Holiday no-no's

Ahhh, so the holidays are pretty much over and the new year will be upon us. Some reflections on this holiday season, well more things that boggle my mind really...
(please note this might offend some and in no way means I am talking about you)

I first am wondering if people forget that Christmas is the same date every single year? No, really. I mean if it comes every single year on the same date then how come people can't get gifts out on time and cards? Don't get me wrong, I understand the meaning I am just pondering the little things. I am a busy person as well and I seem to be able to get out stuff in plenty of time for people to enjoy their cards BEFORE the actual day. What am I going to do with a Christmas card after the fact? It goes directly in the trash. And no, sending them on the 20th or any day after it will not get across the country in time. That goes for gifts as well. If your going to send something then have it to the person in time for the holiday for someone to enjoy on the day it should be there for. Oh wait, I am sorry, thanks for the thought...the after thought.

Now, on the same rant as above I am wondering why people wait to see if I am going to send a card before they send theirs? Or don't bother sending a card at all. I am in a real tight money crunch as well but manage to buy cards, stamps without ending up on the street and I take the time to personalize each card and send them out three weeks before! Yet seriously, I got not even an email of wishes from some people on my list that I should of been on theirs for sure (say family members as an example). All I can say is, I will be saving just a few bucks next year on cards and will buy myself a candy bar or two. Just an FYI, not that these people read this blog or know it exists but you can buy a box of cards at the dollar store! Where the ENTIRE box is just one dollar! Wow.

Third and final mind boggling issue, have you ever re gifted a gift? I don't mean a nice gift that you just can't use or a gift that someone would actually like or use. I am talking about a gift that you don't want to buy so your rummage through the crap you already own and give it to someone. The gifts that when this person opens it they try so hard not to make that face. You know the face, the face where you want to say, "are ya serious? but try to use the manners your mother taught you so you put on that fake smile and say, "gee thanks, I can really use this...uh" (stalling while you try and figure out what 'this' actually is) and end up just saying, "uh, this. Thank you." Notes to take if you are one of these horrible re gifters, make the gift look like it wasn't re gifted or something you didn't want. Don't make it look like you didn't want to spend the money on the person and you picked through your gift trash. I seriously think that gifts at Christmas should come from the heart and have some thought into them, if not don't bother. Glue still left on gifts that were once attached to other things as another gift set and now found there way into my gift makes me think you kept what you wanted from someone elses gift and gave me the crap you didn't want or could use. Could ya at least of taken the glue off? Think about this, if you don't want it and would rather throw it in the trash what makes you think someone else wants your trash? I don't understand it. Oh sorry, I am supposed to be thankful...so thank you for the thoughtful gift that has now become MY trash or someone elses future gift. ;) Haha

So has anyone gotten or given a poop-o-gift before that you know was re gifted?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

I don't even think my daddy-o reads this blog any longer but I still have to give the old man a shout out! I love you dad! Hope you had a wonderful birthday and I am just kidding about the old thing. ;)


Obviously this was not a picture from today. It was from fathers day a couple of years ago.

Graduation Part 2

I got to explore El Paso a little bit this weekend as well as, Carlsbad and Artesia, New Mexico. My mom and I flew into El Paso on Friday afternoon to meet some old friends of my dad and hers. Side note: my parents met here and got married in El Paso, so it was a bit fun to see where it started. Ryan drove in later that night and it was so good to see him. We spent Saturday driving around to Missions and well, exploring. Sunday was spent visiting an old house and then off to Carlsbad to see the caverns, which were simply amazing! We ate there and continued on our way to the lovely town (sarcastic) of Artesia. Ok, I will give them a bit of credit, it wasn't as bad as Lordsburg, NM that we spent the weekend in two weekends before. That is not saying much. Then we bummed around with a trip to Wal-mart AND K-mart before Ryans graduation on Monday. Yep, that was pretty much all there was to do. I would love someone who has grown up in a small town like these to tell me what it was like and what the heck they did to pass time. Anyway, he graduated and that was great! I got to see where he has been spending the last few months and see my hot man in his uniform! ;) Then Tuesday morning it was off for a 3 1/2 hour drive back to El Paso for a flight home. I am exhausted!


At a mission.


Us again outside a mission in El Paso.

Now my favorite picture...


Ryan getting into character for his new life living in the wild, wild west!

I will post some fun pictures of the other stuff later.

Graduation

It is official, I am dating a Border Patrol Agent! I couldn't be more proud of him and all his hard work.

God Bless the East Coast

Ok, so PA drivers are horrid but you AZ drivers are NUTS!

