4 Things

I'm totally stealing this from Lisa's 4 Things Thursday because it was so much fun and I wanted to participate, even if it is Saturday!

Four names that people call me other than my real name:
1.  Sissy (mostly my Mom)
2.  Loni (my old co-workers at the agency this originated from a mis-spelling)
3.  Maria (when agents don't pay attention when I say my name on the phone this is what they hear, not sure how)
4.  Laurie pronounced Laur-ree, I live in the South. My name is Lori, L-or-ee

Four jobs I’ve had:  
1.  Babysitting
2.  Waitress 
3.  Bridal Consultant
4.  Account Manager

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:
1.  Shag
2.  How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
3.  Steele Magnolias
4.  Sleepless in Seattle

These are just a few, I have a really long list of movies that I love!

Four books I’d recommend:
1.  Anything Norah Roberts
2.  Anything Karen Kingsbury
3.  I want God by Lisa Whittle
4.  Choosing to See by MaryBeth Chapman
I have a long list of books too, these are just a few.  

Four places I’ve lived:
1.  Charlotte, NC
2.  Boone, NC
3.  Concord, NC
4. 

I've travelled all over but I've actually only lived in 3 cities. 

Four places I’ve visited:
1. Atlanta area GA
2. Monroeville, PA
3. Minneapolis, MN
4. Northern VA/DC 

This is just the places since September. I have a list of places across the US but I've never been outside the US other than Canada.

Four things I prefer not to eat:
1. Liver 
2. Hamburgers (I will eat ground beef but I do not like to eat beef burgers, I do like ostrich, buffalo or deer)
3. Curry
4. Cranberry from a can

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Sushi
2. Pizza
3. Mexican
4. Hibachi 

Four TV shows I watch
1. Big Bang Theory
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. News
4. Sex and the City (I used to but I don't have the DVD's anymore) 

Four things I’m looking forward to this year:
1.  Christmas
2.  Patrice is having a baby in March
3.  Visiting friends
4.  Changing my last name

Four things I’m always saying:
1. Not my circus not my monkeys
2. It's none of my business
3. Really?
4. "So"

all over the place

I do not love sitting up to sleep. I will say that this helped me breathe and kept me from coughing!

Thanksgiving is now a week away. In all honesty I think that while I've been looking forward to it I'm also kind of apprehensive. This will be my first Thanksgiving without Grandmommy. The holidays were her favorite time of year, she loved having all her family together.

I have so many amazing memories of Thanksgiving at the farm house. I know that life moves forward and new memories are being made. I am thankful we will have Girl Clean for Thanksgiving this year. I'm not sure how Christmas will be worked out this year. Last year we had Girl Clean Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day and then her mom picked her up at 2. This year we'll either have her Christmas Eve or Christmas Day but I'm not yet sure which and it makes me twitchy.

I woke up today and it is cold and rainy. I'm thankful for the rain since we are so behind for the year on total rainfall!

I was perusing Zulily, I get so excited when that email arrives everyday!!! I may have sent an emergency text to Patrice to remind me why I am good with the one child. It was an unexpected moment of ohmygoshthatistoocutemusthavebaby. I haven't had a moment like that in a good 5 years. Thankfully she brought me back to reality.

Honestly with Girl Clean she's so not a baby anymore. She'll be 4 in January and she is such a big kid. I look at pictures from when she first came into my life and it's crazy how much she has grown.

My manager's manager is taking us to lunch today, whooohooo free lunch!!! Happy Thursday!!!

On my drive in

I was driving to work this morning and thinking about yesterday and the turn out for the CFA support day. Then I started thinking about tomorrow and all those who will be coming out. I think it's wonderful that Christians showed their support and now tomorrow Christians have the opportunity to be the example of Jesus's love that we are called to be.

Tomorrow is the chance to show the love that God so wonderfully showed us. I think of the line from the Casting Crowns song, Jesus Friend of Sinners, and the sword is not ours to swing. So tomorrow what if Christians who showed up in support on Wednesday show up again? They take the opportunity to buy a meal, or ice cream, or sweet tea and show love.

Everyone has a story to tell, everyone has something that they could use prayer for. What an amazing opportunity to treat someone to delicious food, and not beat them over the head with how they are a sinner, or why they or wrong, but simply listen, and show love.

Perhaps not everyone will except the offer for a treat but if we show up and extend this love then we will be showing love in a very real and unique way.

Fill in

I got this from Kyria and she got it from someone. I need to do something light, makes me happy.

