Financial Investment Year?

This year has unfortunately been the year when I've needed to replace a lot of stuff . . . the kind of stuff you know that you will eventually need to another one of or grow out of or will wear out . . . but it's been a bit rough on the ole wallet.

So far I've had to get new:
- tires
- professional pants (don't fit in/worn out the old ones)
- gym pants & shorts
- sneakers
- glasses (really really need to get new glasses.  Can't squeak by on my prescription from 1999 anymore)
- sports bras
- regular bras
- jeans, probably (I might be able to make it another year)
- printer (Well it won't print on photo paper! whyyyy? I don't want to buy a photo printer but I want to print my photos!)
- actively praying that I don't have to replace my computer.
- hopefully: job and housing situation (ah! scary stuff!)

Now I pretty much haven't replaced a lot of these things in a looooong time, so getting this new stuff is basically an 'investment' that I'm ok making, but I just wasn't expecting to have to make this many 'investments' all at once!

My most recent investment was getting some new bras at Nordstrom (Anniversary Sale! woo!).  My old bras are really in terrible shape and cause me all sorts of problems, so this was a good thing.  I also got the sales attendant to measure me and help me pick the right size, so it is great to get stuff that fits!

But the inevitable problem is that my new bras are so new and pretty I don't want to wear them!

Progress Report: July

So I'm down to the final month before my birthday (less than a month!) and it is time to take a look at what I have and haven't achieved.

I'm a little disappointed that there are so many things that I did not achieve or did not achieve fully.  But at the same time I am really pleased that I DID accomplish a lot of these things.  I think I learned a lot about how I need to improve my habits and attitude to better accomplish things and to work towards goals consistently.  I realized that it was a lot easier to accomplish goals that were more specific, and that some of these things take a lot of time.  Hopefully I can take this into consideration when making my goals for next year.

But here is where I am so far with my goals:

1.  Learn some sewing.

Have not done this.  I got very intimidated by it.  I think I needed to set a more specific goal like make a pillow or learn to hem dresses.

2.  Get a better job

Have not done this.  This was a roller coaster for me.  I went from wanting to leave my job, to feeling better about it and more interested in staying another year, to being really disenchanted and now wanting to leave even more.  I am currently taking this much more seriously.

3.  Move out

This goes with 2, and again was a roller coaster issue.  People went from being really unsupportive of me moving to now being more supportive.  But again this is a step I would ideally want to take in conjunction with or after accomplishing Goal 2.

4.  Actually write something.

I am really disappointed that I have not done this yet. I may still try to write a short screenplay.  I have had a lot of great ideas but for really large projects.  I still feel like I need to get myself to accomplish something small before I get too invested in doing something big, even if it is just a big story outline.

5.  Learn to iron.

ACCOMPLISHED!!!

6.  Go to California for vacation.

ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Music this Week: Some Pop and Some Oldies

Wow it has been a long time since my last Music of the Week.  I have picked up a couple new albums but have still been listening to a lot of the same old tunes: Florence + the Machine, Marina and the Diamonds, Billy Joel and I've definitely been having a Monkees Revivial--- probably to console myself that I can't afford to go see them on tour this season.

1. Pompeii - Bastille
(Sorry the music video is a little lame, but song is good!)

First I need to point out this song because I LOVE IT.  I was pleasantly surprised when I went to itunes to buy this song and it was itunes' Free Single of the Week last week.  I instantly listened to it 10 times in a row.  I actually forced myself to take a 2 day break from listening to it as a precaution in case I was getting obsessively insane about it.  If you want to check out other songs by Bastille try Bad Blood or Sleepsong.  Those are my other two major favorites.

2.  I Wanna Be Free - The Monkees

Like I said, been listening to the Monkees a lot.  They are great.  I really like them a lot.  This song has really stuck with me a lot lately.  When I was a  kid I thought this was lame song about a guy who a lame committment-fobe, but now I feel like it is about actually a much more sophisticated a concept and might be a major part of my philosophy toward love.

3.  Casino - Nashville

SURPRISE! Yes, it's another song from Nashville! my favorite new tv show of the season!  I can't wait for the next season.  Til then I'm going to sing along to this.

4. You'll Be Mine - The Pierces

My sister turned me on to this folky-pop duo, who apparently sing the credits song for Pretty Little Liars.  They had a couple songs I really liked so I got their album, and the whole thing really grew on me.  My favorite song though has to be their beautiful cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Kathy's Song.  I find it truly moving.

5.  Just Desserts - Marina and the Diamonds & Charlie XCX

New super-fun Marina song!  Lyrics are not always outstanding, but who cares?  Just dance. (Also I got this as a free download! woooo!)

6.  Rhiannon - Stevie Nicks

A classic and such a good song.

7.  Ramblin Rose - Nat King Cole

I also have just been really enjoyed belting this out on my commute to work for some reason. RAMBLIN ROOOOOOOSE . . . RAMBLIN ROOOOOOOOSE

Come On Get Crafty: Between, Among the Lines

I recently found this when I was cleaning my desk.  I don't know if it is done.  I might want to fill in some more lines near the left border.

I haven't done any cards in a while.  Looking back through some of my crafty posts makes me want to get back into it again.

There goes my productivity: Ladybugs 12 at the the Ladybug Picnic

For reasons I won't get into I was searching YouTube for the 'Ask for Help' song I used to sometimes see on Sesame Street when my little sister was still little enough to be watching that sort of thing.

But instead I good distracted by this gem from my childhood!



I don't remember that clever line about fire insurance, but I get it now!

P.S.  This playlist also has Teeny Little Super Guy!

Compliments, after a week of definitely no compliments

I had a really lousy week at work this week where I felt undermined, disrespected, and treated very unfairly.  I am feeling pretty demoralized about the whole thing, I came across this video (via TWLOHA) and it made me emotional and ultimately feel a little better.

I guess people CAN still be nice and considerate, and treat each other with kindness and respect.


Although, I always wonder, what do people say to each other after they have had moments like this?  'Thanks' seems a bit understated.  Does it dramatically alter their lives and relationships, or do they just go about their business as if nothing really that special happens?  I never know what to do with myself when people effusively compliment me.