Category Archives: Random

Adventures in speed dating

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A few weeks back, a coworker of mine, Kelly, invited me to join her and a friend for speed dating. Honestly, I didn’t think speed dating was actually real. I thought it was just something they did in movies. You say speed dating, I think 40 Year Old Virgin:

This is what speed dating is all about

 

But despite that, I have committed to trying new things, and this actually sounded like fun. And then our coworker Robert decided to join us too. We tried to tell him that he’d be going in with two less options if he joined us (he already has our numbers and we’re not interested!), but that was ok. Then, another team member suggested we needed to have questions prepared. I was not even thinking about that! A quick shout-out to my Facebook friends, and I had some questions prepared (more on that later). Kelly and I also talked a bit about how we should probably check in throughout the night and make sure we didn’t write down the same names. Dating the same guy could be awkward. We decided on rock/paper/scissors as the deciding factor.

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The best way to store Christmas lights

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WP_001096I love Christmas decorations!  So the first week of January is always sad for me – it’s when I have to take down the tree and the Christmas decorations. This year, I discovered an infinitely easier way to store Christmas lights.

Every year, we all have this same issue – all the Christmas lights are in a big tangled mess. It takes forever to untangle. And you know some don’t work, but you have to get them untangled to figure out which string is having the issues. Well, there is an easier way – and it’s cheap!

 

WP_001098WP_001099First, take a cardboard poster tube. It should be relatively stiff cardboard – a paper towel roll might work, but may also be too flimsy. A one and a half to two inch diameter poster tube is perfect. Note: for a 100-light string, you will need about a one-foot length of tube. Cut a 2-inch slice into each end of the tube. Slide the female end of the string (the side with the outlet holes) into the sliced opening. Tuck the end into the tube.

Start wrapping the light string around the tube. Keep the light bulbs sticking out away from the tube, rather than tucking them under the string. Continue wrapping around the tube, keeping the string pretty tight together.

When you’re done, tuck the female end of the string into the slice you cut on the other end of the tube. Repeat with all your lights. These tubes are easy to stick into a storage box and store until next year. And, even better, when you pull them out of storage next year, all you need to do is pull the plug out from the tube and plug it in to the wall to see if the lights are all still working. No untangling needed!

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I Hate New Years Resolutions!

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So, I suppose this year I’ll make a few. Every year I avoid making resolutions or goals. I hate the idea that just because it’s the new year, I have to come up with some big plans to improve myself. Unfortunately, this year, I have a lot of ideas of things I need to do. So, this year I’ll be different and I’ll make a few goals. The ‘experts’ will tell you that you need to not only make goals, but also a plan to achieve them. To help with that, I’m going to divide mine into smaller chunks… divide and conquer? Here goes (you can also find on my Pinterest board!)

Daily Goals

  • Be open to new people and new experiences. Too often, I stay home rather than take advantage of that offer to attend a party with people I may  not know too well. But maybe those people could become great new friends – I won’t know unless I try. And new experiences – if I have the opportunity to take a class or try something I’ve never tried, I will do it!
  • Floss my teeth. Dollar Tree has these awesome disposable flossers. Only a dollar! I can do that.
  • Use moisturizer – at least on my face. Elbows if I remember.
  • Exercise at least 4 times a week. Gotta aim for daily, even if it’s just a few crunches.

Monthly Goals

  • January: Don’t spend any money on anything frivolous or unnecessary until I’ve lost 10 lbs.
  • Try one new vegetable a month. In November, I tried brussel sprouts. And those were good. Thankfully, my friend Stefeny is an awesome cook – she’ll have to help. If I don’t like the veggies when she makes them, I won’t ever like them.
  • Clean out one area of the house – Computer room, closet, cupboard, etc. Pick one a month and clean it out.
  • Delete anything in my DVR that is over 6 months

View to the oceanYearly Goals

Travel somewhere I’ve never been before. I’d love to go so many places – Alaska, Norway, Florida Keys… I guess even if it’s boring old Walla Walla, WA, I need to see somewhere new.

Get my PM certification. I’d like to do an actual course for this, but even if I just study online for it, I’m gonna get it this year!

So, what about you? What are your goals for the year?

It’s the premiere of Dancing with the Stars!!

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The day we’ve all been waiting for! Well, at least I have! It has been awhile since I’ve been so excited for the start of a DWTS. I love the cast – especially Jaleel White (as already noted!) and Maria Menunous.

8:03pm – And kicking off Season 14 of DWTS is Maria! I loved the montage – her laugh is hilarious!

8:06pm – She’s actually pretty good! Hooray!

8:08pm – And Bruno declares her delicious! I see 3 sevens coming.

8:10pm – Bingo!

