Things I Love: Snow Edition

Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Daily Grind, Photos
14 Comments

I thought the Northeast was going to get a break when it came to snow this year. Apparently, Mother Nature was saving it all for February. While these photos are from our snowstorm last week, we’re supposed to be due for another snowstorm this week as well. I’m not sure how bad the snow is supposed to be, but I guess we’ll find out. My Mom and I decided that it looked like our dogwood trees had pompoms on them. I thought the whole street looked so pretty enveloped in snow!

Sometimes the snow can really get to you, but there are times when I love being snowed in. Here are some of my favorite things to do when I’m stuck in the house:

  • Read a book (for fun, not for school!): Sitting under a warm blanket on the couch with a good book and my cat. It’s relaxing and fun. The time also flies by while reading.
  • Bake cookies. My mom and I made chocolate chip cookies with an ice cream scoop. They were huge! When I was a little one we always had stuff to make chocolate chip cookies.

  • Message boards: I am a member of a few boards, and snowdays are my favorite days to catch up on the online gossip. I love Exploding Heart, Lights, and fu.chewed-kandi.
  • Organizing: I usually hate cleaning my desk, especially when school is in session. It’s organized chaos especially this semester. Organizing my desk, combining some lists, and rewriting my notes (yup, I’m a nerd) are some great things to keep me busy.

    Last but not least, I love giving myself a pedicure, even if it’s not peep-toe weather. There’s something about soaking your feet (add rose petals for a luxe feel and light scent), and painting your toes a fun summery or spring color that brightens the winter blues.

    While sometimes it can be boring being stuck in the house and waiting for time to pass, keeping yourself busy can really help to make a snow day fun AND productive. If all else fails go outside and have a snowball fight and make a snowman. Maybe those crazy neighborhood kids that live near me have the right idea?

    What do you like to do on a snow day?

    New Toy!!

    Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
    Beauty & Fashion, Daily Grind, Photos
    26 Comments

    My old straightener was a dinosaur. It had huge hot plates on it which my hair dresser told me was bad for my hair and I should switch to a thin plated straightener. Plus, that old boy has been in my bathroom since I was in high school. Without further ado, I stopped at Ulta and bought myself a new straightener. A Zoe with a limited edition design and purple hot plates. Super!

    I used it yesterday to test it out (much to Keith and my Dad’s dismay. They hate, HATE, when I straighten out my curls). First I wanted to see how long it was when it was straight, and it’s well past my shoulders now.

    I decided to be silly and hide behind my massive amount of hair. The total straightening time was about a half hour which is amazing since my hair is so thick and curly. I also picked up some straightening product which also protects hair from heat. It’s by got2b and it’s called XL Conditioner. Amazing product for only 6.00!

    When it comes to my hair, I absolutely love my curls. I didn’t really begin to appreciate them until I was in high school. Everyone I know loves my curls the best too. But sometimes it’s fun to have a bit of a change. All it takes is one drop of water and I’ll have a GIANT curl where ever that water drop fell. When I straighten my hair I feel like a different person. I also look so much like my Mom that it’s almost scary how close the likeness is.

    This iron was only 29.99, so if you’re like me and only straighten your hair a few times a year (I’m lazy, what can I say?), this is an amazing straightener. It works, it’s pretty, and it’s not a drain on your wallet.

    2009 Reflections

    Friday, January 1st, 2010
    Daily Grind, Family & Friends, Keith
    13 Comments

    First and foremost, I hope that all of you fabulous pals of mine had a safe, happy, and fun New Year’s Eve and Day. Keith and I celebrated at his house with some friends and his family like we usually do. We drank some Busch Light (light, so it’s healthy–right?), some green, and some xbox. We continued the celebration into today when we came back to my house to have a nice dinner and dessert with my parents. I thought it would be fun to reflect back on good ole 2009, and what I’m looking forward to for 2010.

  • I finally began shoveling. Before this year I never picked up a shovel to clean up the driveway after a snowstorm. When my Dad hurt his knee in February I stepped up to the plate.
  • I made some amazing new friends. People who were in my classes, but I never really spoke to have become some great friends to me. I’m so glad that this year I actually talked to more people.
  • Keith and I attended three weddings, one of which we were both in, and started to realize that taking our sweet time on the engagement, wedding stress, and house buying is A-Ok!
  • Attended the sex museum and braved NYC without the guidance of my Dad who happens to know how to get EVERYWHERE! It was so fun to experience.
  • Said goodbye Keith’s dog, Royal. Keith’s golden retriever was one of my favorite dogs ever. In April he passed away due to cancer.
  • Learned how much work a puppy is–and how much of a cat person I am–when we babysat Brody, Keith’s new golden/chow pup for the first three days of him being home.
  • Realized that crying doesn’t mean you’re weak.
  • Learned from Kenny that “Showing No Weakness” is what you need to do, even if you want to crawl into a ball…and cry.
  • Kept off my 50 pounds that I lost–and have continued to reshape my lifestyle with health and fitness.
  • Realized that good people get screwed when the economy fails. Keith and I learned how to be frugal and still have fun when he was laid off. (He now has a new job!!!)
  • “Reinvented” (for lack of a better word) my relationship with God. It’s one of the most amazing things I have experienced.
  • Gave up shaving for 2 weeks ala Amanda Palmer, just to see what it was like. Liberating? YES! Doable for me? NOPE!

    And my goals for 2010 thus far:
    -Get a teaching job when I graduate in May.
    -Survive student teaching–and hopefully love it!
    -Work on my birthday notebook, so I can have everyone’s birthdays in order.
    -Write in my journal more often. No more 3 month lapses.
    -Continue filling my recipe box.
    -Write more letters.
    -Maintain my weight loss.
    -Spend time with family and friends.
    -Enjoy life, and try not to stress out as much as I do.

