It's been 18 months since my last post. That is terrible.
Goals for 2014:
1. Update my blog more often.
2. Read 30 books.
3. Read 10,000 pages (I read less books this year than I did last year, but I read MORE pages. So this year I am also setting a pages goal).
I am hoping that I will have time to read after May, when I have a newborn. At the very least, I can start audiobooks while I clean/cook again.
I just wanted to put my goals on "paper". Sort of hold myself accountable.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Finally!!
So two Thursdays ago (July 12) we FINALLY went to settlement and closed on our house! It only took 4 tries. And there was a tiny issue with a dead tree from the derecho, however, it was not a dealbreaker (and the fact that it is still in my new, spacious backyard doesn't bother me.) After we closed, Nate and I came back here to scrub the walls and tape the ceiling. And then we spent the next 3 days painting every room in the house (aside from the hallway, since we didn't want to nick the new paint when we moved in our furniture). (My chiropractor gently suggested I hire someone next time). Nate rented a RugDoctor and steam cleaned all the carpets (previous owners had cats). And on Wednesday, we rented a truck and moved in our furniture!
Then we made 6 more trips with our cars and Nate's fantastic friend's Jeep (seriously, Scott, you were a lifesaver!). And I've got one more trip to do, to clean up the place and remove the last couple of boxes.
But we are in our brand new house! YAY!
In the news...
Nate took all of last week off to move (originally, it was so we could go on vacation to Virginia, but then we bought a house. Best. Choice. Ever!.). He worked super hard moving everything and on Thursday night, exhausted as we were, we treated ourselves (and my sister and her boyfriend) to see the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Although it was slightly difficult to stay awake until 3 in the morning, it was totally worth it.
Comcast was coming "early" the next morning, so I woke up at 8:30 and turned on the news. And all four major news programs and CNN were all showing the same headlines. A mass shooting at a Batman midnight premiere in Colorado. 70 people injured. At least 10 fatalities.
For the rest of the day I could not turn CNN off.
Its heartbreaking. There are no other words.
Then we made 6 more trips with our cars and Nate's fantastic friend's Jeep (seriously, Scott, you were a lifesaver!). And I've got one more trip to do, to clean up the place and remove the last couple of boxes.
But we are in our brand new house! YAY!
In the news...
Nate took all of last week off to move (originally, it was so we could go on vacation to Virginia, but then we bought a house. Best. Choice. Ever!.). He worked super hard moving everything and on Thursday night, exhausted as we were, we treated ourselves (and my sister and her boyfriend) to see the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Although it was slightly difficult to stay awake until 3 in the morning, it was totally worth it.
Comcast was coming "early" the next morning, so I woke up at 8:30 and turned on the news. And all four major news programs and CNN were all showing the same headlines. A mass shooting at a Batman midnight premiere in Colorado. 70 people injured. At least 10 fatalities.
For the rest of the day I could not turn CNN off.
Its heartbreaking. There are no other words.
Monday, July 9, 2012
pack a box, read a chapter...
Our closing got pushed back again. The new date is this Thursday. While its super frustrating that we keep changing the date, this gives me more time to pack so that after we paint this coming weekend, we can actually move everything in.
In the meantime, I am attempting (again) the Nest Book Club Summer Book Challenge. Which means that in the last week, I have borrowed 6 books from the library (3 of which are brand-new-never-before-been-borrowed books - Insurgent, Spellbound, and Between the Lines). So I have been faced with a dilemma. I just want to lay on the couch, with Sex and the City in the background, and read. However, I have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a family room to pack up. In addition to my two shifts at the GAP this week (one of which is only 3 1/2 hours. Not quite sure what the deal is with that.)
So, as my father suggested, I will be packing a box, then reading a chapter.
Starting with Spellbound (because I just got to a REALLY good part).
