Sometimes and Always

My new "usual Tuesday post" - Sometimes and Always with Megan, over at Mackey Madness. If you don't already follow her, you are seriously missing out. She's amazing.

Sometimes ... I love to travel for work and meet new people that I've only communicated with through e-mail. Putting a face (and a voice) to the name is always fun.

Always ... I get sad to leave my husband and kitties and I get anxiety about the travel.


Sometimes ... I really enjoy exercise - like the mile that I ran at lunch yesterday.

Always ... I pay for it the next day. My back doesn't like when I run, so I'm paying for it with a pinched nerve today. Doesn't mean it'll stop me, but my back puts up a good fight.


Sometimes ... I don't want to eat Mexican.

Always ... Who am I kidding? I ALWAYS want to eat Mexican. :) In fact, I'm pretty sure my stomach just growled thinking about the Camarones a la diabla that I had Saturday night. Amazeballs. Best part? The restaurant is only 7 miles from my house (closest restaurant to my house), and this meal only cost me $10.50! Ohhh yeah.

looks amazing, right?

Sometimes ... my kitties drive me insane - crawling all over me, sleeping on any part of my body that they want (including the top of my head), and sniffing my face - all while I'm trying to sleep.

Always ... I love it. They're all my babies, and I know they wouldn't do it if they didn't love me.

Now it's your turn - Go link up with Megan!

Book Club and Giveaway Winner!

I recently participated in a Book Swap with The Nerdy Katie and Blonde Undercover Blonde. I love to read, and it was such a fun swap! I loved that they gave the option of receiving a paper book or an ebook.

I was paired up with the SUPER sweet and wonderful Vicki from My Vickilicious Life. Check out her blog to see what I sent her (which is the first book in a series that I really loved). She sent me the first book in a series that she really loved. From checking out her page on GoodReads.com, I could tell that we have very similar tastes in books, which made choosing a book SO much easier! She sent me a Nook book and I sent her a Kindle book.

Vicki sent me Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. It is a romance and it was a quick, easy, fun read. When I get home from work, I like to unwind with a book that doesn't make me think too hard. It was great, and I absolutely loved it. In fact, I really want to get the rest of the books. I highly recommend it!

.... AND as an unrelated topic, I also want to announce the winner of my $25 Erin Condren Gift Card giveaway. Please e-mail me at prettyphysicist (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and mailing address.

Congratulations Vicki! (and yes, I laughed out loud when I saw that you were the winner, knowing that I was planning to announce it in this post)

The Science of Beauty #3

After last week's hair post, I got a few questions, so I'm going to answer them here ...

1) What do you know about dry shampoo?

             "Dry shampoo" is a misnomer. Don't get me wrong, I love the stuff. But it doesn't really "shampoo" your hair. All it really does is absorb the oil and you can either brush it out or shake it out. Either way, it doesn't remove any dirt and it doesn't remove product. It can also really dry out your hair. I find that when I use dry shampoo, my hair feels bone dry and it tangles easier. Don't forget that if you're not washing your hair, you're also not removing any product that you may have used the previous day. This means that you may end up with 2X, 3X ... maybe even 4X the amount of product in your hair. For this, I'd recommend using a clarifying shampoo once in a while to remove the "gunk" from your hair.

             As for dry shampoo itself, there is no reason NOT to use it ... BUT there is an excellent reason not to buy it. It is SO easy to "make" yourself. Some ideas?

1. corn starch
2. baby powder
3. face powder (loose powder, matched as closely to your hair color as you can)
4. cocoa powder (I'd recommend this for dark hair, and be careful of the chocolate smell ... could make you hungry all day)
5. flour

             Personally, I keep a container of baby powder in my bathroom to use on my hair, but I've also used loose face powder and had great results with both. Honestly, I think that my hair reacts better to them than the dry shampoo (which could be a reaction to the aerosol propellant)

2) What shampoos and conditioners do you use and like?

