Successfully Underachieving

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:13:00 +0000

I've been quiet around here, sorry about that. Nothing negative or anything, just...processing. I do that from time to time. I have so much swirling around in my curly-haired head that if I started I would write a whole lot of nonsense for much too long. So, I process things for a bit and then my head clears somewhat and I'm back to writing.

If only my blog post were profound..but I've come here to gripe.

I really dislike MSN/Bing. Italicized dislike means I'm serious.

At my job, we use MSN messenger to chat amongst ourselves and it has that little "Today" pop up which shows you headlines you may be interested in, etc. This is not the problem...the problem is once you click into an article. Every story is only about 1/4 of the information you want with links to take you to another article. It is obnoxious! Somehow, through the maze of the internet I found myself at their fitbie website signing up and as soon as I clicked onto ONE health article I recognized the ridiculous layout and closed the window.

Example of what I'm talking about, that I made up. The pretend links don't work :p :

Spinach is an amazing, low-calorie food choice (how many calories is in cup?) . You can eat almost a ton (see how this woman lost an actual ton of weight) of it without it ruining your diet (What diet is right for you?). It is also full of antioxidants that help fight cancer (find out which antioxidants and how they help).

O M G! How about giving us actual information, with maybe a few extra links at the end of the article for those who want to read more. I tried to get past it, but basically everything I read is like that and I don't feel like playing the click to give MSN more money game. I understand that the more clicks to pages, the more money, the more advertising, etc...but that is ridiculous.

/End Rant.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday. Despite my gripe, it is gorgeous outside and I plan to spend some time reading on my patio. <3

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Cathy on Pinterest

I just saw this, on that wonderful obsession called pinterest, and....I have to disagree.

More like, I disagree and that's my problem. In the last few months, I've started to notice something about myself. I think it has always been there, but I never saw it when I looked in the mirror. Restlessness. I get impatient and restless too often. I don't appreciate what I have because I'm impatient for the next phase.

I am too focused on wanting the things I can't have yet, and worried about the distant future instead of trying to improve and enjoy what is going on right now. I have days where I enjoy the moment and have fun...but too often I cuddle in with Feeling Sorry For Myself and play over and over again what I haven't done right and what I want but isn't available to me right now. This is not productive.

I have to come to terms with the fact that I had to start over at 24, and the life I thought I was building didn't work out and I'm BUILDING a new one now. I am working on the foundation. There is no tantrum or wish upon a star that will give me what I want, it will come when it comes. So I'll wade through the engagement and wedding photos, the adorable pregnant belly's and toddlers that flood every facebook wall and pinterest board and I need to remember that those things will come in time.

Sometimes, though, it is just really fucking hard.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:12:00 +0000

Remember how I finished NaBloPoMo and then promptly got a cold? Get ready for Deja Vu...

Had a great Christmas, enjoyed a relaxed New Year's Eve...and then promptly got a cold!

Clearly, taking my vitamins needs to be a huge priority!

I am not trooper when I get sick. I whine, and sleep. So, that is what I've been doing the last 2 days.

I've been googling juice cleanses all afternoon. There is way too much spam/here-buy-my-program out there for juice cleanses. Any recommendations?

New Years Eve

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:29:00 +0000

I don't know about all of you, but I am ready to bring on 2012! This year has been full of ups and downs, but I feel like it fell mostly on the positive side. I had a lot of internal growth, although it was mostly learning more about myself and things I need to work on...but that's a good thing. Knowing is half the battle.

I don't do the typical resolution thing. I pick a word for the year, something that sums up what I want to focus on and what I think my foundation should be. Last year, it was promise...I wanted things to open up for me; to unfold.

This year, my word is Action.

I want to go and do, see and achieve.

With that, I've noticed a trend popping up around le internet of people picking 12 things in 2012, and breaking them down by month. I think this is a wonderful idea and am currently working on my list of what I want to do each month.

