Thursday, August 8, 2013

To roommate or NOT to roommate.... this is the question


As you saw yesterday, part of my goals to get out of my funk is to find a place to live. The DC area is probably one of the most expensive places to live and when you are on a teacher's salary, you have to get creative with almost everything you purchase :) 

So I am thinking roommate, even though I haven't done this since college and my first experience was horrible, while my second awesome. Any advice on how to find a good roommate? I'm kind of lost on where to start.

Some suggestions I have gotten:

  • Ask co-workers if they have any friends interested
  • Craigslist
My other question is - HOW DO YOU SPOT A CRAZY GIRL!!?? I couldn't live with a guy, I just don't think I could do it. I was thinking of doing a Questionnaire - is that too weird? So I could ask some simple questions - hobbies, cleaning, etc. and see if we would mesh well together? Again, haven't done this since college and the questionnaire seemed to work in college :)

I'll keep you posted on the hunt. Until next time...

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Down.....


I have never really told anyone that I have been a Depression sufferer. I had my first session with it in high school and another in college. I recently realized I was having this same problem again. Sometimes it is hard to admit that you are feeling down and needing some support.

Encase you are unfamiliar with the symptoms:

I am feeling all of these except suicide - THANK GOD! I don't know what I would do if I felt those things. Luckily, I have an amazing physician who listened to me and helped me figure out what I want to do moving forward.


So here is my list of things I think I need to do immediately to get me back on track:

  • Move out - currently searching
  • Work on my schedule - gym time, fun, work, doctor, vacation
  • Plan a vacation
  • Do a make over - get my hair & nails done, massage, go shopping
  • Plan some fun events with friends
  • Clean out my closet
  • DIY - I used to love doing this and am so unmotivated lately, so find some things for me to do
So far I have ups and downs. Some days are better than others, but I guess that is how it is even when I'm not depressed. Life will go on and I will get through this! I shall keep you posted on how I'm doing with my ideas to make myself feel better.

Until next time...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Oklahoma Recap

So I have to share the most awesome experience I had in Oklahoma. I really enjoyed getting away from DC and share some time with my family. What an eventful weekend. Here is what welcomed me to Oklahoma - my Aunt's next door neighbors have a horse, he would follow me each day during my runs and I would pet his sweet head.

Patrick - the weenier dog was bit by a snake and his poor face blew up. He spent a night in the doggie hospital, luckily he didn't have any health problems, and the snake was found so we were able to confirm it was a Copperhead.  Patrick is white and brown. Taby is the totally brown one.
My cousin who is 22, convinced me to go line dancing - which I have never done before! OMG did I have so much fun. We did every dance from Cupid Shuffle, Wobble, to Boot Scoot-in Boogie. I found my new dancing boots as well. I'm very excited to purchase them.
I yelped Line Dancing so I am going to have to try it out in the DC area and keep you posted. If you know of any good places, you will have to let me know. So excited.

For once, I didn't have any flying fears which is new to me, I've always been afraid of flying but this trip I was extremely relaxed. The only way to Tulsa is a two way flight - which I went through Chicago. I have never really been there before only the airport! :) I met some of the nicest people on my flights which NEVER happens to me and I love talking to random people! 

Until next time...

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Oops I did it again....

I swear I am a technology person and love it. For some reason though, the "schedule" option on blogger, doesn't like me. Why? I guess I will never know. So today is technically my "Monday" since I took a week off of work to go visit family and recharge myself. 

As I am walking into work work, I decided that I would purchase a new iPhone cover because I have been too lucky without a case. So of course, I take a bathroom break today and guess what happens, check it out:
Luckily, the school has insurance so I only have to pay $50 to get a new one. So that is what I am going to do and put my brand new otterbox case on it. So hopefully, I will be a better technology person. I guess it happens to the best of us??? Okay, I'm clumsy we all know this!

Until next time...


Saturday, July 20, 2013

Sopranos Addiction and my Speed Dial Wish List

Okay so ever since James Gandolfini's death which is so tragic, I knew I wanted to watch the Sopranos. I have heard from so many it is the best show in the world. Well, if you know me, I have to find out for myself, that is how I always have been. 

I have to say, Tony, while I don't agree with everything he does from a moral stand point, is a completely cool guy. He makes it onto my Speed Dial wish list, which I will get to in a few minutes.

The character development is phenomenal, you grow to like almost every single character in their own way. I am on season 4 right now and I have only been happy about 1 character dying because he was a real scum bag weirdo! Yes, I watch it almost 24/7 because when I start something, I want to finish it. I had no idea that his wife Carmella is Nurse Jackie - she looks so different in that show. 

