Flying Toaster Oven

Love rainy days indoors when I can read by the window and look out or luxuriate writing about anything I want.   Sipping tea and watching the toob is good too.  Well it rained intermittently all day yesterday but I found myself just doing simple organizing and catch up.   Plus, watching the same animated movie over and over again because my son wanted company.   So this particular rainy day made me contemplate whether i would want to consider living in Portland, one of my fave cities, when I retire.   I’m thinking to be cooped up and rushing from your car to venues or other places would be something to get used to.   Then again, I’m not really the outdoorsy type that likes to hike, etc.  But still there’s the coolness and overcastness that appeals to me and I dont know why.

I should talk but I have to vent about another pet peeve.  Unoriginality… I cant stand copy cats.  Competitive folks that want what you have and then try to outdo you by really going overboard.  Also, the kind that copy you but it’s not quite the same but how best to describe this?… It’s like a cheap knockoff of the original.   It would be like the person wants to play off that they’re not copying but they are and just changing one slight thing.   It’s so annoying.

Then you get the folks that try to copy your hairstyle or clothing.   Isnt that so obvious that it’s transparent?    I mean how clueless do you think we are?!

Finally, there’s the folks taht are just plain lazy.  This is a most recent annoyance.  I know someone who’s just so darn lazy and instead of trying to emulate, she goes ahead and verbatim copies me.  Isnt that considered plagiarism in the world of journalism?!

Then to top it off, she asked for my invite list for a party I had at my house.    She would actually invite people that she hardly knows b/c she’s too lazy to put together her own list?!   That’s ridiculous!!!!

Ok, I just had to get that off my chest.   Bizarre, I tell you…..

Latest update.  My baby cousin is getting married.  It’s been 9 years in our family since the last wedding which happened to be mine.   And I might add, I was considered an “old maid” at age 33.  Funny thing is, my cousin is now in her 30s as well.  Hmmm…. is this a trend or is it hypocrisy.    Gosh, your daughter is OLD and needs to get married but my daughter is not.   Not to dwell on such insignificant issues since I’m way over that and have much more significant things to be concerned about but wanted to put it out there.   It’s an outlet for me to vent and perhaps clean my slate so to speak.

Ok, so my latest thing is, I’m been feeling ill whenever I consume just meager amounts of sugary foods.  Am I becoming diabetic?  I just realized even artificially sweetened creamer makes me feel ill within minutes.   I just recently cut out diet soda as well.  Now I really need to cut out both real sugar and artificial sugar.  It makes me feel nauseous and lethargic.   Literally leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I was all revved up last week and some wind has been let out of my sails.  I dont know if that’s the proper explanation of that analogy.   I was all set to get my biz going and then after talking to my accountant, I was told to cool it for now.   I will have more expenses in the long run.  I think he’s right as he’s the model for success but a part of me feels slightly desperate to have something on hand (just in case).  I mean look at the economy.   I have a great full time job with bennies but I want something more.

Update from my last post about cramming as much as possible this weekend.  Looks like i hit 3 out of 5 on my list which is definitely an accomplishment since I’m lucky to even cross out 1 off my list.   

I really utilized my time waster habit like watching tv and simultaneously went thru my papers.  This time I’m really movitated because I ended up throwing out some valuable coupons and this past year, I begrudgingly and bitterly cut up some once valuable gift cards.  Note to self and to anyone: Do not purchase visa gift cards!  The annoying thing about these types of gift cards is that you have to know your balance.  It’s not as simple as just using it like cash.

I also had to scrap the receipts i had.  In an ideal situation and if time permitted, I would be cross referencing my receipts with my credit card statement which I rarely do.  I know, very stupid.   In the past, I went on a cash/check system which I realized didnt help my credit scores but certainly helped restrain my shopping addiction.  Alas, I went back to credit cards taking it to the limit as point rewards was my main draw. 

Now, it’s outta control as I’m using the credit card for gas, groceries and considered utilities just to earn more points which I might add, I have not redeemed yet.  I’m either waiting for the next big vacation splurge or emergency flight.

Ok, that said, I realized that this year I need to take more control.  It’s plain stupidity if I blindly pay bills and then even miss some only due to the fact I let it pile up out of bad time organization rather than lack of funds.  I also am going to be much more meticulous about my receipts.  After all, these are for write-offs which I will definitely need. 

And finally, I got my exercise today literally running after my kid.  At a nearby park, there are hills and I felt like a kid again (almost) running up and down the hills.  I almost forgot about the exuberation and momentum one feels as your legs carry you down the hill.  I’m surprised I didnt lose my balance or inexplicably fall!

