomesticated Newlywed had this great idea to do a mix cd swap! She thought it would be a fun way for all of use to get to know each other better. Check out her blog and join the swap! I'm already working on my playlist.

Ok....I'm gonna go try to sleep again. This is getting really annoying.

Lance, cont.

2009-02-04T21:38:00.001-06:00

Here are his answers to the 3 q's I sent him. (For those of you not familiar with eHarmony, they do a guided communication to start with and you send them a certain # of q's back and forth to start with.)

1. Besides love, what one trait have you noticed in couples that have maintained a successful relationship for many years?

Well it's hard to say just one thing but I will go with open communication. If a couple is open and honest they can work through problems much easier. No lies and deceptions but a mutual understanding to address problems and try to resolve them together and move forward with the relationship. Dealing with issues is better than having them bottle up.

2. What are you looking for in a relationship partner?

A best friend and a lover. Someone that I have amazing chemistry with where it doesn't matter what we do as long as we're together. Someone honest and trustworthy that is very sweet.

3. Why did you join eHarmony?

I think it can be difficult to meet women at times. I'm not all into the bar scene and that seems to be the place most young people go to meet people. Having this to screen potential partners and examine compatibility seems more efficient than meeting a bunch of wrong people randomly.

Good answers!

Lance

2009-02-04T19:03:00.002-06:00

This is him......is it just me or do I see an eerie similarity to Clay Aiken???? eeek!

For Your Entertainment

2009-02-04T18:27:00.003-06:00

Well my lovely ladies....as a single woman I feel it is my duty to entertain you all with stories of my dating life. And because of that, I have re-joined Eharmony. (Thankfully they offered me a month free trial since I used it before. ) After two days online I am now communicating with a man named Lance. He lives in Nebraska, he's 24, works in sales. And here is his profile!

He's pretty cute too. (Although I do have to say there is a very slight metro-sexual quality to his hair and I don't like pretty boys.) The only thing that bothers me so far is that in his list of "Must Haves" he put that having a very attractive partner is one of his top ten. Now, I know we all want a very attractive partner but I feel that it's a bit tacky to just put it out there. Or is it just honest? I do respect honesty. hmmmm.

The one thing Lance is most passionate about:

My family, career ambitions, my country, helping people, and my personal beliefs.

The three things which Lance is most thankful for:

My family
All of the opportunities that I've been presented with in my life.
Living here in the U.S. with freedom.

The most influential person in Lance's life has been:

My best friend Bill because we have remained friends for many years and share common interests. He will always tell me what he really thinks and I can confide in him with anything.

Lance's friends describe him as:

Ambitious
Sweet
Dependable
Genuine

Three of Lance's best life-skills are:

Long-term personal planning
Being a good friend and companion
Communicating my innermost thoughts and feelings

The most important thing Lance is looking for in a person is:

I'd like to find a beautiful woman that is very caring and thoughtful, friendly, sweet, smart, affectionate, independent, and fun to be with.

The first thing you'll probably notice about Lance when you meet him:

That I'm friendly.

The one thing Lance wishes MORE people would notice about him is:

It takes time to realize that someone has character and will follow through with what they say. It would be nice if that was evident right away though.

Lance typically spends his leisure time:

I enjoy hunting, hiking, kayaking, shooting guns, boating/jet skiing, exercising, reading, spending time with friends and family, going out to eat, watching movies.

The things Lance can't live without are:

family
friends
dogs
music
goals

The last book Lance read and enjoyed:

I'm reading Kill Bin Laden right now. It's written by a former commanding officer of Delta that led the hunt for Bin Laden in Tora Bora in 2001. I enjoy reading about miltary operations and how they work on a tactical and strategic level.

One thing that only Lance's best friends know is:

I'm always there to help my friends.

Ok Ladies, what do you think of him??

Busy Day

2009-02-04T08:14:00.002-06:00

Well Monday was a lovely free day from work but the rest of the week is going to be busy busy busy! Lots of meetings, working on Krystyn's paintings, more meetings, then my bday on Saturday! Here's hoping I get the transfer to Dallas as a bday present!! : ) Hope you all have a fantastic day!

New Blog Layout!

2009-02-03T16:15:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to thank Krystyn for designing my new blog layout, I love it!! If anyone wants to update their background check her out! She did a great job taking making it just the way I wanted, and she had it done so fast! Thank you!!

Blog Awards

2009-02-02T19:05:00.003-06:00

With all the awards going around I thought I would give out one of my own. I'd like to give this to a few my favorite blogs:
Semi-Desperate Housewife
Dress-up and Diaper Changes
A Balancing Act in Heels
An Undomesticated Newlywed
Jimmy Choos and Tennis Shoes

Breakup Blues and Cute Shoes

2009-02-02T17:46:00.003-06:00

In an effort to bring myself out of the breakup slump, and keep myself occupied I spent the day cleaning my house. I woke up to find that all of my conference calls for the day had been rescheduled so I didn't really have any work to do (yay!) which left me with way too much time be depressed.

See not only did we breakup, but my birthday is on Saturday and now I have no one to celebrate with. I'm trying not to have a pity party here but it does kinda suck when your family and friends are scattered across the country and you just lost your boyfriend and you're one year closer to 30, and all alone. Ok, enough whining.

So, as I said, I was cleaning all day. I even dusted!!! Sarah-you would be so proud! I did dishes, scrubbed the tub and toilet, vacuumed, cleaned the couch, cleaned up my mess of work papers, organized my shoes, and even painted the frame of my giant picture which I've been meaning to do forever. Tonight I plan on starting the paintings for Krystyn's little girl's rooms, then I'm going to workout. But first- greasy Chinese food. Yes I know that completely defeats the whole purpose of working out but who cares. I'm depressed and therefore need eggrolls. Hope you all are having a great night!!

