Getting to know you Sunday

Head HERE for today's questions and to link up! 

Happy beautiful-I can relax better because there's no work tomorrow- Sunday!

1. Have you ever snooped around someone else's house?

Haha...no.  My dear parents raised to me treat others like I would like to be treated, and so I always wonder would I like someone to do this to me?  And if the answer is no, I don't do it..  So I always try to respect people's privacy.

 

2. Can guys and girls be friends? ( thanks Jen!)

In my experience - No.  Only if one of them is gay.  Sorry but it's true. 

3. Can you curl your tongue?

I CAN but never do, why would I do such a silly thing??

4. Have you ever stolen anything?

welllllllllllll...I can't say no.  When I was about 10 there was a store that had those pretty colored stones.  My friend decided we should each take one (I know, it was peer pressure!  Peer pressure is a terrible thing for a young girl no?)  I was giggling the whole time but was impressed at the way she did it.  I was thinking, eh, I guess just reach in and grab one, walk away.  I'm sure the giggling didn't draw any attention. 

Her?  She picked up 2 at once, making it look like she only grabbed one, and then put the 1 back with the other hidden away already.  I marveled at how she knew to do such a thing. 

And giggled.

 

5. Would you rather talk on the phone or text?

I'm a texter, much to several people's chagrin, non-texters if you will.  And don't worry, Oprah, I would never text and drive.

6. Memorial Day plans?

Nothing major planned, it is the first day of school, can you believe they start on a holiday?  So - school, BBQ, and a movie with hubs.

7. What do you do to relax?

Nothing relaxes me like WATER.  So, when I'm in shape, swimming relaxes me.  Or staring at the ocean, or any body of water ranging in size from ocean to retention pond.  Not so much puddles though.  If there's no water to look at, I take a shower.

 

8. Do you do anything to honor those that have died fighting for our freedom?

What a question this is.  For the last several years, men and women have been giving their lives for US to be free.  How do you honor that?  I haven't found a great way yet.  I have not done anything.  But I can hardly even wrap my head around it..how much I appreciate what they do and respect them and pray for them..Nothing seems enough. 

THANK YOU to all those who served our country.

Please go HERE to see the most touching images I've seen to honor these men and women.

image

Home Stuff

Every so often I get on a home decorating kick.  I love unique pieces, some just because, others that tell a story.  Once I become the world traveler I was meant to be, I will pick up pieces from around the world.

But for now, I just like to dream about it.

I like the earthiness of this table.  Is earthiness a word I wonder?

Terra Furnishings

A bar in a globe?  Yes please!

here

Again, earthy.  I love the warm glow of these votives.

here

Here are some of my favorite places to shop:

Home Decorators

Smart Bargains

Uncommon Goods

Where do you like to shop for unique decor or gifts?

Just chillin

This is my last week of vacation before summer school starts, so I'm chillin.  I had a whole to do list for this month:

To Do:

- Deep clean house

- Finish painting

- Start workout program

- Work on book

- Blog more often

What really happened:

- Vacation

- Naps

- Watched movies.

- Lots of movies

- Read a few books

- Naps

Ugh.  Right?

Now I'm taking stock of the ol life, as I so often do, and frustrated with myself.  Yeah, sometimes we need a break, and it was indeed nice.. but I didn't accomplish anything.  Know how you can laze around all day, and then not feel relaxed, but if you spend all day cleaning, you go to bed in a clean house and THAT is more relaxing in the long run?  Yeah.  I didn't so much do that.

Remember the Shape Up of Twenty Ten?  It went well, real well, in the beginning.  I did the cleanse, started treadmilling it, going to the gym.  Somewhere, at some unknown time, it stopped.  Then started again, I joined Weight Watchers, but then went on vacation and ate lots of pizza.  And today, guess what?  I am only down 3 pounds for the year, when I was hoping to be down 30 at this point.  And I am really kicking myself, because every so often I like a good beach day, only now a beach day is not a relaxing day because I'm thinking about how uncomfortable I am in a bathing suit.

I don't like to blog about this anymore - I hate being a talker and not a doer.  I'm only talking about this now because I'm hoping for a turnaround.  I've done it before and I can do it again.  Sometimes I look at the road ahead and the journey seems so tremendous, but every journey starts with one step, so here goes..

To all those friends who blog about their weight loss journey, keep on going!  You all inspire me and it's great to know you're not alone.

I am ready to look like this:

And I hope this is the last time I will take the first step towards getting there!

The whole world needs a vacation.

Having just gone on vacation, I realized I didn't know that was exactly what I needed.  Sometimes I think time off at home should be relaxing but know what?  You still do stuff.  Day to day stuff.  But -- if you skip town, there is nothing to do BUT relax.  One week's time was just perfect to diffuse, decompress, relax....

And so I've come up with a plan: I think the whole world needs to go on vacation.  Every single person.  Except it wouldn't be practical for everyone to go at once, airports, hotels, and attractions would be overcrowded and that's no fun.  We'll go in waves.  States will be closed for one week increments.  Week 1: Florida is closed.  The entire state, occupants must go to another state or country on vacation.  Or maybe, while the state of Florida is on vacation, all those out of work as a result of this oil spill can go run things while they're gone.  As a matter of fact, all those out of work all around the country can travel to the closed down states and run them while that state is on vacation.  Cool job for people out of work, plus they get to see the country.  It'll be a "skeleton crew" running the state, it'll be a real paid job that people interview for. 

