vacation on the brain!

The weather has been SO nice this week that I have been on vacation mode, even though I've been at work and work has been actually really busy and hectic. But still...it's that time of the year when you start thinking about fun vacations. School vacations are coming up...and we have a bunch of people at work on vacation next week. One is going to Myrtle Beach...another is going to Virginia for a family reunion...another is heading to Florida. Of course, all are driving...and no one is thinking of flying during the insanity right now.

One of my co-workers is planning on using her $600 from the government to go on a vacation with her boyfriend. I don't think they are planning on luxury vacations or anything, but they want to get out of town.

So...anyone have any vacations planned recently? Share away so I can be green with jealousy.

wouldn't it be nice?

I always hear of people taking these really exciting vacations...going to Europe for a couple of weeks...going to Australia...spending a week skiing in Coloroda..yadda, yadda, yadda.

I've never been someone who has taken really exciting vacations...and that's kind of pathetic. I don't know why. I guess it takes a good deal of planning and saving and what not. Plus, I've always been the kind of person who wanted to use their vacation time to relax at home since vacations always tire you out more than rest you up, etc.

I really wanna be one of those people who does take vacations...who goes on fun trips or long weekends. I did mention to a few friends over a year ago...hoping to make a trip to Florida and do the whole Disney thing. Of course, I'd also be going to see my family and that adorable little nephew of mine. It seemed like an exciting trip to plan at the time, but none of us have really made any roads to even thinking about it, let alone planning it. And, it doesn't help that my friends and I haven't found time to hang out IN TOWN, let alone plan a trip down South for a week or more. Plus, there is the money factor. I always have money saved, so in all honesty...I could go anytime, but well...most of my friends aren't in that situation. So...I don't see that trip happening any time soon, which makes me sad.

But I wanna be a traveler...even if it means planning and going on trips solo. I want to spend more time in Florida with my family and seeing the sites. I want to go on a cruise. The idea of a cruise just seems to exciting to me. I want to make it out to the West Coast and California sometime. I'd love to spend a weekend or even longer in one of the hotels Las Vegas. I don't think I'd even need to gamble (who am I kidding...I'd play a little, but I'm cheap enough to not lose much money at all).

So...not matter how, I want to start being more of a traveler and an adventurer. I want to look for opportunities and stop being such a home body all the time. I might even start a traveling savings account...and decide I can only use that money for fun trips.

So, where should I go first?

Back in NY...

Hey everyone...and by everyone...I mean the 4 people who read here. lol I am officially back in cold, snowy NY. My dad and I left warm, sunny Florida at 4:30am on Friday. My brother gets up for work anyways at 4am, so he got to see us off. I wish we lived closer to one another...because I would love to see him and the family more often. And that nephew of mine...did I mention he is the cutest person on the planet. I'll post later a bunch of things that I think are adorable about him....

Dad and I drove through the day on Friday and got smacked with rain in Northern Virgina, so we stopped....we were going to stop anyways. We stayed at a hotel that was way expensive...but with the high price tag, it came with some nice perks. It was a beautiful room...nice big towels...a mini fridge...a microwave...a fitness center. I'll be honest, I am most excited about the fitness center. All I had done all day is sit on my booty....so I was glad to give it some exercise. So, I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes or so. Then...I watched some TV (I watched Elf on the Sci-Fi Channel...umm, why is Elf sci-fi, even in the slightest)...and headed to bed.

Dad wanted to leave at like 6am...I nixed that. I wanted to workout in the morning before we left. So, 7am was the decided time. I got up at 5:45am...ran down to the car...got my workout clothes on...ran on the elliptical for 30 minutes...jumped in the shower...got dressed...packed my stuff...drank down my breakfast...and was ready to go at 7am.

We made great time...and we were home just a smidge after 2pm. I ran some errands...came home...made dinner...did a load of laundry and now I am just vegging in front of the tv for the evening. I imagine I will be in bed early...and catch up on some zzzzs.

I loved being in Florida...spending time with my brother, his kick ass wife and of course...the adorable nephew. If I won the lottery, I would spend a lot more time with them...since it is just constant fun. I wish I could have stayed longer. I am happy to be home, but I still want to be there. I know that makes no sense, but it does to me.

