Getting my blog out there ...

If you read my last post, you know that I'm a bit confused about my life right now. I'm not sure what I want out of my career and I'm not sure what I want out of this here blog. I enjoy blogging, but I want to be blogging about something that I feel is value-added. I hate when I feel like I write about "fluff" subjects. Yes, sometimes I'm OK with the "fluff" (and keep in mind this is just my opinions about what I write - I happen to love reading other peoples' fluff), but generally speaking, I want to make an impact.

So today I've decided to link up with Neely to get my blog out there, and maybe in the process, I'll figure out what it is that I really want from this little old blog. So if there is something that you would like me to blog about more, please let me know. I beg you.

Why do I blog? Easy. It is a release for me. I can talk about what I really think and what I really feel without the fear of rejection or judgement (well, judgement that I hear - y'all may be judging me for all I know). I've met some amazing friends through blogging, and I really do love you all. I've been staying off of twitter recently (because my hubby gave me a rash of crap about being on my phone all the time), but I'm @prettyphysicist on twitter, or you can always text or email me!

Now ... on to the juicy stuff.

Random crap about me.

I have my BS in Physics with a minor in Math and I *almost* have my MS in Quality Assurance. My husband has his BSEd in Physics and Earth and Space Science and has his MSEd in Instructional Technology.

I am married to the most amazing man I have ever met in my entire life. I am convinced that he was created just for me. We will be married for 5 wonderful years next month. Not a day (hour or minute) goes by that I am not completely in love with my soul mate.

We have 4 cute, cuddly little kitties. I love my cats. They are my children. Until Mr. Physicist and I have babies of our own, they are my only kids. I can't imagine my life without them. They have personalities of their own, and I am convinced that they understand what I say to them - as evidenced by the insane looks they give me sometimes.

I love to read - everything from reports and studies related to my work to science text books (yes, I'm THAT nerdy) to trashy romance to teen lit. Reading is my stress relief.

I love to cook. Cooking is my way of showing my friends and family how much I love them. My family has Sunday dinners every Sunday (unless there is bad weather or something), and Sundays alternate between my house and my parents' house. Yesterday I made a beef roast, a roast chicken, vegetables, and potato filling and my mom brought desert.

I love tea. To me, nothing is better than curling up on the couch with my hubby and kitties, reading a good book, and drinking a nice cup of tea.

I started a weekly post series called "The Science of Beauty" where I research the science between beauty claims or beauty products. I'm kind of blocked right now, so if you have suggestions or questions, PLEASE let me know!

I am trying desperately to get back into shape. After my junior year of college, I gained a lot of weight. I'm convinced most of it was birth control related (even though my doctor says that it isn't possible), but I also became less active as my back problems (4 stress fractures that will never heal from an old gymnastics injury) got worse. So here I am, 6 years later, heavier than I want to be, not feeling sexy like I should, and trying to get back into shape. I'm being met with all sorts of obstacles - back pain, weather, location, time, etc. but I'm working at it slowly but surely.

I am allergic to bananas.

I dye my hair darker because I don't like how I look as a natural blonde.

I don't wear makeup. Partly because I wake up at 5 AM every day for work, so I do as little as I can in the morning (I also don't do my hair - I'm blessed with naturally stick straight hair). Partly because I'm just no good at it. So if you've got some good makeup tutorials, send them my way! :)

I am a bargain shopper. I was raised to be careful with my money and to not pay full price for anything if I can get it on sale. So I check prices, scour bargain racks, etc. Saving money brings a smile to my face. My hubby is also VERY good at saving money, which makes us a perfect team. Prime example? My car. 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. We bought it in 2005 with only 4,500 miles on it for $6000. KBB value was $10,000. I still drive this car every day and (knock on wood) I have had NO problems with her, and she now has 105,000 miles.

So I hope y'all loved getting to know me ... I know I'm looking forward to getting to know you!