Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Dream on.


I haven't posted in a long time. I haven't had much to post about. Here's an update;
I did, in fact, make it through the summer. I have been happily attending school in Charleston for about two months now. I have been to many parties, had many guests and I am still making decent grades. I can't complain.
I cannot believe this is my baby brother's senior year in high school, I can't believe my Jordie is leaving for the ARMY in 5 days, and I cannot believe how much I have grown since I moved here.
I got a call this morning from Walden Books in the Mattoon mall offering me the job I've been wanting. I started book 7 of the Pretty Little Liars series this morning. Glee is on tonight, as well as the new season of 16 and Pregnant. I can't complain.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Reasons why I am wishing my summer away.


1.) The pool is slowly but surely killing me. I (literally) sweat chlorine, my tan lines are bright enough to direct sky traffic, I am working all of the time, but somehow am still broke. My skin is so used to cold water, I can now actually take cold showers and enjoy them. Bras and underwear do not exist anymore. 99% of the time you see me, I am hiding a bathing suit under my clothes. It's a little like superman, but not near as cool. Or as flattering.

2.) I want to move out of my house. I love my parents and baby brother, but Lord help me. If all of us survive the summer, it will be a miracle. 20 years is a really long time to live with 3 other people.

3.) I want to move into my new house. I will be living with my friends. We have cute things to put in it. I've been collecting things for my house for 3 years now, and I'm ready to get it out of my closet. I want to be able to take naps. I want to spend time with my Foster Lee. I want to rest a little.

4.) KOL in STL is in 32 days. I. Cannot. Wait.

5.) Panama August 9-16. :D :D :D

So you may think I'm crazy for wishing my summer away, but I just want a freaking break. Indoors.

Above is a post-pool day Sierra. Disgusting.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The very second I decide something, I change my mind. Right as I give up, you come back. As soon as I finish, I'm craving it again. The moment I think I'm ok, you remind me that I'm not.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

To not make a decision is to make a decision.


I love quote titles, obviously.

They're kind of my thing. Quotes, that is.

Let me start off with the new revelation. Boys are confusing. (so maybe this isn't so new, but it serves it's purpose every time I blog about it. Some girl, somewhere makes a point to tell me that I am not alone.)
Secondly, I hate when boys or friends make plans on the fly, cancel them on the fly, apologize, then make more plans to cancel. Then they don't understand why you are upset when they said they were sorry. Get your head out your ass and change your mistake as you're doing it. I don't want to be a control freak. I don't want to be the typical anal Taurus who doesn't like her plans being fucked with. But it's in the stars, and I just am. So please. If you care about me enough to make plans with me, don't even think about ditching me. I don't care if you forgot you had to help your grandmother, you have to do chores, or you just don't feel like answering your texts. Tauruses aren't gullible signs. Which makes me wonder why I believe your crap in the first place...moving on.

I went to Colorado last week for my cousin, Ian's graduation. It was pretty fun, you don't care about the details, however, so I won't go there.

I am currently going through a tv junkie phase and I cannot miss Glee, Parenthood, Modern Family or True Blood. Of course I am a psycho about these and will argue with you for days about how Glee is not "gay" and True Blood is nothing like Twilight. Which reminds me, Eclipse is premiering June 30!!!!

59 days until Kings of Leon Concert with Lindsey in STL!!!!

Above is a photo from my trip to Colorado.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Isn't it ironic?


The most ironic scenario in the world;

Sierra: Hey, I like you.
Boy(s): Really, ugly? Because I like your friend. Hook me up with her.

I have condensed this long drawn out process immensley, but, this is what always happens to me.

Really, life? REALLY?!

btw, I tally mark everytime this happnes, I'm on numero 7 for the year.

My precious Kyle has nothing to do with this, I just think this picture from my party last weekend is adorable :)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Birthday Extrordinare.


This weekend was my birthday celebration weekend. My friends surprised me by throwing me a party at the Gym Club, which was amazing. They have a foam pit, trampolines galore and other crap to jump and play on. I think almost everyone was injured in some way, but it was totally worth it. My favorite moment was watching my precious little brother jump from one trampoline to another and then shoot straight into the metal wall, then back to the other and faceplant rugburn his face. Needless to say, it was a very entertaining party. I had made some funfetti cupcakes for this bash, however, while I was at work, an army of ants decided they would take them over, and my Mamaw had to buy some. So we had cupcakes, cards galore, balloons, flowers, you name it. It was a wonderful party.
We then headed to El Cactus, which contrary to popular belief, IS BETTER THAN EL RANCH. Then off to my home to get dolled up, then to Sydni's, then we were off to Dougie's trailer for the bash.
The party party as we like to call it was a blast. Doug is a wonderful party host, and all of my closest friends were there. Well, almost. I ended the night by riding home with a carload of boys who actually let me listen to KOL the whole way. We took turns buckling each other in, stopped for a pee break on St. Marie and then crashed.

Amazing birthday!
Thanks to all who were involved, and if you weren't, your freaking loss.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

I'm marching my band out.