I hope everyone had a great holiday...and a wonderful new year coming up. Hugs to all...and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas Eve...and a weigh-in too!

Hi y'all! Merry Christmas eve...I hope everyone is having a great holiday. It's been wonderful here in sunny Florida. I would miss the snow, but I could get used to weather where people say it is chilly out when it is 60 degrees. lol My nephew's bday was yesterday and we had a rockin' good time at his party. Phew..I am burning calories left and right playing with that adorable kid.

It's Christmas Eve, but it's also Monday...so let's not forget it is weigh-in time. I am a crazy nut who brought my scale with me on vacation. I wanted to know that I was eating well and doing what I needed to, so the scale kept me honest. It would be too easy to cheat here or there if I didn't step on the scale each and every morning.

So, what did it say this morning on the official weigh-in day? Well...it said I dropped another TWO POUNDS! That makes a total of 45 pounds I have lost since I recommitted in September. I initially thought all I wanted to lose was 45 lbs, but I have decided to go for another 10 lbs...so I am off to the races again. I feel really good about what I have lost and that clothes actually fit now, instead of just hiding me like they used to before. But, I want those vanity pudge pounds gone too. So, I am going after them!!! Fitness wise...this new year is going to be a whole new ball of wax!

Merry Christmas everyone...I hope Santa brings you everything your heart desires! Santa brought me what I wanted...actually he took 45 lbs with him while he was dropping off the rest of the presents. Good job Santa!

Sunny Florida...well, it's a little rainy today...but still!

Hi to all out there on the internets!

My dad and I made it...and are now in sunny Florida for the holidays. We did have some car trouble....I think because we kept boasting about what GREAT time we were making. We were in Maryland...about to hit the W Virginia line...and the tire started making a foul noise. Dad thought it was a tire going...we pulled over...tire is fine. So, we naively went on our way...and the noise got WAY worse. So, we pulled over at the next exit...and by this time, smoke was pouring out from under the tire. We found a little repair shop and they were able to fix it...and seemed honest to boot! It was a wheel bearing that went bad...and the guy said if we didn't stop when we did...the tire probably would have fallen off while we were driving! Eeek...glad we stopped when we did.

Other than that...the trip was uneventful. It was a nice ride...and my nephew is seriously the most adorable person on the planet. I love love love playing with him...and, it is a great way to get my exercise in.

I hope everyone has a great holiday...I will check in from time to time...and say hey...but if it is a choice between running around after my cute lil' nephew and updated y'all...you know where I stand on that one.

Hugs to all...

I do love snow...

Did I mention it is snowing today? Because it is! It's not a lot, but there is a dusting going around. I have always lived in a climate where there has been a wintery, snowy time of the year. I grew up here...in Upstate, NY. Snow. I went to college in Vermont. Snow, obviously! And then I moved to Indiana for a few years. Snow. I have never lived in a place that doesn't have snow. Of course, just because you live surrounded by snow doesn't mean you have to love it. Many of my friends who live here don't love snow like I do. I just find it fun. I am much more kid like when I am around snow...I like to play in it. It reminds me of those fun days when you woke up and your mom told you it was a snow day. When it snows now, I don't get a snow day...but still, it's fun!

Even though I live around snow, I would still love to vacation some time during the winter in one of those cozy snow cabins. Doesn't that sound fun and romantic? I could go to a place like Pigeon Forge cabins. Of course, knowing my luck...I would go when there isn't any snow to play with. Could you imagine though...having a week to just play in the snow and what not. I am sure some people would love it for the skiing, but not me...I don't need skiing, I just need snow. Plain and simple snow.

Of course, it won't be my next vacation. My next time away...is coming soon and it is sunny Florida. I gotta tell ya, it'll be weird having a Christmas in a warm climate. They'll be no chance of snow!!!! Somehow though...I think I will survive!

I *heart* NY!

