As if I didn't know already...

that it was getting close to my time of the month by the unjustified weight gain and uncontrollable mood swings, my body decided to give me another not so subtle clue...right in the middle of Target.

Yesterdays bright and cheery mood left with the sunshine and was replaced by the cold and rainy day that is my Wednesday. Just as everything yesterday seemed to go right, everything today seemed to go wrong - you get the picture.

So I'm in Target picking up a few things and decided to look and see if the new flavor of Yoplait Light yogurt I've been looking for was there. It's not supposed to be out until February, but I've been looking for it since I heard the news that they were coming out with the Cinnamon Roll variety about three weeks ago. I check every time I go in, but they never have it, so I wasn't really expecting it today, however I was wrong. There on the shelf was my Cinnamon Roll.* I swear it was like it was radiating light and birds started singing. So what do my screwed up hormones decide to make me do?

CRY

My body decided that yogurt was worth crying over. Seriously. I'm standing in the middle of Target, holding a carton of yogurt, crying. I'm sure I looked absolutely ridiculous.

Oh the joys of being woman :)

*In case you were wondering, it's very good!

All you need is a little Spring!

It's no secret that when the weather turns colder so does my mood. I hate winter and the day my flip flops have to go back into the closet is a bad day in my world. However, day it is

Gorgeous.Gorgeous.Gorgeous.

here today! I'm not trying to brag or rub this in any of my readers faces who are currently dealing with ice and snow, but I really needed this today!

I'm sure it's all in my head, but since the weather is so pretty everything else in my day is going well also! I got called on in my hardest class today and instead of drilling me into the ground like he does everyone else, he asked me one question and that was it; leaving me to breath again!

I was going to go run outside today cause it is just so gosh darn beautiful, but I've decided that to keep my new shoes looking, well new, I'm going to stay in and treadmill it instead.

I'm going to live this up while I can because tomorrow's forecast - rainy/snowy with a high of 35 :(

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday no matter the weather!

Where did the weekend go? It seems like just a few hours ago I was celebrating a free Friday afternoon! A free Friday afternoon where it was warm enough to drive with the top down I might add. Guh, I'm so ready for spring!

Thank you all for your suggestions on my last post. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but I was just facing a weekend with nothing to do and no one to do it with, and it got to me. I'll definitely be trying out some of those tips!

As far as my weekend went, I didn't realize how much college football consumes my Saturday's in the fall - not that I'm complaining - but really a whole Saturday with no football! What's a girl to do?! Well this girl went to see Gran Torino. What an excellent movie!!! If you haven't seen it, go! I cried at the end, but again, nothing new :)

But now it's Monday...again. Dragging myself out of bed this morning wasn't as bad as I thought because a case that I had been working on at my internship got a conviction last week, so I knew everyone would be in a great mood today, and I was right! Now when I say I worked on it, I was one piece of a 8,464 puzzle, but I like to think that it was my part that put the jury over the top :)

And finally, for those of you who don't receive the Hungry Girl emails (cough*you should *cough) I'm passing along another free sample, Quaker Rice Cakes! Go here and request yours. You get to chose between two favors - the Mini's: Chocolate Drizzle or the regular Cheddar Cheese. I've had the Cheddar and they're amazing - They taste just like cheese puffs. Since I've had those, I went with the chocolate ones. Enjoy!

All Dressed Up and No Where to Go...

Okay Bloggy friends, I need advice. As much as I like to think I have things in control, sometimes you just need some help, ya know?

I've lived here for almost a year and half, and I don't know anyone! I mean I have my classmates, but after spending all week in class and doing homework, the last thing I want to do is spend more time with them, because all they talk about is law and jobs, blah, blah. I don't know what to do.

I've tried church after church after church since I've been here because I grew up in church and really wanted to find a church home here, sadly, however, most of them are so big, that they aren't welcoming at all - I'm just a number and I hate that. I found one church I liked, went for three MONTHS and the Pastor always called me the wrong name, the name of another girl who started visiting around the same time I did. Needless to say after months of being called "Jenny" you being to think you don't really matter.

So I ask you: Where do you meet people? Where do you go? Am I missing a huge portion of the population somewhere?

This predicament is nothing new - clearly I've been here for awhile, however after spending a great weekend last weekend with my closest friends (and some new friends, that I now believe I'd rather spend time with than some of my old friends), coming back here and having nothing to do except read can wear on you.

Anyway, all comments welcome! With that being said, I'm going shopping :) Hope you're enjoying your Saturday!

Follow Up!

I thought I'd give you all a follow up this mornings rant, because I always like to know the rest of the story and I thought you might too.