For January, it is doing my hair and makeup every day. It sounds kind of silly, but it is important to me. I have curly hair, so I can't just get up and run a brush through it in the mornings. To style it, it needs to be wet, or I need at least 25 minutes and a straightening iron. I generally take bath's at night with the goal that I'll get up, wet my hair, scrunch and go. It really only takes a few minutes if I wear it curly, but I hit snooze and then throw it into a ponytail or clip, no makeup. It will be a way to take care of myself right now, not putting off because I don't look exactly how I want to look (read: weight issues).

I have 7 out of 12 ideas so far. I figure as the year progresses I may need to change some around (example, I have July "take a vacation" but may end up doing that earlier or later) or decide something is more important at that particular time. I'll wait to share them as each month beings, but the point is that I ACT on what I want to do, instead of keeping it all in my head or on scraps of paper.

I hope everyone has an Amazing 2012!

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Source: jessicahische.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Last night, as the week started to fade behind me and the realization that today is Christmas Eve...I finally found my excitement for the day. I have enjoyed this time of year, but didn't feel that buzz of excitement until last night. I'm excited to see my family, be with my love and enjoy life's blessings.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday!

Seven.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:27:00 +0000

Hooray! Another blog game/award to participate in! The lovely Jane tagged me again. This time, to answer 7 questions about 7 things.

1) 7 things I wouldn't want to live without (excluding people):

Paper/pen

Music

Internet

Diet Dr. Pepper

Hot Bubble Baths

Dark Chocolate

Love.

2) 7 literary characters I wish I could know in real life:

Whitney Westmoreland- Whitney, My Love (Judith McNaught)

Josephine March from Little Women

Emma Woodhouse, (Jane Austen)

Harry Potter

Becky Sharp - Vanity Fair

Claire Waverly - Garden Spells

Ella Turner - The Virgin Blue

3) 7 celebrities I would invite to my Celebrity Supper Party:

Mandy Moore

Kathy Griffin

Lisa Loeb

Dave Matthews

Chris O'Dowd

Reba McEntire

Christian Bale

(craziest list ever? yes? hahahaha)

4) 7 movies I know all the dialogue to:

Clueless (oh, the 11 year old me loved this movie so much)

When Harry Met Sally

The American President

Little Women

Almost Famous

Sense & Sensibility

Anchorman

5) 7 skills I wish I ~~had~~ would like to acquired :

Math (especially mental math)

Speaking a foreign language

Running

Crocheting

Playing Piano

Sewing

Photography

6) 7 occupations I Could ~~have~~ excel~~led~~ at:

Counselor

Teacher

Graphic Designer

Songwriter

Poet

Marketing

Radio DJ

7) 7 songs I can hear again and again without tiring of:

Lisa Loeb - Stay

Either Way - Guster

Where Are You Going - Dave Matthews Band

Sort Of - Ingrid Michaelson

Hem - Not California

The Weepies - Can't Go Back Now

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

Podcast.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:11:00 +0000

For years, I've really wanted to do a Podcast. Like..I've REALLY wanted to DO a PODCAST! Exclamation point!

I really love podcasts that have a conversational tone. My favorite would be http://thedawnanddrewshow.com/ who are an awesome couple that live in Wisconsin on an old farm but who are also super badass. In fact, Dawn is the drummer for Rasputina.

The reason I love their show, is because it feels like you are sitting on their back patio enjoying awesome conversation and laughing a lot. Which, if I could pick an activity to do every day... that would be it.

My problem is I know no other podcast enthusiasts who want to sit around with me and chat about nothing and everything and it really is something that would need more than one person involved. Otherwise, it would just be me talking to myself.

Any other podcast lovers out there? If so, tell me your fav's.

