So in another blog I read, they do a little thing called "Thought Vomit Thursday" where they combine all the random snippets/thoughts that wouldn't be enough to hold up a whole post on it's own. But todays Friday... so I'm gonna call it TVF. It's what I'm feeling today, and it's been a while since I posted, so here goes!
- I'm completely reorganizing how I think about/spend/save money. Mostly thanks to this blog: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/
I should warn you that he's a bit of a potty mouth... but he has some really interesting (at times a little extreme) ways to think about cash and where it's going. I like that he goes beyond the usual "don't buy lattes and pack your lunch" advice that most financial advisers stick to. I think everyone should give it a read, if only for kicks and giggles. ;)
- What the heck are we supposed to do with AA batteries when they're empty?? Does anyone know?? For some reason it's stressing me out. I'm not supposed to throw them away because they leak into the earth at landfills, right? So what to do? (Random, I know.)
- My husband is a little obsessed with our Wii we just bought used from a friend. He's played that stupid ski jump game for, like, hours.
- I'm super proud of my bestie, Bridgette, for her amazing transformation/ weight loss this past year. You all should check out her blog at: http://onedayonestepandonebreathatatime.blogspot.com/
- I am ridiculously excited to go Black Friday shopping for the first time EVER with my dear friend Samantha. We are gonna TEAR IT UP.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Oh yeah, about that...
OK, so recently I wrote a blog about the things I love. Since no one screamed at me and told me it was a horrible idea, I thought it'd be amusing to make a list of the things I hate. Ok, 'hate' is a strong word. Things that annoy me. In a humorous, make-me-wanna-roll-my-eyes kind of way. ;) Feel free to join in or disagree in comments!! :) Also, there's no way I can get through this without a paranthetical running side commentary so...uh... heads up on that one.
1. Eyeballs. (If you thought you knew me and didn't realize this would be my first, you don't know me at ALL.)
2. When customers at work give me the "Hang on, I'm on the phone" finger while I'm trying to take their order (Hi, yeah, remember when you pulled up to a drive through window like you wanted something?? Go ahead and spit it out and I'll make it for ya. We're at a stand still until then. Just saying. ***)
3. Jon Bon Jovi. (Seriously, who does that guy think he IS?? And that's not his real name. Honestly.)
4. People who are repeatedly late. (Enough said. And I try to avoid this myself.)
5. When people don't realize they have an INSANE amount of dog hair on them. (I have a dog that sheds sooo bad. But do I pick him up and rub him all over my body before I walk out the door? No. Because that would be stupid. Keep the animal hair ON the animal or buy a lint roller.)
6. The fact that no matter how many times I check my pant pockets there is always change littering my floors because they fall out of the laundry.
7. People who 'like' crunchy cookies. (Seriously, people. Have you ever eaten a soft, chewy cookie? Why, whhhyyy would you prefer crunchy, dry, disgusting-ness when the alternative is sooo much better?!? What is WRONG with you?!? Whew. Glad to have that off my chest.)
8. Jersey Shore. (One day, those poor kids are goona wake up at 40 someting years old and realize that all of their stupid mistakes are forever recorded for everyone to see and they're gonna be really, really upset.)
8. Jersey Shore. (One day, those poor kids are goona wake up at 40 someting years old and realize that all of their stupid mistakes are forever recorded for everyone to see and they're gonna be really, really upset.)
9. Enchiladas Mole. (It's so bad, I don't even wanna go into what it is. And unfortunately, Ryan likes to eat it on a regular basis. Gag.)
10. The sick, queasy feeling I get before deciding to give an artist a 'thumbs up' on Pandora. (All it takes is one bad choice to totally bring your favorite Pandora Station down. And there doesn't seem to be any take-back-sies. I'm feeling anxious so I need to stop thinking about this now.)
Whew. Glad to have that all out in the open!!
***The exception to this are my wonderful, 'regular' customers who wouldn't ever have to order again in their lives because I'll make 'em what I know they want every single day. If one of you is reading this... don't worry. You don't count. ;)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Next step, Rehab.
Boys and girls. Ladies and gentlemen. Friends and family. I have a confession.
I've been getting high.
You may be asking yourself what substance it was that took such a straight laced girl as myself down. Well, I'll tell you...
It's coupons (gasp).
