As I was sitting in my stylist's chair this morning, it completely hit me that I only have 25 days until moving day!! Holy Moly! That is only 3 1/2 weeks to get my ass in gear, people!!
I have SO much to do yet, but I am confident that I can get all packed up before the moving truck arrives! I have the truck coming, some help packing it and my Dad is coming to town and he can help me to some of the maintenance things I have to take care of. Not much, but I have to fill some holes where I hung some curtain rods.
I still have a few things left I would like to sell on craigslist, so hopefully I can unload it in the next three weeks. Wow, I am getting so excited I hardly know where to start!
If you don't hear from me in a few days, don't worry, just listen for the bubble wrap!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Ball of frustration
I have made HUGE progress cleaning and organizing all of my personal belongings. I have sold, given away, and thrown things out. Why is it that it seems I STILL have so much stuff? I am starting to get disappointed at the large stacks of boxes and containers that are filling up my spare room. Seriously, I thought I was getting good at disposing of all the unnecessary stuff!!
It would not be so bad, but I still have to pack my "decorator" items, all my pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings. My kitchen is going to be 10 boxes minimum. UGH. This is very frustrating.
In all of this, though, I do have to give myself some credit. I have lived outside my parents home for 16 years. I have lived in apartments, a house, a condo, and even m-class housing. 16 years of my life accumulating into boxes and Rubbermaid containers. Considering that when I was young I used to save the sheets that stickers came on (in case I needed a bookmark) I don't think that I am doing too bad.
And just think, all of this will be stored in a giant tin can until I figure out where I am going to land next. I have moved so many times that I should be used to this by now. Well, I must say that my mom and sister have always been around to help me pack and decide what to throw away and what to keep. Now I get their advice over the phone and the only person helping me pack is Petey Pablo. And let me tell you, he's a great guy to have around while doing the long boring task of packing......
Sigh. Well, back to the daunting tasks for the day. I am ALMOST done cleaning out the last room, my office - and my beast.
It would not be so bad, but I still have to pack my "decorator" items, all my pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings. My kitchen is going to be 10 boxes minimum. UGH. This is very frustrating.
In all of this, though, I do have to give myself some credit. I have lived outside my parents home for 16 years. I have lived in apartments, a house, a condo, and even m-class housing. 16 years of my life accumulating into boxes and Rubbermaid containers. Considering that when I was young I used to save the sheets that stickers came on (in case I needed a bookmark) I don't think that I am doing too bad.
And just think, all of this will be stored in a giant tin can until I figure out where I am going to land next. I have moved so many times that I should be used to this by now. Well, I must say that my mom and sister have always been around to help me pack and decide what to throw away and what to keep. Now I get their advice over the phone and the only person helping me pack is Petey Pablo. And let me tell you, he's a great guy to have around while doing the long boring task of packing......
Sigh. Well, back to the daunting tasks for the day. I am ALMOST done cleaning out the last room, my office - and my beast.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Cleaning out my proverbial closet
It really is amazing that I have reached this point. Several years ago, I was quite the pack rat of sorts. (ok, not SORT OF, I really was one!) I remember one day my sister was helping me pack up my apartment so I could move everything to a storage unit. She would hold things up and say things like: why do you have THIS? Do you REALLY use this? Have you worn this in the last 2 years? Do you have to keep that?
It really helped me start realizing how much stuff I had accumulated in such a short amount of time. I remember when I was younger and I would spend hours cleaning and organizing my closet. It was always such a mess. These days, I am trying to be more of a minimalist, so the only thing I really need to spend time doing is my hobbies like painting and writing. (and of course, drinking wine) Why waste a Saturday organizing a bunch of junk?
The closer I am getting to my pack-up date, the more things I am putting in the stack to sell or give away. It feels great to lighten the load, not to mention I have made a few dollars here and there. All the money I collect for my things is going for the gas and food for my trip to NC. Which, by the way, is coming up in 41 days!! Woo hoo!!
