The Clutter Box

The Good Runs

2012-02-16T07:31:00.001-07:00

Monday is running day and it decided to storm! It was blowing crazy amounts of light fluffy snow! I was super nervous because I had to be at that run to lead the group as the other gentleman that usually does it is away. Before we run on Mondays we have a little meeting and before this meeting two girls starting talking about previous injuries they had gotten due to running. Which is a fantastic way to scare a person when they are already feeling challenged.

The talk that night was about motivation. She used the word
S
M
A
R
T (tangible)
and each letter stood for something... now as you can see I don't really remember what they all stand for at this moment. I was going to take a picture but I felt all awkward doing that. I swear I did write some notes but I can't find them so I must have forgotten to save them.
Anyway's part way through the talk I decided it didn't matter what the weather was like. I needed and wanted to run! I craved the run! So this was gonna be the best run EVER!! and you know what? It was a fantastic run! The snow was light and fluffy, it was super beautiful out, we worked our legs a little harder. AND got completely soaked through to the bone! And even though we were soaked because of the temperature we weren't cold. If you look at the side picture I was totally covered when we got back. But it was soooo much fun!

Even walking to work the next day was fun! The snow was still so fluffy! Perfect snow for sledding or snowmen!!

But alas, it has already melted and become gross slush! I think though that I will forever remember this run and how fantastic it was!

Night Out with Cat

2012-02-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

@catbutnohat and I went to the Gloria of India! We had a fantastic time and I tried lamb for the very first time. It was pretty good, a little chewy but overall I really enjoyed it. We had Butter Chicken, Lamb Korma, and Garlic Naan bread.

Happy Valentines Day

2012-02-14T07:24:00.001-07:00

Heart Nails, as per ...love Maegan. They aren't as good but I tried.

I had to file down my fake nails anyways so I figured this would work. I need a better solution than fake nails that cost seventy bucks every three weeks. Waiting four or five ways just causes trouble.

Mr. and I don't celebrate the Big VDay

Usually cause out anniversary is the week before.

Tonight we both are working.

Oh and he already buys me flowers every month so I am pretty lucky

Hope you have a fantastic one and maybe someone brings you flowers!

Make-Up

2012-02-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

I think the reason I've been breaking out so much is the make-up I've been using isn't Artistry. My skin is so sensitive I should know better than to change brands. So I have thrown out my old make-up and replaced it with some new ones and this is how it came

Individually package. At first that kind of annoyed me. But then I realized that meant I could place the colours however I wanted and it wasn't stuck in a certain way.

So this is how I have decided to place the colours for the moment. I have stickers for names

I also got this beautiful bronzer. I am definitely in love with it! So sparkly and fun !

But there was tons of garbage leftover! I am so excited to try it all out!!

HAPPY MONDAY!!

What I have done

2012-02-12T15:06:00.001-07:00

The morning began with a fight with Mr. it was horrible, in the end though he understood why I was upset and I understood the pressures I was putting on him. Then we cleaned the house, the bathroom is now wonderfully clean. The floor has been swept and washed.

From there I went to yoga. The class was called Yin

All Levels Not Heated (~24°C) This Taoist yoga practice is a slow, deliberate and meditative class focusing on lengthening the body's deep connective tissue. Postures are held for extended periods to encourage deep releases. It is suitable for pregnant women and excellent for beginners.

It was a male teacher and he was very good. The class was exactly what I needed, it helped me relax. I also learned a technique with a tennis ball!

I worked out the muscle in my shoulders and it's a big help. I am definitely going to do it again.

Mr. was at work by the time I got home. So I have started laundry, wiped down the counters and I am debating making muffins.

I owe Mr. something wonderful for putting up with my emotions.

Hope you are having a good Sunday

2012 Hypo Half Marathon

2012-02-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

So I have just arrived after spending a blustery day outside volunteering for the 2012 Hypo Half Marathon! I was very nervous, I always forget how shy I am when outside of work. At work there is no need to be shy it is my domain, but throw me somewhere I've never been and it's a completely different story. Mr. drove me to the meeting location. After that I was a little worried because I don't have a vehicle and I wasn't sure how to get to the stations or even what I was suppose to do.

I got teamed up with a beautiful girl named Jennifer. She is an Iron-man/Triathlon Completer! Jennifer was wonderful to work with and a complete blessing! She drove us to the location and although she also had never volunteered, she has been to many marathon's and knew how she liked things done. It was fantastic working with her.

Water Station set up was pretty easy. However it was bloody cold out (-15F) but we were extremely lucky as the area we were in was part of the city set up and we got heated washrooms! So whenever we got too cold it was a quick run in to do this

I can't even imagine what the other water station attendants did. I was pretty prepared I wore two pairs of socks, tights, leg warmers, and then my winter pants over top.

For tops I wore a tank top, my red running long sleeve, a hoodie, my running jacket, and my vest.

I had my hat! But I forgot gloves! Which is horrible for when you are handing out water! Jennifer had an extra pair which she lent me. Thankfully as I don't think I would have lasted otherwise.

There was two sets to the run we managed the first one of three hundred. After the last walker was past and on their way back.We left for lunch, got feed a pretty decent meal and headed back. When we arrived there was the second wave of volunteers and we were told we could go home! I am so happy we got sent home the wind was a million times worse and I was feeling tired.

So I am home now! Made a new friend, had a new experience

So much

2012-02-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

So much to blog... and I am to stressed to even think.

Today is customer appreciation day. For some stupid reason this means I can't sleep, eating upsets my stomach and people make me angry.

Not a great set up for a customer appreciation day.

What's a girl suppose to do, but find a hot dress to wear!

Anyways I couldn't find another dress... so I ordered boots from Beyond the Rack. Got them and they say size six and a half

Unfortantly they don't fit like a 6 1/2! but more like an 8.... so these beauties are now a co-workers.

TTYL!
Happy Friday!

2012 Hypo Half Marathon

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

1 half marathon = 21.097494 kilometers

I am so excited for this weekends Hypo Half!! And just to clarify I am totally not running in it! Not yet anyways maybe next year! I am however volunteering! I really want to be in more positive environments with people who are happy, healthy, motivate and have similar tastes, what a better way to do that than volunteer!! So this year I am a water attendant!

I've got maps, phone numbers and names of everything, so I hope I am prepped for the day. The only worry I have is the temperature (it will be anywhere from -10 to +10 without the wind) and getting to the location I need to be at. I do not have a vehicle so I am not sure how to get there.

But that's okay, I have courage and I am really looking forward to meeting some awesome new people!!

Here's an outfit I wore last week!

Weekly Money Check-Up

2012-02-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on ESpring! I am so excited! We can't buy bottled water anymore the one we got is an awful and so we are spending six hundred bucks on this. It comes highly recommend and I am so looking forward to it!!

2. Today I am thankful for run buddies. They made my night and I really need that run!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was go to a friends birthday party. It was an interesting experience. They had mango shisha and some other things. I am allergic to smoke so it was interesting. Wine mixed with smoke... I managed to make it to the bathroom to puke once came out and told Mr. we needed a cab home and proceed to embarrass myself silly by puking all over myself. I hope we are still friends, I'm a little worried, you shouldn't puke on someones floor the first time you visit someone's house.

4. I will consider this week a success if I run, work, and get some sleep.

5. I can’t start my day without kisses from this guy! and though we try to it doesn't always happen but we try to have breakfast together, just boring cereal and play our DS game together! It's fun!! and perfect

excuses the messy living room. I need to get a hanging rack for laundry!

HAPPY Tuesday!

Anniversary Date Night

2012-02-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Friday was our anniversary... it was a very long day and so I got Mr. to pick me up from the train station and we went out in search of some good pear wine. I wanted pear wine because at book club a gal brought some homemade pear wine and it was the most amazing juice I've had in a long time. On the recommadtion of the guy working at the wine market we tried this

Was not a fan of it. It was much to dry for me. I prefer sweet. I ended up throwing some pineapple in it and mixing in some sprint. It was manageable after that.

Next time though I think I will try to find this

sounds so good! I found it on crazyrunninglegs instagram!

We watched TV and went to bed and it was a perfect night!

Things on my Mind

2012-02-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

1. I was talking to my book friend and last week she bought Jessica's Guide to the Dark Side (I reviewed it on my book blog). She thought it was a fantastic book and as we were discussing she mentioned the reason she was dressed up that day, was because she liked the idea of having a presence. In the book Lucius talks to Jessica about being a presence, like her Mom.

In this day and age I feel like we are almost taught to stay small and invisible. You get on the train you never make eye contact or smile. You wear headphones whether your listening to anything or not. You do not want to be noticed. But when you think about your role models in life? What is it that attracts you to them? Their clothes (lovemaegan), how they handle themselves in tough situations (love&lemonade), how they treat others (made with love), how they treat themselves (color me katie) and how others treat them. It's all about presence.

Presence - confidence of who you are as a human being. making you someone who stands out in this world of people trying to hide.

2. I got asked the other day what my dream job was. And the guy probably thought I was a lunatic, because it took my a while to answer and we were running, so I speed up while I thought about my answer. I still don't really know what my dream job would be. I am a shy people person. If that makes sense. I love the job I currently have because I am surrounded by a bunch of people I have come to care for (even if I do complain about them allot) and I am constantly meeting new people and facing new challenges and broadening my horizon's. So what would I do?? That's a good question

3. Mr. started running two Wednesdays ago (that would make it Jan 25)

4. MUST RUN FASTER! ;)

Mr.'s and Mine Anniversary!

2012-02-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

6 years strong! Sometimes it's hard to believe. I had this post all prepped in my head but then we went to bed instead! Tonight we are going to run! After that I have no idea. But probably not much more than sleep as it will be a long weekend!

I went through my old Anniversary posts....

2009 - we were fighting... hahaha I actually remember this one. But we made date night plans for May 29th. I am gonna go back and see what we did because I don't remember that part!

2010 - we went to the Orchestra... we snuggled on the couch and watched TV!!! (which is probably what we will do this year)

2011 - we hung out with Sugar and Spice!! They made us a candlelight dinner, but I don't have any pictures of it!

It also seems that I do this link thing every year! LOL

Anyways I'm off to Kiss my Mr. goodbye and headed to breakfast with work girls!! TTYL

The Shopping Bag

2012-02-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

A fantastic book lover lent me a stash of books! And because she knows me so well, so lent me them in this fantastic bag!! :)

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing wonderful people!

Ankle Taping

2012-02-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

The interesting part is, I did the video only to have the Therapist change it the next time I saw her... Oh well, that picture is below the video.

This is the picture of when we switched it up.

I ran with it Monday, but I am not sure if I like how it felt. I didn't feel fully supported and by the time I got to running it felt like my knee was twisted in a bit. Which was a tad bit uncomfortable. By the time I ended up walking home, the left (inside) of my foot really hurt... so I must remember to chat with her about this next time I go, which will be Friday.