8:14pm – Jack Wagner… as Becky says “So far, I’m not a fan.” He comes off as kinda an arrogant jerk. And looks a bit like David Bowie.

8:18pm – So, he’s doing ok. They always give the old guys the ballroom dances to start with instead of the latins. Makes sense, but would love to see him suffer! And, on a side note, I so want Anna’s dress!

8:19pm – Carrie Ann must have a soap fan – she’s doing her happy dance. Me…. meh. He’s ok, but not that great. Becky is predicting 7s and an 8 from Carrie Ann.

8:24pm – That’s crap! 2 8’s? No way!

8:25pm – Donald Driver and Peeta what?? Megatron? That’s it. She’s Peeta Megatron.

8:28pm – Becky: “I think she’s Australian” Lisa: “No, I’m pretty sure she’s decepticon” David (Becky’s hubby): “What does she turn into?”

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Spring is almost here! It is not to late to start planting seeds for a home-grown vegetable garden!

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When I was a kid, I hated my parents’ garden. Mostly because it restricted where I could play, required me to weed, and determined the direction in which I could blow dandelions. But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to love the feeling accomplishment found in growing my own vegetables. The accomplishment is even greater when I start those vegetable plants from seed. Sure, you can buy plants, but it is cheaper, more satisfying, and you’ll have more selection if you start from seed. (and no, that’s not a picture of my garden. Wish it was though!)

Each year, I find myself planting later than I should, but it is still not too late! You, too, can start your own vegetable garden!

Here’s what you need to start:

1. Seed starting kit. I like these. You can find them at all home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware), as well as many drug stores, Walmart/Target and other home stores.  They come in various sizes – from 9 – 72 pellet sizes. I also like them because you can keep the plastic container and buy pellet refills. But, if you don’t like that option, you can also purchase small pots and potting soil and start seeds that way.

2. Seeds. Determine what you want to grow and buy the seeds. Some people are picky about organic seeds, name brands etc. You can find most seeds in the stores listed above, or at local nurseries.

3. A way to label. Always mark your seeds somehow – whether drawing a grid on paper, or by writing on markers. Seedlings tend to look similar and unless you know the difference by sight, you’ll want to know what you’re growing!

4. Water and Light.  Keep your seedlings well lit and watered. More on this later.

Getting Started – When to Plant

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My dream has finally come true! DWTS Season 14 Cast Announcement

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Since Season One back in 2005, my dear friend Becky and I have watched Dancing with the Stars religiously. Every year, as we wait for the new cast announcements, the conversation always turns to “Who would be in your dream cast?” And my answer, since day one, has always been Urkel. And today, my dream has come true:

STEVE URKEL IS ON THE CAST OF DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 14!!!

I am seriously so freakin excited, you can’t even believe! Ok, fine, so it’s really Jaleel White, who played Steve Urkel (and in later seasons, when his muscles wouldn’t stop growing, Stefan Urquelle). I was so hopeful last year when I saw him starring (and dancing!) in Cee Lo Green’s video for “Cry Baby.” I love him! All I can hope for is that he doesn’t turn out to be a complete douche-canoe!

As for the rest of the cast… not bad! For the first time since Season 9 (with Donny Osmond), I’m actually really excited about this cast! Here are the rest of the stars, in order of how excited I am to have them on the show!

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Thrift Shop Mojo

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I am a thrift store junkie. I remember when I was a kid, we didn’t have a lot of money. Every summer, my family spend a week in Auburn, WA at Lake Tapps. Auburn had tons of thrift stores and we’d go each year to pick up clothes for the school year. So, I wasn’t the most fashionable kid in the school, but I learned to love the adventure. That love for thrift stores persists today. I’d say about half my shoes and clothes come from thrift stores – a handful of handbags too! It used to be a necessity for money reasons, but today, I can afford new clothes. But I am used to thrift pricing now. ($100 for jeans?! HA!) And honestly, I just love the challenge and the hunt for a great deal.

Thrifting has become trendy recently. One of my favorite blog sites, Hello Giggles, has a whole series of posts about thrifting. The new CBS show 2 Broke Girls (which I find funny, but all my friends think it sucks) had a hilarious episode where the street-smart broke girl took the former rich-bitch broke girl to the Goodwill. Especially in today’s economy, and with increased sensibilities to ‘green living’, thrifting is a fantastic money-saving, reduce/reuse/recycle option. All it takes is some common sense and a sense of adventure. With a dash of patience. And hand sanitizer.