It really helped me start realizing how much stuff I had accumulated in such a short amount of time. I remember when I was younger and I would spend hours cleaning and organizing my closet. It was always such a mess. These days, I am trying to be more of a minimalist, so the only thing I really need to spend time doing is my hobbies like painting and writing. (and of course, drinking wine) Why waste a Saturday organizing a bunch of junk?
The closer I am getting to my pack-up date, the more things I am putting in the stack to sell or give away. It feels great to lighten the load, not to mention I have made a few dollars here and there. All the money I collect for my things is going for the gas and food for my trip to NC. Which, by the way, is coming up in 41 days!! Woo hoo!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fridays are still the best day of the week.....
Even when you work from home. Yes, I admit I am not the most focused person on the block, but I actually DO work all day. Ok, not really ALL day, I have a tendency to surf the net. And I am sure you all with "regular" jobs do the same, or as much as your company will allow. I know I did it back then.
Anyhow, I just love Fridays. You can hang with your friends and unwind, talk about the week and what you have planned for the weekend. You can drink a few if you want cause when Sat morning comes, you can sleep in!!
Enjoy your weekends, folks, even if it is FREEZING outside!! Just remember, you have a warm place to be, family and friends who love you, and it could be worse...a lot worse.
Anyhow, I just love Fridays. You can hang with your friends and unwind, talk about the week and what you have planned for the weekend. You can drink a few if you want cause when Sat morning comes, you can sleep in!!
Enjoy your weekends, folks, even if it is FREEZING outside!! Just remember, you have a warm place to be, family and friends who love you, and it could be worse...a lot worse.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
This will teach me
I just got back from the grocery store where I was simply just going in for toilet paper and crackers. Well, I ended up picking up a few extra items and also some items I really could have done without. I get to the checkout and swipe my bankcard and thought to myself, boy wouldn't that be funny if it was declined? Uh.... it's really not that funny when it actually happens.
So I ask the lady if I can split it up - I have two banks and two bankcards. She says yes but then can't figure out how to do it. So I tell her I would just go to the ATM machine and get the cash out. As I am walking over to the ATM/Banking area part of me wanted to just run out of that store and leave my cart there - but then I thought, hey - you NEED that toilet paper. LOL. Oh, priorities.
So then I get to the ATM and discover that between the two accounts I STILL do not have enough money, so I go the teller window and withdrawal out of my account and get a cash advance on my other bankcard. Ok, it's not really a cash advance because it's my checking account, but still. $9.74 from one account and $18.56 from the other. Yippee!
Then I walk over to the cashier who has pushed my cart aside and is waiting on another customer. Of course she has to call over the manager because she does not know how to get a suspended transaction out of the register. Then I had to ask her to take 2 things off - which just makes it WORSE. So I had her take off the Febreeze candle and the Lysol multi-purpose spray, I figured food and toilet paper was more important than my house being clean and smelling nice.
You know what the best part was? As I am grabbing my cart, I see a cart parked right next to it in the "declined" lot that had many more bags in it. I am not alone. :)
So I ask the lady if I can split it up - I have two banks and two bankcards. She says yes but then can't figure out how to do it. So I tell her I would just go to the ATM machine and get the cash out. As I am walking over to the ATM/Banking area part of me wanted to just run out of that store and leave my cart there - but then I thought, hey - you NEED that toilet paper. LOL. Oh, priorities.
So then I get to the ATM and discover that between the two accounts I STILL do not have enough money, so I go the teller window and withdrawal out of my account and get a cash advance on my other bankcard. Ok, it's not really a cash advance because it's my checking account, but still. $9.74 from one account and $18.56 from the other. Yippee!
Then I walk over to the cashier who has pushed my cart aside and is waiting on another customer. Of course she has to call over the manager because she does not know how to get a suspended transaction out of the register. Then I had to ask her to take 2 things off - which just makes it WORSE. So I had her take off the Febreeze candle and the Lysol multi-purpose spray, I figured food and toilet paper was more important than my house being clean and smelling nice.