Weekly Money Check-Up

2012-01-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hosted by My Pretty Pennies

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on the dentist, but I am getting most of that back through benefits, so I suppose I actually spent more money on a new cape (for $39.99) and a new pair of flat boots ($14.99) that I got through Beyond the Rack. Can't wait to get those in the mail!

2. Today I am thankful physico and taping. While last nights run wasn't perfect the taping sure makes a difference!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was exchange books with my Book Friend! Also find a bunch of free books on Amazon!

4. I will consider this week a success if I run on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Oh, and find something healthier to eat other than hot dogs, sprite and cadbury easter eggs after a run!

5. When I was a kid I wanted to be a cop when I grew up. That didn't happen because the whole idea terrified my parents, so I went to the exact opposite thing Beauty School just to get out. While it is still a small thing in the back of my head, I think I more want to be as fit as a cop should be (not the ones that eat donuts for breakfast!).

The Week of Brown

2012-01-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

I had six outfit's planned. And then it was decided that I couldn't wear heels for three months. It was interesting to find that my outfits were based off the shoe.

Now I could still wear the one other brown outfit I had planned. This one is from Friday and I wore this on Thursday without the heels. But I just can't make it work without the brown shoes.

I went flat shoe shopping and bought three pairs, which I will show you later, but they didn't have any brown I liked. And while I have one pair that semi works already, it's pointed toe and not the right shade of brown.

Oh well, I did manage to do four actually days of brown that I was able to catalogue. But now I must eat breakfast and catch the train!

Tonight is running!! So excited!

Happy Monday!!

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

2012-01-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

I did a post last week about the Sweet Potato Recipe I found on I see Fit People. I also made this recipe for book club. I have never made anything like chili before, so I throw this all together the night before and cooked it all day while I was at work. It turned out pretty good.

most of the ingredients

mixing it all together

adding the fill touch

Turned out pretty good, though it feels like it's missing one ingredient. I will definitely make it again!

1 can tomato sauce
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can rinsed black beans
1 can rinsed kidney beans
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup low sodium chicken stock
2-3 tbsp taco seasoning (I use Epicure)
4 chicken breasts

Sweet Potato and Vegetable Roast

2012-01-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

My sister in law sent me this webpage I see Fit People and through it I found Sweet Potato and Vegetable Roast. I made it for book club. Buying sweet potatoes was an interesting experience I thought they were orange turns out I was thinking of yams! Oops! But at least I bought the right item!

all the ingredients prepped for cooking the next day

before cooking!!

after cooking

I forgot to set a timer! Another Oops! But the ones we did ate weren't to bad!!

2 small sweet potatoes, cubed (I used one large)
5-6 broccoli florets (I used one full head)
1 small red onion, cubed
4 tbsp grape seed oil (I used olive)
2 tbsp sesame oil
5 cloves of garlic, peeled
dash of salt and pepper
1/2 tsp thyme

Happy Tuesday!!

The Week of Brown

2012-01-25T19:50:00.004-07:00

I love this dress... but not the way it currently looks on me. But that would be why I am running!

Tonight Mr. kinda joined me. We met at the run club and he ran with the Learn to Run Group (LTR) and I ran with the 5K group. While I feel like I am not pushing myself yet with the 5K group, I know I will be.

This morning however my foot was really sore and so I spent a hundred bucks and went to Physico Therapy. I am still not sure how to spell that would and neither is the computer. Anyways I really liked the lady there and she liked my tape job and then added more tape, gave me a tube and taught me some exercises. It was an interesting experience and I am looking forward to meeting with her next Monday. She says I can still run and that my goal of a marathon in two years is possible. We just need to strengthen the ankle.

The only bad thing is I am off high heels and pointed shoes for three months!! But it's an excuse to buy new shoes because I don't have any flat non-pointed shoes! SO A SHOPPING TRIP IS IN ORDER!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

The Week of Brown

2012-01-24T21:51:00.001-07:00

I wore this today. I am not sure if I like the pants, but it was comfy and I didn't feel like I was sucking in my stomach all day. Does anyone else do that?? I swear it's why my tummy hurts all the time, must learn to relax those muscles!

Anyways... I wore my black nine west boots, I last posted a picture about them in my week of dresses posts... yikes that was a long time again. I need to take a new picture of them and get opinions on the heel, they are quiet damaged and I am very sad about that. They are two years old but I feel like they should last me like ten years! But I don't know if the damage is to severe now or if it's worth the $$$ to yet them fixed. They are my favorite boots and a new insole and heel would make them wonderful again (Oh and maybe a polish!)

Today I ran to catch the train... and got on, got to my destination only to be met with the cops. I forgot to validate my ticket! I have always been told that I should lie my way out of it, but I just couldn't do that. So I decided to tell the honest truth. I told him I was running for the train got distract at my switch and I had never done that before. He asked if I was on my way to work, if I had to catch a bus and then proceed to write me a ticket! And if that wasn't bad enough I decided to tell the cop that my drivers license address wasn't valid and that I had moved, to which he replied with "Oh, well I could write you a ticket for $340 instead, but as this is your first offense I won't" ALL BECAUSE OF A STUPID ADDRESS. We've only been living here for three months!

He explained the entire ticket to me, including the fact that the only place I could pay it without fees was downtown! AND that he had extended the payment date so I could take my time and that they had payment options available! OR I could do a weekend of community service like a hard core criminal!

(now that may be a little extreme, but that's what it felt/feels like)

So now not only do I have $150 fine but I have to take time off of work to go downtown and pay the thing! The worst part is, I showed him February's bus pass (so he knew I was prepping for next month) and yesterdays ticket validated and Fridays!

My other option was in the morning... be late for work by 1/2hr because the train came 5 minutes early. WTF

The Week of Brown

2012-01-23T20:01:00.004-07:00

I finally have enough clothes to wear brown for hopefully a week! SO I decided this is the week to do it! I am pretty excited about it AND here's Outfit Number 1!

I liked both pictures, so both go up!!

My hair is out of control! But I didn't feel like straightening it, this morning.
SO Today was the first group 5K! I was pretty nervous and you know what! I did fantastic, did freak out about ice, stuck to the fast people! AND I FEEL SO GOOD!!! I felt like I could keep going! Which really surprised me! I had the opportunity to keep going but I decided against it because I have to walk home! Lots of exclamation marks!! I am pretty excited!! I am looking forward to Wednesday's run and keeping this monument up! I will post later on my ankle. I need to post pictures of the tape job I am doing. I think it made a HUGE Difference in today's run and helped give me confidence!

HAPPY MONDAY!!
TODAY I RAN!! ;)

The Little Red/Black Dress

2012-01-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

There's a new La Chateau Outlet by work! It is officially the most evil place ever!!! But I did major to find this gorgeous dress for $29.99 CAD!

YEA! you can see all of me

but this one is so much better!

Happy Friday!! Book Club tonight!!

Gah Winter

2012-01-19T07:48:00.001-07:00

Gah Winter

I need some sleep

I look exhuasted

I haven't been doing enough

Work Tonight

Book Club tomorrow

I have nothing prepared

I am a little stressed out about not being prepared

But really all I want is sleep

Weekly Money Check-Up

2012-01-18T07:54:00.004-07:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on shoes and winter running pants for Mr. next we need to get him new winter boots, I've finally convinced him.

2. Today I am thankful for how busy we will be in the next few months! I am looking forward to it!! Plus I booked off reading week so Mr. and I can go to home town!!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was take a walk with Mr., it wasn't completely free as we walked to Olive Garden to met his parents. But they won't let us pay for a thing and then the won't let us walk home so they paid for a taxi. We would have been fine walking but it was so nice of them.

4. I will consider this week a success if I get in a visit with my family and don't eat out for the rest of the week

5. My purse contains BEAUTY!! I got a new purse for my birthday and it just arrived!! Isn't it pretty!!

I always carry my wallet, an Ereader (today I have the Kindle), my 3DS, a fresh pair of socks, lip gloss GALORE! deodorant, both sets of keys, hand sanitizer spray, a comb, and my cellphone is usually in there or my pocket.

Happy HUMP DAY!!!

Cheesy Bread...

2012-01-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe on lauren's everyday ingredients - extraodinary food latest, the hasselback garlic cheesey bread. My goal was to make this for book club. However it is quite a long cooking time and I won't have time to do it for it. I probably could have taken the loaves I made and saved them for book club but I am picky and want fresh food. I still have no idea what I am making. But here's some pictures of what the hasselback garlic cheesey bread looked like

mixing


I forgot to lock the beaters down so it was making a horrible noise and took me forever to figure out. Can't believe I forgot to lock it!

the rolls after rising... there was lots of rising involved!

fresh out of the oven!

1 cup Warm Water
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 Teaspoons)
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Bread Flour (I only had sixty percent whole wheat so I used that!)
Olive Oil, For Greasing Surfaces
? pounds Sharp White Cheddar, Or Any Other Cheese You Prefer (I used cheddar)
½ cups Garlic Butter

Directions:
In a large bowl, stir water, honey and yeast together. Let yeast proof 5 minutes. Once you know yeast is active, stir in salt and the flour in 1/4 cup increments. If you are using a stand mixer, be sure to not increase your speed higher than a 2 or ‘stir’. Once dough starts pulling away from the sides and the bowl seems to be pretty clean, set a timer for 5 minutes and walk away. Let the machine knead the dough. After 5 minutes, dough should be smooth and tacky but when touched shouldn’t leave any dough on your fingers.
Grease the bowl and the dough. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Punch down dough and cut into two equal portions. Form into two long baguettes the length of the cookie sheet. I like to twist mine because it looks cool, but it also keeps its length and doesn’t shrink. Cover with plastic wrap and rise 30 minutes. Start to preheat oven to 400 degrees F and place dough close to the oven where it’s nice and warm. Once oven is preheated, remove plastic wrap, from the dough reduce oven to 350F, put the bread into the oven and bake 20 minutes.
In the meantime, slice the cheese into thin slices and melt the butter. (One I did just plain butter with cheese and the other I did jalapeno garlic butter)
Pull loaves of bread out of the oven after 20 minutes and brush with the melted garlic butter. Bake another 5-7 minutes or until bread begins to turn a golden brown. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes.
Cut 1-inch slices 3/4's of the the way through the loaves. Brush garlic butter in between each slice and fill with a slice of cheese. Bake another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.
Serve immediately. (I didn't serve immediately instead I took it to work the next day and let them enjoy it. Mr and I didn't get a piece but everyone said it was really good! YEAAA ME)

Now I just need another recipe for book club...

The Calendar

2012-01-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

So I tried to post this, this morning but my phone won't let me. I have no idea why but the picture won't show up.

Mr.'s parents came up this weekend. We didn't really get to spend much time with them, we met them at Olive Garden and had dinner and then went to their hotel room and played a new game called sticks.

