Resolution Keeper (1): Floss

Okay, so it is 3:00am and I am awake with a toothache. The pain is pretty bad so I wanted to check WebMD to see what causes toothaches and when I should go to the dentist. (Not like I have a dentist here in DC though.) 

It seems that I now have something to add to my To Do list - Find a Dentist

I found this tidbit (thanks RealSimple)

-Call the Academy of General Dentistry's help line (877-292-9327) for referrals to three dentists in your area who can answer your questions.

Dental Health: Teeth and Gum Care
With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.

There are four basic steps to caring for teeth and gums:
-Brushing
-Flossing
-Eating right
-Visiting the dentist

Tips for Flossing
-Floss once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist. 

To floss:
-Remove about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.
-Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing. Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.
-Place the floss in your mouth and use your index fingers to push the floss between the teeth. ---Be careful not to push too hard and injure the gums.
-Move the floss up and down against the tooth and up and around the gum line. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.
-Floss between each tooth as well as behind the back teeth.
-Use a clean section of floss as needed and take up used floss by winding it around the fingers.

Daily Candy: The Weekend Guide

What to Do This Weekend

EAT

Georgetown Cupcake

What: The charmingly tiny new shop serves up cupcakes in flavors like lemon blossom, chocolate mint, and bubblegum pink.

Why: Get ’em while they’re hot.

When: Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.

Where: 1209 Potomac St. NW, b/t Prospect & M Sts. (202-333-8448).

BUY

Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale

What: Big discounts from Old Town shops like The Shoe Hive, Treat, Apple Seed, and Hysteria.

Why: Don’t ware out your welcome.

When: Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria.

SEE

Tracy Morgan

What: The comedian stops in the District.

Why: It’s sure to rock.

When: Sat., 8 p.m.

Where: George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW, b/t G & H Sts. (202-994-6800).

Tickets online at ticketmaster.com.

To Do: Chili Cookoff

Yes, yours truly had to participate in a chili cook-off today for work. If you know where I work you will understand the random humor of this.

We have to make an award winning chili (I found a great recipe), create a poem/skit to present our chili, decorate a table/booth and tie a U.S. President into the theme. WHAT? Yeah, that's what I thought.

We hadPresident Grant. Here is the receipe we used and poem that I created...

Kentucky Bourbon Chili
* 4 pounds lean ground beef
* 1 cup Kentucky Bourbon
* 3/4 cup chili powder
* 1 teaspoon oregano
* 1 tablespoon diced onion
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 16-ounce can kidney beans
* 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
* 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
* 6 8-ounce cans water
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 4 small cans chopped green chilis

Brown ground beef and drain off fat. Add ingredients one at a time in order listed. Simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Makes about 1 1/2 gallons of chili.


President Grant
Our 18th President left his mark in so many ways,
we can thank him for Colorado and OPM snow days.

He was praised by Lincoln for being bold and risky,
and this made Lincoln want to give all the Generals that Old Crow Whiskey.

Grant may not have been an Ashton Kutcher,
but he sure was known an our Nation’s butcher.

He was known as a General who loved to kill,
I guess this earned him a spot on the fifty dollar bill.

By winning his wars in the bloodiest way,
he was the obvious choice for 8th Prez of the NRA.

Once he was arrested for speeding in his horse and buggy,
and then hoofed it back to the White House in weather so muggy.

His beautiful First Lady was a little cross-eyed,
but Grant said he liked her that way… he may have lied.

And after he had a tumbler of his whiskey,
he and his wife were known to get a little frisky!!!

Poor Grant got throat cancer from smoking a lot,
I guess he should have just stuck to his whiskey shot.

Though when he was surrounded by his wife, son and daughter…
his last request was not for whiskey, but for water.

And a game show contestant once met his doom,
when he incorrectly answered “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?”

Grant's scandals arose when he kept lots of gifts…
but Jane says, “I never would have let this happen on my shift!”

To Do: Post Something

Reasons why I suck:

a) I haven't posted anything in a couple days

b) My last few posts have been pretty generic

c) I have a lot of funny/blogworthy events happening in my life now that are worth posting

d) My goal was to have more interesting posts that arent just about my silly little life

e) I have failed at it all so far. 

More to come tomorrow. Hopefully.

*** forgive me flowers brought to you by realsimple

To Do: Support a Hometown Girl

Hey, so I have to give some props to Stephanie Mae, a hometown girl who just released her own music album. She is absolutely amazing. Stephanie Mae - check her out here.