My Speed Dial Wish List
So this came about a couple of years ago and I love it. I have my speed dial wish list of people, that if I were in crisis I wish I could call for real.

Jack Bauer from 24 if you remember that show
Any problems with foreign enemies this would be my guy!
House
Medical Problems - I'd call this one
MacGyver
Need something built out of nothing in no time flat, I'd call this one
Han Solo & Chewbacca
Aliens, Zombies, anything sci-fi problem, I'd call this guy!

Tony Soprano
Need help with anything else, I'd call this guy, my newest addition to my speed dial list.

Who's on your dream speed dial wish list???

Until next time...

Friday, July 19, 2013

Happy Weekend!

So I am off to OKKKKKKLAHOMA - where the wind comes sweeping down the lane. 


Yes, every time I go visit family, I hear this song over and over so it is ingrained in my brain to do this. It is a small town and an experience every time. It is nice to get away from the hussle and bussle of DC but I am always happy to return because who doesn't love the "city life". Yes, I know I'm crazy, but I cannot help myself, I LOVE being busy and having things accessible to me at all hours of the day. I will keep you updated of my trip!

Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Bachelorette Moment

If you haven't figured out already, I have reality TV problems. I love them. They make my life feel so normal. I was watching this season on DVR, I always wait and watch a bunch of episodes at once. So I just finished this weeks episode the home town dates. ****This has a spoiler. She kicks off Zak W. I won't lie he was my favorite. Who am I kidding, I'd love to date him. I actually laugh out loud on a lot of their dates. He comes out of the limo with no shirt on and asks if she will accept these abs! Oh I about peed in my pants for that one. 


So my confession at the end of this episode. Like the nut I am, I cried. I know, I know it's a TV show what is wrong with you. The look on his face though just made you remember your own heart break and how nice people get heartbroken all the time. It is more than just love that makes a relationship work - it's timing and circumstances. He is the full package and will find someone. The one thing he did that was super special was gave Desiree a ring at the hometown date and said he wanted to put it on her finger at the end. She did give it back when she dumped him and he THREW IT OUT THE WINDOW! I would have done the exact same thing so I applaud him for that. You showed her. Well, this gentlemen will have no trouble finding a woman to date now. I wouldn't be surprised if they make him the next Bachelor - maybe I should apply for that season? I would never! Don't worry.

Until next time...

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

HAPPY HUMP DAY! Youtube Style

HUMP DAY COMMERCIAL 

If you haven't been under a rock like I guess I have been lately, the above link is to the Geico commercial with the camel on hump day. Oh my gosh did I pee in my pants laughing when I saw this commercial. I guess since I DVR, Hulu, and ondemand my shows and movies now, I don't really see commercials but wow I love this one. 

We are getting close to the weekend. I am so loving weekends this summer. Pool time, relaxing, sleeping in, and yes the occasional adult beverage - Relaxation is at the top of my list this summer.

Until next time...


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

I guess I'm not so athletic.....

So clumsy is an understatement for me.... Let me set this up for you. 1st inning, 1st girl up to bat is the beautiful and talented... ME. Okay talented in the softball sense is not really true. In my head I am telling myself to hit everything, because let's be real here, if I don't swing at everything I'll never ever hit it. First pitch, I swing and I hit it, pretty far for me. The running  begins, I trip over my own feet and slide into 1st base. My team mates think I am doing this on purpose. I started to let them believe it but my fabulous best friend knew I tripped over myself, called me out, and laughed at me. Okay, I deserved it. My battle scares include the photo below, skinned up legs, cut up arm and a sprained hand. I am struggling to type this post right now.


I'm so good at softball they made me catcher. For those of you who know nothing about softball, this is where you put your worst player. They can't really screw things up. I did catch a ball at home plate and get someone out. Next time I am going to make it all around the bases.

So needless to say, today I am feeling like an old fart who needs advil and ice on my hand. Thank God I have a week to recover, I am definitely going to need it. Gooooooo clumsy people, we rock.

Until next time...

Monday, July 15, 2013

Monday Funday - Softball - 30 before 30 completed!!!!!


So tonight is my first game with my softball team that I joined. Background: it is a bunch of teachers who are looking to kick some serious butt, meet new people, stay in shape, and have fun! This has been one on my before 30 list that I thought I would have serious trouble doing. I'm VERY clumsy and competitive which sounds like it wouldn't make sense but for me it does. I grew up a swimmer so being clumsy never really was a problem, except during winter swim I did fall in from the blocks because I lost my footing. Encase you don't know what they look like, I put one below:
This is a coed team that I joined and I am sure excited to meet new people and have fun!! Hopefully I won't embarrass myself and actually catch/hit a ball. We shall see!

Until next time...

