Seasonal Goals Check-In- It's Spring!

You guys, I seriously can't believe it's spring, especially since I'm looking out at mounds upon mounds of dirty snow and still couldn't go outside without my puffy jacket, hat, and scarf. Le sigh. Anyway, it's time to link up with Steph and Sara for some seasonal goals. First up, a review of my winter goals...

Winter Bucket List

• Go see the tree in Rockefeller Center- Nope.
• Union Square Holiday Market- Nope. 
• See a play/musical on Broadway-Yes! I got us tickets to see Beautiful: The Carole King Story and it was so much better than I was expecting! 
• Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity-Nay. 
• Deck the halls- Yup!
• Craft some stuff- Negative.
• Go see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story- went with our favorite nerdy couple and it was AWESOME!
• Have a holiday movie night- complete with hot cocoa and footie pajamas- Yup!
• Attend a hockey game- My team didn't win, but it was still great! 
• Attend a holiday party- 2! Work holiday party and a neighbors' NYE party. As in, I arrived in slippers because it was right downstairs. My kind of party. 
• Go to a concert- I'm going to count this as a yes because Blue's V-Day present to me was seeing the Blue Man Group, and that was kinda like a concert. 
• Try a new noodle house- No.

7/12- not too shabby! Honestly I've already seen the tree and the Union Square Market many times, so I'm not mad that I missed it this year. And I realized after making the list that I didn't really want to try a noodle house. We went, and when we were almost there I just didn't really want it. (Luckily Panera was right next door.) Moving on, here's what on deck for Spring...

Spring Goals

Visit the Bronx  or Central Park Zoo

Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge

Visit the Botanical Gardens

Visit the High-line

Go to a concert

Check out a new city

Go on vacation

Get my spring shearing/haircut

Spring clean my apartment

Fix screen on patio door

Show Us Your Books: February

First off, THIS IS THE BEST SNOW DAY EVER! I don't love the fact that there is a blizzard in mid-March, but I really needed a day off from work and couldn't take it, so this is basically the best thing ever. AND it's SUYB day?! Be still my heart! 

I've been reading books for Erin's 6.0 Book Challenge, so that's the point system noted. And I really loved how Kristen put a short description before her longer review, and imitation is the highest form of flattery right? Honestly it was just easier for me to remember the books this way, so I'm using it. Now- to the books!

5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.

Seriously... I'm Kidding - Ellen DeGeneres: 4 Stars

Read if you like comedian memoirs

own

I don't know what took me so long to pull this off my bookshelf. I've always liked Ellen, and I shouldn't have been surprised that I would like this too. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. I could hear her voice throughout her stories, and though I wanted to hear a little more about Portia and her home life, I found this to be a great mix of her everyday.

10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “W”.

We're All Damaged- Matthew Norman: 4 Stars

Read if you like Jonathan Tropper's "This Is Where I Leave You"

amazon kindle unlimited freebie

I picked this up because it was a freebie and the description sounded pretty funny. I was literally laughing out loud at the one-liners in this book. I loved the descriptions and could picture some of the scenes, like blow-up dolls and naked Ken dolls strewn across a perfectly manicured gated community lawn stuck in the trees and glitter bombings, among other things. I thought Daisy was the perfect push for Andy, and though her story seemed a little odd overall, I definitely did not see the twist coming. 

10 points: Read a book with six words in the title.

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club- Laurie Notaro: 2 Stars

Read if you like ridiculous/funny essays about making mistakes in your 20's

own

This only gets two stars because it made me chuckle out loud three times- the story about her upstairs neighbor (because it is SO spot on and relatable), the one about her mom wanting to learn about emails and Ebay (yup, been there too), and the Candy Apple Incident. Overall though, I was judging Laurie a whole lot. There's a difference between making mistakes in your 20's and just not giving a shit and being a hot mess. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I read it about 10 years ago, or if Laurie was younger when she was living this way. (Also, HOW was this a NYT Best Seller?!) 

20 points: Read a book with a homonym in the title 

Two Across- Jeff Bartsche: 2 Stars

Read if you like YA dramedies

free copy from publisher - own

I started off really enjoying this book. I loved the chemistry between Stanley and Vera, and even their seemingly ridiculous scheme. And then they went off to college and the whole story died for me. I began to really despise Vera,  who made so many stupid decisions over and for Stanley, and Stanley for not doing more with his life, and not noticing and protecting Vera. 

