Ramblings Archives - Page 9 of 9

It’s still January! It’s not too late! Part 1.

January 20, 2011 by Susan Leave a Comment

It is January 20th. *30 days in September, April, June and November…* Okay, so there are 11 more days left to the first month of 2011. It is not too late to type out my new year resolutions to make them valid! Last year I wrote about what my 2010 goals were… before I tell you this year’s goals, Let’s reminisce.

2010 Resolution 1: Be More Positive. Check. I would say, overall, that I did pretty good with that one. I mean, it’s a hard thing to say “yes you did it” or “nope, not at all” when you can’t quantify it. That was probably a bad resolution, should’ve been more specific, some how…

2010 Resolution 2: Stand Up for Myself. Check. Oh boy. Little did I know the night that I wrote my resolutions that 2010 would be the year for Suz’s self empowerment. I kicked ass at this resolution. I got in my first ever yelling fight with someone (other than my sister!) where I stormed out of a hotel room, slamming the door behind me. Only to realize that I forgot my shoes, so I had to go back and knock on the door. All that over the subject of Communication Studies (yeah, I was a proud nerd that night). I stood up for myself when it came to business ventures, and especially business ventures with my family. It was a hard thing to do, and sometimes I felt horrible doing it, but in the end everything worked out and I was much happier because I put myself and my beliefs first.

2010 Resolution 3: Beat Brenda’s Sales Numbers. Fail. This is quantitative and can easily be calculated. And I failed. It was a tough year in the real estate world. Womp Womp.

2010 Resolution 4: Walk Chloe & Maybe Agility. This was kind of a fail as well. I definitely didn’t do the agility with her, but not because I didn’t want to… because I didn’t have the money. 2010 was a rough financial year for me. We had to cut costs where we could, and dog agility wasn’t even on the radar. We did walk around the neighborhood more often, but not enough (in my opinion, and definitely not in Chloe’s opinion I’m sure!) to consider this a successful resolution.

2010 Resolution 5: Go to the gym. Check. I can proudly say, that this one actually happened!! I have been really great about waking up early for trainings on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I lost a bit of weight, gained a lot more muscle than I had before (I was completely unaware at how weak I was before!) and have made it much more of a habit. I had a “dry spell” in there for a while when I was dealing with a ton of knee troubles, but I’m getting past it, and still doing a bit of physical therapy, working the “step,” and maybe a bit of foam rolling. 😉

2010 Resolution 6: Stop Breaking My Teeth. Check. I can honestly say that I did not break a tooth one time *knock on wood* this past year OTHER THAN January 1, when I wrote that blog post. So way to go. I had a lot of close calls, and even think I might have a slight chip on the back of one tooth now (from chloe last week) but it’s not broken, so HA! Success!

2010 Resolution 7: Continue Writing. Check. I guess I did okay with this one. I did write, for a while, then eased out of it a bit. But to be fair, I went through a break up towards the beginning of the year, and got back into the online dating world for a while, and did a bit of writing with that. My great friend in Baltimore “Regan” and I started a blog on online dating. It did okay for a while, we had a group of followers, and I actually received an email from someone last week asking me to write about his Jewish online dating site! But I did meet a great guy (online) and ended up doing a lot of my writing in the form of emails to him while he was over seas. So yeah, I guess I did a decent job at “continuing to write.”

So that was 2010 in a nutshell! I’m so glad that I actually typed out my resolutions last year and knew where there were this year! It was kind of neat to look back at where I was a year ago, and what little I knew about what 2010 would hold. So what about 2011?! I have a few resolutions up my sleeve, but not enough time to write about them now. Let me know if you have any suggestions! Otherwise, stay tuned!

Runs in the Family!

January 12, 2011 by Susan Leave a Comment

I have a slight confession… I adore office supplies. There is just something completely awesome about brand new office supplies. It’s like when you were a kid, the arrival of the required supply list was always bitter sweet. It was terrific because it meant a trip to Office Depot or Roses for a new Trapper Keeper, Lisa Frank pencil box, a fresh composition notebook, and maybe some college ruled loose leaf. But it was also horrible because that meant summer was almost over and waking up at 6:30am to stand at a cold bus stop was just days away.