Can you see what this would do for the country, and the whole world?  On one hand, it creates new jobs for all those out of work, and on the other hand, everyone so stressed and burnt out on life will be invigorated.  The tourism industry will be revitalized.  People will be HAPPY.  Everywhere you look these days people are so stressed, and I am here declaring..vacations are in order!

50 states - 52 weeks in a year..do you see?  This could be a rotating yearly event.  It could create permanent jobs.  Who knows, if the world participates, maybe people would chill out enough for a lil..

I'm just sayin..

On Flying

I just got back from The Great Chicago Adventure, and it's been a while since I've flown.  It used to be my life, being a flight attendant, so I wasn't sure how I would like being a layperson in the airport.

When I was a flight attendant, I was much more image conscious.  You expect people to look at you when you walk by, or to stop and ask for directions because you are wearing a uniform.  By the way - don't ask crew members for airport directions, some airports they know, others, most others, they do not.  We flew in, flew out, maybe ran off the plane for some grub and a real, hopefully not as smelly bathroom. 

I was in shape, always had my makeup on, and heels..we had to wear our heels on the ground and in the airport, then switch to flats in the air.  There were rules about what makeup we were supposed to wear but towards the end of my flying career, they weren't enforced as much.

I missed not having my i.d. badge, aka, cut to the head of the security line badge.  Although when I had it I always looked apologetically at the people we passed, I knew it had to suck standing in that line.  Some people were very rude about us cutting.  But hey. You can't go anywhere till the crew gets on the plane and do their checks first so can it.  :o)

Here's a little tidbit:  before I was a flight attendant, I always thought I'd be nice and leave my People magazine in the seatback pocket for the next passenger.  Not so.  The flight attendants and cleaners scoop those up like gold.  I was on top of all the latest gossip, never missing a People or US Weekly in 6 years.  Sad but true.  Sometimes I would get excitable and buy a magazine and the other flight attendants would look at me like I was nuts, why buy when you know someone is going to leave the same magazine on the next flight?  It was a weird little addiction I had.  I'm happy to say, I am no longer addicted.  Phew.

Cut to last week.

I am a little neurotic about flying.  You'd think after living out of airports for so long, it wouldn't be so.  Nope, I have to get to the airport the standard 2 hours early.  This after already having checked in online 24 hours in advance and not having luggage to check.  I go immediately through security, then I can relax.

And shop.

It doesn't matter what I prepare, snacks, books, ipod.  I have never gotten through an airport without buying something.  I hate it too because I know all the prices are jacked up.  But something draws me in, the way them airport designers hoped it would, and I hand over my hard earned cash on something ridiculous, such as a $3 bottle of water.  Sometimes I get smart and bring an empty bottle through security, then fill it with water from a fountain once I get through.  But mostly I forget and hand over my $3 for water, just in case I get the coughs and the flight attendants aren't serving yet. 

Then I take a seat, usually at a gate that is near mine but never at my own, I look for one that is empty.  And commence with the people watching.  2 things I love to watch: what shoes people choose to wear when flying (and if they are practical for airport walking), and what books people are reading. 

In life, you must know, and I've said it before, if you are wearing cute shoes but don't know how to walk naturally in them - they.are.not.cute.and.you.look.ridiculous.Period.

Know what else cracks me up?  Every day in your hometown you are surrounded with people you hardly notice.  But in the airport, at a far away city, if you find someone from your hometown, you are now best of friends.  I hear it every time I am away:

Where are you from?

Me too!

What part of the city?

Wow, me too!

Where did you go to school?

These conversations make me chuckle.  Heheh.Ha!Hoho hah! Hee!

I read 2 books on my trip:  The Help, and Firefly Lane.  Loved them both to pieces.  So much that I didn't want to read anything when I was done, because I had to marinate on these two for a while.

Now I'm behind a computer and can't see what you're reading - so tell me, have you read anything fabulous lately? 

Halfway back from vacation

I am in between vacations right now, feeling very relaxed after Chicago, and about to go....?  On a surprise trip the hubs is taking me on, destination unknown.  I'll write about them all when I return!  In the meantime, being that it's Sunday and all, I thought I'd play along with Keely's get to know you Sunday.

1. The most expensive thing hanging in my closet is.....?

I..uh...I have to go look in my closet!  Actually the bathing suit I mentioned previously has been the most expensive thing I bought lately.  Coincidentally, I tried it on last night, which was humbling after gorging myself on pizza and hot dogs last week.

2. Have you ever played a team sport?

Swimming was my sport of choice, but I also dabbled in basketball and soccer.

Not me, but I have a million pics taken in this pose.  Ok, maybe just dozens.

 

3. If you were a bug, what kind would you be?

Why on earth would anyone want to be a bug I wonder?  I guess if I'd have to pick, I'd pick a lightening bug.  How cool to have your booty light up at will, eh!