25 points: Read a book set in the state where you live.

One For The Money - Janet Evanovich: 3 Stars

Read if you like funny crime stories

own

Meh, it was fine. I already knew the premise (though I still haven't seen the movie). I wanted to like this more than I did, but it just seemed kind of forced.  I didn't even like romantic angle that much, and usually that part will sometimes save a story for me. I won't be continuing the series. 

Currently Reading: On The Road- Jack Kerouac (3rd and final attempt)

How many times do you try to read a book, particularly if you feel like you might like it, you're just not in the mood right now? 

March Goals

Let's start with a little review of how I did last month...

February Goals

• continue working on "Do It Now." I think so? I'm not too sure. I need to make my goals more quantitative/ measurable.

• Read 2 books. Done! Will share on Show Us Your Books (3/14) 

• recreate/re-establish evening schedule. I used to have one, but with winter and my desire to hibernate, I've completely just go home and eat and lay under a bunch of blankets. I need to get back into a routine. Big Fat Nope on this one. Instead, I bought myself an extra blanket. (But it has foxes on it! I'd wanted it from 6 months ago and it was finally restocked! I even waited until 3/1. Not even a little bit mad about it. )

• Get taxes done.Done and already got my refund check! WOOT! 

• No Spend February. The allowances really helped me out. Success! 
• 21 Bags in 21 Days. 18/21 not too shabby! 

• 8 bags (and 1 box) of garbage- actual garbage, expired goods from every cupboard and my fridge/freezer, holey socks, uncomfortable undies, mis-shaped bras, and 1 box of (expired) bathroom crap that was sitting in my closet since I moved (over 2 years ago...oof). 
• 2 large bags of (mostly clothing) donations
• 1 bag to Plato's Closet
• 1 bag to ThredUp
• 4 bags of recyclables- expired vinegars (who knew apple cider and white vinegar could expire?!), bags of plastic bags, newspapers and mail, wine bottles, and empty BBW candles that I thought I'd use for storing small bathroom things but were really just taking up space in my freezer. (I didn't realize this was a problem until Blue was looking in my freezer for ice and pointed them out. Oops.) 
• 1 small bag of books to the library 

And now for this month!

March Small Goals

• Open a savings account. Especially with my tax refunding coming in, and a recent cyber security attack at work where they thought I was a victim of the breach where hackers stole employees' direct deposit checks. 
• Clean out at least one closet. It's time. 
• Make my lady doctor appointment. I'm tired of having to take time off work because my cramps are so bad I can't move. It was better when I was on BC, and I need to get back on it, STAT. 
• Get a facial. I'm tired of trying to figure out what works and what doesn't with nary any results. I just need someone to get in there and fix it. (This is my scariest, because I've only had one othe facial in my life, when I was 18 and my mom "thought it was a good idea." She didn't warn me that some woman would put a huge light on me and start extricating every pore on my face. I'm still a bit mentally scarred from that experience.) 
• Read 2 books. Again, halfway through one, and another on deck. I've already come to terms with the fact that I won't finish Erin's challenge in time, but I want to keep my recent momentum going. 

What are some of your goals this month? 

Linking up with writes like a girl and Kristin

Currently: March

Reading: I'm in a rut. Just finished Two Across by Jeff Bartsch (I DETESTED the ending!) and haven't been able to get over it enough to pick out my next read. Does this happen to anyone else? 

Watching: Big Little Lies (HBO) which I'm loving! Have you guys started watching it yet, and/or have you read the book? I read the book but I forget plots quickly, so it's like unraveling the mystery all over again for me! Travelers (Netflix) which I talked about the other day. I also saw Arrival which I enjoyed even though I'm not being a big "space movie" fan. And my faves which got me all teary-eyed last week (I'm talking about you, This Is Us and Nashville!) 

Listening To: The entire Hidden Figures soundtrack. SO GOOD!

Burning: Another $2 TJ Maxx find. Vintage Oak by Everyday Luxe. It smelled woodsy before I lit it, now it just kinda smells like soap. No matter, it was a mini. 

Planning: An all-inclusive getaway to ARUBA! Have you ever been there? Please share recommendations if you have any!

Packing: bags for 21 Bags in 21 Days! Update on progress next week. Spoiler alert: I didn't hit the full 21, but I'm still pretty proud of myself for committing to clear out some clutter. 

