What I am Wearing Now

So, I'm about to embark on a 13-day work trip (with a weekend stopover to see friends in between) and I am having some anxiety over what to pack for a trip that includes meetings in New Orleans, Boston and Orlando.

As I was trying to write down my packing list the other day while sitting at Starbucks, I realized that I had on three of my favorite winter picks.

So to avoid packing for another 15 minutes or so, I thought "why not do a blog post?"

I'd like to confess that I was late to the party when it comes to skinny jeans but I have been converted!

I have two favorite pairs of skinny pants.

First are a pair of dark wash jeans from Gap that I ordered online a few months ago. I can't find them anywhere on their website (a pet peeve of mine, I find a style I like and they discontinue it). Oh well, trust me, they are awesome.

Second, are these Rockstar style stretchy skinny jeans from Old Navy.

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I may have bought a half dozen (or more) pairs of the cords in this style when they were on sale for less than $10 for my sisters and me...I kept three of the cords for myself.

My only complaint are that they are super short so there is no way I can wear them without boots.

Speaking of boots...

I grabbed these at Kohl's the day after Thanksgiving for $20 and have kicked myself ever since that I didn't get them in black too. I wear them ALL THE TIME!!

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I love winter time when I can wear boots not only with skinny pants but also with skirts. Nothing I like more than a skirt, a pair of patterned tights and boots!

The last item that I am in love with this year is my Ultra Light Down Jacket from Uniqlo. (Sorry for the blurry photo. It's an awesome jacket, I promise.)

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My sisters and I found this store when we went to New York City a couple of years ago and we fell in love - especially with their Heatech line. My sisters each got one of these jackets when we were out there and I didn't.

I regretted it every time I saw them wearing theirs. But when my sister and I took my nephew to NYC last fall and visited the store TWICE, I still didn't buy one. WHY?!?

So, when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas I decided I was going to get one. And I love it now. It is super, super light but still quite warm.

The only thing that might make it better is a hood. Like this one...

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It may be on my wish list for next Christmas!

What are some of your favorite pieces right now?

DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this blog post are my own. The only way Gap, Old Navy, Kohls and Uniqlo know me is as a customer and the links are NOT affiliates links. However if you choose to shop at any of these (except Uniqlo), consider signing up for Ebates to earn cash back (this is a referral link) when you make purchases.

Heading to the Big Easy

I'm headed to New Orleans...

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the Big Easy...

NOLA...for the first time next week.

What should I see?

What should I eat?

What should I drink?

Suggestions needed!!

Wednesday Evening Musings

I'm thinking of re-naming this blog. What about...

A Whole Bunch of Random or Randomosity or Gal in Random Land

I can't seem to put my thoughts together for an actual post but I have so much to say, so much to share.

Well...maybe not "so much" but I have stuff!

Oh well, maybe tomorrow. For now, here's some photos I've snapped and thoughts I've had over the last week or so.

First, I keep thinking it's Thursday and I keep being deeply disappointed that it's just Wednesday! The biggest disappointment of this non-Thursday? No new Big Bang Theory tonight! 

If Soft Kitty wasn't just for when I'm sick, I'd so be singing it right now!

I'm getting ready to head out on an almost two week roadtrip for work and I am having anxiety over what to pack.

What are the items that you ALWAYS pack when you travel? 

Hotel socks (so your feet never touch the bed or floor), your favorite pillow, maybe a bag of M&Ms so you don't starve?

For me it's...

That's right. I almost NEVER travel without a bottle of water, can of Coke Zero and a mini bottle of booze or two. Add to that some Advil PM and you have my survival kit.

I'm flying so I'll have to leave the water and Coke Zero behind, but the mini booze bottle can go in my checked bag...or in my quart-size bag as it's less than 3 ounces! 

Since this is a random post, I just have to share this next photo. 

OMG...these girls just make me smile and for some reason this photo just makes me smile even bigger. They are just the cutest cousins ever. They are going to be SO much trouble when they get older.

It's Ash Wednesday, which for us Catholics means not only the start of Lent, but also the tradition of giving something up, a sacrifice if you will, for the next 40 days.

As a child, my mom made us give up sweets. No cookies, candy, desserts. It was hard, I always cheated always.

I usually give up something and never quite completely succeed. A couple of years I did something during Lent instead of giving something up. One year I wrote a letter a day to someone who touched my life in some way. That was a good exercise and encourage everyone to think about doing something similar at some point.

Last year I gave up my morning Starbucks and then donated the money I saved to my nephew's school. I admit I slipped up a time or two. I'm not perfect, God doesn't expect me to be.

I thought long and hard about what to do this year. I have a friend who always chooses something extraordinary to give up. One year she gave up all beverages except for water (maybe milk). This year she gave up social media. She's a rockstar.

So, this year I decided to give up fast food. I love a greasy cheeseburger or some hot, salty french fries. And I tend to take the easy way out and swing by a drive through on the nights I work later. No more! Not for 40 days at least.

In preparation for this fast, I indulged one last time yesterday with one of my favorites that I don't allow myself to have very often because it's kind of expensive AND more sandwich than I can usually eat...the Son of the Baconator at Wendy's.

It was oh so good and the perfect way to say good-bye!

Random Thoughts from the Big Game

After Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan's Sprint ad this weekend, I am scared to call the big game by its real name...do you think the NFL goes after blogs that I read by a handful of people and my mom?

Actually, since I haven't blogged in a while, I don't think my mom even checks my blog anymore. How sad...

On another note, I have a secret crush on Paul Rudd...

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Guess it's not a secret anymore, huh?

I think I have unrealistic expectations of the big game ads...I just didn't think the funny ones hit the mark this year. Did you?