Another One Bites The Dust

2009-02-01T18:58:00.003-06:00

Relationships are a funny thing. One day you can be feeling great about it and the next it's over. Does something happen to change things, or were things screwed up from the start and you just can't see it?

When someone you love, and who claims to love you, doesn't make you a priority in their life it hurts. When you tell them this and they call you a drama queen it pisses you off. This was the case last night. In the story of Mike and Rachel, chapter 3, things were going fine until this week. I was working on not letting the little things piss me off, and he was trying to be better about not losing his temper. The thing he wasn't working on was letting me into his life. Once again, he let work and playing poker at the casino take precedence over spending time with me. The work part I won't complain about because I work a ton too, but when my boyfriend-whom I haven't seen since last Wednesday-has chance to see me and spend time with me and chooses instead to play in a poker tournament TWICE this week, I get pissed. I tried to address the issue without sounding bitchy and let him know that it hurt that I was back in his life but once again felt like I took last place after everything else. He flipped out as usual and told me I was being a drama queen and that I should know better than to bring it up when he's having a stressful week. I told him that he's not dating a doormat and that when I'm upset about something I'm going to talk to him about it and not just hold it inside. After 3 hours of fighting over and over again we decided it was a mistake to try things again and that it would be best if we simply left each other alone.

I cried, he yelled, then it was over. The funny thing is, last night I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks.

25 Random Things

2009-01-31T01:08:00.002-06:00

Rosemarie tagged me for the 24 random things blog. So here goes....
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end, choose which friends you want to tag. Don't forget to tag the person who tagged you. And if you were tagged, it's because they want to know more about you!

#1. I looooooove spicy food. Seriously, the hotter the better!
#2. I have a strange obsession with Sharpie markers and Post-it Notes.
#3. I really love high thread count sheets. I don't sleep on anything lower than 400 count.
#4. I volunteer at a women's halfway house, but sometimes I think they help me more than I help them.
#5. My family is my life. Even though I live far away, I still love them more than life itself. I have the most amazing parents and sisters anyone could ask for. And my niece and nephew are the most wonderful things in my life.
#6. I am very picky about who my close friends are.
#7. I am an oxymoron in that I'm uber organized and meticulous, yet artsy and laid back. It's an odd combination I know ;)
#8. I have absolutely no desire to be rich and famous.
#9. I've been in love 4 times...a lot for my age. I don't regret a minute of it though because it made me who I am.
#10. My entire upper back is tattooed with a quote and design that I made myself.
#11. I'm a size 10 and I love my body.
#12. I rarely, if ever, eat breakfast food for breakfast. Ever since I was little I've preferred regular food for breakfast.
#13. I want to adopt someday.
#14. I don't believe in "the one".
#15. I want to live on the beach.
#16. I hate snow and cold weather with a passion.
#17. I don't know if I ever really want to get married.
#18. I collect swords and knives.
#19. I love wine, but I'm not a big drinker.
#20. I'm perfectly fine being by myself-in fact most of the time I prefer it.
#21. I'm addicted to shoes and purses.
#22. I'm addicted to love ; )
#23. When I was a little girl I would dress up as Nora Desmond (just watch really old episodes of the Carol Burnett Show and you'll understand) and act like her for the entire day when I was bored. I like to think I was being entertaining but probably just annoying lol.
#24. I often wish I was more optimistic.
#25. I feel that I am destined for great things.

I tag:
Semi-Desperate Housewife (a.k.a. my older sister)
Slynnro
Nikki
Rosemarie
Katie
Jana
A Balancing Act in Heels
An Undomesticated Newlywed

If you wanna be my lover...you gotta get with my friends

2009-01-30T15:39:00.005-06:00

Remember that song? Ahh the Spice Girls. As annoying as this group is, they have a point. If a guy wants to be my boyfriend I would like them to be friends with my friends. Here's what's always been one of my biggest problems with Mike. He has absolutely no interest in hanging out with, or meeting my friends. Also, he doesn't have many friends here because he's new to town as well and works all the time. The whole time we were dating last year neither of us met any of the others friends or family. (Except for him meeting my parents when they helped move me in-which is the ONLY reason he met them. I don't like to do the whole "parents" thing early on.) It always bothered me, and we fought about it but he just said that since he doesn't drink he doesn't want to hang out with me and my friends when we're drinking. Let me clarify that I really don't drink that much so this always irritates me.

Anywhoooooo, the reason for my annoyance today is that #1. He never called me back last night because he had a work meeting or whatever #2. My work friends and I are going bowling tonight and I asked if he wanted to come and of course his answer was "That's not really my scene to be at a bowling alley with a bunch of drunk people. Let's hang out after." To which I replied, "Will you answer your phone if I call you when I'm done?" I then got the "you have an attitude" speech, we both got annoyed, and he said he'd call later.

Why is it that we're so compatible when we're alone, but he has no desire to meet my friends and even try to have fun? I'm a social girl, my friends are everything to me and especially the ones here because I have so few of them!

Why is it so hard??

Vegas Baby!