Seven Things

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:22:00 +0000

So, I'm pretty much NEVER picked for the "hey, do this" on your blog awards. I don't dwell on it too much because thankfully I was average all the way through school and don't have scars about being picked last. ;)

But, I really love those things so when Jane posted an open invite from her readers, I've decided to take that and run. What is it? Its the Tell Me About Yourself Award which asks that you share Seven random facts.

1. I am a very fast typist. I took to it young when my cousin Sam was doing Mario Teaches Typing and then when I got my first computer at 13. With errors included, I usually type around 85wpm. For extra bragging, I just took an online typing test! haha

Visit the Typing Test and try!

So, why am I sharing this? Because I don't do it right! I don't hit shift to capitalize my letters, I hit the actual Caps lock button and then turn it off when I'm done. Even if I'm capitalizing a proper noun in mid-sentence. Yep, I'm a daredevil like that. I didn't even realize I was doing it wrong until a couple weeks into my 6th grade typing class. My guess is because my hands were small at such a young age playing those typing games with my older cousin, I couldn't reach the shift key...plus I just don't see how that saves any time. Any others out there want to come out of their caps lock shame?

2. I'm baby crazy. I have been since I was 19 years old, but after turning 25 (now 26) it has skyrocketed into comical heights. I was at a baby shower last week and I became the biggest grinning goof. I am not the most fertile person in the world, so I don't talk about it much because with every thought of wanting a baby, comes the other thoughts of fertility, that I'm not in a financial position to do so, and have only been with my boyfriend a little under 2 years after a divorce. The rational side of me knows to wait, but my heart bursts with the mere thought. I cannot say when I'll be able to have a child, but my hope is that it isn't too much longer.

3. I'm not a goody-goody...but I cannot convince anyone else of this! I give off a Mary Poppins vibe to everyone. I've come to realize this is part of why boys didn't ask me out in high school. Not only was I the chubby girl, but I was so angelic they can't even imagine me cursing. I truly believe that the reason I met everyone online, is that my voice and mannerisms give off such a good-girl fume I don't seem approachable but online I can be wittier and not doe-eyed. I do I try and be polite and nice to everyone in public...but I curse, I'm very open minded and new-agey. I can't seem to grasp it, but *everyone* tells me that was their initial impression.

4. I'm getting to the point where I'm a bit paniced about what my "career path" should be. I didn't go to college because I had no clue and didn't want to obtain debt. I figured the path would become clearer as I got older. It hasn't. I'm an ENFJ, born to counsel and teach but I cannot seem to commit to either counseling or teaching. I'm scared to spend the money and hate something, and I'm also supporting myself and don't have the ability to cut work to part-time. I have been really starting to evaluate myself and try to figure out my strengths in the workplace to give myself an idea of where to start. I envy those who knew from 5th grade what they were going to be when they grew up.

5. I'm a nerd groupie. Give me a chubby, intelligent nerd who loves video games and chatting on the patio and I'm sold. Bonus points if he has a goatee or plays music. I'm totally serious.

6. I'm going to be a bridesmaid for the first time ever! My best friend since 1st grade is getting married in April and I'm going to be a bridesmaid which is exciting. I've had other friends get married, but they couldn't have attendants or we weren't close enough...so this is pretty cool. I'm wearing a halter top style black dress and oh man am I going to have to work out my arms.

7. I like birds. I kinda want to be these people:

(I also love the show Portlandia and the city Portland. :p

I'm going to continue with Jane's sentiment. If you are reading this, then I want to know about you. Please, give me a link and I would love to learn more about you. If you made it here, and through this post, I would love to know you. :)

Be Nice.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:59:00 +0000

I have a very long and sordid history of weight problems, emotional eating, thyroid stuff, PCOS, blah blah basically it can be encompassed as: food issues.

