6 month check up

Back in January, I made my list of non resolutions.  Frankly about a week later I forgot about the list pretty much all together.  Recently I was realizing how woa baby, it’s really halfway through 2008?  So I looked back on my little list to see how I’ve been doing at the things that I swore I would not do in 08′…

In 2008 I will not…

• Feel bad about doing what I want to do, when I want to do it

Pretty much following this one for the most part.  Very seldom, now and then, I find myself up and doing something that I feel like I need to do out of obligation or because I “should” rather than because I actually want to.  But I’m getting better at this.  A lot better.

• Set foot into Blockbuster.  I hate the service I received there over a year ago and will not go back there, ever.

Damn straight.  Done and done.  And it seems like Blockbusters are on the outs lately?  Lots of them around me are closing and, well, I couldn’t be happier.  Damn them and the witchy customer service representative who scolded me for returning a movie late when she there was CLEARLY a sign posted exclaiming, “no late fees!”  The whole franchise is dead to me.

• Let emails go more than one week without at least a short and quick reply.  At least something.

Yes.  I’m good at this.  I think.  I hope?

• Feel bad about getting a manicure whenever the hell I feel like it, even if I’m strapped for $$.

Absolutely.  And pedis, now that it’s summa summa summa-time!

• Go to bed without washing my face.  I am pretty good at this as it is, but it’s not something I want to let slide.

Wow, I was struggling to come up with things here huh?  I can’t believe I actually made this a bullet for my life in 2008.  How ingenious of me.  Hmm.  Anyway, yeah, I make it a point always do this now.  No matter the number of martinis I have before bed. 

• Feel like I need to write here, just to have a new post up. 

Yeah, I don’t really do that anymore.  Clearly evidenced by my roughly 2-3 post per week trend.

• Chase tequila with beer.  It’s a proven fact that by doing this, I will a- not be able to hack it (as much as I think I can, despite past experiences), b- find myself in sexual “situations” with “platonic” friends (sometimes not a bad thing mind you, yet at times, not good), and c- be quite hung the next day, at work.

Hmm.  I think I did this once or twice since the New Year.  After all, there was a Cinco de Mayo in the mix here.  It had to be done.

• Not wear my seat belt at all times.

I always wear it.  Click it or ticket!  My damn annoying car that has a god awful binging that goes on until one buckles I always make sure my passengers wear it too.  I’m annoying like that.  Buckle up!

• Think it’s a good idea to try shrimp.  Again.  For the eighth time.  It’s never been a good idea and it never will be.

I think I hit number nine over the past couple of months.  Everyone was doing it, everyone was loving it, the sauce is always what entices me, and it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.  Oof, I was wrong.  Again.

• Cross my arms so much.  I know it’s bad body language.  I don’t do it to ward people off, but I know that’s the signal I might be giving.  I do it because I’m cold or just… bored.  I’ll dress warmer and find someone to people watch when I need entertainment.

You know, I think I still do this.  It’s one of those things where I just don’t always know where to house my hands when I’m standing around.  I feel like on my hips looks too “don’t mess with me”-like, in my pockets is a little… dude-ish, and so, they kind of just end up crossed in front of me.  Lame-o. 

• Makeout with an ex boyfriend.  Especially him.  Not a good idea back a couple months ago, never going to be a good idea, ever.

Hm, I think this one is covered.  I went down that road in October, so I think I’m in the clear as far as the New Year goes.  Woot.

• Be the girl that is okay with listening to a past flame’s stories about he and his new lovebug.  I’m just not… cool with that.  Why pretend to be?

Tricky.  The one I was talking about here, I don’t put up with it from anymore.  There is another someone though, just a friend (when you say he’s just a friend!) that had been harping on his dates to me all too often.  I don’t mind listening and advice giving and being the chick that guys talk to about that stuff sometimes, but sweet baby j, give it a rest sometimes too, you know?

• Beat myself up if I skip a couple workouts, eat too many Cheez-Its, keep postponing signing up for that pilates class that I want to, or drink too many martinis.

I’ve been so much better at this one.  I finally did enroll in that pilates/yoga class over the winter, and I absolutely loved it.  I did it through about April-ish, took a break for a bit, and then replaced that with the bootcamp.  I don’t get as frustrated with myself for missing a workout now, and I feel like with all the workouts I do get in in a week, the cheez-its are well deserved sometimes.  And the martinis are always well deserved.  Is there ever not a time for them?  (Don’t answer that.)

• Try and run around and make my lunch two minutes before I need to leave for work.  What happened to the nightly lunch making routine I was once in?

Fail.  Still haven’t gotten in the morning lunch habit.