2009-01-30T10:42:00.006-06:00

Meet Brian! One of my best friends in the world. Also a sort-of ex from college. We tried dating for a few weeks but realized we both talk to much to date each other : ) He lives in Cali right now for his job so thankfully when I can't sleep, like I couldn't AGAIN last night, it's never too late to call him for a heart to heart. We talked for about two hours about life and love and all that goes with it. He's soon to be 28, used to be in the Navy for a long time which is why he started college late. Neither of us feels anywhere near ready for marriage or kids right now and yet most of our mutual friends are either already married, or engaged, or have kids already. We think that it's best if we enjoy our single life and try to fill it with travel and fun (as much as our budgets will allow of course.) And.....we decided that if I get the transfer to Dallas, and he gets the transfer to Boston that he wants, we're gonna celebrate in Vegas for a long weekend with our friends. Now I have even more reason to want the transfer!!!! I feel like calling my boss and begging "Pretty please move me to Dallas!!!" but I don't think that would really go with the whole "professional" thing I have going on right now. I'm ready to strap on some cowboy boots and hit the road!

Head or Heart

2009-01-29T22:11:00.005-06:00

Everyone's heard the saying "Think with your head, not your heart." Or vice versa. Everyone has a different opinion of which is right. Should it be a combination of both? One of my best friends and I were talking about relationships tonight. I'll give you a quick recap of her relationship and our friendship.

She and I met a few years ago through my old college roommate, then we worked together at a newspaper our last semester of college. She's definitely a "Charlotte" in personality type. Very proper and preppy, but with a great wild side and wonderful sense of humor. She and I bond over fashion and a drive for success in our careers. She and her boyfriend began dating 4 years ago when they worked together. He's a lot like my boyfriend in that it takes him forever to say I love you and he's a bit of a commitment phobe. It took her a year to get him to say I love you and another year to move in together. They now live in PA where she got transferred for work. He adores her and moved there to live with her. They're planning on getting engaged this year. Seems like the perfect relationship right? Two successful yuppies in their prime, in love, and ready to start their life together.

Then life happened. The stress of moving so far away from everything and everyone (sound familiar??) got to both of them. Now he's acting like he resents her for having to move, he hates the state and the fact that they're both having a hard time adjusting. Last night they had a huge fight- which, trust me, is a big deal for them- he said that she works so much and seems distant and he doesn't think she loves him. Basically he's acting like a needy insecure 16 yr old girl. My friend doesn't know what to do. She loves him, but she's stressed and tired and doesn't have time to coddle him all the time. So he told her if things stay that way he's going to leave. She was completely blindsided. She told me that she feels like her career and personal success is finally on track and she's really happy and proud of herself but now she feels guilty. Her head is telling her to let him work out his issues and be there for him without sacrificing her career, whether or not he stays. Her heart is telling her to work on her relationship, stop worrying about her career, and be there for the man she loves.

I told her to go with a combination of the two. Why is it so hard for successful women to have a successful relationship too? My boss also had a heart to heart with me about how her marriage is falling apart. How does this happen? She's in the same boat, just 30 years in the future and more successful. Ever since she got promoted her husband has turned into an angry, childish boy. She doesn't want the marriage to end because they have two kids to think about, so now she's started couple's therapy-which he won't go to with her. She doesn't know what to do either.

As I sit on my couch thinking about all of this I start to wonder, "Why is it so hard?" I'm finally in a place in my relationship with Mike where I feel comfortable and happy. I'm not worried about "us" anymore because I'm secure in my job, my life, my friendships, etc. If we end up together, great, if not...well I'm sure I'll find someone else. I don't mean that to sound callous but I don't believe in "the one". I wish I were more romantic, but it's just not realistic.

Which is better? Realistic or romantic? Head or heart?

Male Engagment Rings

2009-01-29T13:13:00.002-06:00

I've been IMing with my friend/co-worker Jason, who lives in Atlanta. He's getting married in May, and I didn't find this out until I was in NY. We were talking today about how awkward he feels because he has to give the "I'm engaged" disclaimer whenever he meets a girl. I suggested a male engagement ring. Now, women have suggested this for years but it never caught on. Why not? I'm convinced it's because men want to be able to still play the field or at least flirt a lot without letting girls know they're engaged. It's so unfair! Women walk around with a ring on their hand that might as well be a flashing neon sign that says "Back off! I'm getting married!" (Although a lot of guys could care less if a woman is engaged.) I think we ladies need to start a petition and make guys wear engagement rings. Fair is fair gentlemen.

FASHION FAUX PAS

2009-01-29T10:47:00.012-06:00

I just read Jana's post about standing in line behind a woman wearing socks with her high heels!!! This inspired me to make a list of my favorite fashion faux pas that happen all around me on a daily basis.
This first picture shows a crime committed by girls everywhere. low-rise pants + thong = plumber chic

This next one is particular favorite of mine. flip flops + socks = camel toe Why in God's name would you voluntarily wear this??????? It wouldn't even be comfortable would it??

This one is a classic. The muffin top. Now this woman isn't fat, but she has
chosen to wear clothes that are way too small, and a shirt that is way too short thinking it makes her look skinnier. Um no dear, it does not. Try pants that fit and shirt the actually covers your waist! It'll look like you've lost 10lb I swear!

Fur-lined boots, with a mini-skirt and a tank top. What's wrong with this picture? I'll tell you. While many teenage girls think this look is cute, it's not! You look ridiculous! If it's hot enough to wear a short skirt and tank top, you don't need freaking furry boots on your feet!!!

Ahh the tube top. What is there to say about this lovely creation? No support so your boobs just hang unless you wear a strapless bra, which, let's face it, the woman who wear tube tops are not likely to have on. The stomach shows, which can lead to the muffin top situation and/or the thong hanging out.

Oh Hilary.....ever since P.S. I love you I have loathed you. You stole almost 2 hours of my life with that crappy film. Now I'm getting my revenge! The see-through shirt with no bra. Tacky, Gross, Obvious, and Sad.

