Candy jars are everywhere

That was one of the first things I noticed at the office. It was one of the things I had forgotten about right along with the afternoon popcorn snack. For me, I find what works is that I only eat what I bring in myself and say no to mostly everything else. Once in awhile a "treat" is fine but not too often and it better be good. Moderation is key. Since I tend to have a desserty breakfast my sweet tooth starts out satisfied by 6 am. That is right. Desserty breakfast involves organic oatmeal, greek yogurt and blueberries all mixed up. So good. Then coffee with french vanilla creamer and a muffin or blondie or a cookie. Some goodness that I've baked up. So candy dishes I can pass on but of someone brings me fresh berries and yogurt, watch out.

Goodbye Selah Bug

Last week we had to put Selah, our sweet little rescue German Sheppard, to sleep. She had adjusted well to being an only dog since Dryfuss had passed last summer. And by adjusted I mean, we completely spoiled her. We still weren't even remotely ready to say goodbye. Losing her just hurts the heart and our house and yard just feel so big and empty now. We miss so many things about her. Goodbye my little Selah Bug.

Back to "real" pants.

Or skirts and dresses. I work from home full-time no longer and I'm ok with it. I actually was starting to miss people and wearing real clothes.

So the first thing I had to do was check out my closet. Yikes. I had gotten rid of a lot of stuff I didn't like a year ago but I hadn't tried on things. Lots more ended up in the donate pile and I was left with a pretty limited work wardrobe.

So armed with some coupons I headed out with the intent to get some pants, skirts and tops I could mix and match. I had 3 stores in mind: Old Navy to check out their 50% off clearance, NY & co and Express. In just about 3 hours I ended up with 2 skirts, 2 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, a sweater and a belt for about $250. I was very happy with that.

I waited on shoes till I started and I'm happy to say that on 5 days in I can wear all the high heels I want. I do need to go back to Old Navy to have them remove the security tag from the sweater and I need to exchange a shirt from Express that is just a bit too big.

So I'm doing the office thing again but this time I'm only buying stuff I love. No more "Well, its cheap and for work" because then I don't even look forward to getting dressed. I'm also not allowed to wear black pants every day.

Testing

First post from my phone. I think I might like this.

Note to self: Quit Complaing

So last Friday I listened to Slightly Stoopid till the sun came out. Around lunchtime I bundled up and Selah and I went out and did some shoveling of snow in the sun. Felt fantastic and dramatically improved my mood. We got another 4 inches of snow on Friday night so I went back out Saturday since the sun was shining again and got some more sun. Had a nice quiet weekend as I had anticipated. Did some household chores and I started prepping the upstairs spare room to be painted. I've moved all the furniture and spackled all the holes, now I need to caulk the cracks and I'll be priming the room hopefully this weekend. That room is in dire need of fresh paint.

Yesterday, I did go get my new tires and the husband drove on them to work today and said not once did the traction control come on as the roads were a slushy mess this morning. He's quite happy with them. Thanks Belle Tire.

We also went and test drove a new Buick Regal yesterday. The interior styling is so nice. They've really upped it since I got my Grand Prix in 04. That may be my next car... in a year or so. It did feel narrower then my Grand Prix but it is also taller. Nice ride, looks sharp. I know the couple of you reading this are wondering why GM? I'll tell you why, the husband and I are both from GM families and have both supported GM in our careers. Our dads are GM retirees so I will continue to support the brand and with products like the new Regal they won me over. Wonder if I can find any pictures of my first car, the 1979 Regal my dad and I built? That was a tank in comparison to what I drove yesterday.

Happy Tuesday!

I need some Vitamin D

I know I have choosen to live in MI where we truly get the experience of 4 seasons and I'll admit winter is my least favorite. Though I look at it as winter is the time to take a break from yard work so I actually look forward to it in the spring. It's a great time to cuddle up on the couch and nap or watch movies or just do nothing. But the worst part for me is when we get to multile days with no sun. I think its been since Sunday that we've had any sun and that was just at sunset. No real sunshine during the day. It can be 10 degrees out but if the sun is out, I can deal. 10 degrees with no sun? Ugh. I checked out the forecase for the next week, everyday shows flurries with a cloud showing a peak of sun. So it's a tease and the forecasters have all their bases covered. Man, I should of went into that. No, wait, I seriosly am enjoying my career in the IT project management right now. I'm on a project I really enjoy, working with some really interesting people and I have the wonderful benefit of working here at home. Last year I did have to put on work clothes and go to 1 meeting. Not too bad.

Ok, I'm going with audible vitamin D, listening to Slightly Stoopid radio on Pandora.

I see a quiet long weekend in my future. No plans other then I will watch the Miss America pageant on Saturday to support Miss Michigan, Katie La Roche, whom I've never met but she is a Bay City girl from the dance studio I go to. So I have to support her and I saw her solo on youtube. The girl is good, real good. So go Miss Michigan!