However at my age, mid-twenties, with no kids, there is no need for new school supplies. And I don’t actually work in an office, so the need for office supplies is slim. I do have a supply list, but that is long and boring and involves home warranties, sign riders and highlighter pens. I want an excuse for something new and pretty, that has that fresh paper smell. (Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, you know you love the fresh paper smell!)

So every winter, at the end of one year and the beginning of another, shortly after folks clean up the decorations, watch the ball drop in Time Square and finish singing “Auld Lang Syne” I have an excuse to go to Target, wander just past the greeting card aisle, and pick out my fresh new yearly planner! This is usually a huge process of opening and closing calendars, some with leather, some with zippers, some spiral while others are bound… The possibilites are endless, and the decision is a big one: this is a 365 day decision. You would hate to pick the wrong one and be stuck carrying it around for the rest of the year, because you know these options will not exist in March, never mind October. (Although you may luck on in June/July… sometimes they have mid-year calendars, but outside of students, who really has a need for that?!)

I was slightly devastated this year when I realized that I have gone electronic. I have a droid, and it syncs with everything google, which is all I use (except for my computers, I will say, they are and always will be Macs.) Anyway, my calendar is color coded and synced with my everything, so I really have no need for a planner this year… Sad face.

Yesterday I went to Target with my mom. Boy did I learn something about the genes I inherited! The poor lady walked back and forth, and back and forth, and actually back and forth again (!!) between the calendar/ diary aisle and the notebook/ binder aisle trying to decide what planner(s) she would purchase for the year. Big, medium, or small? Design or plain? Leather or plastic? Monthly or Monthly/Daily? Spiral or bound? Good Lord, I saw my future. When she finally decided on a BRIGHT green, large, spiral, semi-designed, monthly/daily my heart sank as I began to feel the need for one as well. When I gave into the urge, I then heard the same questions flying through my mind! Decisions decisions.

I’m solid with my decision in buying a planner, I mean, I’ve done it almost every other year of my life. It was a quick decision, and I hope that my gcal does not get jealous. Not that ya’ll should care, but I was playing with my new camera lens, and wanted to show off the planner that made the final cut. Let’s hope it’s a good one and it won’t let me miss any appointments in 2011!

Here’s to a year full of awesome plans, successful business appointments, and wonderful celebrations with terrific friends and family!

“Not a creature was stirring…”

December 24, 2010 by Susan Leave a Comment

There’s no real point to this post, I just feel like rambling and writing…

“Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Yeahhhhh right. Not at my house. I was surprised last night by my boyfriend, who was supposed to be working until 11pm. At 8:15 my doorbell rang, and there was Mike, with Reece Peanut Butter Cups in hand. This was after this conversation:

me: The grinch who stole christmas is on tv!!

Michael: Sweet! Wish I could watch it

me: Im recording it.

Because im awesome like that. No big deal.

Michael: Grrr, stupid work… nutplate and adm issues

me: So you are still waiting around?

Michael: Got work now

Sent at 8:05 PM on Thursday

(For the record, I typically have no clue what any of his work abbreviations mean, so I just ignore them.When he got to my house he asked, so you know what “adm” stands for? “After Dinner Mints.” He’s a witty one!)

Anyway, ever since, the house has been crazy. Maybe it’s because Chloe had a 6-ish foot playmate chasing her around the house. Or maybe it’s because the temperature in the house is below 62 degrees and the cats are just crazy. Or maybe it’s because through the thin townhouse walls I can hear the joyous screams and squeals from the little girls next door. Or maybe it was because I had to out run the trash man at 7am this morning… *sigh* But when I thought about the saying “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” it’s impossible, especially with two cats and Chloe. I’m hoping Santa brings Chloe either a flock of sheep or a doggie tred mill for Christmas tomorrow. As for the cats, they will be receiving balled up wrapping paper. Apparently it makes an awesome crinkly sound and is super fun to chase.

Do people actually have calm and quiet Christmas Eves? Isn’t this the time that we typically find ourselves running around baking and cleaning and wrapping or last minute shopping? I challenge you to embrace today like I am… The laundry will wait (shocker, I know) until Sunday. My shopping is done, my presents are wrapped. I’m caught up on my reports. I’m going to do a little baking, just because I really want to eat them… but in the mean time, I’m off to get a holiday pedicure with my roomie! And I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty excited about that massaging chair! Gotta kick back and let go of the holiday stresses!

I hope you have a relaxing Christmas Eve, full of family, friends, and delicious baked goods!