This is the month of May. The month of May being the best month of the year for moi. It's my birthday month, it's the first month of good weather and SUMMER, the pool opens and the last day of school is in May. So, the next few weeks are going to be amazing. 1.) this weekend is my birthday party! 2.) Friday is the last day of classes, and I only have one final on Monday. 3.) I have three consecutive days off of school and work next week. Three! 4.) My birthday is next Saturday, the 15th. 5.) I am going to Denver the 19th. I'll admit, I'm most excited about the plane ride. 6.) The pool, whenever it decides to contact it's guards and eager pool rats of the date, will open. Eventually.

I LOVE MAY!!!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

let it be


So this week was interesting. It started when I finally received my Post Secret book in the mail. If you are not familiar with Post Secret, go to www.postsecret.com immediately. It consists of random people sending in anonymous postcards that are artistic displays of their deepest secrets. They are updated every Sunday. They are amazing.
So upon getting my book, I sat down and read all 250 some pages in one sitting. It's soooo addictive. When I got to the end, I noticed the last page had a cutout to make your own secret. I pondered it, and then cut it out. Then I stared at it. I didn't have any idea what to write about. Or how to write it. Or how to display it. I finally worked on it for about an hour. After an entire stick of midnight blue nail polish, a few destroyed pictures and some serious thought, I had my secret. I mailed it the next day, and prayed it would get posted today.
Later on in the week, some other shit happened. The make you want to vomit kind. The truth is, things change. It's just inevitable. Whether it is good change or bad change, that's up to you. You can only decide your prerogative, and live by it.

So here's my prerogative, let it be.
Being a Taurus, I am stubborn and naturally a controller. I like to control all aspects of my life, and some of other's lives, too. I do not take pride in this, as it comes off as uncaring and pushy. The reality is, I am scared. I want to control things so they aren't unfamiliar to me and throw me off guard. Tauruses don't like change. I don't like change. Subtle change is good, rapid change is bad. It's scary. It leaves my head spinning.

A few months ago, I decided to make a change. A rapid change. I decided to change my outlook. I've posted about it like a million times. I wanted to become a more positive and confident person. I wanted to be more laid back and accepting of myself and others. To just leave things alone. This had been working for me quite well.

A few nights ago, Sydni and I were discussing what tattoo she wanted to get. She was considering getting "this too shall pass" because she said it comforted her and she hoped to live by it. I had also been trying to think of what tattoo I wanted. I knew along what lines I wanted, I just didn't feel settled on it. I started telling Syd that I knew how she felt about this phrase, and then I told her about mine. When my first boyfriend broke up with me, I thought it was the end of the world. I wanted to die, I'd never get another boyfriend, my heart had been ripped out of my chest blah blah blah. As I was crying myself to sleep ever so dramatically that night, I suddenly had a song stuck in my head. "Let it be" by The Beatles. Ever since then, whenever I'd go through something difficult, I would hear that song. I hadn't thought much about it until that night. After I told Syd that, she looked at me and said, "that's your tattoo, Si." So it goes.

We had all been planning on going to get Syd's tat with her on her birthday and have a girls day. I hadn't decided if I was going to get mine yet or not. I mean, passing out is bad enough without alot of your close friends with you. And after the weird week, I didn't know if I even wanted to go or not. I decided last minute to go and have fun. So we went. We go to the tattoo parlor, and Syd was deciding on lettering. I was back and foreth on getting one. I didn't find a font I wanted. I finally asked for a piece of paper and started sketching. I wrote out the font I had in mind, and showed the tat guy. Then we waited. I decided, spur of the moment to get it. I threw the $50 at the lady and mumbled something about just take it before I change my mind and run screaming down the street. She did. The tat guy then started printing some junk off and the next thing I know, I have an outline on my ribcage and I'm laying down on a chair/bed staring at the ceiling and counting my own breaths so I don't pass out cold, praying that group of guys doesn't waltz back in and see my with my shirt up, basically comatose. The tat gun started. I looked at the girl with eyes the size of tin cans. They laughed. I felt it touch my skin with a tiny sting, and thought, "is this it?". It wasn't near as painful as I had imagined. I sighed. He was done in about 2 minutes and I remember feeling relieved and proud of myself. I didn't pass out.
I looked in the mirror and smiled. One of the girls says "that's really cool that he used your own writing and all". I had no idea he had made a copy of my writing. I was a little creeped out, then I figured it was typical. I had found a way to control something.
I am so glad I went through with it. I needed this to remind me of why I was doing what I'm doing. Changing. Let it be means so much to me. It means to move on, it means to leave it alone, that things work themselves out. It's all out of my control. Well, almost.
And I'm glad my secret didn't get posted. I don't regret spending all that time on it. Everything happens for a reason.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity

Sometimes it's very easy to sit around and think about all the things that are wrong in your life. I've been trying really hard to think of the positive things that I have. We, as Americans, are all very "lucky", but I don't believe luck exists, as the title explains. Maybe it's the new optimistic view, maybe an afternoon of being sick and watching episode after episode of Extreme Home Makeover and 16 and Pregnant just does that to you.
I don't really know if I believe in karma or any of that stuff. What I do believe is if you are a good person, tell the truth and strive to do your best, you will be blessed with friends and people who love you. They will pay you back, and they will have your back. People will be nice to you, good things will happen and you will be happy. This, of course, takes some optimism on your part.