In the meantime, I am attempting (again) the Nest Book Club Summer Book Challenge. Which means that in the last week, I have borrowed 6 books from the library (3 of which are brand-new-never-before-been-borrowed books - Insurgent, Spellbound, and Between the Lines). So I have been faced with a dilemma. I just want to lay on the couch, with Sex and the City in the background, and read. However, I have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a family room to pack up. In addition to my two shifts at the GAP this week (one of which is only 3 1/2 hours. Not quite sure what the deal is with that.)
So, as my father suggested, I will be packing a box, then reading a chapter.
Starting with Spellbound (because I just got to a REALLY good part).
This is what I did two weekends ago, instead of packing. I na and her sister came over and we drank two bottles of wine and watched Kung Fu movies.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Gone Girl - by Gillian Flynn
I was hooked from the description on Goodreads. Gillian Flynn is a very unique, but twisted, author and I love it! The first half of the book left me feeling a little "WTF?!" for most of it. And I know its intentional, but I absolutely hated both Nick and Amy. Neither main character had any redeeming qualities. I need to admit that the ending made me really angry. I didn't expect it at all, but I didn't like it either. I recommend Gone Girl, though.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Today is my first official day of Summer Vacation! I will miss my two classes immensely, but I am so proud that they are now first graders! I have made sure to start the summer with a jam-packed day. Chiropractor appointment, LIBRARY BOOK PICK UP (my favorite!), insurance appointment, and my summer job for 5 hours.
Busy busy day.
Nate and I are in the process of buying the house next to my parents. It has been the single most stressful experience of my life. More stressful than planning our wedding. More stressful than planning Tiffany's bridal shower and bachelorette party and all of the stress that came with that. This is the worst. But it will totally be worth it in the end.
Although, I wonder if there's a site where you can rate your real estate agent, kind of like you could rate your professors in college?
Its been a rough reading year so far. I am in the middle of two books right now, Defending Jacob and Afterwards, both of which are due back this week and I am only about halfway through each. I am curious about the endings, but not enough to stay up late into the night. They aren't easy reads at all.
Busy busy day.
Nate and I are in the process of buying the house next to my parents. It has been the single most stressful experience of my life. More stressful than planning our wedding. More stressful than planning Tiffany's bridal shower and bachelorette party and all of the stress that came with that. This is the worst. But it will totally be worth it in the end.
Although, I wonder if there's a site where you can rate your real estate agent, kind of like you could rate your professors in college?
Its been a rough reading year so far. I am in the middle of two books right now, Defending Jacob and Afterwards, both of which are due back this week and I am only about halfway through each. I am curious about the endings, but not enough to stay up late into the night. They aren't easy reads at all.
My favorite part of summer - concerts!
*Darius Rucker*
*Darius Rucker*
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Smithville
One of my favorite places to go is Historic Smithville. Yesterday, after lunch with my sister (All You Can Eat Sushi at Tomo), we headed over there. There is a gift shop (http://www.pocketfullofposiesnj.com/) that sells Vera Bradley, which A and I are pretty much obsessed with (it all started with a wristlet in 2010) - we each have, easily, 15 items a piece. We normally go in and browse, and find it impossible to leave without purchasing something (I got a head warmer for bus duty and A got the resort tote and beach towel). Next stop was Through the Looking Glass (http://www.lookingglasstea.bigcartel.com/about-us), which is my favorite tea store. I love the colors in there and their tea is delicious - my favorite is the chocolate chai. We weren't there very long, just long enough for my iced tea to finish brewing. Next, we headed to the Little Egg Harbor Soap Company (http://lehsoap.com/). I only buy soap from here.
A few year ago, my dermatologist prescribed me antibiotic cream for my rosacea. Which only dried out my skin terribly. And no amount of moisturizer could help. Eventually, I stopped using the cream. This past year, I wandered into LEH Soap during Octoberfest (my FAVORITE time to visit Smithville). It was pretty busy - everything gets really packed during Octoberfest. But the woman who was working found time to assist me and recommended the Detox soap and the Bobbisue Therapy soap (alternating the two every other day or so). My skin is so much healthier! I have since started using the Beta-Carrot bars as my all over soap and Nate uses the Men's moisturizing line. I use the Balm on my cuticles and my dry lips (especially in the winter!). Yesterday, my sister got the soap curls, which is their alternative to pump soap. Its vegan and alcohol free! I highly recommend the products here - they really are my favorite skin care line!