I miss the Big Apple...seriously, I do. When I was in high school and even a little when I was in college, I used to go to NYC quite a bit. I would go down to the city and see a broadway show or maybe go and do some Christmas shopping. I won a trip to NYC my freshman year in college. I got to stay in a nice hotel and see all the site, including a Broadway show. It was such a great trip. I can't believe I haven't been to NYC since 9/11. I don't think my roommate has ever been to NYC, which of course is a shame.

The next time I go to the city, I might want to take one of those bus tours. They pick you up, bring you down, give you lots of info of places to go, etc. I think the transportation is one of the real highlights. I could take the train, but if a bus will bring me...all the better. I would never and I mean NEVER take my own car into the city. I can barely find a parking place here when I am downtown...so, I am not going to even try to find parking in NYC. New York Tours seems like a great way to see the city again.

If you have been to NYC, where would you tell people that they have to see??? For me, it would be some of the museums, of course the Broadway Shows and Lennon's Park in Central Park. I have heard there are Sex and The City tours and I think those would be fun too...if they aren't just chuck full of cheese.

I gotta start planning a trip to NYC....not that I have the $$$ right now with the trips to see Kevin Smith and the John Mellencamp concert, but a girl can dream right!!

maybe I should just move to Florida!

One of my friends just got home from a vacation in Florida...and hearing her tell about it made me jealous. Not of Florida, but because if I was in FL, I would be able to visit my brother, his wife and my adorable little nephew. My dad and I are going to go down around Christmas time since my nephew's bday is just a couple days before jesus'. lol I also would love to spend a week down there with some friends of mine. We have talked about it, but actually planning something...harder said than done. Part of me wants wants to stay in one of those Orlando vacation rental resorts, but the other part wants to stay at a cheap dive and spend all my money on fun things, not a room to stay. Who knows? No matter what...I am excited just thinking about the trips ahead of me to Florida.

What would be your idea of a perfect vacation?

Since I have vacation on the brain...I wonder what my lovely readers would consider their perfect vacation.

Would it be going to Disney World? Would it be backpacking through Europe? Would it be going to Branson Missouri and hangikng out in Nascar nation? Would it hanging out in LA and hoping to see some stars?

For me...if I could have any vacation, I would spend it in Europe. I would get a Europass and travel all along the different countries. One day in Spain, the next in France...then jetting over to Ireland for a few. I would love to spend some there, but the only problem...I would want to spend way more than a week...a month, maybe more.

So, the question is...what is your idea of a perfect vacation??? Curious minds want to know.

vacation is almost over!

How did it get to be Friday already? I have enjoyed my vacation of slack....but it has gone way too quick. I haven't done a heck of a lot...I cleaned my room, re-arranged it, hung out, went to Maine, etc. It's been nice to be home and on my own schedule...I could get used to this.

Over the weekend...I am going to finish the work on my bedroom, do some shopping and just spend the rest of the time relaxing.

And Monday...back to work I go...*pouts*

project time!

My big main project while I have been home on vacation was to take everything out of my room and re-arrange it. I haven't liked that my bed is smack right in the middle of the room...so it makes it seem even smaller than it already is. But...I haven't had the motivation or energy to actually do it. So, I was leaving it for my vacation...and since it is already Wednesday of this said vacation, I got working on it today.

After my roomie left for work...I started pulling stuff out of the bedroom. I have been doing loads and loads of laundry...and then I started pulling some furniture and the bed out, etc. I always forget just how much stuff...and by stuff, I mean crap...I have until I have to move it all somewhere.

I got everything out....and piled in the kitchen and living room...and then I had to call it quits for a bit. It was time to go grocery shopping with daddy. And then I came home and started again...putting the furniture where I wanted it to be, moving the bed back, etc. Putting the things in storage under the bed. I have most of the things back in, but it isn't settled...I am going to use the next few days for that.

It's weird....I like the new setup, but I will admit...it doesn't exactly feel like my room right now. I have to decide where I am going to put the TV...if I am going to keep 2 little tables or ditch them, etc. Decisions, decisions....but when I decide and everything gets put away...I might take a pic or two and share them.

Phew...this is exhausting.

already planning my next vacation!

