March Budget Review

Here is my March Budget.  I don't really know how I came up $300 for the "Entertainment/Eat Out" budget, but I stayed under that- so yay! Unfortunately, I did not have anything budgeted for gifts, or for travel. This really screwed me up. As a result, no savings goal met this month. Womp womp. I really need to start taking this amount directly from my check as soon as I get it.

Another thing missing from that budget is groceries and medical. (Duh!) Lucky for me, I keep a paper version of my budget too, so I had these categories listed there.

 I also need to start using envelopes for reals. I used it today for groceries today and will hopefully be better at tracking that.

I've been using the notepad in my phone to track spending, and it's really seem to be working (for the most part). I definitely would have forgotten 3/4 of the list below without it!

Gifts: $73 + Kohl's gift card
Eating out: $55
Clothing: $10
Unnamed 1: $30.25
Unnamed 2: $44.00
_______________________
$212.25

Medical: $25
Groceries: $100
Travel: $475ish

Eep. At least I have some major focus points/corrections for April!

Romantically Challenged: The Novel

This week I'm sharing...

From GoodReads: 

"When L.A. entertainment lawyer Julie Burns becomes convinced that finding The One is "just a numbers game," she sets out on a dating frenzy. From chance meetings and blind dates to dating services and the wonderful world of the Internet, Julie will try anything to meet her man. And in the process, she discovers a secret or two about the single life: Sometimes love sneaks up on you when you least expect it-and even the worst first impressions can have surprising results."

This book was ok. I just got it because it was on sale and I needed something light and fluffy to read after The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. For that, it fit the bill perfectly. 

I wasn't really "feeling" for the character. She just seemed really whiny, picky, and easily offended. She seemed to twist people's words around. And there was nothing else interesting about her, or that she seemed interested in, other than finding a husband to shut her family up. There were some funny dating scenes. Like I said, it was ok for an in-betweener.

Are you on GoodReads? Let's be friends!

"It's OK" Thursday: Phone Edition

I'm linking up with Amber and Neely this week to share what weird and wonderful things are "OK" in regards to my phone!!
It's OK to...

- feel completely naked without my phone

- don't really understand Instagram or how people can get their pics to look so freakin cool

- screen my phone calls. If I don't recognize the number, I'm not answering.

- am afraid to start "Draw Something" and get pulled into another time-suck

- have a special ringtone for my mom

Source: thingswealldo.tumblr.com via Haley on Pinterest

- suck at Words with Friends, but keep making my friends play with me anyway (practice makes perfect, right?!)

- don't answer my phone after 9pm unless I tell someone to call me then. i like to unwind with bf in peace!

- prefer text to calling. I commute a lot, it's just easier than trying to scream over train whistles and the like

- to randomly burst out laughing reading something

Source: losexcentricos.tumblr.com via Los Excentricos on Pinterest

- not like it when people are on their phones during dinner. Major pet peeve.

- take more pics with it than I do with my camera

- make lists and alarms for just about everything. I love lists. and I have the memory of a goldfish, so I need reminder alarms. one of them actually is set for 10pm and says "Pack Gym Clothes!"

What are you saying "It's OK" to this week??

My NEW Fave Thing About Spring

One of the things I miss most about college is SPRING BREAK. In the adult world, you don't get spring break unless you create one for yourself. So that's just what C and I did! :)


You see, C is a major Phillies fan. Like, season ticket holder type fan. For the last oh, 6 years or so. However, he has never been to the Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater Florida. So for Christmas this year, I decided to buy him Spring Training tickets-- and we made a Spring Break vacay out of it!

Note: I have never bought tickets to any sporting event ever. Whenever I went, others bought the tickets. Plus, these tickets weren't on sale yet. I went through a different sale site in order to reserve the tickets, because I assumed they would be sold out immediately. And I was majorly ripped off. But that's a story for another day.


The game I got was Phillies vs. Braves on Thursday, March 15. I got us terrace "seats"- but it was pretty awesome. Just threw out our blanket and chilled in the grass, beer in one hand, glove in the other! We tried to get autographs before and after the game, but no luck. Actually wait- not true. I got an autograph...from some Australian minor league dressed up as a Phillie. Meh. But the Phillies won! Woot woot!

Friday we spent all day on the beach. BLISS. We caught some rays, I finished my book (review here), and we got a few seashells.


One of my pre-trip duties was to find fun stuff to do other than the game, especially great food. One place mentioned heavily was Eli's BBQ over in Dunedin, about 20 min from where we were staying. So we took a ride out there. Let's just say, it was not what we were expecting. It was basically a shack, with a few picnic tables on an otherwise empty lot!! We decided to keep going a bit farther into Tarpon Springs, the sponge capital of the world!

no seriously, it's the sponge capital of the world...did you think I was joking?!

