5 months!

The clock just keeps ticking doesn't it?

Well I'm almost done with my 30 days without fast food.  I will say twice I got a quick sandwich due to 13 hr workdays and poor planning on my part, so I'm taking 2 days onto the end... that puts my end date at December 10th.  However, it's been easier than I thought so I'm going to still work at making fast food a truly last resort, and I will work on actually eating healthier food at home.

I've worked out once.  I know, not too great for training for a 5k, but I've got 5 months and I will get there.

I'm working on getting my finances together so I can get pre-approved for a mortgage and then I can really look into buying a home.

The 30 days of drinking 2 bottles of water has proven very very difficult.  So I'm going to start again.  I'm thinking tomorrow might be good for that.

My sales on TPT have been slower this month, but there's a huge sale tomorrow and Tuesday that I'm hoping will give me my biggest month yet!

With the amount of subbing I'm doing I've been able to put a couple hundred bucks every two weeks towards my summer savings so here's hoping I'll reach that savings goal ASAP!  I just need to get more days in and the districts that pay me just over $10 an hour.

Thanksgiving was great this year and I have so much in my life to be thankful for.

Hope the start to the holiday season is going as wonderfully for you as it is for me!


Here are some of my pic a day pics:

Nov 1: My boy Titus.

Nov 2:  I was clearly a sexy King Pig for Halloween.


Nov 3:  Driving home from Columbus- Instagram automatically flipped it so I left it.


Nov 16: (I have more pictures, just not posting all of them here.)  My first date surprise.  He got more dates :)



Nov 25: Months without working out.... I was not happy.

2011 in Cleveland- The Good Stuff

Every year is filled with hits and misses, positives and negatives, successes and failures.  But today, the last day of 2011 I want to reflect on what went right this past year so I can enter 2012 on a positive and cheery note. (And, I guess not all of these things happened in Cleveland, but they all happened to a Clevelander!)

In 2011 I...

• partied with and made new friends when I spent NYE in Las Vegas
• was recalled to my job
• met a guy and had a fun couple of months going on unique dates
• went on a road trip to IKEA with a coworker
• got my first coach purse
• saw my cousin get "hooded" as she finished veterinary school
• went to Missouri and spent a week with some of the best people in the world with www.familysummits.com
• partied with my ladies on Kelley's Island for an awesome bachelorette party
• attended a rocking wedding at the House of Blues
• travelled to St. Joseph Michigan to see my big cousin get hitched
• was the maid of honor in my lil cousin's wedding
• witnessed a friend of 16 years marry the love of her life 
• attended my first professional conference in Chicago! NCTE 2011!
• shared a family holiday with a boyfriend for the first time
• applied for and registered for grad school
• maintained three blogs
• went completely dairy free
• performed twice in front of my entire school as part of the all staff group "the pepettes"
• helped my special ed students perform and film Hamlet
• got a Droid
• adopted Titus (my adorable new kitty!)
• read 14 books!

What went right for you in 2011?  

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday with their family and friends.  As we gear up for the new year I am starting to think about what my goals/resolutions are going to be.  Stay tuned to find out!

In other news I got one of the things, a Glee soundtrack from my Santa wish list and several other things that I didn't ask for but appreciate none the less, including pajamas for my kitten!  I got one big ticket item unexpectedly from my parents but I'll save the surprise till I have a picture to show you.

Happy New Year!

Dear Santa 2011

As I've been surfing the interwebs I keep seeing things I want, so I figured it's time to write my letter to Santa.

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year and I'm hoping you can get me a few things:

1.  Scrabble: Alphabet Scoop

2.  Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith

3.  Pink Pig Canister Set

4.  M-Edge Kindle Cover: Of Mice and Men

What are you eyeing this Christmas?

Kindle Love! Review!

I got a Kindle 3G for Christmas!!!  And, I love it!!! I did not get the DODO case that I wanted, but I did get a nice slim black leather case that protects it quite nicely.  Once it was charged and up and running I decided to start downloading some free books and games so I could get a feel for the device.

Since books published before 1923 are part of the public domain you can find copies of them free to download from Amazon.  I did several searches and this is what I have now on my Kindle, and how I have them sorted.

Games:
Mine Sweeper
Every Word
Jumble, 3 free puzzles (this is like a sample to get you to buy the whole thing)

Classics:
Siddhartha- Hermann Hesse (read in high school- wanted to re-read)
The Sayings of Confucius- Confucius
The Republic - Plato (read it freshman year of college- interested to see what I think now)
Utopia- Sir Saint Thomas More (read it in AP government- would like to re-read)
Pride and Prejudice- Jane Austen
The Tragedie of Hamlet - William Shakespeare (since I'll be teaching it)

Reference:
The New Oxford American Dictionary (came already installed)
Familiar Quotations- Various authors
25 Language Phrasebook- Mobile Reference (I think this too, is more of a sample.)

I also bought, for $5 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

So far I know the Kindle will work for me because more than once I've reached for the top right corner and attempted to turn a page as I would with a book!  My biggest problem is knowing what to download/purchase.  What ideas do you have?  Favorite books? Must reads?  Let me know!  I'm once again aiming for 50 books in 2011!

