Things

This week was a pretty good week.  Not because I aced all two of my exams this week.  I probably only "aced" one of them, and utterly failed the other. I keep obsessively checking blackboard for updates, but there is none at the moment.  It wasn't because I only had homework for one section of math this week.  (Which I can't deny, was pretty amazing) 
It wasn't also that awesomely productive, feeling I got this week, when I finally made a breakthrough in my study sessions. 
It's not because work was amazingly, awesome, and I was on top of things. I'll be honest, I wasn't. I jokingly told my co-worker that one of these days they are going to make me choose either work or school apparently doing both just shuts me down.  It wasn't because I didn't have a lab pup to contend with..  But that was pretty awesome too.. *S/O to Mrs. C and her family!* 

It wasn't because my house was amazingly clean all week.  There is nothing quite like laying down in bed, and looking over to see a piece of raw chicken wrapped in your pajama shorts. 

I cannot make this stuff up guys. #lifewithanimals 

No, the awesomeness lies in the fact that I felt like I was awake through most of this week.  I didn't feel like I was slowly dying from exhaustion and I could focus on other things besides the deep, bone aching misery that is lack of sleep. 
That was last week. 
This week I remember Monday (sort of) and Tuesday (too well) and Wednesday (so long) and Thursday (that was yesterday right?) And now we're here at today.  The other part has to do with the fact that I drove through at least three speed traps this week WITHOUT GETTING STOPPED!  Can I get an amen? Because it's needed.  So that was my week.
How was yours? 
Also these videos needed to be shared. You're welcome. 
" Why can't periods last for like an hour? I'm not pregnant so you've made your point. Please leave." 

Stuff and Things

its official. i no longer can use comic sans. [!!! I meant Georgia! Where in the world did comic sans come from? Not that i EVER use that font either!] 

if wishes were horses beggars would ride. 
unless the beggar didn't want a horse .. 
then what? 
also? why do wishes have to be horses? If they were dogs

i don't get that quote, but it was a fitting segway into today's .... monologue? musings? ramblings? 

Did You Know ... 

1. 368 days ago i started my first full time job? 
2. its been a very long 368 days 
3. i miss the freedom of working parttime. A day to sleep a day to work ... now its just work, work, work, work and more work.
4. your house stays very messy when you work full time
5. your good eating habits also go out the window
6. other people's habits interest me. i waste a lot of time watching people's morning routines. and i don't even wear makeup. however i find myself become jealous of the fact they can get up and have a morning focused all about them. "first thing i do in the morning is brush my teeth, do my hair and my make up." My morning is more like .. "first i'm rudely awakened by a screaming pup, then throws some clothes on and rush outside for first potty break then feed all the dogs, crawl back into bed for an hour, before jumping back out again and letting the other three dog out, fixing my hair, brushing my teeth and getting my uniform on. 

[This post was never completed, so we shall ever wonder what on earth else I had on my mind this day. Seemed like it was going in such a good direction. Ah well. July 11, 2014]

101 in 1001 - Round 3

source

Yes. I did just begin another 101 in 1001 project. No I haven't come close to finishing the last two, or three. I can't remember how many I've started at this time. However. This time its different, this time, my list is born from a need to accomplish these things; verses a desire to "fit in". 

I'll admit, the last couple of times I started one of these projects was because 1.) everyone else was doing it 2.) It looked like fun to set un-abtainable goals. Climb Mt. Everest? Sure why not.  Lets make it a goal. 

Not this time. On this list you'll see many some seemingly mundane things, but as I said this list was born out of accomplishments for this year, so don't be surprised if you see things projects I want to accomplish, specific songs I want to learn etc.. 

I feel so much, more motivated this year and I want to do, and see, and feel, and be as much as possible. 

Bring it on 2013! 