My Favorite Thing Today: Another Troop Video

My Favorite Thing Today: Yellow?

As you may remember, not too long ago I redecorated my office with a yellow theme. Then not too long ago I was reading a blog-favorite frolic and found this great site with fun desktop wallpapers where I added a little more yellow to my office.

Then you may remember I have been meaning to purchase a new yellow jacket/blazer, which I did this weekend at H&M because of my little incident this past Friday. (I was just trying to do my part to stimulate the economy, geez.)

And to make matters worse, I am now seeing a theme with the lunch that I packed myself today. Now I sit here in my yellow desk in my yellow office with my yellow blazer eating a banana, a egg salad sandwich, with my sugar-free, 60-calorie banana pudding snack and all I can do is laugh at myself. Awkward! Hahah.

My Favorite Story:

Dog Saved by Marine Gets Permanent Home
By CHELSEA J. CARTER – 13 hours ago

SAN DIEGO (AP) — It began with a simple act of kindness to save an abused, injured dog from becoming one more victim in the Iraq war.
But what followed for Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and the mutt was a tale of friendship and loyalty that spanned miles, borders, and overcame long odds — a tale that took a turn Friday afternoon when the dog arrived at San Diego's Lindbergh Field airport.

"This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse ... is going to live the good life," Dennis told his family in an e-mail from Iraq.

The tale unfolded in October, a few months after Dennis deployed to Iraq from San Diego to work as part of the military team building infrastructure along the Syria-Iraq border and training Iraqi forces to take over.

Dennis, 36, of St. Pete Beach, Fla., had volunteered for the assignment. It was a departure from his role as a fighter pilot. He had seen the country from the air, but it was different on the ground.

Dennis wrote stories home about the reciprocal relationship that desert dogs, strays wandering outside border towns, had with Iraqis.

"The dogs get to eat the Iraqi scraps and have a home in the middle of the desert," he wrote in an e-mail. "The Iraqis get an incredible early warning system; these dogs hear anything approaching from miles away and go nuts and scramble to defend their territory."

While on patrol in the Anbar province, Dennis spotted what appeared to be a gray and white, male German shepherd-border collie mix. He named the dog Nubs after learning someone cut the ears off believing it would make the dog more aggressive and alert.

Within weeks, Nubs was greeting Dennis during routine patrol stops along border communities. The Marines fed him bits of their food and by November, the Marine and his unit were keeping an eye out for the dog, which routinely chased their Humvees when they departed.

Life on the run, however, was taking a toll on the dog. He had lost a tooth and been bitten in the neck. In late December, Dennis found Nubs near death in freezing temperatures. The dog had been stabbed with a screwdriver.

Dennis rubbed antibiotic cream on the wound and slept with Nubs to keep him warm.
"I really expected when I woke up for watch he would be dead," Dennis wrote. "Somehow he made it through the night."

Dennis thought he had seen the last of the dog days later when his squad headed back to its command post some 65 miles away. He couldn't take the dog with him and watched as it tried to follow the Humvees away from the border.

Two days later, while Dennis and a comrade were working on a Humvee, he looked up and saw the dog staring at him.

"Somehow that crazy damned dog tracked us," he wrote Jan. 9.

But the reunion was short lived. Military policy prohibits having pets in war zones, and Dennis was given four days to get the dog off the base or kill him.

The decision was easy: Nubs was going to San Diego. The logistics, though, were anything but easy.

With help from his Iraqi interpreter, Dennis managed to find a Jordanian veterinarian to get the care and paperwork needed to get the dog to the states. He also negotiated the red tape to get Nubs across the border into Jordan.

His family and close friends helped raise the $3,500 needed to get the dog from Amman, Jordan, to San Diego, said his mother, Marsha Cargo.

"I just can't believe it. Out there in the middle of nowhere these two find each other," Cargo said.

A colleague in San Diego agreed to care for the dog and have it trained until Dennis returns in March from Iraq.

"We anticipate a real steep learning curve for Nubs," Capt. Eric Sjoberg said. "We want him to learn to just be a dog."

For now, though, Dennis will settle for the knowledge that Nubs is finally safe — and waiting for his master to follow him.

Not My Favorite:

Okay, so I am pretty much an open book. I love talking to people everywhere I go and I love hearing their stories and sharing my stories with them. I love to compliment people and, of course, I love it when people compliment me.

BUT... in the last week people have felt compelled to share their personal views about my appearance with me. Things people have said...

"How come you always are wearing black?"

"You like like you are going to a funeral."