              I have spent a lot of time (and a fair amount of money) to find shampoos and conditioners that I like. I have thin, fine hair. It is stick straight, even when I try to curl it (if you think you can get it to curl, please come to my house and give it a shot). Currently in my shower are Dove Intensive Repair shampoo and conditioner. They are not sulfate free, but they moisturize my hair nicely without weighing it down too much. Since my hair is color treated, it tends to dry out. I have also used Aussie and Frizz Ease in the past and loved them. Shampoos and conditioners that I cannot use? (Please don't take this as a negative post towards these brands, they just don't work with my hair - they may work with yours though, so give them a shot) Pantene, Tresseme, and Suave. The last one disappoints me because I found an AMAZEBALLS smelling Suave shampoo (Suave Rosemary and Mint, I'm in LOVE with the smell) but it makes my hair feel like straw, so I can't use it. Sadz. However, one Suave product that I love and use regularly? Suave dry shampoo. Less than $3 a bottle, smells great, and I prefer it over all of the other brands I've tried.

Friday Five

5 Things that I REALLY want for our house ...

This, with a reading lamp behind it, a big squishy pillow, and a nice warm blanket. Perfect for reading, no?

a manual pasta maker. I just feel like it would be so rewarding (and healthy) to make pasta by hand.

a pizzelle baker. So I can actually get them, since stores here don't sell them.

a nice cozy headboard

and it wouldn't be a "want" list without this one ...

100 Followers Giveaway!

A few days late, but it's better late than never! To thank everyone for following and reading my little old blog, I'm giving away a $25 Erin Condren gift card. To enter, use Rafflecopter below. The winner will be selected on Monday.

Packing Advice #1

As most of you probably know, I'm heading to the UK on a business trip in a week and a half. The weather there is sort of like the weather here (except they have lots more rain). The first thing I want to make sure I KNOW what I'm taking is a coat. I can plan the rest of my outfits from there. So I need your help choosing a coat to take with me.

Red pea coat

Pink/Tan plaid pea coat

This length and pattern, but mine is purple and white (I bought it last year, don't have a picture of it, and I can't find it anywhere online to get an actual picture of it)

So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me look fashionable but warm and comment below with your choice - 1, 2, or 3

Sometimes and Always #eleventy million

I have no idea how many of these I've done (and I'm too lazy tired to go back and count), but it is definitely one of my favorites!

Sometimes ... I come across a book that I LOVE.

Always ... I still fall back on reading my tried and true favorites (a.k.a. Harry Potter!)

Sometimes ... I get nervous meeting new people.

Always ... I know that that's how you make new best friends!

Sometimes ... certain a-hole coworkers make me angry and want to tell them what I REALLY think of them - especially for butting into my projects and trying to interfere.

Always ... I keep my mouth shut and take the high road.  I trust karma to take care of him.

Sometimes ... I wish that I didn't have to work and could stay home and read all day.

Always ... I drag myself to work because I've gotta be an adult and earn a living.

Sometimes ... I don't want to be nice to people I don't like.

Always ... I do it anyway. Being nice to someone you don't like isn't being fake - it's being an adult.

Sometimes ... I miss being in college.

Always ... when I remember my thesis (WHICH I just mailed to the graduate office yesterday!), I have second thoughts and I'm all of a sudden happy I'm NOT in school.

Sometimes ... I think I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have such a wonderful husband.

Always ... I know I am. and I can't believe we're almost married 5 years!

Now it's your turn! Go link up with Megan! :)

The Science of Beauty #2

Today's topic: hair.
 
Before I go into my discussion, it is VERY IMPORTANT to note that the health of your body shows in the health of your hair. If your hair is dry, brittle, weak, etc, there *MAY* be a medical cause and you should see your doctor. There are many diseases (most are not life-threatening, so please don't panic) whose first symptoms are dry, brittle hair and loss of hair. Please take care of your body - it is the only one you get.

• The most common sulfate in shampoo is Sodium Laureth (or Laurel) Sulfate, SLS for short. SLS is a surfactant. How a surfactant works is pretty basic: The SLS molecules bond to dirt and oil in your hair. One end of the SLS molecule is hydrophillic, which means that it is attracted to water. The other end is hydrophobic, which means that it is repelled by water. The hydrophobic end is the end that bonds with the dirt and oil. The hydrophillic end bonds to the water you use to rinse your hair, so that when you rinse your hair, all of the dirt and oil are pulled away with the water. In most cases, if you have an allergic reaction to a cleansing beauty product, it is because of the sulfates. Sulfates, specifically SLS, are known irritants. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to check your labels for presence of sulfates. Sulfates are not harmful to your health, but CAN dry out your hair and cause color-treated hair to lose color more quickly. Whether or not you use sulfate-free shampoo is entirely up to you. Personally, I've found that certain shampoos with sulfates make my hair look like crap, while others don't. Trial and error, people. Try different brands until you find what works for you!