I spent all of my childhood and teenage years equating my value and worth with my weight. When I got to my highest weight, around 21 years old, I was sick of devaluing myself because I was fat. Thanks to the lovely internet, I sought out groups on Livejournal which showcased plus size fashion and stumbled upon a term called Fat Acceptance. If you struggle with weight and body issues, look into it. The problem with all of this was that while I believe everyone has value no matter what their size or shape, I needed to lose weight. I was not healthy at the size I was at, I had problems associated with my obesity. Period. This isn't really conducive to the "healthy at any size" movement and I felt like I didn't fit into that world. Then, I had weight loss surgery which you can imagine is frowned upon. What I always stressed is that I truly believe there are people who don't fit the "normal" range on the BMI scale who are healthy. Your weight does not determine how healthy you are, there are many many factors that determine this. For me, and my body, I don't do well when I hold extra weight. Anyway, I went on my own way and stopped following the blogs and what not, but I didn't forget all of the helpful things I took from it.

I'm still overweight, I need to lose about 30 more pounds (looks more like 40, but I need a tummy tuck) to be on the middle/high side of normal. I'm still not over my food issues, and I doubt that will ever change. That's ok. It could be a lot worse. I'm considering getting back into OA (which I did for a few months at 19) and have even gone to a meeting online. I'm learning to be happy with myself right now instead of being just ok with myself, but when I do ___ I'll be great. So many people do this to themselves, and it just sucks the joy right out of life because we are waiting for the time when we deserve joy. Guess what? We deserve to be happy right now! Yes, even in that picture where you have a double chin. ;)

So, all of this long-windedness was because I wanted to vent about something. Why is it ok for people to dismiss and insult fat people? Everywhere I go, the things I hear clearly within my earshot make me sick to my stomach. The reason its so ridiculous, is because its said without the blink of an eye. It isn't a hushed judgment, its just flat out statements made by all kinds of people in all kinds of situation with no regard to who may be near.

People are entitled to have their opinion. I understand that for many people being overweight is a "deal breaker" to dating or attraction. You don't have to want to sleep with someone who doesn't look the way you want them to, but you don't have to dismiss them. I understand that people have a desire to lose weight and be healthy. I don't think it's ok to stand in line at the movies, or walking around Target, loudly declaring how disgusting someone is because of their weight, or how you can't wait to "look pregnant instead of fat!" It isn't as simple as just not eating Mc. Donald's everyday and getting on a treadmill. People have a myriad of reasons as to why they are holding onto weight, and I've been to enough endocrinologists to know that they don’t' have the answers but can tell me that my thyroid is low, I have PCOS which 'causes weight gain (particularly to the abdomen) and that I should just try to lose weight even though it'll be really difficult..and would I like to take this diabetes medication that will cause me to have digestive problems but help with one symptom that I have even though I'm not diabetic?.....rinse and repeat.

Everyone has a story. Everyone has feelings. Stop and think before you throw out those insults. You are not better than me because you wear a size 4. I'm not better than you. Yes, our society can be too "PC" sometimes..but this, I think, is completely overlooked. It is just fine to look down upon someone because of their weight, and I don't like it.

So, yeah. /rant

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:09:00 +0000

I commenced the end of NaBloPoMo with... a whole bunch of anxiety and a cold!

Not sure if it was because my body was "off", or hormones, or who knows what, but Thursday and Friday I was having a lot of anxiety even having an anxiety attack Thursday night. So weird.

I have a very strange cold, which has been floating around my family. I showed up to Thanksgiving Dinner and 3/4 of the guests were sick! Anyway, it mostly consists of my head feeling full of cotton but not much congestion, and a sore throat. Thankfully I do not *ever* go to Web MD because I know that is a bad plan, so I'm declaring it a "weird cold" and leaving it at that.

How are you?

OH SNAP!

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:59:00 +0000

I survived NaBloPoMo 2011 unscathed!

I'm so happy I participated this year, and I'm pleased with my posts. There was less drivel than I expected and I got inspired to actually do other creative things for blog content!

I hope to come out of it with more inspiration and I want to post more often. I think I finally believe all of the advice to write.every.day. It makes you think in a different way..think in narration and about the story of every situation instead of just your feelings (although as bloggers our story could be about how that made us feeeel).