The game was super hard, but pretty fun and I think Mr. and I will end up getting it!

Anyways Mr.'s Mom bought me the shoe calendar!! I had one last year and then I got the purse one for work from a lovely client. So this one I am leaving at home. I think I will incorporate it into my outfit posts! Because that's sounds like fun to me!

We will see how long I can keep that up though. The main reason I haven't been taking pictures is cause I don't have batteries for my camera and I hate doing it in the mirror with my phone. This one I made Mr. take. He hates taking pictures and so I don't like asking him often.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

The Crash

2012-01-11T08:48:00.001-07:00

So I went to the doctor and going to the doctor never seems to bring about good things. I got an MRI and X-Ray on my right ankle to see why it’s been swelling. And the reason is… (in a deep booming voice) he can see that I have sustained multiple injuries to the ankle (my squeaky thoughts, no duh only 11 sprained ankles since I was 5!) and due to that I don’t recommend running great distances. AND THEN OUTLOAD WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to run a marathon next year! His suggestion

Tape,

Ice,

and Weekly Physico Therapy

the longer the run the more often I have to go to physico.

Today I run….

and then came crashing down

It's a Lovely Brown Kind of Day

2012-01-09T07:46:00.002-07:00

You've seen this outfit before, but I love it and it's super comfy! However I am wearing this gorgeous heels with it today!!

I think I am gonna try my thirty days and not wear the same thing again! We will see, I have to many favorites!

2012 Theme

2012-01-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

This year 2012, I want to focus everything into my physical health. And so my motivational line for the year will be Today I RUN! I have a fitness plan put in place and I am gonna run my way to a marathon in two years! So this is my theme and I need encouragement making this happen.

Things I am doing
- my second job is at the place I run, so Monday's/Wednesday's/Sunday's I am running there and Tuesdays/Thursday's I am working there, I am hoping that this will help me stay motivated by being around people who's entire lives are about running or working out!

- reading positive things, especially fitness or running related. ...loveMaegan has an Inspiration to Fitness Program post that has some fantastic links that I immediately jumped on, like healthy ashley. And I was already following Eat:Watch:Run.

- I bought John Stanton Running Room's Training Log.

- Signed up to receive Runner World's monthly magazine. With that came another Training Log, that I will probably give to my Mom and sister

- Told my mom and sister that they are signing up for the Learn to Run Program in March. That I wasn't taking 'no' for an answer and that they were gonna do it! My actual goal is my to running that program when they join as well as be doing the 10k clinic

- Trying to convince Mr. to join this months 5k clinic with me. I would love it if he ran with me. But he has school responsibilities and that comes first. I haven't convinced him yet but I will one day.

I hope that you will see that little picture around here allot!

2011 Recap

2012-01-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

January 2011
I got a new baby sister
Mr. and I got a new couch
I got an allergy test done

February 2011
Mr.'s Grandpa past away

March 2011
I got an XRay and MRI on my wrist - nothing found though

April 2011
Mr. bought me Pascal and the Adventures of Pascal was created

May 2011
I started planning Fab-Flier's Baby Shower
I hung out with a bunch of fabulous people
Mr. and I went to the Orchestra

June 2011
I hosted Fab-Flier's Baby Shower
Went to Comic-Con and went up with a Great Friend
and an two amazing friends got married!!

July 2011
Pascal went to Vegas
I went to a friends birthday far away
Mr. and I started discussing tattoos
I helped a friend out

August 2011
I started running
I did a week of dresses
Mr. and I started looking for a new place to move

September 2011
Mr. started school
I worked way to much over time
We packed up and prepped for moving

October 2011
I ran my first 5K race
We moved
I started making quilts for Mr. and me (they aren't done yet...)

November 2011
I ran more then sprained my ankle
I made a treat for a friend
We got a kitchen aid

December 2011
I started my second job
Mr. put in ton's of hours at his job and did superb in school
We had a fantastic Christmas with His family and Mine!
I throw myself a birthday party

I also did a recap for 2010 last year.... it's interesting to see the things I put on this list!

More Birthday

2012-01-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. has really let me go all out this year... on top of my gorgeous anklet! and the 3DS's!

I bought a purse from Beyond the Rack... can't wait for that to come in!!!

An Amazon Kindle! the exact one I mentioned in my Christmas Wish LIST!!! The amazing part is that we ordered it on January 2, it shipped the same day and I got it on the 4th!!! If you were following Twitter you saw my picture of it! AND my dozen of book purchases! Seriously I got the following

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
'The Emerald Talisman (Talisman Series, book 1)' by Brenda Pandos
Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer
The Soulkeepers (The Soulkeepers Series) by G.P. Ching
Marked (Soul Guardians, book 1) by Kim Richarson
Shadow of the Sun (Timeless, book 1) by Laura Kreitzer
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (The Steampunk Chronicles) by Kady Cross

And I have so much reading to do now!! I can't wait to dive in!! So you probably will only be seeing outfit posts for the next little while, as I will be focusing on reading, running, and sadly working and sleeping (and the occasional meal!)

TTYL!! HAPPY FRIDAY!

Some Birthday Details!

2012-01-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

My birthday was fantastic! Thirteen people came to our party and it was a great success. @catbutnohat brought awesome WARM chocolate chip scones and two other girls brought me little gifts too (bracelet/necklace from one and a necklace/game called Would You Rather) I didn't except gifts that's not why I had the party but it was sure a nice surprise! And I think I am gonna have to get Cat to show me how to make scones cause mine never turn out!

Mr. got me a gorgeous anklet!! It's white gold and the perfect fit!! I am wearing it in this picture and will post a better picture soon!! He also bought us 3DS! We each got a red one, I may trade mine in for black later! But for now it's so wonderful! I have nintendogs + cats, I got a beautiful miniature pincher who we named Pepper (yes Mr. and I discussed his name!! We actually have a few 'pets' Phase, Pascal, and now Pepper!)

Monday I went to hometown with my family, that was an interesting adventure! My siblings and I played Mario Cart the whole way there! It was great to visit with my grandparents, even though it was super weird because I usually just go with Mr. and we talk about my family... so I mostly played games... :)

Tuesday was an interesting day. I booked it off cause I had a doctor's appointment at 10:30 and then I figured it out later that the appointment was for 10:30 PM! (it was an MRI for my ankle) anyways so I had to the HOT SPRINGS with my family again! I am so glad Dad did all the driving and it was so nice and relaxing at the hot springs!! We were home by three. I worked at the running room for 5 was there two hours then went home because it was dead! I didn't see a single customer! Then I went for the MRI... don't know the results yet.

Mr. and I slept in and then we went to work Wednesday for noon! And that has been my week so far!

hAd A rIdDlE

2012-01-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

but now I can't remember it! Anyways today was my first day back at work... How I wished I had stayed home! LOL

Mix of Red and Animal Print

2012-01-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!

Hope you had a fantastic Christmas! I am still not really in the mood for blogging so here's an outfit post!

New Years

2011-12-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

I don't ever make a big deal about my Birthday. In fact most years I just ignore it because it's so much easier. Having a birthday on New Years Eve gets you free drinks (if they believe you, and then I have to go out to the bar... which isn't exactly my scene) and Fire Works. And to be honest I am tired of sharing my birthday. For once I want it to be all about ME. I am to be selfish. I want people to come over and celebrate my big day! I don't want whiners or fights with family. I don't want to do traditional things with other family. I want to get together with my friends, play some awesome games and possible get drunk! I think after 25 years, I deserve a little me time on my birthday.

I am turning a quarter of a century old! This is a miracle and I am quite proud of myself. I have done allot of things in my life, it started pretty good, got rough in the middle and now it's things are pretty darn good. So you know what I am gonna do, I am gonna throw myself a massive party tomorrow night. I am gonna order in pizza, have Mr. pick up all my favorite drinks, invite only my favorite people and we are gonna play bang, rock band, and munchkins...

I am going to be completely selfish and do only what I want. I do not want presents (Cat... no presents!) just people people and people.. bring your friends. I want to met people who like to do stuff outside the bar scene but still occasional drink and enjoy a good games night. (I think I'm repeating myself) For once I am having a party and for once I am not gonna let someone make it about the great New Year... it's gonna be about ME

side note: Mr always gets me a pretty awesome birthday present... :) he does pretty good!!

Christmas

2011-12-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Christmas was interesting. I loved the 15 and 16 with Mr.'s family!! But you read about that... what you didn't know was that I had two floater days at work and so I didn't even half to take vacation time for it! Which means I carry over ten days of holidays into next year and I get 108 hours for next year, so I can book off a month of holidays!!!

Moving on. Saturday, started with a yummy breakfast of french toast. Mr. won't let me make it with Eggnog (he hates the stuff) so I didn't get to try that (next year I swear). Mr. worked/works some crazy hours of Christmas and the next week so we put the insurance on the car and headed out so he could go to work and I could do some errands (there is no snow on the ground right now which meant I could drive!!). And guess what! The car won't start! GAH Called my dad and had him come rescue us (I felt so bad he gave us a boost we said thanks and drove away...) I did my errands (which included picking up a bra that I dropped of TWO months ago, remember when it broke??) then went to my parents.

I of course forgot to buy tape so I couldn't wrap the presents, so I kicked everyone downstairs and used their tape! Mom and I worked on my quilts and visited... then of course the golden child showed up with hubs and dog in tow. Hubs is really nice but the dog is super annoying. Better behaved than last time I saw it, but it managed to chew my parents table leg and they didn't do a thing about it, except to give him a special chew toy! But they are totally cool with punishing kids!

We ended up playing a game called bang

"The Outlaws hunt the Sheriff. The Sheriff hunts the Outlaws. The Renegade plots secretly, ready to take one side or the other. Bullets fly. Who among the gunmen is a Deputy, ready to sacrifice himself for the Sheriff? And who is a merciless Outlaw, willing to kill him? If you want to find out, just draw (your cards)!"

Hilarious game and that would be where all the pictures came from!!

Mr. and I headed home and got some sleep at a decent time! Christmas Day we were at my parents by ten to 8! And that is a record! Seriously, mom had breakfast out in minutes, we ate and opened presents... or maybe it happened the other way around. I can't remember. Little Bro was happy with his gift as was Little Sis. I was super jealous we got him Super Mario 3Dland and it is so much fun!! We played more bang and then headed home. Mr. worked at midnight! so we picked up one of his coworkers and played munchkins. The guys left at 1030 cause they were meeting others for supper. I took a bath and went to bed.

Monday I worked at the new job... it was super boring and perfect. The girl I was suppose to work with fell down some stairs and seriously injured herself and we don't know when she'll be back up and running (poor girl, lots of HAPPY thoughts for her!). So I picked up her shift Tuesday. Which was great cause I wanted more hours.

