1. Those sticky tab-it things that you can stick to pages to make it easy to find an important page or an important line on a page.
2. Onions on subs :)
3. Clothes. Despite the fact that a lot of my stuff shrank in the dryer over the weekend, I am still grateful that I even HAVE clothes that I can shrink in the dryer.
4. Snow days!
5. Sweet texts from my honey.
6. My new (and first) tattoo! Picture here: http://www.twitpic.com/1sdjm (please don't mind the stubblyness...I'm not allowed to shave the area for a while while it's healing........)
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Finding Grace
I just discovered Grace in Small Things, and I LOVE it. I'm going to do this every day. Or at least, Monday-Friday, because weekends are hard for me to get online for the most part. But yes, I love this concept, and I'm going to start today. Things I'm thankful for today:
1. "Listen live!" options online for my favorite radio stations, so I can listen at work...or at all, since my car radio doesn't work anymore.
2. Going to Love Park last night with my sweetie and having a romantic, snowy moment before thousands of people showed up trying to take pictures of the park in the snow.
3. "Live Your Life" - Rihanna/TI.
4. Allergies that are mild instead of fatal.
5. Job security.
6. My bridesmaids <3
7. 20-something bloggers...I'm discovering so many wonderful people.
8. Pink. Every song she's ever done.
1. "Listen live!" options online for my favorite radio stations, so I can listen at work...or at all, since my car radio doesn't work anymore.
2. Going to Love Park last night with my sweetie and having a romantic, snowy moment before thousands of people showed up trying to take pictures of the park in the snow.
3. "Live Your Life" - Rihanna/TI.
4. Allergies that are mild instead of fatal.
5. Job security.
6. My bridesmaids <3
7. 20-something bloggers...I'm discovering so many wonderful people.
8. Pink. Every song she's ever done.
Friday, January 2, 2009
2009
Happy New Year! Ringing in the new year with my best friends and the love of my life was pretty great, and a first for me. Though I haven't been single on a New Year's Eve since 2000, I've never, EVER spent it with a significant other, so this New Year's Eve was the first time I've ever had a new year's kiss at midnight. It was sweet. :) And it was my honey's first new year's kiss, too, so it was just that much more special! I'll begin with the low points because I like to end on a high note. :)
Lowlights of the night: two bathrooms in the entire place, and one clogging (and the light in that room going out) halfway through the evening, leading to a 45 minute wait on a line that I'd only gotten on to get away from this weird girl that kept following me trying to get me to get her free drinks with my open bar wristband; missing the sparklers that apparently came out after we left!; breaking down once we got home because my parents aren't supportive of anything that actually makes me happy.
Highlights of the night: first new year's kiss; fantastic company; delicious drinks; happiness and laughter galore; amazing shoes; being able to get a cab right away afterwards; having my love be there for me to just listen while I broke down, and then pick up the pieces afterwards. :)
There might 'more' lowlights, but it was honestly the best new year's I've ever had, and since I'm one for signs and significance in useless, tiny things, that bodes really well for my 2009. Hooray!
I'm not big on resolutions, or at least I've never been...I don't remember if I had any last year, and the only one I really remember is from 2000: "have someone to kiss on New Year's Eve next year." While I technically 'had' someone, I didn't kiss anyone that night...but no biggie, because it made this year's even more special. :) Anyway, I thought that it would be good to write out my resolutions for this year so I can keep track, and then at the end of the year just see how I did.
1. Lose weight, and keep it off. I'm a small person, so even a 5 pound weight gain looks like a lot on me. I lost a pound last week and my parents flipped and said I looked fantastic. I've had trouble in the past, so I want to do it healthily...or at least, try to. Compulsions are hard to fight, but I'm going to try. So I guess this is a double resolution. Balanced diet, working out regularly, etc.