• Let my clean laundry stay in folded piles all over my bedroom floor for weeks days.

Oof.  Wicked fail. I think the other thing is, I keep buying more clothes, and so, I’m running out of space in my tiny little bedroom to put them all away.  That won’t stop me from buying, but it will make my room look like a tornado hit clothing boutique.

• Avoid the regular maintenance of my car so much. 

This one sucks.  Probably right after I wrote this non-resolution list, I shelled out $500+ for my car.  There’s such thing as a 20,000 mile check up?  30,000?  What?  I hate car maintenance.  Hate it.

• Straighten my hair so often.  I love my waves!

Score!  I hardly ever bust out the straightener anymore.  Special occasions (dates, holidays?, the Sex and the City movie with my ladies, shoe shopping), yes.  Otherwise, I go with the waves and especially in this wicked summer heat.  No blow drying for me.

• Ever, ever feel guilty about any purchase of shoes.

Buyers remorse struck last week after a hefty purchase during my lunch hour.  Though, shoes were not involved in said purchase, so I don’t think this counts.

• Let a crush go on for too long before either doing something about it, or shutting up about it.

I’ve been good about this.  I’m not one to just sit and wait around like I’m at a 7th grade dance, pining away for the dude to make the first move.  If I’m into you, you’ll probably be in the know about it. 

• Settle.

Welp, I’m Still Single, so there’s that answer.

How is everyone else doing on any resolutions, or, non-resolutions you made this year?

 

cruisin for a bruisin

Well, I had myself quite the weekend. And um, well, I have quite some bruises to show for it. Oof. Yesterday in the midst of this hot, humid, danky weather streak that we’re getting slammed with here in New England, I spent the afternoon with my roommate, her sister and husbie and their two adorable little boys, and husbie’s drop dead HOT friend, sitting by the pool and hot tub for a total of about eight full hours. Adult beverages were consumed (Bud Light Lime, yay or nay?), many a laugh were had, the time flew by like nothing, and even though my less-than-a-week-old-pedi is now wickedly chipped it was so worth it. Because the poolside day was deliciously devine (as were the corn on the cob, the burgers, the dogs, and the brews).

And this is the day that the bruising went down. I had myself a literal nose dive of a situation when me and Drop Dead Hot Friend (drop it like it’s hot) decided to have a hand stand contest. First mistake. Because I? Am not coordinated. Needless to say, contest didn’t last too long; before I knew it I was face first to the pool bottom (ouch), and as my janitor just nicely pointed out, “looks like the pool won.”

Then there was the whole part where I thought it would be fun to try out my new Bootcamp Triceps? By hoisting myself up onto the diving board and doing a little flip-and-reverse it, attempting to end myself up there, sitting down appearing all composed and put together and all “Bootcamp Champ!” Well, not so much. The bruises I have that are noticeable are bad enough, all under my arms and somehow on my shins and my knees, but they got nothin on the mother of a patch of bruises on my chest (that’s right), where I kept slamming into the board whilst attempting to look classy trying to pull this maneuver off.

Hold me.

Finally I retreated and stayed put in the hot tub, where I belonged and should have (apparently) stayed for the duration of the day. Yikes, I look like I’ve been through the ringer and back, and it ain’t pretty.

And Friday, on the 4th of July, yours truly was not at a bbq or a fun picnic drinking brews or watching fireworks like the rest of USA. No. I ended my badass self up at an Asian restuarant (On the 4th of July?), singing “Like a Virgin” on karaoke.

Yeah, it just went downhill from there. But in a good way, you know?

And tonight it’s off to bootcamp I go, and I hope to hell I don’t end up continuing on this path of injury and embarrassment. Hey, I guess it makes for good blog fodder, eh?

(I don’t like the word fodder.)

 

but I don’t mind getting dirty

Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th!

Oh- in case you were wondering?  That’s a cupcake necklace up there, and I own it.   And love it.  And though I think the shoes are cute and all, I really just picked them because they’re red (if you know me you know how much I love a red shoe), and they’re flat.  No heels for me at any cookouts this weekend, thanks.  I wouldn’t pick these puppies out in real life I don’t think.  I little too… prissy?, in my opinion.

God.  I’m such a chick in this post.

Have a good one!

 

monday randoms

I have mentioned before that there are indeed some good bennies I get as a state worker.  Oh, say like one holiday off per month.  Today being one of them, Patriot’s Day.  Not a bad deal, as it’s also Marathon Monday, and!, the Sox are playing!  In addition, it’s a mostly sunny day, a little crisper than the weekend, so the windows in my apartment are opened up, I’m doing a little spring cleaning, and meeting a girlfriend for coffee this afternoon.

