The list revisted

Before my husband deployed I made a list of 25 things I would do to occupy my time. Now that months have passed I thought I"ll look at the list and see what I can check off.


1. Read at least one book a month. I have not done this consistently.
2. Start the South Beach diet (and stick with it). I started and stuck with a different diet.
3. Work out regularly (and stick with it). I have done this!
4. Kayak a lot. This has got to wait until Spring!
5. Take some classes. I have gone to some professional trainings and started Toatmasters. That counts!
6. Explore photography more. NOPE
7. Re decorate my bedroom. Not yet
8. Re decorate the spare room (I’m feeling an Island theme). DONE!
9. Ride my bike. NOPE ummm its cold out side
10. Swim laps as part of my work out routine. The pool at the YMCA has been in repairs for two months.
11. Quit smoking (or at least cut down to only when I drink). In progress
12. Explore new meals to cook. DONE/in progress
13. Visit friend on the East coast. I'll say DONE because she came to visit me. I plan to visit her in May
14. Make jewelry NOT INTERESTED but I did buy diamond earrings.
15. Explore my spirituality In progress
16. Go somewhere with a beach and hot sun. I WISH but this is not gonna happen.  I am  gonna wait and go to Hawaii with my husband.
17. Watch movies that I always wanted to see but never got around to it. In progress
18. Start jogging. YES I DO
19. Read current research related to social work. YES I DO
20. Advocate for a social policy. I will in Feb.
21. Make plans with someone I don’t normally hang out with. YES I HAVE
22. Go to the Grand Cinema. No movies have interested me yet, but I check what is playing often.
23. Take the dogs for a walk. Waiting til better weather
24. Explore new martinis to make. DONE!!!!
25. Find any opportunity to travel by car or air. DONE, well I went to Colorado by air but thats it.

JUNK!

I realize I have a lot of randon belongings that I do not need, nor do I want. Every closet or cupboard I open I see random belongings such as a crappy vase from the dollar store that I'll never use, worn out bath towels, half filled shampoo or lotion that I didn't like (if I didn't like it then why did I keep it?). It is all JUNK!

My mom has been cleaning out her closets and has given me my old baby JUNK! I really do not want to keep my baby shoes, baby hospital bracelet and first shirt I ever wore, etc. However, given the sentimental value I'll feel like a shrue if I get rid of them. So now I have two more boxes in my closet when I am trying to downsize. I am feeling like these momentos are JUNK too.

Actually, I feel like Sarah in the movie the Labyrinth when she is in the drugged peach induced dream and runs into the "JUNK" lady and she realizes that all the stuff she treasured is actually just junk; and that she no longer needs it in her life.

Although I do feel that the baby shoes and other baby momentos is junk I still feel some guilt about getting rid of them. Do I just need to do it and not think about it? Take the plunge and throw them out? Even if I do have my own baby I will not put those 1981 shoes on their little feet. I don't see a reason to keep them other than one day regreating getting rid of them.

I do plan to get rid of the JUNK that I do not vaule and I am going to try hard to get rid of the JUNK I do put some value on---even though I never use it--ever.

No Smoking For Real This Time

I am serious, this time, about quitting smoking!

I do it out of boredom mostly and when I drink alcohol.

I'll be happy if I got to the point where I have 1 cigarette when I drink if I really really want it.
Not 10 cigarettes because I'm drinking. And not 1 to go with a glass of wine. But to have just one for those nights when I'm out partying it up, or having a few glasses of wine with friends.

My quit date is Jan 1 2010

Wasn't planning on this being a new year's resolution, but it just so happened that my quit date of being 10 days away from the day I said TIME TO STOP FOR REAL landed on the new year.

So we will see how this goes.

Deployment equals shopping habbit

I have always enjoyed shopping for shoes, makeup, clothing, and other essentials this is nothing new. However, in the last few months I have developed a new passion for the prettier things in life. Thankfully I have been able to maintain a sense of being frugal and not use my credit card, or spend our rent money. By the looks of our savings account right now is where you can notice my habit.


I tell myself when I have the urge to go the mall and get new heels, RIGHT NOW, that I just feel that way because I am either bored, lonely, and missing my husband. Then I tell myself yeah I know this, but going to get a new pair of heels will make things much more manageable. Which doesn't make much sens, but it justifies my spending to myself and off to the mall I go.


Now in the past I have been more of a off brand girl. I don't know of this part has to do with the deployment and trying to fill a void, or if it just me; because I have become far more choosy and at times down right snobbish when it comes to my shopping.


I no longer will wear shoes that are not leather!
Synthetic shoes are often the same price as leather shoes (when leather shoes are on sale).
Synthetic shoes make my feet sweat and smell, so no thanks I'll do without.
And lastly I believe that a cheap looking shoe can throw off your whole look, while a nice looking shoe can make even a less expensive outfit look stunning.


I also no longer buy anything that I suspect will looks cheap after a few washes. And I don't mean cheap as in price, but looks. I have thrown away so many articles of clothing after a few months because after washes it just looks cheap and ratty!


If something looks great, is versatile (I can wear it to work or elsewhere), but maybe costs a little more I will often still buy it. Whereas in the past I would bypass it and settle for something on the clearance rack. I still like the clearance rack but I am much more cautious. I have so many articles of clothing in my closet that I got rid of because I never wore them. They were so trendy and have gone quickly so out of style, but I bought them just because it was on clearance.
Sometimes there is a reason why a top is only $5.99


I still primarily shop at JCPenney for my clothes and they are by no means expensive.
So I have not gone too crazy, but I notice I visit Macy's more often and the prices go up.


One day when I was feeling snobbish I went into a high end boutique and the prices just floored me. So I guess I still have my whits about me.


But to be honest I will end with this:
It is true I totally feel a rush on endorphins when I shop, especially when I'm at Nordstrom looking at heels. I also get a major rush when I dream of wearing a pair of Christian Dior heels (I doubt that will ever happen).

Here is a picture of the latest heels that I bought and am waiting for them to come to the store. They were out of my size so they had to order them. They go against my rule of wearing only leather shoes, but they are sequence party shoes so they are an exception.

Vigoss® 'Jellypop'Sale $39.99Orig. $65.00

2 week notice

I really don't want to be an asshole at work even though I gave my two week notice. I really didn't plan on slacking off or acting any differently. However, I truly now have no patience for a co worker who is a Master at slacking off. How she has not gotten caught yet is beyond me.

I'm so annoyed and very pissed.
I just keep telling myself I will be done with it soon. If it wasn't for getting this new job I think I would seriously lose it due to the Queen of slacking off!

On another note: Nutrisystem update almost at the end of month 1. I lost 12 lbs and am down a size in pants.

WHOA in only 2 weeks

Nutrisystem update! Today is 2 weeks on this plan (and working out 45 mins about 4 times a week) and I have lost 8 lbs. This is more than I expected in two weeks. I am feeling like I recognize my body again and I am half way to my goal!

This was worth the expense! And the food is really not bad!

The husband wants pictures but I am trying to wait a few more weeks so when I send them he will really see a difference and be like WHOA! However, given the situation I am sure he will say "WHOA" to any risky picture I send him. HA HA

NUTRISYSTEM

On week two of Nutrisystem.
Lost 5.5 pounds the first week.