"Umm, so lets talk about this hairstyle."

"Nice, you are wearing gray. Well, atleast its not black or white."

"Whoa, what's going on with your hair today?"

"Your hair normally looks really cute."

"So, you are a pretty girl but how come you always wear black?"

And so many others. Urgh. Atleast some of these are paired with a compliment and then a smackdown. Haha.

Now these are coming from:
a) security guys at my office building
b) elderly volunteers
c) people who I dont really value their fashion advice
d) all of the above.

My Favorite Thing Today: Our Troops

Why I love our troops!!!



My friend is the one doing the booty dance and shaking that rump for the camera.

To Do: Cupcakes!

I have been so inspired by all the cute cupcake blogs and shops that I have seen recently. I love cupcakes too. I love to make them, eat them, and the security guys at my office building even call me Cupcake. 

Well this little Cupcake is taking herself and her bff to... Georgetown Cupcake! 

My Favorite Thing Today:

I am obsessed with this house. I saw it on frolic
and that was the end of me. I cannot wait to have my own, cute, little home to decorate just like this. Urgh. I have fallen hard in love again. Check out these photos, I just came a little bit.

New Favorite Site: SugarPaper

SugarPaper: Thier prices are hit or miss but their products are super cute. Totally in love.

Resolution Keeper (6): Read More

Okay... so its like what almost the end of February and looking over my resolutions... I have a whole lot to do!!! Hopefully I can review some ways to actually keep my resolution. Here is one...

Books to Read:
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
The First National Bank of Dad by David Owen
Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov
Homo Politicus by Dana Milbank (currently reading this... slowly.)
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Shopping: Weekend Wants

Hot Pink Dictionary: I have seen this on two different blog recently and although it is not my top shopping priority, how cool is this. Imagine this on a cute trendy desk.

Personalized Stamp: I have always wanted one of these and this is actually a reasonable price. I just need to figure out which one I like more.

Green Alligator Bible: my bff has this and I love it. I think that it would look so cool next to a hot pink dictionary, plus... its great to study you know... the bible!

Cutest, Most Comfortable and Classic Heel Ever: Okay the bff and I stopped at Payless Shoes this weekend and they are having this amazing Buy One Get One Sale and these are AMAZING!!

To Do: Keep My Resolutions

So its mid-February, do you know where your resolutions are?
I figure the best way to stay up on those resolutions is to continue to remind yourself of them. Here are mine:

1: Floss - twice daily (Need to work on this still)
2: Tan - weekly (Spray tan only)
3: Write - daily (here on my blog) (Doing well on this one)
4: Pray - daily... if not more than that (Need to work on this still)
5: Exercise - daily... no matter how little or how hard but do it everyday (Still need to jump start this one)
6: Read - both my scriptures and books that will improve my mind (Getting better...)
7: Save - money... I want to start traveling more and be more financially secure (I got this one down!)
8: Travel - see the world, I need to get over to Australia to see my dad, I know (This one takes time but I am taking steps towards this)
9: Switch - my car, insurance, and plates all into my name (URGH!!)
10: Take - my vitamins each and everyday (I was doing well here but not so much lately.)
11: Eat - healthy foods (more fruits and veggies) and start trying new restaurants and foods Doing this and loving it!)
12: Volunteer - at a local pet shelter or other local organizations (working on volunteering a couple places)
13: Spend - more time outdoors... hiking, bike riding, etc (went hiking this weekend)
14: Run - start a running program (in the process... :)
15: Wake - up earlier and be on time more often (Urgh, I am trying!)
16: Drink - more water everyday (I can still do much better on this one)
17: Have - better posture (I think that I am doing okay on this one)
18: Clean - my apartment more often (well done)
19: Listen - to more music (and different types) (I am)
20: Buy - fresh cut flowers (I have been meaning to)
21: Walk - more places and cut my driving (Its cold... darn it!)

New Favorite Website

FineStantionery: This is by far the world's coolest (and best priced) stationary website. I am absolutely in love. I think that I could spend my whole paycheck on their products!

Yard Sale of a Lifetime:

Three day weekends are always a great time for a good garage sale. So I have decided to get rid of the following items from my life. Unlike most garage sales, I hope that this one girl's junk is not anyone else's treasures but the following items can be found outside of my life as of today at 2pm.

One Bad Relationship: I know that most single gals have one of those relationships that we keep around in case we really need a guy in our lives. This is the guy who treats me like dirt, won't commit and well... he just isn't worth my time any more. I can't be carrying around this relationship if I want to find anyone else.

