Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
To Do List
Today I had a big To Do list for my day off.
I needed to clean my room because it was completely and overwhelmingly messy.
I also needed to do my taxes and to cook something with the ground beef I've had in the freezer for ages so that I have something to eat during the day.
First things first though, I needed some sleep.
When I finally got up I set a goal to work on my room for a full hour with no breaks and in the first hour or work I got most of my room cleaned up, just by picking things up off the floor and putting them away!
Then I spent an hour working on my taxes. I had to enter 5 W2s this year! Yikes! I came to a stop there when I realized I need paperwork from my student loans and car loans. I usually love doing my taxes. I put it off and put it off, don't get me wrong, but once I start doing TurboTax I get a little thrill watching the refund box amount get bigger and bigger. I will be happy to finish it this year and get it out of the way.
After that hour I spent another hour cleaning my room and now its all clean.
Since that I've kind of lost steam and haven't started cooking the chili I have been planning for days. I just made myself another cup of coffee and am having a sofa break hoping I get some motivation back. I certainly have been productive today, even if my whole list isn't checked off just yet.
Here's something that makes me smile today:
I love all the Joe's cups Amy has gotten me in Oklahoma. I hope I get to go to Joe's one day. These cups are the best. My new favorite is the pink one.
I needed to clean my room because it was completely and overwhelmingly messy.
I also needed to do my taxes and to cook something with the ground beef I've had in the freezer for ages so that I have something to eat during the day.
First things first though, I needed some sleep.
When I finally got up I set a goal to work on my room for a full hour with no breaks and in the first hour or work I got most of my room cleaned up, just by picking things up off the floor and putting them away!
Then I spent an hour working on my taxes. I had to enter 5 W2s this year! Yikes! I came to a stop there when I realized I need paperwork from my student loans and car loans. I usually love doing my taxes. I put it off and put it off, don't get me wrong, but once I start doing TurboTax I get a little thrill watching the refund box amount get bigger and bigger. I will be happy to finish it this year and get it out of the way.
After that hour I spent another hour cleaning my room and now its all clean.
Since that I've kind of lost steam and haven't started cooking the chili I have been planning for days. I just made myself another cup of coffee and am having a sofa break hoping I get some motivation back. I certainly have been productive today, even if my whole list isn't checked off just yet.
Here's something that makes me smile today:
I love all the Joe's cups Amy has gotten me in Oklahoma. I hope I get to go to Joe's one day. These cups are the best. My new favorite is the pink one. THANK YOU AMY!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Flat Lydia in Manhattan
Besides being a portrait studio, my workplace is also a scrapbooking boutique. We sell lots of fancy and unique supplies and there are also crafting classes and events regularly. One class they have fairly regularly is Scrapbooking 101. Its a four part series and as an employee I can take it for free. Last time I was busy or out of town, I forget which but this week I got to attend. The focus of this class was painting and during the class I made this layout:
Each of the tags uses a different painting technique that we learned. The picture is from my days at the Yoga Pilates Studio, the place where I met Kris and Maggie. Kris brought in her niece's 'Flat Stanley' doll and we all took a photo with 'Flat Lydia' doing yoga at the studio.
Yesterday at work I had a couple of firsts, all at once. My first head shot photo shoot and my first solo photo shoot. I did really well! Head shots are cool because adults are predictable, adults getting head shots WANT to do what you say to look good in their pictures and the poses are basic and easy to remember. I did two shoots and both customers were very happy with their head shots, and both made purchases. I did another shoot today and the customer was absolutely thrilled with her photos and bought more than she had planned. Its so good to feel confident in the studio. I like the pace of head shots a lot.
Last night after work I was taking the train home when it shut down on me! Apparently because of the rain and wind some trees had fallen on the tracks near my stop and they shut down the whole line. I was four subway stops away from mine and had to walk forty minutes in the wind and rain to get home. Yikes! My umbrella turned inside out so I had to walk without one but the rain wasn't too heavy and there were plenty of other walkers along the way so it wasn't too bad. After I got home Laura and I went to a St. Patrick's Day party at 773. They had corned beef and cabbage and we had a good time hanging out with the employees and making fun of the hipsters. We even found out that our friend John from the bar is our neighbor! He lives in the house on the corner with all the stained glass windows in the front and said we could come grill in his yard during the summer. I love our bar!!