Sunday, July 14, 2013

AMAZON STORE!!!


Yes, after doing a garage sale, I update my inventory on my amazon store. The items I felt were still able to get money on are on my amazon store. If you haven't heard of being able to sell on amazon, I highly recommend it. I am one of those people who has purchased a lot of items in my day assuming I will use them or ending up not being able to, then I have lost the receipt so I cannot return it. I don't want to throw it away and this has been an awesome way to make some extra money. Here is how it works:


  • I have an email account solely for this so I can see when I have a new order
  • I get an email when someone purchases an item
  • You log into your seller account
  • Print the Packing Slip
  • Purchase shipping - much cheaper than going to the post office - print the shipping label
  • Put everything together and mail it out
Some tips for making this work:
  • I use priority usps so I can get FREE shipping materials from their website
  • I have the free stuff sent to my house and have a little assembly line set up in my basement
  • Books, DVDs, are very hot items and sell pretty consistently.
  • It will take time to add everything to your inventory, it is so worth it, I did everything I could by UPC codes first, then searched for items that did not have it.


You can do a free one or you can become an individual seller which is $40 a month I believe. The information on getting started is below:


Hope you learned a lot of new stuff this weekend to make yourself a little extra cash!!!

Until next time..

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Garage Saleing it!


Today my neighbors and I had an AWESOME garage sale. I live on a circle so we all decided to have a garage sale and get rid of all that junk I have sitting in my basement that is collecting dust. Here is what I sold:

  • DVDs
  • Books
  • Clothes
  • Belts
  • PURSES - this was the hot item
  • Shoes 
  • Beauty Products that I have never used
  • Furniture
  • Electronics
  • Cell phones - I had a ton of old cell phones with the chargers
  • Cords - USBs most popular
  • Play Station 2 with games

We made $500. We made this in 3 and half hours. I wish I made that much in my job. We didn't really have any large purchases, except the Play Station 2 - I had gotten it as a going to college present and I made used it 10 times. It got swept away in 5 minutes I'm not kidding.

Places to post your garage sale:

*****Suggestions on posting for your garage sale: 
  • BE SPECIFIC on what items you are selling
  • Post pictures if you can, especially of items you are wanting to get rid of furniture/toys. 
  • People are happy to come check it out but many people had a mission and came looking for specifics. The play station sold in 5 minutes because I posted it specifically. 

***** Suggestions on organizing your items for sale: 
  • For electronic items I put them in baggies and labeled them. The cell phones had the phone with charger. 
  • Of course put like items together.
  • Clothing items I put up a bar and hung everything, including the purses at first - I actually suggest putting them out on a table people liked being able to look at them and touch them.
  • Flip flops were a HOT item - I had a bunch I only wore 1 time so everyone wanted them.
**** Other lessons learned: 
  • In the morning or when you open have your prices higher people will pay that price. Lower the prices as the day goes on.
  • Some people will want to negotiate with you so if your price is a bit higher than you are wanting, you will get the price you are desiring. 
  • I was surprised most people did not negotiate. 
  • Multi-family is the way to go, so if you want to have one ask your neighbors, I definitely feel more people came because they could look at more than one sale at a time. 
  • Have CHANGE!!! This was so helpful - thank you mom for thinking of this.
  • Find a neighbor with a truck - all of the items we didn't sell we took to my church who does a hand out service to families in need. They were so excited to get this stuff - or good will or whoever you want!
Until next time...

Friday, July 12, 2013

YAY for Fridays!

Look what I got, good guys still do exist:

They were delivered to me at work after being canceled on. When does this happen in the 21st century? Especially after the week I have had. This was phenomenal. I won't lie I am feeling pretty lucky.

HAPPY FRIDAY!
Until next time...

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Tough Week



As I posted earlier this week, I had a co-worker and student's father pass. Not to mention in the celebrity world their seems to be a lot of death as well. The story behind my co-worker's death has come out. She was 26 years old, at her best friends wedding dancing at the reception. She had a heart attack while dancing. The paramedics were able to revive her at the wedding and transported her to the hospital, this was on Friday night, she was unconscious until Sunday morning when she had a second heart attack and passed. Such a baby, not married yet and living life to the fullest.

She has definitely opened my eyes to reminding me why I made this blog and all of the things that I want to accomplish before I turn 30. When I pass I want people to be able to say the same things about me - I always lived life to the fullest and had no regrets. She worked for me during after-school program. My favorite memory of her is that she was freaking out one afternoon not able to find her wallet. We searched her classroom, everywhere she had been that day because she swore she brought it in that morning. After an hour of looking, we decided to cancel her cards and order a new license. She then proceeds to go home. 5 minutes later she comes into the school again holding her wallet. She had left it in her car. We laughed for about 15 minutes! It was hysterical, the only place we didn't look and there it was.