Though I had a couple of favorites in the sentimental category...the Budweiser  Clydesdale and the Dodge Ram "so God made a farmer" - BTW, watch the Dodge ad, share it and $1 will be donated to National FFA.

While I have high expectations of the big game ads, I seem to have low expectations when it comes to the big game's half time show. I thought the half time shows in the last 2-3 years have been OK.

Beyonce wasn't perfect, she danced more than she sang but I thought she looked good and loved that she brought out her Destiny's Child girls. I love me some Destiny's Child!!

While watching I thought about Beyonce's stage personality - Sasha Fierce. It really fits her stage presence.

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So I started to think what my stage name could be. It needs to capture the essence of me on stage...I came up with Susie Awkward. 

What would yours be?

Do you think Beyonce's half time show caused the lights to go out during the big game? I loved all of the Reba comments on Facebook after that happened. 

When the lights went out at the stadium I made the decision never to go to the restroom at a sports stadium (maybe in public) again...or carry a small flashlight with me at all times. Can you imagine what it was like for those who were just minding (and doing) their business and bam...it goes dark. Yikes.

Finally, after watching the two coaches, who are also brothers, go head to head I decided that I could never coach against my sister...first I am not a competitive person so the win would not be the end all for me and second I am people pleaser and I would probably feel guilty if I was winning and just want my sister to catch up and win the game.

Well, that concludes another installment of "Random Thoughts by Me." Goodbye and Good Night.

Involved is My One Word

What your Christmas tree isn't still lit and up in your house?

Hmmm...

Well, mine is and it's just one part of my life that I'm just a bit behind on...and I really don't care. Honestly, the tree kind of just blends into the corner and who knows, it may be up for a while!

Another "project" I wanted to get started when the calendar turned to 2013 was something my friend Cris shared over on her blog. It's actually something she found over at One Word 365 and I love the whole concept.

Simply choose a word that "sums up who you want to be or how you want to live." Then focus on that word EVERY day, ALL year long.

I immediately chose a word and then questioned myself on if it was THE WORD.

I thought about it and thought about it and kept coming back to my original word so I stuck with it.

Here it is...Involved.

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

-Benjamin Franklin

I want to be more involved in all areas of my life...

With my family, especially with my nieces and nephews. I want to be the aunt that DOES things with them.

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With my friends

With my community

With my faith

With my health, I am so inspired by the #Year2Change movement happening over at As Goode As It Gets that I'm determined to make exercise a part of my weekly routine. 

My first time on the treadmill in a year...

With my blog, this means actually posting AND interacting on here. I started the year out OK, but I just let it go and it was easy to do. I don't want it to be easy to ignore this place where I truly enjoy the time I spend on it. 

Want to choose your own word? Check out this post on One Word 365 for help.

Heading to that Magical Place

Scary self-portrait of an aunt & a crazy nephew

I am SO excited. 

My sister and I are taking her youngest to Florida soon for an ADVENTURE. 

He's the baby so he seems to get left out of the big stuff we do with the older boys. 

Since he starts kindergarten (where has the time gone???) in August, we thought this was the perfect opportunity for some fun.

While we are down there, we've decided a day at the Magical Place on Earth is a must.

We went as a family back in 2010 when he looked like this...

Look at my shark hat!!

Arrrrgh, I'm a pirate.

 Army Guys from Toy Story...a favorite

The one park we didn't hit was Animal Kingdom so that's where we are heading this time.

Any suggestions on what we should OR shouldn't do/see while there?

Since the park closes at 5 p.m. and we have Hopper Passes, we are thinking of hitting one of the other parks for dinner and one of the fireworks shows. Maybe Fantasmic or IllumiNations?

I really shouldn't be this excited, but I am!

The only thing I'm bummed about...he's really too big for a stroller!

It's rough being a kid at Disney...

Where will we put all of our stuff? Maybe I will have to get a backpack!

Found in the Drawer

What an exciting blog title, huh?

Just drew you right in, didn't it?

I was talking to a couple blogging friends today and we were lamenting about how hard it is to write sometimes.

You can have a great idea. You can have the time to sit down and write. And nothing.

That's how I felt most of December...full of great ideas and nothing.

Then I had THE conversation. The one where a friend said when you are struggling to write a post sometimes it's best to put it aside and just write something random.

I LOVE it. I love random posts (and random dancing - so sad the iCarly decided to go grow up and go to college) so it's the perfect solution.

So, here it is...my random post that I hope will break this cycle of paralyzing non-posting.

I was digging trying to find the postcard Google sent me back in July with my Google AdSense PIN (I know, don't judge me) when I came across a stash of stuff that made me smile.

 forgotten gift cards

Do you ever find gift cards that you have forgotten about? 

It's like Christmas all over again. One of the Southwest cards was brand new! Now I'm thinking a long weekend visiting friends out East is a must...especially since they gave me the cards.

On the other hand, the Visa card has 78 cents on it. What do you do with cards that have less than a dollar on them? I can't make myself throw it away!!

 Someone loves the iTunes deals at CVS too much...

I can't resist the ExtraCare Bucks savings when it comes to iTunes cards. I just didn't realize how many I have accumulated! Yikes.

the coolest bumper sticker ever

I lived in Wareham - pronounced Wear-HAM, not Wear-em (learned that the hard way...) - for about a year a decade or so ago. I loved the town. I loved the people. I did NOT love being a thousand miles away from my family. So when I moved home, one of my friends gave me this sticker and I love it. 

It used to hang in my office but when I changed jobs a half a decade or so ago, it got shuffled into a drawer. I find it every once in a while and smile. 

It is something that no matter how many times I "clean out the drawers" that I will never throw away. 

Do you have something as silly as a bumper sticker that you just can't throw out?

By the way, I never did find that stupid Google postcard!