trade ins and taxes

Today I finalized all the details for trading in my truck.  I pick up my new Jeep on Saturday and scored a better deal than I thought.  My payments are decreasing by $150 and my insurance is cheaper as well.  This made me extremely happy.

While I was on my happy streak I thought, let's do the taxes.  Getting more money back is fun.  WRONG! For the first time ever I have to pay in.  It's only $30 to federal but still!  WAH, I like having a fat check in February.  Although it was nice to have my money when I went to New York this summer and around Christmas.  Oh well, it's better than what many others have to do.

Today I feel about the same as yesterday.  Not worse but not a whole lot better.  I'm taking that as a step forward.  Plus when you get cute pics like the ones below how can you be sad.

Horoscopes and Distractions

Scorpio (10/23-11/21)

Put yourself in the service of someone or something else today. Step outside of yourself and put your own needs on the back burner. Right now you'll get a valuable life lesson if you put your efforts into something that is bigger than yourself or your lifestyle. Plus, helping to solve the problems of other people will help take your mind off of your own problems -- which is always nice, right? Distraction isn't always such a bad thing, especially if other people benefit from it.

Today I really did put myself in the service of someone else.  My friend Kati and I cleaned out her closet.  And I mean CLEANED!!!  Apparently purging her items made me feel better.  We had a great day of talking and cleaning.  She has a crazy family unit and really helped me deal with mine.  The photo only shows 1 of 3 piles!

I had a dinner and a movie date with my mom today.  I told her a little of how I'm feeling because I just don't know that telling her the full extent will help me feel better.  Turns out she had her own meltdown 2 weeks ago.  The parties involved have since apologized to her but it's hard to turn off the hurt and forgive.  Neither my mom or I are really forgive and forget people.

Today I just feel more like me.  I'm still sad and confused and really unsure about my feelings; but I have to keep moving forward.  Time heals all pain and I need to be patient.  I've only cried once today and that was due to a movie not because of how I felt.  I still have this weird hollow feeling in my chest.  That's something new and I hope to fill it with love for myself and friends.  They mean the world to me, they are my family!

Broken

I feel absolutely 100% broken today.  After spending the afternoon with my BFF and the kiddos I still feel no different.  They were a great distraction but I haven't been able to stop crying since I left.  I'm not sure why, I hate crying!  I just feel so weak and helpless right now.  I wish the pain and self loathing would go away.  I want to be ME again.

no helping

Today's activities have not made me feel any better.  I keep thinking that if I unclutter and clean out my house I will do the same with my life.  It's not working.  All I did was push all the contents of my garage into a corner hoping my dad keeps his promise to come take them.  I've been holding a fridge and shelves for 16 months under the premise he wants them for his shed.

My BFF tried to cheer me up but I'm just not to that point.  I don't want to wallow but it's all I feel I can do.

I've narrowed down my issues to the following:
finances -  my truck will be traded by this time next week, I am not happy about this.  My otherwise impending debt will be paid down in the next 2 years, it's just a matter of going back to work earning per diem and overtime.
my family - I've felt for a while like I'm not as important as my sister's new family unit.  I don't bring a son in law for my parents to fawn over so I'm often not invited.  Or when I am I'm a 5th wheel who has little to contribute.  Part of me realizing this depression was that I avoid going out with my family.
my lack of love life - I realized that I'm no one's first choice except for me.  I never thought I would still be single at this point and am at a loss.  Dating web sites have provided no luck, I've no desire to meet someone at a bar, work is not a good idea either.  The only guy I like is 1,000 miles away and I'm pretty sure is clueless that I like him
my weight - this is part of the love situation.  I need to stop being the fat girl, but cannot find that motivation.  I know what works for me but I don't want to.   For a type a, control freak, perfectionist being fat should not be my problem.  Except it is, big time.

I hope tomorrow is better.  I'm going to see the BFF and the twins.  Maybe my littlest boyfriend will tell me I'm pretty again.