101 in 1001

January 4, 2012 – October 5, 2015

Track my goals with me on DayZeroProject.com

Health & Wellness

1.     Drink less Soda

2.     Remove Wisdom Teeth

3.     Physical

4.     Take a vacation

5.     Run a 5K

6.     Pack Lunches instead of eating out

Spiritual

7.     Be pleasing to God

Dogs

8.     Create a “care” schedule for dogs

9.     Rabies Vaccines

10.  Health Exam for Bubbles

11.  Desensitize Dachshunds to being held

12.  Desensitize dachshunds to nail trims

13.  Puppy Raising break

14.  Bring Home Rei

15.  Go see David Graduate

Wish List

16.  New Vacuum cleaner

17.  Purchase something off of Etsy

18.  Camera/Camera lenses

19.  Non window A/C unit

20.  Photoshop CS6

21.  Hammock

22.  New Couch (Leather)

23.  Vanity/Small table for bedroom

Relationships

24.  Birthday gifts for the Fam & Friends

25.  Spend more time with family (once a week)

Home Décor

26.  More plants

27.  Wall Art from Ross

28.  Canvas Drawings of dogs

29.  Table & Chairs

30.  Headboard for Guest bedroom

31.  Batman Poster(s)

32.  Rugs for Kitchen & Hallway

33.  Paint Wall in Bedroom

34.  Curtains in Bedroom

35.  Curtains in Office

36.  Curtains in living Room

 Home, Sweet Home, Sweet Home. 

37.  Make up Bed Daily

38.  Shampoo Carpets every six months

39.  Get bathroom fixed

40.  Get rid of excess furniture

41.  Washer & Dryer hooked up and working

42.  New Refrigerator?

43.  Hole in floor fixed

44.  Tear down Wall between kitchen + living room

45.  Remove Window A/C and store in white storage building

46.  Get quote about fixing electrical issues

47.  Create Cleaning Schedule

Bettering Myself

48.  Practice Piano Daily

49.  Learn to Play “Hey You” – Jonas Brothers

50.  Learn to Play “Someone Like You” – Adele

51.  Learn a duet with Kristen

52.  Learn to play the bass guitar

53.  Learn to wake up Earlier

54.  Create Morning Routine

55.  Use Camera weekly

56.  Take Kristen & Robyn’s graduation portraits

57.  School Fall 2013

Hey There Good Lookin!

58.  Establish a hair care routine

59.  Find brown scarf

60.  Find orange & White Scarf

61.  UT VOL Fan girl stuffs ­

62.  Work out Gear

63.  Running Shoes

64.  Brown Boots

65.  Black Boots

#NoMoPro13

66.  Sunday Pre-Week Planning Session

67.  Oil Change Every Three months

68.  Wash Car & Vacuum once monthly

69.  Trash & Check tires weekly (when filling up)

Money, Money, Money, Money, MONEY!

70.  Save towards Travel, Pets, Wish list

71.  Create Budget & Print

72.  Use COUPONS!

73.  Revamp Resume

74.  Purchase Dog food through Purina Website

75.  Pay off Library Fine

76.  Pay off School by June 2013

77.  Pay off Rebekah by March 2013

78.  Sell Bridesmaids Dress

79.  Sell old Computer

80.  Sell Printer

81.  Sell Nightstand

iBlog,  iWrite

82.  Create a focal point for each blog

83.  Create a blog schedule for each blog

84.  Journal Weekly

DIY

85.  Make headband holder (As seen on Pinterest)

86.  Make scarves (3)

87.  Repaint Bookcase & Cover Backs

Entertainment 

88.  Read 150 Books

89.  Dollywood

90.  Go Ice Skating

91.  Go Snowtubing

92.  Shop @ Tanger Outlets

Travel

93.  Whitewater Raft

94.  Florida Camp meeting

95.  Youth Jubilee 2013

96.  Charlotte Fellowship Meeting

97.  Morgan City Alabama

98.  Meetup with YPG on Valentines Day

99.  Kristen & Audrey’s Graduations

100.  Blog Conference

101.  Finish This List 

Weekly Recap

This [Past] Week Categorized: 

Good

1. Making plans to see Rei and her partner this summer!! 
2. Finishing the first week of the Couch to 5K plan 
3. Trying new recipes 
4. Finding out two friends are expecting babies :) 
5. Meeting the cutest beagle mix puppy ever
6. Planning and making dinner/snacks ahead for the coming week 
7. Trips to the Library 

Bad 

1. Starting a fire in my stove
2. Finding a dead bird in my bedroom 
3. Finding out I may need to get screened/assessed for dyslexia 
4. Staying up 'till 4AM and subsequently being late for church
5. Finding out I need to update my car's registration $60 !! >:-(

Ugly 

1. PMS
2. Cutting myself with a butter knife
3. Watching my dachshund eat a baby-rabbit 

At the very least the good out weighed the bad right? :)

Adulthood - And Its Problems

In my very short time as an adult, I have learned this to be a fact: My Issues, are MY issues. 