Sure, there are alot of bad people who are popular. We all know someone who is like that. The truth is, do people "like" this person because they are rich? Because if they aren't friends with this person, they are afraid they will get made fun of like the other who defy them? There's always an ulterior motive. No one trusts mean people, and I guarantee they don't have real friends.

Being a nice person isn't hard. It's actually pretty simple. If you feel like something is mean and wrong, don't do it. You have to adjust the standard of a "good person" to your personal morals. If you are naturally a mean person, then be a mean person. Tell me how that works out for you.

The bottom line is if you live like you should, are happy with yourself and have alot of love, you are lucky. Here are some things that I think make me lucky;

1.) I am sick, luckily I have a great doctor I can go to , and heath insurance
2.) It's raining, but maybe that means morels tomorrow :)
3.) I have to take a stupid test tomorrow, but at least I am able to go to school.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

RAINBOW CAKE!



Ok, since this is supost to be a baking/cooking/Marthary blog, I feel like I should post pics of what little baking I do right now. This rainbow cake was for Sydni's birthday. Enojoy!!!

Spring Cleaning!


My life has now been spring cleaned. My room blog have gotten facelifts. The car...not so much. Next step, becoming an exercising fool!!! So maybe that one's a bit of a stretch...

I have also discovered Jason Castro. He was on some season of American Idol, which I despise...never mind that. I'm pretty sure he was designed for me. Blue eyes, brown hair, dreads, drummer. Basically all of my fetishes combined into one fine guy. Delish. Not to mention he has an adorable voice. I suggest you listen to his version of Hallelujah and Over the Rainbow. Live, not recorded.
Do not take this new obsession as me loving KOL any less. Did I mention I got tickets to see them for the third time in a year in July??? :D

I am on a book buying kick again, tell me your favorite book that is a must have!

Above is the beautiful Jason Castro. Eat your heart out, ladies. (and gentlemen?)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My A HA! moment.


Today, as Lindsey so perfectly put it, I saw the light. The dating light that is.

I am always giving my friends advice on guys. Whether they ask for it or not, want it or not, appreciate it or not. Sure they get frustrated with me and don't want to believe it most of the time, but for the most part, I end up being right. I'm not trying to brag. It's the opposite actually. It just means that I've seen so many of my friends be in relationships while I stood by the side, single. You get a much clearer view from the outside when you are not dating anyone. You don't relate to them being in love and gushy. Sure, my advice is harsh for the most part, but it comes from experience of seeing it. The rest of it comes from my own shitty little library of relationships.

The bottom line is this; I tell my friends this junk because I love them, and I think they deserve the best. They are beautiful and deserve to be respected. I do not see how they want to be with guys that treat them like they aren't. I just assume there are plenty of other guys they could get. Ones that appreciate them as much as I do. I'm also a firm believer in the book and movie, "He's Just Not That Into You". Painful, but oh so legit.

But when it comes to my own relationships, I'm a train wreck. I don't follow any of my rules, and I have no idea what to do. I do all the things you are not supost to do when pursuing someone, and then when I get hurt, I keep going back for more. I'm the worst of my friends at this stuff.

Today I realized why. I never listen to my advice to others, because I didn't think I deserved it. I didn't think I deserved respect like my friends do. You may think this is silly, but I thought rules didn't apply to me. That I am the unlikeable friend who just has to take what she gets. Then I realized that I do deserve it. I deserve what my friends deserve. I am allowed to be confident and decide when enough is enough. Enough bullshit, enough lies, enough of them hitting on my friends, enough boys that are taken/kind of single/ we're just talking/ borderline. I deserve to have a guy all to myself. I shouldn't have to share, or worry about him liking other girls. I don't need them. At all. I have friends, I don't need someone to stroke my ego and build me up.

So today I stop letting boy's opinions influence my opinion of myself. And I'm ready to give myself the same treatment that I give my friends. And I'm excited.

Above is a scene from Sydni's birthday party last weekend. I had a great time with all of my favorite people. I'm glad all our different types of friends came together to celebrate with our Syd. <3

Monday, April 12, 2010

Home is where your story begins...


Today as I was walking to my car after class at OCC, I passed a silver PT Cruiser with all the windows open. As I strolled past, a kid popped up in the back seat looking sleepy and confused. He was tucked in the back seat with a pillow and blanket taking a snooze. He then started his car and drove approximately 10 parking spots to get some more privacy. Welcome to Olney.