You may have remembered in an earlier post that I mentioned Ryan and I were on a saving kick... We (and by we I mean ME and Ryan would agree) to be debt-free in three years. That means no consumer debt. As in, no more credit card payments, and no more car loans. Both (!) our car loans will be done in just under 3 years, leaving us at that point, hopefully, with just our mortgage and my student loans. Which are both reasonable, and I'd argue, perfectly acceptable according to most personal finance gurus. They are considered to be the only "positive" forms of debt because at some point they will both pay you back in a sense. We don't have a whooollleee lot of debt, but things build up over the years (especially with one of us in college for the past umpteen years) and we decided it'd be better to be free and clear.
So I figured my options were: make more, or spend less. I've worked as many as 3 jobs at once in the past. And I'd do it again if I had to. But I would really, really rather not. I'd done the "make more" bit and while it worked out ok, I wasn't really super happy doing it. (Read: I was exhausted and grumpy all the time). So I decided to spend less. The only real way to do this was either eat nothing but Top Ramen every night, or bite the bullet and learn about this whole "couponing" mumbo jumbo.
ADDICTED. It can be, at times, like legal stealing. Without the moral or legal implications. When you get a good deal, it's what I imagine getting high feels like. Giddy, excited and a little lightheaded. (Ok, I exaggerate a little) And I'm not even very good at it yet. YET. But I will be. I've only been at it for 2 weeks. The first week I got my feet wet with a few double coupons at Albertsons and a few manufacturer sales. I was interested, but not impressed. But then this week was much better. I got things for free, planned an entire meal for Ryan and I that cost a total of $1.50, and today at Target I saved $30 dollars on about $74 dollars worth of groceries and personal items (tampons, razors, etc.) I paid $44 dollars, plus got a $5 dollar giftcard to use on my next Target trip.
The one thing I'm having an issue with is the idea of "stockpiling." Avid couponers swear it's the only way to really be a successful couponer, but I'm not convinced I really have the space for that sort of thing. I was considering putting some shelves in the garage, which isn't really being used right now since Truth Remains has vacated it, and we don't park in there... I could even buy a stand alone freezer for out there... hmmm...
SO. In conclusion... I <3 coupons. Don't judge. And here's the most helpful websites I've been using:
http://www.frugallivingnw.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
I found both of these off a friend's facebook page. So, friend, if you're reading this... thanks and sorry I'm a creepy FB Stalker!! :)
ALSO! If you want to get your feet wet, here's my favorite coupon tip most people haven't seemed to catch on to: You can buy the Sunday paper, with all the inserts at the DOLLAR STORE. Making it half price instead of the $2 it normally is!! WooHoo!
I've been getting high.
You may be asking yourself what substance it was that took such a straight laced girl as myself down. Well, I'll tell you...
It's coupons (gasp).
You may have remembered in an earlier post that I mentioned Ryan and I were on a saving kick... We (and by we I mean ME and Ryan would agree) to be debt-free in three years. That means no consumer debt. As in, no more credit card payments, and no more car loans. Both (!) our car loans will be done in just under 3 years, leaving us at that point, hopefully, with just our mortgage and my student loans. Which are both reasonable, and I'd argue, perfectly acceptable according to most personal finance gurus. They are considered to be the only "positive" forms of debt because at some point they will both pay you back in a sense. We don't have a whooollleee lot of debt, but things build up over the years (especially with one of us in college for the past umpteen years) and we decided it'd be better to be free and clear.
So I figured my options were: make more, or spend less. I've worked as many as 3 jobs at once in the past. And I'd do it again if I had to. But I would really, really rather not. I'd done the "make more" bit and while it worked out ok, I wasn't really super happy doing it. (Read: I was exhausted and grumpy all the time). So I decided to spend less. The only real way to do this was either eat nothing but Top Ramen every night, or bite the bullet and learn about this whole "couponing" mumbo jumbo.
ADDICTED. It can be, at times, like legal stealing. Without the moral or legal implications. When you get a good deal, it's what I imagine getting high feels like. Giddy, excited and a little lightheaded. (Ok, I exaggerate a little) And I'm not even very good at it yet. YET. But I will be. I've only been at it for 2 weeks. The first week I got my feet wet with a few double coupons at Albertsons and a few manufacturer sales. I was interested, but not impressed. But then this week was much better. I got things for free, planned an entire meal for Ryan and I that cost a total of $1.50, and today at Target I saved $30 dollars on about $74 dollars worth of groceries and personal items (tampons, razors, etc.) I paid $44 dollars, plus got a $5 dollar giftcard to use on my next Target trip.