Maybe I should not have eaten quite so much at lunch, but it was amazing (and free) .
I love the smell of lavender. (and my husband but this was more fun)
People would say that I’m always busy. 
I don’t understand the people who abuse other people or animals.
When I wake up in the morning I hit off and know I have 10-20 more minutes. 
I lost my voice before 10AM this morning.
Life is full of challenges, fun and not fun.
My past is full of family memories.
I get annoyed when people drive aggressively in traffic that is not moving.
Parties are something I tend to avoid, unless it's a virtual party like my pampered chef party going on right now.
I wish I had more money (or actually less debt).
Dogs are always making me smile.
Birds are always using my car as target practice.
Tomorrow I’m not sure what the day will hold.
I have low tolerance for people who are rude and impatient.
I’m totally terrified of someday never being able to have chocolate again.
I wonder why I have so much trouble focusing.
Never in my life have I watched Jaws.
High school was a time that I'm glad is long behind me.
When I’m nervous I flush red!
One time at a family gathering my dog chased my Uncles dog and I was mortified.
Take my advice: Don't spend so much time wishing and planning for the future that you forget to appreciate the little moments happening now.
Making my bed happens on the weekends.
I’m almost always on time.
I’m addicted to sugar
I want someone to remember me for being a good listener and friend

Confessions

Hailey did this post and I'm totally stealing it because my posts have been so heavy lately and this is fun!

I paid for laser hair removal (underarms/bikini area) in 2007. I would pay again in a heart beat, it was totally worth it for me!

I didn't feel like washing my hair last night, updo for the 3rd day in a row. I can usually go up to 3 days without having to wash it, as long as I'm putting it up.

My new favorite look requires a big clip and 2 bobby pins. It's so long now that I can do this look with a smaller clip then what I use when it's shorter.

I ate and ate and ate yesterday. We had several cakes and desserts available and that's what I had for lunch. It's the week where I crave all things sweet and while I'm trying to watch it yesterday I gave up.

I really love cleaning the office. I get that time to myself, totally to myself. I actually like to vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms, so this is an enjoyable afternoon job!

I've started listening to 100.9 Praiz as one of my stations in rotation. I really like it!

I am signing up for the 15K in October.

I love shopping on my lunch. Doesn't matter for what I just enjoy looking at stuff.

I am not a stickler for food being totally cooked. I will also eat leftovers cold. This drives my husband crazy.

I've read more books in the past 2 weeks then in the month of February.

I had the kind of tears run down your face laugh because it was so funny laugh last night while watching Big Bang Theory.

I don't understand football, I can watch it but I do not understand it. I do understand basketball and baseball but I don't like either of those.

This was fun, thanks Hailey!!!

If you were to have a conversation with me right now it would go something like this

We had a potluck breakfast at work today in honor of my manager birthday. I swear to myself that I'm not going to make a piglet out of myself with the yummy free food sitting in front of me!

Last night I got home and started dinner. I should have first taken JB for a run. I made oven friend pork chops, so super easy.

Preheat the oven to 425, melt 2tbsp butter and pour into a 9x13 dish (or if you are me you melt the butter in the microwave in the 9x13 dish and deal with the banging noise for a minute.)

Mix together 1 egg, 2tbsp milk and black pepper in another dish dump a cup of bread crumbs. I used the Italian seasoned bread crumbs and then added additional seasoning. This recipe is for 4 nice size pork chops.

Dip your chop in the liquid mixture then coat both sides with the bread crumbs. Place in the 9x13 dish. Bake 10 minutes, flip and 10 more minutes. Mine were fairly thick and cooked through, if you have skinnier ones it might not have to bake as long.

They turned out great, I was really happy!

After we ate I did dishes. Then checked email. Then decided to do squats and lunges and push ups and clean the bathroom instead of going to the gym or for a run. I plan to run this evening with Jack after I pick up Girl Clean.

Yesterday on my lunch I ran to Old Navy to pick up flip flops for my Dad for Father's Day and his birthday. I also found a dress I had been eying on clearance, SCORE!!!! I've received so many compliments on it this morning!!!

I got my Dad a nice brown pair as well as the 2 for $5 kind in navy and black. I wanted to make sure all the basic color groups for guys were covered!

Last night I posted the Tim McGraw song Better Then I Used to Be on FB. Every time I hear it I tear up, this will pass I know but it's just so true when it comes to my husband.

Mr. Clean and I had a conversation about the music we listen to. I listen to words he does not. I pointed out that there are songs played on the Christian stations that I don't like the words to. I change radio stations often, I love that I have the option to change the channels on my steering wheel.

