Things I Want You To Know About

This Photography Site
A few months ago, Mike and I went to a wine festival in the town we live. As with most street fairs, there were vendors peddling their goods to the drunks stumbling about. Mike is pretty immune to this type of sales approach—or any sales approach that doesn't involve the words "free" or "hooker"—but I, per usual, scurried up to any booth offering something shiny. Funny enough, when we walked by the booth where this photographer was, we both were drawn to the same photograph. We didn't buy it then, as Mike is about as impulsive as ... well, whatever isn't known for its impulsiveness. Absolutely nothing is coming to mind less impulsive than my husband. So, let's just say my husband's about as impulsive as NOT ME. How's that for an analogy. Anyway, I recently bought this picture for Mike, as a "just because" gift.

My J. Crew (Gift Card) Purchase
I scratched everything off the list pictured on this post because I am rather impulsive and also a hair crazy. And also because my best friend is getting married over Memorial Weekend and she is letting me wear whatever black dress I want for the occasion. The below dress is on sale for $39.99 and it's lovely, isn't it? So, there you have it, what I'm buying with my J. Crew gift card. (Obviously, I'm getting it in black, but take a gander at the spiced wine color. It would look smashing on someone. Perhaps you?)

What I Bought on Amazon
I'm not shopping for 30 days (for clothes, shoes and accessories) and really this whole experiment is supposed to show me how much I spend (and therefore how much I can save) unnecessarily each month. I do quite a bit of mindless shopping—picking up a pair of ballet flats or a pair of earrings at Target when I'm supposed to be buying toilet paper. Grabbing a random pashmina when I'm scoping out birthday gifts for a girlfriend. I can already say that this month has given me some much-needed perspective. I'm able to be more thoughtful with my gift giving and I'm able to pick up a cookbook, guilt-free, in order to improve our dinners and therefore our home. (And in case you're sort of scratching your head, I didn't include books or home improvements as part of my shopping fast, as I rarely improve our home and I've been reading Pride and Prejudice for the last six months. My book buying isn't driving us into debt. MY SHOE BUYING IS.)

Fresca is Not Only Your Grandmother's Soda
I've cut my caffeine intake considerably since Mike and I began trying for a baby. Giving up those 18 Diet Dr. Peppers a day was one of the most difficult things I've done, and that's saying quite a lot as I went to school for four(ish) years where the student body was chosen as the student body most likely to vote for George W. Bush. During that first caffeine-free month, I had a never-ending headache that made me as irritable as an ostrich. (They're quite irritable, trust me—I was once chased by one in Arizona.) Now that the first month is behind me, the cravings are basically gone and I've taken up drinking Fresca instead. I bring a couple cans to work with me—one for the morning, one for lunch. And I've been MOCKED for this. Fresca is, rumor has it, a grandma's drink and, well, I think I speak for senior citizens everywhere when I say, that shit is good.

What I Printed Out Last Night
The Couch to 5K program that is raved about all across Cyber Space. Although, if we're talking about me, specifically, it's more like Comfy Bed with Easy Access to the TiVo to 5K.

Where We May Stay During Our Arkansas Trip
My Christmas gift was a weekend getaway to Arkansas. You can judge all you want, but our neighboring states don't offer much in the way of romantic getaways. I don't know if you'll agree, but, to me, Oklahoma doesn't ooze romance. Although I've never been to Arkansas I hear it's actually rather beautiful. This hotel, in Hot Springs, AR, may be just what we need for a fun weekend together (and they offer some great packages, although the only package I'm interested in is the one that includes a free bottle of champagne). This is quite a step up from the motel Mike took me to in Lake Charles, LA a few years back. Let's just say, I may have fallen asleep on top of my jacket that night to the sounds of gunshots. And I thought it best (and most sanitary) not to take a shower the next morning.

The Movie I Think You Should See After You See Juno
The Internet is abuzz with praise for Juno. It seems everyone is raving about this little gem of a movie. I've now seen it twice and am still charmed by it. But, I stand by my pick of Gone Baby Gone as the best movie of 2007. I don't think the award-show circuit agrees with me, but the awards shows are being canceled one by one. She Likes Purple? NOT CANCELED.