Be glad this is not a photo of a flea. I thought about it. 

Which works out very well, since I like to think I am a very independent person. However, there are times when I sorely wish I could thrust my problems off onto my parents and let them take care of them.Unfortunately for me, my parents are used to my independent streak, and even if I tell them about problems or struggles I'm having, (life issues etc..) they have other things to do, and normally forget my woes. 


Leaving me to deal with them.
This week, my problem comes in the form of a little brown bug, less than an inch in size and so very annoying. And guess who has to deal with it? There is no running to my parents for help, mainly because they are out of town. There is no asking friends or family to deal with the problem, because honestly.. what can they do anyway? 

Nope, it all rest solidly on my shoulders. 

Now before we go any further, let me say that all my dogs have been treated not once, but twice with  with TWO different flea prevention problems. And we still have fleas. 

I've spent hours googling "natural" ways to rid my house/dogs of fleas, as being a poor college student (who needs to buy her dogs dog food, since they are completely out) I can't really afford to go out and buy a bunch of chemicals. 

I can't say they haven't worked, as for the most part, my furniture and the newly washed and dusted dog sleeping areas, have stayed flea free. However, my bed room (why, why, and why?) has not. Which now that I think about it, really is no surprise, considering, but that's beside the point. 

The point is, that I've realized that its time for me to suck it up, dip into my savings and buy one of those chemical room fogger, bomber thingys. 

Can I digress for a second here? So I'm on Petsmarts website, reading the reviews on some room defogger thingy, and I LOVE the 1 star ratings for the product. According to those who gave the product 5 stars, its supposed to take several DAYS for the chemicals to take affect, yet the 1 Starers, were gripping about their wasted money, after several HOURS!? GRR!! Its people like them, who cause .. what could be unnecessary doubt in a product, because they really DIDN'T follow the directions. 

Back to my point. 

I would Love to call my father to come take care of this problem for me, but the fact is... my father is a city boy, thus not the person to call when you have an insect problem. My mother would be more helpful, but with four other children at home, well its kinda of hard for her to get away. 

So I'm all on my own. 

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. 

.... Update: The house has been treated, Foundation will be supplying me different flea meds for Trump, Capstar and Advantage are sitting in my "cart" on Amazon.. and after a trip to Wally World for extra Flea Killer, I think.. we could win this War in the next two weeks. 

Pray for me? 

Next year we're stopping this before it starts, as soon as the weather warms, I'm going to be out treating the house, all dogs are going to be on Advantage if they live with me, I'm stocking my growing supply of bug-b-gone stuff (yeah sue me, I use chemicals to get rid of bugs) with flea killers, flea collars will also be in supply, to rest in my vacuum cleaners, as well as a ready supply of the Essential Oils. 

If that doesn't keep them away, I'm moving. 

"Natural Flea Solutions" 

Things that Repel Fleas: IME

• Lavender Oil (Sprayed this on myself frequently and wasn't bit until I stopped using it) 
• Peppermint Oil ( Sprayed furniture down with this, and left cotton balls with drops of the oil down in the cracks, seems to have worked great) 

Killing Fleas 

• Diatomaceous Earth (FOOD GRADE!): So I actually caught a couple of fleas, bagged them and dumped this powdery stuff in there to see if it actually worked. I will admit to being a born skeptic at things I find on the internet. The fact is this, it does kill them.. BUT it took about two days. And I resisted the urge to squash the little buggers. Be Proud.  

P.S.( I was hesitant to post about this at first, because I didn't want people to think...well whatever people will think..(aka judge) about me, but the thing is this.. they are bugs and invasions can happen to anyone. So judge away..in the mean time I hope maybe my woes helps someone else.. )

A Post with a Point: Emotions

Disclaimer: This post has a point. Hey! Don't look so shocked! I can do it when I set my mind to it! 

