The Wave

Yeah...I tried to start the wave once at a Pirates game. Yes, I was drunk and no, it didn't work. But that is really not the point of my post.

As I was having dinner with my husband's family tonight, I got to thinking about how many different ways people wave. When I arrived for dinner, my 6 month old nephew started flailing his arms everywhere and my sister-in-law and I decided he was waving at me. My other sister-in-law had her niece with her and she waved to me too, but hers was a cute, little girl wave and she just moved her fingers.

I can remember making fun of my brother when he was younger on how he waved. He would wave like his fingers were all super glued together. I don't know if he still waves like that but I would still make fun of him if he does.

Grandmas have certain waves, presidents wave, pageant girls and queens have a distinct wave, even I like to think I have my own wave but it is just me. I can even make my dog wave (just tell him to give you a high five and move your hand! It looks like he's waving!)

So the next time that you wave to someone, think of how you wave. Watch others and see just how many different ways people say hello, bye, I am excited to see you and please, never come back again (with a smile!).

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I Must Bitch/Asking for Guidance

Working a fulltime job and going to school part time sometimes makes it difficult to go shopping. I have resorted to ordering things online lately because it is so easy and fits in much better with my schedule.

I am sure most of you have an iPhone by now and have some sort of a protectant case for it. I have an Otterbox right now and it makes my phone about 4 times larger than it really is. I love the simple, sleek look of the iPhone but they are just too expensive to go without a case. I am guilty of dropping mine one too many times, luckily the Otterbox has not failed me yet. I am, however, sick of the bulky, unstylish look of my Otterbox. It is hard to fit in pockets and does not fit in a small clutch, it is more of an annoyance.

One of my friends had a cool case which just framed around their phone, when I talked to her about it she said she has dropped it several times, it has not yet cracked her screen and she is super happy with it so far. I got the name of the case and began my online search. This is where things begin to take a turn…

So I went on the website, hdaccessory.com and ordered an aluminum alloy bumper protector that fits an Apple iPhone 4/4S. I must admit I did wait a while to put the case on my phone because I wanted someone to put my screen protector on, I am not good with these. When I finally put the case on I quickly realized that it definitely did not fit my 4S. The top buttons were inaccessible. After being completely annoyed I waited a couple days and finally called to see what could be done. There was no answer, of course. I called a couple more times and finally the girl said that I would have to take pictures of my phone and the case and then email them to the company. So, I did that. 

I got an email back saying that I had to fill out a form online and they would reimburse. So.. I did that! I got an email back the next day stating that if I returned it would be past the 30 day return policy so they cannot issue a refund. This all just happened yesterday so I am completely annoyed… I don’t know what to do. First off, it shouldn’t be an issue because it does not fit my phone as advertised and it is not my fault that they were so unreachable and there was so much back and forth. Secondly, the person who replied back to my email the first time said that I would be reimbursed. I even included my invoice number. If this was not the case they shouldn’t have had me go through the other trouble like filling out the online form. Ahhhhh, HAPPY FRIDAY! Time to bitch at the people on the phone.

I advise you to save yourself and DO NOT order from hdaccessory.com. Maybe some of you have and have had better experiences? I am now in the market for a new phone cover and need some guidance. Does anyone know of a great iPhone case that is not bulky but protects your phone? I’d appreciate it!

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Summer Has Officially Begun!

I’m very excited about today and let me tell you why…my summer has officially started and I’m super psyched! Why has my summer officially started on this Thursday in May…because I don’t have to work my Thursday bar shift for the whole summer!!!  You may be wondering why since my husband and I own the joint and I’ll tell you.

Several years ago when things finally started to get settled at the bar, my hubby and I decided that we needed to have at least one night where we did something together.  So we decided to join a bowling league together and it was the perfect idea.  It was something that we had to dedicate at least one night a week too.  It’s something that’s active so we’re not just sitting on our asses (not that we get to do that much anyways) and it was a way to meet some new people.  Not only good for us, but our bowling league now hangs out at the bar…can’t beat that!  Plus, for me, I have  gained at least five more hours in my week to get other things done and that’s a big deal.

So on my first Thursday without having to work at the bar, I plan on getting out in my garden and pulling some weeds!  Might not sound like too much fun to you, but I’m looking forward to it.  My garden is in need of a little TLC plus, I find gardening to be pretty therapeutic and it looks to be the perfect gardening day here in the ‘Burgh.  Then it’s off to our first night of bowling for the season.  I’ve already got my shoes cleaned, my ball shiny and plenty of dollars to spend on the dollar beers. 

It’s going to be a GREAT day today…I just know it!!! 

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People That Seriously Annoy Me

Katie's post said it all...we are all quirky, strange, eccentric in our own rights. The beauty of humankind is that we are all different. Different in the way we speak, act, interact, laugh, cry. There are things we cannot, and should not, try to change about ourselves. Characteristics that run so deep they could be written on our DNA, right alongside the code for blue eyes, brown hair and that strange birthmark that several generations in your family have all had...in the same place! But, there are plenty of things that we can change and can work on--tolerance, patience, kindness, forgiveness. I'm fairly certain even Mother Teresa herself worked daily on these attributes. While they may come easier for some than others, we all need a reminder now and again that building good character requires action and attention.