Eva, Eva, Eva. What were you thinking? First of all, the sequins and flowery crap on this dress are tacking enough but the colors? Why would you think that wearing a dress that basically cuts you in half with block colors that don't even match, looks good? If the dress was all red it could work, all pink and you would be a Barbie doll. Together? It just doesn't work.

This picture combines numerous no-no's. #1. Socks with sandals, #2. wearing clothes that look like pajamas, #3. Matching outfits-this should not be done unless you are 5 yr old twins , #4. Short shorts on a man. There are many more issues with this photo but I think I've said enough. They do look like cute little grandparents though. : )

This man demonstrates one of my least favorite "trends". Men in skinny jeans. Well, I don't particularly care for skinny jeans on women either but it's sooooo much worse on men. Doesn't it hurt your man bits to wear this??? Doesn't it bother you when people think you're a woman and have to do a double take when they realize you're a guy?? Have some pride, wear normal clothes.

Feel free to add any that you can think of : )

Yawn

2009-01-29T10:07:00.009-06:00

Good morning lovelies. I feel like I ate a brick last night. Seriously. Had the best meal ever but it was so so bad for me. We had a work meeting at one of my favorite expensive restaraunts "Seven". We started with two bottles of cabernet sauvignon, calimari, and crab cakes. Yummy... Then for the main course we had the Seven Filet, which is an 8oz filet topped with king crab and bolognese sauce. For the sides, which they serve family style for the whole table, were spicy hash browns with jalepenos and peppers, creamed spinach, and steamed mushrooms. Then for dessert, yes we got dessert, we had a vanilla bean creme brulee and this decadent bread pudding with a side of vanilla ice cream. Just writing about it makes me feel like my stomach will explode. In my defense I only had one bite of dessert and lots of spinach : )

Also, my boss told me last night that it's looking more and more like I'm going to be moving to DALLAS!!!!!!

Poor Mike had a terrible night. Without going into detail, there were major issues at work and he was in the office until 12:30. I would not want his job, his salary maybe, but not the job. Hopefully things clear up today so he isn't as stressed out.

Seriously??????

2009-01-27T15:44:00.004-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days?? All in all not a terrible day except I woke up too late to wash my hair so I had a gross ponytail for my meetings this morning. Then, as I'm driving home I realize that I got my period and better get home because I have no tampons on me. Literally as I'm pulling into my parking lot, I get pulled over for speeding. SERIOUSLY??? I get a female police officer so I thought, "I'm in luck! She'll understand my plight!" Unfortunately I think she may be going through menopause because as soon as I told her about my "situation" and why I was speeding a little to get down my street she simply glared, went back to her car and took freaking 10 minutes to print out my ticket. It was like she was purposefully trying to make me ruin my pants. Thanks officer nasty, and thanks mother nature. Now I have ruined my favorite dress pants and have a $120 ticket to pay, not to mention the fact that my car insurance will now go up. Awesome!

What Do Women Want

2009-01-26T20:06:00.003-06:00

I have often wondered what attracts me to certain men and not others. I've never been attracted to the really hot guys, I find them nice to look at but I have no real attraction to them. I usually prefer the real manly-looking men. Russel Crowe is an example of my dream man ; ) Yet none of my boyfriends look anything like each other!! We'll go down the list:

1. The ex-fiance (that's a whole other story) He was half black, half white with gold eyes, literally they were gold colored.

2. The next short lived bf was pretty short, 5'6", with black hair and green eyes (he was a boxer and had great abs!)

3.The guy after that was very very short, I'm talking 5'3" short, blond and blue eyed

4. My next sort-of bf was very tall, thin, but built-he was a marine

5. Then there was Weston, the guy from Missouri that I met on Eharmony, he was 5'7", brown hair and eyes with a goatee and mustache

6. After him was Mr. Big, half Mexican half white, very tall but big and muscular. Tanned skin, jet black hair and eyes, very handsome

7. Then there was my friend Brian that I went on a few dates with, he was average height, black hair, blue eyes, big arms and lots of tattoos

8. Then the nice guy that I tried dating for like a minute. He was a body builder, blond and blue eyed

9. And then there was Mike : ) He's my ideal look for a guy; tall and muscular, brown hair and eyes, broad shoulders. He's not super hot in a conventional way but I love the way he looks.

So back to my original question, what attracts me to them? And what attracts them to me and not the girl next to me? Is it all about looks or is it a chemical reaction? One researcher thinks the colors women wear affect how a man feels about her:

Our research demonstrates a parallel in the way that human and nonhuman male primates respond to red," concluded the authors. "In doing so, our findings confirm what many women have long suspected and claimed – that men act like animals in the sexual realm. As much as men might like to think that they respond to women in a thoughtful, sophisticated manner, it appears that at least to some degree, their preferences and predilections are, in a word, primitive. ----Science Daily

I found this utterly hilarious. Even science can't come up with a better reason for why men act the way they do other than that they act like animals. Maybe they really can't help it...or maybe the researcher is also a man and feels validated in acting like an animal. Hmmm....

New Blog Design

2009-01-26T12:13:00.003-06:00

Well I am very excited about two things.
#1 I have found a wonderful designer for my blog, check her out at Krizzy Designs
#2 She has commissioned me for paintings for her daughters' rooms in exchange!

The new blog design should be done by end of Feb. Yay!

Worst Blind Date Ever!