• "Foaming" shampoo. Contrary to popular belief (and those old Herbal Essences commercials - and if you don't remember them, I officially feel old), lots of foam and suds when you shampoo is not a good thing. When you have lots of suds, it means that you are using TOO MUCH shampoo, which is just wasting product. The excess suds are bonding to air and just washing away. You only need enough shampoo to lightly lather your hair. The shampoo should lubricate your hair and scalp so that your fingers can move through your hair. I have found that shampoos with pumps are the easiest way to meter this. 2 pumps of shampoo is all that you need.

•  Shiny hair or voluminous hair? Did you know that you can't have both? The cuticle (outer layer of your hair) is like a shingled roof. When the cuticle lays flat, light reflects off of the cuticle and your hair is shiny. When the cuticle is raised, the hair strands are further apart and your hair has more volume. Shiny hair is healthy hair. When the cuticle lays flat, it is protecting the inner layers of your hair from damage.

• Split ends. When I hear all of the ads about "repairing split ends", I just shake my head. Your hair is dead, just like your nails. Your hair grows about 1/2 inch every month. There is no way to repair split ends - your best bet is to just trim them off. You can temporarily make split ends appear better, but it causes more damage in the long run, because the "split" can transfer further up the strand.

If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to address, let me know!

If I could ...

First of all, I would like to say ... Holy crap! 100 Followers?!?!?! Thank you ALL for following, I hope you like what you read, and I hope you'll stick around and maybe tell your friends. ;)

Now, on to my post ... lol

I am linking up with the Adventures of Team Pancakes for today's version of "If I Could ..." because this topic is one that is very dear to my heart, and one of my goals for 2012!

If I could meet any 4 bloggers, they would be ...
I'm not lying ... this is probably one of the most difficult lists I have EVER made, simply because I cannot include EVERYONE that I want to meet. Seriously, the list is like 20 people long. So please don't get offended because I haven't listed you, chances are I want to meet you too! :)

4. Megan - whe is one of the most honest, real, sweetest people I have met through blogging. I think we would become instant BFFs, and she is just the kind of person that I want to surround myself with. I imagine we would just hang around, eating and chatting, and our husbands would probably become BFFs too, which would be awesome.

3. Christin - We have become friends through twitter and blogging, and I just love her personality and really want to meet her. Maybe she'd help me be a better runner, then we'd go find some yummy food and wine somewhere and hang out. Our husbands might even get along too (if it wasn't for the fact that her husband's Broncos beat my husband's Steelers ... lol)

2.Vicki - we have been chatting on twitter and through text, and we were recently paired up for a book swap. she sent me this awesome book that I am half-way through and I LOVE IT! I can imagine us hanging around, drinking coffees, and reading ... then maybe some yummy foods and shopping. :)

1. Ashley - we e-mail back and forth almost every day, text, FB, tweet, etc ... but we haven't met in person. I need to meet this girl that is seriously my best blog friend and will likely become an IRL BFF once we DO meet. :) and I imagine that we would stay up all night, just talking and eating and drinking and laughing. It'll be like we've been friends forever, even though it's the first time we've met.

So now it's your turn ... head over to Team Pancakes and tell me who YOU would meet if you could. :)

Traveling!

Y'all, next month I am going on a business trip to the UK! I can't deny it ... I'm pretty excited!

So here is where y'all come in ...

1) The next couple weeks, I'll be posting a few "should I pack this ... or this" posts that I REALLY want your input on!

2) I'd love to have 3 guest bloggers while I'm away. I'll be away from 2/4 through 2/8, but I only need guest posts on the week days. So if you're interested in guest blogging, let me know!

3) Do you have any advice for traveling out of the country? Legit, this is my first time outside of the US, so I'm pretty nervous.

4) My flight TO the UK is overnight, so any tips for getting GOOD sleep on an airplane?  We're landing in the UK at 9:30 AM, so I'm guessing I'll be expected to be alert and functional ...