Note 2: When I was telling my friend this, she called me a complete weirdo. "You're like one of those people who would drive out to see the biggest ball of string aren't you?" Yes, yes I am. It's the little things, people.


Tarpon Springs is a quaint little fishing sponging town with a large Greek population. We walked around all the little shops, I bought a sponge (um, obviously, though I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it), and we had a great dinner at my first Greek restaurant.

This old man was playing live Greek music for us.

And we got a *free* flaming cheese app... OPA!

Afterwards, thanks to Foursquare, we went across the street to a hookah lounge! The owner was a little strange, and it was pretty empty, but we got to pick the music, and have a beer and some hookah, which we haven't done since our India trip.


Saturday was St. Patty's Day! We were supposed to go to the Yuengling Brewery, but someone (not me!) was a bit tired. So instead we went to go see Winter from Dolphin Tale at the Clearwater Aquarium. I thought it would be fun, but it was actually quite depressing. I hadn't seen the movie, but apparently they put a prosthetic tail on her for 15 min about 4 times a day. (Dolphin skin regenerates every 2 hours...who knew?) The only redeeming quality of it was that she had a buddy in the tank with her. But still very sad.

Winter,... with her lil non-tail :(

this turtle was legit doing headstands for 15 min. Showoff!

Afterwards, we got some food, packed (we had to be at airport at 4am), and headed to the Knight's St. Patty's Day Parade in Tampa.

OH.EM.GEE. Do they know how to PARTY!

First off, you can drink in the streets. WHAT?! Second, did I mention the Knights parade was actually held at night?! AWESOME! And third, all the floats were blasting music and throwing out beads!! When the parade finished, I was wearing 35 strings of beads! It was would I would imagine Mardi Gras to be like!

the people in the parade were drankin too. some of the floats had a full bar and bartender aboard!

showin off my beadssss...obviously a lil tipsss

towards the end of the night (early morning?) I thought it was a fabulous idea to hang out with this weird guy who was chilllin on the sidewalk with his very deadly python. And C was nice enough to snap this pic instead of trying to steer me away. Thanks, love.

The only not so great parts were that there were no bagpipers, no River dancing, and no leprechauns. But other than that, it was so much fun!!!

What's your favorite thing about spring?? 

Peep, Please: Peep My Purse!

I joined up with Two Smuppies and Skittle Bug to "Peep My Purse"!  It sounded fun, and I've wanted to share my purse with you guys and it was really in need of a clean out. If you haven't checked this West Coast gals out, you really should. They are so chill and awesome :)
So this is my purse, or as I like to call it, my "Commuter Bag." 

My bf, C, got it for me 2 Christmases ago because I told him how I needed something to carry myentirelife to and from work every day (I commute 2 hours each way... I need..things). It is a red leather Totes laptop bag- I love it because of all the pockets! See...

For me beating the crap out of it being two years old, it's held up pretty darn well. And I really do make it work. 
So, here we have my everyday needs. I broke it up into two so you could see everything even better. Ain't no shame in my game.

Beer (not always, you all just got lucky today),  a straw (not for the beer, but because I prefer to drink most drinks out of a straw),  tampon,  umbrella,  large calendar,  2 file folders,  a magazine,  a pair of earrings,  blush, blush brush, eyeliner, chap-stick, lip gloss, hand sanitizer,  an old newspaper article,  checkbook,  binder clips, paper clips, and mini Post Its,  train pass, train schedule, bus/subway pass, old train passes and receipts,  pens,  McDonald's coupons,  chocolate...

sugar...some empty, some full...and a stirrer. 

fig newtons,  Dayquil,  Halls cough drops,  some tissues,  hair clip,  iPod, Listerine strips and a mirror 

Nook Color (currently reading The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest, in case you were wondering),  lunchbag,  travel mug (for coffee, usually),  a hat, phone (actually this is C's phone, as mine was being used to take the pic),  wallet (which is where I keep my keys, natch) ------------------------------------------------
So...whatcha think? Man, I carry a lot of stuff. I didn't realize how much crap I carry...I should really consider downsizing. Oh wells.  Hope you enjoyed being nosy checking out my purse! Wanna share? Link up with the fab ladies up there! --------------------------------------------------

Oh and since it's Monday (and I like to mingles), I've also joined up with Meghan over at Life of Meg... she's super cool too! Check her out! Sweet as pie!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: 4 Cheese Ravioli and Italian Bread

Tuesday: Beef Stir Fry

Wednesday: Pork Chops, Stuffing, and Applesauce (maybe cranberry sauce on side)

Thursday: Chicken Noodle Soup/ sandwich

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Steak and Twice Baked Potatoes with cheese

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Ok, I think everyone knows the drill, but if not, here's the lowdown:

1. Start your post with a photo or a quote (begged, borrowed, or stolen)
2. Copy & paste my "chit-chat" at the bottom of the post and create your own blog post from it.
3. Come back and paste your info into Carla's "linky party" HERE so she can come visit you & read what you've been up to! 

view from my porch last night

What Am I...