I have been very very achy lately and I'm not quite sure if I'm over-tired, coming down with something or just aging. Tomorrow I have the day off and plan to clean my room and do my taxes. Yuck. I don't think either of these things will help my aching back, or feet or get rid of the stitch in my side. I also plan to make some chili and divide it up to eat for a couple of days.
Each of the tags uses a different painting technique that we learned. The picture is from my days at the Yoga Pilates Studio, the place where I met Kris and Maggie. Kris brought in her niece's 'Flat Stanley' doll and we all took a photo with 'Flat Lydia' doing yoga at the studio.
Yesterday at work I had a couple of firsts, all at once. My first head shot photo shoot and my first solo photo shoot. I did really well! Head shots are cool because adults are predictable, adults getting head shots WANT to do what you say to look good in their pictures and the poses are basic and easy to remember. I did two shoots and both customers were very happy with their head shots, and both made purchases. I did another shoot today and the customer was absolutely thrilled with her photos and bought more than she had planned. Its so good to feel confident in the studio. I like the pace of head shots a lot.
Last night after work I was taking the train home when it shut down on me! Apparently because of the rain and wind some trees had fallen on the tracks near my stop and they shut down the whole line. I was four subway stops away from mine and had to walk forty minutes in the wind and rain to get home. Yikes! My umbrella turned inside out so I had to walk without one but the rain wasn't too heavy and there were plenty of other walkers along the way so it wasn't too bad. After I got home Laura and I went to a St. Patrick's Day party at 773. They had corned beef and cabbage and we had a good time hanging out with the employees and making fun of the hipsters. We even found out that our friend John from the bar is our neighbor! He lives in the house on the corner with all the stained glass windows in the front and said we could come grill in his yard during the summer. I love our bar!!
I have been very very achy lately and I'm not quite sure if I'm over-tired, coming down with something or just aging. Tomorrow I have the day off and plan to clean my room and do my taxes. Yuck. I don't think either of these things will help my aching back, or feet or get rid of the stitch in my side. I also plan to make some chili and divide it up to eat for a couple of days.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Welcome to the Johnsons
Yesterday was a day off for me so I got nice and comfortable on the couch in my pajamas and was watching tv thinking about how I wasn't at work when I suddenly realized I was supposed to be at a mandatory staff meeting in half an hour. I didn't have time to shower or anything, just throw on some clothes and run run run to Manhattan just to make it a half an hour late. When I got there it was ok because mostly everybody was late. I wasn't even last.
Last evening I met Laura and India when they got off work and we went to a bar in SOHO called Welcome to the Johsons. I encourage you to click the name and just read some of the reviews about it. I'm not sure anything I write about the place will do it justice but I will say that we almost missed it because the outside looks like something that was closed down 8 or 9 months ago.
Last evening I met Laura and India when they got off work and we went to a bar in SOHO called Welcome to the Johsons. I encourage you to click the name and just read some of the reviews about it. I'm not sure anything I write about the place will do it justice but I will say that we almost missed it because the outside looks like something that was closed down 8 or 9 months ago.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Home Sweet Virginia
I'm back. I'm back in New York after the most fun, amazing, refreshing weekend at home. Here's a rundown of the highlights:
Melting Pot with Amy, Jason, Easton, Bluebell, Mom, Sarah and Jake. The best wings I know of, Delicious amazing pizza, and cold delicious beer. Amy surprised me with presents but best of all RAINBOW STRIPED CUPCAKES that were not only beautiful but delicious. At least three different waitresses came by the table just to see them. Also Amy's kids are huge and delightful.
Church! So glad I decided to go. I asked Jake to come with us and thought it would take convincing but actually he was totally up for it. A good service and Jake was tickled with his free mug and holy water spritz.
Japanese Steakhouse with Jake, Mom, Sarah, Gage, Tony, Kristy and Tea. It was Jake's first time ever at a hibachi grill and it was so fun to see his reactions to 'big fire' etc. Also, I mean really, Japanese Steakhouse is delicious. I sure ate well on this vacation.