Depression

Yep that's a crappy word but it's where I am.  I've fallen pretty hard in the last couple days.  I know what my triggers are.  I knew it was happening, but I still can't pull myself out.  I canceled plans for today and am trying to commit myself everyday next week to meet with friends and family.  The sadness of it all is that I've thought of an excuse to cancel every single event.

I started struggling with depression 6 years ago.  Hurricane Katrina triggered post traumatic stress disorder and being hit and injured by a drunk driver during that time just piled it on.  I sought counseling a year after the events and after 6 months felt I had it under control.  I try to work on my issues as they come up.  Remain positive, push myself into an activity, be social, allow myself to feel and deal with emotions.

I'm a self proclaimed emotional robot so crying it out isn't me.  When I get to the point of tears it's not a good sign.  I've had 5 incidences of starting to cry at a movie and not being able to stop for hours.  I cannot stop the tears.  Sometimes I'm really sad and go with it, other times it's uncontrollable and I start laughing while crying.  It's very awkward, people don't know what to do, not even my mom.  I normally go into seclusion until I know the event is over.

Tonight I've hit the point of tears.  I'm not coping well with it.  I know tonight will be an insomnia night, again.  I hate feeling like I'm broken.  All I can hope for is feeling better tomorrow, instead of hiding in my bed.

YUCK

Today was not the most fun.  I finally had all the info to figure out my finances.  Turns out I'm in debt way deeper than I thought.  I need a miraculous amount of money to pull me out.  Instead I will chip away at it as fast as I can.

Trading in my truck is the first step.  I am so so so torn over this.  I love my truck, however I hate my monthly payment and the gas!  Nothing is ever going to be good enough, unless I can afford the Lexus SUV I am lusting after.  So instead I test drove a small SUV and I didn't loathe it.  It's in my price range and it's got all the bells and whistles minus a sunroof.  I'm not crazy about no roof, but broke is as broke does/can afford.

Tomorrow will consist of phone calls to the credit union and bargaining with the car dealer.  I've found the exact same vehicle for almost $2k less, but I don't want to purchase from a dealer in the cities.  I'm hoping for a bit of a reduction.

In other yucky news I realized my mom doesn't talk to me unless it concerns my niece.  This finally dawned on me this morning reading an email from her.  She doesn't even put up false pretense to ask me how I am or what I have planned, it was straight to her visit with her granddaughter, who lives 1/2 mile away from me.  This really really bothers me.  My mom and I have always been close but this baby is her only focus.  I'm not sure why she's so obsessed.  It's not like Chelsea's going anywhere.  My sister invited me down as well but I just couldn't bear it.  My mom is not normal when she's near that baby.  I really want to baby-shake her!

Instead of going to visit I chose to stay home and watch Big Bang.  Oh Sheldon in lederhosen!

Office Fun

Soooooo I woke up with the worst migraine this morning.  I finally felt better at 9:30 and realized how late I was going to be for my work training.  Thankfully my boss is super awesome and I didn't really miss much by arriving at lunch.  Plus my old boss was there and caught me up in about 15 min.

After spending 6 hours in the office with various meetings and conference calls I got to battle rush hour traffic home.  Anyone who lives south of the river WHY~  Traffic was atrocious!  People generally not paying attention, texting, talking on the phone, and just pissing me off.  I finally arrived at Target and as usual managed to spend $100.  Thank you sissy for your discount card!


        I found as I was walking around that I was bored.  I knew I didn't need anything that wasn't on my list.  Plus I wanted to stay within my budget for the month and to keep my resolution of not taking in any new debt.  I was so good.  The only luxuries I bought were some new cupcake spatulas (I've ruined 2 in as many days), a $2 cupcake rug to match one I already have and a new nail polish for $4 (it was on my list).  I'm proud of myself, 6 more days in the month and I'm well below my spending plan.  I hope to have all my credit card debt paid off by year's end.  This is a lofty goal but based on my per diem and overtime from  last year I should be able to do that and sock some away for a trip.