As I am starting on my vacation....of doing nothing...and loving it. I started to think about my next vacation which will be going to Florida over Christmas time to visit with my brother and his family, especially my nephew. His birthday is 2 days before Xmas...so we get to celebrate his 3rd birthday, Xmas and I think New Years. That's a lot of celebrating for one vacation, dontcha think. I know December is a while away, but I have already starting thinking and planning. Kissimmee vacations are awesome because there is so much you can do...you can go to Disney, you can go to Sea World...you can just get some fun in the sun and stick your tongue out at all your friends shivering up north. I gotta start saving though...so we can make the most out of the trip. I am so excited.

*yawns*

I had a lot going on this weekend...so here is an update, cause I know you are waiting with baited breath.

Friday: I got out of work...and was so excited that I am officially on vacation. I immediately went and got my haircut. If y'all are lucky...I might post a pic, but probably not. And if I do, I'll probably post it on myspace...so if you aren't my myspace friend....well, sucks to be you!

Saturday: I had such a hard time getting to sleep on Friday night. I have had a hard time sleeping lately and I am not sure why. Anyways...it sucked even more than usual because my alarm was set for 5am...in order to head to Maine with my dad for the day. I prepared him when I got into the car that I might be Ms. Cranky Pants, etc. (Luckily I kept the cranky at bay). SO, we got into Maine at about 10:30 or so. We walked around the boardwalk and bought some of the best salt water taffy. If you have never had Goldenrod Kisses...you are missing out man. Seriously!!! Then, we went over to the local cemetery where my grandparents are buried and meet up with my 2 uncles. It was hot as balls that day....I mean, I was dripping. My uncles got there...we all chit chatted and what not, took some pics and then headed out of the hot evil sun and got some lunch. We went to this cool restaurant that is shaped like a boat, so you feel like you are eating inside a boat. I got an awesome veggie burger...which was homemade, not frozen, etc. It was yummilicious. We had a nice conversation at lunch...until my uncle showed that he is still living in a bitterbarn since my grandma passed away. But, we all moved on...so, it went back to being nice. After lunch, we drove over to the house that my dad grew up in. My other uncle (Non bitterbarn one)...knew the next door neighbor, so we got to walk through their yard to behind my dad's old house. It is such a beautiful home...and it is right on the water. When my grandma sold it...back in 1979...she sold it for $79,000...and it might go back on the market soon and it is rumored it could sell for over 4 million dollars. That's insane...completely insane people. And..after that, my dad and I drove back home and I was in bed EARLY. Long day, but very good day.

Sunday: The JDRF walk was on Sunday. It was a good day, but a hard one to get through. I got up and headed over to my dad's house at 10am...and then we headed over to the walk. To this date, I raised $416.00...so I think that is awesome. My roommate said her employer has a matching program, so it might be even more....so that's great. I am thankful to everyone who donated, it meant so much to me. And...for the next month you can still donate, so if you missed it...no fear, click away! Ooh...a special thank you to the anonymous person who donated. I wish I knew who ya were, so I could really thank you. I got to the walk...turned in my donations and then headed over to the start line. I saw a woman from my church and we walked together. My dad watched and took pics....which I might post on myspace...see there are benefits to being my friend!! LOL Of course, it rained like crazy for the first half of the walk. I had an umbrella...so it wasn't horrible. It let up about the time we were turning around and heading in the other direction. I talked with the woman from my church through the whole walk...and it was nice chit chatting with her. She's truly a remarkable woman. I finished the walk...hugged my dad...and then we left and grabbed some lunch. I spent some time at home with him and then headed back to the apartment to just sit exhausted on the couch...phew. I watched some crap tv...the roomie came home, chit chatted with her...watched more TV...and then headed to bed.

So...there ya have it. My recap of the first weekend of my vacation. So, what's on tap today??? Well...I am going to do lots of laundry and start pulling my bedroom apart. This week is all about organization...and getting everything clean and in its place. At first, I thought my roommate was on vacation this week...but she's not...so I am going to have to try to get all this stuff done without waking her up or bothering her. It's no biggie...just kind of changes the way I would do things, etc. (i.e...I planned on sleeping on the futon while I worked on my room, but obviously that won't work now, etc.) Oh well...life is about adjusting.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week....even if you aren't on vacation like me.

whoo hoo!