I am pretty happy with my Tuesday actually I did a load of laundry, washed all my bras, ate breakfast, worked 5 hours, made supper and lunches for three days and beat 9 levels of Super Mario 3Dland because guess who bought a Nintendo DS!!! (Have I mentioned how much I love MR!!!)

And so that's it!
I don't know if I will blog for the rest of the week. I am insanely busy!! But I am sure you'll hear from me on the 31st!!

Hope you all had a safe and wonderful Christmas!!!

kinda says it all

2011-12-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hometown Christmas

2011-12-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Mr. and I went up to hometown last Thursday/Friday. Unfortunately it was the only time that worked to celebrate Christmas with Mr.'s family. It was also an interesting Christmas we took the bus up there which was super awesome. We already had our Christmas present from Mr.'s parents and we didn't exchange presents with his sister and her husband because the boys are in school and funds are tight. So instead we went for dinner at Moxies (best Christmas dinner ever!) and played some cards. I also got a massage and my nails redone by Mr.'s sister cause she gives amazing massages (is the only person who can move the knot in my shoulder and I got my nails done cause I was/am tired of crappy workmenship everywhere else I go!)
We bought Mr.'s Mom a Christmas present and got it professionally warpped they did a really nice job.

And we got his Dad a bottle of baileys and I put a bow on top, but no picture! I did redo the picture of the present with a new app I got (android had ten cent apps on for all of last week! It has been awesome!)

Oh and see the pretty teacup picture I took too!

Yea... this is off topic!! and IT"S CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Merry Merry Christmas!

Thankful Friday

2011-12-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am thankful

for Beautiful Friday Mornings

and fun options to photos. Tops the original!

Christmas Things

2011-12-22T06:30:00.001-07:00

1. I sent out my Christmas Cards

2. I got a Christmas Card (from a client which totally made my day and had a twenty-five dollar timmy's card)

3. Decorate my bracelet with some ribbon

Christmas is almost here! Are you ready?

Christmas Decorating

2011-12-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Part 3
The last part of decorating! This one is not the greatest edit job in the world. But I wanted to show you what the signs looked like. I have dozens of signs around the branch and I wanted them to look like Christmas presents! And so I used ribbons and bows! Excuse the awkward edit job...

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S THREE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Presents

2011-12-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

I only ever get cards for friends. It gets really expensive otherwise and I hope that you all are okay with that... However @catbutnohat had a brilliant idea and brought us Christmas Baking for a present!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Candycane scones!

YUUM!

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-12-19T07:16:00.002-07:00

Hosted by My Pretty Pennies

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Christmas Shopping. We finally did it. I think what it came down to was that I didn't want to do it alone. The second someone was with me I got everyone done in seconds!

2. Today I am thankful for my new winter boots. And aspirin, gah my head is pounding.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was play cards with Mr.'s family, we didn't do enough but it was great the little we were able to play.

4. I will consider this week a success if I work Tuesday and Thursday (at the second job, not my regular one), go to a movie with Mr. Wednesday, see a friends band on Friday and hit up a yoga class tonight.

5. One of my holiday traditions is wearing my Christmas hat from Dec 1 to the 24th at work! I love that hat!

Oh and here's a better picture of my boots! cause you can't really see them in this photo

Christmas Wishlist

2011-12-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's ONE week until Christmas!! It's insane how the time has just flown by!! My last Christmas Wish List items are

and

What's on your Christmas Wish List?

Baby Shower

2011-12-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

I love hosting parties and wish I could do more of them. Baby showers are unfortunately a time for people to have a party and the only thing I like about them is no one gets drunk. I hosted another baby shower for a co-worker. My heart wasn't in it as much, as I have so many things on my plate it was really hard to focus. So we had a potluck at work to start the day off good.
This is some pretty awesome cheesecake! One of my co-workers brought it

And then I did some decorating. I love the little sign I made. It worked pretty well.

We covered the sign and turned it into a game.

All in all I think it was a pretty successful party. And I hope everyone had fun!

Mr.'s Christmas Wish List

2011-12-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. didn't have one idea when I asked him what he wanted for Christmas... he has no desire to play games because of school and he really just doesn't know. It's very strange cause usually he has all these weird ideas! (like a blender, one day he wanted to make a smoothie and he couldn't so he asked for a blender for Christmas...) So I came up with an ideas for him

Sears Gift Card (so I can buy him another pair of jeans)

Best Buy Gift Card (so he can buy whatever games he wants or whatever when he finally does decide on something)

and University Gift Cards for his Coffee Fund.

If it wasn't for school

and for funds. I would love love to get Mr. a PS3! He has only talked about it since it came out and I have always said no. But I would love to get one for him.

School however takes to much time and I would have no idea what all he would want with it. So now I am at a loss as to what to get him.

What are you getting your other half?

Christmas Decorating

2011-12-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

Part 2
Now for the FUN fun stuff!

My desk is decorated with stars all around!

And I grab a poinsetta for myself!

The lights are decorated with Christmas Tree Decorations!

And MY favorite picture is of the tree! Two fabulous gals helped me decorate it! I am very thankful for their help cause that's the only part I hate doing! And then one girl and I came up with the idea of having lights and snowflakes around the sitting room area!

It looks so good!! I love it! I am so happy with the way it has turned out!

The Beginning of Our Christmases

2011-12-14T20:37:00.002-07:00

We are currently riding the bus up to hometown! The bus has wifi, so I can blog a little bit. It also has plug ins for the laptops and air conditioning. So while my feet are cold, I will tell you about the beginning of our Christmases. We celebrate three every year. Mr,'s family, my family, and friends. Tomorrow night is Christmas with Mr.'s family. We technically already got our Christmas present (our lovely new TV) from them and we arne't exchange gfits with his sister as her husband is in school and Mr. is, so it's easier and cheapier, plus we always just exchange cash or gift cards.
Mr.'s Mom called me this morning, she was really worried about us driving up and so she talked us into it. It's cheaper cost us like $115 CAD. And a bus trip sounded much more relaxing than Mr. driving and stressed about it and me passed out and stressed. :) I always sleep on road trips it's a bad/good habit.
Anyways here's an outfit picture from last week that I haven't posted yet. It's a new T-Shirt got it for $15!
Have a Great Evening!

The Christmas Link List

2011-12-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

This year I have decided to enjoy Christmas as much as I can but stress free. I am only doing what I want. Which means if I don't want to decorate my house, I'm not going to! So I haven't! Also means I am only doing events I feel like doing. For example the work Christmas Party. It felt like I should stay there out of obligation not because it was fun and so we left! Do you know how much more relaxing things are when you do the things you want to!! Anyways this is totally off the link list topic this post is suppose to be about!

I found a website called :zenhabits. I shared an article from them last time about sleeping habits. And now I want to share what they are doing for Christmas! No New Gifts for the holidays Challenge and Kids Who Are Gift-less are Gifted.

From there I found an interesting article called Dear Christian. Which is written down so well. I also know a guy who is currently reading through the bible to better understand a Christian's perspective. He is a extreme atheist, I suppose. It's interesting reading his facebook status updates.

I would never do it, but this is a very interesting tattoo.

Photoscape: Free Photo Editing Software... haven't chance it yet. would you?

AND 11 Unique Holiday Gifts for Runners. I think the Show your Race Bibs one is the best! And I also bought a subscription to Runner's World. I miss running so much. But I am afraid of the ice! I need to conquer this fear! I think I might start with going skating at the University. And I am signing up for the 5K clinic again!

And on to books!
The Secret World of Arrietty is coming out, it's actually a movie, but it's based on a favorite kids book "The Borrowers by Mary Norton". I totally didn't know this was a series of books and as much as they are children's books I think I might try to read them!

TotallyBooksessed'd YouTube Channel!

Funeral Potatoes... it's a book and a blog with an awesome potatoes recipe I am gonna make for works potluck!

Random Links: Project Gutenberg Ebook Catalog (free books, but I haven't figured out how to make it work yet), The Hunger Games Tribute Guide (OMG Must buy this!!) and Remembrance (must get a kindle!!)

12 Days Before Christmas!!! for most people.. we start in two days! YIKES!

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-12-12T07:22:00.003-07:00

Hosted by My Pretty Pennies

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on clothes and Christmas Presents. I have barely started Christmas Shopping I have two people half done and have six more to go! When I was shopping though I found a bunch of shirts for Mr. and a shirt for myself! Which made the Christmas shopping unproductive!

2. Today I am thankful for waking up early and spending time with Mr. before he goes to school. It's exam week and I won't be seeing much of him.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was sit at home working on my quilts and watch Charmed. I am really enjoying that show.

4. I will consider this week a success if I finish Christmas Shopping and work more on my quilt.

5. One of my favorite holiday decorations is my ballerina and my snowmen and my snowflake... all of wish I will one day get pictures of to put on the blog. But because we didn't decorate this year they are all still in a box.

Happy Monday!

Christmas Wish List

2011-12-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Twitter is a pretty awesome tool. You just have to figure out what to look for. For example ##kindle #ebook or TBC Kindle Deals. This beings me to the Kindle.... I have a limit on how many books I can buy now. So... I am thinking that buying a kindle will help me use amazon for free books. There's lots of deals out there and you just need to search them. I have an Song EReader but I can't get as many free options with it as you can a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo. I hate touch screen (I really like E-Ink Display) so I think I would go with the base version. I think I would go with

information found on amazon.ca

Display
Amazon's 6" diagonal most advanced E Ink display, optimized with proprietary waveform and font technology, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Size (in inches)
6.5" x 4.5" x 0.34" (166 mm x 114 mm x 8.7 mm)
Weight
5.98 ounces (170 grams)
System Requirements
None, because it's wireless and doesn't require a computer to download content.
On-device Storage   Up to 1,400 books or 2GB internal (approximately 1.25GB available for user content).
Cloud Storage
Free cloud storage for all Amazon content.
Battery Life
A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off based upon a half-hour of daily reading time. Keep wireless always on and it lasts for up to 3 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store, web browsing, and downloading content.
Charge Time
Fully charges in approximately 3 hours via the included USB 2.0 cable connected to a computer. U.S. power adapter sold separately.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS); does not connect to WPA and WPA2 secured networks using 802.1X authentication methods; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.
USB Port   USB 2.0 (micro-B connector)
Content Formats Supported
Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Documentation
Quick Start Guide (included in box); Kindle User's Guide (pre-installed on device). Additional information in multiple languages available online.
Warranty and Service
1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year protection plan available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Kindle is subject to the terms found here.
Included in the Box
Kindle wireless e-reader, USB 2.0 cable, and Quick Start Guide. Power adapter sold separately.

The issue it's $109 CAD. Though when you think about it that's probably 6 or 7 books, depending on the book. I would make up the price within the first month. But I already have an ERreader...

Thoughts?