People that live in cities think they see some pretty disturbing things. Gang violence, car crashes etc. To that I say, come to Olney and watch a bag lady in a motorized scooter chair scream at the CVS workers because she can't get her Oxycontin that she just picked up an hour earlier. Sure, these things are funny. But they are scary. I don't think I'll ever forget one day last spring that Lindsey and I were taking one of our drives to entertain ourselves, and escape to the sounds of KOL for a while. We had just had a massive rain, and as we drove main, we realized it was the biggest thing to happen in Olney since so and so murdered whoever over her baby daddy's brother's litter of pit bull puppies or whatever the hell it was. Kids were swimming in the super wash parking lot. I'm not shitting you. Actually swimming. With noodles and water toys. (water toys may or may not include bars of soap or shampoo) We thought that was pretty funny, until we headed home and came to the fourway in the bottoms by our road. (where silver keeps going around the dam and then down to a fourway) Lindsey pointed out to me that there were people gathered around a ditch with nets and fishing poles. Fishing. In. A. Ditch. Now I've seen it all.

You may think I'm shit talking Richland County, that's not at all what this is. I consider myself to have a sense of humor and appreciate these things probably more than actual town accomplishments. I delivered medicine for a pharmacy for a while. As you can imagine, most of these deliveries were not to sweet old women who couldn't get around well anymore (although there were some, and I love love love them). Most of my work was done in trailer parks. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one there delivering drugs at any one time. It was scary at first, but then I just found it hilarious. One of my regulars had no door on his home, beside the door hole was a message in crayon that read "knot hear" and "fuc of". It reminded me a bit of Winnie The Pooh's house with the backwards letters on the sign above his hole in a tree. Except Pooh had a door...
Back to my friend. He was never without a case of Jim Bean and was usually so tanked that he couldn't stand and had his girlfriend/sexslave/stepsister or what have you sign for his things. Did I mention she had two completely cataracted eyes? He was one of my favorites. Another one of my favorites was in a nearby neighborhood. Amongst the 400 cats, their next door neighbors had a mini horse. In the middle of town. In a pen that had a doorway into their house.

I fear that when I move away from here someday that I will forget these things and start to look down upon them. The truth is, we all come from this place, what makes us different is that we choose to grow from it, instead of swim in it...or fish. It is definitely some fertile soil to grow from, too. No one leaves Olney without some character or at least a sense of humor.

This will be the last summer in Olney before I go away to school. I plan on taking advantage of it by goin muddin', fishin', drinkin', riding on a big wheel bugee corded to the top of my car, jumping out of barn windows onto mattresses, whatever keeps us entertained.

Above is an image of me with my first beer. It's closed. Proud day, nonetheless.
Happy Turkey Hunting Season!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers. - Josef Albers


I was always the kid who said things like, " When I pick a major for college, that's it, I won't ever ever change it". I'm currently on my 5th major choice. But I'm pretty confident it's the right one. For real, Mom.

I thought about elementary education, elementary counseling, occupational therapy and culinary. But when I started to think about it, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. And I wanted to teach about cooking. And babies. And decorating. And learning life skills. Then it hit me. Family and Consumer Sciences. (or home economics for all of you who are old) It is a career that was made for me. Or so I like to tell myself. I was so excited to tell Lindsey, who had also been thinking about switching majors, only to find that she had also decided to teach FACS. We hadn't even mentioned it to each other. We do things like that alot....

How do you know when you have chosen the right job for yourself? 1.) people don't even blink when you tell them what you are majoring in, they just already assumed it. 2.) You get excited when you get to job shadow/observe 3.) you get excited about grading papers (yes, I know, this will soon fade) 4.) you make lists of things to remember when you are a teacher 5.) you relate everything to teaching...such as this list.

I am completely confident I have chosen the right path. In a dream world, I would work for Martha for a few years in the city, but it's not completely impossible. I just want to feed people, and teach kids how to be proud of themselves. If there is one thing I learned from experience as a high school student, it's that self esteem building in high school is crucial. I didn't get much of that at St.Joe, and I wouldn't be the same person without Mr. Steber, Mr. VanDyke and Mrs. Billington. My first day of high school, I was so nervous I puked up my breakfast in the office trash can. On the last day, I knew my place in high school, and there weren't many people I didn't know.

People keep asking me, "aren't you scared of all of the budget cuts and rifting?". No. I cannot change my dream because of a dip in the economy. It wouldn't be fair. I will find something to do until I can teach.

Today I gave my first real lesson to a class at the high school. I found out a little about myself and my teaching styles. I'm not very good at staying at the front of the classroom or lecturing yet. I tend to tease them alot and crack semi-inappropriate jokes. I'll have to work on that...
I thought it went pretty well, and at the end of the period, I knew all of the kids and am happy to say that they actually cared about my project and I think they had fun doing it. This is what I want to do.

When I left the high school today, I found an ice cream cone smeared down the side of my car and left to melt on the running board. My first hate crime. Adorable. I'm crazy for wanting to teach these walking hormones. It's a good thing I like crazy...

My picture may be a little staged...

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Just my luck.