Four lane highways might sound amazing during rush hour but I think not when I got some loony bird who forgets his exit is passing and by passing I mean the entrance is no longer available, so he decides to cross over those four lanes going 90 miles an hour! Which brings me to the next thing. I have soiled about a dozen panties because of how fast you all drive! Not only do you drive fast but you drive on peoples behinds. By this time I am shaking, peed in my pants and all I want to do is get off the freeway, so I naturally put on my signal. Oh, yes a car turn SIGNAL. Ya know, the thing to signal to others you are changing lanes or turning a corner. Oh wait, you wouldn't know because this state doesn't use that! That is right, these AZ drivers just stop at 90 miles an hour and turn, no warning to others behind them. Oh, I can feel the heart palpitations starting back up. Anyway, I put my signal on thinking that the far right lane is for us slow East Coast drivers and the idiot behind me decides that my signal is giving him the permission to pull in that lane before me and then race me so I can not get over, leaving me stuck in the lane I shouldn't and don't want to be in! So once I finally get off the freeway I find myself yet again in a wrong lane. Lanes in AZ just seem to end abruptly without any warning. Lanes tend to just merge into another. Lanes also tend to all of a sudden switch to a turning lane only. I am betting you are thinking, surely there are warning signs for these things in AZ...NOPE! I swear they do it on purpose to rid the state of the snow birds and scare them to death into going back their home state. But I beg you all that some of us are not just snow birds. Some are just confused girls who are just trying to get home because the freeway just made them wet their pants and now they find themself back in a lane that has just magically changed into a turn only lane but no one will let her over even with a her turn signal on and a sweet smile on her face because they are so entertained watching her drive in a made up lane that doesnt exist but then see her lisence plate that says PA and then shake their heads in their cars and think, "those stupid snow birs that can't drive". (uhhh, long winded sentence) It isn't us, I swear to it! God Bless the horrid East Coast drivers.

A snoozer

I haven't had much to say lately, nothing that seems that important to post. I have also been looking at all these past posts and I find that I am a boring blogger!

The solution: I need to find some juicy topics to blog about or I am in serious need of a more exciting life.

Pity Party

So it is now 1:45, no not in the afternoon, and I find myself wide awake. My eyes burn and I am tired but have been waking up the past few nights unable to sleep. I am exhausted and not feeling well, lack of sleep I suppose is the cause. Dollar signs keep bouncing by and my stomach begins to ache! I for the life of me can't understand why there are so many horrible, dishonest people in this world. How did the world and its people in it all become this way? What happened to everyone that they find the need to manipulate everyone else? This move has been a nightmare of all sorts. I have our sales man telling me one thing, the driver telling me another. I have two different stories, so many lies (so many if these people were wooden boys, meaning Pinocchio, I could build a house), and now a hole in my pocket for almost 3 grand MORE than estimated. This is more then what was our estimated cost and I don't know about you but I don't have that kinda money just sitting around. Maybe because I am just starting off on my own, maybe because the move is already costing a fortune or maybe because I am not rich! Let me ask all you intelligent people out in this world...Does renting a VAN from Uhual for half a day (lets say 4 hours tops) cost 700 bucks???!!! I think not! But this what the moving company is charging us for having to rent a Uhaul. Never were we told in the first place this could be something that could happen but seriously, 700 dollars?! This is now just one of MANY of the issues I am dealing with and fighting with from this moving company. Unbelievable. I absolutely despise moving and vow once I move into the a place of our own this will be the place I die in because I will NEVER, EVER move again! That is my final answer! I am not asking all you to pity me, I needed to vent a little bit and was hoping this would make me sleep. Maybe it was also a warning to you all who might be those few left who are honest folks out there just trying to get by that moving companies CAN and WILL do everything in their power to manipulate you out of everything you got.

Moving = Nightmare

Does anyone know of any lawyers or how to go about going to small claims court? I am so mad right now my hands are shaking. Don't ever move people!

More Surprises!

A package for ME! Again, I was surprised. What was inside you say??? New PJ's! I thought he was sending me some kinda hint that he hates my oh so not attractive sweats I sleep in. He said nope, that wasn't why. He said he knows my duck ones (yes, I have duck pj's) that I have had for years were super old and thought I might like a new pair. He is super cute!

Just Call Me Lucky

Today was not a day of luck for me. I find it a tad funny now thinking of it but not when they happened. So, I had to go to my storage unit this afternoon to organize and pack these huge bar stools in my car. The first one I got in with no problem but the second one was a bit of a challenge since I had to fit it like a puzzle into my back seat with the other one. I slid my body in between the metal pieces of the stand so I could get it in. Not realizing my nose was less then an inch away from the medal piece which was next to my car frame. So when I went to lift my head up so I could get out my bridge of my nose got in the way of both pieces and I slammed it into the metal of the bar stool! My eyes began to water and I am surprised I didn't get a bloody nose! OUCH! Now I laugh because this is something only I would have done to hurt myself in such a way. It is OK, just a bit red and tomorrow I am sure a little blue. OK, so what can be worse right? Well let me tell you what then happens when I get home. I unload the car find, no body parts get in the way. I figure since I am dirty and sweaty from storage I might as well empty the three ceramic pots filled with dirt I want to take with me. Since two are large I cant pick them up so I have to empty the dirt shovel by small shovel at a time. I am cold and tired and my back hurts but by this time I am on the last pot and only have about 1/4 to go. I hit something hard and know it is a huge piece of a broken ceramic pot inside under the dirt. Side note: The broken pieces help hold water in pots. In case you are wondering why they are in the dirt. Anyway, So I cant seem to get it with the shovel so I put my hand in the remaining dirt and am trying to get a good grip with my finger tips of the edge of this huge piece. Finally I yank it out and as I am pulling it out to throw away I notice...ANTS!!! A billion of the tiniest ants you have ever seen. All over the remaining dirt, the ceramic piece I just pulled out and all over my hand!!! Of course I freak out and swish them off but 10 min later my hand and wrist begin to burn and itch like crazy. Those stupid little buggers bit me! All over! I think it was a bit uncalled for since they are in MY pot. Anyway, I didn't finish that pot because I still cant lift it and there are so many of these tiny little devils in my pot. So I spray as much ant killer I can into the dirt and we shall continue tomorrow. I can't say I feel sorry for killing them because once again they were in MY pot and bit my entire hand and wrist! Go figure.

