Bang Head Here

Stressed. Holy crap am I stressed. Day in and day out, things aren’t getting easier – but that’s what we get for growing up and becoming adults, right? More responsibility, more work, more duties and only so many hours in the day to meet deadlines and get things done. I’m stressed.

I probably don’t have any more on my plate than many of you reading this, in fact, some of you may be way more stressed out than me. But here I am, ready to rip my hair out. I need a break. We all need a break. We all deserve a few minutes (that’s all I ask) each day to have to ourselves. Whether we spend this “free” time exercising, reading, writing, crafting, napping (on and on I could go), we all deserve time to unwind.

But in this fast-paced world we live in today, is there any time to be anything other than stressed?

Next Thursday I leave for Captiva Island for 5 days. I need it. I deserve it. I work hard. A stress release – maybe? Or will I come back even MORE stressed, knowing I didn’t get any work done at home for five days. It’s a catch-22, but I sure as hell am looking forward to spending time with my BFF.

Life is stressful. Take a moment to yourself. You deserve it.

“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.” – Brian Dyson

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I Love a Good Deal & Freebies!

I have always been a thrifty shopper. My mom and grandma taught me the value of a sale and we rarely ever bought everything for full price. Once I got to college, there was a Gabriel Brothers store nearby and so that is where I would do a majority of my clothes and shoes shopping. I just can't stand pay full price for something that I know will be on sale eventually. However, I know my girlfriend Erica is cracking up right now.

I made her go boot shopping with me late last fall. Now, for those of you who don't know me, you know that boots are something I love, but own very few of. This is because they don't make boots with a big enough calf area for me (yes I am talking about the taller boots). I played soccer for a billion years, so yes, I have a calf muscle and it's not going away. So I always have trouble finding boots.

We ended up finding a pair that actually fit at Sears, however, they weren't on sale - just full price. I was really struggling to decide if I should buy them or not, but thank goodness for Erica and talking me into it. I have worn those boots enough times to pay for themselves. But would ya just know....I was at Sears the other day and those boots are now 75% off! AHHH I hate that! But guess what! I got another pair, just different color. Hehe.

I am also a freebie lover. My favorite website is www.spoofee.com. It is a great site that people share where the freebies reside. Sometimes it is just samples, which is cool, but other times it is the real deal. From spoofee I have received a box of 10 full size Take5 candy bars, post-it notes, razors, pens, tshirts, ahhhh the list could go on and on.

Spoofee also got me hooked to collecting Disney Movie Rewards and Pampers Gift to Grow points. Even if I never buy either product, there are enough free codes that I was able to get 2 DVDs from Disney and I entered a bunch of contests through Pampers (of course I haven't won yet, but maybe someday).

The point is, always look online for coupons, freebies and giveaways. You may be surprised what you are able to get!

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Happy Birthday!

Apple fans across the world are recognizing what would have been the birthday of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. He passed away last October after a long battle with pancreatic cancer; leaving a lasting legacy. Jobs would have turned 57 today.

With the increasing use of Apple products, Steve Jobs became highly recognized over the past few years. He helped to transform digital communications and technology with a string of products like the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Instead of thinking of technology as a geeky hobby, he helped change most to view it as a modern life necessity.

In this day-in-age it is hard to think of what life would be like without technology – without knowing your friend’s every move in just a “slide to unlock” and a few fingertip taps. I just got my first Apple product this past Christmas and now I am not sure why it took me so long to make the switch.

A couple of Mac-obsessed fans plan to stage a birthday party outside of the company’s Fifth Avenue store. Putting aside any criticism that it may be too soon, and aside from the weirdness, dancers will gyrate (yes gyrate) to Bob Dylan songs all while vegetarian birthday cake is served. Black turtlenecks will be passed out to the hundreds of Apple fans.

The party planners have yet to notify Apple that this full-blown party will be taking place outside of their store – wonder how this will go over? In case you are interested in attending the event, it will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. I suggest arriving a bit early if you want one of the turtlenecks and the veggie birthday cake.

Three apples changed the world: Adam and Eve's forbidden apple, Newton's apple and finally, Steve Jobs's Apple. Happy Birthday Steve Jobs.

As a side note, a local teen is missing. Please click on the link to learn more.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/02/22/penn-state-new-kensington-student-reported-missing/#.T0ZhDBfgZGw.facebook

Please share this information with your friends and family. If you see him, call the Frazer Township Police Department at 724-274-4204.

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Bizarre and Interesting...The HeadlinesToday!

Every day I like to check out the news headlines and see what’s happening around the world.  This morning I was on yahoo.com going through the captions and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.  Here were some of this mornings “important” news topics on yahoo.com…

1.       Team’s Costly Shaving Violation

2.       Scuba Diver’s Surprise Sign

3.       “Terrifying” MLB Bobblehead

4.       Man Jailed Over Messy Yard

Hysterical right?  It’s not until farther down on the page do they list the more serious news topics like the crazy price of gas, the GOP debate and what’s happening overseas.  But I think the most interesting story today online has the title “Water World” Discovered 40 Light Years Away.  Apparently, scientist working with the Hubble Space Telescope discovered a new type of planet that they are describing as a “water world.”  Located in a constellation 40 light years from Earth, they say that the planet is smaller than the planet Uranus, but larger than Earth.  They believe the average temperature of the planet is 450 degrees Fahrenheit and because of these high temperatures and the pressures, exotic materials like “hot ice” or “superfluid water” are created. 