Sometimes life is just plain shitty. Like always, just when I think life is going a little too well for me, things turn into heaping piles of feces and then I mope about it for a while and get on with it. Shit Shit Shit. That's all I have to say about that.
On that note, this blog is about luck and motivation. I'm not a completely superstitious person, but I'm ready to do just about anything to turn my "bad luck" around. Bad luck with guys, school, friends, money, if it can go bad for me, it usually does. However, as my dad always reminds me, any day above ground is a good day. And he is right. I know I'm very very lucky in most aspects. I don't have to worry about freezing to death at night, how I'm going to feed my 27 illegitimate children or where my next meal is coming from. Yet. But sometimes, it's just nice to have an exciting day, a day where everything going perfectly. Or just a few good things. I'm not picky

So, quit bitching and do something, right? I plan on starting to work out with Christina, become a heath nut and actually do my homework and study once in a while. Also, I will no longer be trusting myself with my phone on the weekends or drinking near as much. These things are life ruiners, and I am too dumb to control my texting while hyper.
As far as luck goes, Heidi forced me to return the stolen hymnal from the haunted church that I'd been towing around in the back seat of the 4-runner for a year and a half. Not much has improved, in fact I woke up the next morning with gum strung all over my bed sheets. But it makes her feel better, and I feel less guilty for taking something that wasn't mine. So bring on the good luck, and here are a few of my favorite quotes that keep me going. I think I just got a computer virus. Wouldn't you know it...

My adorable picture is of one of my favorite little people in the entire world, Jaylen. Happy Easter!!!


"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill

"Don't make someone a priority when you are only an option" - unknown

"Don't waste a minute being unhappy. If one window closes, go to the next one. If that one closes, break down a door" - Unknown

"If you're sucking air, it's a good day" - Dad

"Fuck em."

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Do what makes your heart sing.


This may be my favorite quote. My grandma tells me this almost every day when I visit her. (sometimes it is translated into "buy what makes your heart sing" when we are shopping...) But I believe it is true. You have to do what makes you happy. You have to do the things that give you butterflies when you think about them. The things that you find yourself thinking about all the time...
Most people make their decisions based on money, what other people think and what will make so and so happy. I understand there are some exceptions such as your children etc. I think that what makes your child happy should make you happy. My main goal in life is to have happy kids. I want my kids to know they are allowed to be whatever they want. They don't even have to be good at it. I don't care if that includes dressing like a pirate everyday or swimming in the bathtub.
The point is, people should do more things that just make them happy. When you find happiness and are happy with yourself, all those other people in your life will feel it and be happy also. And if they can't, then they don't really love you. After all, isn't unconditional love the most amazing love there is?

Do something that makes YOU happy today. And the next day...and the day after that...

Some of my happy things :)
-Kings of Leon concerts, songs, anything..
-rocking a baby to sleep
-toddler giggles
-puppies
-Martha Stewart Blue
-My goddaughter
-kittens
-A chat with my best friend who is 4 hours away
-crying while reading a book
-Anything Tim Burton
-driving with all the windows down and the music waaaay up
-naps outside
-shopping...for anything!
-helping someone feel better
-a reaaally long talk with a good friend
-getting a random sweet text
-compliments
-remembering why I love my friends
-making a new friend
-vacations
-when people read my blog
-reading Martha's Cooking School before bed
-waking up happy
-watching my swim lesson kids do it on their own :)
-a good hair day
-happy sports movies, my current fave is The Blindside
-birthdays
-being suprised
-avacado
-getting out of class early
-when things go my way
-good change
-being in water
-astrology
-feeding people
-amazon wish lists!
-old pictures
-sweet boys
-swinging....
-loved ones being happy <3

Above is the first time I met my Godbaby, Aly. One of my happiest moments :D














-

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Stressed is desserts spelled backwards...


This is the first time I can remember not having anything specific to write about. At least nothing I can make public. Things are weird right now. I'm in that winter/spring tying up loose ends for school time. Before school ends I have; a mega birthday party to throw, a standardized state test for education, finals, papers, changes at work, getting my lifeguard certifications renewed, scheduling private swim lessons (if they are allowed this year..grrrr) 50 observation house at the high school and applying for the education program and scheduling classes. Phewww. And I have to save money for an iPad, my yearly trip to Minnesota with my grandma, Bonnaroo, and KOL concerts. (yes, these ARE priorities, single girls do what they want :D) I cannot wait for summer. I have applied at the MAC for assistant manager and even though I don't expect to get it, it is a goal I have and will be a bit crushed if I don't get it.
Soooo bring on the happy pills, sweet teas, chai's, long baths, power walks, Kings of Leon CD's and Martha Living magazines that I'll need to make it through because here I go....