My workoout routine starts tomorrow.  I strategically planned to have my gym clothes in my car and park near the gym and hoof it to the office.  Then after my lunch time workout, to save time as I’m on the clock, I’ll drive back to the office to a closer parking spot.  So there, no more excuses about not getting back on time or whatever.   Plus, I’m packing a healthy lunch which will save me time and money and of course, calories!

Whew, I’m on a roll……

What do you say when you hear that a dear old friend is diagnosed with a fatal disease? 

You pray for them but internally you’r mad about it.   Why?  Why him or her?  He/She is too young.

As I get older and mind you, I’m not that old.  It’s all relative but I’m only in my early 40s.  I had a friend die suddenly in a car accident from a massive heart attack before he was 50.  Another from cancer and now this. 

I already read that there is no cure and it’s fatal.   To add,  we are losing one elderly relative a year every year for the past 3 years.  So, its been difficult to keep hearing about another person leaving us.  I have been feeling down about this. 

I know our bodies here on earth are imperfect and will eventually succumb to disease, or eventually just wear out but i dont know if it’s because I have older friends, know more people that then average person or are there more people with chronic illnesses. 
All we can do is pray for our friends and not dwell on our own issues or try to relate.  We just cant relate since we’re not in those shoes. 

I am praying for a miracle….

Thank God for Presidents’s Day.  I REALLY REALLY needed this extra day to catch up on house chores/organization and the like.   Whilst hubby is vacuuming and I’m self indulging pouring out my guts on this blog, I already have a mental list of things to do in the last 48 hours of this weekend.   In one of my postings last week, I mentioned how I’m on a roll now.  Yes, I am.  I just signed up for a fitness test and really made the commitment to exercise more intensely.  Part of this was sparked by my fear of another lab test in about 7 more weeks and kinda like cramming for a test, I’m hoping to hear good news about my health. 

Right now, I’m in a sea of papers, ready to dive in and wade about.   To add, I’ll do some frivolous shopping this afernoon afer church to purchase more kitchen gadgets.  I am hoping this is not my own mental diversion for the unpleasant task of goiing through my papers.   This is one area of my life that I cannot seem to control.  I dont even check my checking account.  Just pay and go on which is absolutely stupid.  But lately, due to many items I’m buying for the home, Ive noticed that my accounts are dwindling faster than usual so my balance isnt as high any more.  This of course means I will need to cut back in other areas like eating out and I will need to find another means for cash.

Speaking of cold hard cash…. i’m itchin’ for another run to Vegas!

So who are these people that are commenting on my blog?  Are they for real?  Some are not in English and others don’t match the posting.   Either I’m naiive and dont know the true intention of these comments or they really are legit?  

When I check out these commentators sites, I notice they are usually more commercial sites so it makes me wonder if there’s an error?  I wouldnt be as confused if another blogger wrote back to me. 

Anyway…on to another subject.   See next posting.

Ever felt like something just lit a spark and you’re on the go…meaning you suddenly got the motivation to complete your growing to do list and wanna do that or wanna go there list?   It’s interesting how I procrastinated for over a a year and a half to get my business going.  I was making excuses and stalling not sure if it was out of fear or fear of failure or just plain laziness.   Now I find the time to do the administrative part of the work.  It’s been exciting to actually calculate how much additional monies I can make on the side. 

What’s really interesting is that I didnt realize I could do it and do it well.  I’m looking foraward to making my goals this year.   Also, coincidentally some friends had invited me to join them at the gym to work out.  now this is going to finally give me the accountability that i need to get my butt off the chair/sofa and finally burn some calories.  Due to the weather and yes I know thats another excuse but seriously with a kid and hubby and traditional mommy role things to do, it leaves little else as far as time goes for “luxuries’ like working out.    Well I’ll make the time now.  Rather than idling my time eating lunch at my desk, I’ll get the much needed exercise during the only time of the day I can do it.    And I’ll make arrangements for my social lunches.  After all, it’s not every day I go out for lunch.  I could curtail it to once or twice a week at the most.  I realize that I’m not getting healthier day by day and the exercise is despearately needed.  I’m stressed and I think this is a healthy outlet. 

Finally, I am goiung to clean out my closets and garage during this long president;s weekend!

I have this habit of procrastinating. I have all the intentions of being ahead of the game but i end up stressing out at the last minute and working like a mad dog to get it all done.  Case in point, i have guests coming over THursday night and here I am still not done cleaning, prepping.etc.  Still didnt decide what I’ll serve that night either.   To add to that, i have tight deadlines at work.   The stressor in that one is that I want to produce good work and not substandard work.

I have a to do list for the home which I have every intention of doing every weekend but for some reason. something keeps popping up.  I think the best approach is to plug away at it little by little rather than try to wipe it all out.   The list will always be there but I’ll get it done.