You know what the best part was? As I am grabbing my cart, I see a cart parked right next to it in the "declined" lot that had many more bags in it. I am not alone. :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tacos, Tequila, and Trees
Last night I had an impromptu Taco Bar and Margarita party at my place. It started out with my friend Lucy and I deciding we wanted to make some nachos. Then it grew into a full fledged taco bar with all the fixings, added a few friends and some tasty (and I do mean TASTY!) margaritas.
We've been drinking a LOT of margaritas lately, I am surprised that we don't have a nickname like "Tequila Twins". Or maybe we do, but no one has said it to our face yet.
For appetizers we had chips and salsa (yummy chipotle flavor), guacamole (my newest recipe), queso dip, and also had some fresh veggies and veggie dip.
For the tacos, we made 4 lbs of ground beef with 3 types of taco seasoning and I, of course, added some extra spices and onions. It was SO good!! We made a taco bar on one of my counters with the following toppings: Spanish rice, sour cream, 2 kinds of cheese, lettuce, tomatos, onions, black olives, and jalapenos. We also had both flour and corn tortillas that we fried up ourselves and ended up with the tastiest tacos ever.
Now for the Tree reference, because you are probably wondering what that has to do with a Taco Bar party. Well, I still had my Christmas Tree up (without the ornaments of course) and I am not sure exactly what happened, but after a few of those margaritas, I thought it would be a good idea to cut the tree up and put it in the fire we had going in my fireplace. I grabbed my loppers, and trimmed away at the tree, branches flying everywhere - I think some people were kind of afraid of me at this point, but I shared some of the chopping and we have some HILARIOUS pictures!! My tree looks ridiculous right now, it is just the trunk with a bunch of stumpy branches.
Then we played a game called I Never, and if you have ever played it you know that I pretty much am drinking at every I Never phrase - lol. I hate that game. Then Lucy and I went up to my neighbors apartment and played some kind of game that was a cross between beer pong and flippy cup. It was hilarious!! Mind you, my neighbors are like 21 and probably thought we were "old" and I am sure they got a kick out of us trying to play. But I am sure they were very impressed at how fast I was slamming those beers, haha!
Good times, good times.
Off to finish cleaning up the big mess we made and get ready for Taco Bar night part two. We have enough leftover for dinner tonight, but this time we are drinking Mojitos. Watch out. LOL.
We've been drinking a LOT of margaritas lately, I am surprised that we don't have a nickname like "Tequila Twins". Or maybe we do, but no one has said it to our face yet.
For appetizers we had chips and salsa (yummy chipotle flavor), guacamole (my newest recipe), queso dip, and also had some fresh veggies and veggie dip.
For the tacos, we made 4 lbs of ground beef with 3 types of taco seasoning and I, of course, added some extra spices and onions. It was SO good!! We made a taco bar on one of my counters with the following toppings: Spanish rice, sour cream, 2 kinds of cheese, lettuce, tomatos, onions, black olives, and jalapenos. We also had both flour and corn tortillas that we fried up ourselves and ended up with the tastiest tacos ever.
Now for the Tree reference, because you are probably wondering what that has to do with a Taco Bar party. Well, I still had my Christmas Tree up (without the ornaments of course) and I am not sure exactly what happened, but after a few of those margaritas, I thought it would be a good idea to cut the tree up and put it in the fire we had going in my fireplace. I grabbed my loppers, and trimmed away at the tree, branches flying everywhere - I think some people were kind of afraid of me at this point, but I shared some of the chopping and we have some HILARIOUS pictures!! My tree looks ridiculous right now, it is just the trunk with a bunch of stumpy branches.
Then we played a game called I Never, and if you have ever played it you know that I pretty much am drinking at every I Never phrase - lol. I hate that game. Then Lucy and I went up to my neighbors apartment and played some kind of game that was a cross between beer pong and flippy cup. It was hilarious!! Mind you, my neighbors are like 21 and probably thought we were "old" and I am sure they got a kick out of us trying to play. But I am sure they were very impressed at how fast I was slamming those beers, haha!
