That Redheaded Sister

Happy Friday!  I am sitting here fighting a terrible hangover.  I wish I could say I was out last night having a great time and may have had a little too much to drink.  Sadly, I was at home reading the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire.  I had to take benadryl late last night because I started breaking out in hives (I blame the stress of the books LOL).  Benadryl gives me terrible hangovers the next morning.  But I guess its better than if I had left it fester.  (I occasionally break out in hives for whatever reason.  No one can give me a cause.  They can be mild or really severe, never in the middle)

I think they were caused my by tude yesterday.  The day started ok.  I left for work and it took me much longer than normal (over an hour and 15 mins) because of traffic.  I decided while I was sitting at a stand still to check my work email….mistake 1.  There were two emails that irritated me and I couldnt do anything about them until I got to the office.  I keep telling myself to stop checking emails before I get to work, but when the traffic gods prevent me from getting to work on time, I feel like I have to check just out of guilt. 

The day didnt get any better.  We are getting ready for a big show in July and while I like to get things done early, not everyone shares that view.  Cluster!

I texted my mom and told her we were going to the outlet mall this weekend because I had a little spending money.  Plus I only go shopping like this once, maybe twice a year.  I had to deposit a check I received and my bank hasnt really made it to Georgia yet, there are only limited locations.  It was a nightmare to get to that location.  I was done.  It took me almost two hours to get to the bank.  Seriously? 

When I got to the bank I had two choices, get back in that mess or go shopping.  I dont need to tell you what I chose. 

I scored the cutest dress from New York and Company for $30 (50% off)!  I also bought a white cardigan which I desperately need. 

I love how springy/summery it is.  I can dress it up or dress it down.  Its a little big in the top (which is usually NOT the case for me).

Sorry the picture is grainy. I took this before leaving for work this morning and the lighting in the bathroom is just ok.

After I got home, I made the night a very quiet one.  I left the tv off, turned the computer off, and read.  My other friend just finished reading Hunger Games and loved it.  You must read it (ahem Megan).  I took a hot bath and tried hard to unwind. 

How do you remedy bad days?  Since Im saving my money pinching pennies, I like to craft or clean.  Or go for a run. 

What are your plans for the weekend? 

Have I mentioned how much I have missed running this month?  I do and I hope my leg is 100% in two weeks.  Its better to be safe than sorry, right?

Dont worry, I just woke up (its def 9:45am).  I had a hard time sleeping last night and frankly it was nice to sleep in. I wanted to catch you all up on some things going around here (that is if you still read…its been a boring corner Im sure)

Running:  I ended up going to the doctor this week.  Mainly I went to get a physical and have my vitamin D levels checked (did you know MOST, if not everyone, is vitamin D deficient?)  I have to say I LOVE my new doctor.  We talked about EVERYTHING that I have ever gone through (did you know I was misdiagnosed with cancer once?  CANCER!)  I talked to her about my leg and she suggested for now to take ibuprofen and place heat on the hurting area.  I cant tell you how great my leg felt after doing it.  I have been applying heat each night and its been heaven. (She also diagnosed me with rosacea which answers a lot questions about my face breakouts)

That being said, I havent been running, but I introduced a new machine into my life, the bike.  I have only ever used the bike in spin class, so I was a complete newbie the first day.  Yesterday I feel like I had the best workout in a long time.

But I havent been attending the gym as much as I would like for a few reasons:

Exhibit A:9 different incidents on the roads home the other day.  9!  2 of which were in my direction.  I think that day it took me well over an hour to get home.

Exhibit B:
This day there were NO incidents, just congestion.  Lets gather around and watch the impending doom of the pink line approach.  (Pink means NO MOVEMENT)

Exhibit C: I eat too many carbs.  I could not figure out why I have been so tired this week and so unmotivated and I realized I havent been eating my protein like I should be.
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DIY:  I have so many projects going on right now, I dont know where to start.  I also have a few sitting in my picture folder just wanting to be written about.  Nothing crazy, but easy for those who say they are crafty enough (which you know is totally false)

I am ALMOST complete with my chair makeover and I have a few other things I am working on….slowly.  I hope next week I will have a few to show you.
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Baking: With us trying to eat healthy around here, baking has taken a big back seat.  I havent really had anyone to bake for either.  I have a ton of recipes lined up and I have been pinning like crazy (are we Pinterest friends?)
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Other: I started reading Hunger Games.  I know some of you think its lame because everyone reads it, but my thinking is if its a good book, why not read it.  I dont judge it because of the people that read it.  So what if millions of teenage angsty kids are reading it.