It all beings with emotions:

Fickle things really, they come and go like the wind, one day you're happy, and then something happens to suck all that happiness away. I used to like to think of myself as an emotionless person, until I realized that no one is emotionless, but some just express them in different ways. 

For instance, I'm not someone to cry at the drop of a hat,I don't get visibly agitated about events that upset me, I'm not going to stomp, yell, scream and curse when I'm angry, and very few things just make me giddy with happiness. For the most part I tend to be very low key in my outward expressions of emotions,  (I like to blame my dad for this trait) but inside...I'm typically a roiling mess.

Like... Now.

Today was a very emotional day for me, Happy, Sad, Giddy, Melancholy, Upset, Stress..you name it, I felt it. 

It started out this morning, with the realization that next Sunday I would be roommate-less. 

The wave of sadness that swept over me, was startling, as it hit me this.is.our last Sunday together... 

I think it startled me mostly because I didn't realize how attached I was to C. Sure we've lived in the same house for about a year and half now, but I don't think close would be us. We're more comfortable with each other and have gotten used to the presence of another in the house...but close? Not overly. 

Didn't I expect to miss her? Sure, I guess I didn't realize how much of a role she played in my life, and I wonder if she knows how much either. 

Than as the morning progressed, we went to church, and then home I suddenly realized that I would be expecting a phone call from Pompei's (4th puppy raised for the Guide Dog Foundation) new handler. Though eager to hear about Pompei, I was attacked by nerves at the prospect of speaking to a complete stranger for any length of time. I need'nt have worried, when the trainer from the Foundation called, the conversation flowed freely. Pompei's new handler is perfect for Pompei and I couldn't have asked for a better matched. Its funny since his partner sounds identical to my own grandfather, I know I've gained another friend through this organization. He wants to keep in contact with me, which makes me so happy as that's a big worry I have when sending my pups away. I don't know if I could handle not being able to hear something about my dogs at some point. 

I ended the conversation feeling as if I could dance around the car. I cannot describe the feeling...

Knowing I was able to be a small part of increasing someone's freedom? Priceless!

I went back into the house and returned to my forgotten book, on a cloud of air. 

After the evening service was over (though equally emotional in a good way) the girls decided to have one last "hurrah" with C and descended on Sonic's for an after church treat...

Along with half of the church...who "showed up". 

I had fun, but something said so innocently stirred up a little bit of annoyance in me, that kept trying to grow, and at first I thought to confront the person about it, but quickly decided that it really wasn't worth starting an argument. 

Than add a small child into a home with 2-not-really-small-child-friendly-dogs in the house, and the day was capped off with a cup of stress and slight frustration. It is clear to me, that at least one of my dogs will have to have passed on before I have any children. And since the likely hood of that event is in the far,far,futre.. we can rest a little easier and focus on managing our lives at present. 

And on that note, I will end this day.... eagerly looking forward to what tomorrow brings...

Erin

Have you ever...

Had so much going on at once, that you didn't have time to stop, sit down, organize your thoughts and photos...and write a blog post? Yeah that's pretty much how life is at the moment.

• The first week it was a new job, new dog + old problems.
• Second week, is still new job, old dogs + their problems + VBS + New Drama.
• The 3rd week it was the new job + care of three dogs + VBS recovery + Other Drama + Stress 
• Fourth Week, new job(s) (I work client to client) + plus one of my dogs is with someone else + recoverying from the stress of last week + lack of sleep...

I don't have any time! Gargh! However... as much as I thought I'd hate the ridiculously early hours of my new job, its not as hard as I thought it would be. Perhaps its just because I'm back to doing something I love again..(not that I don't love my other job, its just....I'll be there two years and its...well not as "challenging" as it once was, but its the best paying job I've had, and I love my co-workers so we'll be there until I graduate at least) 

Clients dog worn out from our walk

These next two weeks will be incredibly busy. I look at my calendar and shudder sometimes....however I wanted something to do to keep my busy this summer...and I've got it!

 I've also got some BIG decisions to make this week...< insert another shudder > its making me extremely nervous, and starting to stress me out some. And the idea of me stressing out is stressing me out more..(my body hasn't quite recovered from my last bout of anxiety...the thought of food is still making me nauseous. I have NEVER been so stressed as I was last week. I don't want to do that again.)