CHOP it all off!

I cut all, well lots of my hair cut off! Since it is on the shorter side again I will need to get it cut more often then when it was long. Does anyone have a good stylist they can recommend out there in AZ???

And the Fun Begins...

I am off to PA for the move. Busy, Busy with tons of things I have to do back home. I want to thank Brit for the girls night and letting me talk for so long! Sorry I kept you up so late, didn't realize the time. And thank you to Bill for not kicking me out! Haha. You are a sweetheart, thank you again for the wonderful night!

See ya all soon.

Delivery

So the other day my mom and I were out running around when we came home there was a tall thin box outside the gate. My mother goes to grab the box and walks over and says its for me and it is flowers!!! This time I am even more excited then my last surprise because this time he didn't tell me ANYTHING! So I was not expecting anything at all. Plus, I have never ever had flowers delivered to me before. I mean Ryan brings me home flowers as a surprise but never have I had flowers delivered to me before! They were beautiful miniature roses all different colors. I love them so much and was a little emotional from the surprise and missing him so much I started to cry! I am such a sap. Thank you honey for my beautiful roses! I LOVE them!!!

Happy Birthday To You...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!


Today is my mom's birthday. She didn't want any cake this year but everyone needs a candle to make a wish on so I made fried ice cream. She has been talking about it for a few months now so I figured this would be a perfect time. I hope she had a nice day. I love you mom!

A Month

This past weekend we hit the one month mark since we last got to see each other. I am missing him very much now and I hate to think that we still have four more to go! :( Ughhh!!! I don't know how people who have to say goodbye to loved ones for deployment and other things do it. I am thinking of driving the 8 hours one way this weekend to see him. Ok, that's it. I am boring. Bye.

Surprise

So, in a letter about a week ago I was told to get ready for a surprise that would be coming! Oh boy, a surprise!!! Well in another, "if you know me" story, then you would know how I am NEVER surprised for one reason or another. I just HAVE to know what my surprise will be. It is bad to tell me anything at all. So when I was told something special was coming my mind began to race. With Ryan having a three day weekend coming up (this past weekend) I thought he was coming to visit me...nope. I then had my mind made up...flowers! It had to be flowers. Well today I had a package and it was from my Ryan. Inside was a Halloween card and one of my favorites, Reese cups! I also had a long letter (4 pages). Ryan spent one of his days off exploring the Carlsbad Caverns. So the letter explained in detail how his day was. It even had pictures glued to the pages while he explained. I guess since I wasn't there he wanted to make me feel I got to experience it with him. It was very cute and special, not to mention very creative with the pictures and NOTHING what I was expecting at all. So even though I knew something was coming I was surprised what it was. Thank you honey for my box of goodies!

A Place to Call Home

The past couple of weeks have been a back and fourth struggle on where to live or what I should do with my "career". I use that term lightly since I don't really have a career. Anyway, with not much success on finding a job so far it will be hard for me to get approved for an apartment. I then was thinking about going back to school. Not to get my masters but to completely change majors all together. Culinary has always been an option, I have a love for cooking, not so much cleaning up though. Anyway, after looking into it I realized that option might not work out. Culinary schools seem to lump all their classes into one giant plan. In other words, it isn't like normal college. I can't just go and take a class and pay for just that class. It ends up being very expensive and a bit time consuming since the flexibility of class times are also not like normal college. They offer morning classes and assume you will get a job in the evening at a restaurant getting experience. Makes sense but a restaurant is not where I want to be. So at this point I am not sure this option is going to work out so much. I was also thinking of something in heath care. I don't think I could be a nurse, just the thought alone of a needle gives me a panic attack. So I thought maybe an X-ray tech or something like that. Haven't looked into that as hard just yet. The last option is just get a job but again, no hits to ALL the billions of places I have applied to. Or I just take any job even if its in retail...been there, done that, don't really wish to do that again. So as of now, I have no idea what I will be doing with my time. However I did find a place to live. Drum roll please....

I am moving back home. Much to my dismay, my things will be going into storage and I will be staying at my parents house while I try and find a job or go back to school. This wasn't exactly the plan I had wanted it is the only logical plan as of this moment in time. And my parents thought they could rid of me...haha, I am baaaackkkk!!! Kidding, love you both. :)

Flash Back To

the 80's! I was in Target yesterday and always have to browse the clothing section when a pair of jeans POP out at me. My first reaction is, "no way". No way can any designer or store think it is OK to bring back stone washed jeans! This picture on the site don't do them justice. I LOVE the 80's, yes I even love the music and style but it doesn't mean I would ever wear the hiddious styles. I am sorry but these are not something they should have gone back in time to copy!