Reading? Finally finished The Girl Who Played With Fire, and I'm ready to finish this series.

Watching? catching up on DVR- One Tree Hill

Listening to? Sunday, by Bloc Party

Cooking/Baking? A little delayed, but finally made some Country Breakfast for dinner. 

Happy you accomplished this week? I FINALLY finished the logo for my business cards! Took about 3 weeks, but so happy with the final result.

Looking forward to next week? going to celebrate my girlfriend getting a new job and apartment. Also, a business meeting where I could potentially be given a raise!

Thankful for today? Supportive friends. Especially those who will not only listen to you bitch and moan, but also offer some very helpful advice. Thanks friends!

Want to link up? Join Carla!

Book Club Friday: The Girl Who Played with Fire

Well hello! I finally made it back! Sorry for the slight book hiatus! 

This one took me quite a while to get through (much like the first). This week I finished:

Summary (from amazon.com): 

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.

But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander. 
As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.

My Summary:

So. I finished this book and threw up my hands in disgust. (Luckily I was in the privacy of my own home, so the only one confused was C.) "WTF!" is what I believe I said. Here is my issue: it took me 300 just to get seriously interested in the book. And that took about a month because I wasn't all that interested, but don't like starting books and not finishing. Then the last 173 I tried to devour in one night (it took two). But I like clean endings. I know it's a trilogy and all, but I still like some loose ends tied up by the time I finish a book. So that was annoying. 

And then... There were sooo many subplots that seemed completely useless and extraneous. And too many names (again). And I don't like people being thrown in 3/4 of the way into the story (a boxer? what? why?). 

I think this would have been a lot better if I hadn't seen the movie which told me why she was in a ward before I had finished this book. But, I still want to know what happens. So I guess I'll finish out the series. But I'm still annoyed. 

Whatcha think?

"It's OK" Thursday: Cleaning Edition

Well hello! 
I really wanted to do my post-vacay recap today, but my pics aren't ready yet- boo!
So I decided to join up with Amber and Neely for It's OK Thursdays, which I haven't done in for-ev-er! And because my apartment is a bit disastrous messy right now, and it's Spring and some people do that whole "Spring Cleaning" thing, I figured I would do a cleaning themed one!
So without further ado...

It's OK that...

- I have a wide selection of cleaning products, but don't particularly like cleaning

- I don't empty the dishwasher of clean dishes until I have a stack of dirty dishes to put in

- I am the same way with the (laundry) dryer

- I don't wash my jeans after every wear

- I don't vacuum unless it's Spring Cleaning time, or we have company coming over

- I don't dust. Ever.

- I recently got a file cabinet, but didn't get a chance to organize the files yet, so it's kinda just dumped in there in the back

- because of this crazy weather (I swear it was in the 50's 2 weeks ago and now in high 70's!), we have snow boots next to flip flops, ski pants next to shorts, and wool peacoats next to windbreakers... it's a hot mess!

- I don’t change our sheets very often (even though I really love fresh sheets, it’s just such a hassle!)

- speaking of wrinkles, I also don't iron ever. Lucky for me I have a wonderful bf who doesn't mind ironing :)

Source: google.com via Susan on Pinterest

Funnies: The Meaning of MPH

So today I received the following message out of the blue...


C:  Baby I just watched a video on the internet and I want u to know I love u


Thinking that he saw some heartbreaking video of someone losing their loved one, I think it's super cute and respond accordingly...

 me:  i love u too!!

But then he asks this, and I become intrigued...

 C:  Can u youtube at work?

 me: yeah

 C:  Do u have 4:36 seconds?

 me:  lol im here til 530, so yes

 C:  Go to utube and search "the real meaning of mph"

 me:  okay

So then I go ahead and watch the following...

I'm laughing, but then I'm like, wait a minute...

 me:  are u trynna make fun of me??!

 C:  No! That's why I was saying I love u!

U could never be that dumb!

 me:  LOL

Menu Plan Monday- Taking it Easy Edition

We just got back from vacation (yay!), so we weren't able to find a new fun recipe to try this week... well at least not until Sunday. So this week we're falling back on some old faves. 

Monday: Cheeseburgers with fries/onion rings

Tuesday: Hot Dogs, potato salad, and corn

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday: Country Breakfast (sausage patties, country gravy, and biscuits)

Friday: 4 cheese Raviolis

Saturday: Out!