I reminded Mr. Clean last night that I have a trip coming up next week. While his reaction was not joy, he also did not guilt trip me, I call this progress. I didn't mention that distance makes the heart grow fonder.

I also reminded him, for good measure, that I have a trip to Florida coming up in October. I will remind him of this once a month until it happens to make sure that I don't get the "I'm sure you told me but I don't remember". If I say it once a month then I can point out I've said it once a month.

It would seem that every time I turn around someone else is announcing that they are expecting. I love it, I think it's awesome!!! Don't look to me for this kind of announcement.

I'm excited about ballet starting. I'm hoping Girl Clean loves it and wants to continue with it this fall.

Because of all the candy I ate last week to stay awake in my class, and the fact that I didn't work out, I put on a pair of pants Wednesday morning and they did not fit. So I upped my water and cut down on my food. I refuse to freak out because the pants fit the week before.

I have decided that dresses forgive a multitude of sins, therefor I plan to spend most of the summer in long maxi dresses.

I better actually get to work. Happy Friday!

Thursday Varied

I have to admit that I've been in a weird place. I know it's reflected in what I'm writing. I vascillate between being perfectly fine and then suddenly frustrated, or angry or upset, then I'm fine again. I have to watch the negative thoughts, they can really run away with me.

I just commented about swimsuit models, every picture you see in every ad for any clothing is airbrushed. Every picture in every fashion magazine, is air brushed. For whatever reason there is a trending that wants everyone to believe that they will never be thin enough, pretty enough, intelligent enough, etc. unless they buy, have, own, etc. The more research I do the more aware I am.

I read TMZ and People every hour or so. It's a guilty pleasure. I admit that they perpetrate the horrific paparrazzi and that I don't agree with. Yet I read. I read about the coroners report for WH. I wrote back when she passed away that she suffered from a disease. The thing about the disease of addiction, people still have choices. There is help available. So this is probably why there is so much judgment around it all.

I live in the South, and from my experience this reason seems to be the most judgemental of them all. The bigger cities not so much but the more rural and further South I go the more I see it. I have always believed that education is the biggest contributor to ending social injustice, bullying, human trafficking, slavery, once it's brought into the light and people start realizing what is going on then it can no longer be tolerated. I love the Martin Luther King Jr. quote "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." For a region that has a church on every corner and claims the name Bible belt it would seem that legalism and hypocrisy are more often seen then the love of God that those who call themselves Christians are supposed to be examples of to the world.

I was thinking about judgmental on my drive home from the restaurant last night. In my life I want to be compassionate, kind hearted, and one who seeks to listen. I might not agree with you but I will respect you and the fact that we are given the gift of free choice and choosing our own opinions. Of course I have snap judgments but because of the past year I find that when I run past the group of homeless guys on a Saturday morning I try to make eye contact and say hello. Honestly I have prayed that I will be protected. I have Jack, and I'm not a small girl, and my voice can be excruciatingly loud if it ever had to be. A smile and acknowledgment can go a long ways towards brightening someone elses day!

I'm really excited for Friday I'm going shopping with my Mom and Godmother. Then I'll pick up Girl Clean and she and I will join my parents and Godparents for dinner. Saturday I'll run, then we'll have an Easter egg hunt. Sunday we'll go to church with my parents, which I'm very excited about!

I am still waiting on my state tax refund. Federal came back after a week, which was fabulous!!! Now I keep checking for State.

Wednesday

I wore a dress in to work that had an itchy liner. I didn't remember this defect when I put the dress on this morning. Because I have to work tonight I realized that there is no way I could handle that until 10pm. I needed to get gas at lunch. I then made a quick trip to Marshall's. I had to find something else to wear.

Sundresses are out, I LOVE this time of year!!! I had a very short amount of time, 10 minutes to look, 8 minutes to try stuff on, and I walked out the door with 2 dresses. I changed in my car. I scored a BCBG purple maxi dress that I am currently wearing and a gorgeous Calvin Klein blue tank style dress that I'm totally in love with.

Last night we covered step 3 in my meeting; "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Turning my will over has been something I have LONG struggled with. I've been reminded a few times over the past few days of Isaiah 55: 8-11 "“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I mentioned that earlier this week I bought a lot of food on my lunch break. I tried the Special K cracker chips. I was pleasantly surprised they are really delicious!!