Pack Rat

Oh good gosh do we have junk. Okay, maybe it's ME who has the tons of junk but no need to get all technical. One thing I don't really like about myself is the fact I have a very hard time parting with things. It doesn't matter what the item may be I can't get rid of it. I keep papers for YEARS and years thinking I just might need them. I found papers from elementary school, no lie! I find sentimental value in things and just can't get rid of them. I am so bad that next to the word pack rat in the dictionary you would see my picture. The last 4 days all I have done is organized stuff, tons of stuff! Between Ryan and I there was 1 LARGE trash bag full of shredded papers which took me an entire day to get through. Also, I have thrown away 3 other big bags of trash/junk and I have one HUGE trash bag full of clothes to give away. So 5 bags so far of things to get rid of which, in my eyes is pretty darn good considering who I am. Alright, time to get back to more organizing and such...

Saying Goodbye

If there is anything I HATE in this world it is goodbyes. Doesn't matter if they are goodbyes forever, goodbyes for a long period or a simple ta-ta for now, they all simply make me sad. Even as a child I can remember hiding my tears on the way home from the airport when we had to drop off loved ones. Today was no different. Today I had to say goodbye to Ryan. Yes, I will see him again but not sure of when. I don't know if there will be time before the six months or if it will be just that long. It amazes me how I only dropped him off at the airport 11 short hours ago but yet I miss him already. I then sit here and think of when we first moved in together and it was NOT so easy and how he drove me nutty. I am sure I drove him nuts too but lets not dwell on that. hehe Anyway, I was so used to certain things, my own way and most of all MY OWN SPACE! I wasn't used to living with a boy but yet I got so used to him and all his ways (well, the ones that I haven't changed) ;) As I sit here now all alone, I begin to laugh at how hard the beginning was for us but how hard we worked to get past all of that and how I just might miss all the Ryan things. It is weird to me that he will never come back to this apartment, our first home together and think how much things are going to change in the next year, the next few months even. If you know me you know how much I HATE change all most as much as I hate goodbyes but I am excited that today is the first day of a new chapter in our lives. We are off on a new adventure, not sure if its so fun right this second since I am doing so much organizing, cleaning, etc. but I can't wait for what is in store for us. So my Ryan, Ta-Ta for now and I will see ya soon in a new state and a new home! I am SO very proud of you and know you will do well in the acadamy!

Correction...

We were told today it isn't two weeks, we have ONE week!!! Ryan has to be in Tucson on Monday, September 22 for orientation. They then ship him on Wednesday straight to New Mexico to begin training! So we only have one more week. Also, the physical training is over December 15 but he has to stay until FEBRUARY 11 for training in Spanish! Two extra months and one more week! WOW is the only word to describe what is going on in my head! :(

Time is Ticking

I am not sure where to begin, the last 12 hours has been a blur. So on a happy note...it is official, I am moving back to Arizona! No, I didn't find a job yet (if anyone has one for a marketing/management major I would be grateful) but my boyfriend took a border patrol agent job and it becomes official as of tomorrow. I guess the process has taken so long I didn't ever expect it to happen. Time goes on as does your life and you forget about it. Then I had also had thought if they do offer the job to him we will have some time to figure things out. HAHA, yeah right!
So we had one night to decide if he should accept the job or not and if so he has ONLY two weeks to get his life organized to leave for training in New Mexico on September 28 until the middle of December. TWO weeks!!! Holy Molly this might be the most stressful, scary and overwhelming thing I have ever had to deal with in my short little life as an adult. So far I am not sure I like this adult thing and would gladly pay someone to make decisions for me. Stress, overwhelming thoughts about right or wrong, best vs. not is NOT very fun. I can't imagine what happens when you have kids to deal with as well! Anyway, to put it in an easy way here is a list of what is going to happen which, number one is the only thing we know! The rest is things we have to figure out. Oh God help me!

1. Ryan leaves in just two weeks for training in New Mexico.
We can't visit during the training so we will not see each other until the
middle of December!
2. We have to give a two month notice for our lease.
Stay or go we have to pay two months. So I am here for another two months all
on my own! I am stuborn and refuse to pay our landlords while not living here.
3. I have NO job as of this second and not a clue where to begin looking as you will
see in number 4 why.
4. We have not a clue where we will live when he gets out of training, actually we
have no clue on anything at the moment! Here are our options:
a. We both live in Ajo, AZ. Yes, I said Ajo! One of my options is to live
in a town that sounds like an abbreviated bad word! It is in the middle
of the desert, so that means the middle of no where. To give you an
idea, as of 2000 there were less than 4000 residents because it was an
old mining town and now is mostly a RETIRMENT community. There are NO
neighboring communites and has just ONE SMALL grocery store. They don't
even have a Wal-Mart or McDonalds! Every American town at least has
those! Yeah, that is what I thought. It has ONE Pizza Hut and ONE drive
through window (Dairy Queen). So I see myself being bored as dirt! Yes,
DIRT! But on the bright side I can tell people I
live in a town that means garlic! :( Oh come on, I am trying, I really am
trying to think possitive!
b. We both live in Tucson which is about an 1 hr 20 min from Ajo, just one
way. That is what the commute would be for Ry after 10-12 hour days.
Here at least I would be able to get a descent job,but the commute would
be hard for him and I would have to give up living in the town of garlic!
(eye roll)
c. We both live in the Phoenix area which is about a 2+ hour drive one way
which might just kill the one who is doing the commute everyday!
d. We live separately for a little while. He lives in Ajo and I in the
Phoenix area so I can get a decent job/career while he works on his. He
comes home on his off days. Doesn't sound too bad considering we
wouldn't see much of each other anyway with the long hours his first year
anyway. The downside is...
5. He has to keep this job for 1 1/2 years to pull ranks and is able to transfer to something else.
6. No negotiations on salary, it is what it is.
7. It is VERY dangerous and thanks to my mother I am a worrywart. The pay does NOT equal the danger of the job. Thank you US government for that.