Eh

Today was a nothing; conference call, cleaning, cookies, and a little nap. I've not been sleeping well so the nap was needed. Only 20 min so I can hopefully sleep now. Going in to the local office for some training in the morning. I have to be up early and fight rush hour. Thank goodness for Starbucks venti mochas,

Some really funny pins I've found recently. Both perfectly sum me up!

Snow

After 3 days of crappy weather if finally snowed (read accumulated) and cleared.  I went and visited lil angel baby who has decided not to sleep anymore unless you hold her in the rocking chair.  Oh and it has to be by mommy only.  I was able to hold her and play (read squee at her bow socks) for a while.  She's so freaking cute I cannot stand it.

I was looking through my stacks of photos to be put in album and came across the twins stack.  I looked back when they were a week old and have a hard time remembering them so little.  I love them no matter what, but right now they are at my favorite age.  I have to find time to go see them again this week.  They make me so crazy happy.

Angel Baby and fur brother Alfie watching over her

Dark movies and decorating

So I kind of have a thing for dark movies.  My Netflix recommends them and I watch them, usually enjoying the picks of a computer generated system.  This weekend it was Bad Teacher and Black Swan. Different ends of the spectrum but both very good.  I'm going to check my queue and update it with some lighter happier flicks.

I decorated the house for Valentine's Day.  Nothing crazy, just some lights and small decor.  I love the thought of Valentine's but have only ever had 1.  This was way back in college and it was kind of a disaster.  My boyfriend, at the time, did not attend my college.  He told me he had to work and I was to accompany his best friend to a couples only party.  Turns out he lied and showed up.  I just sat on a couch yelling that he lied!  It was not the reaction 15 people were plotting for.  We went to the party were I promptly fell asleep on him for 2 hours.  He never complained, people just kept bringing him beer.  To top off the night we went back to my dorm and I fell asleep again.  Oh so romantic!

Here's hoping I have a better V-day this year.  The last several years the BFF has been my date.  Her hubby usually works and she and the babies are the best dates!  This year I think Chelsea will be my date.  The only stipulation is she has to wear the bows on her toes (shown below).  These socks were one of the first gifts I bought her.  I die every time I see them.

Much ado about nothing

That's exactly what I did today.  Nothing.  Made a revamped version of tater tot hotdish and painted my nails.  Chanel Vendetta if you were wondering; my most favorite color EVER!  I need a new bottle as mine's almost gone, but I'm waiting for spring polishes to come out.  I think I might be able to stretch it another year.

Today's photo was actually taken 5 days ago.  My bro in law isn't too fast with the uploading.

Me and Chelsea having a cuddle

Babies!

Today was a great day, minus the 2.5 inches of snow.  That really hampered my travel this morning, but the afternoon of playing was totally worth it.  Danyal told me I was pretty!  Sara said crap, after I forgot to sensor my self.  Chelsea let me feed her, well she doesn't really care who feeds her as long as she's full.  It's just one of those great days.  I'm wiped out, but in a good way.

Tickle Monster with Danyal

Teaching Sara to text

FEED ME!

Deep Thoughts . . .

Today was boring.  The high was -3 so I had zero intention of leaving.  I didn't even go see my sweet new baby that's how cold it was.  Instead I worked on more stuff.  For light duty it's not felt very light.  I started the day with a team conference call and ended it with my year end performance review.  It's not finalized but it's a great start.

I made another recipe off Pinterest today.  I've only tasted the bars, I'll let you know more tomorrow.

I got a call from my ex last night.  I didn't answer.  He's been trying to speak with me for a couple weeks and I just can't do it.  One of my resolutions was to let go of people who aren't good for you.  He was the first to go.  I'm trying my hardest to keep a professional relationship only, which means not answering phone calls after 7pm let alone 10pm!  In the 2 years that we were involved he managed to damage me even more than I already was.  My emotional health regarding love went from struggling to non existent.  He still calls me an emotional robot, which I am.  I am trying to fix it, but it's so very very hard.  I'd rather bake my happiness than deal with crying and all that bullshit!