Hope y'all have a LOVELY Thursday! :)

BLACKOUT

Click here.

Sometimes and Always ...

As always, linking up with the lovely Megan at Mackey Madness. If you don't already follow her, you are seriously missing out. Now, without further adieu ...

Sometimes ... I really don't mind my job.

Always ... when I am at work and I have a migraine, I want to kill everyone who crosses my path.

Sometimes ... I am so tired of doing grad school work.

Always ... I know it will pay off, and I am super excited that my thesis will be submitted to the Graduate Studies board this week for final approval!

Sometimes ... all I want to do is sit around and read.

Always ... I do whatever cleaning and cooking I need to do. Then I sit around and read. :)

Sometimes ... I think that I should read a new book or watch a new movie.

Always ... I fall back on Harry Potter.

Sometimes ... I can't think of what to blog about.

Always ... I come up with more ideas for my "The Science of Beauty" series, but I don't want to post it more than once a week.

Now it's your turn - go link up with Megan! :)

Accesory Swap!

Jessica @ Stilettos and a Fishing Pole hosted an accessories blog swap ... love it!

I was paired with the gorgeous Ashley at While we're young and B-e-a-utiful, who did an amazeballs job at shopping!

gorgeous, warm, purple scarf. don't mind my crap in the background. I wanted to snap pictures quickly before I started wearing everything! :)

2 adorable bracelets (which I'm sad to report that one of them is already missing because my klepto kitty, Einstein, decided he wanted it for a toy, lol)

A belt - you can never have too many belts!

and last, but certainly not least, Hello Kitty hair bands! Hello! Does Ashley know me or what?? :)

The Science of Beauty #1

This is the first post of my new series, and I'm so happy you're all here to join me!  I'm going to start off with a question that I was asked by a follower.

The follower (I will keep all identities private if you ask me questions) asked about apple cider vinegar and using it on your face. Ladies, apple cider vinegar is an EXCELLENT product that you can use on your face! First of all, vinegar is naturally anti-bacterial. As I'm sure you all know, acne is caused by bacteria in your pores. I can't guarantee it because everyone's skin is different, but using apple cider vinegar (it smells the best of all of the vinegars) on your face *should* reduce your acne. I would recommend taking it one step further and making a mixture of green tea and apple cider vinegar (50/50) and apply it to your face like you would a stringent before bed and sleep with it on. The vinegar will help destroy the bacteria and the green tea will help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation.

My second mini-topic is also related to acne. If you have acne, your skin may be oily or it may be dry or it may be a combination. One of the best things that you can do, no matter your skin type, is to moisturize! First of all, acne products dry out your skin, so you want to replenish that moisture. Second, a lot of acne is caused by dry skin clogging your pores! The more you keep your skin moisturized, the less dry skin you have to clog your pores (be sure to exfoliate too!). Third, when you moisturize your skin, your body needs to make less oil to keep your skin nourished, and less oil = less breakouts. Clean and Clear makes an excellent line of moisturizers, which I really like. Personally, I use Cetaphil because it is made for sensitive skin and it has SPF50.

 If you have any questions, PLEASE don't hesitate to ask me. If you don't want to ask your question in the comments, feel free to email me at prettyphysicist(at)gmail(dot)com
 

Tag, I'm it

I've been tagged by the lovely Ashley, at Episodes of a Mixed Girl.

Ok so here go the rules to this thing:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her

11 Things about me ...

1. I am deathly afraid of roller coasters. Like I freak out and try to jump off. Yeah, hubby learned that the hard way. Needless to say, I'm off the hook for roller coasters now.
2. I could read/watch Harry Potter endlessly and never get bored with it.
3. I am 5'1" and even buying the short length in pants, they are still sometimes too long.
4. I pierced my own belly button in 8th grade science, but let it close up.
5. I did not get my ears pierced until I was a sophomore in college, and I still don't wear earrings often. In fact, my holes *may* have closed back up.
6. I prefer my fish to be raw or very rare. I don't like cooked fish.
7. My current job is my first *real* job out of college, and I have been here for almost 5 1/2 years.
8. I have only owned 3 cars in my entire life, and I still have 2 of them (my daily driver - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, named Raccoon Killer, and my "toy", a 1986 Pontiac Fiero, named Half Pint).
9. I rarely wear makeup. I love makeup, and I continue buying it, but since I wake up at 5 AM for work, I just never feel like taking that effort.
10. I don't curl my hair. It doesn't hold curl, so I don't waste my time.
11. I would rather sit at home watching TV or a movie with my husband than go out to dinner and a movie.