Eating: All the noms. Trio of tacos (beef, chicken, fish), poutine, and a new favorite, chicken and waffles! I had it for the first time last year and OMG I don't know what took me so long to try it but it's a favorite by far! 

Drinking: Craft beers!  I recently went to Carton Brewery in southern NJ and actually found a stout that I LOVED! (I'm more of a IPA/amber type beer person.) 

Buying: Honestly, I've bought a shit ton (yes, that's an official American unit of measure) of stuff since my freeze ended two days ago. I blame Bad's Deals emails and the Kohl's $10 and Under sale. I mean, I'm 3/4 done with Christmas shopping because of that sale alone!  And some awesome Groupon deals lately, this one being the latest. I love anklets and lost my last one in the sand about two years ago. This one was $5- one that I won't care too much about if the beach steals it. It's got a little heart which you can get engraved with an initial too. 

 

Organizing: I found this 6-hole cubby on the street and re-purposed it to hold some odds and ends at Blue's place. I love the cracked white paint against the aqua, which perfectly matches the colors in her room! 

Saying: Uhh,.. I haven't been saying anything of note lately. Though I am surprised at how fast this year seems to be going, and I'm SO ready for a vacation!

Loving: Good times with good friends that I haven't seen in awhile. 

Wearing: my uniform of fleece leggings under work pants, tank and long sleeve under a sweater. I get cold easily, so layers are my BFF. 

Posting: On IG than anything else, because that's my favorite platform. What's your favorite? 

Sharing: my books! I saw this idea on Steph and Erin's blogs, and loved it so much I thought I'd do it too! My bookshelf is overflowing with books, and these are some that I'd love to share. If you're interested in taking any of them, just let me know in the comments. I'll send them to you free of charge! 

Fourth Comings (Jessica Darling #4) - Megan McCafferty
Trouble- Kate Christensen
Belzhar- Meg Wolitzer
The Tipping Point- Malcolm Gladwell (marked up)
Jemima J- Jane Green
Labor Day- Joyce Maynard
Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination- Helen Fielding
Mother, Can You Not?- Kate Friedman
The Devil Wear Prada- Lauren Weisberger
Nantucket Nights- Elin Hilderbrand
One For the Money- Janet Evanovich

Not pictured but also available: 
Dead Sleep- Greg Iles
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larson
Two Across- Jeff Bartsch

What currently new with you?

Linking up with Anne, Carrie, Kristen, Gretch, and Kristin! 

Favorites// Add it To My List

To Download: Seashells (app)
This is a free money-saving app that links to your credit/debit cards and rounds any purchases made on those cards to the nearest whole dollar. It virtually saves your spare change, and then adds a 15% bonus on top of those savings. Redeem your savings at any of their 100+ partner retailers (they give you an e-gift card), or donate your balance to charity through Charity Choice. Easy peasy. 

To Buy: Keep Collective engravable bar
I originally saw this on Christina's IG, but I love it so I'm sharing it here. (And truth be told, I haven't bought it yet since I'm on a bit of a spending freeze for February, but I'll be purchasing tomorrow!) $44 + s/h, and Tiffany donates a percentage to ACLU. How cool is that?! She's also super sweet and helpful. For more info and/or to place your order, contact Tiffany here. 

To Watch: Travelers (Netflix)

It's a sci-fi TV show currently in it's 2nd season about these people from the future who enter people in this time period's bodies right before they die to try and stop worldwide disasters before they happen. There are hundreds of them, and they work in groups on missions. Each group has a leader, a doctor, an engineer, a tactician, and a historian. The most interesting part is that the future people have to resume the peoples' bodies lives that they inhabit. They have to not let wives/husbands realize it's not a different person, take on the same jobs, etc. One guy got into a junkie's body and has to keep up a heroin addiction. It's cray. 

To Eat: Ben & Jerry's Urban Bourbon

It had bourbon caramel swirls, but it's not overwhelming. Kinda like a smoky tatste.... but in ice cream. Deeeeelicious. Oh, I also saw Hostess' Sno Ball and Twinkie flavored ice cream if that's more your jam. 

What should I add to my list?

Three On Thursday: Things Going On In My Life

Quirky Pickings and Lauren started this Tuesday Topics link up in the beginning of January, and I figured since I've been pretty quiet around these parts, I'd fill you in on "Three Things Going On In My Life." 