So instead I keep reading this quote and hope and pray it really is working for me

Pinned it, Did it Day

I am in LOVE with Pinterest.  LOVE!  I have so much pinned and I've started to really accomplish a lot in the recipe category.  Around Christmas I did a bunch of crafts.  One of my resolutions was to make a new recipe a week.  Pinterest has me covered.  I've loved all the new desserts!  I apparently have an obsession with chocolate chip cookies.  Today I was doing some organizing of my boards and found 6 variations!  I've made 3 so far and the one I previously posted is hands down my favorite.

Today's items are sloppy joes.  I varied from the original recipe as I don't do onions or peppers.  Instead I added 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and garlic salt.  Delish!

I also made my own febreeze: 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1/8 c laundry softener and hot water to fill your bottle.  My house smells amazing.  I am in love with all Gain products but couldn't justify another bottle of febreeze, instead I made my own.

Last but not least is a crochet pattern.  I'm not very far as I had to pull out my last 7 rows and start over.  I miscounted and that's crucial to this pattern.  I hope to have it done within the next week, but I never know what will be thrown at me.

Today's photo is very unoriginal, it's of my sweet baby niece Chelsea.  She came home today and her fur brother Alfie just wasn't sure what to make of her.

More Chelsea

I spent all day at the hospital again. I got to hold her all day! So nice not having my mom hog her. She even had some visitors including my BFF and my sis's good friend from work. It's confirmed she's the cutest baby!!

The worst/funniest part of the day was listening to the woman next door deliver. We are pretty sure she was drug free and thought she was mooing at one point. This experience has proven to be the best birth control for me! I'm even more terrified of ever being in labor.

Chelsea Annasophia

Today was spent at the hospital visiting with my sister, her husband, my mom, and the light of our lives, baby Chelsea. I'm not normally a fan of newborns but Chelsea is so damn cute! Please see below for reference!

I cannot wait to go back tomorrow. I'm in charge of lunch and bringing her a bigger outfit. She weighed in at 9lbs 6 oz so newborn clothing doesn't fit her. I won't have to fight with my mom for cuddles. She's mine all mine.

Sunday Funday

I just got news my niece is here!  Chelsea Annasophia Ingram finally made her grand entrance.  Welcome to the world sweet baby girl!

This is for my new niece!  Auntie loves all things that sparkle and I promise to always make you shine!

The above fact is just disturbing to me.  I don't remember people all that well in my dreams.  And with more frequency I've been dreaming of getting married; dress, ceremony, the whole bit, but I never see the groom's face.  HUH, I wonder who it is?  Apparently my subconscious is ready to take the leap I am terrified of.

Cake

Today my mom and I took a Beginning Cake Decorators class at the Chef's Gallery in Stillwater.  It was a good experience overall, but I didn't learn a whole lot.  I was disappointed and so was mom.  We might try a Wilton class through Joann next time.  We were a bit beyond beginner but not quite advanced.  Below you can see I'm really good at making leaves, hence my vine.  The flowers, not so much.  It wasn't until I got home 2 hours later that I realized I was doing it wrong.  Now I have motivation to make frosting and try again.  The instructor mentioned she has a cupcake decorating class, which might be more my speed.  I don't love cake, but cupcakes I can get behind.  We'll see what cards work deals me and if I'm home to try more options.

Fantastic Friday the 13th

Today was such a good day minus the 4 hours of sleep.  I suffer with insomnia pretty regularly in the winter.  This is my normal time of onset and it can last a week to 3 months.  I've tried all kinds of remedies and nothing really helps.  So I stock up on magazines movies and infomercials.

I started the day leading a conference call for work and was then surprised with a text from my Beth Friend.  She had found my crush and sent me a somewhat candid photo of him.  Then within 2 minutes he started texting me.  He forgot her name and one thing led to another to an hour of texting.  I really kick myself for not acting faster and getting a ticket to Dallas to join her.  Here's hoping I get my own deployment down there soon.