Is it just me or is this just fascinating stuff?

First of all, I find it amazing that the Hubble Telescope can see something 40 light years away.  I also think it’s amazing that something exists 40 light years away.  I can’t even fathom that distance and yes, I realize that space is all about distance because everything is ridiculously far away but, when I start thinking about it…I mean really thinking about it…it kind of freaks me out.

I have no idea why I’m talking about this today.  I guess the overall news headlines of the day I found humorous and I found the discovery of a new planet to be interesting so I decided to share.  I do have one question for everyone reading this though…

Do Aliens exist?  I mean...with a space so big as space...don't you think something else has to be out there beside us?  UGH!  I'm freaking myself out again!

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Dear Me

Ever wish you knew then what you know now? What would you tell yourself?

Dear high school me,
You are so pretty. You look good in your swim suit. Your boobs aren't too small. Your thighs aren't too large. Someday you are gonna look back at those photos and think, "Damn, I really was hot."

Don't get so wrapped up in boys. The guy you are dating now you won't marry. Enjoy his company, but not at the expense of losing yourself.  Enjoy your time with your friends. Don't be friends with the girls who like drama. You'll end up losing them as friends anyway, so just bypass the hassle. These actually aren't the best years of your life. It gets even better!

Don't try to act so mature. You are going to spend the rest of your life chasing your youth.

Dear college me,
Don't be so upset about not going to school where you wanted. It all works out in the end. Study more. You will need a good GPA more than you will need memories of late-night drinking binges. Some friendships last, some don't. Move on. It's all a learning process. Love your roomates. It's tough, I know, but they are who you will remember forever when you look back on your college days. And some of them won't be around anymore by the time you are married with kids. Enjoy them. Flaws and all.

Start exercising. You think you are so busy...and you are, but napping is not busy, it is wasteful. If you start working out now, it will become part of who you are the rest of your life. You body will thank you!

Don't smoke. You look stupid, not cool. And don't go tanning. Again, stupid, not cool.

Dear pre-kids twenty-something me,
If you hate your job, quit it. This is the time to be selfish. No kids, no mortgage. Find what you love now. You will thank me later.

Travel more. Visit friends. If you think life is busy now...keep reading.

Dear post-kids twenty-something me,
You are still so pretty and put together, though you feel like you are forever falling apart. The kids, the house, the husband.  Enjoy it. It's gonna fly by. Don't get so upset about the toddler throwing a fit. Laugh at it. So, you didn't get into grad school. There is a reason. You don't know it yet, but there is. Don't worry so much about getting everything done.  Eventually, what needs to be done, gets done!

Dear thirty-something me,
Read the other letters I wrote to my past you. It still all holds true. The characters may have changed, but the lessons haven't.

And the best years of your life...you are living them! Enjoy it!

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Best Laid Plans

My family loves surprises. My mom, in particular, loves to surprise my brother, Tim, and I. But it can be pretty easy to surprise her, too. Several weeks ago, my brother said he wanted to surprise my mom and come home and see her. Tim lives 7 hours from my mom and that drive after work on a Friday night and then back again on Sunday can be exhausting. Because he doesn't get home that often, I knew that she would never suspect anything if I told her late in the week that I wanted to come home even after being home the weekend before.

After a little planning, it was decided that I was to take my mom to breakfast and then Tim and his girlfriend, Katie, would surprise my mom there. Well, that didn't happen due to a squirrel getting trapped in my mom's chimney. The squirrel was supposed to be gone, but the guy who was to take care of the situation was a complete sheister, which is a completely different story.
 

Because my mom and I were waiting for another guy to come and take a look at the squirrel situation, we couldn't go to breakfast. So in a quick decision on how this surprise was going to be pulled off, my brother picked up donuts and came to the house to surprise my mom there. Regardless of the location, my mom was still shocked to see my brother and his girlfriend at the front door bearing donuts.

While planning the surprise was fun, the point of Tim and Katie coming to Ohio was to spend time all together even if things didn't go exactly as planned. It is fun to reverse the roles and be able to make my mom feel special, especially after a rough couple of months.

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A common field forever changed

This weekend I headed out to Summerset to celebrate my best friend’s 27 years of life. During our weekend celebrations, which included snowboarding, food, jello shots, food, Blue Moon cupcakes, more food, board games and even MORE food, we also stopped by the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA.

I think until you visit the memorial in person, the media clips, the articles, the photos, do not do it justice. The memorial is special – simple, but includes many elements. It is a quiet place for those to come and reflect and honor the heroes of Flight 93.

We talk about it every year on September 11 – the everyday heroes from that flight. They were courageous, proud, and did what they knew they had to do. You think about all of this when visiting the memorial.

Those 40 passengers and crew members, their families, THAT day – it is all encompassed by a marble wall in the middle of a field, in the middle of nowhere. Most of the passengers were from California or New Jersey, some from other countries. But their final resting place lies in these flatlands in western PA. It was surreal. Eight acres of what the coroner claimed as the crime scene is now and forever will be the marker to one of the most horrific events in American history.

If you have time some weekend, visit the memorial -- any of the memorials. I really gained a new appreciation for the heroes of that day.

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