I don’t have a whole heap of things to say today, so I swiped this meme-like thingy from a new blog I’ve found.  Hope everyone has a good Monday (as good as Mondays can be, right?).

1. maybe i should not turn on the tv all day.  at least until the hills tonight. 
2. i love the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies in the oven.  and sensual amber body lotion from bath & body works. 
3. people would say that i’m silly, sassy, kind-hearted, fun, & thoughtful.
4. i don’t understand why on any given morning that i want to sleep in, even a spec, there is some type of mayhem going on right outside my bedroom window.
5. when i wake up in the morning i immediately need water.
6. i lost a really pretty necklace that an ex had given me.  it didn’t hold any huge meaning to me anymore, but damn was it really pretty and i just…. miss it. 
7. life is full of chances.
8. my past has been (fortunately) pretty easy.  not a day goes by that i don’t feel grateful that i can say that. 
9. i get annoyed when i don’t hear from someone when i expect to. 
10. parties are better in the warmer weather.  bring on the patios, grills, and beer! 
11. i wish for a solid few months of no big personal upsets. 
12. dogs are something i see in my future.  i’d love to get a pup one day… though apartment living doesn’t really lend itself to that kind of… lifestyle.  cosmo it is, for now. 
13. cats have always been something i’ve had an affinity for.   
14. tomorrow is tuesday.  and i’m looking forward to wednesday. 
15. i have low tolerance for wicked slow drivers.  also, road rage.   
16. i’m totally terrified of burglars.  people breaking in.  knives, and people hiding in secret places in the dark. 
17. i wonder why some people just can’t seem to catch a break.  and why they seem to be the one’s who so very much deserve that break. 
18. never in my life have i eaten oysters.   
19. high school was a really good experience.  college was better. 
20. when i’m nervous i get really fidgety.  i talk a lot.  or not at all.  my hands get sweat(ier) than normal, and i bite my lips.   
21. one time at a family gathering i fell off of the couch after too many jack and cokes.  oops.
22. take my advice: take good care of yourself.  it will help change your outlook on both large and small feats, and help you to better tackle both good, and bad days. 
23. making my bed is on of my least favorite things to do.  actually putting new sheets on, more so.  but the whole bed-making-process just pisses me off.
24. i’m almost always thinking too much about things. 
25. i’m addicted to buying new shoes.  getting manicures (most recently).  talking on the phone wile driving.  lipgloss.
26. i want someone to surprise me with something random, special, and out of the blue.

 

Happy St. Patty’s Day

Just checking in real quick here to do a St. Patty’s Day shout out to all of you in the blog world!  Hope you all are wearing at least one piece of green flair today! 

Here is last years dedication…St. Patrick’s Day, 2007

Have a good one!

 

just another VD

 

Nonresoltions

On New Year’s Eve morning I was at the gym (on the elliptical, next to a really cute guy, with a Lance Armstrong bracelet (bonus), and a wicked good HOH (obviously big big bonus) with a nice smile (real good)).  I was reading Glamour when I came across an article on “beauty non resolutions.”  The article talked about resolutions for 2008 that one will not do.  I loved the idea.  I’m not typically one to go making big ambitious resolutions for the year ahead.  I’m more of a spur of the moment type of girl with that kind of thing, so for instance, if there’s something throughout the year that I decide I want to change, I try my best to just tackle it right then and there.  And really, tell me who these people are who actually stick with these big resolutions anyway?  I for one, don’t need to have a reason to see how I’m not accomplishing something or not achieving some goal.  I like the idea better about reflecting upon what I will not do.  Seems more my speed.