After running some errands I came home and made myself a comfort food dinner.  Turkey mashed potatoes and corn.  For dessert homemade chocolate chip cookies (pictured below).  I turned down an invite to eat with my family at a local steak house.  I hate being the 5th wheel especially at a restaurant like that.  I feel awkward and left out.  I'm sure my family doesn't notice, but I do.  Why subject myself to that horrible feeling when I don't need to?  Instead I do what I do best.  Hide my feelings down deep and cover it all with comfort food and TV.  

I'm currently watching Say Yes to the Dress.  I'm such a hypocrite.  I love this show but really have very little intention of ever going through the process myself.  I can barely embrace the thought of a boyfriend let alone an engagement and marriage.   I have some major commitment issues that I'm not sure anyone can knock down.  AND if one more person tells me the right guy will change my mind I'm going to punch them.  I'm 34, where the HELL IS HE!

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely. Makes approximately 3 dozen. Try not to eat them all.

Projects

I am a really crafty person.  I love being able to show people what I made.  I don't undertake too large of a project as I like immediate gratification.  My exception to that rule is crocheting.  I was shown about 8 years ago how to do a basic stitch and stuck to it.  I mainly made scarves and some small baby blankets.  

Right after Thanksgiving I commented to my friend Kati that I wanted more skills.  She logged that info away, until she went to a neighborhood cookie exchange.  One of her neighbors, the lovely Sharon, is a crochet queen!  We all met up one evening and now I know additional stitches and how to read a pattern.  

Below was a practice scarf using a triple crochet and I've done one with double.  Now I'm going to tackle my first pattern.  It's a blanket for my niece and involves a bobble stitch and ruffle trim.  I'm so excited to have this scarf done and embark on the blanket!  I've learned that I cannot start more than one project at a time, I've a tendency to not finish.  I'll post my finished product.  This weekend is supposed to be cold and snowy, perfect for sitting on the couch with a project.

FTW

Sooo I have this ability to get my mom to do just about anything I want.  This also works in reverse.  Today it was going to the outlet mall to look for new tennis shoes.  I bought a pair last night but was suffering from buyers remorse.  I knew I could find the same shoes for less and I did tonight, $40 cheaper.  Yay me.

Instead of looking for anything else we oohed and ahhed at baby clothes for my sister's still not delivered baby.  We are banned from buying until she gets here so it was tough!  I'm a sucker for baby shoes, I love how little they are.  In happy baby news my friend Brie delivered baby Charlie this morning 2 weeks early.  She and Beyonce are now officially on my sis's hate list.

After shopping I drove home and never once asked Mom about dinner.  I was starving so I convinced her to go to my favorite local restaurant.  It was so good and I let my dad have my leftovers so he wasn't  sad about no one making him dinner.  He not so subtly mentioned (yelled out the door as we were leaving) that he was wasting away.

Anyways . . . today's photo is a happy memory.  Me in front of Tiffany's; my most favorite store of all!  Every year on my birthday I buy myself a present.  I have a very impressive collection after 8 years

Not Yet

After two days in the hospital my sister was sent home 41 weeks pregnant.  I've not heard much from her so I only assume she's tired and frustrated.  I want to help but feel so helpless.  There's not much for me to do at the point.  I hope space and my silence are what she needs.

I spent my day doing a lot of work related things.  Not my most favorite of days, but I did go to the local office and visit with my boss and teammates.  It's nice reconnecting after a couple months away.  I'm not in a rush to go back and if I do need to work I'd prefer it somewhere warmer.

Today's photo is an old one.  It's my parent's aka my Dad's cat Budders.  He currently looks like a lion as he has so much fur!  He's possibly one of the stupidest cats I've ever met.  The family has made a consensus that he's a puppy as he follows anyone and flops in front of you for belly rubs.  Puppy or cat, he's pretty cute and fun to have around.

Baking and cats

Instead of going to see my new niece at the hospital tonight I went and fed her furry brothers Alfie and Ollie.  They are English domestic shorthairs and yes they are big!  It's all part of the breed.

Alfie watching TV and ingnoring my pleas of getting away from the TV

Feeding time, they act as if they've been held hostage for 6 months with nothing but dustbunnies to eat.