Here are a list of joys for today...because it's always good to see the joy in life, eh?

1. I am now officially on vacation. I busted my ass at work today....it's amazing what you have to get done, you get it done. Probably on most Fridays, I would have left some of the stuff...to Monday and be done with it. I just kept busting it out...and I got all the loose ends tied up. Tomorrow I am going to Maine with my dad...so that will be the beginning of my vacation.

2. I got a haircut tonight. I went with my dad to our hairdresser..and got a much needed cut. I got some cut off...it's a couple inches under my shoulders and had her add some long layers, etc. It looks nice...

3. I called my roomie when I got home. I was reading online about a Q&A that Kevin Smith is doing at the end of September. So...I asked my roomie if I bought tickets, does she wanna go? And...she does. So, I plopped down my credit card. On Sept 22nd...we will be heading to Cornell to see and hear some awesome Kevin Smith stories.

All in all....a good day.

It's almost vacation time!!!

It's Thursday...the Thursday before I go on vacation. Let me tell you, I am completely in vacation mode and that kinda sucks. I have so much stuff to do. I have a bajillion things that need following up on...that need filing...that need to at least be organized before I can walk out the door. But, I just don't want to do it.

I am not doing anything special for my vacation...and I like it that way. I am spending the week at home and working on cleaning the apartment (desperately needs it...and only gets worse by the day). I am also re-arranging my room. I am going to Maine for a day with my dad. I have the diabetes walk. And, I might see about going to Vermont for a day..and see an old friend.

All in all, I am just excited to have a week just to veg out and not worry about anything. I like having a week where I don't have to deal with anyone's else crisis, etc. I like a week where I don't have to go to the jail and get anyone into drug rehab or hear someone tell me why they don't need rehab, etc.

I love my job...I really do...and right now is the perfect time for a vacation because I am feeling a smidge burned out. *yawns*

Happy Thursday everyone....T minus 2 days until vacation. Yippee!!!

P.S. I dropped by my dentist yesterday and gave them an insurance check that came in. I checked my balance and it looks like my insurance will cover more than I thought it would...so I won't be out a million bajillion dollars like I thought I would. yippee again!

Thursday Thirteen #36

Thirteen Things That Make Shelley Happy! I haven't done a TT in a while....ooops...my bad! So, I came back with a vengeance and decided to post 13 things that are currently making me happy. :) 1. Obviously, I got my new laptop yesterday and that makes me all kinds of crazy happy. I kept powering it up, playing with it, deciding I was done...powering it down...only to decide that I must continue playing with it and powering it back up again. It's awesome...and I love my new toy. Next objective, moving everything that I want from the old computer to the new computer. whoo hoo! 2. I got paid today. I love pay days...they bring me joy, but this one bring me extra joy. I got paid three times this month, so this paycheck seems like extra free money. 3. I used the extra paycheck to pay for the computer I just got. So, not only did I get a new, swanky computer, but I don't really feel like my pocketbook got squeezed doing it. 4. The radio right now is playing John Mayer "Waiting On The World To Change." I love this song...so therefore, happy. It's interesting that when the radio plays a song I like, it makes me so much happier than if I just threw it into the CD player. It's almost like the radio station knew that I loved that song, etc. 5. I am going to Maine not this weekend, but next weekend. It'll be the beginning of my vacation. I am going with my dad and we are meeting up with one of my uncles and maybe one of my other uncles is coming as well. It should be a really good time. 6. Did I mention my new computer and the joy it brings me??? No? Well...it makes me happy. 7. I am happy that the week is almost over. I have been exhausted all week long. I have almost called in sick every day...just because I was so tired when I woke up. I am looking forward to the long weekend and lots of relaxing. 8. Oh yeah...I am happy that Monday is a holiday! I don't have any big plans, but I love holidays! 9. And because I usually get Mondays off from work, I get extra time off. I get Monday off work...like everyone else, but I also get a half day on Wednesday too. So, next week seems like a super short week. 10. And...the week after Labor Day, I am on VACATION. I'll admit it, I kind of feel like I am already in vacation mode. I am so ready to have a whole week off. I am not going anywhere special really....getting stuff done around the apartment, taking little day trips. I like to have one week of my vacation be where I don't go anywhere...because when you go away, you end up coming back to work more tired than when you left. 11. The radio is now playing Green Day. I love Green Day. This makes me happy. 12. I paid bills this morning. I know I have mentioned this before...and people think I am weird or deranged or what not, but I get such happiness of logging on and paying all my bills. It's a control issue...but well, I guess it's better than those people who are so afraid of bills and getting late notices all the time. I woke up this morning...and before I even thought about getting dressed or breakfast, I booted up the computer (the old one)...and paid all the bills coming up in the next two weeks. Rock on! 13. Just in case you didn't know, I got a new computer...and it brings me happiness and joy.