My sweet husband bought me new headphones for the gym. Last Thursday I watched American Idol with no sound usually I watch HGTV which doesn't require sound to make sense. I have a hard time finding headphones for running, they end up bugging me so much I would rather go without. He bought a 3 pack, 2 go over my ears and the others are old school over the head. I'm going to try them all and see which ones work best.

I got my taxes filed last Thursday. I am now impatiently waiting for the government to issue my refund. I need to register for my next CIC class.

I feel like today is Thursday but it's Wednesday and I have to work tonight… Maybe someday I'll win the lottery, except I have to buy a ticket first.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Feeling Beachie does fill in the blank Friday and this Friday I am playing along!

This week’s statements:

1. I am afraid of____

2. My ___ is my favorite room of my house

3. The last time I _____ I couldn’t ______.

4. I got my first _____ when I was ____.

My Answers:

1. I am afraid of ok here's the deal, it's not really that I'm afraid of but I can't handle violence on TV, the other night we were watching a show and the scene was building and I totally had a moment where I had to turn away very quickly, I just can't handle violence, it's why I don't watch horror movies or excessively violent movies of any kind. 
2.My kitchen is my favorite room of my house. I don't cook but I love this room, it's wonderfully cozy yet the biggest room in our house!
3.The last time I went for a swim it was Labor Day weekend at the Lake House and I had Girl Clean with me in the water, she LOVED it!!!
4. I got my first speeding ticket when I was running late for my Grandmother's Christmas Lunch in December 2005.

Favorite things

Yesterday's dream post made me think of a few of my favorite things. Foods, food is a particular weakness of mine. I guess that's part of the charm of my restaurant gig. To me there is something fascinating about it all. Sushi is definitely at the top of my favorite foods. When I visited Dr. MG in Boston in October 2004 we ordered so much sushi they brougth it out on a boat, and we ate it all!!!!

Via

Mexican food, yummmmmm!!!! In college one of my favorite places to go was Los Arcos, 3 soft chicken tacos, ahhh memories.

Via

I appreciate Italian food! I like the seafood dishes best!!!

Via

Pizza, for me is definitely something I crave. Those puppy faces, ahh so cute and they remind me of Jack anytime we are eating.

Via

Speaking of Jack. There is no way I could do a favorites post without mentioning this little furball pee monster.

Jack Banner has a new friend, and she happens to be his sister. She was "tickling" Jack. She also shares her nuggets and bosses him around, endlessly. Most of the time he doesn't listen, most of  the time she doesn't either must be why they get along so well.

Little girl pony tails and dresses and a girly girl who loves to twirl and has to carry a purse to match her outfit.



The lake house, the memories it holds and the pleasure of just being there and appreciating the view.

Running. Despite the fact that I complain and sometimes just don't want to I really do enjoy running!!! Especially the races. The first picture is from the March Race, the 2nd is from the DC Cherry Blossom 10miler.

Champagne, and friends, and good times and celebrations or just a night out on the town

Pretty dresses, fun shoes and shiny sparkly outfits



I have so many favorite things that these are just a few! 

Dream.....

Busy Bee did a post that was so much fun today I wanted to play along!!! She listed her dream body, vacation, drink, home, job, car and man... So

I found these pics on People.com. I just think she's healthy, and gorgeous!!!! You know that she excercises and watches what she eats. 

Via

I love the beach!!!! Specifically the memories I have at this beach, Topsail Island NC.

Via

My favorite drink since I was little has always been milk

Via

And my favorite adult drink is actually this.


Via

I love this style house!!!!

via

I think I would make an excellent personal shopper!!!

Via

My dream car





This guy is slowly starting to win his place back as my dream guy. He cooks, he cleans and he makes me laugh often.

The celebrity dream guy.... hmmmm I guess mine is probably Matt

Via

internet time soup life moments lottery and power naps

My work internet time is probably going to get me "talked to" if they are checking it.

I was craving soup for lunch today so I checked Panera, Brueggers, and McAllisters soup menus for the day. I chose Brueggers and was completely bummed when I found out they don't have bread bowls. I know they are so bad for you but oh they are so good and I never eat the whole thing.

Yesterday and today I have succesfully reduced my visits to the candy bucket to one time, and no I didn't grab extra to make up for the lack of trips. I did order a big rice krispie treat to go with my bowl of soup that I had for lunch since they didn't have the bread bowl.

Today I've been reminded that life moments be they really difficult or really wonderful both bring tears, tears of hurt and tears of joy and both times were not regarding me personally but rather things going on with friends.

