There's no turning back.

I think I am having a mid life crisis....okay quarter life crisis.

Last week I started regretting leaving school. I wanted to be back in school, right then. So I went back to the website I had visited so many times and even saw my face on the web page a few times, the web page that was my life for 4 years. The website I wanted to be part of my life, right now. The website of my university.

I started thinking, maybe I can go back to be a teacher...the career I had originally gone to school for. Or I thought maybe I could pick up another certificate...something! Turns out I really screwed myself over. There was no way I would have the time or money to go back. If I would have majored in English I could grab a teaching certificate with probably a couple semesters. But no, I majored in Communication and minored in English like an idiot. I am at the point of no return, I understand that now. If I went back it would never be what it was.

So here I am, in MN, working.

Slackin' like it's my day job.

I know... I haven't been bloggin'.

I have lost my camera charger and the batter died. I know I don't NEED my camera to blog, but I feel lost without it! Even if it is just a point a shoot...that camera has been with me a while and I just don't feel like I can contribute a proper blog without her working. That is an exaggeration, but I am going with it.

BUT, I ordered a new charger online and I am expecting it within the week, then I may be back to some kind of order here.


Until then, enjoy this!

Thrifting Goodness 1.22.10

I went thrifting in Minneapolis this weekend. In the picture are all of my awesome finds. The red milk crate is packed with crafting goodness that I didn't want to spread out. I am pretty excited about all of it, I feel like I got lucky! I found a few new stores and went to my regulars that never let me down.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I am trying to save money...so I am avoiding the MOA, but you can't keep me from my thrift stores.

I figure I go thrifting enough that I will dedicate a post each time to my finds. Should I list what I find, or just leave it up to your imagination?

Charity is stylish too.

I realize I have not written a post about Haiti. When a tragic event happens, sometimes you just don't know what to say. Words can only help so much, it is the action that makes a difference.

Bringing me to the point of this blog. This morning I heard about the 6.1 aftershock in Haiti and read an accompanying ...article... One quote caught my eye "We have to wash with vodka and we have to operate with hacksaws because we don't have enough operating tools." That thought alone is terrifying. I can't even begin to imagine what people are going through there.

I then turned to Etsy to see what sellers were doing. I came upon this ...shop... She is donating 50% of every sale to Doctors without Borders. I had seen other sellers donating as well but I felt strongly about this charity, especially after that article I read this morning. I bought the ring pictured above to do my small part. I encourage you to see what else she has...you can be stylish and charitable. Maybe a V-Day gift showing the one you love that not only do you care about them but others as well.

If jewelry isn't your thing I encourage you to donate to Doctors without Borders ...here... or find a charity you feel strongly about. Every penny counts.

Lastly, if you are a text-er you can do this... SMS text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Relief Efforts

Thanks for reading, I only hope for the best for the residents of Haiti.

The road to knowledge begins with the turn of the page.

I was reading the blogs I follow today and I came across ...this... post. The blogger mentions this new e-reader phenomenon. After thinking about this I am kind of mortified by the idea.

I will start by admitting I played with the idea of owning one (even though the cost would stop me) but then my mind wandered to the smell of books. I have heard that the sense of smell is the strongest one for triggering memories. But the smell of books, oh my it is one of my favorites. I don't know if it is the smell of the ink or the infused smells it has picked up over the years of moving with me. Even my thrift store books..they carry the scent of perfumes of past owners and maybe the occasional unpleasant smell. But it is all part of the charm of owning a book.

I have always said I hope to one day have a room dedicated to books I love. That is still my goal.

I still have a ways to go but it is something I look forward to and I am not going to let an e-reader ruin that. I just hope books don't become the new cassette tape.

While on the topics of books..any recommendations? I have been in a reading funk and I am looking for something to get me back in my groove.

You're gonna make it after all.

This is a picture of me standing with the bronze statue of Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis.

Let me start by saying that I didn't take a picture with her because I am an avid fan of her show. Honestly, I think I have only seen one full episode. I took a picture with her because of what she represents for me.

The show gained attention because she was the first woman portrayed on television as a never married, independent career woman, not looking for a man to support her. A woman who made her fresh start in Minneapolis.

Sounds familiar, eh? No? Well, that is the same situation I am in too. My family made this connection first. First by emailing me ...this... episode to watch. Then telling me to find the statue. After 7 months of living here I finally had the patience to find her while driving through the traffic and one way streets in the city traffic. Luckily my ...bff... spotted her and also assisted in the picture taking.

I look to this bronze statue for inspiration, a reminder that I can do this.

If you were a booger I'd pick you first.

We are one month away from Valentine's Day. I Know this holiday can get some mixed reactions from people. Some are angsty because they are single, others think it is a "Hallmark" holiday, and the rest just can't get enough heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate.

I will admit, I am bringing in Valentine's Day 2010 single, but that is fine by me. I still like sharing my love with the other important people in my life. And to show some love this year I am dedicating this blog post to my favorite Valentine items on Etsy.

I am LOVING this anatomically correct heart trend. It is perfect for those who don't want to succumb to the lame lovey dovey stuff but still want to show the one they love that they are thinking of them. It is good for a laugh too in my opinion

The heart to the right is awesome. As soon as I saw it I tried to find a pattern online to make it myself, with no success. I may just have to cave and buy it, we will see

This digital print is just too cool. So bright and fun and with the perfect frame it would be the perfect wall accessory. Especially paired with some of the artist's other prints. I am definitely buying some of these.

And this, this is just too interesting to leave out. Who ever would have thought to make a heart out of watch parts?? Very cool. Show how much you love you have by wearing this pendent around your neck. "Baby, I will always have time to love you". Haha, I know, I'm slick.

