Monthly Archives: July 2010

Thrasher’s

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Y’all… today I’m seriously missing me some Ocean City, Maryland… more importantly I’m craving some Thrasher’s French Fries.

Ocean City has one of the nations most outstanding boardwalks.

From their site: “It’s like a buffet that’s three miles long. Or a shopping mall. Or a stage. Or all of them put together. We call it the boardwalk. And the Travel Channel and USA Today both named it one of America’s best.

Bike it, stroll it, or ride the tram. However you do it, you’ll soon see what all the buzz is about. Foods of every description: wonderful Maryland crab cakes, sizzling French fries, fresh, hot pizza, overstuffed sandwiches, and luscious saltwater taffy.

Duck into an arcade and try your hand at your favorite game. (Or try a new one.) Scream with delight on the rollercoaster, or enjoy a ride on one of America’s oldest working carousels.

Ready to shop? The boardwalk is ready for you with beachwear, T-shirts, toys and any number of surprises. And in summertime, the street performers turn all the world into a stage – where you may become a player at any moment.

Need a little respite? Head down to the inlet, and watch the fishing boats head in and out to sea.

In short, the Ocean City boardwalk is three miles of concentrated, family-friendly fun, where ocean breezes are scented with the lovely aroma of French Fries and caramel popcorn, and adventure waits at every turn. You just have to experience it for yourself, ASAP.”

Every summer my family had two time share weeks that we’d use… one in June and one in July. We’d head to Ocean City and always have the best time. I miss those family vacations as a kid. I sure hope that I get to do the same things with my children (should God bless me with that opportunity).

Today, as it is now Friday and soon the weekend will start (finally!) I hope that you remember the simple joys in life and that you cherish every memory as they shape you into the person you are and the person you will be. All the experiences in my life, good or bad, have made me the person I am today and I am grateful.

Have a wonderful weekend y’all! :-)

DONE

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It’s done. Finished. Completed. Komplett. Fait. Finito. Volledig.

My Realtor sent me an email to let me know that everything has been signed, sealed, and delivered. I’m officially done with that chapter. My life has been in turmoil ever since the market collapsed and it is so bittersweet. On the one hand I’m happy that it’s over and that I no longer have to worry about drowning in debt. On the other hand I feel like a failure.

I bought a place thinking that it would grow in equity and that I could possibly move somewhere else and then I could keep this as a rental or that I could sell it and turn the profit into something better.

Instead everything went all pear shaped and after four years I end up being 100k upside-down. Such a strange turn of events. I don’t think anyone thought that it would be this way, that the market would collapse as it has, that people would be left stranded with absolutely no help from their lending institution because those very banks who we made our deals with participated in shady maneuvers and risky profit-making schemes. Our government bails them out to try and help us but instead they chose to make it more difficult.

It will never cease to amaze me that they were more willing to take the short sale than to work with me on my payments and help re-structure my loan. Even worse, they seem to be even more willing to take a foreclosure on the property instead of help with a short sale. As long as our government makes it more profitable for the banks to write off a foreclosure, people will continue to feel shafted.

It’s a sad state of affairs. The greed has run so rampant in this country. It’s pathetic. If there is one thing I hope we have learned from this Recession… it’s that we put way too much of an emphasis on consumerism and not enough on what is truly important.

I see it every day… parents take the children to dinner and the children play on their DS the whole time and the mom and dad just sit there in silence. We’ve basically taught our children that things are more important than people. I’ve read numerous articles about the power of family dinners. This was something my mother always made sure was a priority in my household and I am eternally grateful.

Should God bless me with a family I will certainly be sure to instill the values I deem so important but there is a bigger lesson here, folks. We need to get back to the way things were not but a hundred years ago… if you can’t afford something, don’t buy it. Credit used to be a bad thing. People would frown down upon the man who held a balance at the local general store.