2009-01-26T09:54:00.007-06:00

Ok since I haven't had any juicy stories about men lately I thought I would share a funny story from the past. This is about a blind date my older sister set me up on. I love her to death, but will never let her set me up again. This all happened about 3 years ago. It was summer, I was a conference for work and got a call from her. "There's this new guy I met and you'd love him! He's really hot and blah blah blah." I was intrigued. Usually, I am against blind dates but it had been a slow summer and I was bored. I asked my brother-in-law what he thought of the guy, thinking he would be straight with me. (Thanks a lot Jim!)

Let's fast forward a week or so later. I get a call from .. let's call him Jim-Bob because that suits him more than his real name. So Jim-Bob calls me to set up a date, he seems a little annoying on the phone but I chalked it up to nerves. We agreed to meet at a restaurant for dinner and drinks. He picked the place. I get there and the place has already closed. Sweet, way to plan ahead buddy. So he then suggests going accross the street TO THE BOWLING ALLEY. Umm seriously dude? Not happening. I suggest that we simply stop at the local Buffalo Wild Wings because I knew some of my friends were there and they could rescue me. By the way, Jim-Bob was totally not hot and had a very annoying voice.

We get to BWW and lo and behold my first bf was there! Now he and I "dated" for like a month when I was 15 and never even kissed but he's a sweety and I knew he would save me. We sat down at his table and I tried to get the point accross that I was not interested in Jim-Bob but he wouldn't take the hint and leave. I fake being tired and say my goodbyes only to have Jim-Bob follow me out. I say thanks for a lovely evening, etc. and tell him goodbye only to have creepo follow me home. He then has the balls to invite himself in to watch tv. I tell him no, I'm going to bed, and he insists that it's still early and we never got a chance to talk so he walks right in and turns on Law and Order. Seriously, are you kidding me? Does he think that this is going to turn into some couch time cuddling or what not? Too bad buddy, this girl is in no mood to put up with your shenanigans. I literally had to fake falling asleep within like ten minutes of him turning on the tv until finally AN HOUR LATER when the show was over he "woke me up" to tell me he was leaving. I was kind of rude at this point because I was pissed that he invited himself in and then sat there watching tv while I "slept". I said goodbye and pretty much shut the door in his face before he could ask for another date.

I was home this past Christmas and just my luck, ran into him TWICE. Mind you, it's a rather small town but it's not that small and I wasn't home that long at all. Gaaah. I pretended I didn't know him. Is that mean? Have any of you ever had a horrific blind date?

Paintings

2009-01-25T23:46:00.004-06:00

Ok....I've sold one painting, put some on Etsy.com and now I'm thinking about trying to sell them on my blog. (scary) Anywhoooo..... one of my friends is great with computers so I'm going to see if he knows how to set up Paypal on my site. Not that I'm expecting any great sales : ) I am more than willing to do commissioned work to your specifications, so if you like my general style but want something a little different or with specific colors let me know! Just email me at rachelh96@yahoo.com

New Background

2009-01-25T23:28:00.005-06:00

Well, I just spent an hour changing the background and font and colors of my blog over and over again.

On the sleep front....still not happening. What is going on? I worked out from 8:30-10 to wear myself out, then came home and took some Advil PM to calm the leg pain and put me to sleep. And yet here I am almost two hours later still not able to sleep. This is starting to get really annoying. Does anyone have this problem? What helps you? I've tried hot baths, relaxing "mood music" cds from Target made for sleep, hot tea, sleeping pills, wearing myself out, etc. Nothing seems to work! It seems that I can only fall asleep after a few hours laying on the couch watching tv until I finally pass out around 1 or 2 am. And I'm a girl that needs my 8 hours! Hope you all are having a lovely evening.

Giveaway

2009-01-24T08:06:00.002-06:00

A Balancing Act in Heels posted about this adorable giveaway and I though I would pass it along. Just go to This Site, leave a comment and let her know I sent you.

Losing Sleep

2009-01-23T23:29:00.002-06:00

Well, another night not being able to go to sleep. For some reason the past few weeks it takes me forever to fall asleep. I even tried some Advil PM on the nights I worked out before bed and even that didn't help. Then all day I'm tired and just want to nap. I'm taking a supplement called Boost something or other that I got at my gym. It's supposed to increase metabolism and energy. It has given me more energy but then I'm still left with the problem of not sleeping much during the night. I've always been more of a night person, I feel that I think better at night. There's just something about the night, the dark, a few candles burning, the whole world is quiet for awhile. I just love it. Although I would also love to go to sleep right now.

Today I talked to my friend Dominique, she's from my hometown and we graduated from college together with the same double major. She's crazy and wonderful and I love her. She and her fiance live in Dallas and she's going nuts at the prospect of me moving there. She got me all excited about it. Now that I know Mike is willing to do long distance I want to move. I just still don't know what my boss is thinking. I'm pretty nervous about it to be honest. If I don't move I'm not going to make much money on my account because they're losing money and cutting back orders. If I do move I'll be taking over a new territory and will have to start all over in my job. Although I do love change, and I love warm weather and country music and horseback riding etc. Plus I would actually have a good friend already waiting for me! I have friends here but not the type that I would stay close with long term.

I'm just praying that I find out soon if I'm going or not. If I'm not I need to find a new cheaper apt. for when my lease is up; if I am going I need to start apt. hunting in Dallas. So much to think about! At least I don't have to stress about Mike anymore. I feel very at ease with where we are now. We're both on the same page, we want the same things, and we're taking it very slow.

AAH WHY CAN'T I SLEEP????? I even tried taking a relaxing bath and lighting candles, that usually does the trick and helps me get sleepy. Ok maybe if I turn off the computer and shut all the lights off it'll force me to go to sleep. We shall see. Goodnight my darlings, hope you all are sleeping well.