50 Pounds: I have been putting this one off for years but I have decided that it is better to get rid of this than to continue to carry it around with me. Not only do I want to feel great about myself but I want to be healthy so that when I turn 70 thank the 20-something me for taking care of my body so that I can use it when I am older. I have decided to lose the 50 in 6 months so that its realistic and I can feel great over the summer. I want to start the Couch to 5K running program and take up rowing.

A Small Amount of Credit Card Debt: I am lucky enough not to have a huge amount of credit card debit but it still glooms over me and I am looking to get rid of this. I have decided to make paying it off one of my top priorities.

One Unpaid Phone Bill: When I was younger I got myself hooked into a bad/lame "Get a free cell phone" deal and its now stuck on my credit report. I have decided that I have had this a little too long and I am now looking to get rid of it. I filed my taxes on Valentine's Day (lame, I know, but see item number one - I didnt have anything great to do :) and I should be getting my return soon and this is the number one thing that I will be paying off.

Old College Loans: I am almost done paying off all my school charges and I will be using my tax return to pay off the last couple hundred dollars of this!

One Empty Savings Account: My savings account has been pretty dry for a pretty long time and it is time to fill this little puppy up. I have vowed to put a good chunk of my tax return into this and then save a couple hundred dollars a paycheck from here on out.

One Barely Used Passport: This passport has a couple stamps on it but it is still pretty new. I think that it needs to see the world a little more. I am hoping with the item above they can make some beautiful memories together. I want my passport to see many stamps and many beautiful countries.

I am sure that I will be either adding new items to this yard sale soon or I will have another one in the future. I will keep you all updated. I encourage everyone to think of some items that are sitting around your life that you want to get rid of as well. It feels amazing to free yourself of this extra baggage.

Two favorites: V-Day and Post Secret

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My Favorite Thing Today:

God. (I was going to be sarcastic and say people, but they are really the reason why things suck today.)

So, I know that this may sounds a little too preachy but here is the deal. I am kinda stressed today with work, the campaign, and everything and the only thing that could restore my faith was the Lord. As I am telling my dearest co-worker how my life sucks, the people in my life suck and how its all going to (my initials HEL), jokingly of course, what does He do? He has the missionaries from my church call me, right that very instant. Haha.

Well, He has a plan for me and that's all that I need to know. :)

Today is...

VALENTINE'S DAY!!

I love love love Valentine's Day. It is and always has been my favorite holiday! I love giving people cute little gifts and brightening their day!

Although, I really didnt do anything too special this year. I helped organize some people from work to help send some valentine's to the soldiers up at Walter Reed and then I made some cute pink cupcakes for everyone at the office. :)

My Favorite Thing Today:

Arizona weather. Urgh. Its somewhere in the 30's here in DC, rainy, windy and cold as anything. Meanwhile, those in Arizona have said that its like mid-70s there and beautiful.

Check out this picture and you will know why I love love love Arizona so much!

found this picture here. thank you!!

To Do: Avon Walk

So my bff and I are planning on getting a team together for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It isn't the three day - 60 mile one, I think that it is only 20-30 miles, maybe not even that. Obviously I need to do a little more research. But what I do know is that the event is on May 3-4 and we need to get this show on the road.

Here is what I am thinking about for our team t-shirts. What do you think? I saw this group (Save 2nd Base) on the news not too long ago and I love their fun messages. All the money goes to the Kelly Rooney Foundation. She was the one who came up with the whole idea but she passed away from breast cancer leaving her husband and five kiddos behind. I think that it would be a great idea to support this foundation and have some fun t-shirts for the Avon Walk.

My Favorite Thing Today:

-candidate's signatures on wikipedia! Haha, this way I can make my own lithograph pictures!! Woo hoo!

Recipes:

I am not a great cook but I sure am not terrible. I tried to make these two things this week and well... I would recommend one clove of garlic instead of two.

Spinach/Artichoke Dip:
Canned artichoke bottoms are called for in this recipe because they have a deeper flavor than frozen artichoke hearts (which however, can be used in a pinch). This recipe yields 4 cups and can be kept refrigerated up to 5 days.

Ingredients: 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed 1 can (13.75 ounces) artichoke bottoms 2 cloves garlic 8 ounces cream cheese1 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 1-quart ovenproof pan. In a food processor, process spinach, artichokes, garlic, cream cheese, Parmesan and pepper until well combined, scraping down sides of processor, as needed.
Spread mixture in prepared pan. Bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes. Serve hot with sliced vegetables.

