Boys' night out means a girl's night in...

Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days.
-William Shakespeare

Rob went out for trivia and wings with his friend Thomas... they're apparently starting a Wednesday night tradition. On the other hand, I may be starting one of my own...

[clockwise from top left]
Skinny Girl Margaritas. Which I saw that Maegan had posted about on Facebook a month or so ago. And, because I had never seen them before, I went searching online to find the nearest retailer... which happens to be less than a mile from our apartment. And, of which, I filled my glass tonight. And, because I haven't imbibed in quite a long time, it's embarrassing to say how little it took to feel the buzz. (Let's say it was less than half a glass). And, now I'm feeling pretty good. And, it's a wonder how many times I'll have to press the "Delete" button in this post to make it somewhat readable. Gosh... I hope it's readable.

Math problems. Because who doesn't love doing math problems when they've been drinking.... No, really. My father-in-law calls once or twice a day with questions about algebra. Because he's taking online courses to finish up his college degree (he went into the Marines when he was just a couple of course shy of graduating). And, because no one else in his family is patient enough to help (including his wife, his stepson, or stepdaughter), he calls me. And, it doesn't hurt that I just spent two years teaching this stuff.

Chips and salsa. It's the dinner of champions. And, it tastes good. Enough said.

And, don't I look cute today. I'm really glad that I decided to buy a hip-fitting belt for that last job interview. I may not have gotten the job, but damn, I got a really cute belt.

Apparently I talk funny...

"To speak and to speak well are two things.  A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks."

-Ben Jonson

Click the PLAY button below to listen to this post!

 

It seems I talk funny to the people around here. Never mind that I moved from a town just two hours south. Everyone I've met here in Upstate South Carolina has commented on my "accent." In the used bookstore, at the sno cone shack, and even the kids and fellow teachers where I tutor. They ask, "Yur not from 'round here are ya?" or say, "y'know, I like listenin' to you talk." 

Huh? You're the ones with a crazy-ass backwards way of speaking. I mean, really... I can hardly understand you. Will you repeat yourself please?

Making it a habit...

"Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going."

-Jim Ryun

While trying to embrace this little "vacation" I have going right now, I have also decided to try to establish some good habits. They (the almighty "they") say that a routine takes about three to four weeks to establish. I'm halfway through week two on all three, so hopefully I'll make it through.

First off, I bought a new water bottle with the hopes of increasing my water consumption and decreasing my coke and food consumption. Of course, when Rob saw it... his reaction was, "we don't have enough water bottles already?!?!" But, this one is just for me and had to meet my specifications--clear sides, comfortable opening to drink from, and rather sturdy. So far, I've been filling it up throughout the day, taking it with me as I walk to Sylvan, and carrying it around the apartment with me. My daily intake so far has been about two bottle-fuls. I'm still having a caffeine-free coke around lunchtime, I have noticed that I've been snacking less--although that could be because we simply have very little food in the cabinets.

Drinking more water brings us to my second goal... exercise more. Although we brought my bike up to SC in one of our early moves, it's just too bleeping hot to ride. I envy those of you who enjoy a long run, but I've come to terms with the fact that I'm an aerobics kind of gal. So instead, I've been grooving every morning to a workout video. I've decided to use the same video for five days in a row, and then start over with a new one each week. That way, I can really improve throughout the week, but still get variety in my workout. This week's video is a killer with its wall-sits and planks. But, hopefully I'm getting stronger and might even lose my little pudge (hey, how'd that get there anyway?)

Lastly, after watching CJane's vlog explanation of her zone cleaning, I've been inspired to divide our new little apartment into six cleaning zones. On Monday I tackle the bathrooms, Tuesday the bedroom and closets. On Wednesday I clean the kitchen and the laundry room, while Thursday is for the dining room and the living room. Friday is all about the guest bedroom/office area, while I leave Saturday and Sunday for laundry. We're beginning to embrace our 2-bedroom apartment and its lack of furniture (as most of it is still sitting in our house, staged and waiting to be bought). But, I've made it my goal to keep it as tidy and as uncluttered as possible.

Now, the trick will be to see if I can keep up with these routines. Especially when (notice I said when, not if) I get a full-time gig!!

Unemployed Summer...

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."

-Ada Louise Huxtable

Being unemployed in the summer is good for just a few things... namely, reading best-selling novels and lazing in the pool. Have the apartment pool to myself this afternoon, which is awesome. Means I can float all around and not have to worry about bumping into people or getting my paperback splashed.

Where, oh where have I been?

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

-Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

I bet that you thought once school was out, I'd be around here more often. Tricked you! It seems I've been around the world and back in the last couple of weeks (even if only in my head!) And, been without internet for several days at a time here and there.

First off, we've been trying to get our house ready to go on the market. Which, in this economy, means get ready to get screwed! Rob and I have been back and forth a million and one times, but hopefully progress will be made soon. Fingers crossed. Selling a house in a recession sucks!

And, because our house will soon belong to someone else, we needed to find a new place to live. An apartment hunting trip was in order. And, then the day we returned from vacation, Rob rushed up to Spartanburg to move in before his first day of work on the 11th.

I am bouncing back and forth between Georgia and South Carolina for a few weeks, but we were able to move most of our necessities for the next couple of months, so I'm making SC my home base from now on. The only thing we're really missing is a real bed and a sofa, but we're making do.

Oh, vacation... did I mention vacation?!? We spent Fourth of July week at Yosemite National Park with my mom's side of the family. It was a wonderful week, full of hiking, good food, connecting with family, and several adventures we had not planned on. Rob's and my knees are still hurting from the 40+ miles we walked, hiked, and climbed during the week. We've got a ton of photos and great memories. Can't wait for the next trip!

As for the job search... ug! Upstate South Carolina is not the graphic design hub that I had hoped. In two months of research, I've found a grand total of five jobs that I'm qualified for, and I've applied for them all. In fact, some of them seem like a perfect fit for my interests, experience, and career goals... I just wish that they'd call back!

I did have an interview last week, but despite psyching myself up for it all day, I got in a fender bender in a parking lot not 45 minutes before my originally scheduled time. So, despite the fact that I had gone to the library to get my new library card and become an official resident, I got the added benefit of meeting the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Unfortunately there was a witness who said it was my fault--we backed into each other and couldn't really tell who had pulled out first. Good thing I have "accident forgiveness" on my auto insurance!!

Despite the fact that my last teaching paycheck arrives this week, we're taking the opportunity to celebrate one last week of being "dual income-no kids." We splurged on big ticket items like a microwave, a new bra, and dry erase markers. Woohoo! These are exciting times!