The one thing I'm having an issue with is the idea of "stockpiling." Avid couponers swear it's the only way to really be a successful couponer, but I'm not convinced I really have the space for that sort of thing. I was considering putting some shelves in the garage, which isn't really being used right now since Truth Remains has vacated it, and we don't park in there... I could even buy a stand alone freezer for out there... hmmm...
SO. In conclusion... I <3 coupons. Don't judge. And here's the most helpful websites I've been using:
http://www.frugallivingnw.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
I found both of these off a friend's facebook page. So, friend, if you're reading this... thanks and sorry I'm a creepy FB Stalker!! :)
ALSO! If you want to get your feet wet, here's my favorite coupon tip most people haven't seemed to catch on to: You can buy the Sunday paper, with all the inserts at the DOLLAR STORE. Making it half price instead of the $2 it normally is!! WooHoo!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Ohhhhh Looovee.
So, my husband can be the funniest person ever. The problem is, he's super quiet. Not in a shy kind of way, just in the kind of way where he'd rather hear someone else talk than himself. It's a quality I admire and I try and remind myself everyday to be more like him in that way.
I once asked him why he's so quiet and his response was "I just feel like someone else has something better to say than I do."
Lord, thank you for a husband who teaches me something every day.
SO when he DOES talk it's usually well thought out and sweet, or extremely hilarious. Last night he was hilarious. At least, I think so. ;)
We were both having kind of a weird day- I was 'baby sad' as I call it to Ryan, and he had just come home from working at the funeral of a 9 year old little boy who was much loved in our community, but had recently died of cancer.
So anyways, we decided to take the dogs and walk around Ashland. Ashland has a much better (and more exciting) 'nightlife' than Meddy does, and we hadn't done that before.
(I'm worrying at this point that I'm giving too much lead-in to such a small story... but it feels good, so stay with me).
So we had our two pups with us. Penny, who is a little bit of a freak... she jumps around everywhere, always has to be ontop of Colby and also has a very unfortunate bowel control problem so much so that we have to keep her crated at night because otherwise she poops everywhere (gross, I know. Sorry). And Colby, who's more mellow, but really athletic, and super cute.
So I ask Ryan (because we're nerds, and don't have children so we talk about this kind of stuff): "Do you think our dogs are like us? Like, I'm super excitable like Penny and you're more mellow like Colby?"
And without missing a beat he says "Yeah, and you keep pooping everywhere, too"
I don't know why but it hit me as the funniest thing anyone had ever said to me, and I was doubled over on the sidewalk in Ashland laughing at my husband quick (if a little gross) wit.
And just like that, my day was better. <3
I once asked him why he's so quiet and his response was "I just feel like someone else has something better to say than I do."
Lord, thank you for a husband who teaches me something every day.
SO when he DOES talk it's usually well thought out and sweet, or extremely hilarious. Last night he was hilarious. At least, I think so. ;)
We were both having kind of a weird day- I was 'baby sad' as I call it to Ryan, and he had just come home from working at the funeral of a 9 year old little boy who was much loved in our community, but had recently died of cancer.
So anyways, we decided to take the dogs and walk around Ashland. Ashland has a much better (and more exciting) 'nightlife' than Meddy does, and we hadn't done that before.
(I'm worrying at this point that I'm giving too much lead-in to such a small story... but it feels good, so stay with me).
So we had our two pups with us. Penny, who is a little bit of a freak... she jumps around everywhere, always has to be ontop of Colby and also has a very unfortunate bowel control problem so much so that we have to keep her crated at night because otherwise she poops everywhere (gross, I know. Sorry). And Colby, who's more mellow, but really athletic, and super cute.
So I ask Ryan (because we're nerds, and don't have children so we talk about this kind of stuff): "Do you think our dogs are like us? Like, I'm super excitable like Penny and you're more mellow like Colby?"
And without missing a beat he says "Yeah, and you keep pooping everywhere, too"
I don't know why but it hit me as the funniest thing anyone had ever said to me, and I was doubled over on the sidewalk in Ashland laughing at my husband quick (if a little gross) wit.
And just like that, my day was better. <3
Monday, August 8, 2011
Summertime and feelin' fine.
I've had such a FUN summer so far! :) :) Here's just a few things I've done the past few months:
-Hawaii. :)
- Swim Meet in Reno with my awesome team.
-Redding Waterslides with our fun couple friends.
-Spent waaay too much time on Pinterest.com
- Had a picnic anniversary dinner: (Super chill anniversary including shredded pork sandwiches? Yes, please!)