Which means I have less energy, am more tired etc..etc.. BLAGHER. Can I please quit being a grown up now? Please???

Anyway, this is all to say, that posting will be spotty until school starts...(how ironic)...which probably means that I'll start posting more regularly. It always happens like that, so... until I write again!

Ta! TA!

Life in Photo

This week, I didn't start out to re-start my P365, but more so to use my camera again. I'd stopped using it, because downloading my photos onto my very.take-20-minutes-to-open-a-program-Mac was a


Sunday:

Monday: One of my favorite kids-to-photograph-ever. 

Tuesday: The Plan: Get up early, get Rob out of the house, do some shopping, return before 12:00pm, drop of said dog, leave for Jobs 1+2, then come home get the dogs out of the house before it was time for VBS Play practice.


What really went down: Got up llaaate, got the dogs some playtime in, food in their bellies and jetted for work. Bought lunch, worked both jobs, stopped by a shoe store on the way home, decided to go ahead and fill up my car ($31 woooo!)  and pick up some groceries. The rest of the night went as planned, but my poor to-do list is getting longer and longer.

Wednesday: I woke up with the odd dream I had replaying in my head. Have I ever mentioned that I'm not a morning person? Only about 1,324,234,575 times you say? Hmmm.. Well needless to say, getting up and "gettin stuff done" once again, did not happen. I really wanted to go to the Farmers Market this morning, just to go but...perhaps another day then.
As I was returning from Job #2, I couldn't resist snapping a photo of the doodles on the side of this abandoned costume shop. 

Friday: My sister is constantly pestering me to take more photos of people and my family, so I was surprised she eagerly got ready for an impromptu photoshoot. These two were my favorite from our time. Both very natural, very Kristen. :) 

Saturday: We said good-bye to our fourth family member....she visited with us for the week while her family was out of town. Sweet little pup but Ka-RaZy while at my house. :) 

Erin Un-Cut:This Week

Ramblings through out the day


April 27, 2011 

• I have consumed almost 3 liters of Dr.Pepper in the last three-four days. #FinalsWeek
• RT @foulknews: Tornado Watch issued for Knox and area counties
• I love the owls on this dog collar. pinterest.com/pin/16907104/
• RT @foulknews: alert: FROM WOKI:Obama set to present birth certificate in news conf. this hour. Live on Newstalk 98.7 (foulk)
• Trump callin out the press...
• Well. That happened.
• I can't say that I've missed the political heckling on my twitter feed
• Hurrying home while the sun is still shining. #thunderstormwarning
• WHoa. an iron with a digital display? Where have I been? picplz.com/Swq8
• The water I required to drink before I get more soda. @abbyleighanne picplz.com/SwNK
• I'd been home for and hour+ before Rob whimpered a little to let me know he was there
• I thought he was with my sister is why I didn't check his crate. #sillypuppy
• Just read another account of someone 'flipping' their dog in order to 'show em his place'. People please DON'T DO THAT!! It does more harm long term than good.
• RT @thinkgeek YOU GUYS. Promise us if you're ever this close to a tornado you'll seek shelter: twitpic.com/4q93rs We ♥ you too much.
• Watching our final presentations. YEah I'm totally reading a book.
• I love rainboots. picplz.com/SLZW
• I Wuvs him. picplz.com/S4Rq
• More hail really!?!?!
• Praying the Tornado passes by us. Especially living in a mobile home. #fb
• Tons of hail damage to the car s though. Thankfully for once I don't have one. Stay Safe #knoxville!
• Freaking out a little over here. Just a little.
• Camped out with our neighbors who have a actual house. All quiet now. #notacomfort Warnings lasting till 1am. #scared
• Ha ha two of mine are crated for the night. RT @jennyanne Quick doggy pee run before the next wave hits!! Wicked lightening #yesisaidwicked
• My thunder-storm-scared dog is sleeping so I'm taking that as a good sign....she was pacing prior to now. Other dogs could careless
• Power out in east Knoxville. Yay.
• RT @wivkjimmy WIVK and WOKI are the only radio stations covering this storm fulltime. Local radio for the win!!!!!
• Power came back YAY!!
• Waiting out the storm picplz.com/SHdl
• Rob chilling while the rest of us freak. Lol. Worst is behind us picplz.com/SHsR