My student has lots of health problems, but you would never know it. She always has a smile on her face, not to mention when you hear her laugh you cannot help but smile from ear to ear. She is a true inspiration. To have her father pass just makes my heart hurt and it was already aching from my co-worker. Her mother had disowned her after finding out she had so many health problems. She luckily has an aunt and uncle who have taken over custody and they live pretty close to the school. 

I feel like God continually is showing me how lucky I am and don't waste my time here on earth. I'm not going to. Lots of 30 before 30 in the works. Cannot wait to share with you! ***** All images were found on a google search.

Until next time...

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

World War Z Movie Review

IMDB

World War Z Movie Review

I finally was able to go and see this movie. I have an incredible entertainment interest is Zombies. I watch Walking Dead etc. and very much enjoy the story line.

This movie opens up with Brad Pitt's Family and gets right into the action within the first 15 minutes. What a great way to start a movie. The Zombies in this movie are thought to have been started from an outbreak of a flu like pandemic. You find out it started in China and Israel finds out about it and builds a wall to keep them out, the only place that is currently not invested. 

The Zombies in this movie change within 12 seconds, are FAST, almost seem to have super powers, do not bite people who are already sick which is the important factor is trying to beat ZOMBISIM.  Yes, I made up a word.

I don't want to ruin the ending however, it is my favorite part. So don't read any further if you don't want to know. They do not find a cure and set up for a sequel of course, but that is what makes this movie so scary, it sounds like it could really happen. Cannot wait to see the next one.

Until next time...

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Torn up Tuesday!

It is an extremely sad day for me. I have come to find out about two deaths of people I care about. 

First is a co-worker, who is 2 years younger than I am. She had a heart problem that we anticipate she didn't know about. VERY SCARY. "Only the good die young" song comes to mind. She is probably the sweetest girl I have ever met. So nice and caring. A special ed teacher at my school. Just brings tears to my eyes for her family.

One of my student's father's passed yesterday. She has a lot of health issues herself so this is especially trying for her. 

It is one of those days where I am waiting for the next blow to happen. Luckily I have a ton of work to do so I am going to focus on that.

Tomorrow will be a happy post! Promise. 

Until next time...

Monday, July 8, 2013

Happy Monday Morning!

I'm having one of these kind of days:
My best friend in the world got real with me last night. And can I tell you how refreshing it is to have someone who loves you so much that they nicely tell you, you are nuts. Well, she did and I appreciate her for this! We will get to this in a moment - I need to set this up for you:

I always joke about how I want a Channing Tatum look alike for my future husband. Let's be real, I walk around Washington DC on the reg and have not seen a single Channing Tatum look like, not even a close second. This depresses me. I want a blue eyed, slightly tanned and toned dream boat to fall in love with. I didn't think this would be so hard to find, oh my friend but it is. I've always been attracted to blue eyed dream boats, every one of my boyfriends - minus one (he had green eyes) is a blue eyed dream boat. 

He is currently on the cover of Vanity Fair, while waiting at the grocery store of course I look at the article. This boy make the ugly Christmas sweater look friggin' hot, I kid you not. 
I won't lie I have been in celebrity love with Tatum since he was in "She's the man" with my bff Amanda Bynes was out in 2006. I say bff because my students always ask if I am related to Amanda Bynes when they find out my name, supposedly I act like her from this movie and a few other, I hope that her melt downs though. We are talking 8 years of Channing Tatum love and movie watching. 
I will if I had been in high school when this movie came out I would have been bummed that high school boys do not look this good. 

Okay back to my point, my best friend told me that my expectations are unrealistic. Let me tell you, I needed to hear that. Why? because Disney and all other love stories have ruined me. I want the happily ever after that you see in movies and read and this is just not real life. I need a man that has a personality of the looks of Channing Tatum, this will be much more worth it in the long run than a pretty face. As my very wise grandmother told me, looks fade. She also use to tell me this hysterical riddle, "When I'm old and feeble and my pilot light is out, what used to be my sex appeal is now my water spout." Obviously this is more for a male, but she could make me laugh like crazy with this saying. I need that person who's water spout I will never tire of. Oh did I really just say that? Yes I did. The personality of my forever and ever babe, will be what I need my whole life. I'm going to get real with myself and more realistic, I want to be happy and not a loner the rest of my life. I'm allergic to cats so I can't become the cat lady. Have you ever heard of a dog lady?? I guess that will be me!

Now that I have totally freaked you out :) What can I say, I am honest, real, and will never make this crap up! Continue enjoying your July!

Until next time...