Long weekend and with that I'm getting new tires for the Grand Prix on Monday. Maybe hit the mall for some sales. Nice little Monday in my future, plus its MLK day so Holiday! Everyone have a good weekend and if you have sun where you are at, take a minute and soak it up and appreciate it. But wear sunscreen if you need too. :D

It's been how long?

My apologies to the few of you who actually took the time to read this blog and then kindly left a comment and I never checked my comments. Whoops. I have to admit I kinda forget I have this thing since I have never made it a habit. Ah well, I'm okay with a little inconsistency.

So since I last checked in the bathroom is completed and is all I hope for and more. I don't take baths as often as I thought I might but I do enjoy them when I do. I got a jet tub so if I want to use jets, I can't use bubbles or soap of any kind. Since its a shower/tub combo, I usually end up taking a shower and taking a bath but the order sometimes flips around, I just don't think I've figured out a real rhythm to it yet.

Another change is last summer we had to have Dryfuss put down. The poor guy just got to the point where he sometimes couldn't get up anymore without assistance and he was in constant pain, it was a really hard decision for us to make. Our vet actually came out to our house and put him to sleep in the backyard where he was laying in his favorite spot. Shoot, I'm tearing up just writing about it. Ok, had to take a break, now I'm back.

So now Selah is an only dog and we did think about getting her a friend but she's an old mellow girl so I want to wait till spring to see how she's doing before I seriously look. THough she has been driving me a little nuts with her constant licking the last couple of days so I need to start walking her more to see if that helps. Poor girl needs a job, it used to be watching D. :(

So this post inspired me to create the 'Goodbye' playlist. 33 songs came up. Yeah, I'll just give you the short version.

1. Goodbye - Alicia Keys - Meh, next, not ready for a slow song.
2. Everytime you say Goodbye - Allison Krauss - Yep, I can listen to this, upbeat and a banjo. Score. Just looking ahead in the playlist, lots of country coming up. No surprise here.
3. Hello Goodbye - The Beatles - Not my favorite Beatles song but I like it being in this list
4. I Can't Find the Words to Say Goodbye - Billy Dean - I follow him on facebook. Glad to know he's still out there doing his thing.
5. Goodbye says it all - BlackHawk - Wow, I forgot how much I love the sound of this band. And I still know all the words.

Oh no, my craiglist dryer thermastat has gone goofy only heats when I set it on dry timing where it is supposed to sense when its dry and automatically turn off. Nope, it'll run forver now. Looks like I'll be setting my alarm on the my phone to remind me.

6. Never Say Goodbye - Bon Jovi - Yes, love this song.

Still working from home and loving it. I am the conference call queen these days. Though I really need to clean out the closet again and get rid of more work clothes. Stuff I haven't worn in 2 years now. I did a cleanout last year but still kept some work clothes just in case. I think now I need to narrow it down to just my favorites. My favorite 'work' clothes now. Leggings and the husbands thermal shirt.

7. Why would I say goodbye - Brooks and Dunn - Did I ever mention that I sent these guys a wedding invite? They sent me an autographed photo. Country ruled in 1995.
8. Starts with Goodbye - Carrie Underwood - I have to admit I'm not really a fan, I liked her on Americon Idol (which may of been the last season I watched) but I'm just not into the coutry Diva thing. That being said, I like this song and this is probably the first time I listened to it. Though this is the kind of song you sing along to in the car when you are alone. lol.
9. Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye - The Charlie Daniels Band - Who wants to 2 Step?
10. Say Goodbye - DMB - Perfect ending for today. I'll save the list and hit it up again later. Go jazz flute! Or is that yazz flute.

Oh Snow

So the weatherman is calling for snow. It started coming down about 2 hours ago and is epected to keep snowing for the next 18 or so hours though they are only calling for 4-6 inches. We'll see. In the meantime I have the trim guy and plumber here at the house working on the bathroom. Techincally I could proably take a bath tonight though I still don't have any lights in there but that is what they make candles for right. I may be picking up some Mr. Bubble too. Kinda hoping dance class gets cancelled tonight with the snow.

So the snow is inspiring me with a new playlist:
1. Backstreet Boys vs. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars That Way (MeiJonce) - I really like this mashup, the songs really compliment each other.
2. Good for Me - Amy Grant, this showed up since one of hte composers last name is snow.
3. Snow in July - Garth Brooks, this actually is his whole Chris Gaines thing he did back in the late 90's. I actually liked the CD and listened to it a lot.
4. Velvet Snow - Kings of Leon - Interesting tune.
5. I Celebrate the Day - Reliant K
6. When I get home for Christmas - Snow Patrol - Christmas songs were bound to come up on this list but its ok, the song has a meloncholoy sound I can listen to year round
7. Snow Angel - Tori Amos - love this song and I'm not a huge Tori Amos fan
8. Alibis - Tracy Lawrence - Tom Snow is a busy composer.
9. First Snow - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - the only instrumental on the list.
10. Snowed Under - Keane - love his voice.

Short fun little list.