2. Become more serious about my health. (Again). I used to do regular annual check-ups with my doctor, annual physicals, bi-annual dental visits, annual vision checks, etc. I did that basically until I graduated from law school, which was just this past May. I don't know what happened, but I just...stopped going. I think part of it is that I was studying for the bar, and all my doctors were still in New Jersey, and traveling was just too difficult while studying. On top of that, though I still had health insurance through Cobra after I aged out of my mother's regular insurance, my mother forgot to request dental and vision, so I always had to pay out of pocket for those, and I just didn't have that kind of money. Vision wouldn't be that big a deal since I could go to Wal-Mart or something for a cheap exam, but the only thing is that I have significantly problematic eyes. There is only one company in the nation that makes contacts strong enough for my eyes, and they are roughly $400/pair - and it's extremely unhealthy to wear only one pair for a full year, so I have to get at least 2 pairs. On top of that, I've had various eye problems that regulat optometrists never catch, so I just don't waste my time anymore. You get what you pay for, at least with vision care, and I'm not going to waste $20 on a visit that will get me nothing but a few more weeks until the problem gets even worse and forces me to go to an opthamologist. And those are expensive, let me tell you! But now that I have full, across-the-board insurance again, I need to start getting serious again about my medical health. :)
3. Make significant strides towards becoming debt-free. At 25, I have a net worth of negative $170,000, give or take a few thousand. Yeah, $150,000 of that is from student loans, but I need to get the rest under control now. Ideally, I'd like to have my two smallest credit cards paid off in full by the end of the year, but realistically I want one done, with good efforts towards the other one. Once my job switch takes effect in September, I know it's going to be much, much easier.
4. Save save save for the wedding. We've decided on June 19, 2010, so we have a ways to go, but weddings are expensive and we'll never have the wedding we want without saving for it.
5. Appreciate those special people in my life more actively. I appreciate them every day, but I don't know that they know it, so I want to make sure that they know how special they are to me, and how much it means to me that I have them in my life.
6. Balance my schedule. I've always been good at this, but with working full time it's become more difficult to fit 'me' time in to time with my fiancee, my friends, my family. Ideally I'd like to have 'me' time at least once a week; realistically, I think I can only fit it in once a month (because I don't do just 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there; it's all out for me!). But hey, I'll take it!
7. Blog at least once a week! I want to really make an effort to make this a regular thing. I definitely think it'll be helpful for sorting my thoughts out, keeping my sanity, etc....and for even getting to know some of you lovely bloggers out there!
So, I think that's it. I don't think I have any lofty goals, so it should be really easy to reach them all.
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve, whatever you did, and I wish you all the best for a great 2009!
Lowlights of the night: two bathrooms in the entire place, and one clogging (and the light in that room going out) halfway through the evening, leading to a 45 minute wait on a line that I'd only gotten on to get away from this weird girl that kept following me trying to get me to get her free drinks with my open bar wristband; missing the sparklers that apparently came out after we left!; breaking down once we got home because my parents aren't supportive of anything that actually makes me happy.
Highlights of the night: first new year's kiss; fantastic company; delicious drinks; happiness and laughter galore; amazing shoes; being able to get a cab right away afterwards; having my love be there for me to just listen while I broke down, and then pick up the pieces afterwards. :)
There might 'more' lowlights, but it was honestly the best new year's I've ever had, and since I'm one for signs and significance in useless, tiny things, that bodes really well for my 2009. Hooray!
I'm not big on resolutions, or at least I've never been...I don't remember if I had any last year, and the only one I really remember is from 2000: "have someone to kiss on New Year's Eve next year." While I technically 'had' someone, I didn't kiss anyone that night...but no biggie, because it made this year's even more special. :) Anyway, I thought that it would be good to write out my resolutions for this year so I can keep track, and then at the end of the year just see how I did.
1. Lose weight, and keep it off. I'm a small person, so even a 5 pound weight gain looks like a lot on me. I lost a pound last week and my parents flipped and said I looked fantastic. I've had trouble in the past, so I want to do it healthily...or at least, try to. Compulsions are hard to fight, but I'm going to try. So I guess this is a double resolution. Balanced diet, working out regularly, etc.