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I want to go on a fun and exciting vacation!

I am going on vacation in a few weeks, but I am not doing anything exciting AT ALL. I am taking the week to get the apartment in order (it is getting messier by the day) and just get some much needed STUFF done. It's important and I am glad I am going to have the whole week to do it, but I want to be doing something exciting with my time off. I want to be like the people really travels on their vacation...who go to the Bahamas...or who go on a cruise. I'd love being on a cruise for a week...as long as I didn't get food poisoning.


Let's see...my cousin is leaving for New Zealand at the end of this month to study abroad for a semester. I wish I could take my week of vacation and visit her. My other cousin has been in Norway for a month or more and I wish I could take some time and go and visit her as well.

And of course, I have always wanted to go to Ireland. I'm a super pale, freckled red head, so I just think that going to Ireland would be like going to the mother ship.

Someday, someday...this vacation, I will be lucky if I make it to Vermont or Maine for small day trips. *shrugs*

it feels like monday!

I had yesterday off again...and didn't do much of anything. I have been slowly working on my bedroom. It's liveable, but it's cramped and messy. So, I have been going through stuff, throwing stuff away and trying to get the 8 tons of clothes I own under control.

I also want to change the furniture around in my room. I have my bed right in the middle of the room...and it looks nice, but it makes the room appear so much smaller. I have decided to shift everything around...but I am not looking forward to actually doing the project....mainly because I have to take everything out of the room in order to move things. So, I am organizing and what not...and then I will get to moving everything under the sun. I might do it next weekend or even save it for when I am on vacation.

Free Monday!

Today is my first Monday where I am off work. Let me tell you, it's awesome...for a couple of reasons. One, I went to the racetrack with my dad yesterday...and if I didn't have today off, I know I would have been completely wiped out. And two, I am going to have lunch with some of my friends today...they work the second and night shift. So, having the day off makes it so we can actually make plans.

ooh...more about the track. I have never been to the horse track before, even though we only live about 15 minutes from it. I am not much of a gambler and I like my dollars to stay in my pocket and all. But...it was my dad's company's corporate day at the track. So, I bet on some races...and all in all...did OK. I think I came up about 13 dollars ahead, which is better than being 13 dollars in the hole. Plus, I had one race where my horse 'Wish Me Success' wasn't even in consideration...but then at the last second, she shot out of no where and won the race. It was pretty cool.

And...we did get free chairs at the track. I don't really want them, so I am trying to sell them on ebay, but there are a bajillion on there, so I don't know if they will sell.

Oooh...and I watched Are We Done Yet? this morning...on my DAY OFF. I really liked Are We There Yet?....so I hoped I would like the second one. All in all...not really. To me, it seems like someone spent a weekend watching Money Pit and Funny Farm and decided to steal all the funny parts of that movie and do it again with Ice Cube. It was funny...but then again, the originals were funnier.

Alright...off to shower and then to a nice lunch...and then...gulp...to the dentist. *pouts*

It doesn't feel like Wednesday!

This week...it feels like is has taken forever. Work has been pretty busy, so it feels like I have done much more work this week than just a couple days worth. Now, I know I get down time at my job too...so I am just praying for some of that down time to come my way.

I'm going on vacation in a few weeks so if nothing else, I will get some down time then. I am not going to do much for the week...clean the apartment, do some shopping, get some rest, and a lot of nothing.

Okay...back to the grind...the busy grind!