    What are some of your highlights of the year? What do you hope to accomplish? Here’s to a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2010!

    End of Semester Meme Fun

    Thursday, December 17th, 2009
    Daily Grind, School
    7 Comments

    As of 7:15pm, I am officially done with my Fall 2009 semester. Next semester is Student Teaching and then I’m graduating and shipped off into the big, scary world of “finding a real job.” I wanted to do a college meme, but since I’m not done I found this fun high school meme on a blog and decided to be nostalgic and give you all a glimpse of what I was like in high school. Since I’ll be teaching high school this was especially fun for me. Enjoy!

    This is my friend Kelly and I in high school. Please excuse my visor. I got it in SF, wore it throughout my wine country tour, and still have it. I don’t know if Kelly still has her awesome pants, but I sure hope so. Yes, we are still best friends, FYI. I’m aware that I look goofy as hell.

    Where did you graduate from and what year?
    Hamden High, 2005.

    Who was your significant other?
    I’m only going to talk about important ones, haha. I guess Stan and his blue hair when I was a freshman/sophomore, and then Keith from then until now. There were some other people in between, but I’m all set with including them. Let’s just say these are the ones I DON’T regret.

    Was your Prom a night to remember?
    I went to two, Keith’s and mine. Keith’s was cool, but I was sick as hell. Mine was awesome. It involved a sleazy hotel room, dancers, and a graduation party the next morning. My hair was sick.

    What was your favorite song you danced to the night of Prom?
    I couldn’t tell you what was played. Sinatra was playing during dinner, but we weren’t allowed to dance during dinner.

    Do you own all 4 yearbooks?
    Yup, I’m spoiled.

    What was your favorite movie in high school?
    Idle Hands, SLC Punk, Billy Madison…a lot of the same ones I have now, but less zombies.

    What radio station did you jam out to in high school?
    I didn’t jam…I rocked. RADIO 104. You wouldn’t know how cool 104 really was. I woke up to Dee Snyder’s morning show every day. 420 Brownie, I miss you.

    What was your number 1 choice of college in high school?
    SCSU, the one I ended up going to. I only applied to one college and hoped for the best. Yay hoping!

    Were you involved in any organizations or clubs?
    French Club, GSA, and Culinary Arts when I was a senior.

    What was your favorite class in high school?
    The Restaurant hands down. I loved eating and cooking things. I ate my weight in hash browns, and back then, that was a lot.

    Who was your big crush in high school?
    I guess who I was dating. OH! And Mr. Sudusky. OMG.

    Would you say you’ve changed a lot since highschool?
    YES! I’m smarter, skinnier, and stronger. I also use more alliteration.

    What do you miss the most about it?
    I miss the easiness of it. I always had money back then for the movies.

    Your worst memory of HS?
    When I got dumped? That was serious business back then. And probably any Math class.

    Did you have a car?
    My senior year I had a cavalier. But until then Keith drove me to school junior year, and I always made us late. Before that, my Mom would drive me a lot because I never made it to the bus.

    What were your school colors?
    Green and gold.

    Who was your favorite teacher?
    Mrs. Frumento. She made me want to become a teacher.

    Did you own a cell phone in high school?
    Yup, a sick, thick, brick. Complete with blue LCD display.

    Did you leave campus for lunch?
    We weren’t allowed to, but we did anyway.

    If so, where was your favorite place to go eat?
    Chili’s…bottomless chips & water all around! And Acrop, which I still eat at quite often.

    Were you always late to class?
    First period, senior year…more often than not.

    Did you ever have to stay for Sat. School?
    Nope, I just got suspended. They jumped over Saturday Detention with me.

    Did you ever ditch?
    Yeah, a lot once I hit senior year. But before that I’d have my Momma call me out. I skipped once to go see “The Passion of Christ.” Good times.

    When it comes time for the reunion will you be there?
    If I’m not on the West, why not?

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Thursday, November 26th, 2009
    Daily Grind, Family & Friends
    7 Comments

    For anyone who celebrates, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful day with family, friends, and of course the insane amount of delicious eats. I’m thankful for many things EVERYDAY, but it’s fun to talk about what you’re thankful for especially on this holiday. My little cousin Caleb suggested everyone go around the table and say something they’re thankful for. Here is my list.

  • My family, my friends, Keith & Socks all take first priority. But that’s a given.
  • Good health. =]
  • Books. I love all kinds, all genres. I just love to read. Without books I would truly be a lost soul.
  • Rapid Release Tylenol. I’m way too impatient to deal with headache pain. This stuff works wonders.
  • Goldfish Crackers. They remind me of my childhood, and I still eat and by them in bulk.
  • Journals. I keep a journal aside from my blog. It’s so therapeutic and I would miss writing in a journal if for some reason I was unable to.
  • My relationship with my Mom & Dad. As an only child I am very close to each of my parents and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I cherish the relationship I have with them.
  • Pizza. I could have it every day. I love pizza.
  • Planners. Again, something I would be lost without. I love planners, planning, crossing out plans, making plans. Planning rocks.
  • You guys! Without my readers I wouldn’t have met so many great friends, my site would be pointless, and I wouldn’t have so many amazing blogs to read.
  • Ginger-free pumpkin pie!! MY COUSIN LAUREN IS AWESOME & MADE THIS FOR ME. It was delicious!!
  • The elliptical machine. It helps with all of the pizza I consume.
  • A warm house and other commodities that many do not have, such as a car, clothes, ample food, and the like.

    I am thankful for so many things that I could never compile a whole list of everything that I appreciate. What are you all thankful for? Material or otherwise?

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