What Moved Me to My Knees This Week
Yes, Mike and I are trying to have a kid and, no, it hasn't happened for us yet. And as it goes with anything in life, you can start to wallow, to resent, to whine incessantly when things aren't going your way. Also, I've worked really long hours this week with a stressful and looming deadline right around the corner. I sat in traffic for an hour and a half last night and flipped off approximately three idiots who honestly had it coming because THAT IS A RED LIGHT, STOP HONKING AT ME! Our laundry is leering at me, I swear it, and I do sometimes wonder why life is just so relentless with how it never lets up. And then I read this, and the fact that she can even string words together, can even be upright in the face of all that pain, makes me realize that I should be on my knees, every moment, thanking someone, ANYONE, for breathing in and out today. I'm sometimes stunned by the perspective the blogosphere offers me. I could try to pound out words until I recognized something resembling my feelings on the subject, but it would be futile. Nothing comes close. There are far stronger, far more beautifully articulate women in this world than me. And I am so humbled to be allowed to read their words.

How I'm Going to Attempt to Pay it Forward
A few months ago Bethany Actually posted about Paying it Forward—The Blog Edition and I just loved the idea. I assumed, back then, that hosting something similar would be more cruel to my readers than kind because offering homemade gifts to the first three commenters? Really? I imagine you wouldn't be interested in pictures of Molly. Or a to-do list on fancy paper, perhaps? Yesterday I read a similar post at The Ugly Green Chair. And, became rather obvious to me that I could absolutely do this if I baked something! So, I'm going to bake and send a batch of something to the first three commenters (who are interested in hosting a similar thing for their readers). I promise it'll taste delightful and I also promise not to stick my fingers into your particular batch of batter. Now, remember, you have to pay it forward, although you can make whatever you'd like—cards, jewelry, prints, a Veronica Mars bobble head. The possibilities are endless.

What I Still Haven't Quite Come to Terms With
A new episode of The Office is nowhere in sight.

Comments

[Jess]

I LOVE FRESCA and I had no idea that it was considered a grandma drink. And now I'm offended.

[slynnro]

Dude, Fresca is for old people. But I hate Dr. Pepper. Baylor is OWNED by Dr. Pepper.

[slynnro]

Oh, and I too have so enjoyed the guilt free picking up of NOT clothing items- like some nice mushrooms for a risotto and a new nose hair trimmer for Aaron. That trimmer provides WAY MORE JOY than any dress.

[bethany actually]

I love Fresca! And I'm not a grandma yet!

When I go on shopping fasts, it's almost always specifically books which I forbid myself to buy. Heh.

[Someone Being Me]

I like the black dress it is really cute. I remember those awful days of cutting out caffeine while trying to get pregnant and while pregnant. I drank a lot of decaf starbucks, caffeine free dr pepper, and decaf tea. I just tried to trick myself into thinking it was the real thing. I remember making decaf in the work coffee pot occasionally before I announced I was pregnant and just not telling anyone. I am so mean. Misery loves company.

I read the blog about the girl who lost her baby and wow, I never know what to say. I felt the same when I read Sweet Salty and when I read Crib Chronicles and several other bloggers who have lost a baby shortly before or after delivery. I am so blessed that Bear only spent 16 days in the NICU and then came home with me. Heartbreaking. They give me hope that no matter what happens the human spirit is strong beyond comprehension.

[Vanessa]

I LOVE the black dress! and fresca is NOT for old people!

[Jennie]

That dress is gorgeous.

Yay for Arkansas! I think you'll like it.

[biddy]

love the print, love the dress, love fresca, love hot springs!!!

and what an awesome idea about paying it forward! i've done it once, but i'll totally do it again!