Oscars and movies at Kris's. With wine. And magazine reading. Miss you Kris!
I made snickerdoodle cupcakes and Picket Fence Macaroni from scratch and everybody ate and loved them both.
Phase 10 at Jessica and Brett's. I could get used to that game.
THE WEATHER!
It sure was hard to come back. I treated myself to a haircut today and got to do two photo shoots. So I am back in NYC, and I have a job to do. Other than that I have a messy room to clean and some upcoming visits (this means you SARAH N and AMY AND JASON.) Oh and Easter with Jake.
Melting Pot with Amy, Jason, Easton, Bluebell, Mom, Sarah and Jake. The best wings I know of, Delicious amazing pizza, and cold delicious beer. Amy surprised me with presents but best of all RAINBOW STRIPED CUPCAKES that were not only beautiful but delicious. At least three different waitresses came by the table just to see them. Also Amy's kids are huge and delightful.
Church! So glad I decided to go. I asked Jake to come with us and thought it would take convincing but actually he was totally up for it. A good service and Jake was tickled with his free mug and holy water spritz.
Japanese Steakhouse with Jake, Mom, Sarah, Gage, Tony, Kristy and Tea. It was Jake's first time ever at a hibachi grill and it was so fun to see his reactions to 'big fire' etc. Also, I mean really, Japanese Steakhouse is delicious. I sure ate well on this vacation.
Oscars and movies at Kris's. With wine. And magazine reading. Miss you Kris!
I made snickerdoodle cupcakes and Picket Fence Macaroni from scratch and everybody ate and loved them both.
Phase 10 at Jessica and Brett's. I could get used to that game.
THE WEATHER!
It sure was hard to come back. I treated myself to a haircut today and got to do two photo shoots. So I am back in NYC, and I have a job to do. Other than that I have a messy room to clean and some upcoming visits (this means you SARAH N and AMY AND JASON.) Oh and Easter with Jake.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Kellys Take Manhattan
Jessica and Brett came up to NYC to take their daughter Olivia and their friend Georgia and her daughter Mikaela to the American Girl Place, among other New York highlights. I got a chance to meet up with them for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. I had a delicious hamburger with grilled granny smith apples and a really good time hanging with the Kelly's.
Work's been busy. I'm getting to do more and more photo shoots, and learning a lot. This week we are doing training sessions with twins. Its super hard. After 8 toddlers at a time who'd imagine 2 could get to me, but at one point yesterday I was actually shaking because both babies were crying, nobody was happy and I was in the studio alone with no idea how to soothe, let alone pose, these babies. Hopefully this training will help me build up my confidence in the studio.
Also today I purchased my ticket for a Chinatown bus trip to VA tomorrow afternoon! Can't wait to see my home sweet home!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sisterly Advice
I've been reorganizing my e mail. A momentous task to say the least. I have all the old Your Hot Olympian of the Day e mails in there for example. Also half a dozen recipes I'm always looking for and can't find. Anyway one of the oldest in the box was this forward from my sister. Its probably been three or four years since I read it but it certainly got me thinking. Looks like I have a few things down, and a few to work on yet. How about you?
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.
A feeling of control over her destiny.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW
How to fall in love without losing herself.
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
How to change a tire.
When to try harder...
and when to walk away.
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.
That her childhood may not have been perfect...
but its over.
What she would and wouldn't do for love or more.
How to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it.
Whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally.
Where to go when her soul needs soothing.
what she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
One old love she can imagine going back to...
and one who reminds her how far she has come.
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own...
even if she never wants or needs to.
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
A youth she's content to leave behind...
and a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
One friend who always makes her laugh...
and one who lets her cry.
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.
One old love she can imagine going back to...
and one who reminds her how far she has come.
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own...
even if she never wants or needs to.
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
A youth she's content to leave behind...
and a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
One friend who always makes her laugh...
and one who lets her cry.
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.
A feeling of control over her destiny.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW
How to fall in love without losing herself.
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
How to change a tire.
When to try harder...
and when to walk away.
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.
That her childhood may not have been perfect...
but its over.
What she would and wouldn't do for love or more.
How to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it.
Whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally.
Where to go when her soul needs soothing.
what she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.
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