Yesterday I created a list of friends and family for Mr. Clean. He can't keep it all straight and I need him to have something to reference. While creating the lists I was reminded how blessed I am.

I've rediscovered the online puzzles at TLC.com. That is why if my internet is being monitored it will result in being "talked to" among my other constant checking of google reader, cnn and people. Everything we do is web based so I wonder why they would track it anyways. Still I better not press my luck.

I really want to take tomorrow off and sleep the whole day but I feel like that would be a waste of a PTO day, plus I would have had to let my boss know this morning if I was going to do that.

The 10 minute power nap at the end of my lunch was helpful and I'm hoping that I can catch another one before I have to go in to work at the restaurant tonight.

I REALLY DON'T LIKE HOA ASSESSMENTS the &$%()* assessment is for 18 months and I'm already exhausted and I have to do this for the next 16 months *&$%#(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm going to start praying that I win the lottery.... Except I don't think that's realistic so I'll suck it up and go to work.

It's already Wednesday, and that means tomorrow is Thursday and the next day is Friday and then it's payday, whooohoooo!!!! The first day of October is Saturday, how?????

I wouldn't mind winning a shopping spree, I know the lottery isn't realistic but a shopping spree would be fun!!!!

Have a fabulous afternoon!!!!

Thankful Thursday

I should clarify from yesterdays post. I'm enjoying the moment. I like to have an idea of what I'm supposed to do next and where I'm supposed to be going. My life is scheduled, to the point where I'm having to make plans in October because September is booked out. I like to have a plan, I function better that way!

I'm thankful that I married someone who likes to cook, it means I don't have to.

I'm thankful that I have a cute dog who makes me smile and lays on my legs in the morning when I'm getting ready giving me an excuse to sit down while I do my makeup.

I'm thankful that the meeting with all the big wig people went well today and my job is secure, as secure as it can be in todays world.

I'm thankful that I'm changing my work hours and won't have to sit in traffic in the mornings.

I'm thankful that the library is 5 minutes away from work and I can request books online and just go pick them up when they arrive.

I'm thankful for the Kohls giftcard which I got for my birthday from Jelly and Bean that I plan to go spend at lunch!

I'm thankful for the cooler temperatures that make running such a joy!!!

I'm thankful that I have the opportunities and blessings that I do!!! Happy Thursday!!

Learn something new

I'm linking up with Jennifer for LSNT, it's fun go visit her blog if you want to play along.

1. What is your favorite breakfast food?
I'm not a huge breakfast person although I'll eat an eggbeater omelet and sometimes even crave one. The best breakfast experience I've ever had was the breakfast buffet at The Aria, where I stayed in Vegas. It was around $50 but it was so good!!!! The bottomless mimosas were a fabulous touch!!!


2. Do you do any fun crafts?
I'm so not crafty. I have very little (none) artistic talent.

3. Do you care if the toilet paper goes over or under?
Over and fortunately Mr. Clean and I agree on this subject.

4. If you have to name your daughter after a state, which one would it be?
Carolina

5. Do you have a touch, full out keyboard, or flip phone?
I have a flip keyboard or I can dial out on the front, it's the LG envy.

6. If you were someone else, would you be friends with yourself?
Yup, but I would be annoyed because the only way to catch up with me is via email. Currently plans are having to be made several weeks in advance to see friends because of my insane schedule.

For Fun

My friend Lisa did this post today and she got it from someone and I played along because it was fun.


What are you really good at? What are you really bad at?
I'm really good at:
Reading, I can read a book fairly quickly and comprehend what I’m reading. I was also complimented yesterday on my out loud reading capability, I read out loud for 4 hours and my husband really enjoyed it. I love to read!!! I enjoy baking and now that I'm forcing my way back into the kitchen I'm getting my groove back. I'm an excellent shopper, I can find a deal and I love to put outfits together!!!

I'm really bad at:
Taking my time, I tend to rush through things just to get them done. I am awful at math, I can balance my checkbook but the way I do makes my math talented friends cringe!!! I'm bad at confrontation and handling conflict but I'm working on this.

Have you ever been in a car accident? What happened?
Fortunately no. I have run again a mailbox which makes one side of my car look like it's been keyed. The other dent is from where I was in an unfamiliar spot in the driveway and had girl clean in the car so I was a little distracted. I backed up into the porch rail. The porch was fine, Mayzee now has a dent on the side opposite the one that had the run in with the mailbox.

Where did you attend college?
Appalachian State in Boone, NC most amazing wonderful 4 years that I would not trade for anything!!!