I guess I found something to bitch about, after all :)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Martha, Martha, Martha


I feel the need to explain to ya'll why Martha is a superior being, and why I love her so. Here it is;
1.) yes, she was sentenced 5 months prison time for lying a bit...about some dumb stocks. Was it wrong? Yes. Everyone lies sometimes. Also, I give her mad props for doing her prison time instead of being a sissy and getting out of it. Look at the great Nelson Mandela; he was in prison for 27 years and went on to become a great leader. Also, who else could calm the harsh female prisoner attitudes and teach them how to be domestic and knit? Only Martha the great.
2.) Her signature color is the most perfect form of blue in the entire color palate. Fact.
3.) She can do everything. She is a domestic godess and is not thought of as being weak, overly feminine or too mushy. She is a master seamstress, decorator, cook, baker, cleaner, designer and business woman. She was even a politician before becoming Martha the great.
4.) She allows her daughter to have a show that solely makes fun of her. Any woman who can permit a show that is nothing but jokes of herself and still claim her daughter is a badass. I'm sorry. It's the truth.
5.) She's old and still looks amazing. Martha is 68 years old, people.
6.) She has a magazine, a few tv shows, a radio STATION, and numerous lines of products
7.) She makes up her own rules, even though they are OCD. So don't you dare use the white washcloths to take your makeup off while staying as a guest at her home...there are ones emboidered "makeup" for that shit.

And that is why Martha is better than us.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Why I love IKEA.



C'mon. We all knew this was coming sooner or later. This is an ode to IKEA. The greatest store ever. (Marshall's runs a close second in my book)

So, here are the reasons I love it.

1.) It is cheap. IKEA is has the cheapest furniture I've seen around, and their other things are come very close to the best bargains.

2.) It is huge. Like 2 of our Wal-Mart supercenters two stories. They have everything. Bedding, everything you need for a kitchen, bedrooms for the whole family, pet things, outdoor things, all furniture, decorative items, toys, kitchen cabinets, appliances, bathroom fixtures and a RESTAURANT!

3.) It is organized. You may not be able to tell from my room or car, but I love order. My dream is a completely organized closet with shoe holders, and drawers, drawers and more drawers. And never a metal hanger. Ever. I love the IKEA shopping system. Walk in, drop your spawn off at the playroom/daycare, grab a giant cart. Grab your pencil, paper and measuring tape. You start at the beginning and weave along the arrows on the floor. They take you from room to room, through display houses and rooms so you may see the merchandise in action. You write down the numbers of the furniture you want and then when you reach the warehouse at the bottom you match the numbers and pick up your perfectly flat boxes of furniture. Then you checkout and buy a ton of huge 34 cent green bags. You may then go to the snack bar, restaurant or Swedish food store. Heaven.

4.) You can spend a whole day in it. (or at least I can) It's my personal heaven.

5.) Did I mention cookie jars all over the giant store?

I've added some pictures of my bedroom now and the bedding I've chosen for my apartment next year. :D

Take a glance for yourself....
www.ikea.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels"


Whoever the hell wrote that has obviously never tasted a McDonald's Sweetea or had a rare steak from Cheddar's. FML.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The St.Joe myth



Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend a get together for a friend's birthday in my future town of Charleston. This party just happened to have a pretty good StJoe kid ratio. We do tend to dominate such gatherings. Eventually, after many drinks and coaxing, we started an SJS chant. After this chant ended, it was brought to my attention that some people think they know what attending St.Joe was like, even though they never actually attended. (going to St.Joe church doesn't count, either).
The stigma that comes along with St.Joe students is that we had a terrible time locked in a dungeon being forced to recite bible quotes on command while having disturbingly open sexual lessons taught by our priest and only worshiping the Virgin Mary. (or something along these lines, the things ERMSers come up with are amazing. Ok) They say things like "oh, you went to St.Joe?! How terrible was it? It must have been awful to have such a small class. It's practically inbreeding." (again, I might exaggerate a tad...)

The truth is, attending St.Joe was in all honesty, the best thing my parents have done for me thus far. Alot of my classmates remain my close friends today. My very best friend is from St.Joe. I believe that we formed bonds that are not plausible at public school. When you are not getting along with a classmate, you are forced to address it instead of moving on to a new group of friends. I appreciate this. It has taught me to mend friendships and that most things tend to come full circle again. As far as the religion being shoved down our throats, this is not true, either. Although some parents may have wanted this, mine didn't and I appreciate that. We had religion classes sometimes twice a week and a school mass on Wednesday mornings that our parents or whomever were allowed to attend. I respect that to this day.

So don't feel bad for us St.Joe kids. We stick together, and most of us will tell you how it really was. I've attached some pictures of my closest SJS friends at our Senior Party :)

Friday, February 19, 2010

Love is....


A few things that I love the most, inspired by Jamie's post.

Love is....

-a long hug
-your dog
-rocking a baby to sleep
-a good book
-a great nap
-a good dream
-martha stewart blue
-being happy
-a long shower
-a snow day
-a perfect kiss
-a text with :)
-a toddler rambling things you can't understand
-flannel sheets
-unexpected flowers
-a suprise birthday party
-accepting people for who they are
-a tearjerking movie
-a visit with friends that lasts into the night
-a drunk dial from a friend
-a random shopping trip
-mcdonalds sweet tea
-a wink
-a compliment
-a memorable quote
-your favorite song coming on the radio
-peace.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Please remove whatever is in your butt.