So, that is just the surface of what is going on. Lucky you I didn't give details but we really don't know what the future holds. We don't have a clue if this is a good choice or the right one. We really don't know what is the next step. Those of you who know me know I like organization when it comes to life, HATE major changes and like a detailed, concrete plan. I might just lose my sanity with this chapter in my life but other than that all is wonderful! Will keep the blogging world up to date and just have one question...
Seriously, who said being an adult was fun?

Bye for now

So for my birthday I was given tickets to Arizona to spend it with my family! Ryan thought it would be the best gift for me and he was right. I live so far away and am so close to my family and have missed them so much. Plus, I feel I need to just get away for a little bit and relax. It was a great idea since he knows I have missed them and he didn't want me spending my birthday all alone. He will be out there taking tests so it was a great gift and I love him for getting them for me! See you when I get back to Pennsylvania!

Oh The Things We See!

So, again we were in Baltimore, MD this past Saturday. One thing I LOVE living where I do I am so close to so many things. Anyway, we were in for a surprise when we arrived in Baltimore and noticed people dressed VERY strange walking around. We later found out it was the weekend of the Anime (Asian cartoons)convention. Guess these cartoons are much bigger than I had thought and they have there own followers, like the Trekies for Star Trek. Well here are a few pictures of what we got to see during the day! I could have stayed and people watched all day! We had MANY laughs and many "what in the worlds". The best was the guy in a dress that I thought looked like Bell from Beauty and the Beast but he had a giant sword, not sure what that was about. He LOVED having his picture taken and put down all his junk so he could pose without a smile he would very softly say, "oh sure", pose then curtsy!
Enjoy!

Quackers

For those not familure with the East we have something new here called Ride the Ducks. It is a boat on wheels. It travels the city on a tour and then goes from land to water. It wouldn't be a bad tour but you miss everything the tour guide says because people are quacking on their quackers. Anyway, Ryan and I were in Maryland for the day on Saturday and I talked him into doing the tour. Took a little bit of convinsing but think in the end he enjoyed it. He even let me take a few pictures WITH the duck beak! What a guy! Haha

Can Annyone Say EWWWW?!

I get it, everyone wants what they can't have. People with curly hair want straight hair, people with straight want it curly and some who have short hair want long beautiful locks. Well, all is fine and dandy but if you are going to put in hair extentions make sure they are good ones. If you can't afford decent ones then either skip them all together or do NOT pull your hair back so people can see the ewww. Miss goldie locks here had nasty hair and I could NOT pull my eyes away from her hair! Can anyone say Ewww???!

Not Just A Bean

My new favorite snack is Edamame! I mean we always order them when we have sushi but I just recently decided to buy a pack and try cooking them myself. But for some strange reason I just didn't think they would taste the same if I tried to cook them. I boil them in water with kosher salt, drain them, and squeeze fresh lemon over them and sprinkle with a little more kosher salt. LOVE it! Been snacking on these little pods of fun for days now.

Excersise = YUCK

There are many things in this world I dislike but one of them is EXERCISING! UGHHHH! I don't know why I hate it so but I do, I really, really do! I have gained not one but TWO pant sizes since last summer. It is crazy to think how fast the weight goes on but man, it doesn't want to come off! I have been trying to do Atkins diet but I can't seem to get motivated enough to cook as much as I need to for that. I am not a huge fan of meat, I am such a picky meat eater so the diet is very hard for me. I like it because it gets me on the right track. I get disciplined to not eat bad food, helps me lose weight easier and I only have to be on it for a month or two and my brain is focused on not eating unhealthy things. I don't know what it is though, am NOT motivated to do it. I live with someone who is always eating, he wants to gain weight and even tries! Gosh, I just have to think about a hippo and I gain about 5 pounds at the thought! Damn, men! Now the exercises issue. I have tried my hardest to do something each day but oh dear, there is a little devil in my mind that talks me out of moving so much! I keep telling myself, "Erin, you have only two pairs of shorts, three tees and one skirt that fit you, get your fat behind up and DO SOMETHING!" That is not an exaggeration either, that is ALL I have to wear since I refuse to go out and buy clothes that fit however I am not doing anything about losing weight either. Last time I lost weight I wasn't really doing much of anything, I was on Atkins because my entire family was, so it was easy. I also was just doing some Pilate's just for something to do. I did some arm weights on other days and the weight went bye, bye. I had no expectations so I couldn't tell you how long it took. It seemed like it was quick but now I have expectations and I will try and exercises everyday and watch what I eat. Then I have a horrible habit of stepping on the scale and not one single itsy bitsy ounce has come off! I get discouraged and stop. Aghhhhh! I bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred because it is easy steps. I tried Tae Bo and I look like I am a child on too much sugar jumping around with my arms flailing every which way. I am not coordinated enough so I bought this new tape. Now I just HATE Jillian Michaels telling me to not stop, keep going, they are just jumping jacks, blah, blah! She even says, "these girls are in the same boat doing what you are doing!" Excuse me but THOSE girls are ripped and thin and are in shape! I am not any of those so you try doing all those jumping jacks with all this blubber bouncing around and then you tell me that! I seriously want to throw my shoe at her!

