Thursday, January 29, 2009

Neighborhood Watch is Watching Your Neighborhood



Well, tonight Nick & I missed what was probably a fantastic episode of Grey's to go to a Community Watch meeting. A nice couple from our neighborhood decided to start up a Neighborhood Watch program and invited every one to attend the meeting. So, off we went to see what's what. It was swell. We broke up into groups depending on where we live and then chose Block Captains. Nick valiantly stepped up. Turns out we're Block Captains of basically our entire subdivision (not that it's that huge).

The next step, I guess, is to go around our designated area and collect information from the rest of the neighborhood that wants to participate in being nosy. Nick's pretty excited. I'm excited to meet new people.

In other random news, I had my dreaded appointment with the dentist. It occurred to me today that if I went to the dentist more regularly, perhaps I wouldn't dread my appointments. That seems entirely to logical so I dismissed it at once. Apparently I have a high tolerance for pain (so says Mr. Dentist Man) which surprised me. I always thought I was a wimp. :-)

Brenda is thisclose to coming back to work! YAY! We should have the word soon and then all will be right in my little world.

Random tibit from Nick (who is totally giving me stink eye because I'm forcing him to contribute): Today was rather nice. It got up to the 50's. It's a nice change from being subfreezing and windy. I'm going to get my hair cut this weekend. I've got an exciting java project I'm working on this quarter. Then I've only got 2 quarters to go to finish my second year. Woot.

Monday, January 26, 2009

I don't care what ya think as long as it's about me...

I'm listening to Fall Out Boy in my iPod - that's where the blog title came from. It always makes me smirk.

Anyway, it's been awhile since we blogged an update for ya. Nothing much really new, but I'm sure I can think of enough things to fill this blog up anyway.

First of all - we have a new layout! Isn't it cute? I love it. Black & white is my favorite. I got it from the cutest place (ad at the top) and it's so nice, because a lof of places that offer blog layouts completely overwrite your existing code so all that fun, doo-dad stuff I have at the right gets wiped out and I have to put it all back in. This place doesn't do that, so it's my new favorite.

Let's see...this past week was mid-term's for Nick. He's studying so hard and doing really well in school. I wish I had some extra moolah lying around that I could treat him to a mini-weekend get away vacation type of deal. We're trying to save every extra penny (we're not doing very well yet) because I need a new car. My old lady is dying. I'm hoping she hangs in there til tax time and I'm also hoping that we get decent returns so I can have a nice down payment on a nice, safe, 4 wheel drive vehicle. We're going to be smart car-buyers. We don't want a specific "type" - we want something safe, fuel effecient, roomy (so maybe a wagon or a small-sized SUV - we gotta be able to haul our camping gear around in it) and it should have 4 wheel drive (for those snowy winters and rough roads when camping!).

We saw Revolutionary Road (Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet) on Friday. After the movie, we weren't sure how we felt about it. It's completely not a feel good movie. Nick and I thought about that movie non-stop Saturday and we ended up having a huge talk Saturday evening - Susan told me she'd heard this movie changes your life and you know, I have to agree that it does. I'd say this movie is excellent for that alone. It's not a movie you can sit down and watch over and over, but I'd definitely say it's worth watching.

We've been spending quite a bit of time with the family recently, which is nice. Saturday we went over to my brother's house for dinner and games. Sunday we had my mom & dad over for dinner and games. We also decided last minute to host a Super Bowl Party - so if you're in the area and want to come, please do! It's BYOB and a snack/dish to share. I'll have a tasteful Scentsy display set out. :-) Maybe I'll get some sales?

Speaking of Scentsy - in Feb all stock will be 10% off. They're rolling out the Spring/Summer catalog on March 1st. If there are any scents you need, February would be a good time to order them at a savings. I know they're getting rid of some warmers as well - like the Americana & Bear Country. The Classic Collection will only have Satin Black, Chocolate, and Cream (so Ice Blue, True Red, Scentsy Green, Satin Navy, Scentsy Pink and Scenty Plum are going buh-bye). if you've been toying with getting of those, now would be the time. I may have an open house in mid-March to kick off the new catalog...I may not. :-) I'm considering closing my Scentsy business in March if I don't see an increase in sales. I didn't sell one single thing so far this month. I haven't had a Scentsy sale since mid-December. It's mostly my fault because I'm not promoting my business the way I should. Oh well. We'll see.

Well, I can't think of anything new. We haven't been doing a whole lot. I'll keep you updated!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Scentsy: Inauguration Special


Happy Inauguration!

As many of you know, the Presidential Inauguration will happen on 01/20/2009. Our country is about to embark on a new journey with a new president!