In 2008 I will not…

• Feel bad about doing what I want to do, when I want to do it
• Set foot into Blockbuster.  I hate the service I received there over a year ago and will not go back there, ever.
• Let emails go more than one week without at least a short and quick reply.  At least something.
• Feel bad about getting a manicure whenever the hell I feel like it, even if I’m strapped for $$.
• Go to bed without washing my face.  I am pretty good at this as it is, but it’s not something I want to let slide.
• Feel like I need to write here, just to have a new post up. 
• Chase tequila with beer.  It’s a proven fact that by doing this, I will a- not be able to hack it (as much as I think I can, despite past experiences), b- find myself in sexual “situations” with “platonic” friends (sometimes not a bad thing mind you, yet at times, not good), and c- be quite hung the next day, at work.
• Not wear my seat belt at all times.
• Think it’s a good idea to try shrimp.  Again.  For the eighth time.  It’s never been a good idea and it never will be.
• Cross my arms so much.  I know it’s bad body language.  I don’t do it to ward people off, but I know that’s the signal I might be giving.  I do it because I’m cold or just… bored.  I’ll dress warmer and find someone to people watch when I need entertainment.
• Makeout with an ex boyfriend.  Especially him.  Not a good idea back a couple months ago, never going to be a good idea, ever.
• Be the girl that is okay with listening to a past flame’s stories about he and his new lovebug.  I’m just not… cool with that.  Why pretend to be?
• Beat myself up if I skip a couple workouts, eat too many Cheez-Its, keep postponing signing up for that pilates class that I want to, or drink too many martinis.
• Try and run around and make my lunch two minutes before I need to leave for work.  What happened to the nightly lunch making routine I was once in?
• Let my clean laundry stay in folded piles all over my bedroom floor for weeks days.
• Avoid the regular maintenance of my car so much. 
• Straighten my hair so often.  I love my waves!
• Ever, ever feel guilty about any purchase of shoes.
• Let a crush go on for too long before either doing something about it, or shutting up about it.
• Settle.

What do you resolve to not do in 2008?

 

2007

The less I seek my source for some definitive
The closer I am to fine  

It’s almost New Years and I’ve been tagged to do a little recapski of the year and I just don’t know where to really begin.

This year, I am again fortunate enough to say that I have been surrounded by and blessed with a wonderful family.   Family that has been through a heck of a lot this year.   You know that saying, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade?”  Welp, with the lemons my family, my grandparents in particular, have been handed this year, I swear I could be whipping up lemonade drinks for all of you and your friends, for a long while!  (alcoholic versions, of course)  It’s been a tough year with what has been going on.   Looks as though things aren’t looking so good for the start of 2008 either.  The health of my grandfather is worse than we had once thought.  It’s bad.  That’s all I can really bear to write at this point.  But, one thing I know for sure is that I couldn’t be more fortunate, more grateful, and feel more blessed for the wonderful family I do have.   We’re going through a lot, but we have such a strong family, have each other, and we are rallying up.  Trying to deal.  The best we can.  

And then there’s my friends.  My amazing, wonderful, charismatic, hysterical, exciting group of friends.   For them I am so completely grateful and I swear not a day goes by that I don’t realize how good I’ve got it.   These friends, we’ve have been there with each other through it all.   The good the bad and the not so pretty.  The late nights, the run ins with exes, heartaches and triumphs, disappointments and accomplishments.   We’ve all been together, through thick and thin.  These friends I’ve got, them and my family, are one constant I got going in my life.  When life is so fragile and delicate and can really change in the blink of an eye, it’s so comforting to know that I have so many wonderful people with me in my corner.

I’ve been there and done a lot this year.  Competed in two triathlons, took several enriching writing classes and seminars.  Tried new foods and dated different types of men.  I even learned how to (almost) master uploading pictures on this here blog, and yes, I do consider that an Accomplishment of 2007.  There have been so many little moments.  Those small moments in a converstion with a best friend, the inside jokes, the words that don’t need to be said but that are shared accross the table over a lowe lip bite and another sip of beer.  Those many moments that pass by all too quickly.  The feeling in a day when you have the sense that all is just right.  So many little, special, unique moments that I’ve taken in over a year.  Too many to list out here, but all tucked away as meaningful memories in my heart.

Oh, and then there’s the traveling I’ve done this year.  Traveling, which I just can’t seem to get enough of, for I’m forever in search of a little getaway.  I’ve vacay-ed in Miami and Myrtle Beach, Reno and Lake Tahoe, long weekends in NH, Maine, the Cape and NY.   I hope to keep with this travel trend in the year to come too because I find that getting the heck out of dodge just does wonders for restoring the soul and gaining new perspective and realizing that there is so much more than just the city I live in and the sights I see every day.  And also, getting out? even for a day or two, as sweet and wonderful as it is and for all it’s good, it really makes one appreciate home that much more too.

And I have a wonderful home, or apartment rather.  A roof over my head which I think during a year long recap is actually something to recognize because so many people do not have this.  A cozy apartment that I share with someone who is not only just a “roommate” but who is also a best friend.   A cat who is pumped when I arrive back at these digs every day, who loves me with no question and just so happens to be a good snuggler too.   A dependable guy in my life, who’da thunk?!