The 11 Questions Ashley asked me ...

1. What was the last thing you bought?  My Clarisonic Mia. and I love it already.

2. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?  Do I have to go to work today? I don't wanna go.

3. What did you do for your last birthday?  Went out for lunch with my hubby, then to my parents for dinner.

4. What was the last thing you ate?  Last night's dinner - Eggplant parm and tiramisu

5. If you had to choose between Facebook and Blogger? Which one?  Blogger, hands down.

6. Name three things that make you happy.  My husband, my friends, my family.

7. What is one of your resolutions for 2012? To cook more and eat out less.

8. What would you do if you were given one million dollars? My off our debts, and my parents' debts, then open a GIANT cat rescue

9. What would be your theme song when walking into a room? Baby Got Back.

10. What is something you wish you could change? The government (and I'm leaving it at that, no need for arguments)

11. What is your favorite television show? Big Bang Theory

 

Now, my 11 Questions for my 11 Lovelies ...

1. If you could have dinner with any 3 people, alive or dead, who would have have dinner with?
2. If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
3. Would you rather be rich or happy?
4. Facebook or Twitter?
5. If you could change anything that happened to you in 2011, would you?
6. Who is your favorite musical artist?
7. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
8. If you could move anywhere in the world, where?
9. Do you like snow?
10. What time do you wake up in the morning?
11. What is the last thing you do before going to bed at night?

And last but not least, my 11 Lovelies (in no particular order) ...

Ashleigh @ Life As I Know It

Kasey @ Domesticated Hygenist

Celia @ Just Trying To Find My Way

Tara @ Fabulous But Evil

Vicki @ My Vickilicious Life

Amanda @ Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures

Christin @ Classy Southern Wife

Megan @ Mackey Madness

Ashley @ Adventures of Newlyweds

Sarah @ 90 Percent Blonde  

Kate @ Dancing in the Minefields

New Feature!

Starting next week, I will be starting a new feature "The Science of Beauty", where I will explain the science behind beauty products and why they will or will not work. If you have any products that you want me to review, just comment or email me and let me know!

It's OK!

It's OK!

... that I am SO ready for this weekend to be here that I really want to schedule a vacation day for Friday. I just need time off to relax, and 2 days on the weekend isn't cutting it because that's my only time to clean and do laundry. Unfortunately, I have a TON of work, so that's not going to happen.

... that I am obsessively checking the tracking on my Clarisonic Mia (yes, I caved and bought one. Can't wait to get it! That bish needs to get here NOW!)

... that I have been reading ebooks constantly now that I have a Nook. I had a Sony Reader before, but something about the Nook makes it easier and more convenient to read. Oh, and probably that I have found a cheap site to buy ebooks. and I can download library books right from my Nook now. Definitely loving it.

... to always be looking for new books to read. If you have suggestions, send them my way!

... to really want to do more beauty reviews/topics, but like from a science perspective. Like WHY a certain product works better or can't possibly work at all. Would y'all be interested in that kind of stuff?

... to really want Mexican. Again. Today. and every day. I can't help it. I love Mexican food.

... to wish that I had more time to blog and read blogs and comment on blogs, but work ties up all of my time, and since I didn't get the raise I was hoping, I may have to get a part-time job to earn extra money because my bills went up more than my raise ... good times.

Sometimes and Always ...

Sometimes ... I get a little disappointed that I lost 2 followers after announcing my giveaway winner.

Always ... it's their loss - I'm awesome and if they were only following for my giveaway, then I don't need them.

Sometimes ... I get home from work and don't feel like making dinner.

Always ... (well almost always) I suck it up like a big girl and make dinner. My wallet and my waistline would not appreciate if we ate out every day.

Sometimes ... I miss coaching cheerleading.

Always ... I remember the high school girl drama and think twice. All of a sudden I don't miss it anymore.

Sometimes ... I wish I didn't get bloggers block so often.

Always ... there are some pretty amazing link-ups to fill those days.