What's on your Christmas Wish List

Productive Day

2011-12-10T17:53:00.001-07:00

Today I
worked my first shift at my new job. It was only four hours, but lots of information during those four hours.

Before I went to work though I cleaned the kitchen, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the bedroom, and organized my dresser drawers.

After work I made chicken for this next weeks lunches, cleaned the bathroom, did two loads of laundry.

All that's left for tomorrow is sweep and wash the floors and dust.

Tonight Mr. and I are going to a friends band showing. It's at a pub very close to home. It will be the first time we've seen him play. We're gonna sit with his girlfriend my co-worker. I am looking forward to it!!

These Boots are Made for Walking

2011-12-09T08:14:00.001-07:00

Got new winter boots!
And android has a much of awesome new apps out there,
including a fun camera one!
HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Christmas Decorating

2011-12-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Part 1
We didn't' decorate the apartment last year. And we aren't this year either. The most I have is a snowflake (but that stays up all year, cause I love it! and a mini poinsetta I bought) For work last year there was tons of fighting and frustrations over Christmas decorating so I said this year I am doing it all and I don't care what anyone says. AND I am only accepting help from specific people if they ask if I need help, except for my one boss cause I needed help buying the decorations, so I asked if should wouldn't mind helping out there. So I used work as to get over my lack of Christmas decorating. I am there more than I am at home anyways.
I am pretty happy with the end results. I am gonna do this in multiple parts cause there's so many pictures and I haven't finished yet!

To start we bought these cute little 10 inch trees! I don't have mini decorations for them so they are staying boring and simple, but I actually really like it that way. AND we bought fake poinsetta's. I am really happy with these.

I also have found a way to store them so that they look just as beautiful next year! My boss said we would wrap everything in saran wrap that way no dust can get in.
One mini tree we did decorate, as it was going into one of the girls offices as she really wanted one. She was the only one with an office that wanted anything to do with Christmas, so I figured she might as well. If anyone else had asked I would have had to buy more!

I always wear a Christmas Hat from December 1st to the 24th at work. I have a second one but no one is brave enough to wear it so I used it to hand out candy canes!

Stay tuned for more pictures to come!

Christmas Party

2011-12-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

So this is a few days late.. But, my work Christmas Party has come and gone and I am very glad that tickets were free this year or I would have been a little more annoyed. The food was decent, the company at our table interesting and we were home by 9. What we should have done is gone to a friends house warming party instead! Lesson Learned....

Anyways this is the dress I wore!

Sorry it's blurry but this was my favorite picture of the bunch! I didn't take a single picture at the party. I got nervous I don't like big events like that.
Mr. wore his hat and suit.

I LOVE his hat!! We bussed down to the party, half ways through our walk it started to storm! One gal who was coming called to say the roads were to dangerous (she lives out of town) and they weren't coming. I really wish I could have seen them, but it was blizzarding! We got there and found my name wasn't on the list! Which is completely confusing I got a confirmation email, which I totally didn't bring with me. The girl said that was okay and she let us in. I swear they don't bother updating their lists a month before the event, kinda annoying. They served Turkey with horrendous dressing but amazing potatoes. And I had a yummy caramel cake thing for dessert!
Booze was 7 bucks, so Mr. and I shared a bottle of red wine which cost us 35 bucks, but that wasn't enough to even get us tipsy :( so we said goodbye, grabbed a taxi voucher and left. The taxi ride was great because we didn't have to stress about driving in the freaking snow storm. We got home safely and went to bed!

All in All I will stick to house Christmas Parties... and I won't be going next year. (I can always change my mind... we will see)

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-12-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

Hosted by My Pretty Pennies

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on a bottle of wine at the Christmas Party. It cost us thirty-five bucks! Plus we each had a drink before hand for $6.75 each! It was ridiculous. The amount of money we spent that night could have been TWO dates! I am so annoyed.

2. Today I am thankful for the transit system. As much as it is sometimes frustrating we have a really good set up here. They are quick to respond to emergency and the buses are usually warm.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was read. I read and read! I am loving A Song of Fire and Ice Series by George R.R. Martin. But they are sooo BIG! Eight Hundred Pages each!

4. I will consider this week a success if I go to yoga twice and do at least some cardio somehow. Oh and I want to see if it's possible to finish a quilt this week, but that is dependent on my Mom.

5. My favorite Christmas gift as a child was not an actual gift. My sister and I (when we liked each other) use to get tons of barbie stuff for Christmas. And my greatest memory is of us taking over the entire dining room table for two weeks setting up our little houses and playing. It would take a week just to set up house, because it had to be perfect!

Christmas Wish List

2011-12-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

I really need a new yoga mat. I hate the ones I currently have an they are very old. 4 years old actually. So I new yoga mat is what I want/need. Of course I want it in pink!

Gaiam has a Dragonfly Hydrangea Mat in pink AND a matching bag. but I don't want to wait the two months it will take to get here.

Chapters has this mat... but this is charcoal not in pink but I do wonder if I wonder in there if they would have it in pink

What is on your Christmas WishList

Christmas Party

2011-12-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dress Number 4
The last dress. I really really debated on getting this dress. Mr. like it a ton more than the one I did end of buying. BUT

it was not to be... for 89 dollars I would have had to fixed at least three threading spots and a couple other areas of sequence. The dress was/is falling apart. I really do love this dress. It would have been super comfy...

I found it also funny that Mr. liked this dress when he said the silver one was to short and this one is shorter!!

Side Note: I am like my body.. I look pretty good! My arm's a little flabby but who cares the rest of me is pretty hot if I do say so!

Christmas Party

2011-12-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dress Number 3
Yesterday we had silver, today we must have GOLD! I am not a fan of gold... in fact I am not sure why I even tried this dress on. I HATE IT.... it reminds me to much of the past, this dress would be the one my parents approve of the most... and while yes I am 24 years old, not getting approval still feels good to me!

Plus it was super long...

Christmas Party

2011-11-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dress Number 2
what were you thoughts on yesterdays dress?? I am still thinking I was stupid for nothing buying last years red dress! What are your thoughts on a sparkling black/silver dress??

Issues with this dress was the bra factor... I ain't wearing one in the picture, but I would never NEVER do that in public, they would bounce out in a second... and the bra top area is just to small for me. As usual, they never make great dresses in my sizes of this style... Mr. hated it said it was too short, good thing I didn't show him the strapless dress I tried on (but didn't take a picture of...)

Christmas Party

2011-11-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

This years work Christmas party is free. Usually it's $90 per person! Which is ridiculous. I have requested tickets, not sure yet if it's confirm good to go. But.... I went shopping anyways! I tried on a crazy amount of dresses. So the party is Saturday... and today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be filled with dresses I am not wearing! :)

Dress Number 1

Bright Pink!

Thoughts?? Other than it totally kind clashes with Christmas Colours!

It's similar to this dress I really really wanted last year but couldn't buy because of it's wonderful (insert eye roll here) price tag. I still regret not just buying that dress! I wish I could find it again!

Pink vs Blue

2011-11-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thoughts?? Does a pink scarf for with a blue sweater?? I'm wearing it anyways, but I still haven't decided!

Mr. and Shopping

2011-11-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. and I went shopping.

He got this awesome jacket for 4.99!! (cad)

Next time I won't have him wear black underneath

but something bright like a red!

AND I got those sweet leopard print nylons for two bucks!!

We had allot of fun!

So I thought I would write about my Friday... it was a fantastic day :( I left ten minutes early to catch the bus. Got downtown and then proceeded to wait 45 minutes for the train to come. That made me late for work. (left at 8:50 work at 9:45) then a lovely lady who is part of this stupid downtown movement right now, proceeded to dump her coffee all over me. It hit my winter coat, my t-shirt, and my pants. Luckily it didn't hit my running coat that I was wearing underneath my winter coat. She laughed and got off the train! Freaking annoying! Anyways this little old lady came over and offered me a napkin to help me clean up. She then talked the entire train ride, which was really nice. I got to the mall bought a whole new outfit not the one above, but another one. And then headed to work. Stupid bus made me an hour late for work. The work day was very long with tons of drama. But one thing turned out wonderful and that I will explain later.

It's been an interesting week

Sailor Pants

2011-11-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

So these pants are blue and the shirt has mostly black in it. Is this an okay combo? I wasn't sure... plus I feel the pants are a little tight in the crotch and that worries me, how do you make it less tight in that area?

So after a week of non-blogging. I have a thing...

Bella and her better half have asked if I would come to Prayers with them on December 2. It's the one year anniversary of his sister's passing and they go to church to do prayers. It's a catholic church and I have never been inside one. I said yes. I want to be supportive. and well curiosity kills the cat I want to see the inside and experience a catholic church.

I went to catholic virtual school so I learn about some of the rules and practices but that was grade 7, 9, 10 and 11. It's been years since I have done any type of religious study and I am thinking about starting back. Opportunity knocks.

I am just a little bit nervous about it. I have done anything religious in a couple years and I hate pushy people and not sure what exactly will happen. I do not want anyone to try and convert me. And I have no idea what to wear! I don't want to show up and everyone be shocked about the slut that just walked in. I don't want them to be embarrassed by me either. DO I cross myself or not? I don't think it's respectful for me to cross myself because I don't believe the same way as them and I feel like it would be mocking their faith. But what if someone doesn't think that way? Oh and back to the clothes thing Rosa said black cause while it's not a funeral it kinda is.

They go to prayers allot especially the last two months every week she's telling me about someone else she knows who's past away. It's insane and so sad. I know she's 50 (or 51 now...) but I don't want to think about a time when my friends just suddenly won't be there.

Leave a comment...

The Beginning

2011-11-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

of the Christmas Baking!! I love Christmas Baking and I never do enough. So this year I started early! It all started when Bella said her better half really liked Pecan Butter Tarts and she casually mentioned I should make some cause she won't. Well I've never made butter tarts and thought they were super scary to make so I called up my Mom and said lets make them!

Mom bought all the ingredients and I was suppose to pay her back for them. I get there and she had bought enough for 60 tarts!! I definitely didn't want that many so I took 24 in total and my family got the rest. The Better Half (Bella's Husband) got 12 Pecan Butter Tarts. I got 12 plain tarts (aka just the sauce no pecans or raisins) and the family got dozens of raisins tarts.

The recipe is really simple actually!


hope you can read this. We bought our shells it's so much easier!

Mixing the ingredients!

Before baking! I didn't take an after... I forgot!

It was easy enough I am definitely gonna make it again!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Outer Wear

2011-11-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

My phone lied to me this day... it said it was -2 and if it had been I would have been perfectly happy in this get-up. But it was actually -15 and so now I have a major cold!

Beyond All Link List

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

My Link list is huge... to the point that Firefox doesn't want to open it. So here are a few.