Do you menu plan? Link up with the OrgJunkie and share!

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Ok, I think everyone knows the drill, but if not, here's the lowdown:

1. Start your post with a photo or a quote (begged, borrowed, or stolen)
2. Copy & paste my "chit-chat" at the bottom of the post and create your own blog post from it.
3. Come back and paste your info into Carla's "linky party" HERE so she can come visit you & read what you've been up to! 

 

Me kissing my dolphin friend in Tarpon Springs, FL over the weekend :)

Reading? 

back on track with reading The Girl Who Played with Fire- about half way done

Watching? catching up on DVR- Jersey Shore finale, Law and Order: SVU, and Whitney

Listening to? tv

Cooking/Baking? Nothing! We just got back from vacation, so we got some take out.

Happy you accomplished this week? I was a great navigator during our trip, which was news to me because I couldn't read a map before! I also was able to find lots of fun stuff for us to do on vacation!

Looking forward to next week? Hunger Games!! Can't wait to finally see it- so excited! Hopefully seeing it with a big group!

Thankful for today? Sunshine! I'm loving this 70 degree weather in mid-March!

           Want to link up? Join Carla!! 

Weekend Highlights: G-Baby is 4!

G-Baby is my godson. His birthday was on Saturday, and he turned 4! He lives in Puerto Rico, so I didn't get to see him this year. Boo :(

He's a trip. He wanted Kung Fu Panda, Spiderman, and Cars allll part of his birthday. So his momma had Cars cupcakes for his day-care party, Kung Fu Panda theme bday (beach/park) party, and a Spiderman cake! Since I didn't get there for the festivities, I sent him his presents. Of course I got him some clothes (his momma's request):

Kohl's shorts- I got all three. 

I also got something he wanted:

Yes, Cars COLOGNE! I didn't even know they sold boys' cologne! G-Baby lives with his momma and grandparents, and he likes to emulate his grandpa by putting on cologne. I just hope his momma is around while he puts it on so he's not the smelly kid in class!

And of course I got him a surprise toy. This is the Stomp Rocket Jr. from Fat Brain Toys. You just step/stomp on the petal on the ground, and the foam rocket shoots up to 100 feet! I'm sure he'll have some fun with that! Also, I love this site. They have awesome toys, and you can choose by sex and age. (Perfect for me being that I have no idea what kids play with these days!) Plus they have "just for fun" toys and educational toys, and they're affiliated with Ebates! Yay!

I hope he likes his presents and had a fabulous birthday. Hopefully I'll get to see them in the next month or so. He's getting so big!

No Menu Planning Monday, But A Recipe!

Usually on Mondays, I link up for OrgJunkie's Menu Planning Mondays. However this week, we're going on vacation (yaaaay!!). So instead, I decided to share the recipe from last night's dinner, since I found it in a newspaper (yes, people still read those!) instead of a website. Also, it was the first time I've ever had shepherd's pie! This was super easy to make, and faster than expected. Hope you enjoy!

Skillet Shepherd's Pie
4 servings; time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 cups leftover or refrigerated mashed potatoes, warmed
(We added green peppers and peas as well.)

Directions:
In a large ovenproof skillet, cook the beef, onion, and garlic in medium heat until meat is no longer pink. (We cooked green peppers and peas here.)

Stir in water and taco seasoning; heat through.
Stir in 1 cup cheese.
Combine potatoes and remaining cheese; spread over beef.

Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown.

We had this last night, and it was absolutely delicious! I hope if you try it, you enjoy it!

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Ok, I think everyone knows the drill, but if not, here's the lowdown:

1. Start your post with a photo or a quote (begged, borrowed, or stolen)
2. Copy & paste my "chit-chat" at the bottom of the post and create your own blog post from it.
3. Come back and paste your info into Carla's "linky party" HERE so she can come visit you & read what you've been up to! 

This is the Disney cruise ship riding down the Hudson River last week, as seen from the 11th floor of my office building. (Sorry for the lack of clarity!)

What are you...

Reading?

always find helpful little home tips and yummy recipes in this mag!

Watching?

still working on clearing out the DVR- this is light, fluffy, and cute! And Amy Adams is adorable. Her costar ain't so bad either ;)

Listening to? see above

Cooking/Baking? Shepherd's Pie... new recipe! (Found recipe in newspaper, will be posting tomorrow!)

Happy you accomplished this week? I made a major financial decision, and I turned someone I know into a meal planner! I also went to the movies with a girlfriend- it was a nice break from the norm. 

Looking forward to next week? getting a mani/pedi on Monday, and going on vacation on Wednesday! YAY! So ready for a break!

Thankful for today? Patience. I'm not usually very good with being patient and "waiting things out," but I'm glad I have done this recently. 

Want to link up? Join Carla!!