Let Scentsy join you on this exciting journey! In celebration of this event, I'm offering a 20% discount on the Americana Deluxe Scentsy Warmer (and the True Red, Cream, and Satin Navy warmers from the Classic Collection) AND 20% of all red, white or blue bars (rooms sprays, car candles, and bricks are also included!)

All orders must be submitted the week of 01/18 - 01/24 to qualify. Please let me know if you're interested in takign advantage of this exciting, EXCLUSIVE, offer! Don't forget to contact me for a list of all eligible scents!

Colds. Bah.



I'm sick. I've been sick since Sunday. Sunday night/Monday morning it manifested itself into vomiting. Thank GOD that passed. Now I just have the cotton stuffed head, running nose, hacking, miserable, exhausted cold. All I want to do is go home, pull the covers over my head and SLEEP. The work on my desk is staring at me, daring me to leave so it can multiply and breed like bunnies while I'm gone.

Go hang yourself, you old M.D.!
You shall not sneer at me.
Pick up your hat and stethoscope,
Go wash your mouth with laundry soap;
I contemplate a joy exquisite
I'm not paying you for your visit.
I did not call you to be told
My malady is a common cold.

By pounding brow and swollen lip;
By fever's hot and scaly grip;
By those two red redundant eyes
That weep like woeful April skies;
By racking snuffle, snort, and sniff;
By handkerchief after handkerchief;
This cold you wave away as naught
Is the damnedest cold man ever caught!

Give ear, you scientific fossil!
Here is the genuine Cold Colossal;
The Cold of which researchers dream,
The Perfect Cold, the Cold Supreme.
This honored system humbly holds
The Super-cold to end all colds;
The Cold Crusading for Democracy;
The Führer of the Streptococcracy.

Bacilli swarm within my portals
Such as were ne'er conceived by mortals,
But bred by scientists wise and hoary
In some Olympic laboratory;
Bacteria as large as mice,
With feet of fire and heads of ice
Who never interrupt for slumber
Their stamping elephantine rumba.

A common cold, gadzooks, forsooth!
Ah, yes. And Lincoln was jostled by Booth;
Don Juan was a budding gallant,
And Shakespeare's plays show signs of talent;
The Arctic winter is fairly coolish,
And your diagnosis is fairly foolish.
Oh what a derision history holds
For the man who belittled the Cold of Colds!

Ogden Nash

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Tubing!



Yesterday we went up to Garden Valley with my brother and his family. They found this new tubing hill and wanted to try it out. So, I went on the hunt for snow pants (my friend's dad said that when moving to Idaho, snow pants should have come with our house....I agree) and promptly decided we couldn't go. Our goal for January is to have no unnecessary spending. Snow pants ain't cheap. Even from WalMart they were $50 a pair. Well, turns out that Jamie & Carin had extra pants, so off we went.

Once we got there, we strapped on our gear and headed up. You can't ride together, you have to sit in your own tube - but you can go in tandem. Nick & I decided to do that, mainly because I'm chicken and don't like to do things myself. The tube lanes went from "mild to wild" so Nick and I went on the "mild" one to start. Um. Yeah. Our combined weight barreling down the slide at the same time? NOT GOOD. We went SUPER fast, my heart was in my throat for the whole ride and at several points I really thought we were going to shoot over the edge. Turns out, adults aren't permitted down the slide we went, unless they're riding tandem with their CHILD. Not with their SPOUSE. Would have been nice if the dude at the top had suggested that. Or the nifty tips that the dude at the bottom had for a successful tandem ride (going down like a train). The instructions by the staff wasn't the best; apparently they assume if you don't ask questions - you know how to do it. Even though this is new. Jamie & Nick both went through the power lines at the top of the lift, thus shutting down the lift for a few moments. The woman at the top had no problems talking crap about Nick to the other operators, but apparently couldn't be bothered to pass out any tips to get out sooner.

Anyway, after our wild ride down, I was scared to say the least. Nick went down lane 2 (lane 1 was the first one we went down) to see how it was by himself. It was still fast, he said, so he added this like bumper disk to the underside of his tube (apparently slows you down and smooths out the ride) and went back up to test it out. I waited patiently at the bottom, taking pictures. :-) Nick convinced me that going down with the bumper disk and going on your belly - face first - was the way to go. So, I went up again. It was okay, I suppose, but just not my thing. I have huge bruises across the tops of my thighs from bouncing around, my chin kept smacking into the tube and my feet, oh my poor feet, you have to use them to steer. Well, I don't have snow boots. So I had one my hiking boots and I got all banged up and sore.