So, does anyone have any advice? How do I get out of this rut? Any eating advice, exercises advice? Please, I NEED HELP!

Communication or Lack There Of

Men, I just don't understand them and don't ever think I will. I really and truly believe that they imagine conversations in their heads or at night they dream about the situation and believe that they actually had this conversation in real life. So let me tell you one of MANY conversations that go this way, this one just happened about 30 minutes ago...

We will start with last week, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday the boy comes home for lunch and tells me one of two things. One of them is that we were invited to one of his friends for a BBQ this Sunday and that he hasn't responded to him yet. We talked how we were really busy this weekend because of it being the holiday weekend and the fact I am very much NOT a fan of this person. We both remember the part where I said, "Oh, do we really have to go?" And him trying to tempt me by stating they have a Wii. Please remember this was the first, last and ONLY conversation about this BBQ and the last statement was, "Well, I haven't responded yet I don't know if I want to go." Now, flash forward to today, the day of the BBQ. The boy comes in at a quarter to 12 and says, "two o'clock." Now I have not a single clue what he is talking about, thinking maybe he wants to go to the movies or something since it was mentioned yesterday and his words were kinda nonexistent. I respond with, "What? What is at two o'clock?" We need to be at "friends" house at two. So now I am wondering when WE decided on going. I ask him this and he says we talked about going. He took the little conversation I mentioned above as us deciding to go but I keep thinking to myself, no way could he have come to that conclusion from that simple conversation above. Surely if it was decided that we were going to go I would have asked the following, "What time is it at? How long do we have to stay?"(again, NOT a fan!) and "Do we need to bring anything?" Surely him knowing that I like order and having a plan would have asked those questions. Surely he would have asked if I wanted to go since he knows how much I disapprove of this individual. Nope, none of those questions were asked, just the simple convo I mentioned above was all the boy needed to come to the conclusion that WE decided on going. I really feel he had a conversation with me in his own head! Where do men come up with this stuff? Maybe it is me...Nah, couldn't possibly be me!