Describe your morning routine today
5 am - wake up, get ready for work.
6 am - check email
6:30 am - leave for work
7:30 am - Arrive at work and get busy with all that accumulated on my Friday/Monday off

Have you ever snooped through someone else's things? Did you find anything interesting?
Not that I can recall. I'm nosy and I freely admit to FB investigations and googling people but I don't snoop through personal belongings.

What do you think happens when you die?
I think it depends

Are you superstitious?
Yes

Do people think you are younger or older than you actually are?
I think that usually I get younger, although when I was younger I always got older.

How did your parent's relationship influence you?
It made me respect and appreciate happy and healthy relationships. I learned how a man should treat a woman. I learned that it is possible to not run out of things to talk about, even after years of being married. (most of this answer I actually stole from Lisa)

What were the three happiest moments of your life?
1. College graduation and seeing my Grandaddy's face as I walked across the stage
2. The day I brought Jack Banner home
3. The day I got married 

Pick one (or all of them) and answer it in the comments!

Then my friend Jennifer at What Would Jen Do has a Learn Something New Tuesday and I'm playing along today for fun.

If you had $1000 to spend right now on a single thing, what would it be? A new closet

Which one of your pets is your favorite? I only have Jack Banner and he's precious!!!!

Did you ever own a waterbed? Nope but I always thought they were cool.

What is your favorite color gummy bear? Red

Do you have any favorite shows that are coming back on soon?? I don't really have time for TV so I buy seasons of shows that I like, example, Designing Women.

Do you have any great bloggy friends? Yes, I've been really blessed to meet several and have even met quite a few IRL

Friday

Happy Friday!!!!! So glad it's here!!!! Even having Tuesday off this has been a long week!!!

My reader was full of good posts this morning. I mean posts that made me think and tear up and now I have a jumble of thoughts, this week seems to be a week for sorting thing through and writing them out.

I woke up this morning with traces of feeling guilty. I wasn't even rude I was as nice as I could possibly be and I know that it would most likely be worse to agree to the date and then back out and keep postponing.

I finally figured out who the guy reminded me of. He was a 39 year old version of my English teacher from High School. I LOVED my English teacher in high school he was amazing and fantastic and I was beyond blessed to have him as a teacher. He retired from public school and came to teach where I went to high school. He was amazing!!! Yet I would never ever have wanted to date anyone like my English teacher. I could never ever have seen myself kissing the guy I had the date with last night and that is why I knew I had to say a final farewell at the end of the night.

I couldn't resist another recap

29 and Holding RN Mama did this post and she got it from Jen and I thought it was so much fun I wanted to do one too!! So here goes!


1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before? In January I ran my first 1/2 marathon, in October and December I ran my 2nd and 3rd 1/2 Marathons.


2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolution, and will you make more next year? I did not have resolutions last year. I haven't really made any for this year. Every year I say I will lose weight and try to pay off debt.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My blog friend Jess had a baby in February and one of my friends that I grew up with had her second little boy not too long ago and he is beautiful!!


4. Did anyone close to you die? I'm blessed that at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 everyone is still here who was here at the beginning of 2010.


5. What countries did you visit? At some point I'm going to visit other countries, vicariously I travelled thru the pictures of my cousin and my brother and SIL. My cousin was in Italy for a semester and travelled all over Europe. Bean and Jelly travelled to Belgium and Paris.


6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? Wow I am having trouble coming up with something. For the most part I am so happy. Yes I stress over money so I guess I'll say better money management skills or somehow replace the income from the roommate so I no longer have to have a roommate.


7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 1/29/10 I ran my first 1/2 marathon. 5/1/10 I gained a sister. 8/21/10 I celebrated my 31st birthday and was honestly ok with the fact that I was single. 10/3/10 I ran my 2nd 1/2 marathon. 10/20/10 I had the most incredible first date that I've ever had. 12/11/10 I ran my 3rd 1/2 marathon and ran it faster than my first. Then I had my first date with Joe. 12/31/10 I had another successful restaurant NYE.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Staying single for almost 4 months, I have been a serial dater. I made a conscious effort to take time and just be me. Then the 1/2 marathons were a big deal too.


9. What was your biggest failure? Really I can't list anything. I accomplished so much both personally and professionally. I continue to work to improve but I didn't fail at anything this year.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had to back off on my running after the Miami 1/2 marathon in January I was burned out from training and instead of running another 1/2 in April I downgraded to the 10k and I'm so glad that I did!!


