Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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Monday, November 14, 2011

Long, but not forgotten.

You may have think that because of the lack of posting, I have neglected the dating on a dime. I HAVE NOT!! I'm actually doing an even better job. The boyfriend and I are trying to save moo-lah, to get out of debt and get out quickly. And you may be thinking this should be pretty easy, but when youre trying to tackle a combined $80,000, its not the easiest goal.

We have decided to make a budget. We alloted more money for grocery money and less for eating out. And if im completely honest, when he began to talk about the eating out budget, I got a little defensive. I love eating out: easy and conveinent. How could this ever be bad?!? I am the queen of eating every lunch out during the week, and at least 3-4 dinners. Not only was this killing my wallet, but if there were some health tests conducted, I'm sure its killing my health as well.

So far, we are halfway (well halfway minus a day), and I think we're on track. Saving all our receipts, and stocking up on coupons (not extreme coupons though, just normal stuff, I'm stoked to see how the budget comes out.

Even better than the money we are saving, I am feeling healthy, and my body is thanking me.
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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Dating on a Dime

In an attempt to save some moo-lah (money) and an attempt to develop healthier eating habits, the boyfriend and I decided to put a limit on eating out. When eating out, one of the two following criteria must be met:

1. We must have a coupon to eat there.
2. We must share the meal. (ordering one entree for 2 people)

And so far so good.

The boyfriend recently purchased a coupon book from Groupon, that has made the endeavor a little easier.

So far meals have broke down as follows:

-Dinner with Amy, at Camille's (a local sidewalk cafe), purchased two sandwiches, that came with two orders or chip and salsa and two drinks for a little over ten dollars~ after a buy one sandwich get one free coupon from the trusty book. The free meal was ran by the boyfriends house after hanging out with amy.

-For the good ole two-month anniversary, we enjoyed some food at CityBites, which just happens to be the boyfriends favorite place to eat and we happened to have another buy one menu item, get one free. He had a sandwich, I had a potatoe.

-We have also delighted into Sonic 'buy one extra long coney, get one free'

-And Jamba Juice 'buy one, get one free as well.'

Also, two outings (taken for lack of wanting to cook and for convienance), we shared a #10 (10 pc nuggets) from Mcdonalds, and 3 cheese chicken nachos from Qdoba.

......and yes, I actually do sometimes cook some meals. So I'd say so far so good. And I feel like we are really seeing a difference in the bank accounts.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011

DIY: Script Nails.

first DIY project: newspaper script nails.

this is the picture i found regarding the newspaper nails. i thought it looked interesting, pretty unique, so i thought id give it a shot.


step one: paint your nails a neutral color. i picked white. bad choice. i picked it because it could double when, more like if, i wanted to paint a french manicure.


step two: gather supplies (or maybe you should do this first). you will need scissors, newspaper, rubbing alcohol. and a bowl for the alcohol.


step three: (after pouring the alcohol into the bowl and newspaper is cut into small strips that can cover your nails) and after nails are dried completely. dip a nail in the alcohol and then place a newspaper strip on top of it. then remove the strip, and the writing should have transferred to the nail. you may finish the look with a clear coat of nail polish.

.......and this is how mine turned out:



yep, there is a very, very slight difference. i think it had to do with the bad color choice, probably a softer neutral would have worked better. also, the newspaper i used was older, i think if you used a fresher newspaper the ink would be more willing to come off of the pages.


however since my nails did not turn out so well, i had to take off the polish before work the next day, it looked like i was a child who played with a bottle of white-out.


so i guess the first see it and try it DIY project was not so successful, but dont worry i will redeem myself, and maybe one day redeem the script nails as well.



















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Sunday, May 8, 2011

i decided today that i don't blog near enough, so today (or maybe tomorrow) i plan on changeing that. a couple of things to be on the lookout for in the upcoming blog posts: DIY PROJECTS- i have always been a huge fan of these, however it always seem like the people giving tutorials are some sort of superhuman, while i, on the other hand, always seem to run into some sort of glitch, so ill write about the projects so that ou may be forewarned. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN LETTERS- there are different times in my life where some company lets me down. ill vent here to tell you what they could do better, ill include a letter if i am sending one to the company, and ill keep you updated on any measures taken to clear their name and restore goodness in humanity. CONDO UPDATES- ive lived in my condo for almost 7 months and have lots still left to do on the to do list. this will include before and after shots, and the ho-hum of the how the project came to completion. dont worry the blog will still, as always, continue to contain undertakings, life stories, and random thoughts.
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Monday, March 14, 2011

baby business

today i attended a baby shower, and of course, as with all baby showers, i needed a gift. i didnt't want just plain gift, i wanted something creative and unique. so i decided to achieve this goal, i would need to make it myself. and here are the final products.
the coffee onesie
(his parents are the owners of a local coffeeshop)
the batman onesie
(his dad loves batman, i was reminded of this when
flipping through facebook photos of the couple and
the picture of the batman groom's cake came up)
the mustache onesie
(every guy should rock a mustache no matter
what age they are)
the bowtie onesie


the classic white shirt and tie onesie
There may be future posts similar to this one, as I also have another friend who is having a baby boy soon, and I already have ideas running through my head.