Sometimes ... I miss having good friends that live close and that I can talk to all the time.

Always ... I'm thankful for my blog friends, and hope that some of us can become better friends (and even IRL friends!)

Your turn ... go link up with Megan!

Sony Reader

As you may know, I got a Nook for Christmas from my hubby. It is replacing my Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition. I am selling this, if anyone is interested. I am asking $75 (including shipping) for the reader, the red Sony leather cover, and an A/C power supply (I consider the USB cable included with the reader, since they came together - I purchased the leather cover and A/C power supply separately). If you are interested in purchasing this, let me know. If I don't get any takers by Friday, it'll go on eBay.

Glasses

I hate shopping for glasses. I'm not gonna lie. I love looking at glasses and trying them on, but I hate the pressure of the salespeople in the stores.

That's why places like GlassesUSA.com appeal to me. You can go to their website, upload A PICTURE OF YOURSELF (how amazing is that??), and try on the glasses you want ON YOUR FACE, with no pressure from salespeople!

My husband and I both wear prescription eyeglasses. I also wear contacts. I love to make sure that my glasses are stylish, but also complement my face. And 100% honest, I don't trust salespeople. Their job is to sell product and most times they get paid on commission. Naturally they're going to tell you whatever you want to hear just so they get the sale. Not gonna happen when you buy them online!

Going to the store with my husband to buy glasses is a PAIN! He is so picky and has to try on every pair in the place. I can't wait to go home and try this website out with him! Another great thing about GlassesUSA? They have an easy return policy. If they make them wrong, they redo them free. If you don't like them, you can exchange them.

Right now, they have a few sales going on right now AND they have a 100% Satisfaction guarantee and a 110% Price guarantee! Have some FSA (flexible spending account) money floating around? Buy yourself (or a family member) a new pair of eyeglasses. They accept all credit cards, so if you have a credit card associated with your FSA (like I do), you can just pay with that! Easy as pie! Trust me, I'll be ordering my husband a pair, and at least one pair for myself!

New Year Sale:
Take 20% off any pair of eyeglasses and get FREE US shipping with the code: New2012
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

This is a sponsored post by GlassesUSA.com. I was compensated for writing this post, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Happy Friday! :) I can't even BEGIN to tell you how thankful I am that this week is over. I swear, the short weeks always seem longer than the regular weeks.

My weekend will be full of cleaning and organizing and laundry, and maybe some baking.

So now onto what you REALLY want to know ... who won my giveaway. Drum roll please ....

The winner is Ashley from Run with Me. Congratulations! :) Thank you to EVERYONE for entering! :)

It's OK!

It's OK ...

... that I haven't worked out yet this year. Something tells me that exercise while congested and unable to breathe is probably not a good combination. ;) I promise, once I can breathe, I will start working out.

... that I haven't eaten meat since Sunday. Damn you pork and sauerkraut. Really trying to be a pescatarian ... especially after getting the encouragement from Katie. I can do this!

... that we haven't taken down our Christmas decorations yet. We're leaving them up until after Saturday, because Saturday is Russian Christmas. (and yes, my hubby's family is Russian, so they at least acknowledge it).

... that all of my Christmas money is going into kitchen things. I love to cook, so I want to treat myself to good equipment. Like this amazing can opener. I can finally stop destroying the cheap ones ...

... that even though hubby got me a Nook and it is my 2nd favorite Christmas present, my Hello Kitty watch is my FAVORITE Christmas gift this year. First of all, I love Hello Kitty. Second, it shows that hubby really knows what I like, because I love everything about it. Oh, and hubby said that it is apparently one of the least expensive gifts he got me. Regardless, I'm in love.

... that I haven't felt like doing ANYTHING by the time I get home after work because a) it is FREEZING outside, so I just want to curl up on the couch under a big blanket and read and b) I haven't gotten out of work on time ONCE this week, so I am just wiped out.

So. What's OK with you?

2012 - The Year of Me

Happy 2012! Yes, I already posted about goals for the year, but since that post, I've done some serious thinking and decided that this year - 2012 - will be the Year of Me. I'm going to take care of ME.

