Oh Christmas Time!!

So I really made out this Christmas - earrings and a new charm braclet, plenty of stuff for the kitchen and cash... I got to spend time with all the loved ones and eat plenty of food. Everything to make my holidays joyful and bright. Now all I want is my new car!!

We recently decided to purchase a new "family" car since the deals are so good. I researched, and test drove, and negotiated my rear end off! So when we decided which car was right for us (the Chevy Equinox) we thought it would be all down hill from there- but no, sadly, we've got to wait until they can find us "our" car. The dealer-to-dealer trades are taking too long for my liking, and the dealer I thought was going to get us the best action is being slow. I feel like I'm second fiddle now that they have a deposit! How can they be so lack luster when I've got money in my hand??? Seriously, I know that this is a busy week for them, but don't go spending all your time on the show floor with other customers when you haven't handed me the keys yet!! UGH!!

End of rant - I'll write back when I have better, happier news!

A Responsible Drinking Program For Wisconsin

I'm currently on a business trip now in northern WI, and when I go to throw out a soda can, I look high and low for the blue recycling pail... nope, they tell me they don't recycle.

Okay, so I've heard rumblings that parts of Wisconsin recycle cans and glass - and they do recycle paper. But still - they don't recycle cans & glass? They have to burn everything! The Reason: there is no processing plant to make it easy for people to recycle. Seriously?? I know there are towns of less than 5,000 people up here, but just build a smaller plant!!

I heard in a nearby town, you have to actually be a resident to recycle. And across the boarder in MI, they charge you $2+ "deposits" for cases of "pop" so that they can collect the cans back for the $0.10 / can payment.

I don't understand it and it makes me mad. They drink a whole lot of beer here - haven't they heard of drinking responsibly? That shouldn't just be avoiding drinking & driving... that should include properly managing the waste. I'm starting a resposible drinking program - anyone else in??

Expanding The Wardrobe

I'm glad for tights. Seriously, my wardrobe would be cut in half during the winter if it wasnt for tights going back in fashion. I can still wear all my cute dresses and skirts because of tights being in fashion - and they all look different than in the summer! Now, they have sweater wraps instead of short sleeves, and colorful tights that are in contrast with my pasty legs that never get any suntan... the standard nude granny pantyhose just wasn't cutting it.

Along with that, my work just started a jeans-day Friday every week. We used to have to pay for it (all proceeds went to charity of course!) and then we started a last-Friday-of-the-month policy. Now they're shaking things up with an every-Friday policy!! Oh the possibilities!! My sweaters and heals will have new looks again! Plus, it makes it so much easier for me and Mr. Mc to go out on the town on a Friday Night date night without him having to wait for me to change.

For the past few years, I've refused to buy most things if I can't wear them to work. Now, with Christmas and my birthday coming, it doesn't look like I'll need many new clothes. I may go crazy during DSW's 70% off sale next week and get some cute new shoes though. Now if I only had more closet space!!

Sticking With "It"- Whatever "It" May Be

I'm not good with sticking with things. I've never been on a diet longer than a few hours, I don't have any daily or weekly routines to speak of, and I've quit nearly every activity or group I've joined because I truly resent meetings and activities that take up my time - even when I like the activity or group. It seems I do things only long enough to understand them and be able to say "yes, I've done that" - then I let it go. Good thing I'm not a smoker, I've got a real lack of willpower. How very imperfect of me.

A few weeks ago, I decided I'd keep a notebook in my purse to reign in my spending and eating habits. I kept track of every purchase from 11/9 to 11/23. I also kept track of all my eating from 11/17 -11/22. Then prepping for Thanksgiving mysteriously got in the way and I forgot until now. This lack of stick-with-it-ness really makes it hard to go after that "perfect" life I want to live!!

While I didn't stick with it long enough to actually reign in my spending or eating, it gave me insight to what I was doing to my body and my wallet. It made me aware enough to fill up my time positively during the break: I exercised, ate pretty well and spent time with my family and friends. I won't beat myself up on it, but I guess I better pull out that notebook and try, try again.

If you've got any suggestions, put them here. I need all the help I can get on this one!!