Look for these

Clothes. This is the easiest category. I only own one pair of jeans that did not come from a thrift store. Most of my dresses (I have a lot!) are from thrift stores. You will need to try things on – especially jeans. I have to try on 15 pairs for every 2 I go home with. But I have some nice jeans – Hilfiger, DKNY – and not a single pair cost more than $9.99. I have found cute tops, great sweaters – never spending more than $15 for any item. Here are some of my faves:
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Ok, fine, this week I’m just girly. (The Bachelor Episode 3 semi-live recap)

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The past couple of weeks I have regaled you with stories of the more “manly” aspects of my life, in order to distract you from the fact that yes, I do watch that horrible girly monstrosity that is The Bachelor. I have yet to find something worthy of this week. I did watch the NFL playoff games this weekend and proudly cheered for my 49ers. However, I followed the games by watching Miss America and the Golden Globes. Both very non-manly shows. Manliness cancelled out. I painted my nails, I sewed a lacy decorative pillow that has no use whatsoever, and called my friend Stefeny to rescue me because of snow flurries. Completely non-manly. But let me remind you – a few weeks ago, I won my fantasy football league! Awesome! And last week, I caulked my bathroom! I am tough and independent and so not girly! But this week, it appears the only manly thing I will do is to remind you of all the awesome things I did in the past while having nothing new or impressive to show for myself. Now that’s manly. (too mean? nah!)

8:00pm – Oh, the pre-cap for the week. Blah. I do like the twist that with Ben in his town, he can talk to his sister about his experience. Nice to not have to wait til the end for that. Gives good perspective earlier.

8:06pm – Is it just me or does Emily look a little bit like Jenny McCarthy? Seems pretty normal and like a decent girl. Too bad Courtney can’t relate.

8:10pm – Climbing to the top of the Bay Bridge?! AWESOME! Where do they find these girls with no sense of adventure? Sissy!

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So, there I was, caulking the bathroom window (The Bachelor, Episode 2 recap/semi-live blog)

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IMG_3495All day I debated whether or not I was going to watch The Bachelor tonight. As I said last week, this show really is dreadful. And Ben is really unattractive. I mean really unattractive. Buck teeth, face like a horse, hair like a… well, horse. Maybe attractive in a ‘take his shirt off an put a bag over his head’ way, but ugh. However, The Bachelor really is a single-girl staple. And just a little addicting. But my better senses had kicked in by the time the show started, I’d decided NO. I was not going to blog about it this week. I have so much more important things to do. Like finally finish Battlestar Galactica. Or do dishes. Or, caulk my bathroom windows. No joke, I was actually caulking the bathroom window. And I can hear the show in the background. The audio alone was annoying me. As Ben is describing his time with this girl, it’s Kacie B this, Kacie B that, Kacie B is blah blah blah. Seriously, dude. Her name is KACIE. Just KACIE. If you’re in a room with another Kacie, a last initial is fine. But we all know it’s Kacie B. The caption under her picture says so. Ugh. 

Anywho, there I was, caulking my bathroom window (I really am not joking), and I hear that they’re in a movie theater. And then I hear that they’re showing home videos from when Kacie was a child. And then Ben’s childhood video, of course, after they’ve made a point to remind us all that his father has died. F@*# you, Bachelor and your sweetness! Who does that? Coordinates home videos to show in a romantic, private theater? (Ok, probably the producers, but still!) Who wouldn’t fall for some floppy-haired goofy-lookin’ dude who pulls that off? Ugh. F@*# you, Bachelor for dragging me back into this crap!

So, I put down the caulking gun, pressed pause on the DVR, took a shower, and now, I’m back to blogging about The Bachelor. Ugh. I am weak.

Now, it’s 8:38pm and I’m a little behind, but catching up. DVR is at 8:25. Holy crap, Blakeley’s boobs! Welcome to the show!

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The Bachelor–Season Premiere! Semi-live blog

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I want to start this post by letting you know that I won my Fantasy Football league this year. Yep, that’s me. Team Tankgirl. I went 10-5. Of course, most of the glory goes to Drew Brees and Maurice Jones-Drew. And I only beat Back Off Flapjacks by one point in the final game (Sorry Heather). But I need you to understand that I won my Fantasy Football League. Thank you. 

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Now that I have that established, on to The Bachelor. I hate The Bachelor. I hate the Bachelorette. These shows are dreadful. So much staged drama, and crazy people and a system that is so ridiculous, I can’t imagine why anyone signs up for this. Granted, there are so many reality shows that are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much worse. Yes, I’m talking to you all of the real housewives and Jersey shows. And this small fact is what gets me through my Monday evenings, sitting on the couch, embarrassed to be watching the Bachelor.

To pass the time, I’m gonna blog w/ you. I enjoyed doing this the final episode of DWTS with my dear Becky, so I will continue it with The Bachelor, as Becky has a one-week-old baby to take care of! I know there are a lot of Bachelor/ette recaps (Hello Giggles, Watch with Kristin, etc), but why not add another one to the mix?

So, here we go!!

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