 

4. Where on your body is the worst place to get sunburned?

Probably the bottom of your feet?  Then you couldn't walk..Although, anywhere on your body hurts to get sunburned.  I hate taking a shower and having the water feel like razor blades on your burned body, Yowsahs.

5. Are you happy?

Vacation was just what I needed.  I didn't realize until I was on the plane home how relaxed I was.  And that I get to go right on mini-vacation #2?  This is one happy girl!

 

6. People are always abbreviating..are there any abbreviations that make your skin crawl when people use them?

I love love love that one commercial where the old woman is talking to someone about her BFF Rose, Ha!  I enjoy the abbreviations.  The one thing that bugs me so dang much - is when people are trying to spell "lose" and instead write "loose"  My skin crawls more with misspellings than abbreviations. 

Lose - A form of Lost - Kaloula is digging through her closet again, what'dja lose?

Loose - Kaloula is digging through her closet again, she must have a few screws loose.

7. Do you love where you live..or could you live anywhere?

I could live anywhere! Except somewhere really really cold. And I love where I live too!

 

8. What, if any, extreme measures do you go to to keep yourself from overeating when you're full?

It's time to start getting extreme I do say.  Unfortunately up to this point, I am usually past full when I get mad at myself for eating that much, and throw the rest away.  Still, I haven't done anything crazy!

I hope you all have a great week!  Off I go on the next trip.  In the meantime, please check out my sister's blog - Life of Pond.  Funny funny stuff!

Vacation awaits

I've been a little slack with the postings lately.  My brain is tapped out and fried after this past semester at school coupled with working full time.  I know, 'scuses, 'scuses!  How bout this for a scrambled brain, I just typed out a whole paragraph right here and highlighted it, so as to center it, instead of hitting center I hit delete!!  Somebody needs a vaca---tion!  I can't even remember what I wrote, but I assure you it was brilliant.

Good thing I am headed here:

Where I can't wait to eat:

And

Y'all just don't understand the Chicago hot dog till you experience it.  I didn't know, didn't quite fully comprehend the magic that is the Chicago dog, until it was missing and I was a deprived weinerless gal.  You know what they do?  For starters, they steam their buns.  I think we could all do with a good bun steaming, keeps them fresh.  Next time you have dogs at home, boil an inch of water and steam them buns!

You will thank me later.  Promise.

Such a simple thing makes such a huge difference!  They also use celery salt, try that on your dogs too.

By the way, I will not be saying Y'all when I land.  I immediately transform back to a Chicagoan.

Ditka.

Sah-sage.

Ditka.

I also plan on relaxing here:

And catching up on some:

And of course some:

So I'm taking a little blogcation, I'll see you back here in a while, if not sooner.  If nothing else, I like to be clear.

I'll be back soon with some witty brilliant posts and temptuous tasty recipes.

Is temptuous a word?  Whatever. 

Cheers to a happy week to all!

GTKY Sunday!

It's my new favorite time of the week!  I woke up this fabulous Sunday morning to a jarring reality.  So sure was I that the Powerball would be won by yours truly, I was set for a fantastic week in the sun at St. Thomas. Maybe even a new winter condo to boot.

I didn't win???  I don't understand how this happened?

As I scratch my head in wonderment, I will answer MannLand5's get to know you questions of the week!

The questions..

1. Are you superstitious?

Not one bit!  OH, although..now that I think about it, maybe having my vacation and condo planned before winning the lotto was bad luck.  Maybe I'll stop doing that every week.

 

2. If you were an animal..what kind would you be?

I'm a water nut so I'd have to say a dolphin!  Or a polar bear.  Now that I think about it, definitely a polar bear.  They are so cute, they get to swim, they're always cuddling, and they get to hibernate in the winter!

3. You would never catch me wearing.........?

This one's a little tricky for me.  There's a lot of things I wouldn't wear now, but I do love fashion so never say never.. But for the moment, you would never catch me wearing hot pants or mini skirts.  If you don't have the body, it ain't pretty!

 

4. If someone posts a VLOG..do you watch it?

Listen, I'm still learning to tweet.  I'm not so sure what a vlog is yet and nope, never watched one!

5. Have you ever waxed your girlie/manly parts..or any other part of your body?

I waxed my eyebrows once, been plucking ever since.

 

6. Are you a spender or a saver?

Dang it all.  Calling me out.. I used to be a great saver! Actually I have to say neither ~ I'm not making enough money to spend nor save, sad though it is.

Where's that money tree I planted anyway?

7. If you were starring in a movie..who would you want to play your leading man/woman?

Him

No! Wait..

HIM!

8. Smoker..never smoked..social smoker..or smoked back in the day?

I'm not fibbing when I say ~ If you put a cigarette in my hand I'd have no idea what to do with it.  Non-smoker here.  Save the lungs!

Happy Sunday!

DSJ Heart Necklace ~ Winner!

I just headed over to Random.org and found the winner of the DSJ Heart Necklace!

Congratulations....

Lucky #7 is Denise from Den's Daily Life!

Congratulations!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered and especially to Natalia, owner of Adornments Boutique for sponsoring this giveaway!

I had fun, we should do this again sometime!