Then, this weekend, we went for a short little trip to the coast! We both get 'over' things really fast. Like, we'll spend a bunch of time getting somewhere, be really excited, then be bored within like 5 minutes. I call it "Situational ADD." Whatever it is, I'm glad to have found someone in life who's like me in that way. So, our beach day consisted of: Waking up at 5:30am, packing up and leaving the house by 7am, grabbing some HB on the way (duh), driving alll the way there, and being on the beach for about an hour. It was perfection. We brought the pups, and they did excellent off their leashes. I was a proud momma. :)
We hiked around before finding a spot to relax and have our picnic lunch, and between the hiking and the racing Colby on the beach my legs are TIRED and SORE. *Sidenote: My dog is the fastest dog on the face of the planet. I was full-out sprinting, and I glanced over at him running beside me and he was barely jogging.
We took some silly little pics with Ryan's camera phone, so excuse the blurriness and my lack of makeup. :) It looks overcast, but that's the Oregon Coast for ya, and it was actually a really nice temperature out.
-Hawaii. :)
- Swim Meet in Reno with my awesome team.
-Redding Waterslides with our fun couple friends.
-Spent waaay too much time on Pinterest.com
- Had a picnic anniversary dinner: (Super chill anniversary including shredded pork sandwiches? Yes, please!)
Then, this weekend, we went for a short little trip to the coast! We both get 'over' things really fast. Like, we'll spend a bunch of time getting somewhere, be really excited, then be bored within like 5 minutes. I call it "Situational ADD." Whatever it is, I'm glad to have found someone in life who's like me in that way. So, our beach day consisted of: Waking up at 5:30am, packing up and leaving the house by 7am, grabbing some HB on the way (duh), driving alll the way there, and being on the beach for about an hour. It was perfection. We brought the pups, and they did excellent off their leashes. I was a proud momma. :)
We hiked around before finding a spot to relax and have our picnic lunch, and between the hiking and the racing Colby on the beach my legs are TIRED and SORE. *Sidenote: My dog is the fastest dog on the face of the planet. I was full-out sprinting, and I glanced over at him running beside me and he was barely jogging.
We took some silly little pics with Ryan's camera phone, so excuse the blurriness and my lack of makeup. :) It looks overcast, but that's the Oregon Coast for ya, and it was actually a really nice temperature out.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
I love...
OK, this one's a bit of a brain dump, but it seemed like it might be fun to make a list of things I love--in no particular order. Random, I know, but I thought since my tastes changes so frequently, it'd be nice to see if things are different in a year or two. :)
Ryan (duh)
Texting instead of calling
Babies
Jesus (duh)
Swimming
Laughing so hard I can't breath
My sister
Pinterest
Daisies (specifically: Gerber)
Joshua and Ingrid
Puns
How I Met Your Mother
Target
Buying myself flowers when I've accomplished something (even if it's just cleaning my house)
Making lists
Snow
The Hunger Games
Birthdays
"And now I don't think I won't not go to the bathroom"
Anything miniature
The Time Travelers Wife (the film, not the book!)
Pandora
My pirate patch (kinda)
Waking up early
My dogs
Wearing mostly black and grey
The fact that almost no intelligent adult can spell the word "definitely" properly.
Breves. Especially with coconut. Sugar free.
"First Day of My Life"
Community
Friday, July 8, 2011
My Personal Brand of Crazy
OK, so almost anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a weee bit of OCD. 'Cept you, Mom. I think everyone knows it but you. It's okay, I know realizing your daughter is a bit nuts-o is hard to accept. ;)
Lately, it's been manifesting in strange ways... allow me to elaborate.
-Recycling. OMG! All of a sudden I am a little obsessed. Now, I'm concerned about the state of the environment/global warming/ whatever mumbo jumbo they're trying to sell these days. A little. Part of me thinks "Gosh, we really should be preserving things for our children and the generations to come" and part of me is like.. "Meh... whatever's convenient for me because I'm a little selfish like that." Until recently. Randomly I had this irrational fear of throwing plastic away. I've annoyed my coworkers for months now about pulling the trash bag up out of the trashcan and using it longer to reduce the number of bags we use. They probably hate me for it, but I can't resist! The idea that plastic will literally outlive me on this earth FREAKS me out. Not because I'm worried about the environment necessarily, I just don't like the idea of leaving a part of something I've used around even after my body's disintegrated. (This blog has taken a strrrannggee turn...) Weird, right? Which brings me to my next randomness...