27 Reasons Why You Might Fail & 2 Reasons Why You WILL. Mine is 14 and 26.

How I became an Early Riser. I hate the fact that I sleep in. Or the fact that it's almost necessary for me to sleep in. I want to become an early riser. I use to love getting up early in the morning and walking out to get the cow when I lived on the farm... for sure there was different reasons it was a chore, but I did enjoy that walk. I want to do that now get up early, RUN, preferably in the dark. Be complete IN the ZONE when I go to work instead of in a half awake state all the bloody time!

J.L. Bryan - NEW Favorite Books!! Yea... check out my book blog for my Jenny Pox Review! Speaking of books do I want to sign up for The Book Vixen's Out Do Yourself Challenge again? or even one of the Challenges the Crazy Book Slut hosts! The there's the Sophomore Reading Challenge from Chick Loves Lit (I don't really understand what a Sophomore is but I've never really been in the public school system) She listed a good list of books on Goodreads, but it might clash with my desire to only buy a certain number of books next year. Mission to Read has a TBR Challenge.... but I am not sure I have enough TBR books I don't stock up books like these major book blogs, I to have already read everything on my shelf. In fact I can't think of one fiction book on there that hasn't been read, and Proud Book Nerd let me know about the 2012 Sensational Seconds Challenge.... But enough about books already!

oooooh wait... FREE BOOK. The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Rood, The Duckess of Northumberland and Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lets talk about a BUS... for Example Desert Bus for Hope. Mr. showed it to me last year. This year we are watching whenever we are home. It's pretty entertaining and it's for a great cause!

Bella wants me to make this Gluten-free Chocolate Quinoa Cake. I am a little worried about Quinoa. If you have every cooked with it (or baked) or even try it leave a comment! Speaking of food I really really must make the Eggplant Parmigiana! It just sounds mouthwatering!!

For when I need encouragement to RUN I check out and bug {My} Perspective! Not only are her photographs awesome (and her puppy is so cute!) but she's a fellow runner and very motivated!

I want to learn more about WOMMA... have you heard of it?? Thoughts?? I need to investigate it more. BTW I do know that WOMMA stands for word of mouth marketing association. I like to talk! That's all I do in my current job. Must know more!

Photo up with Ann Hathaway leads to an interesting article. I need to know more about the world I live in, including the my own country!

This has been pretty heavy. Lets end with A Cup of Jo: Photo Booth Proposal! Oh and look at these Knuckle Lights for running! How sweet is that!

Outfit Post

2011-11-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I do wonder if this skirt is to short for work. Technically it passes the butt test and the finger test

Feelings

2011-11-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

I don't really feel like blogging...

but I have outfit pictures.

So you'll see just those this week.

TTYL

Familyi and Mini Freak Outs

2011-11-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

Mr.'s family are on their way to pick my up right now! I am mentally freaking out. Cause GAHhhh I never know what to do when I am spending the day with them. What do you say or do?
Plus the house doesn't feel done. I haven't swept, Mr. hasn't dusted. If it was anyone else coming over I would feel the house was in fine condition. But because it's his parents, the house is never prepped enough!
Mr.'s shift today is a silly split shift. 8-11 and 2-7. He is at the mall right now with a co-worker. Technically we could go met up with him... but that could be weird. I am not sure what to do...It's always so weird.
Oh and they are spending the night and we don't have a second bedroom anymore! So they will be sleeping in our living room. That will be weird. I am not sure how to get ready for work tomorrow morning. AND Mr. doesn't have school until two tomorrow and I want him to sleep in because he really needs it.
The interesting part is. Mr.'s parents are awesome once they are here I'll forget about all these stresses and have fun!
How's your weekend?

Thankful Friday - Pineapple Carrot Muffins

2011-11-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Today I am especially thankful for MY NEW KITCHEN AID!!!

I made yummy pineapple carrots muffins and it was soooo easier!!
Just look it at it's beautiful!!! :)

the recipe...
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 cup grushed pineapple drained (I only had tidbits so I magic bullet them until I had one cup!)
2 cups grated carrots (I hate shredding carrots so, again I magic bullet them until I had one cup of mush... I figured one cup of mush would be fine)
2 tsp baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon (could have used more cinnamon like 3 maybe) and vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 1/3 cup oil (recipe says crisco, I used veggie and I also only did 1 cup cause that's allot of oil!

Beat eggs and sugar together. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Use the large size baking cups in muffin tin full 2/3 bake at 350 for 23-25 minutes. I did 1 pan of muffins and one loaf in the bread maker!

A Person in my Life

2011-11-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

There is a person in my life who is only nice to others if she is complimented by them everyday.

If you tell her she looks nice, or her shoes are awesome, or her hair looks great. She treats you very well. She is kind and nice and very helpful.

However if you do not give her a compliment at least every other day she becomes a mean and horrible person.

I am surprised at how quickly she can change and I hate how people suck up to it.

Part of me wants to do an experiment and compliment her everyday for one month and see how well she treats me and then the next month not compliment her at all and see what happens.

It's so sad that she is like this and I pray I never treat people the way she does.

If I do, someone please smack me on the side of the head and tell me to shape up!

I'm looking tired again... It's definitely not fun. I am thinking I need to head to the doctors or something and get my eyes checked out. The redness just won't go away. And at first it didn't really worry me but it's to consistant and will not go away not matter how much sleep I get. Or if I wear my glasses for days. Nothing helps and I am starting to worry a little. I need a new prescription my glasses are totally wrong now and it's annoying. But it's a good thing I don't wear them very often.

A Pleasant Boss

2011-11-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

Where I work there are different levels of bosses. There's the Big Boss, aka the Principal. Then there would normal be his second in command the Vice Principal, who would take care of the sales side of the bank. Right now my branch does not have a second in command. There is also a third in command, who takes care of the service side. And EDIT: email me if you would like a drawing which was removed for personal reasons

So you see me on the bottom there??? I am no where near the Third Commander's line and yet currently she thinks she suddenly has the right to coach me and get mad at me and yell at me and it's very unpleasant.

I was frustrated with this so I confirmed with the Big Boss, what the process was. Because we don't have a Vice, who is who I would normal go to for everything. I am slightly split between the Third and Big Boss. Whenever I am running late or sick I need to contact the Third as she has to cover for me from her side of the team. However coaching, questions, etc go to the Big Boss.

Last week the Third found my computer unlocked and set out a message to all the branch in the subject line

Today is my last day :(

as punishment for leaving my computer unlocked. Her response to me leaving my computer unlock was immature and completely unprofessional. Plus she freaked allot of people out. One co-worker was on the verge of tears when I walked into her office to tell her it was a badly done joke. The Third also decided it coach me with this. I immediately told her that I would rather my coaching go through the Big Boss... because I really didn't want to listen to her after such an immature stunt and I was extremely angry. She completely ignored me and ranted anyways. My debate the next day on going to work was massive. Why bother. She is completely overstepping her boundaries in her position.

I am not saying I am above her and there are days were it is nice to have her help to deal with customers. But I wish she would know her place. It is none of her business and if she has an issue with me or thinks I need to be coached she should take it up with the Big Boss.

I did go to work the next day... and she did something similar again. I still went to work the next day. I looked like crap because I am just so tired of it.

And I am officially thinking about applying somewhere else. I know I am always going to have issues. But most people know there places.
On the other side - She also thought I would be upset about the email being sent out and I wasn't, I was annoyed but I shouldn't leave my computer unlocked and she had a point that I was wrong. She should have handled it much better but it never should have been an issue. I will not deny fault.

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-11-14T07:04:00.001-07:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on food at the Market. We didn't buy anything but small treats... but those treats were expensive. The crepes cost us $18

2. Today I am thankful for sinutab... is it weird to be thankful for a drug? I am having issues breathing. Definitely getting sick again.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was relax in front of the TV. I haven't done that in ages. I caught up on all my oh so important TV shows and even a few new ones.

4. I will consider this week a success if I manage to run.

5. I am looking forward to making buttertarts with my Mom tomorrow. Should be interesting. I get this feeling from her like she doesn't want to see us though. Because they've been back a week and they didn't call. Which is really strange. She always calls. So now I've been having nightmares that they are going to a new church and that church wants them to ban us. Kinda the Amish Banishment, where they treat you like you were dead. Not a plea sent nightmare.

Anyways fingers crossed that is not the case. I have to many things to worry about already to even think about that. Happy Monday

Beyond Yoga

2011-11-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, I went to a new yoga studio. I had bought a yoga pass for the place through Living Social. It's 20 classes for 20 bucks. Pretty good deal. So I went...

Now I have been spoiled the last yoga room I went to was the PERFECT yoga place and I loved it, except for the little clinch with my name. When I go to yoga, I like to show up half hour early before the rush. Take my time changing , picking my spot, and then I do allot of deep breathing. It helps calm me so I can fully concentrate on the class without thinking of irritants.

So I bussed to the studio, that took like 7 minutes! I could have walked but I wanted to try out the bus. I got there half hour early. Two girls had me a form to fill out. Now the form is where the issues started... It's not paper it's like a dry eraser board, but flimsy. And they want me to sign that... I don't feel like that is an actual legal binding document, seeing as they just wipe it off and I can always say I didn't sign it... Not that I would have a need to argue it but, it's the thought.

Usually... I would think when you have someone new you would show them around. Nope instead they pointed to the change room and waved down the hall to the studio. There's no actual door to the change room it's a little 'L' shaped room, but you can still see out in the hall from anywhere in the room. Which is extremely nerve-wrecking when it's not a female only building. Getting over that I walked into the studio.

I don't know what you believe, but yoga is all about balance and centering yourself. So the first thing I notice is that the lighting isn't balance, in fact they have huge doors on one side of the room. They also have random humidifiers about the place and candles, but in no particular order just shoved in a spot. The entire room felt completely off balance.

Anyways I pick my spot. Start to relax when the two lovely front girls turn on music... not of yoga type. They did that up until 5 minutes before the class! They shoved 32 people into that class. When there should have been maybe 27.

The teacher was okay. She had a good set of postures set up and it flowed nicely, but I didn't like her because she couldn't not feel the tension in the room. She had no sense for any of it. I notice it as did the girl next to me and her friend. It was awful. I left more tense than when I went in!

So I debated on going again this morning. See if it was a different teacher. But I have a slight chill, headache, sore throat and it's Vinyasa Yoga and that is good for a great workout and right now I need something gentle to relax my tense muscles. I am not even sure if I will go back. I might drag Bella along and see if I am just crazy or if the place really is off balance.

The Farmers Market

2011-11-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

As yesterday was a holiday that both Mr. and I had off, I grabbed the chance to go to the Farmers Market with him. The company I work for is hosting a contest with the market and associates can participate so I figured why not! So we dressed up and headed out!

Once there we had brunch, which was yummy fresh made crepes! Mine is with homemade whipping cream and fresh home grown fruit, which tasted so yummy!