Nutrition Per ServingCarbohydrates: 7.5 grams Net Carbs: 5 grams Fiber: 2.5 grams Protein: 9 grams Fat: 13 grams Calories: 177
Servings: 8Prep time: 5 minutesBake/Cook time: 30 minutes

Reprinted by permission of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pillsbury Reduced Sugar Cupcakes:
If you are going to make cupcakes then avoid this recipes. Its not bad they are just not that moist.

Shopping Guide: Winter to Spring

You know that awkward time in between winter and spring where you still want to be warm but bring in some fun new colorful pieces into your wardrobe. Well, if you know me, you know that I only wear black and white but this spring I am thinking, just thinking, about bringing a little color into my life. I really like the bold prints and bright classic colors that are coming this spring. I am keeping the black and white but bringing in some yellow, green and pink accessories. I also like the nautical look with the navy blue and the yellow or red.




Umbrella: how cute is this Banana Republic umbrella, I am totally going to buy this.

Yellow Jacket/Raincoat: these are everywhere. Target had a cute one, Banana Republic, Gap, I think even Old Navy, they are everywhere are super cute. I want to get one and pair it with some cute black and white outfits. Imagine a simple outfit with the yellow jacket and the umbrella above.

Ruffled Halter: I love this look. I love anything with a fun collar or neckline. This blouse would look great with a suit or a cardigan. I love love love it!

Ruffled Blouse: another great look from Jcrew. I saw a lady in the store wearing this last weekend and she looked great! (in black, of course!)

3/4 Sleeve Crewneck Tee: kinda pricey for a tissue tee but a great spring look. I am already planning my outfits to wear with this. I may even but it in yellow. What!

Pink Heels: I love love love these! These look cute with pretty much everything. I am totally buying these!!

Bold-print Wedges: totally fun for summer as well.

White Chinos: these I think will be cute with anything and they are totally spring/summer ready.

Daily List

I can communicate best through lists:
-So I am having some major blog template issues, be patient! Sorry.
-I have a new favorite blog, addicted to this one!
-my aunt is not doing well and I keep praying for her and her family.
-I spent my friday night doing the best thing ever... by my friend's bedside at Walter Reed.
-I have some amazing friends and an amazing family.
-I really want to may cupcakes.
-I need a hair cut, a blow dryer, my oil changed and some new black pants. Urgh.
-I support McCain now more than ever, read the Newsweek article about him on stands now!!

To Do: Valentine's Day!!

Woo hoo! Valentine's Day is coming up and it is one of my favorite holidays! 

I love giving a little something to all of my girlfriends and my co-workers. Everyone loves a little something for v-day! I already have a plan to make some little treats for some of the soldiers at Walter Reed but I want to do a little something for my friends. 

While sitting on the couch that I haven't left since I became sick I was surfing on some new blogs and stumbled upon your heart out. how cute is that name! They have this cd mix idea that is super cute! I think that I may try that!

Side note: I really want to start making more cupcakes. I dont want to eat more cupcakes though so I figure that I can start giving them away to:

- my landloard

- my real estate agent

- the security guys in my office building

- the volunteers who help in our office

- my co-workers

and so on...

Things I realized while being sick

- I have seen these travel guides a couple of times this past week and now I really want them!
- I have fallen in love with a new blog today - frolic
- I need to buy more earrings and bracelets
- I really want a dog but I know that I cannot be responsible for one right now
- In order to overcome temptation, you just need to look away
- I need to plan out how I spend my money a little more
- I need to start biking more
- In order to do that, I need to buy a bike seat since mine was stolen
- I would really like to visit Walter Reed sooner rather than later
- I want to start kayaking/rowing this spring
- I need to book a hotel and make plans for my mom's trip here
- I want to start cooking/making better meals
- I want to buy some white pants for this spring
- I really want to move to California, mostly just san diego
- I need to plan a trip to see my sister and her new baby!

Johnny Mac: SUPER TUESDAY!

As of right now...

McCain: 411

Romney: 168

Huckabee: 138

Here is the deal. I moved to DC to be in the center of the action and what happens? It all moves to Arizona, urgh!

NOT my favorite: brown

I hate the color brown. I seriously wonder why people wear brown when they can just wear pretty black instead. Seriously! I was talking to a co-worker the other day and she was mentioning her brown pants and all that I could think about was... "Why would you actually purchase something brown!"

This is terrible because my hair is brown and my eyes are brown! Geez.