It Is All In The Flight

I was just recently on a flight from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh which has inspired me to write my first Blog entry that may or may not cause controversy.
I have flown a TON in my life and remember a time when flying wasn't a dreadful thing. Now, all I do is DREAD getting on a plane and the hassle of the entire event from purchasing the tickets to finding my luggage at the end of the trip. In my short little life and many times on planes I have had emergency landings, no take offs or canceled flights, delayed flights, damaged luggage, lost luggage and a whole lot of BAD customer service! I want to understand why I keep paying more and more to take a flight yet everything about my short trip goes wrong. I want to understand how airlines can get away with hiking up the costs without taking any responsibilities.
Here I will mention things that are just completely making my blood boil as it may be doing to you as well:
1. No more in flight meals. Yes, they stunk but come on! I am already paying hundreds of dollars to travel across country and now I have to pay an extra 12 bucks for the crappy meal! You must be joking right? Save your crap-o-meal for some other rich sucker, for now I will stick to bringing my own food until they catch on and start charging me to do that as well.
2. On the food topic they are rarely giving out snacks such as peanuts and pretzels. Where do they even find someone to manufacture the bags that hold five mini pretzels and about 15 peanuts anyway? Can't you at least give us a normal size bag that mom pack in kids lunches? Or go back to the original size they used to be before you started to go cheap.
3. You want a drink? Oh well you are lucky if you even get a glass full of your favorite soft drink. Ice fills the entire cup (why? because it is cheaper) so you are lucky to get about 3 gulps of liquid on your flight. Cans? Haha, I don't think so!
4. Has anyone noticed the seats getting smaller and closer together? Well that is because they are! Yes, a 50 pound, 4'5 inch genius decided that the rest of America is also that tiny and came up with a plan to shove more people onto a plane. Make smaller seats and put them closer together. Well guess what genius, most of America is NOT that small and needs more room. I find myself sniffing Mr. Greasy hair in front of me and me practically holding hands with the person next to me because of your genius idea! Also, if you did not know they charge you for seat location. Windows and isles are more then the middle seat or a seat near the stinky restroom.
5. Back in the day you could watch a movie or listen to the music for free. Yes, for FREE. Not any longer. They charge you for ear phones which they have so cleverly designed to be all different in the plug in units each airline uses. Not a huge deal since this was in place for years but what is starting to annoy me is that after they charge me 5 bucks for them they are trying to collect them back! Get out of town. You want it back then don't charge me 5 bucks for it in the first place.
6. Every single flight I have been on leaving or entering Philadelphia has been LATE! What the heck is that about? How hard is it to load a plane and empty it? I get every now and again you run into a problem but EVERY SINGLE time?! Yet, my seat gets taken away if I am late. Why can't I charge you for a late flight? Only fair I think. I have places to go too.
7. Lost luggage. Come on, seriously? My flight from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, a 45 minute trip there they managed to lose my luggage. A 45 minute flight! How hard is it. Put a damn tag that says where its going in very LARGE print on my bag and drive it to the freakin plane. On my flight back a day and a half later guess what? Yep, lost my luggage from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia! This flight was only 35 minutes. The only explanation I can come up with is that they have people who can NOT read trying to figure out where my bag is going.
8. Security...I am all for it but what I am not for is rooting through my personal bag. You cut the locks off but yet I feel they need to be on there from so many that have reported items stolen from luggage. That is real nice. Yep, everyday hundreds report missing items from their luggage. It has been recommended you remove tags from new clothing because those are the first things the steal. Yet don't you dare try and stop it by locking your bag because they will snip that lock right on off!
9. Security #2...I do NOT feel any safer when everyone has to remove their shoes a mile back to have them go through security. All the technology out there and no one can come up with a system that works better? I am tired of walking on a dirty floor for miles. Yes, some will say just bring a pair of flip flops. Or, its for your safety. They will find some other way to hide stuff and then before you know it everyone will have to go through security naked.
10. People with the large bags. What ever happened to the box? You know the one if you couldn't fit your item into it, it was too large to take onboard. Now I take a small bag and a purse on the plane and put my purse under my seat which allows me what little leg room is left due to the cramped seating arrangements now. I put my small bag above but learn there is no room because of the LARGE ridiculous bags people are now allowed to bring aboard. Then the hostess comes around lifts my small bag up and asks, "who's bag is this?" "Can we put this bag under your seat to make room for the overly large bags that cant fit under the seats?" My answer is NO! Not my fault they had to be so rude and bring a large bag. Put my small bag under their seat since they are sitting so comfortably with nothing under theirs.
11. The newest one is charging customers for a second luggage. WHAT? Say it aint so. I think the dimwits did this because remember they hired a non intelligent nincompoop who cant read to put the bags on the plane. Charging me extra for a second luggage! INSANITY I tell you.
12. incompetent employees and cranky hostess. I get you have to deal with customers but do you realize we are cranky because of all the things we had to just endure on our trip? I mean I printed my receipt and notice about 50 different kinds of taxes for the original flight that cost me 100 bucks now costs me with all that about 350 bucks. I must leave 4 hours before my flight in order to miss traffic and ensure some ninny doesn't give my seat away. I then have to stand in line to check in because the self check lines are all closed. Passengers who can't be responsible and wake up on time gets to cut in line because they will miss their flights. I continue standing in line because there are about a half dozen flight employees standing around doing absolutely nothing while the line continues to grow and 2 people are actually doing work. Then I must empty my pockets, take off all my accessories (earrings, rings, watch, bracelets, necklaces, belts, etc), take off my coat, take out all small liquids and put them in a clear baggy that is the accurate size, take out my computer from the computer bag if I have it with me, take off my shoes and walk another mile while holding all these items, and deal with the big mouth with a badge yelling at me to have my ticket and ID in my hand and keep the line moving. After I get back dressed and replace all my items back to where they were in the first place I get motioned to be pulled over to the side to be wand down. Spread them! They get to my boobs and ask, "are you wearing an under wire?" "Yes", I simply state. "We recommend when you come to the airport you don't wear that kind of bra, it makes our job that much harder." Oh well excuse me, wouldn't want to do that. Now I have about a 2 mile hike to my gate with kids running amuck and idiots on their cell phones stopping in the walk way. I realize I have to go to the ladies room and have to stand in a 20 min line. Don't get me started on the dealings of a ladies restroom! I finally come out and see a seat to rest my exhausted body. I plop down and realize my gate has been change to the other side of the terminal! Now my flight boards soon so up I get with all my stuff in toe. I begin to race to the new gate. I am now sweating and a little frustrated. FYI, this is why some people have unpleasant odors on the plane. ;) Now I load and have to deal with no room for my small bags, people taking up my seat room, smelly haired man in front of me, no meal and a snotty hostess! NOW DO YOU SEE WHY WE ARE CRANKY PASSANGERS?! DEAL WITH IT!

So my question to America is why do we let them get away with this? They charge us for EVERYTHING and I don't get delivered on time, my bags don't show up, which I paid for and their is absolutely NO customer service. Someone tell me why in this day and age we deal with this?

Some funny videos, enjoy.