I am certainly glad to be in something more manageable in my budget and as you well know, I’m already pretty cost-conscious. I haven’t had cable television for over 7 years now and each time I wish I had it I just go out to dinner with my friends and realize that I can chose to have TV or friendships. I don’t have manicured nails and I don’t have a car payment. I make choices to ensure that I’m not a burden on others and the release of this condo is one more step in the right direction.

Maybe in a few years, should my budget allow it, and I’ve built up enough of a savings account… I’ll consider owning property again. Until then I will be content where I am (Philippians 4:11-13). I will bloom where I am planted.

Thanks for listening to my rant/happy announcement. It’s definitely a bit all over the place (as I have been quite a bit lately). I really appreciate all the support of my family and friends (both near and far and via the interwebs)… without you I wouldn’t be near as able to look at the big picture and know that everything will be alright.

:-)

more thoughts about moving

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So, I threw out my back. I have an old cheerleading injury in my hip and it throws off my L5 and then if I do anything too strenuous my whole back is out of wack. Throw in a couple of car accidents and the resulting whiplash and you have an easily injured person.

WHICH SUCKS.

So, I thought I could handle it. You know, work through the pain. Take like 6 Advil at a time and it’ll get better, right? WRONG. So, after working a full day yesterday in constant pain I decided to go see my doc this morning.

He has me do some more x-rays because the last time was in 2006 and evidently I have a few degenerative disks that he wanted to be sure haven’t gotten worse, and, they haven’t. So he gives me an adjustment (I see a DO, not an MD, because they’re trained in more than just old school medicine) and gives me a prescription for darvocet and diazepam.

I’ve done the whole valium thing before so that’s old hat but I don’t remember ever taking a narcotic pain reliever. I was hoping he’d give me like prescription strength Advil or something. Anyway, that shit is crazy. I just got up from sleeping for 3 hours and I feel DRUNK. No me gusta. Not the good kind of drunk but the sick to your stomach room spinning kind. So, now I know that if I’m ever to take that again it needs to be at night and maybe even a half a pill. Good gracious.

Live and learn, eh?

So, I’m glad I was able to stay home and rest for a bit (because I certainly needed it) but I have to go to the lawyer’s tonight at 5:30 to sign the closing papers and hand over every cent in my checking account. And I’m worried that I’ll still feel this way.

ARGH.

Wish me luck folks… this should be interesting. Plus, I have so much more to do around here. I have so many boxes left to unpack. It’s rather overwhelming. Maybe in a couple weeks things will return to normal.

On a side note, I’m super happy to be rid of the condo. I’m super happy that chapter is over with because it’s been nothing but stress the last two years and Lord knows I can’t keep struggling like I was. This new place is super cute and cozy… though the stairs are kicking my ass (in a good way… it’s like a workout with out even trying).

Hope y’all are having a pretty good week so far. :-)

rejection

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Rejection. According to the Oxford English Dictionary it is defined as “The action or process of rejecting someone or something, esp. the refusal to accept an established practice, a proposal, etc., or the rejecting or exclusion of a person from a relationship or group; an act of rejecting; (also) the state of being rejected.“

Reject. OED defines this as “Someone who is rejected or cast out.“

The act of rejection causes someone to feel like a reject. Have you ever been called a reject? No one has ever said that to my face but I have seen people say it to others. It’s not pleasant. No one ever wants to feel rejected. No one wants to feel that they aren’t worthy, that someone doesn’t want them to be a part of their group, that someone doesn’t feel they are qualified enough for their dream job, or that someone doesn’t think their work is good enough.

I have learned not to associate rejection with my self-worth but it is a constant battle. I am a person that derives much of my self-worth from the opinions of others. I know that this is an issue. I have to remind myself that my self-worth is an intrinsic value. My self-worth is defined within and through the grace of God alone.

Last night I was thinking seriously about my feelings of rejection. Why must I fret over what someone else thinks of me? Why must I play the scene out over and over again in my mind of what I could have done to change their mind? It is not necessarily what I could or could not have done to make things different as much as it is that person’s individual feelings and perception on the issue.