11. What was the best thing you bought? LOL a match.com membership, it created all kinds of stories!!


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I've been really impressed by my mom and Aunt this year. they have done an incredible job taking care of my Grandmommy!!! My Aunt takes my Grandmother to all her doctor appointments and keeps all the business straight and my Mom takes my Grandmommy to her weekly hair appointments and shopping. They also arranged my Grandmother's apartment so all she had to do to move in was walk in the door. She has a beautiful place and we are excited that she is happy!


13. Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed? Family stuff, family dynamics there was stuff going on that was disappointing. Also the break up with S was ugly and then JM dropping off the face of the earth was not easy.


14. Where did most of your money go this year? Debt and food, I may have purchased a few pairs of shoes and a few outfits though!!


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was extremely excited about the holidays this year!! We had Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Day at my parents house and it was wonderful. I also was super excited about my trip this past November to Pittsburgh and seeing Miami last January was a big deal!! I think the biggest deal of all was my brother's wedding!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? LOL Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull I Like It.


17. Compared to this time last year are you a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? I would have to say that I'm happier, thinner and as far as finances I think I'm about the same.


18. What do you wish you had done more of? I wish I'd had a little more time to read and a little more time to meet up with friends.


19. What do you wish you had done less of? I wish I could have worked a little less.


20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day night at my parents with my Grandmother and Jack, it was perfect!!


21. Did you fall in love in 2010? I thought I did but I didn't and then I started to but it ended and now we'll see what happens.


22. What was your favorite TV program? I watched a lot of SATC


23. Do you hate someone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I would say hate is too strong of a word. Dislike absolutely.


24. What was the best book you read? I'm trying to remember the books I've read and there are so few which is sad because I love to read!


25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Zach Brown Band


26. What did you want and get? I asked for new curlers and a new curling iron for Christmas and I got both!!


27. What did you want and not get? I have been looking for a roommate since October


28. What was your favorite film of the year? Of those that I went to see I would have to say Date Night.


29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I started off the day at a vineyard and then went out with my friends for sushi and cocktails that evening.


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I have been so happy this year and so content with where I am that there really isn't anything. Unless I suddenly woke up and lost weight but I'm working on that and the scale is moving in the right direction so that is satisfying.


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? I love sparkle!!! If it was shiny and sparkly I was tempted!!


32. What kept you sane? My girlfriends and exercise


33. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I thought Sandra Bullock was amazing! I've also been really impressed by Kate Middleton!


34. What political issues stirred you the most? The oil spill in the gulf really upset me.


35. Who did you miss? I seem to have lost touch with some of my friends and it saddens me and is something I plan to work on for the coming year.


36. Who was the best new person you met? Actually I developed several blog friendships this year and it has been awesome and I'm so thankful for their blogs and their friendships!!


37. Tell us what valuable lesson you learned in 2010. That when something isn't working let it go. Be that a relationship or a job. I let go of the relationship that didn't work and the restaurant job that wasn't the right fit for me. My full time job I keep until I have something different but with my part time jobs I have to be really happy with them in order for me to be able to work the additional hours!!


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Kutlass "Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing you will find your way if you keep believing" from the song What Faith Can Do

Procrastination

I ran out of K-Cups yesterday at work and this morning I had no coffee, so now I'm struggling!! I went home at lunch to take Jack Banner out and the temperature was around 32 degrees, that is cold! When I arrived and walked in the door he had ensconced himself on the love seat on top of the folded blanket and in between the pillows, never mind the fact that he has the entire other couch with his very own comforter and pillow set up to keep him warm. My dog can move a lot faster when he is out in the cold, he hustles in order to get back inside.
My tire light came on yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure it's just because of the drastic temperature drop but I probably still need to take it over and get this done, just not sure when this is going to happen… I have to pick up my race packet on Thursday night which requires finding parking uptown, I am not excited about this.
The plans for Saturday include bowling, I'm hoping my arm is recovered by then because right now it's still really hurting. I'm trying hard to keep in perspective that we haven't yet met because right now based off phone email and texting I really like this one.
I have a stack of busy work at my desk that really does need to be done but it means I have to look up each policy. I know better than to procrastinate on this and yet I do this to myself every single time.
I really want to see the movie Burlesque with Christina Aguilera we talked about going this past weekend but went bowling instead. If you've never been to an actual burlesque show it can be a lot of fun!! I went to one in Atlanta when I was dating BT.
I know I put a lot of information on this blog and I'm curious how searchable it is. I googled the name and it didn't come up but if you google Charbelle it's the first thing that comes up.
I better focus on that busy work I talked about and actually try to knock some of it out…

It was a dark and rainy afternoon...

