Days like today

Days like today remind me that I need to take time for myself. Whether that is staying home with the dog, reading a book, watching a movie, or making a new item, it's very important that I take time for myself.

One thing I want to add back into the rotation is working out in the evenings. And I say evenings because I know myself well enough that I just won't get up in the mornings to do it. I'm more of a night owl than an early morning person. So, I have to put some time aside to get on the exercise bike, or start doing yoga at home. I've been meaning to put aside time for yoga in the evenings, other than my classes, but work has been kicking my butt these last two weeks. Though, lame duck should be over soon (crossing my fingers!!!)

Maybe I can fit that in tomorrow...

Finally - something new!

It took me awhile last night, but I finally sat down and made something new - here's the unveiling!





Now, with today being my last day of work for the week (I love my boss!), how much reading, movie watching, other random things will I get done??

Things I haven't been doing lately...

As the holidays get closer, it's been more evident that my reading piles have gotten larger because I haven't been reading much, my apartment is a mess because I haven't been cleaning much, and I have a bunch of pictures I've already developed (this isn't even counting the ones I haven't) that still need to be scrapbooked.

So, I finally started reading a book I've been meaning to - the 2nd book in the Twilight series, New Moon. However, I also have to read The Daily Show and Philosophy for a book club, and I've also started Merle's Door about an owner and the dog he found on a trip. Of course, I haven't gotten far in any of them yet.

But of course, I've been thinking of taking up knitting or crocheting - neither of which I know how to do. But, do I really need another hobby?

Going back to the hobbies

So, this past weekend, I got inspired to start beading again. Bridget was wearing a pink necklace to bowling on Saturday night, and it gave me an idea. This is what it turned out to be:










It's pewter colored, with clear Swarovski crystals. the spacers are sterling silver daisy spacers and the clasp is sterling also.



Ah, how nice to be using the stuff I have...

Life hiatus or I don't think one Hot Pocket is enough for dinner

While I'm digesting my Hot Pocket, I figured I'd write a blog. I'm still determining whether I should have more food for dinner.

During the last week of June, I kept telling my co-workers that my goal was to take most of July off. I think I'm doing well with that. The first week, I worked two days. This week, I worked three days. Next week, I'll be in for four days. Prior to that, it had been quite a long time since I took more than one day off.

In the meantime, I've been really lazy about doing any scrapbooking or jewelry stuff. No more! I fixed a necklace last night, and made a pair of earrings to go with it. Tonight I hope to get around to some scrapbooking. It's also been awhile since I've been to a yoga class, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I attempted to do a short practice the other night, but I like class.

On the other hand, I've been doing fairly well in watching movies and reading. Which means if I've been doing well at watching movies, I've usually been riding the exercise bike (yay!).

I'm almost thinking to do everything I want to do, I might have to start scheduling myself for some things. I already schedule my yoga class, but unfortunately, life got in the way that last week of June. But I hate to be stuck to doing something...sigh, what a dilemma!

In the meantime, I'm going to have another Hot Pocket, get on the bike and watch "So You Think You Can Dance!"

Gentlemen, start your engines!

Yup, Eric and I went to our first ever NASCAR race on Saturday. It was held in Brooklyn, MI at Michigan International Speedway.

Now, I know you're saying "Ugh, NASCAR", but we had a pretty good time. We never watched it before this year, and only because of friends of ours did we start. I watched some Indy car last year, but not really a lot of NASCAR.

My only complaint about the race was smoking was allowed in the stands. I'm not used to this - when I go to a football game or other sporting event, there's no smoking in the stands. The people next to me kept lighting up, and of course, their smoke ended up in my face. Yuck.

For those of you that don't know, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his first race in the last 76 starts! So, it was a good day for most of us. The weather was beautiful, and man are those cars loud! I know, I look more like I went to a football game...

And, my favorite driver (and former Indy driver), Sam Hornish, Jr.

"No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up."

This is a busy weekend. Last night, I went out to dinner with a friend of mine, and then we went to see the movie "Gone Baby Gone". I really, really liked the movie, and Casey Affleck was just amazing. There were some great scenes, and the overall message makes you think. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I was at a Jaycees event for a couple of hours today. We hosted "Stuff the Bus" to help 6 families we adopted from the Salvation Army. When I left, we had quite a few items in the bus. I hope the rest of the event went well!

And then, I have just returned from Grand Rapids. I met Eric there, since we both stayed at our respective homes this weekend due to scheduling conflicts. Anyway, we went to dinner, then did some Christmas shopping. I hate that I'm at a loss as to what to get for some people. Then, other people are just so easy to shop for. I decided that this year, I was going to try and spread a little holiday cheer instead of being a grinch. Let's hope for the best on this goal!

Then tomorrow is brunch and "Spamalot" with the office. That'll take up a good chunk of the day, then I want to make some more cookies, but we'll see how time goes. I could make cookies, make cards, do a scrapbook page, watch a movie, read a book - there are so many possibilities. Although, I may just be lazy - I'm starting to feel a little run down and sick, but I don't know if that's from just standing outside in the cold today!

Well, off to do something...

"Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun."

I think it finally hit me - I basically just fell off the face of the planet the last couple of months. When I look back, I really haven't done much! Well, ok, I have, but there are some things I have just neglected. I'm sure that happens for everyone at some point or another.

I'm finally starting to get back into the swing of things. Reading a new book, hanging out with people, watching movies. Now I have to start scrapbooking and making some jewelry again. I have all next week off, and I'm super excited about it!

This week, we're going to the UM/OSU game. ESPN Gameday will be there, and that means we'll be getting up extra early to go. I want to make a sign - does anyone have any ideas?

I got my haircut this past weekend. I don't have a good picture of it yet, but when I do, I'll post it. I really like how it turned out. It was a total of 6 inches that got snipped off! I felt weird the next day, using too much shampoo. Haha.

Off to go do some reading...

"I've just recently decided that the things we know aren't black and white."

The title of this blog is from the movie "Elizabethtown". Remembering it makes me want to watch the movie again, so maybe I'll do that this weekend.

Days like today make me feel like a total failure. I woke up late, have had a headache most of the day, and just downright didn't feel very well. I stuck it out at work for the rest of the day, but didn't feel productive at all. Then, of course, my night isn't very exciting. Me, food, TV, and my book. Woo hoo.

Lately, I've been starting to feel run down and unfocused. I can't quite figure out how to get myself to start doing anything again other than sleep. I want to scrapbook, make jewelry, read, but I just don't when I get home. I have been watching some movies, so I suppose that's a start. For awhile there, I was just hanging out and listening to my iPod.

I will also finally be getting my hair cut this weekend. It's been awhile, mostly because I'm lazy and couldn't afford to go. Haha. I'm really excited, because I think it will help.

Anyway, I'm sorry to anyone that I've come across and just been about as fun as a wet rag. I'm trying to snap out of my funk, but I probably haven't been all that fun to be around! Sigh.