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Saturday, January 15, 2011

50 THINGS IN 2011

So i have been thinking alot about new years resolutions lately, and yes i realize it may be a little late (better late than never, right?) and while a post in the near future will show the resolutions i am going to attempt, this post will highlight just one thing i would like to do.



im a born and raised oklahoma gal, never lived in any other state, only a brief hiatus of 5 months in africa. and as a tribute to my good ole state i want to take extra time familiarizing myself with it (on a budget of course) so im going to go and do these 50 free things located all around the state of Oklahoma. Even if I have already visited something on the list, i must do it again so that it will be done this year. and in case you are wondering, all said events are FREE!!! it cant get better than that.



1. OKC NATIONAL MEMORIAL

2. TRAVEL HISTORIC ROUTE 66

3. BLUE WHALE AND TOTEM POLE PARK

4. ROUND BARN AND POPS

5. MARTIN NATURE PARK
6. GENE AUTRY MUSEUM
7. CONOCO MUSEUM
8. WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM
9. OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL
10. OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR'S MANSION
11. CHICKASAW NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
12. TALIMENA NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
13.WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE
14. MOUNT SCOTT
15. HONOR HEIGHTS PARK
16. SPIRO MOUNDS
17. LAKE EUFAULA
18. TULSA GARDENS
19. GREAT SALT PLAINS
20. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE
21. STANDING BEAR PARK
22. MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY
23. ROBBERS CAVE
24. WASHITA BATTLEFIELD
25. TWISTER MUSEUM
26. PENSACOLA DAM & GRAND LAKE
27. BEAVERS BEND AREA
28. ART DISTRICTS
29. RED SLOUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
30. TULSA RIVER PARKS
31. MUSEUM OF THE RED RIVER
32. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GUTHRIE
33. SEQUOYAH'S CABIN
34. SIPOKNI WEST
35. HEAVENER RUNESTONE
36. ART DECO WALKING TOUR
37. MAT HOFFMAN ACTION SPORTS PARK
38. BLACK MESA
39. CAVANAL HILL
40. JM DAVIS ARMS & HISTORICAL MUSEUM
41. ATALOA LODGE
42. EXPRESS CLYDESDALES RANCH
43. LAKE ELMER THOMAS RECREATION AREA
44. PLAINS INDIAN & PIONEERS MUSEUM
45. BRAUM'S FAMILY FARM
46. ILLINOIS RIVER
47. TURKEY MOUNTAIN URBAN WILDERNESS AREA
48. HACKBERRY FLAT & SEQUOYAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
49. RED EARTH MUSEUM
50. STATE PARKS
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

commitment.

i signed up for a gym membership. 18 month contract. talk about a big commitment. it makes me really nervous. if i was ready for that sort of commitment, id get married or something.

update: i have indeed canceled my membership at the gym with the week that i signed up for it. i guess thats like cold feet at the alter.
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Friday, January 7, 2011

5/10


So i dont think i ever shared publicly my list of '10 BIG THINGS IN 2010', but i was able to locate it last night and thought i would share it with you along with the successes and failures. (and no i dont consider it cheating to put things down that are inevitable, and no i dont think its sad that the majority of the things i accomplished are this type of thing.)
#1. graduate college (debt-free): ACCOMPLISHED: i was successful in graduating college in may of this past year. i was also successful in graduating debt-free. and yes i love the fact i have no homework and dont have to go to classes.
#2. go on a cruise: FAILURE: we had planned a cruise with a handful of friends, but as usual, everyone flaked out. i am still holding out hope that this gets to happen sometime in the near future.
#3. celebrate grandma's 80th birthday: ACCOMPLISHED: i drove over 4 hours to get there to see lots of people that i had no idea who they were. but suprisingly, it was really fun. it was fun to see my grandma enjoying herself and mingling with lots of loved ones. i recommend everyone have one of these.
#4. get a real job: ACCOMPLISHED: in october, i was hired for m first 40 hour work week job, and for the record, its not as glamourous as one would think or hope. it has taken alot of getting use to and i am still adjusting to this huge change. however, it is nice to have some sort of structure and normalcy in life.
#5. run a half marathon: FAILURE: i did not run the half marathon, i did somewhat train for it though. if i recall correctly, i trained for about 7 weeks very very consistently, and then i guess i just hit the wall, and couldnt motivate mself any more.
#6. visit NYC or Portland: FAILURE: this makes me very sad, and im still holding out hope and dreaming of the day that i can make one or both of these trips.
#7. lead house church: ACCOMPLISHED: i was able to co-lead the UCO house church for Bridgeway this past spring. i enjoyed the group of us that were able to gather together and dig into the WORD.
#8. start a non-profit organization: FAILURE: i was unable to start a nonprofit organization, i did a 501(c)3 conference sponsored by FIREPROOF MINISTRIES and learned an incredible amount. i am taking my time before taking any immediate steps in this direction. time to grow and mature and build a solid foundation for any organization.
#9. become an aunt: ACCOMPLISHED: on february 12th, i became the aunt to the most beautiful baby girl, Hazel. I love her with all that is within me and i dream of the days we get to spend together.
#10. get married (10-10-10): FAILURE: however, i dont really view it as a failure. i didnt put this big thing down, because i am so desperate to tie the knot, but more because i love the number 10 and thought it seemed like the perfect day.
and so as you can see...i accomplished 5/10. i dont think thats too bad. 50%!!
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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

growing up.