I, myself, have participated in the act of rejection. It is hard to tell someone that you do not “want” them, whether as a friend or as a lover. Either you are on the giving or receiving end… and both are difficult.

Each year that passes brings with it new wisdom. I’m definitely not the person I was 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago, or even just last month. We grow, adapt, learn, move on. Life isn’t easy but we make the best of it. I have grown to accept what God has given to me, I’ve adapted to the constant changing of the world around me, learned to make the best of every situation, and have gained the wisdom to move on when the situation warrants it as such.

I was reminded by a dear friend of Philippians 4:11-13 ♥ 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I cannot say that I have completely learned to be content whatever the circumstances, but I am sure trying. I do know what it is to want and what it is to have everything you could have ever wanted. The secret, to me, of being content is what my mother has constantly preached: bloom where planted.

Make the best of every situation and play the cards you are dealt. I understand that there is a bigger picture, one that I cannot see because I am within the picture. Only someone outside of the picture can truly see what is going on and the painter holds the wisdom to know what the outcome may be. Everything happens for a reason, even if I am not able to see that reason just yet. Thoughts?

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on…

DISCLAIMER: These are just random thoughts. I’m doing fine, thanks. Please don’t look at this as depressing but instead as truthful. I only seek to share my thoughts and to be honest with y’all. Okay? Good. :-)

thoughts on moving

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UGH.

This is totally not my favorite thing in the world… that’s for sure. I’m so over it already and it hasn’t even really started. I’m just grateful for the friends who are helping me, both with the actual packing, and just with getting me out of the house and keeping my sanity in tact.

When I first attempted to find my mailbox at my new place, my property manager was absolutely no help. I tried my key in every one (albeit not as strongly as I could have because I was afraid I was breaking the law and/or that I’d break the key) and nothing seemed to work.

I saw a nice little old lady walking by so I asked her what to do. She suggested that there might be more mailboxes in the back of the complex. I informed her that I had just checked there and hadn’t found any, so she said, “Well, let me get in and I’ll ride back there with you.” LOL. She hopped in, we drove to the back and, sure enough, there weren’t another set of mailboxes.

She was super nice and kept telling me that if there was ever anything I needed that she would be happy to let me borrow it, “Or you can just have it if you want.” TOO FUNNY. Then she proceeded to tell me about her herb garden out back and if I ever wanted, I could just come over and help myself and the scissors are on the shelves in the back porch. ADORABLE. So, I told her that I would stop by and see her once I get settled.

I called the post office and the nice mail-lady left me a note on my box so I would know which one it was and when I tried the key, it worked! I guess I didn’t try the key hard enough, but I’m glad that it works and I don’t have to pay to have it re-keyed. Good gracious.

This past weekend, however, I also encountered another bit of a nuisance. There was some truck parked in my numbered space so I left him a note asking him to please not park there. He moved. Later that evening when I came back from dinner with my parents he was there again. I didn’t stay there that evening otherwise I would have left another note for him to find in the morning and this time I wouldn’t have been so nice. This weekend I have movers coming and if he’s in my space I’m having him towed.

The movers come to get all the stuff from the condo on Saturday morning. My ex-stepmother is coming that same morning to get her bedroom furniture that I’ve had. Should be interesting. I have most things packed up but every time I think I’m pretty much finished I find more crap I need to go through. It takes me so much longer than it should because I’m trying to throw away crap and only keep the stuff I really need. It’s so hard for me to part with stuff. I don’t think that I’m a hoarder but I know that I have a deeper attachment with “stuff” than I should.

Also, I’ve been having really random dreams lately. I know it’s the stress of moving, etc. but it will certainly be nice to have a good night’s sleep once again. I’m looking forward to being settled in the new place. Mom sent up movers with some furniture this past Sunday and it’s already starting to come together. I’m looking forward to having an end of the summer housewarming party and, of course, my annual Christmas party which is on this year, NO MATTER WHAT!