New Hair

2009-01-23T15:21:00.003-06:00

Ok so it really wasn't a drastic change, but she cut off my split ends, thinned my hair, and gave me some layers.

Spring is coming!

2009-01-23T10:11:00.009-06:00

Ok so it's not really coming that quickly, but I'm feeling the winter blues today and therefore am scouring the internet for cheap, fun things for the spring/summer. Enjoy!

This lovely violet swimsuit is at Target for a mere $34.99. I love love love the color and the style is very retro and cute, while sucking in any leftover holiday tummy (that I will hopefully lose before spring/summer)

These babies are from my favorite cheap shoe store Payless for only
$19.99 on sale. Not the cheapest thing at Payless but still quite a
bargain for these adorable wedges.

This cute umbrella is also from Target for $16.99. And for those of you
who are Sex and the City fans like me you will notice that both Carrie and
Charlotta carry this umbrella in the show. Yes I'm a dork, leave me alone.
I'm really into scarves lately and this one is silky and beautiful for a crisp
spring day. This is also from Target but it's out of stock at the moment.
This little number is on sale at Banana Republic for only $39.99! I love how flirty
it is without being over the top.

Hairstyle Ideas

2009-01-22T12:53:00.006-06:00

Well I'm bored with my hair. What's new. Jana got a new hairdresser, which got me to thinking about my hair. I cut it last year into a short, chin length do that I thought was sexy and professional. Then I missed my long hair. Now it's slightly below shoulder length but I feel like it looks frumpy. I don't want it shorter but I want it to look sexier! Here are some photos of haircuts that I like, thoughts?

Man Update

2009-01-22T09:40:00.005-06:00

Me and Mike in South Beach

Well, I haven't written about men for awhile because there really wasn't much to write. But I have an update! Mike (see previous posts: http://lifeofasinglegirl2007.blogspot.com/2008/06/im-ba-ackthis-could-be-bad-thing.html) and I finally sat down and talked last night about us. I may be getting transferred to Dallas, TX soon and figured he and I better figure things out before I get the call to move.

Mike is not the best at talking about "feelings", typical man, so I wasn't sure how things would go when we actually talked about everything. We broke up in September and didn't speak for months until Thanksgiving. Since then we've seen each other twice and talked on the phone almost everyday. So we talked about things and agreed that we still love each other and don't want to see anyone else, but we still aren't sure if we're right for each other. But we decided to give it another try, take things slow and see where they go. If I get transferred then he'll fly to see me and fly me up to see him as much as possible and we'll go from there.

I'm happy, but cautious at the same time. I'm glad that we're on the same page and that we agreed to try again, but I'm going to work very hard-and so is he-to not have the same problems as before. My fingers are crossed : )

3rd post of the day

2009-01-20T22:01:00.004-06:00

Yes, as you can tell I'm very bored today/tonight. There wasn't much work to do and my house is already clean and errands have been run (this was all done on Sunday). So here I sit, watching Sex and The City the movie, drinking my Diet Coke, and relaxing. I've decided to finally break and do a survey. I love myspace but the surveys get ridiculous and I swore not to ever do one. Boredom has caused me to change my mind. So here's my survey, if you like it, re-post it on your blog with your answers and leave me a comment so I can check it out.

1. If you could look like any celebrity, who would it be? Eva Mendez- but with darker hair

2. What car fits your personality the best? Audii TT Roadster in black

3. If you could only eat one thing for every meal what would it be? My homemade taco salad: fresh chopped romaine, black beans, corn, jalepenos, tomatoes, salsa, ranch dressing, crushed doritos (habanero flavor) and grilled chicken strips

4. If you could change your name, what would it be? Brooke

5. Dream city to live in? Paris

6. Would you rather be extremely rich or extremely happy? Both, but if I had to choose I would say extremely happy....money SO does not buy happiness. Although it does buy pretty things that make me happy ; )

7. Which character on Sex and the City is most like you? Samantha Jones, minus the whorish behavior ; )

8. What song describes your mood right now? "The Special Two" by Missy Higgins

9. Favorite decade in the last 100 years? The 70's

10. Favorite fashion tip? DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE So many women think that whatever is in style looks in style on them. This is so not true. As an hourglass shape myself, I know that many of today's fashions will not look good on me (tears*) Conversely, some things that look good on me would look silly on a skinny girl with no curves.

11. If you wanted to dramatically change your hair, what color and style would you do? Vibrant red, down to the middle of my back with lots of wa

12. At what age did you finally feel like an adult? 21, it was a year of big things, two very serious relationships, a job offer, and lots of big decisions that only I could make for myself and my life.

13. If you're not married, at what age do you want to be married by? If you are married, at what age did you get married? I'm not married, 23 yrs old, and hope to be married by 26

14. Would rather be a singer or an actor? Singer

15. Should you think with your head more, or your heart? Heart, passion is what keeps us alive, keeps us pushing forward even when things get hard.