I know you may find it hard to believe, but I am yet again writing about rude people. I just don't understand. At my job, it never ceases to amaze me how many people manage to make it through an entire check out without saying one word to me. I tend to ask things like, are ya ready? did you find everything ok? your total is ____, thank you, have a great evening! and other junk that you say. Crafty rude people find some way to respond with a series of nods while staring only at the screen and refusing to make eye contact, or God forbid, actually smile. I'm not expecting a full on conversation (though those people can be a bit much also), but have some respect and don't treat me like I'm a computer or something. On another note, I think every single person who is having a bad day insists on shopping at my workplace that day. I swear it. Then tend to scream at me when I greet them or ask to sign up for a charge (yes I know it's annoying, and yes I know you don't need one, but it's my job, and I don't scream at you for trying to do yours). So I suggest the next time someone asks you for one of those crazy things, you just reply that you already have one.
So the next time you go to McDonalds, Walmart, or wherever and you just aren't feeling like smiling that day, force your grumpy face to do it anyway. It really makes a difference to them. I know you remember working jobs like this...

Monday, February 15, 2010

Just another post from a bitter girl about Valentines Day


Let me start of by saying all of the cliche Valentine's Day hate things that single people say.
1.) It's a Hallmark holiday
2.) it's pointless and depressing
3.) it's just another day, blah blah blah.
Even so, it's extremely depressing for a single girl in college. I don't even want a boyfriend, so it's beyond me why VDay always gets me down. Yay for being young and dramatic I guess. Even if you do have a significant other, usually you are disappointed in whatever Valentines Day gift you did or did not receive. Lack of being proposed to and all that jazz. Maybe not. Maybe I've been out of the game too long to remember.

On another note, It's the first weigh in day, and I've lost 5 lbs and Heather has lost 4. I'll find out about Christina today. So that's my Valentine to myself, I suppose.

Did I mention Valentines Day is a holiday created to make people depressed and I hate it??
;D

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Day Old Blues


The title of this piece happens to be a Kings of Leon song title, surprising, huh? But, their lyrics have alot of truth. I won't post them because they are a tad racy, but if you are interested, google the magnificent works of my kings. I had yet another rude customer preaching to me about donating to Haiti, this specific gentleman was complaining because his medicaid for hospital stays still includes a copay of $200 or so. He then told me that we cannot even afford to feed children on food programs such as his. This man has 11 children. On a slightly less depressing note,

Today marks day three of what I am calling "The Great Weight Race" at Fashion Bug. After being tricked by our sneaky scale to think that I had miraculously lost 7 lbs overnight, yes, literally overnight, I'm a tad discouraged already. Maybe the little sleuth is paying be back for avoiding him for so long...
Everyone has been asking "what diet I'm doing" and I've chose not to follow a set diet, but more of a set of what I like to call "boundaries". Here are my boundaries:
1.) 1200 calories a day
2.) eating more natural things, very little processed
3.) no meat except seafood
4.) heart healthy things (low salt and low fat)
5.) only whole grains and low fat dairies
6.) If I crave something, I eat a tiny bit of it or I will attack someone.
7.) have one cheat meal a week
These have worked out well for me so far, I have only used number 6 three times, once each day. By this I mean; one single lonely dorito, a tiny cupcake with barely any icing and two painfully small bites of delicious butterfinger pie from the Holiday.
So wish me luck as the weekend arrives because I am making two cakes, possibly attending two Joe's parties and a visit at Cindy and Jay's who always seem to have my exact favorite foods. The small town comfort food that I imagine as the hunger monster on the Weight Watchers commercial is winning as of tonight....

Here is a picture of KOL at the grammys last week, they won 3 out of their 4 nominations. I can't help but show them off!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Live as if you were to die tomorow, learn as if you were to live forever - Ghandi


First of all, I want to mention one thing...WHO DAT. That's all I'll say about that.

Last week my brother from another mother (Mama Helen to be exact), and well, Heidi's brother, decided to go and surprise Heid by just showing up at UK for the weekend. With a 4 hour drive ahead of us, a cooler full of food and a birthday cake, we left after school on Friday Lexington bound. We made it with no complications, save one broken windshield wiper and an Arby's laughter induced sandwich spew. We waited for Heid in her bedroom at the apt while she and her roomates watched a movie at the theatre. I wish I had recorded Heidi's reaction because it was all we had expected and more. I would have drove 8 hours for it. With a mixture of crying/laughing hysterically, she threw her arms around us and held a mean choke hold for approximately 5 minutes. Then we had cake.

It's times like that that remind me how great of friends I have. I am truly blessed and when I have really down days, which seem to be more frequent lately, I know I can always call Heidi. Or most of my friends for that matter. No matter how cliche, it is true, the best things in life are free. A hand to hold, a new baby, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to call up when you're bored. These are the things that truly make people happy. Although my new hot pink straightener and contemporary framed Ghandi quote print don't hurt.

All in all, it was a spectacular time. I got to see my best friend in the whole world, and come back to a loving home with my dog waiting on me. Life's not too bad.