MIA

I know I haven't blogged in a bit but my life has been busy and then not so much. All the things that have been keeping me busy are not worthy of writing about. I havd always wanted to just write about things that spark any kind of emotion. I haven't done so because I am not the best of writers and I am also affraid of making people mad if they don't agree with my opinions. However, I sit here and think, well I have an empty blog and might as well just go for it. I would love to get others opinions on things so might as well just go for it, right? So, stay tuned...

Spring

Thank the heavens spring is finally here! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE spring and all the flowers. PA is beautiful this time of year. Everything blooms with so many different colors, so many flowers and everything is green again. I got my flowers planted this past week and am pretty happy how they turned out. I just was a little surprised how expensive flowers can be but it is so well worth it.

Can't wait for the showers to stop so we can enjoy the deck. Lovin it!

HAPPY SPRING!

What in the world???

I totally get how cool it is to look up at the Washington monument. It is simply amazing. It also looks like it is moving but all this can be done by just simply standing on two feet and tilting your head back. But all around the monument you will see people like our friend here who I also find is simply hysterical because of how ridiculous he looks. Nice socks my friend!

Then we have this girl. Wearing practically nothing, a red purse and fur boots. Not just any fur boots but green fur boots mind you! From your top to your feet you are a huge fashion don't! Oh and tell the boyfriend to cut his hair!

This leads me to say...WHAT IN THE WORLD???

Our Capitol

Went to Washington DC this past weekend to see the festivities of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The trees are beautiful the festival itself was a flop in my opinion. Not enough culture, which I had thought there would have been. So off we went to tour around town, or so we thought! Turns out that you need tickets in advance to do much of anything in DC now. Washington monument, tickets are handed out morning of, first come first serve and after that your out of luck! We strolled on over to the Holocaust museum and guess what, yep, need tickets in advance to get into a museum too! All sold out for the day! It was very disappointing to go to our nations capital and be declined into going into anything. What happened to waiting in a line and going in? The weather was 70 degrees with 96 % humidity! Welcome to the East Coast! Haha! The day wasn't bad though, we got plenty of exercise and got to see some sites from afar. It was an adventure. Hope to get back to do some of the things we couldn't do this trip, we will make sure to get tickets next time! Duh, who would have guessed!

Cemetery Days

Philadelphia is full of wonderful sites with amazing history. I am going to introduce you to one spot that is less traveled by tourists, Laurel Hill Cemetery. You might think I am crazy for suggesting such a place to visit but Laurel Hill is rich in history, has amazing sites because it sits along the Schuylkill River and it is the second largest rural cemetery (or garden cemetery) in the US, making this one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Philadelphia.

A tiny bit of the history:
Rich in culture and the peacefulness, one can walk around for hours and hours learning about individuals that helped shape our nation and now call Laurel Hill home. Laurel Hill Cemetery was founded in 1836 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1998. Laurel Hill contains more than 33,000 monuments and mausoleums. Many of Philadelphia's most distinguished families along with many Revolutionary War figures, 42 Civil war generals and many others are buried here today.

For more information visit: http://www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org/

Itchy and Scratchy

Once a week I am bound to burn myself somewhere, somehow. It is usually my arms, hands or head. I have even stupidly burnt my stomach once with a steamer, lets leave it at that. So this past week I was ironing and went to reach for the starch and my arm hit the iron. OUCH! Since it's still a bit chilly out and long sleeves is not avoidable I decided it would be a smart move to put a large bandage over my wound so rubbing wouldn't occur. Lets just say NOT a good idea, the glue irritated my skin and left a square patch of redness and irritation. If that wasn't enough I began to put ointment on my burn so it wouldn't scar. Well, I did NOT read the ingredients and the ointment had zinc in it and a little burn turned into burnyirritationrashofbumps. Now I am just itching and scratching like crazy!

Easter 2008

This year was spent away from my family, they live in warm, sunny Arizona and I am in Philadelphia. This year was a new memory spent with my boyfriends family. It was a nice time with brunch, I made muffins! For those who know me I am NOT a baker. I can't bake to save my life and don't much enjoy it either. That might be because I am not good at it but anyway, I think they came out pretty well.
Before the day began I woke up to an egg outside my door. There was a note inside leading me to more eggs! All were filled with a note, a coupon (for a message or dinner in the city) and my favorite, chocolate/coconut nests! I also had an Easter basket waiting in the kitchen with some other yummy goodies! All super sweet and a huge surprise. It was a nice start to the day!

Spring is...

Almost here in the city of brotherly love but not just yet. Spring is one of my favorite seasons for many reasons but one of them is flowers. I absolutely LOVE flowers!

Every spring the city hosts "The Philadelphia Flower Show" at the Philadelphia Convention Center. This years theme was New Orleans and it was simply amazing with the live music and Mardi Gras themes.

2008 was full of dancers, a live band, waterfalls, instrument fountains and swamps! It was a very nice tribute to a wonderful city that is New Orleans.

So if by chance you happen to find yourself in the city in early March and the flower show is going on, you should take some time out and go see it. It is amazing what they can do to change a convention center into a wonderland of beautiful gardens! http://www.theflowershow.com/

The First

This is the first blog entry so please give me a little slack. I have no clue what I am doing but that's nothing new!

I thought I would start this to be able to share thoughts, feeling and my ramblings.
So here we go with the fun adventures of me...