16. What do you do to cheer yourself up when you're depressed? Turn up fun music as loud as I can and clean my apartment. Clean house, clean mind. Plus the music makes me dance, which releases endorphins, which cheers me up : )

17. Best line in a movie? Carrie (Sex and the City the movie) "Honey, you shit your pants this year, maybe you're done."

18. Favorite holiday? Christmas, I love giving gifts

19. Would you rather be a leader or a follower? Leader

20. What makes people beautiful? Inner strength, confidence, compassion and love for other people

21. Favorite physical feature of yours? My eyes

22. Favorite physical feature on a man? Broad shoulders

23. If you could only have one child, would you rather have a girl or boy? (you don't need to answer if you already have kids, can't play favorites!) Girl

24. Favorite gift from the opposite sex? When a man is left speechless by the way you look and has a goofy grin on his face....better than diamonds ; )

25. What makes you feel pretty? Getting a good nights sleep

Favorite Things...a post in pictures

2009-01-20T20:26:00.003-06:00

I have these in blue and green (see previous post: http://lifeofasinglegirl2007.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-shoes.html)
My addiction
Yuuuuuummmmm
My current music obsession
Fav purses
Much better than Starbucks
My fuzzy white bathrobe
Sexy style, classic, beautiful
Yes I own every episode, the movie, the book, the kiss and tell behind the scenes book, and both soundtracks....don't pretend you don't love it as much as I do!
My spoiled rotten baby Reagan (not named after the president)
Cabernet Sauvignon...my fav wine
Beautiful stilettos ..... painful but sooo worth it!
My family
My lovely babies! (ok they're my sister's babies but whatever!)

President Obama

2009-01-20T11:16:00.003-06:00

As I watch President Obama's Inauguration, I'm a little more hopeful than I was a few days ago... Now I know that politicians can talk a good game and not get anything done, but damn that man can give a good speech. Let's hope that this next year brings good things, the end of the war, and an improved economy. God bless America

Online Dating

2009-01-19T09:07:00.004-06:00

Ok......I've had pretty darn good luck when it comes to online dating. Then I get messages like this:

How Beautiful You are In my mind As I see your loveliness For the first time I see a perfect sculpture Of heavenly features The Gods above Have bestowed upon you Dark lustrous Hair, Mysterious Eyes. Features Of a Goddess I wonder if the Gods Above In the court Of Zues Will become jealous If ever they knew My heart skipped a beat The moment I laid My eyes upon Their most prescious Creation. Your beautiful face Is an image That will dwell eternally Within my treasured thoughts Your sensuous beautiful eyes Stare deep into my soul Making me feel aglow Before your presence.

WTF!!!!! Umm I'm sorry am I in a mythological movie about a creepy dwarf, elves, and mystical creatures??

Loaded Questions, Loaded Guns

2009-01-18T23:02:00.004-06:00

impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. impossible is not a fact. its an opinion. impossible is not a declaration. its a dare. impossible is potential. impossible is temporary. impossible is nothing. - Mohammad Ali

Ever watched The Departed? There's a great quote in it, "when you grow up they tell you, you can be a cop or a criminal. But when you're in front of a loaded gun does it matter?" Every since I was a little girl I always loved watching shows like Law and Order, old war movies, etc. Seeing as I was raised with two sisters, home schooled, grew up very conservative with a loving, and very non-violent : ) family.... what made me crave this type of entertainment? I often thought about becoming a cop, but decided that if I had a weapon and a license to use it I would end up killing the bad guys instead of arresting them.

As I grew older I began to love it even more. Movies and shows about cops, about the bad guys getting what they deserve. Then I start dating a bad guy. What happened there? Was it a subconscious decision I made, hoping I could "get the bad guy"? Well, needless to say, after many things that don't need to be mentioned, I was single again. I date a few nice guys, get bored and then find someone who I love and loathe at the same time. Confident and cocky, I've done the background work and know he's a prick. His whole family are cops, the kind of cops who will beat the crap out of someone who looks at them crosswise. He's a white collar worker, very professional, but loves a good fight. He lets hockey be his outlet. At one point when we were dating I got a call that he and some buddies were fighting and he was freaking out because his friend knocked a guy over the head and thought he really hurt the guy. He wanted me to let him hide at my house while his uncle that was on duty took care of it. I laughed at him and called 911. That was the breaking point of our relationship. Months later we ran into each other and talked about it. He said he could never trust me because of that incident, that he and his family didn't rat and couldn't date someone that did. I laughed at him again and told him to stop acting like he was on the Sopranos and grow up. He asked what I would do if we were married and I found out he was in the mob, I told him I'd be an informant and send him to prison.

What is it in me that's drawn to these men and repulsed by them at the same time? Most women love the bad boys, but I seem drawn to ones that get away with it. I want to be the one that makes them pay for it. Today I was cleaning the house and watched "american gangster", "the departed", and "righteous kill". All movies about the bad guys getting what they deserve. Righteous Kills was a perfect example of what I would do if I were a cop. Bad guys get away with stuff they get what they deserve.

Don't you ever miss the old days when a good guy could kill a bad guy and everyone would applaud? When politics didn't play a part of it, when technicalities didn't let child molesters out of prison after 2 years? I'm not sure what put me in this mood tonight but let's just call this righteous anger. Anger that I live in a country that's going down the tubes, a country where thousands of soldiers and civilians die for what? So that 7 freaking years after 9/11 we're still trying to prove what a big bad country we are? Our country is on its way down. I'm about ready to jump ship and change countries. This politically correct piece of crap country can kiss my ass (sorry mom)

Sorry but I'm no longer going to call myself a patriot, loyal to good ol US of A. And it has nothing to do with our new president, I wish him the best of luck in salvaging our economy. I hope to God he can fix this economy before I decide to move to Australia or something.

Hmm...this is an interesting night. Here's a question, if you knew the person in front of you was going to kill an innocent person tomorrow would you be able to kill them? I wouldn't even bat an eyelash, is that bad?