April 28, 2011

• Survived my first Tornado/Thunderstorm Extraordinaire. For once I'm thankful to not have a car. However buying one in the near future will probably be a pain around the #knoxville area.
• I suppose going to bed would be a prudent thing to do, however despite almost getting taken out by a Tornado, I'm pretty sure PSTCC will demand us to finish our finals tomorrow. Grrrrrr.
• Rain starting up again...
• Is 2am too late to eat ice cream?
• And the rain rain rain comes down down down. Again.
• And I'm the only one awake. Um............................................
• Our car has the chicken pox picplz.com/Svs7
• OH help I lost part of my torso picplz.com/Svlm
• Wow. RT @6News: Tornadoes devastate South, killing at least 248 wate.tv/3BN
• Ugh. I hate birds. And especially dead birds falling out of your puppies mouth.
• Rob, Bubbles and I are all fighting for space on the heating vent. Yes I said heat. Have you been outside lately? #whatisupwiththisweather
• i'm winning cause the cold-blooded mammal in the room. ha

April 29, 2011 

• Sooo who got the honor of photographing the Royal Wedding?
• Its like Disney in real life! #royalwedding
• The hats in the crowd are....spectacular! #royalwedding
• Please tell me this is not real...please? Someone? gigglesandcutiepumpkinsphotography.blogspot.com/
• Ok that threw me for a minute..i'm like why are they singing an american anthem? #royalwedding..but I GOT IT people. I got it
• So when I get a million dollars can I have a wedding like this? #royalwedding.. Without all the singing though....
• Can I cry now? #royalwedding #idontcryatweddings
• Royal Wedding Crazy Hats - ABC News t.co/keVu00A via @pinterest
• Awwww. I want to have a wedding...without the getting married part though. lol #tooyoungforthat
• RT @laurenabarlow: I want to go to a royal wedding. Just once.Just so I can wear some crazy huge hat that will block everyones view of the wedding..
• yfrog.com/h803xij - Tons of Dogs for the Pompsters to be playing with but he's happily getting love from the humans. I miss that dog. 
• So the Fur-Kids got quite a few new toys today...Thank you Easter Clearance sales...
• This is CREEPY!! |You Are Not a Photographer j.mp/gnFml 

Saturday, April 30, 2011 

• The hypnotic power of Tomorrow. Tonights Message. Powerful, Thought Provoking.
• We all get so caught up in the thought that there WILL be a tomorrow for each of us..when in truth we don't know that.
• As if WE have ANY control over when that may or may not happen. Especially in light of these recent disasters..#putsthingsinperspective
• All we have is today. What are you doing with it?
• RT @ClarenceHouse The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge depart Buckingham Palace the morning after their wedding twitpic.com/4rdsfs
• Math final done. For the win.
• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are lucky to be able to avoid all the ridiculous family photos that come after weddings. #rw2011
• And in other news that last tweet was not fact. #rw2011

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Miscellany Monday: Bullet Points Ad Nauseam

Its Monday (barely) so I, once again, have a valid excuse for being my normal random self. So lets start at the beginning shall week. 

1. Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood.....
• Its was about 1:00 pm when we first heard the sirens. It wasn't the typical long drawn out wail, but more of a "whoop-whoop" every couple of minutes. I was standing on the porch with my neighbor-friends at the time, and walked into the yard to see if we could see anything. Not seeing a single car on the road, we resumed our conversation...only to interrupted again. This went on for another 30 minutes, at 5-10 minute intervals, before I went back inside. A couple of hours later I was back at their house, and this time we could see police cars pulled up to a house a couple of houses down. We mused to ourselves a bit, but its not unusual to see the police at that house (we thought) and we went on about our business. Rob and I went to class, had a perfectly horrid time, (ah life with baby-puppies) and left class early before they kicked us out. As we were drew closer to my house, I noticed the police cars were NOT lined up at the house we originally assumed but at the nice neat house next to it. (Ah lack of zoning laws. Gotta love it) I tucked that little nugget and went home to get ready for Church that evening. (So ok this was Wednesday) When the police were STILL their after Church got out around 8ish..9ish..who knows, we knew this wasn't a robbery or domestic violence case. And as it turns out we were correct, though it took a while to get the story arranged right, the news reported the bodies found, two houses down from my own humble abode, were from a murder and suicide. Apparently this couple hadn't been getting along for years, and one stabbed the other and then the murderer overdosed on drugs.
• Honestly its extremely sad, I mean how do you get to the point where you are SO un-happy with your life and with your companion that you are willing to let yourself do something so heinous? 
• So that was the drama of last week. 
2. In less Tragic News... 
• I have decided that there are some foods that just aren't "left-over meal" materials. Coming from a family of eight, you are conditioned from a young age to make large portions of everything. Moving out on my own, I quickly realized that I could NOT eat as much as I was used to making, and just how I could NOT eat the same thing seven days in a row. My already picky menu decreased several notches during my first year on-my-own. 
• Box or Stove Top Macaroni & Cheese (as of this week I've thrown out two containers. It jus doesn't re-heat good at all. blegh. Puke. gag.) 
• Baked Mac & Cheese is doable. 
• Fresh Salsa (it just is weird. Believe me Probably the lack of preservatives etc..) 
• Homemade Burgers (dry out really easily.) 
• Restaurant Burgers are ok. 
• I'm sure I'll think of others, but at the moment I could throw all of the above out of my fridge and not blink twice about it. However I hate, hate, hate, wasting food/money so I'll force it down. As long as it doesn't have any green fuzzy decor.....
3. My wish list is getting longer by the day.....
• At number one we have a Piano... if you don't know, I've been playing this lovely instrument since I was six? Took 10 years in lessons, can play fairly well by ear, and I reguarly play at church yada yada yada. However, lack of practice does not a good pianist make; not having a piano where I can practice easily isn't good. So I'm looking for either a nice studio upright piano like my parents have, or even a spinit. I would Loooooooooooove to have a Grand or even a Baby-Grand. I would literally die. I used to ask my parents for one, and could never understand why everyone died laughing at my suggestion. I mean yeah I know you guys said it cost a lot, but I was thinking in the $2,000-5,000 range. That was until last year, when my friends and I decided to walk into a piano store. 
• Um...those things are like $35,000. 
• And that's the CHEAP ones. 
• Could have knocked me over with a feather. 
• So I'll settle for even a nice electric piano. 
• However a car comes first. 
• Next would be New Glasses 
• Our local mall has a Eye-Docter/Lens/Glasses whatever and the current deal is $20 eye exam and buy one get one free on their glasses. Any brand. Having worn my current pair for iono four years now? Its time for some new ones. I also want some fashionable prescription sunglasses so I can look "cool" like everyone else. haha. I wanna a complete change from what I have currently, but am scared to commit my money towards such a venture at the moment. 
• Studio Lights ( I know, I know, not the "correct" terminology but you get the gist of it) 
• Canon 7D or Sony Alpha 850 
• Yeah. When I'm rollin in the big bucks
• Another 50mm, 24-70mm, 70-400mm, 35mm, *sigh*
• Fix my cavity ridden teeth.
• How is it, I can go through child hood, have minimal cavities (with minimal brushing) but the INSTANT i become and "adult" and responsible take care of my teeth DAILY (granted I also increased my sugar intake) My mouth is full of this plague!?!? Not to mention they all held off until I was OFF of my parents insurance..!? 
• Grr. 
4. Its Finals Week 
• And of COURSE I should be studying, but I'm all studyed out at the moment. The end is in sight, I can taste it, I can touch it, I can feel it ..(think sunshine and blue skies) and its nearly impossible to concentrate on the important things at the moment. 
5. Still.No.Car. 
• Its coming. I can feel it. I've got the money. I just need the right price. 
6. Goals for the upcoming summer would be...
• Get another part time job...preferably one that will allow me to bring the Robsters 
• See #5
• Save up money for the TWO trips I'm planning to take this year. 
• Man. Just remembered I might have another I'll "HAVE" to go on. ssiigghhhh. 
• Having three dogs can be very expensive at times.
• Buy More Clothes
7. Twitter Randomness
• 4 of 5 stars to A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson 
• 4 of 5 stars to A Surrendered Heart by Tracie Peterson 
• Time to make a list and check it at least, twice.
• Ugh...really Windows? This would have "never" happened on a Mac
• omw. Seriuosly!? RT @fearfuldogs: dumb dog leash tinyurl.com/3mw8jfv what IS our problem?
• Why yes, I am completely changing the topic for my final that was due yesterday. Again. To the original topic.
• "Are we turning our kids into Tech Zombies?"
• Has a nice ring to it don'tcha think?
• Today, 8-18 year-olds devote an average o! f 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day..#researching
• Technology Free Family Live to Tell the Tale: bit.ly/ecAbC8
• RT @thinkgeek: WOW. 100,000+ toothpicks, 3,000 hours, & gallons of Elmer's glue later: San Francisco kinetic sculpture j.mp/hZuD7c
• I mean really. There are some days when you DON'T wanna know what people are thinking and they put it on FB anyway. !!!!?
• Change the World with Words - for Dogs and All | Dancing Dog Blog bit.ly/gjMXvH
• Dear Pinterest I wanna join the party!? Please send me an invite soooooon!