I called the ticket outlet, and let me also say that this city only allows you to get tickets through one company and it's not Ticketmaster, so there is like a monopoly on concert tickets there. That aside, I call and get put on hold because "all operators are with other customers" and that while my "call is very important to them, they answer calls in the order they were received." Okay, fine - I'll wait. While I'm waiting they play, what I assume was supposed to be soothing music to keep the agitated guest happy, but really was just irritating ocean waves, and while I love the sound of the ocean, not when it is full of static and very, very loud!

After about 10 minutes on hold, a woman comes on the line and wants to help me. I tell her I want a refund for my Eagles tickets for the concert that was supposedly last night.

"Sure, that's not a problem!" * all the while she's trying to be up beat and perky, but I was in no mood for upbeat and perky, so in this case it was not helping the situation

After giving me the address and trying to make jokes while doing it, again not in the mood, I ask, "Exactly how was anyone supposed to know that the concert was moved up a day? I mean, was it advertised anywhere?"

This is where Little Mary Sunshine went away and Little Ms. Cupcake came out. *cupcake is my alternate word for B*tch, just fyi.

She informed me that it was broadcast on a local television several times and that it was also in the local paper. Well that's all well and good except, I'M NOT LOCAL, which I also shared with her. I told her that I was in Alabama and had no way of knowing what was going on with her local paper and that she is very lucky that I hadn't driven all the way from Alabama to attend the concert that didn't happen. To which she responds, "well I'm very sorry that you don't read the Sentinel, but it was made clear to people that there was a change."

When I asked what people from out of state were supposed to do, she told me that she personally had called several people that had purchased tickets out of state. Really, I'm still waiting. I told her that not only did she have my phone number, she also had my email and home addresses, and that I was not contacted in any of those ways.

This goes on for sometime and then, and here is when I lost it BIG time. Before I hung she says, and get this, "When you send the tickets back make sure they have the January 21st date on them, or we can't take them back." Apparently, the tickets that were sold later had the correct date. This comment just put me in a new place and I told her that "if the tickets had said the 20th my parents would HAVE BEEN THERE and we would not be having this conversation right now!!" GRRR!!!

I know I say this quite a bit, but I don't fight with people, I don't like confrontation and I really hate yelling at people doing their jobs, however she was not doing her job and her smartalic attitude just got to me! I don't deal with disappointment well and those tickets were what I was most excited about this past Christmas, so she got the brunt of my frustration, however, I'm sure she got calls much worse than mine all day long. Anyway, after I return the tickets, I get a refund, so I guess if it has to end with no concert, at least I get my money back.

I've calmed down now. I went for a long run before lunch and afterwards it was so warm I was able to wear flip flops!! There is nothing quite like a pair of brown and white polka dotted Yellow Box flip flops to turn the day around.

I Guess They Just Felt Like It!

Sorry for a Thursday morning rant, but I'm so mad that before I get on the phone with "the man" I need to release some of this anger.

If you'll remember back a few posts ago, I was way excited about giving my Dad Eagles tickets for Christmas - favorite band, never seen them in person - all that jazz. Fast forward to Christmas - He loved them! He was so surprised and I was happy knowing that I had made him that way.

Okay, where does this go badly you ask?

Yesterday was the day of the concert. My parents left early so they could go to dinner first, you know have a nice evening. They get to the arena and the sign on the door says, "The Eagles concert originally scheduled for today, was moved up to yesterday. For refunds please call..."

MOVED UP!

No one knew it was moved up. I believe the sign went on to say that they tried to get a hold of all ticket holders, but I'm still waiting on that phone call. They also had my email address and my home address. It's 2009, there are ways to get a hold of me people!

When my Mom called to tell me, I cried (shock) and then got really mad! My Dad assured me that it was the thought that counted and that he would rather me get a refund and let us do something as a family over my Spring Break. He's great, but really, who moves a concert up without making it like a huge deal!

This isn't my first rodeo. While I've never had a concert postponed on me, the artist has had to that on occasion and he/she always makes the headline on their website, it's advertised on the radio, etc. I checked their website - no mention of the change. No mention! I guess I was supposed to have ESP with them or something.

Anyway, I'm waiting for them to open so I can get my refund and tell them my thoughts on their very private change of plans! Grrr....

Tuesday is Monday?

I'm back from a fabulous three day weekend! As a result of MLK day and having Monday classes off, the powers that be decided Monday classes should meet on Tuesday, so that we don't behind a day on Monday classes, so we skip Tuesday classes all together and go straight to Wednesday. Confused yet? As a result of this screwed up concept, I'm having a terrible time keeping my week straight.