Pics of the trip

2009-01-14T21:02:00.013-06:00

Hard to see but that's me playing piano at Don't Tell Mammas and my friend Jason is singing along

Time Square...through the window of a cab

Jess, Brandy, and I

Trent and me (He's the other account manager for our client)

Me with Doc and Al from McSorley's

Our booth at the NRF tradeshow

My boss at McSorley's....gotta love her : )
Adorable old Irish bartender at some pub on 46th

We drank on the snow covered rooftop of the Peninsula, the bartenders (below) let us out there : )
Bartenders from the Peninsula on Sat night...free drinks all night and they had great accents. The one on the left was from Italy and the one on the right from Ireland.

Me and Brandy(my friend from PA)

New York City!!

2009-01-14T20:35:00.003-06:00

I'm baaa-aaaack!!!! The trip as amazing. Much better than expected.

Saturday: I got in at 3 and one of my best friends drove up from PA and she and I went shopping in all the designer shoe stores....I wasn't impressed. It was sad, the salespeople weren't dressed well, the shoes were cute but nothing that special, and the stores themselves looked a little run down. Then we met our other friend for dinner at Sushi Samba (and me and Brandy, the losers we are were excited because this was in an episode of Sex and the City once lol) After that we went to about 7 different bars and had an amazing time. We dance for hours and then we back to pass out in my (amazing) hotel room. Somehow I got bumped to the Premier Towers- and my hotel was ON BROADWAY.

Sunday: Went to the tradeshow floor to set up my station and met a lot of work people, did some hard labor and a little networking. Then that night I had a dinner meeting with my client and some of the big wigs from my company. We ate at Angelo's which was amazing. We all had a bit too much wine at dinner so we decided that since we had already paid for the limo for the night we would take advantage of it and do some bar hopping! We went to McSorley's which is the oldest bar in New York, it was so cool. Look it up some time, there was a show about it on the History Channel once. So we got more drunk and met some adorable old guys who told us dirty jokes and stories about the bar. I also somehow got the nickname Captain while I was there. Then we went to Jimmy's Corner. For those of you that aren't fans of Mohammad Ali, Jimmy's Corner is owned by Jimmy who was his corner man in the ring and his trainer at the gym when he was a fighter. Jimmy's a lot older now but still kicking and stays at the bar all night long. Turns out that my boss's boss is friends with him!! So we stayed there pretty late and finally turned in around 3.

Monday: Get to the tradeshow at 8am, very tired and hungover as was everyone else there : ) The show went well and I actually kicked ass on my presentations (yay!) My feet were killing after 10 hours on the floor but we all decided to go out again. I mean, it was my first time in NY and I never get to see these people! So we go out and decide to go to this bar that one of the big wigs, who happens to love me :), told me about because he and I both play piano. It's called Don't Tell Mamma and it is cool as hell, just look it up. People from Broadway sometimes play there. Well, one of the younger guys there who I'm friends with asked them to let me play and they did!!! I got to play jazz at a world famous bar! I played a piano that Broadway stars have played!! AMAZING!!! And Beth Eunice was singing that night and she autographed her cd and gave it to me, she's awesome!! And I think she's been on tv before, she's trying to get on Broadway and I think she'll make it. It gets even better.... We go to Jimmy's Corner again later on and I got to sit and talk to Jimmy for like 2 hours about Ali, and about Miles Davis-who he grew up with! This was one of the best nights of my life.....I already miss New York. I ended up going to bed at 4 and getting up at 5:30 for my next meeting with my client. I fell like I'd been run over by a few taxis, then they backed up and ran over me again.

Tuesday: Went to our New York offices. Which were also amazing. They're on the 35th floor of the new building next to Ground Zero. The walls are glass so you look out and see the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero and it's just so eerie. The meeting went well, then I went back to the show where everyone was calling me Captain because they heard about our night on Sunday. So that's my name now, call me Captain! The show went well again, it was just a long long long painful day. After the show was over we tore down the stations and waited for our pallets to come so we could ship them and I ended up passing out on the floor so people took turns tickling me to wake me up, I almost punched someone it was pretty fun-NOT. I hate being tickled. So finally I got to bed and the flew home this morning.

(I'll post pics in a new post, it's not working in this one for some reason.)

Two Posts In One Day!!

2009-01-09T21:41:00.002-06:00

Well, the packing is done except for what I need in the morning. I've even painted to calm my nerves. No such luck! In the past two days I have found out three disturbing things:

1. I have to be in a video for Self-Checkout, I play the cashier. This will be seen by all 25,000 employees of my company.
2. I have to a dry-run of my presentation to the CEO himself!
3. The dry-run is BEING FILMED, again for the entire company to see.

Umm...did I mention I have never used the products I'm presenting and I just got the material to study 5 days ago??? Thank God I'm good at improv thanks to my college experience with presentations that I never studied for. Although I never had to do any of these in front of my CEO. Who also happens to very attractive (See picture) HELP ME

Packing Extravaganza

2009-01-09T09:20:00.007-06:00

Makeup for the trip....
Reagan's helping me pack. I love cat hair in my suitcase
I can't pick what clothes to bring!!!!
The purses for the trip. My new Kate Spade, and the vintage clutch
My heels for the trip. (The red ones are new, to go with my new
blue suit and cream ruffled shirt. )

Ok, time to pack and lock the cat in the bathroom until I'm done!

Delicious Men

2009-01-08T11:10:00.007-06:00

I'm busying getting ready for New York and couldn't think of anything that interesting to write about, unless you would like to hear all a description of the nerdy/techy stuff I have to present in NY.....didn't think so. So I'm going to post some pictures of my favorite men as eye candy for you to look at since you don't have anything to read. Enjoy!