Good times, good times.
Off to finish cleaning up the big mess we made and get ready for Taco Bar night part two. We have enough leftover for dinner tonight, but this time we are drinking Mojitos. Watch out. LOL.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Nomad Life
Nomads according to Wikipedia....
"Nomadic people, (from the Greek: νομάδες, nomádes, "those who let pasture herds"), also known as nomads, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling down in one location."
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a nomad? Technically, if you think about it, anyone who has moved is a Nomad. Well, I am about to find out what it's like for a while.
I am packing up all my earthly possessions and putting them into storage. A "SAM" to be exact. AKA Store And Move. The unit arrives in my driveway on February 26, 2009 my official date of becoming a Nomad.
The necessities (and my dog) are coming with me on a road trip of sorts. My first stop is Murfreesboro, TN, where I will be visiting with some friends of mine that I have not seen in YEARS!! Even though it is a short stop, I am looking forward to the visit. Hopefully my dog behaves himself and doesn't pee on their dog. lol. You think I am kidding, but I have seen him do this before, it's gross and then again, kind of funny. Hey "other dog" you are MINE, MINE, MINE!!!
The next stop on the agenda is Raleigh, NC where I will be visiting with my sis, and my "psuedo" sisters. This should be a fun time - a bunch of winos we will be!! I will be staying there for a spell, enjoying the last days of winter in a climate that is much more desirable than what I am used to.
When deciding to become a Nomad, one must pick and choose what to pack and what to store and also what to completely get rid of. This has been one of my biggest nomadic challenges in the last week. I thought maybe I would just sell everything, but I have furniture that I truly do not want to give up. My grandfather clock, my antique desk, my "princess" mattresses, my awesome couches, are just a few of the things I am not yet ready to let go of.
But even though I am storing everything, there are just things I need to stop carting around with me. Craigslist and ebay have become good friends of mine lately. Every time I walk through a room in my apartment, I look at things and say to myself - can that be replaced? If the answer is YES than it just HAS to go!! I am trying to simplify my life and this is just the beginning. Once I do find that place to settle into, I don't want hoards of things clogging up my karma.
Speaking of karma, does anyone need their karma scraped? I have a few friends that are thinking starting a "karma scraping" business. You laugh, but people pay to have their auras read and take their dogs to doggie therapy. Karma scraping would allow you to rid yourself of all prior karma and start over again. I think it's a great idea. In fact, I just might be their first customer.
Fresh karma and truly nomadic life - what more could I possibly ask for?
"Nomadic people, (from the Greek: νομάδες, nomádes, "those who let pasture herds"), also known as nomads, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling down in one location."
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a nomad? Technically, if you think about it, anyone who has moved is a Nomad. Well, I am about to find out what it's like for a while.
I am packing up all my earthly possessions and putting them into storage. A "SAM" to be exact. AKA Store And Move. The unit arrives in my driveway on February 26, 2009 my official date of becoming a Nomad.
The necessities (and my dog) are coming with me on a road trip of sorts. My first stop is Murfreesboro, TN, where I will be visiting with some friends of mine that I have not seen in YEARS!! Even though it is a short stop, I am looking forward to the visit. Hopefully my dog behaves himself and doesn't pee on their dog. lol. You think I am kidding, but I have seen him do this before, it's gross and then again, kind of funny. Hey "other dog" you are MINE, MINE, MINE!!!
The next stop on the agenda is Raleigh, NC where I will be visiting with my sis, and my "psuedo" sisters. This should be a fun time - a bunch of winos we will be!! I will be staying there for a spell, enjoying the last days of winter in a climate that is much more desirable than what I am used to.
When deciding to become a Nomad, one must pick and choose what to pack and what to store and also what to completely get rid of. This has been one of my biggest nomadic challenges in the last week. I thought maybe I would just sell everything, but I have furniture that I truly do not want to give up. My grandfather clock, my antique desk, my "princess" mattresses, my awesome couches, are just a few of the things I am not yet ready to let go of.