Work. 
Let's start with the not so fun stuff, eh? For the past 3 months, I've been covering for the telecommunications person at my company as she went out on short term disability (hip surgery). However, she's due back in March. I thought I'd just go back to my old position when she came back, except I was covering for two empty roles in that position, and both of those roles have now been filled. So I have no idea what I'll be doing or if I'll even still have a job in....oh, about 2 weeks. And I have no idea what to do about it, other than update my resume. 

Taxes.
I'm getting my taxes done tonight, and I'm really excited. Is that a weird thing to be excited about? No matter, I'm excited because I know I'm getting a return. Also, as I was gathering my necessary paperwork for the meeting, I realized that I'm able to pay off two student loans in full. Like, right now! BUT I'm going to wait (because ya know, I may be unemployed soon) and pay them off with my return (which I usually put towards a vacation, because priorities). 

Worlds Colliding.
This may just be me, but I always get slightly anxious when my worlds collide. For instance if I'm at happy hour with work friends, and my outside-work-friends join. Does that make sense? I'm worried if they'll like each other and get along. Obviously I want them to, but that doesn't always happen. Anyway, this will likely be happening again soon, and I'm trying not to worry about it. 

What are some things going on in your life right now? 

A Questionnaire and Sh!t Blue Said

I've been all out of sorts lately. So much that I forgot it was Show Us Your Books day even though it's written in my planner *face palm* So instead, in honor of Valentine's Day, I'm sharing some answers about Blue and I followed by a few gems that I remembered to write down recently. Hopefully I'll get my shit together and have a book post later this week. Maybe. 

*The couple that masks together stay together...
that's how it goes, right?*

Who's older? She is

Who was interested first? Probably me but she knew it first. 

More sarcastic? Her, but not by much

Hogs the remote? She does but only because it's her TV and I can't figure out how to use 4 different remotes!

Better driver? Her

Spends the most? She gets a lot of nerd boxes and must have the latest gadgets, so probably her

Smarter? She is... those extra years get her more life experience :)

Did you go to the same school? High school, yes, just at different times.

Who is the most sensitive? Depends on the topic.

Where do you eat out most as a couple? Taco Bell! Just kidding (kind of)... probably Casa Guiseppe's, our fave BYOB Italian restaurant. 

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Key West.

Who does the cooking? She does.

Who is more social? Me.

Who steals the covers? She does! 

Where was your first date? I didn't know it was a date but I guess a local bar. The one where I DID know it was a date was Tero's, a Portuguese restaurant. 

Who's better with the computers? She is.

Who picks where you go to dinner? Goes both ways, but she's usually more decisive.

Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both wear pants! Haha

Who eats more sweets? She does, I don't really like sweets.

______________________________________

Blue: I want an owl.
Me: Like, as a pet?
Blue: No I dunno. Just, around here.
Me: Well you already have neighborhood cats, dogs, birds, and wolves.
Blue: It's a coyote. They're like, the ghetto version of a wolf. And yeah, but there should be a neighborhood owl. They're just so cool.

Regarding breakfast sandwiches...
Blue: It's good hot, it's more egg-y.
Me: I didn't get mine hot. We got them to go.
Blue: You could get it hot, you just gotta talk dirty to it.

Regarding this pen...

Blue: He looks dead.
Me: Well yeah, it's Jesus
Blue: That's not Jesus, it's Obi-Wan Kenobi from the earlier Star Wars.
Me: It looks like Jesus.
Blue: Jesus doesn't have a light saber...
Me: MY Jesus has a light saber.


Watching Jim Gaffigan: " I don't know my wife's phone number..."
Blue: I don't know your phone number *tries a few times*
Me: I don't know yours either.
Blue: It doesn't matter, you wouldn't answer anyway since you don't answer unknown numbers. I could be in prison or dying in a hospital and I'd just tell wait until 8am and call the number that texts me calling me a sugar plum.


In the case of an emergency...
Blue: I could be like "Dani get up, our house is on fire" and you'd be like "Iz you suuuuure?"
Me: Yes.
Blue: And then you'd wait a while and start asking questions. "Do you smell smoke? Is it spreading? Wake me when you smell smoke or it's spreading...."At which point I'd just hog-tie you, throw you over my shoulder, grab the cat and go to warm up the car.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Do you celebrate or consider it a "Hallmark holiday"?