2. Become more serious about my health. (Again). I used to do regular annual check-ups with my doctor, annual physicals, bi-annual dental visits, annual vision checks, etc. I did that basically until I graduated from law school, which was just this past May. I don't know what happened, but I just...stopped going. I think part of it is that I was studying for the bar, and all my doctors were still in New Jersey, and traveling was just too difficult while studying. On top of that, though I still had health insurance through Cobra after I aged out of my mother's regular insurance, my mother forgot to request dental and vision, so I always had to pay out of pocket for those, and I just didn't have that kind of money. Vision wouldn't be that big a deal since I could go to Wal-Mart or something for a cheap exam, but the only thing is that I have significantly problematic eyes. There is only one company in the nation that makes contacts strong enough for my eyes, and they are roughly $400/pair - and it's extremely unhealthy to wear only one pair for a full year, so I have to get at least 2 pairs. On top of that, I've had various eye problems that regulat optometrists never catch, so I just don't waste my time anymore. You get what you pay for, at least with vision care, and I'm not going to waste $20 on a visit that will get me nothing but a few more weeks until the problem gets even worse and forces me to go to an opthamologist. And those are expensive, let me tell you! But now that I have full, across-the-board insurance again, I need to start getting serious again about my medical health. :)
3. Make significant strides towards becoming debt-free. At 25, I have a net worth of negative $170,000, give or take a few thousand. Yeah, $150,000 of that is from student loans, but I need to get the rest under control now. Ideally, I'd like to have my two smallest credit cards paid off in full by the end of the year, but realistically I want one done, with good efforts towards the other one. Once my job switch takes effect in September, I know it's going to be much, much easier.
4. Save save save for the wedding. We've decided on June 19, 2010, so we have a ways to go, but weddings are expensive and we'll never have the wedding we want without saving for it.
5. Appreciate those special people in my life more actively. I appreciate them every day, but I don't know that they know it, so I want to make sure that they know how special they are to me, and how much it means to me that I have them in my life.
6. Balance my schedule. I've always been good at this, but with working full time it's become more difficult to fit 'me' time in to time with my fiancee, my friends, my family. Ideally I'd like to have 'me' time at least once a week; realistically, I think I can only fit it in once a month (because I don't do just 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there; it's all out for me!). But hey, I'll take it!
7. Blog at least once a week! I want to really make an effort to make this a regular thing. I definitely think it'll be helpful for sorting my thoughts out, keeping my sanity, etc....and for even getting to know some of you lovely bloggers out there!
So, I think that's it. I don't think I have any lofty goals, so it should be really easy to reach them all.
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve, whatever you did, and I wish you all the best for a great 2009!
Monday, December 22, 2008
This weekend was.
I got this idea from KylaBea, and thought it was adorable and wonderful.
This weekend was enjoying my engagement. It was shopping for Christmas ornaments, lights, presents. It was decorating a tree together for the first time, putting up an owl instead of a star or an angel. It was basking in the glow of our beautiful, first tree. This weekend was bustling through the freezing cold wind to explore a beautiful apartment; being attacked by beautiful dogs. It was cooking our first meal together, cuddling by the glow of our tree, being happy no matter what.
This weekend was solidifying friendships and getting giddy about wedding gown shopping, and getting The Perfect Haircut. It was having too many shots that tasted too good, laughing at dirty Secret Santa gifts, talking way too quickly and laughing way too loudly. It was laughing at the old people in the bar, too-strong martinis, celebratory shots and whispered smiles and congratulations. It was feeling warm in 15-degree weather.
This weekend was domestication: cooking together, cleaning together, cuddling each other and our kittens. It was cleaning out closets to make room for each other. It was watching the sun glint through the blinds, lighting up the pale bedroom with its wintry light. It was smiles for no reason, plotting about life
This weekend was the beginning of forever.
This weekend was enjoying my engagement. It was shopping for Christmas ornaments, lights, presents. It was decorating a tree together for the first time, putting up an owl instead of a star or an angel. It was basking in the glow of our beautiful, first tree. This weekend was bustling through the freezing cold wind to explore a beautiful apartment; being attacked by beautiful dogs. It was cooking our first meal together, cuddling by the glow of our tree, being happy no matter what.
This weekend was solidifying friendships and getting giddy about wedding gown shopping, and getting The Perfect Haircut. It was having too many shots that tasted too good, laughing at dirty Secret Santa gifts, talking way too quickly and laughing way too loudly. It was laughing at the old people in the bar, too-strong martinis, celebratory shots and whispered smiles and congratulations. It was feeling warm in 15-degree weather.
This weekend was domestication: cooking together, cleaning together, cuddling each other and our kittens. It was cleaning out closets to make room for each other. It was watching the sun glint through the blinds, lighting up the pale bedroom with its wintry light. It was smiles for no reason, plotting about life
This weekend was the beginning of forever.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reflections on debt
I love winter. I love running around feeling too cold, and then entering the blissfully warm building that's your final destination, or even just running inside a random store that you wouldn't otherwise go into just to get warm. I love snow, and I LOVE walking outside at night all bundled up with the person you love looking up at the sky as snow starts to fall against the artificially-starry nightscape of your city. I love fireplaces! And coming home to a warm snuggly kitty!