Update: Please Pray

He has been able to move around a little bit, grab things, raise his left leg, and has been playing around with his family. He's been flipping through magazines and deliberately turning the tv to specific channels. He's also laughed when listening to letters from friends. The doctors say they are confident that, in time, he will be able to talk and talk again!!!

Also, while trying to find some information about visiting my friend I stumbled across the idea about taking a whole bunch of extra Valentine's Day cards to some of the other wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. I have been talking to everyone I know about in hoping that they will make a few for me to take along. Even my friend who is a school teacher in the area is going to get her school to make a bunch of cards from the students! How cute!!!

To Do: Change my blog

Emily Style is pretty much my favorite blog ever and I was analyzing why I like it so much.

1- She manages to post often and this keeps me entertained
2- She uses a lot of images and pictures
3- She has a really interested life and posts about it
4- Her blog is not a soap box for her to rant about her life, she combines her life stories with fun ideas, shopping deals and what to wear guides.

So... I think that I am going to try and incorporate some of these ideas into my blog, so get ready!!!

To Do: Get Better

Urgh. I am sick today. Very sick. In fact, my poor co-workers must be sick of me blowing my nose every few minutes.

Here is the thing...

- I am sick
- I am sore from redecorating my apartment this weekend

- My back is killing me and I can't lift anything

- I was "over-qualified" for the job I interviewed with

- Its SUPER TUESDAY and I can't go to a party that I have been planning on attending

- With all this, I am emotionally drained!

The good news:

- My friend who is at Walter Reed is doing much better and doctors think that he will be able to walk and talk again

- This gave me the idea to have everyone I know send some extra Valentine's Day cards to the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed

- Because I am not going to the party tonight I am going to make lots of Valentine's Day cards

- I attended a meeting and Pastor Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life) was the guest speaker. His topic was music to my ears because he spoke about everything that I am going through right now and it put me back on the right path!!

To Do: Update Wardrobe

I watched Rumor Has It this weekend and once again confirmed my belief that Jennifer Aniston may just be perfect! In the movie she has a great wardrobe which made me think of bringing a couple new items into my own closet.

Here is what I am thinking:
beige wool skirt (pair this with a black buttom up and some black pumps, classic)
fun black pumps (I think that it would be cute to pair these up with the outfit above)
bold print skirt
black flats
portfolio


Inspiration:
for work
for casual winter

To Do: Become Political Aware

This is a great website for the modern girl...

There is nothing lamer than a girl who knows nothing about current events.

Oh and there is like this thing tomorrow called ummm... Super Tuesday! Make sure you vote!!!

To Do: Apartment Update

As you may remember... I have been in the mood to update my apartment. Well, the old roommates moved out and left the apartment looking pretty boring so it inspired me to get my act together. This weekend I painted some furniture black and finished up the living room. It looks amazing. (Ill add pictures soon!!!)

Living Room: (things we still may need)
bright yellow fabric bulletin board (like this, this or this, maybe even this) (I love these too!)
television
dvd/vcr player

Laundry:
shelving (something like this one or this one)

Bedroom:
I really need a new bed. I am starting to feel claustriphobic and my back is always killing me. So... how about a fullsize bed (either this one or this)

Kitchen:
paint (not sure yet on the color, hot pink, bright green...)
above sink storage
recycling station

Bathroom:
I was thinking about bringing in another color to my white and navy blue bathroom, originally I was thinking that this was a good color but I bought this hot pink shampoo the other day and I realized that white, blue and hot pink would be so fun for a boring old bathroom. (Plus, I already have a super cute hot pink Breast Cancer Awareness toothbrush!

Stairway: I want to add a little shelf right next to the door and just tidy up the area.

To Do: Join The Peace Corps

This something that my mother always wanted me to do and something that I always wrote off until recently. I went to a meeting and the guest speaker that day was the the Director Ronald Tschetter.

He kinda explained that the Peace Corps is no longer an organization for tree-huggers, (a- these were my words not his and b- not like there is anything wrong with being a tree-hugger) but how the organization has gained many faith based members.

I really want to travel the world and I feel like I keep putting it off. If I am luck and McCain wins the general election I may try and work one year in the WH and then take off for the Peace Corps.

I was looking at the map and I think that I would like to work somewhere in Africa. They are in major need of some assistance and it is a little closer to my dad who lives in Australia. Lets just see how it all plays out. :)

Places that I am thinking about going:

Lesotho

South Africa

Madagascar

Ghana

Swaziland

Pacific Island

Morocco

I have put my focus on going somewhere in Africa because it is closer to my dad!!