I feel a little lifted, a little more enthused at the end of November than I did the end of September. Little things, people.

A List.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:14:00 +0000

My first list of NaBloPoMo (I think...)

I've decided to do 10 on Tuesday! You can find the original post here. I have a few people who participate on my reader. :)

1. Do you wear glasses, contacts, or are you one of those perfect eyed people?

I am nearsided. I didn't get glasses until I was 16, but realized I needed it during my sophomore year. I blame being a book worm and computer nerd. I have worn contacts in the past, and would like to again, but I dig my glasses.

2. What is the next item you are going to purchase?

Other than Christmas gifts, I really need a good chair for my office.

3. Have you ever watched Judge Judy or any other real court show?

Ugh, yes. I am not a fan. I realize it is there to entertain, so they pick the most ridiculous cases and people..but even the judges annoy me with how they interrupt and assume things and don't let anyone tell their whole story. Yes, its a case between a guy and his ex-step uncle about dog poop and a pool cleaning bill..but at least let the person speak!

4. How do you feel about fake nails?

Love 'em. I really like getting my nails done in a french manicure. I keep the nails at a short-normal length and I think they look pretty and clean. It is a luxury, though, so I only did it when I didn't have rent to pay. Hopefully I'll get to a point soon again where I can afford it.

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Figure Skating? ;) No, I can watch Football if it is a good game. I also enjoy watching Tennis, and the most random of them all is watching the cheerleading competitions on espn. I was never a cheerleader, didn't have a desire to be a cheerleader but they Bring It (as all 20-somethings will tell you).

6. If you could create your own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, what would it be and what would it be named?

Hmm. That is tough. It would definitely have chunks of dark chocolate in it. The name? Bliss in a Quart.

7. Do you have any scars?

I have a chicken pox scar on my forehead, and scars from my surgery on my stomach.

8. Does your pet’s name fit them? Is there a more appropriate name?

Ozzy fits Ozzy because..well..he's Ozzy the Cat of Darkness. I can't imagine another name for him.

9. What is your favorite television show theme song?

Ooh, here is where I *really* show my nerdness.

I think the reason I love it so much, is because the show was so great. I didn't watch it until after it had been canceled, I discovered it on the Universal HD channel and it was just about to start episode 1. I thought "Hmm, I should watch this" and my ex agreed and oh wow I LOVE that show! Whenever the music would start, I would go to a happy place.

10. What was your favorite activity on the playground?

I really loved playing Four Square and the swingset.

This was a great list, I'm so glad I checked it out.

Consumer.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:40:00 +0000

I, and others, have had the brilliant idea to make our holiday "wish list" on pinterest.

Seriously, best idea ever.

http://pinterest.com/purple_dahlia/my-holiday-wishlist/

So much pretty, so little time.

The reason this is perfect is because when you are at lunch with someone, or in the middle of a movie, at the grocery store..and someone says "what do you want for ___?" you can NEVER remember anything. I always blank out and have no idea.

When I'm online? I want *everything*, and I think of all kinds of stuff I want that is actually somewhat useful, like a Nook cover which I've needed since I got it last Christmas. :p

I do have that back of my mind feeling of "eep, I'm being greedy" but...is just ideas, I'm not expecting to get all of it and whatever is left, BIRTHDAY! My birthday is July 24th, so its pretty much a half a year later and so I've learned to wait for things I want. This is a great thing, except for how I put off waxing my eyebrows...

Christmas Trees Are Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:54:00 +0000

I've said this numerous times; I am not a good photographer. The main thing is I don't have the drive to be patient and methodical when snapping a photo. Often, people are off center and I'm clueless about lighting. Thankfully, sparkly trees are pretty even when its just a snap from my iphone!