Anyway, today I get to go back because I left the bag with my soap curls there. My goal is to leave without purchasing anything new. Wish me luck! I'll probably have a hot tea in my hand, too.
her eyes were bigger than her stomach!
A few year ago, my dermatologist prescribed me antibiotic cream for my rosacea. Which only dried out my skin terribly. And no amount of moisturizer could help. Eventually, I stopped using the cream. This past year, I wandered into LEH Soap during Octoberfest (my FAVORITE time to visit Smithville). It was pretty busy - everything gets really packed during Octoberfest. But the woman who was working found time to assist me and recommended the Detox soap and the Bobbisue Therapy soap (alternating the two every other day or so). My skin is so much healthier! I have since started using the Beta-Carrot bars as my all over soap and Nate uses the Men's moisturizing line. I use the Balm on my cuticles and my dry lips (especially in the winter!). Yesterday, my sister got the soap curls, which is their alternative to pump soap. Its vegan and alcohol free! I highly recommend the products here - they really are my favorite skin care line!
Anyway, today I get to go back because I left the bag with my soap curls there. My goal is to leave without purchasing anything new. Wish me luck! I'll probably have a hot tea in my hand, too.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Spring Break
Spring Break is finally here! Yesterday was the first official day, and I have to tell you, I was already a little bored out of my mind. It felt like a Saturday and Nate was working (as he is today, on an actual Saturday) and I just sat around and read my book (11/22/63, which is a giant book and I am making slow progress on. I need to hurry up because its due back on the 11. Yikes!) I don't know what I am going to do next week, when Nate is working Mon-Friday and I am here, alone. Still.
Yes, I do - I will be reading. I am attempting to do the Spring Book Challenge on the Nest this time. I always start them and never finish. I get bored with the categories or a better book comes along (as in, the library gets in all my holds at once!). But this time, I picked books that I already have on my wishlist at the library (although, one book I am 34 in line, so I might have to rethink that one) or already own. I need to make a concerted effort to read books that are on my 4 bookcases. They aren't just decorations!
In other areas...
Tee's wedding was about a week and a half ago. So much fun! She got married in Disney at the Wedding Pavilion and it was beautiful. Her reception was at the Grand Floridian and half way through Mickey and Minnie and Pluto came to visit! It was, by far, my favorite part of the day - dancing with Mickey Mouse!
Yes, I do - I will be reading. I am attempting to do the Spring Book Challenge on the Nest this time. I always start them and never finish. I get bored with the categories or a better book comes along (as in, the library gets in all my holds at once!). But this time, I picked books that I already have on my wishlist at the library (although, one book I am 34 in line, so I might have to rethink that one) or already own. I need to make a concerted effort to read books that are on my 4 bookcases. They aren't just decorations!
In other areas...
Tee's wedding was about a week and a half ago. So much fun! She got married in Disney at the Wedding Pavilion and it was beautiful. Her reception was at the Grand Floridian and half way through Mickey and Minnie and Pluto came to visit! It was, by far, my favorite part of the day - dancing with Mickey Mouse!
Nate and I at the end of the night, after watching the fireworks outside and dancing all night. (My second favorite part - most of the ladies who were at the reception put on Mickey ears during the dancing. The ears are so fancy now!)
The three of us - me, Jul, and Tee.
(I met Tee when my college roommate (Jul) invited me to Disney for Tee's 21st birthday. I kind of knew her before that, but we became really close after that. So here we are, almost 9 years later, back in Disney!)
(I met Tee when my college roommate (Jul) invited me to Disney for Tee's 21st birthday. I kind of knew her before that, but we became really close after that. So here we are, almost 9 years later, back in Disney!)
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