I don't love getting up in the morning to go to work in the freezing cold, BUT this weather has really forced me to be a little more creative with my outfits for work. I've been stuck in this crazy rut for the last few months, where although I have more clothing than can fit in my walk-in closet, I seem to wear the same 5 things. I don't know what happened, because I used to have a lot of fun coming up with cute and creative outfits, and I rarely repeated. Actually, I think that's what happened - I started liking this guy, and I constantly wanted to look cute, and I became increasingly dissatisfied with what I owned because he'd already seen me in it, so I started shopping. Every other day. You know....now that back, I realize that that's how I got into so much debt, too. Shopping constantly, when I had no money. They used to warn us at school not to live like a lawyer before we were actually lawyers, and I was so good about following that for a while, and all of a sudden....it was gone. I was at the mall 3-4 times a week, easily dropping $300 each time. It was like I was in a frenzy and I had no control over my actions; I'd walk around in sort of a daze, buying tons of stuff, actually getting a rush every time I handed over my credit card. And then all of a sudden, I'd snap out of it, realize I had a whole bunch of bags in my hands, and I'd do a quick mental tally and realize that - yet again - I'd hit almost $300.
And it's not like I didn't buy a ton of stuff for $300; I'm not above shopping at Forever 21. It was my stomping ground. At least that's one good thing; I shopped so much that now I have a bajillion pieces that I can layer and pair in new ways. But yeah, I guess I just lost my creative touch because I was constantly buying new things and I didn't NEED to be creative. But now that I'm in so much debt, I can't shop anymore. For a while I was all "Boo hoo, I have no money and therefore I have nothing to wear," but now I've finally snapped out of it. Just in the last week, but still.
It's really awesome, actually, because I've started doing what I never understoof before: looking at outfits on television, in magazines and in movies, and noting one or two key pieces that I should get for the season. I've heard people talk about how they'd make lists of the two or three items they needed to buy each year, and I never GOT that - until now. It's awesome, because it means that I'm developing an ability to be frugal AND stylish. I've always had a strong sense of my own personal style, but for the longest time I thought it meant constantly having to replenish my wardrobe. Thank god I've grown out of that.
I don't love getting up in the morning to go to work in the freezing cold, BUT this weather has really forced me to be a little more creative with my outfits for work. I've been stuck in this crazy rut for the last few months, where although I have more clothing than can fit in my walk-in closet, I seem to wear the same 5 things. I don't know what happened, because I used to have a lot of fun coming up with cute and creative outfits, and I rarely repeated. Actually, I think that's what happened - I started liking this guy, and I constantly wanted to look cute, and I became increasingly dissatisfied with what I owned because he'd already seen me in it, so I started shopping. Every other day. You know....now that back, I realize that that's how I got into so much debt, too. Shopping constantly, when I had no money. They used to warn us at school not to live like a lawyer before we were actually lawyers, and I was so good about following that for a while, and all of a sudden....it was gone. I was at the mall 3-4 times a week, easily dropping $300 each time. It was like I was in a frenzy and I had no control over my actions; I'd walk around in sort of a daze, buying tons of stuff, actually getting a rush every time I handed over my credit card. And then all of a sudden, I'd snap out of it, realize I had a whole bunch of bags in my hands, and I'd do a quick mental tally and realize that - yet again - I'd hit almost $300.
And it's not like I didn't buy a ton of stuff for $300; I'm not above shopping at Forever 21. It was my stomping ground. At least that's one good thing; I shopped so much that now I have a bajillion pieces that I can layer and pair in new ways. But yeah, I guess I just lost my creative touch because I was constantly buying new things and I didn't NEED to be creative. But now that I'm in so much debt, I can't shop anymore. For a while I was all "Boo hoo, I have no money and therefore I have nothing to wear," but now I've finally snapped out of it. Just in the last week, but still.
It's really awesome, actually, because I've started doing what I never understoof before: looking at outfits on television, in magazines and in movies, and noting one or two key pieces that I should get for the season. I've heard people talk about how they'd make lists of the two or three items they needed to buy each year, and I never GOT that - until now. It's awesome, because it means that I'm developing an ability to be frugal AND stylish. I've always had a strong sense of my own personal style, but for the longest time I thought it meant constantly having to replenish my wardrobe. Thank god I've grown out of that.
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