My boyfriend and I inherited this tree from his parents who upsized their tree on a great after Christmas sale last year. It is pre-lit, which honestly is its own gift!

I got a few dollar store ornaments in green and silver just to give it a color theme, but Kree has amassed a lot of his own ornaments. He even had one of those "baby's first" ornaments with the rocking chair (it had the year 1985) so cute.

If you see in the lower half of this picture, there is an ornament with 2 teddy bears on it. One heart says Kree the other Elizabeth, and it has 2010 written on the bears feet. It is adorable.

Similar to this, but the year is not on the heart. I'm so happy that I got it as a gift, because I wouldn't have bought it on my own and I'm glad to have it.

Any favorite ornaments, or collections you all do for your holiday decorating? My best friend has acquired some awesome menorah's the last few years, and I know lots of people get obsessed with the lights outside.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:34:00 +0000

I was over at WordNerd Speaks.com, which is a lovely blog I've discovered recently and I took a look at some of her "greatest hits" and found the which celeb do I look like collage from myheritage. I haven't done it in ages! I don't have a lot of pictures of me without my glasses on, but I found one. I tried one WITH glasses and I got Janeane Garofalo (which I was excited about) and a bunch of guys. I don't know what that says about Janeane Garofalo and I, but I'm guessing the black framed glasses trumps everything else on the face.

Apparently, I look a surprisingly large % like Alyson Hannigan. The whole list is very flattering, although I'm thinking if you put Katherine Heigl next to me no one would be saying we had anything in common! I've actually seen Alyson "in real life" and she is adorable and twee and I will take it! But I think facial structures matching up is a tad different than actual resemblance.

In other news, I looovve 4 day weekends. Yesterday I cleaned and decorated the christmas tree and put out a few decorations, and today I am doing my best to not do much of anything. I'm still in pajamas, I'm going to bath soon because I do want to leave the house to get food at some point but I'm reveling in the Approved, No-Guilt Lazy. Whenever I get particularly baby crazy, I remind myself of days like today.

Laze away. :)

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:34:00 +0000

I have a question for all that may fall upon this blog, do your family or friends read?

For the most part, nobody I know "in real life" ever reads my blog unless I physically link them to it and tell them to read something. Honestly? It hurts my feelings.

I get that a good majority of people don't really know what blogs are, but bottom line when someone I care about is actively participating in something and tell me about it, I take the time to read it, watch it, listen to it, attend it.

I was getting that "my feelings are hurt" pity party about to start a week into NaBloPoMo and I thought: Ok, how can I improve this instead of feeling sorry for myself? So, I made a facebook post "pimping" my blog. Saying "Hey, did you know I have a blog? I would love it if you stopped by..." and I don't think one person clicked. Facebook isn't posting chronologically anymore and so it may have gotten lost but I posted a couple days later the same thing and nada.

I realize some of my content this month has been silly, hello pictures of my hairstyle...but that is because I'm going from not blogging at all to everyday this month and there are going to be some stinkers. I think, though, a few things that I've written could elicit some kind of a response from people that care about me...but they aren't even taking the 5 minutes to browse. It is touching really strong, cry-ey nerve. heh.

I don't fall into any niche, I'm not a mom, cooking blog, single and obsessed with Carrie Bradshaw or running an etsy shop. I'm not a brand, my blog is my life and what I'm learning along the way. It is personal and I guess that is why I'm taking offense.

Well...like I said a few posts back; I'm here to write because I love to do it. If it means that its not reaching many others, that's what it means. I am not ready to brand myself into a corner and while I have my sad-face moments about my family and friends I would not stop blogging because of it.

Anyone else relate?

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:14:00 +0000

I hope that whatever you end up doing, it is a day filled with warmth, peace and laughter.

I have so much to be thankful for, that to try and make a list would just homogenize all that is so wonderful in my life.