Another natural part of growing older and settling down..




Planting and trying to keep alive a house plant. It beats a pet or a child anyday.


And if anyone is wondering, the type of plant is an amaryllis. I think she'll grow up to be red...if she gets a chance to grow up.





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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

documentaries.

prepare yourself for a not so interesting blog post.

okay now that you are prepared i will continue on with my train of thought. first off, i am trying really hard to get the creative juices flowing, however i have not been very successful at making this happen. i am attributed this problem to that fact that i am waiting til after 10pm to write a post.. my body and mind are now accustomed to going to sleep at 10.30, or if i get a wild hair 11 o' clock. so sorry, i will try fixing this problem as soon as possible.

for those of you who know me at all, know that i dont watch much tv. and movies are beginning to grow on me. but i do love me some documentaries. i think the reason that i love these so much is because i love people. i love watching them, talking to them, studying them, everything. i also recently signed up for netflix..this could be dangerous. and in my current queue of documentaries is catfish (some facebook something something) and 24 hours on craigslist (a documentary about being on craigslist for 24 hours and meeting the people behind the post)..craigslist and documentaries- this should be heavenly. also, tonight i watched the 48 hours mystery about the craigslist killer, i was inspired to do this because of all the hype with the new lifetime movie..

and that last line just led me to the thought of ''is this really what my life is like? did i just get excited about all the hype about a lifetime movie? wow..''

also, what i have been thinking about lately is making a documentary. im not sure what it will be about yet or where i will get the video camera. but im convinced to document the human condition.

sorry this post has been lame (though im not really sorry, remember my blog, my rules) but at least it can only go up from here..
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Monday, January 3, 2011

minute.

i really am excited to be writing again. however, i do find it rather hard to actually figure out what i am going to write about. im not sure if thats because i have so much or so little to write. also, i feel like alot of the time, i have a ton of thoughts squirming around in my head and how could i just choose one to see the light of day. and other times, i feel like why in the world would people even want to waste a couple of minutes reading something crazy that i thought about. but this is one thing that i am certain of: this is my blog. and as a result, i'll write whatever i want.

recently when thinking about reviving my blog- i liked the idea of it. however i was thinking that maybe now my blogging may be too real- too intense -too honest -too transparent and that i should probably just stick to journeling, where i can bare my soul and not dare be judged by anyone. but then i realized , with the help of my new sweet computer, that id rather type then put a pencil to the paper. and also, i wont be accumulating more clutter than i already have. and in my small dwelling, this is of high importance.

so the thought of the hour: thinking about how many hours you spend on certain tasks may make you want to vomit.

for example:
8 hours of work a day. thats 40 hours a week. and 2080 hours a years.
(and in case you didnt realize it..2080 hours comes out to 86 2/3 whole days...)

a 30 minute lunch at work per day. 2.5 hours a week. 130 hours a year. (5.42 days)

a 10 min commute. 20 minutes per day. 1.667 hours a week. almost 87 hours a year just driving to and from work.

SICK YET?

let's just say i spend 30 minutes on facebook a day (thats probably being very conservative)

3.5 hours a week. 182 hours a year. 7.58 days a year on FACEBOOK!! not how i want to spend a whole week...

thoughts similar to these ones are the sole reason that you will hardly ever find me watching the television. and no im not some crazy who thinks tv is from the devil (though its debatable).

these thoughts are also part of the reason i find it incredibly hard to work and enjoy a 40 hour a week job..

and yes, im aware, this is not the happiest and most intriguing blog, but its what's on my mind and it is MY blog. and now im off to bed to sleep (8 hours. 56 a week. 2912 a year. 121 days...)
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Sunday, January 2, 2011

and we meet again..

i've decided to update my blog. its only seems fitting that it progresses somewhat considering thats all my life seems to be doing these days. (and no, i dont mean that in an 'uppity, stuck up' sort of a way. i do mean that in a 'you better hold on to the seat of your pants, buckle in, hope not to fall off, enjoy the ride' sort of way.) as a result of this crazy, completely unknown, heartbreaking, joyful, tiring, intriguing, crazy undertaking... i have decided to blog. i am beginning to realize that in a world full of alot of unknown and wavering things, that you should hold onto to the things you love and are certain of and the things that keep you sane. and this, my friends, falls into that catergory.

im not sure if you are the toasting type, but if so, or even if not, let's make a toast:

a toast to a new year, a toast to a new blog, and a toast to my sanity.
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