It's dark and rainy and I've been fighting the heavy eyelids that accompany this time of day anyways. I've tried browsing online but really I need to get out and look. Christmas is fast approaching and I have gifts to purchase. I have to work at the restaurant tonight and I'm curious how busy we will be. Sometimes when the weather is like this no one come out, other nights everyone wants to get out of the house. The flow of this restaurant reminds me of the restaurant I worked at 5 years ago, and it makes it easy for me to readjust to a busier restaurant again.

I was sitting thinking about how busy it will be for the holidays and then after that will be Valentines. Valentines is such a scam, I've felt this way for a long time. I still want to be acknowledged but due to working in a Hallmark store then a restaurant I usually work and to me it's a little ridiculous the pressure put on this one day. The best valentines ever was 2009, I adopted Jack Banner. The 2.9 lb fur baby stole my heart and still does.

I noticed while browsing people.com that Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially engaged. While the idea of the fairytale is lovely I think the pressure and annoyance of the crazy cameras in my face all the time would drive me crazy. I have to admit I am excited to see what she chooses for her gown, this will probably be the only thing she has much say in. I have to give her credit they have been dating forever and I don't care who he is I don't have that kind of patience.

The bad part about sitting at my desk fighting sleep is this also makes me hungry except I know I'm not hungry I'm just bored. Not that I do not have plenty of work to do but it's the kind of bored brought on by sitting at a desk in a cube and looking outside and it's dark and rainy and while I do love my job days like today all I want to do is nap!! I think putting my head on my desk and falling asleep would be frowned upon so instead I'm trying to pretend that I'm actually working when in reality I'm writing…

Clarification, Closets, Wish List, Running

I should probably explain that JN is a friend and will remain just a friend. I have a set personal rule that I don't date anyone who is separated. Divorced yes, separated no. I learned my lesson with CF&G. I will date someone who has children, this does not bother me, I will be cautious about it though. I've had a lot of time to think about this over the past few months.
It's Monday afternoon and I couldn't feel less like working. I really would like to go home and take a nap!! I was talking to MG via email and she said that she was probably going to be having her family Thanksgiving at her house. My response is that we really must be grown ups now. Yes, most of my friends are married; it's just odd to hear that we are now fixing our own Thanksgiving dinners. I will be going to my parent's house. It's the first time in a long time Thanksgiving will not be down at the farm. I would rather have it at my Mom and Dad's because this means that Jack Banner gets to join in the celebration and beg everyone to just drop him a little piece of that human food he loves so much.
My friend PYS called me, it's been at least a month or two ago now. Her closet had collapsed. I'm now concerned that my closet could do the same thing that hers did. I have yet to finish switching out my wardrobes and since the extra room is empty I've got way too much clothing in there, it looks like I could open my own store. What can I say, I LOVE clothes and shoes. Life is short but long enough that I'm always in need of that next cute outfit!!
I rented The Proposal from RedBox on Saturday night. I saw this movie in the theatre and thought it was awesome so I'd been wanting to rent it again. I was so disappointed. I don't know if I was just tired, or distracted but the second time watching it I was honestly a little bored. I have so many movies that I can watch over and over again and not get tired of and I had thought about asking for this one for Christmas but now, I'll be removing that from my ever growing list that's in my head. I really need to start transferring the list to paper so I don't forget anything.
I need a roommate, this thought frequently goes through my mind. I knew it would probably take a while to find someone again I was hoping that I would be wrong, turns out I was right. I think part of why it takes such a long time is my place is not big and there is only 1 bathroom. I love it, and the location is fantastic so it just takes finding the right person and it will all work out.
It's been almost a year since the falling out with my FRB. I don't care anymore but law have mercy is it still awkward when she is in the office!!
I've determined I'm not going to run a turkey trot race this year. Instead I'm going to run my long run on Friday morning and get it over with!! Maybe, I guess this depends on what I have going on, I don't drink (alcohol) the night before a long run so this is what I did the weekend of my birthday so I could drink Friday and Saturday night but I thought about it and since I'm working Friday and Saturday night I don't think it really matters all that much…
I need to run tonight and I'm hoping I have enough light to run outside. I'm thinking that while I'm training for this next 1/2 I'm going to quit making plans for Monday and Wednesday nights so that I can get my runs in and then relax with no obligations. I work Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights so that leaves Thursday nights for hanging out with people. Since I'm taking a break from dating (again) this should work out well for me!