Okay, I guess that’s all for now. I’ll try and post some pics of the new place once I get settled. Thanks so much for sticking by me through all my CRAP lately. I know I’ve been a bit distant and I really am going to make a better effort to communicate instead of shutting down.

Love y’all! God bless! :-)

Catalog Living

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OMG.

I don’t know if you’ve seen it but I have a new favorite blog to add to my list!

Catalog Living is written by the pretty lady, Molly Erdman, who stars in the Sonic commercials. She’s hilarious. I love her sarcasm.

Seriously, you have to check it out!

Here are a few of my favs…

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/780311963/we-are-family

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/819457341/space-is-at-a-premium

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/741070881/climate-control

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/735181847/dont-test-me

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/732563441/a-twist-of-something

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/715473988/everything-in-its-place

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/post/704969611/keep-track-of-your-belongings

AS IF!

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Because it’s Friday… and because we all could use a little comic relief…

Seriously… one of my most favorite movies of all time. I know it’s lame… but this movie is so totally ME (well, almost). Okay, so I wasn’t uber rich and I didn’t grow up in Beverly Hills… but I did wear a lot of the same outfits as Cher “Isn’t my house classic? The columns date all the way back to 1972.”

That one sweater dress she has with the argyle print she wears with the white knee-high socks and the platform mary-janes? Yeah, I swear I had that EXACT same outfit in high school. It’s uncanny.

Poor early 90s people… we didn’t stand a chance. Fashion hit us with a 2X4 of preppy meets flannel and it wasn’t very good. I do believe that I not only wore too short plaid school girl pleated skirts with the half shirt but also owned a pair of Jnco jeans.

What exactly was I trying to accomplish? That I could fit in with all types? That’s probably it. I mean, I’ve always tried to have a wide diversity in my friends.

Here are some examples from the movie for your viewing pleasure…

…or to just make you laugh out loud!

What was it with those knee-high socks and that private school look? Ultra preppy for sure. Plus, I was saving myself for Luke Perry, too, Cher… “I feel like such a heifer. I had two bowls of Special K, 3 pieces of turkey bacon, a handful of popcorn, 5 peanut butter M&M’s and like 3 pieces of licorice.”

Even better… that “whatever” with the W done with your fingers, well, I used it all the time and one day my mom tried to imitate it and she had her whole hands up in the shape of a butterfly… needless to say we made fun of her for quite some time (sorry mom!).

I do kinda miss the preppy look. So many high schooler girls these days wear either WAY too revealing clothing that make them look like they’re for sale or they dress like they just rolled out of bed. As if! What are they thinking!?!

Although, I must admit that there are a few things that make me feel sad when I think about this movie…

1) Brittany Murphy is no longer with us.

2) I really wasn’t as clueless as they depicted young girls to be in the early 90s and I’m pretty sure most girls my age were actually really smart and not at all as depicted in the movie.

3) I always thought High School was so rough and that things would be so much better after we graduated… looking back I realize that things were so much easier back then and I should have just enjoyed it more instead of always worrying about the future.

4) Last, but not least, Smoking Popes were featured on the soundtrack and unfortunately sang a few songs that my ex and I considered “ours”.

But, overall the movie makes me smile, so that’s always good!

Okay, so thoughts? Do any of you have any fun stories from the 90s? Were you in High School? College? I don’t want to know if you were younger than me… that just makes me feel super old!

check this out

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I don’t know if y’all follow Julia’s blog (Hooked On Houses), but you should! She always features the most interesting homes. Plus, she shows really bad MLS photos and she has a really cool Movie Monday post where she details homes in movies and/or TV shows. VERY COOL!

Anyway, yesterday she featured a home near Seattle (wonder if McDreamy lives nearby?) and it has the coolest indoor treehouse. I guess they had to make one indoors because of the weather but I think the same thought could be applied to Florida because between the bugs and the humidity I’d much rather play indoors.

Here is the link to her post, and you can see all of the photos and information in the listing.

Enjoy! :-)

Oh, and thanks Julia!