Oh yeah, and The Weight Race starts tomorrow. Goodbye McSweetea.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Frustration.


Today I got very frustrated at work with our customers. I work at Fashion Bug, and as part of help for Haiti, we offer the option to round up your total (ex. $12.59 to $13.00) and donate the change to the American Red Cross to help with Haiti. I was extremely excited when I was told we would be doing this. We did this for Coats for Kids one year, and it was very successful.
I was very shocked when I started to offer this to customers. I am appalled and embarrassed at our customers reactions. Most get aggravated when I simply ask. Then they start explaining to me how we have kids in America starving etc. and how we need the money to go here. I understand and agree with this, but this is what really pisses me off; Are these people personally donating to kids in America? Have they ever volunteered a day in their lives? Seriously people. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. So how dare you think we are more important and hold the livelihood of our citizens over Haitians lives. There are people who lost their children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc in this devastating event. In America, we have the option to find food if we are staving. They didn't have that option before this tragedy hit.
And my favorite rebuttal; "but they didn't help us when Katrina hit". Seriously people? Are we taking score? What would the Haitian people have to offer us during Katrina? They were living worse than our Katrina victims during their regular daily lives.
If you were in their situation, wouldn't you want someone to come and help you? Pull your trapped and dying child out of rubble? I would hope someone else would have the compassion to help my children.
So today I got chills when a woman came in with her young daughter, who didn't have much herself, was more than happy to donate and begged me to let her donate $5 because it was all she could afford. After my day of frustration and nausea over this display of heartlessness, she was a gleam of light. People are all the same. Our lives are no more important than any one's in a third world country.
I understand this is a topic of high debate and controversy right now, and I don't expect you to agree with me. All I'm asking is picture your own child, parent, best friend under some rubble, or sleeping in the streets starving, and try to at least relate to the Haitians in their time of devastation.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Tattoos.


I always hated tattoos. I'll never forget when I was about 10 and my dad came home with his tattoo. I was so furious that I didn't speak to him for about two days. Me? Dramatic? Shut your filthy mouth! I was sure we'd be automatically labeled as trailer trash and outcasts of society.

So now I want a tattoo.

I've been stewing over what I'd like to get, although I'm not one of those people who get a tattoo just to get a tattoo. I want something with meaning, and I want a marker of my young life. I would like to get love. (with the period, as this is the most important part of the tat, the "understood you" form of the word, not the noun) on my wrist, but since I'm going to be a teacher, I've decided this would most likely be detrimental to my chances of getting jobs.
This leaves me with my more sensible wish for a peacock feather along my side ribs. I can hear my mom moaning now. I figure this is one of the few places I can make sure is covered if I need it to be. No wedding photos with it, no pregnancy stretches. A pretty safe place. I would like to get a song lyric along side it, take a wild guess which artist I'm getting....I'm between the lyrics "She'll shine once she's crossed the line" and "hand over your heart, let's go home" both are my favorite parts of my favorite Kings of Leon songs. And I know, I know, maybe I won't like Kings of Leon in 30 years or whatever, but it is a part of me now, and I want to remember it.
So.
If you have tattoos, what are they and what do they mean?
And, any advice on choosing?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Circles and more circles.

It must be that time of year when the winter depression starts in. That time of the year when life doesnt really have a point and you're tired every single day. And I just tried for approximately 15 seconds to pause my cable show instead of pressing mute. That kind of time. It seems like things are going in neverending circle, walking in place. I have been extremely single for over a year and a half now and it's getting old to say the least. I've been at OCC for two years this semester taking classes and doing work that seems to be just an extension of ERHS. It's like some kind of sick purgatory. Nothing is moving.
At the same time, things are going so unbelievably fast that it's mind blowing. I have two more years of college left. Period. I'll (hopefully) be preparing to finish school and teach a class in two years. Mindblowing.
So, with the new year starting up, I've decided to not make just a resolution, but to get things moving if I have to push them myself. Today I finished the weight loss chart today for Heather and I. We are starting next monday, and I can't wait. I've been doing some observation hours at the high school for my teaching class, which makes the fact that I'll be a teacher soon very surreal.
Growing up is one of the strangest things I've ever done.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Switching things over.

I have decided to slow down the caking and up the cupcaking. Cupcake is the name of Lindsey and my line of baby goodies that we make for Market Decor, here in town. We are currently working on some onesies, tutus, headbands and hats for the spring. The word spring acutally sounds like a joke at the moment, but nonetheless.

I have also decided to do a life makeover. This includes; a colon cleanse to kick things off with (accompanied with glances of angst from my close friends), a cleaner and better-smelling room and car, competing with Heather at work to lose weight, not wearing sweats to school 90% of the time ( yes, I know it's only OCC, but if I could look past the ballchuckers and super-hicks, there may be a suitable mate around somewhere) and finally, being calmer. By this, I mean not blowing up like I usually would and being more laid back. Oh, and applying for a Martha Internship. Piece of cake, right?