What I do want to share today, is that I'm thankful I have a future to look forward to. I'm trying with all my might to learn to Let Go. To enjoy what I have now and what is to come, and not look back. This is a hard thing for me to do, because I can sit and dwell for days about something that in the grand scheme of things isn't important.

I'm loved. I love. That is enough.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Prompted

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:24:00 +0000

"Write about a piece of music that changed your life forever. What do you feel when you hear it now?"

I wouldn't say that there is any one song that changed my life, but there have definitely been albums that make up the soundtrack of my life. There are definite albums that fall into specific periods of my life. I can still listen to them now, but they will always bring up memories of whatever time I started to listen.

The Weepies Say I Am You is one of my favorite albums, and I listen to often... but it will always remind me of a period where I was desperately lonely and depressed. I was living in Oregon, which I loved, but was away from my family and friends. I wasn't working and felt terrible about myself because of it. I remember pouring myself into those songs. It was a bright spot among all the inner-junk I was going through. I loved it so much I made people mixed tapes. heh.

Guster - Lost and Gone Forever. My first introduction to what would become my Favorite Band. I was 16, knew everything and was destined to be a famous writer. I loved the deep lyrics with the upbeat sound, and the guy played the drums WITH HIS HANDS! I still love Guster, and their newest album I'm currently playing all the time. Seriously world, you all need to get with it.

Ingrid Michaelson - Everybody. Completely got me through the various grieving phases I bounced back and forth between during my divorce.

There are more. Lots more. I'm a music person. I'm not an audiophile that will list off unheard of bands right before they get signed. I don't need to be cool that bad. I just dig pretty music and when I find it it is exciting.

My current obsession:

Thankful but not feelin' it.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:20:00 +0000

I don't know why, but I'm just not into Thanksgiving this year. I love that the holiday is about being grateful and appreciative of what you have and who is in your life. I like to take that time to reflect on those things.

I just.. am not into it.

Its probably because I look forward to a bit of food, but I can't gorge out on a ton of stuff. My smaller stomach doesn't allow it, and when I eat too many carbs in one setting I end up going into a "carb coma". I also don't cook the dinner, that is done by my Mom and Aunt so I don't have that whole build up of grocery shopping, prepping, etc. I am thinking about making something to bring along which may up my excitement.

I'm also stressed about coming up with money for the holidays and I've come to discover I spend *way* too much time worrying about money. Hours and hours wasted. I'm always waiting for the rug to come out from under me when it comes to bills and money and what not. I know that the holiday's are not about the stuff, but I actually enjoy finding that awesome little something that I know the person will enjoy. But, I'm just not going to be able to spend much on anyone this year and I'm going to have to accept that.

I guess I just need to get out of the material side of things and focus on what really matters, which is the fact that I have a beautiful home to live in, a spoiled cat to snuggle, an awesome boyfriend for even more affection and a family I love.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:56:00 +0000

This is probably the last beauty related post for awhile. I promise it is not all I think about, normally. :p

I tried the "no-heat headband curls" which has been floating around pinterest and youtube. You can watch a video tutorial here.

To start, I have naturally curly hair. This hairstyle is for straight hair to get loose, "beach"/bohemian waves. I straightened my hair on Sunday just to do something a bit different, but I can never have 2nd day hair when it is straight. My hair is fine and so the 2nd day, it is limp and blah. So, I figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone, I'd do the no-head headband curls to give some body and style to my hair the next day.

I went to bed looking like this....

Note how un-beautiful I look. I'm not photogenic on the best of days, and this picture is even worse. haha. But, you can see the hair is tucked into the headband.

End of the day curls! I didn't have a chance to snap a picture right after I took the headband off, but it gave great curls especially framing the face. This is the end of the day and w/no hairspray.

This was not intended to be a sexy pose, I was just trying to hold some hair back to show curls, but Hiii sexy pose. :)

So, I would say it is a success. I will have to take "after" shots earlier in the day next time, to show how nice the effect is. I also want to make the curls a little tighter before I go to bed, since I move around a lot and the top of my head didn't look as nice as the gals in the tutorial.

