Happy Turkey Day!

Sorry for being so absent! I spent the last weekend in Iowa with my college friends and had a wonderful time. I haven't had much schoolwork to do, but my job this week will keep me busy! Tomorrow, however, I close at work which means Black Friday shopping! Definitely looking forward to that, although the ads this year aren't all that great. I'm thinking about re-doing our bedding with different colors but haven't yet decided.

Today, the Boyfriend and I are off to both our families' Thanksgivings. Lots of driving but lots of food! Oh, and to wrap up my "I'm thankful for..." postings, I've made a list:

I'm thankful for...

1. The Boyfriend, who is always there for me

2. My parents, who only want the best for my future

3. My vibrant sisters, who are passionate little buggers

4. My friends, who don't let time or distance get in the way

5. Good health and well-being

6. My cuddly, spunky kitties

7. My education, which is coming to an end!

8. A reliable vehicle, to get me where I need to go

9. Food in my fridge (and in my tummy, soon!)

10. Overall, I'm thankful for a very nice life and great people I surround myself with!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

(picture from here)

tattoo photo shoot

In just over a week, I will be doing a photo shoot. Nothing too fancy, but the photos will be of my tattoo(s). Meaning I'll probably have my top off, and maybe strip down to just my panties. Holy crap, I'm nervous!

Don't get me wrong, I'm super flattered and excited, but I'm going to be wearing little clothing. And these photos are going to be hanging out in the tattoo shop where I got them done. Scary! I'm definitely feeling a bit self-conscious...

First thought, I'm gonna need a great hair and makeup plan. Oh, and I think this calls for an undies shopping trip. So yeah, I guess I'm totally thrilled. Wish me luck!

Second, tomorrow I am leaving for Iowa to visit my friends! It's been so long, and I can't wait to hang out with them, even if it is just for the weekend. YAY!

(angelina jolie pic here)

Skinny Bitch

So while I've been spending the majority of my time in bed or on the couch the past few days, I've been reading "Skinny Bitch", a book recommended by a friend. I purchased the book just a few days ago. Always having been interested in nutrition, I thought, what the heck, I might as well see what all the fuss is about.

The first few chapters had me giggling about the very straightforward manner that the authors write in. It's no nonsense and hysterical because of that. It's bossy, there's swear words, but it's damn good information. However, having grown up with a nutritionally-conscious mother, I knew most of the information that they presented in the beginning chapters. Fresh facts with a fresh perspective kept me intrigued.

Then we get to the tough stuff: they try to convince you to be vegan. Are these women persuasive? Hell yeah. But I just don't think I have the time, energy, skills, or patience to turn my eating habits around to that extent. Oh, and I really don't think the BF would love his BBQ chicken to be replaced with brussel sprouts.

Am I going to finish the book? Absolutely. Did I learn a lot? Of course. And yes, there are non-vegan topics in this book that I will attempt to adopt into my life. If you're considering reading this book, I would. It's an easy read and an experience, even if you don't agree with everything they are pushing.

Oh, and today I am thankful for the wisdom that comes with age. Looking at my 17 year old sister makes me appreciate how much I've matured in just a few short years.

feeling like death

So I've been sick for the last few days, crossing my fingers that it isn't swine flu. Had to go to work today anyway and worked 7 hours which was a bad idea because now I feel 10 times crappier than before. Anyway, that's my excuse for not blogging much.

Today I am grateful for my cozy comforter and my awesome couch.

More updates soon, I swear.

P.S. I got employee of the month! Yay!

Thankful... #2 and #3

I am thankful for two things today:

I've been realizing lately what a small world it is... I was in a restaurant on campus watching the news and the story of the Random Lake, WI girl who was shot at Fort Hood game across the screen. Her name is Amber Bahr and she was shot in the back but continued to help others before seeking help herself. What a heroine! I couldn't get it out of my head that her name sounded familiar, but I shook it off.

I later realized that while I was a senior in high school, she was a sophomore! She's changed since high school, so I assume that's why I didn't recognize her at first. How crazy is that? It's such a small world... my high school was very small, maybe 250 people total in all four classes. I think it's mind boggling that this modern-day heroine passed me in the halls just a few years ago.

I am thankful for heroes like Amber who put others before themselves.

The basement renovation my parents have been working on for months is finally complete. The bathroom no longer looks like a scene from Saw, and there's carpeting on the floor. Two closets create a bedroom space and a large window brings in beautiful, natural light. In about a month and a half, I will be moving yet again, but this time into my parents' basement with the Boyfriend so that we can kickstart our lives by saving up some money.

I am thankful for my parents who would do just about anything to help me out.

(photo of Amber from here)

I'm thankful for... #1

So another wonderful blogger over at Ramblins... is naming something she's grateful for every day this month. I have decided that it would be in my best interest to copy her and hopefully help myself see the silver lining in things.

Like I've mentioned a lot lately, school is kicking my butt this semester, and I tend to get caught up in my frustrations and end up in really awful moods. So, I am going to do my very best to post something every day til Thanksgiving that I am thankful for.

I am going to start with something blatantly obvious: I am very grateful for my wonderful boyfriend (cue the "aww"s). He has helped me stay sane though various changes in my life, he is a fantastic friend, and he is always there to help me when I need it. Sure, he's not one for cooking dinner, unless you call Hamburger Helper or frozen pizza a real dinner, but its the thought that counts. He keeps me stable and is always looking out for me and helping me see the good things. We love watching movies together and we always fight over who gets the best blanket to cuddle under. He is the very best, and I couldn't ask for anyone better to spend my time with.

(picture from here)

new month resolutions

Sure, it may only be the first of November, but I think it's already resolution time for me. My life has been hectic lately so I think making resolutions will help me remember what's important so I can get back on track. Now, there are plenty of things I'd love to change that I haven't been very good at or have tried to change in the past but failed. But that's the nice thing about resolutions: you're looking ahead to a better you rather than worrying about the past.

So what's on my list?

Be more tidy and clean. The bathroom cleaner and vacuum are my friends, and it only take a few minutes every day to pick up after myself. I was doing really well keeping things neat and tidy, but with school keeping me so busy, I quickly fell out of that habit. I need to stop letting my mess get out of hand. This includes...

Doing the dishes daily. Ugh, how I loathe doing dishes. However, ten minutes of washing each day is better than the nasty pile that consists of a weeks worth of grimy dishes. I hate it, but it needs to be done.

Plan healthy meals. This is going to be a tough one, without a doubt. I want to be healthy, really I do, but the Boyfriend and I continuously find ourselves late in the evening without a plan for dinner. This results in either eating fast food or going to the store for something quick and easy (that's code for hamburger helper, pizza, or chicken and a bag-o-pasta). Planning ahead for healthy meals will also give me a chance to clip coupons to save money.

Exercise. The Boyfriend and I are extremely lucky in the fact that we both have high metabolisms and are both fairly thin. This doesn't give us an excuse to be out of shape, however, which I definitely am. I get winded carrying groceries up one flight of stairs! No good. I need to bust out that yoga video again (which I've only used once) and keep nagging the Boyfriend to buy an exercise bike with me.

Hopefully I try and make these good habits a part of my daily routine. Am I a little doubtful? Maybe, but that doesn't mean I won't try.

What kind of things would be on your resolution list?

(comic from here)