Gifts for Cleveland Lovers

As I've been thinking of Christmas gifts and shopping I've come across a lot of suggested gift lists for moms, dads, boyfriends, etc.  This has inspired me to create a Gift List for Cleveland Enthusiasts and here it is...

1.  A Browns Cover for your Kleenex Box- (They have a CAVS one too!) At a cool $14 this would make a great addition to any Browns Fanatics man cave!  Check out CraftedbyTeri's shop!

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2.  For a lady in your life who lives in or has lived in Cleveland Heights (or one of the select few other suburbs featured in this Etsy shop) this necklace is perfect.  For only $34 you can carry a bit of your hometown close to your heart!  This necklace available from Etsy seller cieliblu.

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3.  Maybe, even though we are lacking LeBron, you are a die hard CAVS fan and would like to show your team spirit in a discreet way.  If so, then this is perfect for you.  For only $7.99 you can own this CAVS themed G-String underwear!  Don't worry men, apparently it's available in a men's style as well!  Check out the goods at PMTreasurechest's shop!

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4.  Calling all Cleveland Bride's- or maybe their Moms or Maids of Honors... If you're looking for the perfect surprise for your Indians loving groom on your wedding day look no further.  For a cool $30 you can own this Indian's inspired garter set!  Keep one and Toss one!  Stop by TheArtofSports' shop to see what else they have to offer!

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5. Ok, Ok, let's get serious.  What about this t-shirt?  Designed by local artists (I went to school with one of them) this shirt shows the world that you love Cleveland!  Supporting the local economy and loving Cleveland?  There can't be anything better.  I think that $22 is a pretty reasonable deal for a shirt like this.  (I really need to remind myself to buy one of these.)  They have ton's of different designs and colors so check out the website GV Art + Design and see for yourself!

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6.  Maybe your loved one would like a piece of artwork to hang on their wall.  I don't know his pricing, but check out this local artist (I admit, I know him too) and contact him to order one of his prints.  He even shoots in film!  Look at the gallery here for STT Design.  He really captures Cleveland quite well.

7.  How about a membership to a local museum?  Have a family you're buying for? Try the Cleveland Zoo ($70), The Great Lakes Science Center ($85), or the Children's Museum ($80)!

Well, that's all I can come up with now.  What are your favorite Cleveland related gifts?!  Let me know in the comments!

Christmas Shopping is Go!

I am heading out today to try and complete some of my Christmas shopping.  I am hoping to take advantage of some great deals out there...

Women's Clothing/Accessories:

50% off of EVERYTHING at New York and Company

40% off of your Full Price Purchase at Ann Taylor

40% off Complete Purchase at Ann Taylor Loft

30% off EVERYTHING at The Limited

Department Stores:

15% Savings Pass at Kohl's

15% Savings Pass on Clearance Items at Macy's

Hopefully I find a bunch of really cute stuff for good deals.  We'll see!

Dear Santa: Take 2

I know I already posted all my greedy "wants" for Christmas, but I keep seeing more things that I want!  So here are a few more things that have struck my fancy.

9.  A "Grown Up" TV - i.e. an HD tv 36-42 inches (This is because my friends keep making fun of the TV I have now, which is the one I got to go to college with over 8 years ago!)

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10.  A Case of The Biltmore in Asheville, NC's Pinot Grigio (My absolute favorite wine.)

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Dear Santa:

Christmas is a little over a month away and I'm thinking of all the goodies that I want.  How selfish of me I know.  Here are some of my wants- no I don't expect to get all of them, but I'm hoping some make the cut.  Want to get me something?  Look no further:

1. The Amazon Kindle

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2.  A Dodo Case (For the Kindle)

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3.  iPad (ok ok this is a pipe dream but still I wannnnt!)

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4. A NetFlix Subscription

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5.  Any accessories for my Canon DSLR.  I'd like new lenses- wide angle, and a better zoom and a bigger carrying case.

6.  Any Glee Soundtrack (other than 1 and 2, I already own those)

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7.  Anything anyone wants to get me!  Thoughtful gifts are great!

Edited to Add:

8.  One of the following wall decals- or maybe both...

Both are from Etsy seller WallsThatTalk!


What is on your wish list for Christmas 2010?

Product Review: Silk Mint Chocolate Soy Milk

This post isn't specifically about Cleveland, just about me, living my life.

I am allergic to cow's milk- no not lactose intolerant, allergic.  My throat closes up, I can't swallow, and it's super uncomfortable.  A little over a year ago I discovered Silk soy milk.  I really only drink their chocolate flavor.  Recently a coworker posted on Facebook something about Mint Chocolate Silk so I was super excited when I finally some at Target today! 

It is delicious; more minty than chocolate-y but oh so good.  And it's the perfect thing for me to dip my Pepperidge Farm Brussels cookies in!  Unfortunately I think this flavor is only around for the holidays along with their Pumpkin Spice, and Nog flavors.  I guess I better get my fill now!

Having allergies is very frustrating (I'm also allergic to nuts) so finding great tasting allergy friendly foods always makes me happy. 

Do you have any favorite dairy-free foods?