I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I'm just now feeling recovered from the weekends events. If you remember I went to spend time with the wonderful Classy. We, as usual, had a wonderful time, and I'm happy to report that we still have "it" - whatever that may be. I'll just direct you to her for a full recap, but it suffices to say that we're pretty much amazing! In all we were able to score at least four rounds of drinks (on the house) for our party, an order of mini corn dogs (for the b-day girl), and a couple of beers to keep the boys happy while we shamelessly flirted with the bartender. I'm pretty sure if we had asked for them to give us ownership of the bar, they would have. We're the perfect example of what happens when you only get out once every few months :) As Classy's Mr. Perfect so wisely put it the next morning: "You have to know you're limits even when the drinks are free." So wise, so wise. Nonetheless, I'm trying to decide when my schedule permits me visit again; hopefully sometime soon!


However, like all good times they have to come to an end and now I'm back to the class, gym, class, routine again. Having gone running shoe shopping with Classy, I decided it was time to retire the current pair - they lived a good life - and purchase some new ones. I went to a local store that finds the perfect shoe for your foot, depending on whether you over or under pronate. I apparently, over pronate slightly, so they recommended New Balance 859's.

I.Love.Them.

I didn't realize how much I loved them until I went to the gym. I didn't even realize I was running - I felt like I was floating on air, as odd as that sounds. I didn't know a pair of shoes should make that big of a difference. I ran further today than I have in a long time! Again, I love these shoes!

Alright, time for my weekly addiction - the Biggest Loser!

"Cause the good ones all got wedding rings..."

And the young ones are just too dumb..."

Oh so true, so true, Miranda Lambert! I was reminded of her song, Guilty in Here, today while in class or should I say before class.

It's my practice to get to class early so that I can set my laptop up, get my notes ready and try to get the internet browsing done before class starts. Today was no different and the guy who sits next to me seems to have the same practice. I've had a majority of my classes in law school with him so we're normally friendly with each other. But today we just talked about everything! We have so much in common! This, also, is not new. I seem to have more guy friends than girls, but the whole experience reminded me of this Miranda Lambert song. Because, as it were, Mr. Chatty is married and recently had a daughter - she's way cute, btw!

Now don't take any of this the wrong way. I wasn't flirting with him, I was just way excited to have someone to talk to about stuff I actually like! I'm not attracted to him or going to try and wreak his happy life - that's not my style, but I couldn't help but think of these lyrics and giggle, because it really does seems like the all the good ones are married, and per experience the young ones are in fact, "too dumb"! It's a cute song, so you should listen!

Anyway, on to more important topics! My last class was cancelled for tonight because the professor is sick - best wishes to him, but I now get to watch Grissom's final episode on CSI! Then even better than that, I'm leaving for Nashville tomorrow to spend the weekend with Classy!!! I'm not sure there is anything I can say to express my level of excitement! :)

Against My Better Judgement...

...I began reading Marley and Me over Christmas Break. I'd heard good things, the movie was coming out and I'm the type that really likes to read the book before seeing the movie, even though the movie is never as good. So last night, I sat down and read the last 6 chapters...again against my better judgment.

I'm not going to go into detail about the book, but I will say that I was crying so hard that I was hyperventalating and really think that I was close to passing out because I couldn't catch my breath. I really didn't think that I would be affected this way. I know that I cry about everything, so I shouldn't have been surprised but I was.

I think that I was most affected because I've seen both ends of the spectrum - I have a puppy but my family had a dog for 16 years that had to be put to sleep about 2 years ago. Sugar, my first pet, was a humane society pet that had been serverly abused and was very close to being put to sleep when my Dad went and picked her out. She wasn't much to look at - her teeth were rotten from the malnutrience she experienced as a puppy with her first family, she was terrified of thunderstorms because they had left her on the side of the road in a crate for several weeks before someone took her to the pound, she was scared of kids (one of the reasons she wasn't as close to me as she was my mother) and by the end of her life, she was blind and deaf. Nonetheless, she was ours. My first pet.

I was away at college in the middle of mid-terms when she had to be put down. My parents decided that it was better for me to not know until after I came home for Spring Break. I didn't get to say goodbye. That was one reason I had such a hard time with this book -I had to live what my parents went through, and that I hadn't understood until now.

Losing a pet is so hard. They truely do become part of the family. My Mom still hasn't fully gotten over the loss of Sugar, and I realized last night that I hadn't either. However, it also had a more uplifting message for me too. As frustrated as I get with my new puppy, Belle, I realize now that while all these puppy antics are hard, one day she won't be a puppy anymore and I'll miss these days - what I'd imagine having a growing child is like.