Well, after that I was pretty much done. I like sledding and stuff, but tubing solo just isn't for me, I guess. After our passes were expired, we trooped back to the car, peeled off the layers of snow cloths and headed into nearby Crouch for dinner. The place we went also has a pool heated with natural geothermal heat. It. Was. Divine. Absolutely DIVINE. I could have happily spent my whole life in that pool - and after the owner guy offered Nick & Jamie (free) beer out of his floating cooler, I know the men were on board with never leaving as well.

All in all it was a good day. I had my reservations and doubts going in, I'm not sure I'd do tubing again - but I'm not crossing it off my list either, I'm glad I went and got to spend time with everyone.

Here's to a great rest of the weekend!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Getting Back To Basics

I just saw this Allstate commercial on TV and it totally inspired me.



Enjoying the small things and getting back to basics are key phrases in times like these. I'm fortunate enough to not have been too greatly affected by these tough financial times - Nick and I both have maintained our jobs and are able to keep up with our bills. We own a home and 2 cars. Money is often tight, but we're making due with what we have. Many of our close family members are not as fortunate and are absolutely left reeling in these times.

I get a little tired of hearing the phrase "because the economy is so bad" and then I have to stop, take a step back. I am an insurance agent for a commercial broker. A lot of our small contractors aren't making it and are having to close their doors. The market that was seeing a softening trend is firming back up, and carriers are tightening their guidelines.

In any case, I've gotten off track. It is important to stop and smell the roses. Especially now, when so many things are uncertain and fragile. Things are on the cusp for great change, but not without work, not without set backs and not without sweat. Things are likely to get a lot worse before they get any better, as the trend seems to go when working through problems. Taking time to stop and reflect on the things we are fortunate to have might just be the saving grace of getting us through these less than ideal times.

I don't typically make new years resolutions, I think I put in a previous post that I'm pretty much a constant work in progress. However, there are some goals for the 2009 year that I'm hoping to accomplish. I want to get back to doing things that I find pleasurable. Taking time to read. Singing (if only in my car - with no one else to hear, much to my family's annoyance), playing my piano. Learning how to make things by hand - making use of that infamous sewing machine I received as a birthday gift when I turned 15 (thanks, Mom!).

I need to get out and explore Idaho. I want to camp, hike, explore and enjoy nature. My dog would love it and it's good for all of us. And, for the most part, camping is free! Just the gas it takes to get to and from campsites.

I'm honest with myself and I know that there's lots I haven't done with my life that I wish I had done. I wish I had finished school. I wish I had taken time and explored the world and our fabulous country. However, the path I took lead me where I am and I have a pretty awesome deal. Had I finished school, who's to say if Nick & I would have made our long distance relationship last another 3 years? Had I gone off and explored the world, would he have come with me?

Anyway, I'm totally off topic. This happens all the time - I'm inspired by something and I log into blogger and then my thoughts just sort of flow all scattered. Oh well. :-) I guess my point was trying to take time and appreciate the little things you have that make you happy. It's hard to do when you're being forced to face pretty big challenges, but it just might make you feel a little bit better...at least for a little bit. So, what kind of simple pleasures are you overlooking in your life? Are you letting the pressures of the day wipe out any feel good moments you have opportunity to enjoy?

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Happy New Year


Well, dang it, it's almost time to get back to reality and go to work for a full week. It was so nice having 2 Friday's in a row off that I'm considering asking Greg if I can work 4 10's. That'll make for a super long day, but I would get the luxury of sleeping in on Friday morning. :-) Wouldn't that be great?

We rung in the new year by going out with some friends to a nightclub called Cowgirls. Of the clubs I've been too, I like Cowgirls the best because it's not a meat market like so many of them are. It's got a good feel and a nice crowd - you'll find every one from 21 year olds (and probably younger) all the way up to people in their 60's. I really do need to learn how to Two Step and then teach Nick. :-)

We really did have kind of a lazy weekend, which was way nice. Woke up late, kind of lounged around the living room before getting up to do much. Saturday we went out for a drive - no where in particular. We ended up finding a cute little antique store where we found some goodies. I plan on going back for sure!

This evening we went over to my brother's for dinner. We also attempted to play 6 handed pinochle, which is pretty hard! We'll figure it out. I think we should make more of an effort to do the family dinners, guys! That was nice. Next time you should come over to our house.

Did any of you make any new years resolutions? I've never really been one to wait til the new year to decide what I want to "fix" - I'm pretty much a work in progress. Nick & I are making more of an effort to work out a little bit every day. If we don't get up off our butts and do it, nothing will ever happen!!!

Well, not too much more to report. Lazy weekends make for boring blogs. Happy New Year every one!