Girly Girl

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:13:00 +0000

I would consider myself a girly girl. I love bath products, yummy smelling stuff for the home, I buy flowery journals and stationary..just nothing about me that could be considered Tomboy. The one thing that has always been missing in this equation is makeup. I've never gotten the hang of it. I think makeup is great, and I'd like to wear it daily but have always been lost. What I've found, and can spend hours watching, are tutorials on youtube. I posted my favorite guru which is MakeupGeekTV below.

It is mesmerizing watching the transition from naked face to makeup, its sort of like watching Bob Ross paint.

What I've discovered about makeup:
You need an eyelid primer.
You need about 30 brushes! Ok, maybe not that many but you need more than 2. Brushes are very important for blending and not making you look like you are wearing 5lbs of foundation.
Mac is apparently the mecca of makeup products
I'm still pretty clueless.
I need new makeup!

The last time I bought makeup, was probably 9 months ago? That was just one mascara, too. All of my makeup is extremely old and none of it is great quality. Eventually, as much as my frugal self doesn't want to... I'm going to have to invest some money in getting an adequate amount of makeup so that I can wear makeup more than once every 3 weeks. For those family/friends paying attention, Christmas Idea!

Ooh, a craft!

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:45:00 +0000

I've my made my very first card! I love craft stuff, but I tend to ooh and ahh more than actually create. I do scrapbook from time to time, but I have no talent or interest in photography so there aren't a lot of pictures for me to scrapbook. {by the way, I think I'm the only person I know who doesn't take 9,3093 photographs a day.}

It is CLEARLY home made and from a newbie, but that's ok. I'm giving it to my boyfriends grandparents, his grandma loves to craft and makes beautiful cards. She'll do what all grandma's do and act like it is the Hallmark worthy.

I'm actually very happy with it, even though the perfectionist in me is cringing that the pink paper is not straight at the top and the bow is wrinkled (I will fix that before I give it to them). In my old age (26), I've started to realize that nothing will be perfect, and I can either make something imperfect or be empty handed with a lot of scrapbook paper collecting dust.

I didn't use a paper set, these were just 2 that I thought looked nice together. The stickers are also just from a pack I got at the dollar store years ago. The bow was from a gift tag that I didn't like, so I took it off and attached it to the card with a small green brad that is hidden (but randomly matched perfectly).

Decor.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:37:00 +0000

Source: trendszine.com via JJ on Pinterest

I have a terrible problem. I don't know what colors I want to decorate for the holidays!!! {If this were twitter, I'd add the hash tag firstworldproblems}

Last year, I did not have my own place so I didn't decorate. I unfortunately left my christmas decorations in Oregon in storage and have now lost them. I'd have probably donated a lot of it, only because it was things acquired in my marriage and that's just not the right memories to bring back, but I had some childhood ornaments and a beautiful vintage angel topper. But! The positive to not having those decorations is I get to pick new decorations and I get to decorate the beautiful home I'm fortunate to rent.

I'm leaning towards Green and Silver, but years back I did Red and Gold and that was really pretty. Gold and Silver, like above, seems nice but I'm not sure that would last. Then there are blues and whites to consider. It is all too pretty. My budget will really be the deciding factor, as Big Lots and The Dollar Tree will be the stops for decorations.

I'll find things I love, and if not I can always raid my mom's house because that woman has A SICKNESS. Which I've probably inherited. :)

Inspiration.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:49:00 +0000

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

That? Is perfection. I like to write poetry, but I am not usually a fan of poetry. It can be too awkward or cerebral and with trying to mask a feeling into symbolism you lose that emotion. But that poem is...delightful. It makes me want to find everything he ever wrote. It will be going onto a wall somewhere in my home, soon.

noreply@blogger.com (ElizabethSheryl) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:00 +0000

So. Excited.