If you haven't read, read it, but have a box of Kleenex with you :)

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

It's been slow going this week - still trying to get in the "groove" with classes and workouts, but I'm getting there. On to more important things! Having clicked around, I've noticed that many people are, like me, getting back into or starting the healthy eating, so I feel I'd be doing you all a disservice if I didn't share my new favorite finds!

First, Hungry Girl! I love her! I look forward to her e-mails everyday! So when I received her new cookbook for Christmas, I was beyond excited! She is amazing at giving substitute recipes for some of the most unhealthy foods out there. For example, her idea for fettuccine 'girlfredo' is life changing!! I mean it's only 81 calories! 81! That's crazy!! You use Laughing Cow Light Cheese - these are good as a snack too! Anyway, through her, I've found the rest of my favorite finds!
Next, Tofu Shirataki noodles. Now don't let the name scare you - it did me at first - but these are great! I'm a huge fan of pasta, but had given up on eating it because it was so bad for you, but not anymore!! You can have the entire bag, plenty for one person, for only 40 calories. I'll admit not everyone will like them - they are more chewy than normal noodles - but for the calories it saves, it not that bad. I would recommend these three recipes - one, two, three. They are hard to find - I get mine at Whole Foods, but you can also look at any health food store!

Third, Butternut Squash :) I am, or I guess, was a picky eater. The thought of eating squash made me a little sick, but I thought I'll give it a try because Hungry Girl promised it tasted like sweet potatoes, and she was right! She warns that her recipe for Fries will become addictive and that you'll want to eat them everyday, and there again she was right. They taste so much like french fries, minus the oil and grease :) It also makes wonderful mashed "potatoes" and "Sweet Potato" Casserole!
Fourth, Silk Soy milk. I typically don't like milk. Growing up we kept either skim or 1% milk in the refrigerator. However, I always thought it was too thin. Soy milk (vanilla flavor) is thicker and taste similar to a vanilla milkshake. Yum!

Finally, Fiber One Cereal! This is great as, well cereal, but it is also great for "frying" chicken, shrimp, or fish, or for use in pies, etc. Trust me - try this!

Anyway, that's my two cents! Seriously pick up this book! It also has whole chapters devoted to cocktails, chocolate, soups, salads, and more - so it's definitely worth the money!

Back at it...

Back to Alabama yesterday. Back to class today. Back to the gym this afternoon.

I’m ready!

I spent the drive home yesterday mentally preparing for the new semester, something I think I failed to do last semester, and it showed. Yet despite the slow going of last semester, I got the best grades I’ve had so far in law school, including 3 A’s - not bragging, just really, really excited! So I think the momentum is in my favor as this semester starts.

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions; mainly because New Year’s has always seemed kinda sad to me - one year gone that we’ll never get back - but this year was different. Though my New Year’s plans left something to be desired, a couple of random phone calls, text messages, and the fact that I fell down the stairs on New Years Day, left me thinking that 2009 was going to be an interesting year and that I should make the best of it.

Therefore, I’m resolving to live, laugh and love more than ever before. I like to keep my resolutions somewhat vague so that I don’t disappoint myself if I don’t actually follow through with them. It’s time for me to start really living my life and quit worrying about what my college friends are doing with theirs. I mean, just because my newly married college roommate is talking about having children already, does not mean that I have a time line to live up to. Last night when I got home I took down all the wedding invitations and save the date cards off my refrigerator and filled it with pictures of my family and friends, the letters I received about job offers and other positive images. It’s a small thing but it really made me feel better!

Yes, this is going to be a wonderful year - I can feel it!!

I do have to make one very specific resolution though. I found out over break that I’m going to be in a wedding in July as a reader. Translation: Still up in front of all the guest, but in a dress that I bought myself. Therefore, I am going to finally get my butt in gear- literally - and lose the last 15-20 pounds I’ve been trying to get rid of for the last few months. More on that in another post. So not only do I want to lost the weight, I want to find the perfect dress. Why is this so important? Well, Mr. Second Chance is a groomsman. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want Mr. Second Chance to turn into Mr. Third Chance, but I would like for me to be reading and him to be thinking, “D@#@! I missed out!” This is not my motivation (I’m doing this for me) but it would be the nice little reward at the end of the road ;)

As much as I hate to share this...

The Ladies over at SITS are giving away, are you ready for this, a Keurig Platinum Brewing System!!
I have had my eye on one of these for awhile now and am so excited about his giveaway! Not only do you get the coffee pot, but you also get 50 cups to go with it! It's easy to enter, just follow the link above and leave a comment!!