[biddy]

oh and p.s.? you've GOT to go see The Bucket List

[Angela]

Couch to 5K works so incredibly well! I was up to 45 minutes of running, but then the sun stopped coming out and the rain started falling and I've been a big old slacker for about 4 months. It's so depressing to think about starting over again that I'm run the the freezer to take comfort in the arms of my Dryers special American Idol edition ice cream.

[Emily]

I really like the dress, if you read my most recent post you will see that we are sort of dress twins now...

I like fresca as well, and I really really like that photo you bought for Mike!

[She Likes Purple]

Emily: We are dress twins. That's the exact same dress.

Angela: AMERICAN IDOL ICE CREAM? Please tell me Chris from last season comes with it.

[Elizabeth]

Oooh, I was eyeing that dress, and wishing I had an excuse to buy it. I'm happy you did.
Now you need some shoes to go with it.

[Kristie]

I lurve Fresca. But I'm old, so ya know.

[Erin]

Love the dress! I might need to have it for myself!

[nicoleantoinette]

This is my first visit to your blog and I could kiss you for that couch to 5K thing. It's exactly what I've been looking for.

A hundred thank yous :)

[Betsy]

Okay . . . so blog pay it forward- love it. And though you have had more than a handful of comments, I only saw one person say she's in. So I am totally in . . .

[Amanda]

Ok. So I like Fresca. But recently I've discovered that I love diet Squirt. And I drink about 17 a day. Anyway, they're sort of similar... and Squirt is much cooler than Fresca. I think. Whatever, like I care. I didn't even leave the house today.

[Kitty]

I haven't had Fresca in about forever. I shall have to pick up a can when I see it in a random vending machine, just for old time's sake. For some odd reason, it sticks in my mind at the same place as Jolt and Surge....fad drinks I adored for brief periods of my life but later abandoned by the wayside.

The dress is beautiful, and the photo you got for Mike is very interesting. *hugs*

[Angella]

I *love* the dress!

Also. Am going to see Juno with The Girls for my birthday this weekend. Woot!

[Unnaturally Blonde]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and Mike! And I really love the prints on that website, they are worth the price for sure, I might have to order something for the new house!!

[slynnro]

Alright, my pay it forward stuff is up!

[K]

I never thought Fresca was for old people... but I didn't realize right away that it was a diet drink... but I do love me some Fresca.
Also, good luck with the 5K program. I'm doing a 10K in April.

[Bethany]

I am about to attempt to help one of your resolutions, but disregarding another. If you have an ipod nano you need to get a nike+ to help you with the 5k. They are $20 (if you lived in Austin Adam could take you to the Apple store and get a discount). I used it when I started running again a year ago before my 5k and it is so fun! A little woman comes over your head phones and tells you your pace, progress, calories burned, etc and Lance Armstrong gives a little encouragement at the end. My favorite feature was the "power song" feature where you set up a song that you know will get you up to help you fight to continue running. If you are sticking to your "no shopping" resolution and have a nano let me know and I may buy it for you! It's that good.

[Janssen]

Mmm, I need to comment on about a hundred things in the post.

1) I love that photograph. I absolutely love it!

2)Fresca is one of the few sodas I really like (somehow, I've been blessed with a fairly strong dislike for soda).

3) I'm doing the Couch to 5K program too! I'm on week TWO!! :) Good luck!

[Chellie]

I'm intrigued by this couch to 5K program you speak of, trying to get rid of that last little bit of post-baby weight.

[slynnro]

The only piece of "lingerie" I own is a similar set from Red Envelope. It's hot without being slutty. Perfecto!

[Kristabella]

I don’t think Fresca is the only pop without caffeine. Sprite comes to mind. And Fanta zero. Don’t you wanna Fanta, Fanta?

[brandi]

A tip on Hot Springs - if the wax museum is still there, YOU HAVE TO GO. My husband and I dated long distance in college (Dallas to Nashville) and Hot Springs was our meeting place. The wax museum is full of all kinds of people... who look like Elvis. Seriously, it's like they only had the money for one wax mold, so they went with The King and just put different clothes and hair on everyone else. It is so much awesome.