Technology

I lost my phone =( RIP envy 2. We had a very long relationship and you were the best phone I have had to date.
Welcome my new Droid Incredible. Internet, touch screen, and expensive. But pretty in her new red silicone case. We are still trying to figure each other out, but becoming fast friends.
I guess I had to get one of these crazy phones sooner or later. How else am I going to keep up on facebook posts, my spam email, and lastest youtube videos? Good thing I can do it on the go now...consider me in the loop.  
This phone is going to cost me an extra $30.00 a month. I've only had the phone for two days, but I don't know if having the internet always with me is worth that dough. We'll find out.
Maybe I can blog from my phone......

Five Things I Love...

 Organizers....bins, shelfs, labels.....all are fabulous

 Fireplaces...particularly when they are roaring...and not the electric kind, the real ones with flames you can smell                     
 Planners....couldn't live without them

Disney movies....Emily All Grown Up is sometimes allowed to watch them from time to time...right?

Coloring books....even better if you have a new pack of crayons

unmotivated

I really have been meaning to do many different things that I have not gotten around to yet. 1. get a gym membership (I get home from work and throw on pj pants...then when I realize I should go check out a gym I've been thinking of..I'm already comfy and involved in doing something around the house) 2. apply for my LLMSW (i'm pretty overwhelmed by the requirements) 3. do more wedding planning (I think my over excertion to get everything done so fast the first couple months of being engaged burned me out. I have to get excited about it again....it would also help if HTB would get the addresses from his family and friends already).

Tomorrow one of my bridesmaids is coming over to help with the sending out of the Save the Date stuff. That will feel good to have those ready and out of the way. Wedding planning is a micromanagers worst nightmare.

So, here are things that might help me get motivated...
1. looking great in my wedding dress
2. feeling stress free about my licensure....and adding more credentials to my name!
3. "failing to plan is a plan to fail"....the more I get done for my wedding now the less stressful it will be when the date is closer

Motivation, where are you?

Goodbye 2010

This is the last week of 2010!
What have been the most notable times of this past year?

• Went to Washington DC with HTB, little sister, and BFF
• My dog swallowed his toy and had to have surgery
• Started and finished my internship
• Saw Michelle Obama speak in Detroit
• Adopted our kitty <3
• 3 year anniversary with HTB <3 <3
• Went to the Bahamas and got engaged!!!!!!!
• Graduated with my masters
• Got a new job

not bad =)

Christmas was pretty crazy this year, between family fights and being away from HTB on Christmas eve AND Christmas....I would not include it on my Christmas top 5 list. But, nonetheless, got to see a lot family, and recieved many great gifts!

Editing my New Years Goals list....stay tuned.

Beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Money Checkup:

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on paying to fix my car and overdue medical bills.

2. Today I feel excited aboout money. New job means bigger checks. Can't wait to see that first one deposited in the bank.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was clean the house with HTB. Yes...i love a clean house

4. I will consider this week a success if I… find great Christmas presents for all the family members I have yet to shop for =/

5. My favorite holiday movie is ... Elf? pure happiness.

I'm starting to put together some New Year goals. Like every year. Maybe this year I'll do better at reaching them (or sticking to them I should say).

Trying to start up a book club, wouldn't that be fun? I love reading. Right now I am reading "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortensen. Good book, kinda slow. I need some suggestions for more good books...

Employee of the month

yep...i'm employee of the month. moving on up.
Spent way too much money yesterday. $268 on fixing my car, $180 for HTB's christmas present, $50 at Applebees the night before...i'm justifying it all with my new job. Which I am starting officially full time next week. I still have to buy Christmas presents for the majority of both my family and HTB's. More $$$$.

The thing I'm dreading most today is the 9 week training in Detroit that I have to complete for this new job. Talk about putting your life on hold. I'll miss HTB and my two dogs and kitty a whole heck of a lot while I'm away.

I saw a quote today that someone posted on facebook that I really enjoyed..."If you want things you have never had, you have to try things you have never done". I'll try to keep this in mind.

big kid job

Didn't think I would...but I got the full time case manager position! Super nervous about it. super. but how hard can it really be? 9-5 hours...salary pay....no weekends....realllllly can't complain. I'm real glad I won't have to spend months job searching, so much anxiety and time.

graduated. from the school of nursing. ha. they forgot about us...or we missed our cue at my gradutation ceremony. But, whatever...either way IM DONE. like. forever.

car won't start. the HTB says that it is the starter that can cost anywhere from $50-$120. more money I don't have. but at least now I can say that i'll be making more money soon. Maybe this is a sign it's time to buy that pretty car...>>>

Have to send out "Save the Dates" in 3ish weeks. I just need HTB to get all his friend's addresses. less than 8 months to go. crazy. WEDDING WEBSITE

Two steps forward....Three steps back

I've been feeling pretty discouraged about finances lately. I have all these things that really want to achieve with my money, all of which are not even close to being fulfilled. These things include:

• Paying off a few vendors we have booked for the wedding
• Taking my family on a vacation
• Purchasing my DREAM CAR - 2011 candy apple red Ford Mustang (the '99 neon, which has truly been a trooper for the 7 years I have been driving it, is quickly approching that dealership in the sky)
• Start putting "real" money into my savings account

With Christmas around the corner, student loan payments soon approaching, credit card debt increasing....I feel I'm getting further away from these financial goals than closer to reaching them...

Okay...so maybe I really DONT need a 2011 Mustang, and maybe my family can wait a few more years before I treat them to a trip somewhere...but shouldn't I feel closer to reaching these goals instead of steadily inching away?

Weekly Money Checkup

From My Pretty Pennies Weekly Money Checkup


1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on $108 on clothes and xmas gifts from Target.
2. Today I feel anxious towards money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was decorated our Christmas tree.
4. I will consider this week a success if I don't buy any fast food.
5. My favorite holiday song is Little Drummer Boy.



Things to accomplish in the near future-
a budget for me and HTB
score a full time job
figure out how to afford Christmas presents

Turning of a Page

Adults are supposed to know "who they are" ...right?! After 23 years of life I acknowledge that I possess the following qualities ...

• habitual overachiever
• worry wart
• consistent over-spender
• neurotic about personal independence
• compulsive micromanager
• democratic liberal feminist
• headstrong tendencies
• anxious about what others think
• concern for the defenseless and forgotten
• quick to cry
• immeasurable love for my family, HTB, and close friends
• and a strong fear for the unexpected

For better or for worse, take it or leave it, one way or another, thats who I have become. Personally, I think I am a fan of emily all grown up. But there is a lot of room for improvement.

This blog will be outlet for self-improvment successes and speed bumps. Blogging...a discipline I hope to make a habit...