In my attempt to keep my mind from worrying about my sister and her delivery I baked.  I made 2 loaves of banana bread and sugar cookie bars.  Both are delicious.  My banana bread is famous and these bars, well they might just elevate my status even more!  I plan on sharing them with my sister and her hubby and whoever else is at the hospital after she delivers.  I don't deal well with emotions I just know how to bake~

Football Fun

To say I'm a fan of football is an understatement.  I am a diehard Packers fan and live, eat and breathe football August-February.  The one benefit of my job is having Sundays off, the bad part is if I'm not in WI and have to find a sports bar to watch my game in.  Normally this would involve some beer but the company policy is zero tolerance which is NOT as fun.

This weekend's playoffs game were quite interesting.  I admit I didn't watch all of them, I watched parts of the NFC games as they directly affect my team.  I'm kinda nervous about playing the Giants next week as we barely beat them a month ago.  I hope the lines have healed up over the last 2 weeks and really bring their A games.

For now I get to watch one more game!  I love the playoffs, anything truly can happen, Denver showed that today.  Go Pack GO!!

Follow Up

Here are my shoes from yesterday.   The boots are Nine West Transport and the flats are FS/NY purchased at Von Maur.  My boots are pewter in color and just kick ass.

I looked up my head and inury in the dream dictionary with decent results.

Head pain means to keep private matters to oneself and an accident to the head means tension and/or overwork.  A sign to keep work light and stress low.

Injury is a warning that you are surrounded by hostile forces and you should proceed with caution in an attempt to expose said forces.

I find this very fascinating as I've been digesting a hurtful comment said by a very good friend.  She means well but criticizing me is the downfall of our friendship.  On more than one occasion I've reminded her I don't need mothering just the advice I had solicited from her.  After repeatedly asking her to not further discuss the matters of my finances she continued to dig and degrade me for my monetary misgivings.  

I've recognized my downfalls and am working diligently to correct them.  I've put in an application to refinance my home, I am looking for a new vehicle to save on my monthly payment, insurance and gas, and I'm trying to settle a 6 yr lawsuit that would help clear a large portion of my debt. I wish she could recognize the good steps I've taken but for the second time in a week she commented on my poor choices.  This was immediately said as we left the consignment shop with my great return.  In my mind it's time to spend less time together, good thing she's leaving town for 2 weeks and hopefully I'll be off to work before she gets back, or she goes to work.  Either way space is needed.

Today was spent working and paying bills.  Not an exciting way to spend my Saturday, but after having Thursday and Friday feel like the weekend instead it needed to be done.  Plus my work email was out of control.  I had over 20 emails yesterday that all needed some kind of attention.

Tonight I'm going to keep watching Big Bang re-runs and try to finish a scarf I'm crocheting.  I found a great pattern for a baby blanket but I can't start more than one project at time.  They never get finished if I abandon them for something different.  I'm so happy my friend has a neighbor who taught me how to read a pattern and do more than one stitch.

Best Day

Today was another great day. Spent the afternoon with the BFF and the twins. This always brings such joy and fun. The babies are at such an entertaining age and they can both say auntie. I love every second I spend with them.

After my visit I ran some errands and obtained my shoes, boots, a sale pai of my favorite jeans, and grown up dishes.

I have no photos today as I'm having technical difficulties. I'll double up tomorrow. Right now i'm too exhausted to fight it. I had a crazy dream about having head trauma. I'll analyze this tomorrow as well.

Good Day

What a great day with friends!  Saw New Year's Eve, did some shopping and had a great return on my items taken to the consignment shop.  I love Clothes Mentor in Woodbury, MN.  Great staff and merchandise.  I got more than what I had hoped for and had my eye set on these shoes

Oh Tory Burch you taunt me.  They are sold out everywhere!  I have searched high and low online and have one last ditch effort to make tomorrow at Von Maur.  I had enough left to purchase some great grey boots I found and again none in my size.  I have one shop left to search so keep your fingers crossed.