Now for those of you who plan on celebrating by enjoying a few adult beverages I have found some great gifts too. Whether you are on a mission to not remember the holiday or you are enjoying a drink or two with that special someone. But don't worry you non drinkers! I got a great accessory for you to start your day with too.

Lastly, for those of you swooning over the one you love and maybe a little old school at heart I have this: You just can't get any cuter than that. I would love this as a gift, and you aren't hurting and trees to show your love :) So, you have one month to get that person you love something to show how much you care whether it a 12 pack and those neat pints or some plush anatomical hearts. Heck, maybe you can just cut open your chest and give 'em the real thing.

(If you want to check out any of these items or sellers just click on the picture, it will take you to their Etsy shop!)

It's like a fine wine.

I have always had an interest in fashion. I think it stemmed from my mother who would coordinate all of my outfits as a tod and only dress me in OshKosh B'Gosh. I like to think that I still have a good grasp on fashion even if it doesn't show in my everyday outfit. With that being said I found ..this blog..

Oh my gosh! If you didn't get swept up in that blog and returned to mine then I am just going to continue saying that I love that blog. I love the people they feature I love ALL of the outfits. I love the stories. I just love it all. I can only hope that I find that kind of fashion sense and confidence someday soon, because that is amazing.

I want a maid, I need a working vacuum.

I find myself in this mindset of "wanting" lately. I need to remind myself that wanting doesn't get me anywhere, it is the act of working towards what I want that gets me where I need to be. It seems that words want and need cross paths quite a bit. During this transition in my life I have a hard time deciphering between the two. I am just going to lay out the definitions ...here...maybe I will be able to prioritize better ...

So... my problem is I want new clothes so I go out an buy them. I need food in my apartment but I wait as long as possible to go grocery shopping. My budget needs to figure out that I am an "adult" now I have have finical responsibilities. I am very lucky to have a supportive family who is helping with this transition, but they won't be able to help forever.

My gaol for this year is to save money. Simple as that. Narrowing the goal a bit, I am trying to save at least $200 a month, but more when applicable. That way I can start a savings to buy the things I want, earn the things I want. Things like a Mac Book. Something I have wanted for years and told myself would be the first big thing I would by myself when I got a "real" job. That idea got pushed further and further back with every trip to the Mall of America.

So, hopefully soon I will be able to get the things I want, like the Mac Book, or a new camera like the Nikon D40, or new couches, or a maid to clean up after me. Okay, maybe not that last one.

Then there are things I want that money can't buy, like peace of mind, success, and happiness.



But then I remember I have people like this in my life:

My ...bff... and her son are coming to visit me this weekend. I may have just been home less than 2 weeks ago but I miss my family and friends every day, and knowing they are coming 370 miles just to see me makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It brings me some peace of mind.

Having people like them in my life is really all I need.

No, I am not talking about nickels and dimes, but I will give you my two cents.

There is a 18 year difference in the two images above.

Change is inevitable, and that is okay. It is how you embrace it that makes the difference.

Lately I have been having a hard time with change, as I have had a lot of it in a small amount of time. Which I guess, in this point of my life, is to be expected. The changes I have made don't normally bother me but then when I visit home my past in thrown back in my face.

What my friends say..."Remember when your hair was long?"

What I hear..." Remember when you were pretty"

Whats my friends say... "Remember when you had stretched ears?"

What I hear... "Remember when you were interesting"

What my friends say.. "Remember that one time at the one place?"

What I hear... "Remember when you were fun?"

Now, I know what I heard is not what they were saying, but the reason these things affect me is because I miss those things too. I am still that person, just different. I guess it is part of growing up. You make decisions and you live with them. Life is about sacrifices. I just pick the lesser of two evils. Right now at the top of my priority list is to make it in the professional world. I guess now would be the best time to experiment. New location. New job. New life, mixed in with the old.

I am just curious to see where things go. I wonder what change will come my way, I am going to welcome it with open arms.

Obama said change was good, maybe he is right.

Ikea won't keep me warm.

When searching for my first apartment all I could think about was "How much closet space is there?" "is the pool indoor or outdoor?" "What Ikea furniture would look best here?". Seriously.

And the wiser people ask questions like "what is the parking situation?" "How close is it to work?" "Is heating included in your rent?".

Now that I have actually lived in my apartment for 7 months I see the importance of all of the above (still including mine haha). Especially now, that it is in the dead of winter here in the cities. Thank goodness for my heated parking garage! No snow to scrape off in the morning. No worries if my car is going to start. And I can leave it there when I leave town for 2 weeks. Amazing!

The drive to work is 12 min long. So quick and easy. I am so grateful for my easy commute after a night of snow fall and working before the snowplows come out.

Lastly and most importantly, my heat is included in my rent. I lived in Wisconsin my whole life. That is one the "the states" people think about when they think cold. I never would have guessed there would be much difference from WI to MN. Well, boy was I wrong! It got colder faster than WI and sounds like MN is going to stay colder longer. Everyday I look at my hometowns temp and my current cities temp and it is easily always 20 degrees colder here. And I feel that difference! Brrrrrr.

I returned from my visit home on Sunday. My apartment was cold, but I expected that because I had turned it down before I left. As soon as I returned home I turned it all the way expecting my apartment to get warm well I was at work the next day. After a long stressful day at work I walked into a freezing apartment! It seems they are doing some water maintenance in my apartment building today. I am hoping that if there is a problem with my heat it will be fixed today. In addition to my slacking heat the patio doors I thought were so wonderful when I moved in are now my biggest problem. They have a terrible draft! I am stopping at the hardware store after work in hopes of finding double sided tape and plastic for my windows. Have to solve one problem at a time.

I just hope I don't have to keep layering my clothes before I go to bed. My laundry is building up. Good thing I have the closet space to keep it all in.