Guess what we are going today???  Ring shopping!!  We’ve been talking which explains the explosion on my wedding Pinterest board.

What is going on in your world?  Anything planned for the weekend?

Have you read books that people scoff at?  I read Twilight and loved every second.  Cant say that about the movies though

Did you know you were going to be asked to get married?  Did you pick out your ring? I actually told Matt I didnt want a ring (or something less real for now) so we could put the money toward a house/wedding (which will be a teeny tiny budget), but he INSISTS on getting a ring.  Plus HE has been bringing up weddings, so I decided to just start getting ideas…I do not kid when I say tight budget

This week has been one heck of a week for traffic. I know its back to school and all that, but were THAT many people off this summer? The interstates are full! But here is something I have never understood. Lets have a quick flashback really quick:

A long long time ago I once lived in a very cold place I like to call Chicago. I spent my first 14 years there, which means I spent my elementary, middle, and junior high school years up there. Now the way the school districts work up there were if you lived within a mile from school, you were a walker. Anything outside the mile radius, you were a busser. For all but 2 years I was a walker. What did this mean? Well, when it was snowing and 5 degrees, I walked. When I lived just inside a mile, I saved up and bought a bike lock and rode my moms bike. When it was raining, I walked. When the sun was shining, I walked. I know many of my friends did the same thing. We all walked. We didnt have parents drive us or pick us up everyday. We as walkers were released 10 mins after the bussers to avoid being run over. There was hardly ever a line of cars and parents outside waiting to pick up their kids.

Back to now: I understand that Georgia is indeed hilly. And EVERYTHING is spread out. I too hate it, but I also lived here during 2 1/2 of my bussing years as well. I guess where I need clarification is from both the parents and Georgia. Georgia: Why not build more sidewalks in and around the areas close to the schools so kids have the option to walk? We hear that we are one the fattest states, well get the kids that live next to the school (like my neighborhood) walking! From my house to the school: less than a mile! This way you wont have to waste gas riding through the neighborhood in a big bus.
Parents: Do you really have to drive your kids EVERYDAY?! The bus is a place where you can see your friends outside of school. I understand if they are running late or missed the bus, but do you realize you are not only causing traffic outside of the school, but for people going to work? Your kid will live if he/she rides the bus. We have all done it and we all survived. You know you are paying for a bus you arent using with your taxes, so you may as well take advantage. I guess I just dont see it the way most parents do.

Hi there, we might know each other from driving up and down 75 everyday in the endless commute. I know it has been a long day and you just want to get home and maybe by following these easy, simple rules you can accomplish your goal.

• The HOV lane is technically a left lane….if you have the privilege of riding in the lane, please go fast than the slowing traffic. The reason we have an HOV lane is to wave to everyone else who isnt carpooling
• On the HOV topic….there needs to be 2+ people in the car. Dont get in the lane when you are by yourself. You are just irritating everyone else. And dont drive slow. If i see you are alone and behind me, I wont make any accommodations to speed up for you either.
• Accidents happen. We have all seen them and some of us have experienced them. Do we REALLY need to slow down that MUCH and examine the fender bender. They all look the same.
• If you see a car struggling, its probably breaking down….let it move over! And dont get mad that the person trying to get over isnt. It might just be because you arent letting them
• Left lane = Fast lane
• Check you blind spot…it might prevent the fender bender you just passed that delayed your getting home by an hour.
• PLEASE, if you are approaching an entrance ramp, get out of the right lane. All you have to do is move over one. You are just making it harder for people to get on thus backing up the ramp which then backs up the streets.
• Tailgate me, I slam on the brakes!

Now just using these few simple ideas could possibly make your commute a little easier!

(feel free to add more!!)

Happy Driving!