1. I'm going to take better care of my body. It's the only one that I have and it isn't really replaceable.

• lose 30-ish pounds. I need to lose about 20 to get out of the "overweight" range on the doctor's chart, but 30 is not unrealistic.
• stop eating meat. I don't like it, so I don't know why I eat it. I guess out of convenience. After a long day at work, I just don't feel like making 2 different meals - one for my meat-eating hubby and one for my pescatarian (no meat, but seafood and dairy) self. But I need to make more of a conscious effort. Meat makes me feel "heavy". Not fat heavy, but dense and sluggish heavy.
• Run my 5K on 5/5/12.

2. Advance my career.

• Assuming all of my approvals go through, I should have my Masters degree in May. It has been a very long process, but I will be ecstatic when I'm finished.
• In February, I should find out my work goals for the year, as well as my annual increase and any title changes (I'm getting an assistant, so I should be getting a title change). If it isn't acceptable to me, I will start looking elsewhere. End of story. I refuse to continue to not expect more for myself.

3. Stop taking shit. Yes, that says TAKING, not TALKING. I don't talk shit.

• Stand up for myself when people are condescending and arrogant and disrespectful.
• Cut people out of my life that are not helping me to be who I want to be.

I encourage all of you to make 2012 the year of YOU, because if you don't, who will?

Blogger's Biggest Loser

Ok, I don't usually post twice in one day, BUT ... I'm linking up for THIS ...






Like many others, I am at my heaviest weight. I won't tell you the number, because it makes me sick just thinking about it. Anyway, I would like to lose about 30 pounds to get back closer to my "ideal" weight. By doing this linkup, I'm hoping that it will hold me accountable.

So here is how I plan to lose that weight, and what my obstacles are:

1) Eat healthier. Obstacle? My hubby likes some really unhealthy foods and I feel like a bad wife if I don't make his favorites. Also, sometimes I am just so tired and hungry after work that I snack on whatever I can find and I don't feel like making dinner. Planned course of attack? Keep the crap out of my house. Keep healthy snacks and pre-prepare as much of dinner as I can so that even when I'm tired, I can still make a healthy meal.
2) Exercise more. Obstacle? My back pain. Planned course of attack? Either find a better doctor that can give me some relief, or just work through the pain. Because losing some of the weight will probably help my back pain.

Sometimes ... and always ...

Linking up with the LOVELY Megan over at Mackey Madness again.

Sometimes ... I get really depressed going back to work. (and no, it has nothing to do with not liking my job - I miss my hubby and kitties after spending so much time with them!)

Always ... I remember that we need the money and I need to work now so that hopefully when we have babies, I don't have to.

Sometimes ... I curse blog world for making me want so many things ...

Always ... I save up money to get these amazing things ... and usually they're worth it (currently saving up for the Clarisonic Mia)

Sometimes ... I have giveaways.

Always ... I feel like I'm pimping them out, but I think this one is pretty great and I think y'all should enter! And I WILL ship internationally. Oh, and if you tell your friends and they say you sent them, if you win, I'll add a little something extra to the goodies!

Sometimes ... I really want to get up and run or workout.

Always ... my back pain stops me. Right now I have a pinched nerve, which makes even walking painful. I REALLY wish I could find a doctor to fix this.

Sometimes ... I love winter.

Always ... that is before Christmas. Now that Christmas is over, I'm ready for spring.

Now go link up with Megan!

My Favorite Things!

Now that Christmas is over, I want to give away my favorite things to one of you lovelies out there. Included in that package will be:

1. Avon Glimmersticks eyeliner. By far, the best eyeliner I have ever used.
2. Nivea lip balm. I have an addition to lip balms, and Nivea is one of my all time favorites. Smells good, tastes good, and keeps my lips super smooth.
3. Victoria's Secret The Hand Cream. Hands down, my favorite hand cream.
4. Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac in Japanese Cherry Blossom. I love the convenience of this little bottle and the scent is great.
5. Konpeito. One of my favorite candies, it is Japan's answer to mini bite-sized rock candy. Addicting!
6. Extra Dessert Delights Key Lime Pie gum. Sugar-free and super yummy!
7. A Hello Kitty change purse. Because we ALL know my love for her! :)
8. Smarties. My all-time favorite American candy.

And there may also be a few other goodies thrown in ... ;)

To enter, use Rafflecopter below. Winner will be picked on Friday.