NUT-rition

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I’m really liking the Planters NUT-rition snacks, especially the South Beach Diet Recommended Mix. I keep them in my drawer at work and it helps give me a boost in the afternoon when I’m feeling sleepy. I know that these cans cost more than just regular nuts but I can’t find another mix that doesn’t have the stuff I don’t like. If that makes sense. Although lately I’ve been lazy and just buying a can of cashews. I know that they’re not as good as the almonds but I like them better… hee hee.

rambling thoughts…

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I’m posting this picture because it makes me happy.

It was taken on Grand Turk right in front of the largest Margaritaville in the world. I really enjoyed that vacation I took with my family that November.

I love my family.

I’m wrestling with something… if you had to choose between conditioned air and indoor plumbing which would you choose? Of course, it probably depends on where you are living… Florida is death without a/c in the summer!

Listening to music that reminds me of my mommy (like right now I’m listening to Joni Mitchell singing Cactus Tree) makes me cry (and my mother is alive) I can’t imagine how sad I will be when she passes away one day.

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy… and so does the music of John Denver… but again it reminds me of my mommy. It’s no wonder I can’t live more than an hour away from her.

Break-ups are hard. Not because you think it’s hard to not have that person in your life anymore but because it’s another failure. I don’t deal well with failure… I’m a perfectionist.

It’s hard to force myself to remember that the only perfect human was Christ and I need to stop trying to obtain the unobtainable. I need to be happy where I am.

Bloom where planted, right?

I’m excited about my new townhouse. I pick up the keys after work on Thursday. I can’t wait to start “nesting” in my new home.

I sure hope the neighbors are quiet. Right now the lady upstairs from me does aerobics and it sounds like the ceiling is going to cave in. It will be so wonderful to not have anyone above me… just beside me. I think I can handle noise from beside me.

Green really truly is my favorite color. I love green grass and trees and plants. I love green eyeshadow and usually choose it each morning when doing my makeup. I also like to choose green clothing to wear… probably because I have green eyes.

I actually had a guy say to me, “You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen!” and I replied, “Thanks but they’re green.”

I really want to take a cruise this December. There is a 5 day leaving from Port Canaveral on Carnival that’s really well priced… I just need to find people to actually go with me. Come on… you know you wanna.

I really hope I’m blessed one day with the opportunity to have a family. It’s tough being in your 30s and seeing people married with children and wondering if you’ll be lucky enough to have that happen to you as well.

I think it’s really annoying that I have such awful digestive issues. I swear everything I eat makes my stomach hurt. No matter what. It’s so ridiculous because I know that it’s mostly stress but I suck at managing my stress.

I really should get back into yoga.

Can you believe that YMCA changed it’s name to The Y? Muy interesante.

I get to have lunch at Moe’s today.

There is a place in LA (a sushi house) and when people walk through the door they shout something in Japanese. I think it’s “hello welcome to our restaurant”, or something. What’s funny is when I went there with my sister I said it was like “Welcome to Moe’s!” and she laughed because she’d been thinking the same thing but no one understood because they don’t have Moe’s out there.

I have to find a new primary care physician. I don’t want to have to do that work to find someone, take a risk that they’re not an idiot, transfer all my paperwork, etc. This sucks.

Also, I forgot just how many deposits I’d have to make for things like electricity, etc. at this new place. Moving isn’t the most fun… but it’ll be great once I’m settled.

I get to have dinner with my good friend from High School, Karen, on Wednesday night. We’re eating at Salt Water Cowboys. I LOVE that place. Hands down one of my favorite restaurants, ever!

I got to spend Saturday night and Sunday with my sister, Ashley, who flew in from LA this past weekend. She’s at camp this week in Leesburg but I’ll get to see her again this upcoming weekend. It’s so hard having her so far away.

I had no idea how long this list of rambling thoughts would be. Hope I didn’t bore you to death. Be sure to comment on anything I’ve mentioned… or, if you’d rather, comment with your own rambling thoughts. I’d love to read what y’all have to say.

God bless you all! Hope you’re having a wonderful week! :-)