But even though I am storing everything, there are just things I need to stop carting around with me. Craigslist and ebay have become good friends of mine lately. Every time I walk through a room in my apartment, I look at things and say to myself - can that be replaced? If the answer is YES than it just HAS to go!! I am trying to simplify my life and this is just the beginning. Once I do find that place to settle into, I don't want hoards of things clogging up my karma.
Speaking of karma, does anyone need their karma scraped? I have a few friends that are thinking starting a "karma scraping" business. You laugh, but people pay to have their auras read and take their dogs to doggie therapy. Karma scraping would allow you to rid yourself of all prior karma and start over again. I think it's a great idea. In fact, I just might be their first customer.
Fresh karma and truly nomadic life - what more could I possibly ask for?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!!
Last January I wrote a list of pursuits instead of resolutions. I always thought resolutions were kind of pointless for me, so I wrote a list of things I would like to pursue instead. Here is my list from January of 2008 and what I have done to accomplish them. I will move forward anything I have not done to 2009, because I am not just limiting myself to a year. I am looking forward to new adventures in 2009!!
Update on 2008 NY Pursuits:
1. Have breakfast at Tiffany's
2. Go to Mt Rushmore
3. Take a tropical vacation - I had planned on going on a cruise with some of my friends back home, but due to my financial situation I am unable to go. I hope they have fun and send me pics!! :)
4. Buy a new camera to take more professional pictures - I bought, used, and returned a camera to take pics of my friends' wedding in July. :) Hee Hee. Well, I plan on buying it again in March of 2009
5. Finish 3 paintings and sell at least 1 - I have finished over 5 paintings and sold one at a silent auction at a fundraiser for my friend Adam who is battling (and winning) a fight with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
6. Find a shop to sell my jewelry - I didn't do this yet, but I made jewelry for two weddings this year!
7. Finish at least 2 chapters of my book - Found an online book publishing site and started chapter 1!
8. Learn more about investing - Bought a 6 month CD and watched my stock plummet. Let's hope this is a better year!
9. Live well below my means - Ok this was pretty much a given after leaving my job as Director of Finance......
10. Find a cool, old home to rent (after I sell my condo, of course) - Condo went into foreclosure, but I live in VERY cool old home!!
11. Join a wine club - Joined the Omaha Wine Meetup Group. I am not very active in it, but I still drink a lot of wine. :)
12. Start planning my trip to Italy - Fall of 2010 with my favorite travel partner!!
13. Go to an art museum or 2 - Went to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, NE
14. Take silversmith lessons to learn how to make silver rings and charms
15. Take a cooking class
16. Adopt a less fortunate family for Christmas - I adopted a child that stays in a nursing home that was born with severe birth defects. She was born without ear canals and also had to have reconstructive surgery to create lips and she was born without a jaw. She will be having more surgery to have a jaw put in this year. This was an amazing experience!
17. Take painting lessons
18. Learn how to ballroom dance
19. Make a dress - I have all the fabric for it :)
20. Have my friends and family come visit me!! - Done! My mom came to visit twice and I also had visits from my very best friends!
21. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
22. Go to the premier of the Sex and the City movie with my girls!!!!! DONE!!! Limo, martinis, fancy shoes and all!!
23. Inspire someone to follow their dreams - I hope that I have helped someone do this, and I will continue to be supportive of anyone who follows their dreams!
24. Begin planning a Greek Island tour - this will have to be in 2011 :)
25. Keep my heart open to every possibility - Life changes all the time and I have learned that you need to keep changing with it. Anything is possible.