Next Mr. got an interesting home-brewed coffee. I should have taken a picture of the guy pouring the water, but I was to chicken! But it was interesting to watch.

The we shared a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie... wish we got more of those, it was yummy!

I wanted to pick up some dill bread but they were out and I just couldn't buy any veggies or fruit. We won't eat all of it quickly enough and unfortunately it's hard to justify buying there even if it's all natural. I was surprised by how small the Market was and we didn't end up entering the contest. But it was sure a fun day!

Remembrance Day

2011-11-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Me...

2011-11-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

This is really an awful picture of our faces.

but we weren't working well together

However I really do love our legs!!

I am not sure but lately I have been all about the legs

I want to run more so that my legs are beautiful and well FIRM. :)

Mr. just looks awesome. I am thinking I like his hair at this length.

I like it short but this length works for me.

ONE MORE DAY TILL Friday!!

Which Scarf

2011-11-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Hump Day!!

Are you surprised... another post about the JOB!

2011-11-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

So I've had a few questions and I wanted to take the time to answer them.

Newlweds on a Budget asked:
How about something that doesn't require strict hours, like babysitting?

Answer: I am not the biggest fan of kids. I can usually handle my siblings (who are 22, 13, 11, and 10 months) but otherwise I avoid kids (there are always exceptions, I have a few friends who's kids I LOVE!). Currently I have made 3 kids cry at work, because their wonderful parents were not watching them and I refuse to allow a kid to run ramp-id in my space. So... I think I will just stay away when physically possible.

Michelle P asked:
And I have a question, what exactly is your main job? How did your work react when you told them you wanted a second?

Answer: So I work at a bank. It's a Great Company, even though right now it there's issues! My position is many things. I am the first person you see when you walk in the doors (fingers crossed I'm not picking my nose when you come in!), I am the receptionist queen!

My base job is greeting customers, answering the phone, and phoning appointments.

The reality of it is, that I maintain the relationships to three sides of the bank. Tellers, Lends, and Customers, and I try with the massive help from management to keep all three sides happy and running smoothly. I am whatever my Lenders need me to be. And I take great pride in what I do (most days!)

To leave off I dress up for work! I use to post Outfit Posts everyday! AND I want to get back into that habit! So here is day one of the soon to be returned to glory Daily Outfit Posts!!

I got told I look like a movie star... that was really sweet of the guy!

Oh and if you do have more questions please feel free to email me: theclutterboxblog (at) gmail (dot) com!

AND... dunt dunna du
I am now working at the Running Room... not a huge wage or many hours especially this month. BUT it something I picked up my employee package last night and am dropping it off tonight! :)

Happy Tuesday!!

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-11-07T07:18:00.004-07:00

Hosted by My Pretty Pennies

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on pretty sure food. I haven't run budget to know. I really need to run budget and find out where we are at! That is the plan tonight.

2. Today I am thankful for warm clothes. I got a new coat for running and some pants for regular winter and they are NICE.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was go to yoga. It was so nice. I hopped on a bus it dropped me off a block a way and then I had to walk two blocks home. It was great. The yoga class was interesting not my favorite but it will work for now.

4. I will consider this week a success if I run (twice), go to yoga (twice), run budget, and don't eat out!

5. I didn't notice Daylight Savings. It really doesn't effect my life. I got some sleep that night we went to bed early (9) and got up at 8. It was a great morning spent with Mr.!

More Job

2011-11-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

So... obviously safeway didn't work out.

Running Room... as mentioned I screwed up on my resume so I have no idea if Shorts Man (that's what I am gonna call the one guy that works there, to be explained below) has been called. He did send me an email on Thursday

"Hi Namine, if you’re still interested I would like to bring on as a part-time staff. The rate is $10/hr. I’m working out the Nov. and Dec. schedule so not sure yet the hours that would be available but let me know when you get a chance. Thanks!Shorts Man"

ummm yes...
$10 bucks an hour isn't that great but for a part time job I think that's all I'm gonna get. So my response was to email him back that second saying. YES when can we get together and then gave him my actual cell number.

Haven't heard zip since :(

So the reason I call him Shorts Man... is cause he wears this awful pair of shorts during the summer months. Short and Baggy. I was thinking of Google for a picture for you guys but I can't mentally handle that! :)

The Failed Race

2011-11-05T10:14:00.001-06:00

Today I was so excited... I had entered into the Run Without Borders Race. No one else would sign up with me so this one would be my first race alone!

and then yesterday it, snowed and I started to freak out. ICE terrifies so. What if I fall! I don't remember having this fear as a kid. When I was young we were always outside for at least two or three hours in the winter. We played in the snow and ice tons.

I tried so hard to overcome that fear today. But I just couldn't do it. I woke up when my alarm went off but was afraid to run, so I 'slept' in more. Then I had to take a picture of my new race coat, race shirt, and number.

but that caused me to miss the bus. Sidewalks in our area aren't cleared yet so I walked slowly and missed the TRAIN! I did catch the next when and got downtown by 9 O'clock which is the time the race started. I got half way there when I decided that they would have already started and I didn't want to be late like that. So I chickened out and ran home.

Fear is such a strong thing in our lives. And today I allowed it to take over and consume me. I am not happy about that.

I am hoping that the run Monday with the group will help me overcome my fears.

The Interviews

2011-11-04T06:30:00.000-06:00

Monday,
Safeway called and asked for an interview, the next day at 1130. In the phone called I was told how much the position was offering. Strange but whatever. I asked for the time from my actual job, so that I could make it for the interview. The time was granted.

Tuesday,
I leave work, get home in time to google some questions that I should ask the person interviewing me. As you should always have questions to ask. If you were watching my twitter, you could probably see how nervous I was.

"Omg I am a wreck I haven't done a non bank interview in years... I can't tell her the real reason I want a second job.."

"How early is to early? Am I still over dressed? What do you talk about?"

"Gah... should I have brought a paper copy of my resume.... I didn't think of that."

"Leave my purse in the car or not... is it bad to go in empty handed."

"Well that was a disaster"

The Disaster Part was of course that upon my walking in I found out that the lady interview did not work that day and won't be in tomorrow. Of course I immediately panicked thinking she had actually meant Monday when she called and that now I would have a black strike against me. And so I got like two hours of sleep that night. I got back to work and begged my secondary boss to let me do it all over the next day

Wednesday,
I leave work a little later this time and get there half an hour before... I am freaking out because I don't know what to say to make up for the weirdness of the day before. I go in 10 minutes early. She comes out on time brings me into the office to interview. Doesn't ask me a single question, just gives me a very detailed description of the duties and then goes into pay.
The Position, will only ever be give 12-14 hours. Pay is 10.20 an hour and paid out weekly. Safeway is unionized and they take 12 bucks per paycheck, not optional. There's a couple ways to work out the math on this one...

10.20*12=122.4-12(for union)=112.40 than taxes I would be getting like a hundred bucks per paycheck.
OR
10.20 an hour and union takes 12 bucks a week drops my 12 hours a week to more like 11 1/2 hours or a wage of 9.60 or something.

They give no discount to their staff and it would be hard work and sometimes outside or cleaning bathrooms.

She told me that she would call the person she choose today by 11. And the gave me the guidelines for the things I would need to bring in for my first shift. It was the strangest interview, she didn't ask me a single question. And I was a million better dressed than her.

Definitely not interested... and so the Hunt for a second JOB continues.

Jobs

2011-11-02T06:30:00.000-06:00

I applied at

The Running Room... hell I am already there twice a week. What a better way to improve my running goals (and work-out wardrobe...) than to work there
Problem... when I handed in my resume smart me forgot that my address and phone number had changed this last month. IDOIT

Safeway... hey I can't blow a ton of unnecessary funds at Safeway, right it's food! I shop there anyways. It's right beside the train station I already get off of.
Problem... me and food.

Jobs...Money...School

2011-11-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

I have worked for the same company for 4 years! That is amazing for me. Before that my longest job was in hairdress and that was two years, but that wasn't even a full two years. I was three months at one salon, about 19 months at another and than off on work-mans comp due to my wrist. After that nothing interested me and I worked at most 9 months at a job. My last job before banking was 11 months.

Since I've been in banking, though I have had three positions. 9 months as a CSR in hometown, 11 months in back office, 10 months as a CSR again and in the position I am in currently Co-ordinator I have been there for a year TODAY! Effectively making my current position my longest job since 2007!

Now I am rambling.

The point of this post is interviews within the same company follow the same process and I work extremely hard at those positions because each one I have WANTed for extreme personal reasons. CSR... something with consists hours, back office moved us to the BIG CITY! CSR again got me out of back office which I hated, my current position was about finding something I actually LOVE and moving up in the world of banking.

Mr. is only able to work Monday mornings 6-12, Wednesday 6-11, all day Saturdays and Sundays. School is full-time plus he if he spends 8 hours in school, he needs 4 hours at home to do homework. He is busy. He will be worn out by May. Current job isn't making us enough money to live on, with my full time job.

I am bored... when I am bored I spend money... obviously there is no money. I want to be in our new apartment for the next four years, which means I need another $150 to add to bills, by next year when our contract comes up because they aren't gonna negotiate like they did this time and I don't want to move again, (I never blogged about that solution... I just slightly mentioned it in this post)

SOLUTION!

Get a second job... BOREDOM... won't happen anymore, MONEY... not solved but greatly improved. If I could find something that would give me enough hours consistently and as I am a very hard worker I am not worried about that, I can make Kevin hopefully cut out his Wednesday shift and possibly Monday... I know that would help him allot.

The thing with working in a bank, I get tons of days off, all holidays are off plus vacation days, family included time, sick days, doctor days, etc that when I need a day off I can make it happen.

Things that worry me, is the house...
I do the cleaning
I do the cooking
as of now I am doing the Laundry
I am totally cool with this but if I am working 37.5 hours at the bank, 25 hours at the second job, running for 3 hours a week, plus taking the bus (1 hour each way, 10 hours a week) and getting sleep (what say 7 hours a night 49/wk) that's 124.5 HOURS there's a 168 hours in a week. Giving me 43.5 for the rest! Technically that's six hours a day... but you know when it comes down to it I am not gonna feel those six hours. And I like more than 7 hours a day

I am a little freaked out.

So what would you do??

Weekly Money Check-up

2011-10-31T18:39:00.000-06:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on food but not eating out. I have become very strict with our budget and set all kinds of rules because we have to rock our money not that Mr.'s making like three hundred bucks!

2. Today I am thankful for imagination, fun times, and the freedom to do as I like!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was read read and read! I have enjoyed every second of it! It's something that's not gonna be happening as much, so I read as much as possible!

4. I will consider this week a success if I run three times, rock my interview, and dress awesome! (last week I said I run twice(CHECK), get to a yoga class once (FAIL), finishing unpacking (CHECK), only get tea at starbucks (Can't remember but pretty sure this is a FAIL but whatever!), and take pictures of the new house (STARTED!))