-Cans. Ok, so Ryan and I got on this kick where we are trying to save money/ spend less. We've been a bit extravagant what with Hawaii, etc. So we decided it's time to buckle in for a little while. Eat out less, shop less, and try to tuck some away for when we have that lil bambino. As some of you may know, Ryan is in an *awesome* band. He mentioned once that he turns in cans and bottles and saves the deposit return for the "band fund" which the guys all have together. And, just like that, our "saving money" mode and my "recycling" mode clicked into this phenomenon where I am so excited to save cans. I've been saving the Rock.star cans from work (gosh, my poor co-workers, they really put up with a lot from me. I love all of you.) and today when I went to get my oil changed and they offered me a complimentary beverage I literally got giddy at the idea that I could add my diet coke can to the collection. So. Crazy. Please hold the judgement. Also, if you have any unclaimed cans you'd like to get off your hands... uh... call me. ;)
Also, my head swim coach teases me mercilessly about my need to cross off events on our heat sheet as we go through the meet. What he doesn't know is that crossing things off is pretty much my biggest OCD strain. I cross my days on my calendar, and my grocery lists, and sometimes I even write things on my 'to-do' list that I've already done, just so I can cross it off. What? Don't look at me like that. It feels good. And now I know that today I already: showered, got my oil changed, and brushed my teeth. Thanks, Mr. To-Do List, that's awesome! Go, me!
So, what I want to know is: Does anyone else have any random/funny things that they just HAVE to do. Any strange compulsions that I should know about so I feel like less of a freak? For instance, Ryan has to have the radio volume on an even number. He doesn't care if 12 is too soft or 14 is too loud. It can't be 13. It just can't. I would make fun of him for it but honestly, it's small potatoes compared to some of the stuff I put him through. ;)
Write new blog entry. Done and done. ;)
Lately, it's been manifesting in strange ways... allow me to elaborate.
-Recycling. OMG! All of a sudden I am a little obsessed. Now, I'm concerned about the state of the environment/global warming/ whatever mumbo jumbo they're trying to sell these days. A little. Part of me thinks "Gosh, we really should be preserving things for our children and the generations to come" and part of me is like.. "Meh... whatever's convenient for me because I'm a little selfish like that." Until recently. Randomly I had this irrational fear of throwing plastic away. I've annoyed my coworkers for months now about pulling the trash bag up out of the trashcan and using it longer to reduce the number of bags we use. They probably hate me for it, but I can't resist! The idea that plastic will literally outlive me on this earth FREAKS me out. Not because I'm worried about the environment necessarily, I just don't like the idea of leaving a part of something I've used around even after my body's disintegrated. (This blog has taken a strrrannggee turn...) Weird, right? Which brings me to my next randomness...
-Cans. Ok, so Ryan and I got on this kick where we are trying to save money/ spend less. We've been a bit extravagant what with Hawaii, etc. So we decided it's time to buckle in for a little while. Eat out less, shop less, and try to tuck some away for when we have that lil bambino. As some of you may know, Ryan is in an *awesome* band. He mentioned once that he turns in cans and bottles and saves the deposit return for the "band fund" which the guys all have together. And, just like that, our "saving money" mode and my "recycling" mode clicked into this phenomenon where I am so excited to save cans. I've been saving the Rock.star cans from work (gosh, my poor co-workers, they really put up with a lot from me. I love all of you.) and today when I went to get my oil changed and they offered me a complimentary beverage I literally got giddy at the idea that I could add my diet coke can to the collection. So. Crazy. Please hold the judgement. Also, if you have any unclaimed cans you'd like to get off your hands... uh... call me. ;)
Also, my head swim coach teases me mercilessly about my need to cross off events on our heat sheet as we go through the meet. What he doesn't know is that crossing things off is pretty much my biggest OCD strain. I cross my days on my calendar, and my grocery lists, and sometimes I even write things on my 'to-do' list that I've already done, just so I can cross it off. What? Don't look at me like that. It feels good. And now I know that today I already: showered, got my oil changed, and brushed my teeth. Thanks, Mr. To-Do List, that's awesome! Go, me!
So, what I want to know is: Does anyone else have any random/funny things that they just HAVE to do. Any strange compulsions that I should know about so I feel like less of a freak? For instance, Ryan has to have the radio volume on an even number. He doesn't care if 12 is too soft or 14 is too loud. It can't be 13. It just can't. I would make fun of him for it but honestly, it's small potatoes compared to some of the stuff I put him through. ;)
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