With that being said, there are things that people can change and they just choose not to. This is where I get annoyed. This is where I get pissed off. And this is where my tolerance, patience, kindness and forgiveness ends (though I am working on it).

1. Stop complaining. Do something. Action changes things. Complaining has never changed anything. Except relationships and not for the better.
2. Get up and move. Sure, your actual DNA may dictate that you are predisposed to be a bit heavier than others, but laziness and poor planning breeds fat. Don't complain that you are fat if you are sitting on your rear, eating crap, stressing about being overweight. Move. Now!
3. Your circumstances absolutely do not dictate who you are. Don't let them. 
4. Your work does not define you. Your kids do not define you. Your spouse, friends and enemies do not define you. You write the definition and let everyone know what it is. If they don’t like it, tell 'em to go Funk and Wagnalls themselves.
5. Truth is, life is hard, and, if we are lucky, long. Don't let the bad outweigh the good. Everything passes--good and bad. Enjoy the good, laugh through the bad. Feeling sorry, whining, being complacent will only deepen the darkness and help you to forget that there is always light moving toward you.
6. You can't keep up with the Jones. Stop trying. You don't know their circumstance. You don't know the rich dead aunt that left them everything and that's why they can go on elaborate vacations or put in a pool. Or that that same aunt raised your neighbor when everyone else neglected her and she would give up everything to have her aunt back.
7. Everyone has shit. I didn't say everyone shits (though this is true--sorry boys to dispel that myth). We all have our own loads of crap that we have to deal with. Don't think just because someone has a sunny disposition or is never down, they don't have their troubles. They choose to look past the trials and focus on the triumphs. You should too!
8. Stop being so sarcastic. It is annoying. It is rude. I'm all for funny, but sarcasm borders on mean and I don’t like mean. There isn't a place for it...anywhere. We are so worried about bullying with kids these days, we forget that as adults we sometimes act just as terrible as, if not worse than, the kids. Can't imagine where they are getting it from!
9. Don't put yourself down just so others will lift you up. You are great. Say it. Shout it. False modesty is, well, just that, false. Don't look outside for approval, look in. That's all the validation you should need.
10. Stop passing judgment. You don't know the situation, you don't know what is really going on. You are only entitled to an opinion if it directly involves you. If it doesn't, and it most likely doesn't, no one wants to know what you think, shut up and move on.

I know this sounds harsh, but sometimes the truth hurts, but it needs to be said and digested by all of us. Just because I say it, doesn't mean I live it. I try to live it. I try to do my best. I try to remember that most of the time, what annoys me about others only annoys me because it is a mirror into myself and my own shortcomings.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it, life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it. ~ Mother Teresa

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A fun kind of crazy!

We’ve all met quirky people in our lives – that “crazy” aunt, the “interesting” neighbor, and in my case, the “insane” older woman at the horse shows. We all know them. We love them, we hate them, but regardless, they fill our lives with interesting stories and color.

I mean, we all have our “quirks” about us. In fact, most people when meeting me for the first time probably think I’m crazy. I have no filter, I tell it like it is and at times, I’m a bitch. I’m not crazy, it’s just my personality. But it makes you think – how do others see you? Looking at yourself from the outside.

This weekend, I met an interesting lady, who I have since hired as my florist for my wedding. She was that awesome quirky, a little strange, a little scattered, but SO passionate about her job, her life, her livelihood, you can’t help but know she is going to do a good job. During my consultation, we were interrupted 3 times by producers who are filming their reality show! A reality show?!  Could this be the next big thing to Duck Dynasty? (I hope so).

My mother and I show up for my 10am consultation, at her home. We find her hanging clothes out on the line.  It made me second guess as to if we were even in the right place. She comes over to the car (in her socks) and says, “oh, I guess you’re my 10 o’clock!” 

Yes lady, I am your 10 o’clock! Needless to say, I was worried.  She welcomes us inside where we find her preparing lunch for about 15 people (I later come to find she has 10 kids). Our consultation takes place outside – in her garden! Acres and acres of gardens! For real, like 10 acres of nothing but flowers. 

We sit down. My consultation (minus the 3 interruptions from producers) was awesome! She was crazy, running back and forth to her house , in her socks, to make adjustments, grab samples, and even her phone. She knew exactly what I wanted, understood my vision, and was just as excited as I am about the big day. She was cool, in that outdoor, hippy, tree-hugger kind of way. Also, I come to find out that there is a chance my wedding could even be featured on their reality show! It takes those “different” people to make a reality show successful. (maybe my appearance on this will be my big break ;))

I’m excited! I think her craziness will make this day awesome! 

What are your quirks? Are you even aware of them?