5. This year for Halloween, I AM A DOLL!!!

and boy do I miss having a photographer around! Oh how I wish I had bought this mask... if it wasn't for budget I would go see if it was on sale now. But alas budget...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pumpkin Craving!

2011-10-29T13:22:00.003-06:00

This is my third year participating in works Pumpkin Craving Contest. 2009's Pumpkin's were all H1N1 crazy! 2010 Pumpkin's were innocent and slightly creepy! This years pumpkins are all about the

ZOMBIES

Those are fingers in case you didn't look hard enough

PIRATES

not fair that they used props and didn't really crave

BOOZE

that's a cell phone as a candle! And the symbol didn't work out on this one

SMOKING

I'm just not sure about the fact that a 12 year old made this one

AND

then there's is mine I 'helped' crave this one out with two fab girls from work

AND I think ours is the best!!

The Advantages of Pascal

2011-10-27T06:30:00.000-06:00

HELLO Hello!!

Pascal here!
Namine has finally agreed to let me show you the kitchen as it is now my favorite part of the house. Especially since she's started cooking again! There are so many wonderful smelling things in the kitchen. But she doesn't yet have enough variety, so if you know a good simple recipe for something delicious, please send her an email or leave a comment!

Also Namine doesn't know it yet but I will be doing the rest of the house too! I am so much better at posing in pictures! And this way to you know you will actually see pictures because she has been mighty slow on taking any! The living room and bedroom are still a box disaster, but the rest is decent.

To start. My first day I sat out on the balcony! I love this balcony and will be the time I'm not in the kitchen out there!

Second, the expresso machine and part of the kitchen. Namine has promised to make me a Eggnog Chai Tea latte! And I am very excited for it!

I am not in this picture, but I love the tile and the sunshine creates dancing lights all over this area! You can kinda see it in the picture

And lastly here is my stealing a bit of one of Namine's yummy meals!

Namine does not like to share...That's all from me for now!! ~Pascal

Posing Together

2011-10-26T06:30:00.000-06:00

While it's certainly not the best photo.

It is our first 'couple' photo in the new place!

Pascal also managed to sneak in on Mr.'s shoulder

Mr. is sick he has strep-throat.

He won't kiss me

Which is very annoying

but we are happy and things are getting organized!

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-10-24T07:44:00.003-06:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on a bus pass. Yikes those are expensive! But in the long run, WAY cheaper than running the car.

2. Today I am thankful that we still have the car.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was spend the entire weekend watching movies with Mr. He is really really sick, so bad that he called in sick Saturday and Sunday and didn't go to school Friday. Oh and I picked him up on Thursday cause he left halfways through class. I have finally talked him into going to the doctor today.

4. I will consider this week a success if I run twice, get to a yoga class once, finishing unpacking, only get tea at starbucks, and take pictures of the new house (pretty much the same list I had last week!).

5. The next big trip I am taking is to Hometown.. no more big trips until Mr. is out of school. So the next trip in general will be to hometown for Christmas.You know what I am actually pretty good with this. The rewards of Mr. going to school will be well reaped!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's 5K

2011-10-23T11:26:00.003-06:00

I made it in 36.27

That's TWO MINUTES off my last race time!

Oh and I got a number this time!!

off to Denny's!! Gonna eat some pancakes and sausage!!

Charity and Running

2011-10-23T06:30:00.000-06:00

Today is the day of my second race! I am so excited!! My goal is 38 minutes! I want to shave off 33 seconds from the CIBC Run for the Cure. I got my shirt yesterday. It's actually pretty nice, it's a heavy cotton and long sleeve!

Bella and her hubby are coming too. It's gonna be a fabulous run!

Wish me luck and hope the rest of you have a great weekend!!

Books

2011-10-22T06:30:00.000-06:00

Mr. and I did a possessions count for insurance purposes. We wanted to make sure we had enough insurance on our condo in case the place burnt down. Sounds a little weird, but I like to be planned for all scenarios.

Anyways Mr. asked how much money I had invested in books. I was like "I dunno know, a couple hundred." And then decided to count my books and see where I was at.

I have 72 fiction books.. that is not including the stack of books I have lent out (I have no idea how many that is at this point)
59 'Self-help' books
17 Comic/Manga
and I have 1 textbook and Mr. has 5 textbooks.

An average fiction books costs anywhere from 10-20 bucks Canadian. Depending on hardcover soft cover extra. For math we are gonna go 15. Self-help is same as fiction. Manga it's usually about 10. Textbooks start at 50 and Mr.'s textbook are 150 or more.

( (72+59)*15)+(17*10)+50+(150*5)= $2935.00
Obviously Mr.'s math classes that he keeps chatting to me about are starting to effect me more than I thought...

And just because here's an outfit picture with all my awesome books, that suddenly are a little more precious to me.

Note: Pascal off in the corner! He'll be making an appearance soon! He is very impatient. ;)

Focus

2011-10-21T06:30:00.000-06:00

I am sad and struggling.

I want to list everything that is depressing and hurtful.

But a friend has encouraged me to look at the good things I have accomplished and only list those only.

Focus on the good, do not become focused on the bad.

1. I have cooked many great meals so far this month
2. I did laundry on my own, not a massive accomplishment but I did not shrink or discolour any items like last time!
3. I made 4 quilts
4. Spent some time with my family
5. Get mentally healthy again
6. Feeling more confident in my running
7. Did one race looking forward to a second race!

Today I am thankful

for amazing friends

who say great things that make me think.

Book Club tonight! So excited!

The Program

2011-10-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

As per my post yesterday

I have a final assessment with Sweetheart tomorrow. I am very nervous about it as I do not know how to approach the issue with her. She fully expects me to invest another $950 or so in January. Even though I have fully explained to her that Mr. is in school, I will be working two jobs, and it's just not financially possibly, she seems to believe I am made of money.

My plan is to email the following later to her after my meeting with her on Friday. Mr. thinks I should print it off and hand it to her in person, but I am a massive chicken.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts you have on this issue.

Good Morning Sweetheart,

My initial understanding of the program you had laid out was that I would be investing $950 into a year of mental support. That you would give me a full workout plan, diet plan and support over the next year. The workout and diet plans are great, but there was no mention that future consultations past the first two would not be included in the original investment. I am extremely disappointed that we did not cover this aspect before I paid. In the future I will not be able to invest more money in your services

I thank you for your time and how much faith you have put in me in the last few months.

I hope to see you at many future races and would like to keep in touch.
Sincerely,Namine

The Program

2011-10-19T06:30:00.000-06:00

A couple months ago I mentioned that I paid out $950 from our LOC to pay Sweetheart for a year long program. She was making up diet and workout programs for me and was going to support me throughout the year. The plan was for her to help me to work towards my goal of personal trainer.

I was so excited about this program, I thought that this was exactly what I had been hoping for when I signed up for World Health last year in September. Someone there to help and support me, but with actual guidelines and plans written out.

Last week Sweetheart heard I was sick and offered to do a spinal consultation to relieve some sinus pressure extra. I accept. Later on I was thinking about it and realize that due to the fact that she works out of her home this was a simple kind offer it was a business transaction she would expect to get paid for. I was a little upset with how she had, what felt like, conned me into accepting. Anyways I went and decided I really really needed to stick to my guns and my budget and before doing anything see whether it was free or I needed to pay.

It sounds greedy and almost rude that I don't want to pay. I don't mean it to be that way. I don't want to give her the wrong expectations that I can suddenly afford to do all these things with her. I won't be able to afford anything like that for a very long time.

When I got there, there was many things that were unsettling one is that she got a dog. As I am allergic to dogs it makes me hard to be in an environment that is full of dog hair. Second she had a ton of incense I think to cover the smell of the dog's litter box (she is in a condo, so no yard), also I am allergic to.

We chat and it was great. She is a great encourager and so full of positive energy. Payment come up in a casual way, she always words it in a muh it's not a big deal. To which I for once stuck to it and said uuuuurrrrrrch to a stop and I can't afford it and would not be able to proceed another further. She was extremely surprised and completely caught off guard by that. She is most definitely not use to being told no and tried to talk me out of it many times.

That made me even more frustrated. We than got talking about my assessment on this coming Friday. I explain that with the month of September all I was able to do was the running as that had been set aside since July. September was insane, plus as I am only going to be doing the workout plan at home I just got the all the supplies I needed yesterday. Yes I am slow at it, but I needed to work my budget and there was no way I had time to shop for it. I could have worked better at the diet part but September was all eating out.

She completely didn't understand and that's when I found out what I had paid for really covered. It covers creating a diet plan, creating a workout plan, an initial assessment, initial picture for future comparisons, and a one month later assessment. AND nothing else. There is no one year plan, she expects me to pay after that for each assessment and call and everything.

I am so disappointed. So disappointed I was looking forward to an amazing year of support and growing someone who is so helping, positive, and encouraging. AND all that just came crashing down.

I am heartbroken.

Ramblings New Toys

2011-10-18T06:30:00.000-06:00

Links used in video
Love Maegan: No Heat SJP Big Curls w/ Twisted Buns
Gaiam
@catbutnohat

Weekly Money Check-Up

2011-10-17T07:27:00.003-06:00

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on furniture for the house! Couple more days and I'll post pictures, right now it's still a disaster! Who knew time would be so short in a day.

2. Today I am thankful for Mr.'s alarm! Would have slept in if he hadn't set it!

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was sit at home and enjoy our new TV! Which was exactly what I needed.

4. I will consider this week a success if I don't eat out once, only get a tea at Starbucks, finish unpacking and take pictures of our new house!

5. The coolest place I have visited is The Island with Mr.'s family. Which you can read in it's three parts FOOD, GOLF, and MUSEUM!

Favorite Type

2011-10-16T11:18:00.003-06:00

It seems my favorite type of picture these days. Is a combination of the food I've made that nigh (I am so excited to be cooking again!! No more eating out!!) and what ever show we are watching on our new TV! I posted one on Friday! And here's another one from last night! I was watching TV while Mr. built the IKEA Furniture!

IKEA - yesterday I went with my Dad and brother and they helped me carry all our new furniture out to the vehicle and bring it home! We also stopped by a friends house, who's moving and was so kind and gave us her kitchen table! The kitchen table fits perfectly into our little space! It couldn't have been planned better! I love it!!

The only thing left now is to finish unpacking the last ten boxes and throw away all the boxes! Oh I also want to get a little outdoor shelve unit for my rollerblades and such. They can stay outside throughout the winter.
I am so excited to be almost done. It will be nice to come home to a completed house. Today's to-do list is long but good I hope.
-~~laundry~~
-make lunches and snacks for the week
-run dishwasher
-call Mom about the desk
-sweep and wash floors
-~~blog~~
-read a book - my ereader isn't working!
-groceries
-~~run budget~~