The End.
Good Bye for a week.
Probably.
I don't know.

Budgets Part III

There are times I feel old beyond my years.
Why is a 21 year old worrying about budgets?
*Says the girl who thinks cleaning is fun*


I've posted before about the struggle budgeting is for me before. Well, I should say "the struggle controlling the impulsive shopper, in me is." So unless I have money to blow (which never happens) I avoid places such as: Bookstores, Target, Old Navy, Ross, Kohl's, Petsmart etc.. unless I have money to blow, or just need to do some Therapy shopping.

There are times you just need the fun of bringing home something new, you know what mean?

But I digress.

After the serious failure of the last couple of months, and the purchase of a new (for me) car in my near future, and hearing someone-of-influence-in-my-life, say incredulously "What in the world are you doing with your money!?" (oh I don't know spending it?)  My determination to come in way UNDER budget this month is at an all time high.

So I spent days going over my shopping lists,Checking and double checking my house to make sure I wasn't over buying. I also wanted to purchase some extra things, so I had to create a budget for that; which meant taking away from other things, but it worked our pretty well in the end. Anyway, my March Budget ended up with these categories:

• Food
• General Items (Decreased by $50)  
• Home Decor  
• Tithe
• Gas (increased by $10)
• Pets 
• Fast Food (Decreased by $10) 
• Education (aka Books which also decreased by $10)
• Savings (aka whatever's leftover)
• Plus all the usual bills (cell phone,insurance.. yada)

On your mark...get set.....GO! 

Day 2 
Soooo I was really proud of myself Tuesday. I priced shopped everything to the inth degree, found low to free shipping on everything I bought online (from flashlights to dog food), and had stayed well below my budget food wise. However, I didn't factor one small detail  into my purchases. Shipping time. While most of my supplies could arrive whenever...I quickly discovered I was completely out of Rob's food. Rob's very expensive food. Think $16.99 for 4lbs of dog food. Needless to say, we'll be changing foods as soon as I can get the "A-OK"..as much as I hate to feed "my" dog that......purinaonestuff.. my budget needs it.

Anywhooo....

When I went to check the order status, I just got a "Order is being being packaged" notification with no indication when it would leave, much less arrive at my house. So I decided I could probably afford a small bag, to tied him over, that way I didn't run the risk of giving him the runs, by letting him eat my other dog's food. So after our trip to the vet yesterday, (Where I impulsively purchased one of these amazing candles, a must have if you have a pet you're potty training, but NOT in the budget) we stopped by Petsmart.

Yes the Petsmart that is on my list of "NO-GO" places.Cause I can't help but by more treats or toys. Sure enough, an hour later ( you can't go anywhere fast with a 9week old puppy, wearing a yellow jacket stating: FUTURE GUIDE DOG on it. Especially if he doesn't like to stay in the shopping cart you placed him in.) we walked about $40 poorer, with dog food, a new toy, bitter apple spray and some treats..and a very happy puppy.

Then today, I get online and see...our food is scheduled to arrive at my door.......TODAY. 

Waaaaah

He totally could have survived for one day on my pet dog's food. Oh well. Live and learn.

So I kinda blew in the pet category this month. I'm so annoyed with myself.

However, I did stay way under budget in my other categories, which gave me a little cushioning in my spending indiscretion.

So. Yay Me!

And Better luck next month.