Ah, relationships.  There have been a few this year, although nothing wickedly awesome to speak of.   I took off 2007 with my heart a little heavy over a certain someone who I had that kind of unrequited love with.   Were distances shorter, timing different, maybe things with he and I would work.   But I finally realized it was time to let that hope go, not let it keep that grip on me as it had so successfully done for so long.   And I eventually learned how to be (pretty mostly) okay with that.   And there have been other men.  Men I’ve dated who have most certainly been duds.  Men who I’ve dated who I just haven’t felt that zsa zsa zsu with.   Men who I’ve felt it with but it just wasn’t meant to be.  Ah, yet through all of these dates, I guess I can say one thing.   I have learned even more what I want by sometimes getting what I don’t.  And learning, well that’s got to be a good thing right?   Getting a little bit closer to fine, relationship wise, I have to feel like that’s what I’ve done.   And sure, some of this learning was at the cost of a couple heartaches and disappointments, but in the end, worth it, because I am able to say that I have grown.

I have grown stronger, more independent.  More confident and sure of myself.  More aware of who I am, the type of friend, lover, daughter, date, and all around person that I want to be.  This year has had it’s ups and downs for sure, but I am able to say that I have lived authentically and loved passionately, and for that, I feel thankful.  I’m ready to say goodbye to 2007, close that chapter and be on to the next.   

Ready for new beginnings.  

Much happiness and many good things to all of you and your loved ones in the year ahead.

 

Celebrating

Tonight I am getting together with five of my very best girlfriend’s for our annual Christmas celebration. 

I look forward to this every year.  We’re all lucky enough that we’re able to get together pretty often for an impromptu coffee, dinner, after work cocktails, birthday celebrations, etc.  Last May the six of us took a trip to Myrtle Beach, making a pact that this would be yet another start to an annual tradition.

Seldom do we get together where it’s just us six, just the girls.  These times are special and unique in their own way, offering us an opportunity to catch up in a way that we wouldn’t if there was a bigger group, significant others, etc.

Today my heart is overflowing with emotion again, at how lucky and blessed I feel to have such an amazing group of friends.  These girls mean more to me than I could ever eloquently put into words here. 

Last year we decided (in the midst of a little martini haze) that it might be fun to write letters to ourselves, to open the following year at this time.

I was in charge of the safe keeping of said letters, and tonight, we’ll be opening them up and reading what we had to say a year ago.

In addition to the holiday festivities we’ll be having tonight, we’ll also be toasting to D, the very first of our core group of ladies to be engaged!  It happened yesterday afternoon, and how very appropriate, just in time for us all to get together the next evening to celebrate.  I couldn’t be happier for my dear friend.  She has the most wonderful boyfriend… sweet, kind, intelligent, hilarious, generous, and so much fun.  It’s almost even more special too, because we have seen this relationship develop and progress from the very beginning.  From when three of us and D were living together a couple years ago and she met her boyfriend.  Us all meeting him for the first time, their first date, their first apartment together, and then buying a condo this past year together.  They’re a perfect much, so good together, and I couldn’t be happier.

So, with that, I hope that all of you have a very special holiday, filled with family and friends, and many wonderful memories.

 

in which I lose another post, and leave it up to you

I guess I’ve done my fair share of lists on here, and you have probably read more than you ever imagined you ever wanted to really know about me.  Some of these bad boys include:

• some “finish the sentence” type things about myself
• things that make me happy
• what I’m a sucker for
• and things that flip me out
• uh, what I like about St. Patty’s Day
• several things I’m looking for in Mr. Right
• an interview by Brandy
• things that I believe in
• TV men I dig
• quirky randoms
• some various surveys
• secrets
• oh, and how I determine whether there will be a second date

And I know that’s a lot and all, but I was even all set to let you all have more of me here tonight, with yet another actually different, fun! (it would have been, I swear!) type meme (I hate the word meme, FYI).  I filled out the whole thing in it’s entirety, left the room for a minute to get my laundry, and oops, came back and accidentally the hit delete button.  And now the whole damn thing is gone and I’m just not able to bust it out again.

But then I thought, hmm, maybe we (you know, you in all your awesomeness who read what I write here and maybe, any lurkers? I might have, and I), could play a little Q&A game.  I don’t know, could be fun (right?).

So, you can ask me whatever you want about me, or what you have read here.  Maybe what you’d like to see me write more about, or about my favorite pair of shoes, my favorite character on The Hills, or what the hell is up with The HOH obsession.  I’m pretty game.  Any random questions you might have, might be wondering about me.  Ask your questions in the comments and I’ll try my best to answer what I can in another post sometime this week.

We’re having fun now, right?

And I’ll leave you with this.  The only Christmas gift I’ve gotten so far, for my meowser:

Oh, PS- I know lately it seems I’m going a little switch-up-the-header crazy.  Bear with me.  And I know this one is blurry, but I liked the cocktail and the lights, and thought the blurry-ness just kind of… fit.