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A 30 Minute Walk

The winter months always get me into a work out funk, especially this winter. I go strong until it starts to get cold outside and it doesn’t even matter if I work out inside. Just the thought of having to go outside after a nice hot work out, where it is super cold, just doesn’t thrill me. So now that the weather is finally staying nice (although we have run into some rain) a fellow blogger and I have taken up walking at lunch.

We get an hour lunch where we all work, which is nice but most of the time we are all finished eating in a half hour and just sit there and chat for the remainder of the time (Note: This is when we come up with brilliant ideas!!) So instead of just being a bump on a log for that 30 minutes, we decided to put on our walking shoes and get moving.

Our office location is quite nice in the fact that it is right by the North Shore walk/bike/run/rollerblade path (I honestly have no clue what it is really called but people do all of those things on it). The path takes you on a nice stroll by the river, behind the new Rivers Casino and the Carnegie Science Center, past the submarine, and almost to PNC Park where the path ends. From our building, we can walk the whole way down to the park and turn around in just 30 minutes.

Now I realize that 30 minutes may not be the best work out, and walking at that, but during the week it is hard to even find 10 minutes to myself when I get home from work. There are a million other things that need accomplished around the house and really I just want to eat, shower and go to sleep! Working out is the last thing on my mind when I park my car and walking into my house.

So if your office is near the North Shore of Pittsburgh at all, put on your walking shoes at lunch and give the North Shore walk/bike/run/rollerblade path a try. It will make your afternoon go so much smoother.

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The Brazilian – Part 1

If you read my last post about my Groupon addiction you would know that I recently purchased a deal for laser hair removal. I bought this deal on sort of a whim. I had been going back and forth trying to decide if I wanted to wax but when I saw this I clicked purchase on an impulse. Yes, it was stupid of me but I heard some of my friends say they got their underarms done and didn’t think much more of it. The deal was for small, medium and large areas, each tiered at different price points. I purchased a medium size area so that I could get a Brazilian. A Brazilian is valued at $1,375 – the Groupon was $249. For laser hair removal you have to get at least 5 to 6 treatments. The Groupon I purchased gives me 6 treatments at the discount cost. I thought it was a great deal. The catch is that all of my treatments must be complete by October 31. The spa is conveniently up the road from where I work so I figured I’d have time during lunch.

Anyway, for those of you questioning if you should get laser hair removal or not, I figured I would tell you about my experience and give you updates. I did my research online after making my purchase and quickly became terrified; I read that it hurt so bad after the first treatment people would not go back. I kept reading other posts, hoping they had better experiences and a common thing I was reading was that it felt like a rubber band snapping your skin. A rubber band, that couldn’t be so bad, right? I was less nervous.

My first appointment was this past Tuesday. I was not really sure what to expect, everyone’s pain threshold is different. When I walked in I felt a mix of emotions, excitement and nervousness. After filling out the paper work, Toni (female) greeted me and said she was ready for my treatment. We went back to the room and she talked to me about the procedure: it would take 10-15 minutes and she wanted to make sure that I had shaved two days prior (that is what they recommend). After the pep talk I took off my clothes from the waist down and laid on the table. Toni put a very cold gel on the area and gave me goggles to wear. They are different than tanning goggles as I could not see out of them. She then said that she looks for three things, 1. A reddish/pink color on my skin 2. The smell of burning hair 3. She will use tweezers on one hair and it should easily come out with very little effort. Toni then said she was going to start – eeeeeeeeekkk!

The first zap was not horrible but it surely didn’t feel good. I would compare it to the feeling of a hot curling iron quickly touching my skin. I know that sounds horrific, it sort of was/is but it is very quick. What the heck was I putting myself through? She said, “is that ok?” I told her yes and to just keep on going. When the laser zaps you it stings for only 1 second and then the sting is gone in that area. Time passed by quickly but with each new zap, it was more uncomfortable and I did let out a couple, “OUCH, ok that hurts!” Some areas were more sensitive than others, I couldn’t wait to be done.

When I was finished I was surprised as it did not feel like she got all of the area. The laser is actually about 2 inches long but the zap is only felt in a small, concentrated area so it actually covers more than you think – thankfully! The area was definitely pink in color. Toni said that I should wait three days until I shave and that I should notice hair growing back in patches. Supposedly your hair “sheds” out. I put my clothing back on and was on my merry way. The best part is that there is no down time and no pain afterwards.

If this laser thing works, it will be the most amazing thing ever! If more Groupon deals come through for this sort of thing, I will more than likely make another purchase. I don’t think I could do a large area though, like my legs. 10-15 minutes was just enough time before I was about to tell her to stop. It really is a strange feeling, I don’t know why anyone would compare it to a rubber band snapping your skin. It is a jolt of heat, almost like you’re going to get a burn. However, I am very excited for my second appointment and look forward to seeing the progression. Have any of you gotten laser hair removal? If so, what did it feel like to you? I will keep you guys updated, hopefully this is worth it!

 

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