2009 New Year Pursuits
1. Have breakfast at Tiffany's
2. Go to Mt Rushmore
3. Buy a new digital camera
4. Finish 5 paintings and sell at least 2
5. Take a photography and photoshop class
6. Finish 2 chapters of my book
7. Live well below my means
8. Visit Fallingwater
9. Take silversmith lessons
10. Take a cooking class
11. Adopt a less fortunate family for Christmas
12. Take painting lessons
13. Learn how to ballroom dance
14. Make a dress - I have all the fabric for it :)
15. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
16. Visit Biltmore Estates
17. Find a career that allows me creative freedom
18. Start reading books on a regular basis again
19. Experiment painting with a new media (I currently use watercolor)
20. Go on a photo excursion in Northern Michigan, including the U.P.
21. Get a webcam to keep in touch with my friends around the country
22. Downsize, downsize, downsize!!!
23. Start a wine journal
24. Inspire someone to follow their dreams
25. Keep my heart open to every possibility
I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year!!
Update on 2008 NY Pursuits:
1. Have breakfast at Tiffany's
2. Go to Mt Rushmore
3. Take a tropical vacation - I had planned on going on a cruise with some of my friends back home, but due to my financial situation I am unable to go. I hope they have fun and send me pics!! :)
4. Buy a new camera to take more professional pictures - I bought, used, and returned a camera to take pics of my friends' wedding in July. :) Hee Hee. Well, I plan on buying it again in March of 2009
5. Finish 3 paintings and sell at least 1 - I have finished over 5 paintings and sold one at a silent auction at a fundraiser for my friend Adam who is battling (and winning) a fight with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
6. Find a shop to sell my jewelry - I didn't do this yet, but I made jewelry for two weddings this year!
7. Finish at least 2 chapters of my book - Found an online book publishing site and started chapter 1!
8. Learn more about investing - Bought a 6 month CD and watched my stock plummet. Let's hope this is a better year!
9. Live well below my means - Ok this was pretty much a given after leaving my job as Director of Finance......
10. Find a cool, old home to rent (after I sell my condo, of course) - Condo went into foreclosure, but I live in VERY cool old home!!
11. Join a wine club - Joined the Omaha Wine Meetup Group. I am not very active in it, but I still drink a lot of wine. :)
12. Start planning my trip to Italy - Fall of 2010 with my favorite travel partner!!
13. Go to an art museum or 2 - Went to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, NE
14. Take silversmith lessons to learn how to make silver rings and charms
15. Take a cooking class
16. Adopt a less fortunate family for Christmas - I adopted a child that stays in a nursing home that was born with severe birth defects. She was born without ear canals and also had to have reconstructive surgery to create lips and she was born without a jaw. She will be having more surgery to have a jaw put in this year. This was an amazing experience!
17. Take painting lessons
18. Learn how to ballroom dance
19. Make a dress - I have all the fabric for it :)
20. Have my friends and family come visit me!! - Done! My mom came to visit twice and I also had visits from my very best friends!
21. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
22. Go to the premier of the Sex and the City movie with my girls!!!!! DONE!!! Limo, martinis, fancy shoes and all!!
23. Inspire someone to follow their dreams - I hope that I have helped someone do this, and I will continue to be supportive of anyone who follows their dreams!
24. Begin planning a Greek Island tour - this will have to be in 2011 :)
25. Keep my heart open to every possibility - Life changes all the time and I have learned that you need to keep changing with it. Anything is possible.
2009 New Year Pursuits
1. Have breakfast at Tiffany's
2. Go to Mt Rushmore
3. Buy a new digital camera
4. Finish 5 paintings and sell at least 2
5. Take a photography and photoshop class
6. Finish 2 chapters of my book
7. Live well below my means
8. Visit Fallingwater
9. Take silversmith lessons
10. Take a cooking class
11. Adopt a less fortunate family for Christmas
12. Take painting lessons
13. Learn how to ballroom dance
14. Make a dress - I have all the fabric for it :)
15. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
16. Visit Biltmore Estates
17. Find a career that allows me creative freedom
18. Start reading books on a regular basis again
19. Experiment painting with a new media (I currently use watercolor)
20. Go on a photo excursion in Northern Michigan, including the U.P.
21. Get a webcam to keep in touch with my friends around the country
22. Downsize, downsize, downsize!!!
23. Start a wine journal
24. Inspire someone to follow their dreams
25. Keep my heart open to every possibility
I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year!!
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