I may or may not have a shoe problem but I did consign 10 pairs of never worn shoes with the vow to wear what I actually have.  I may consign a couple more in the next month or so depending on the weather aka snow or no snow.  I've realized I only need a handful to make me happy so it's quality over quantity!

Updates tomorrow on the shoe shopping.  I'll be out with the BFF so we should have some luck.

Favorite Things

I had another productive but boring day.  More cleaning and I went outside :)  Took down the lights, loaded up my truck, and even got the mail.  I think I might be doing all my spring cleaning now since I'm rarely home in the spring.  Tornadoes and hail much prefer to hit in the spring so the batphone rings and off I go.

Now onto things I really like.  Pinterest is currently at the top of the list.  I can spend hours upon hours searching.  Tonight I even made a recipe I found, crock pot buffalo chicken.  Super easy and tasty.

Today's photos will be things I can't live without:

Sundrop Soda!  Citrusy caffeinated perfection.  This is painted on a building in downtown Moorseville, NC where I spent last spring working.

Coffee.  I LOVE coffee and without it you cannot love me.

Nail polish, but more specifically anything related to the one below.  I have used almost my entire bottle in a year.

Cupcakes: these are from Sprinkles, to which I judge all other cupcakes against.  When I travel it's my goal to find cupcakeries that are near me.  So far I've only found one better in Kansas City, KS and that was found by friend Colleen.  It hadn't been built when I worked there 8 years ago.

A day of organizing and ignoring

I realized about 10 min ago that I haven't left my house since Saturday morning.  Somehow I have no problem with this.  I was outside briefly yesterday just to move my truck in and out of the garage.  I haven't even gotten my mail.  huh!

Good thing about today I spent most of it organizing my plan of action for tomorrow.  I'm take a large amount of items to a consignment shop in hopes of enough funds to buy a ridiculously cute but expensive pair of ballet flats.  I love you Tory Burch, more than a lot of things in life!

The bad thing about today is that I ignored texts from a friend.  I'm actually trying not to be her friend anymore as she's a huge Debbie Downer.  I don't like her toxic attitude and she just doesn't get it.  I've not seen her in over a year, as the last time we went out it was my birthday and she expected me to pay for both of our meals.  This set me over the edge and I've refused to visit since.  She lives 75 miles away, one way so the least that could be done is pay your own check.  Anyways, apparently she has big news as I've gotten 2 texts alluding to this premise.  I cannot be bothered to reply as I really don't care and if it was that big of news just tell me.  Normally I'm so bursting with excitement I don't need to play guessing games with my adult friends!

Today was my sister's due date.  After an unproductive trip to the doctor she goes back in on Friday.  I'm sending happy thoughts that she starts labor soon.  The ultrasound predicts my niece to be 9lbs!  That's a big healthy girl that I cannot wait to meet.  I might even have to shop and buy her some bigger clothes, oh darn.

Since I've nothing to photo but a clean house and 3 spreadsheets for work I'll share my other niece Sara. She's a twin, her brother Danyal is my little boyfriend.  They belong to my BFF of 15 years and fill my life with so much happiness.  Her hair is what I call a sparkler.  It's too long for a whale spout.  BFF has tried several times to put it up before but it's super fine and extremely straight.  This little face just makes my whole day.

Day 2

So far so good on maintaining my resolution.  I've epically failed at the exercise but I still have 3 hours before midnight.  Plus I cleaned today which has to count as some exercise.  Putting up all my heavy Christmas boxes was weight lifting.  Tomorrow when it's warm enough I'll take down the lights and utilize that time for some yoga-pilates!  My house feels so empty with no decorations, no twinkling lights, and mostly a lack of glitter!  I truly believe in the magic of Christmas and glitter is a big part of that.

Happy New Year

I've spent the last day of 2011 and the first day of 2012 with two of the best friends/co-workers a girl could ask for. What was supposed to be a movie night has turned into a 2 night/day slumber party. Dozens of cookies have been made and eaten along with the most amazing chicken and dumplings. What a great way to kick off a new year.