random Archives - Page 21 of 21

Friday Five of my favorite things

April 25, 2014 by Jana 14 Comments

I’m taking another Friday off from being all pioneer like to bring you some of my favorite things about modern life. Next week, all the pioneer goodness will return, including a how-to on making your own mending box and our first book club discussion (on Wednesday, complete with linkup and Facebook discussion so be sure to like The Townhouse Pioneer on FB to take part in that):

Favorite thing #1: Trying to pick my favorite song is near impossible but right now, I’d have to say it’s “Lola Montez” by Volbeat. I genuinely cannot get enough of this song and I might listen to it more than a normal person should listen to a song on any given day. I could not find a good video to share with you so I had to use this one. It’s from a festival performance, the lead singer is horribly sweaty, and there are obligatory crowd shots. If you have to, just let the video run and listen to the song while you read the rest of the post:

Favorite thing #2: Essie Mojito Madness. I normally shy away from green nail polish because it reminds me of fungus and really, who wants to look at their fingers or toes and think of fungus? Not this gal. But on a whim, I bought this color and I. Love. It. My nails look like complete crap right now but when they grow (and stop splitting like they don’t know what else to do), it’s the color I’m putting on.

Favorite thing #3: Taylor Kinney. Sure, the fact that he’s dating Lady Gaga makes me question his judgement (nothing to do with her looks. But she paid someone to puke on her. What the fuck?) but when you look like this, it’s easy to forgive. Plus, Chicago Fire is totally my guilty pleasure show.

Favorite thing #4: Fitness Blender. For reasons that we can talk about another day, I am putting my gym membership on hold. As a result, I need to find all kinds of new things to do. Like use the treadmill in my basement. But I need to do some strength training and free weights on my own don’t cut it. I spent some time on YouTube looking for good at home workouts and found this husband and wife team and their little business. The videos are completely free (both on YouTube and their website), there are dozens of them, they range in length from quick to really, really long, and there’s a variety of types of workouts and intensity. Can’t beat that.

Favorite thing #5: Yesterday was my 10 year wedding anniversary. Apparently it’s traditionally the tin/aluminum anniversary and my husband decided to stick with it. So he got me this vintage tin Muppets lunch box. As a Muppets fanatic since I can remember, this was the most perfect gift I could have gotten.

What are some of your favorite things?

Linking up today with the Northeast Bloggers and Amanda from Meet at the Barre

Back In My Day: Relationships edition

April 22, 2014 by Jana 18 Comments

Today I’m linking up with Life According to Steph and some of her friends for a discussion of what things were like back in my day. Since I always do some sort of anniversary themed post this time of year, I figured I’d talk about how different things were when my husband and I first starting dating.

In two days, my husband and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. While that’s an accomplishment in and of itself, what’s even more amazing is the fact that we have been together for 17 1/2 years. That’s a long fucking time, especially when you consider the fact that we’ll both be 37 this year (for those doing the math, we started dating when we were both 19 and sophomores in college. The year? 1996.)

It amazes me just how much has changed over the last 17-18 years, particularly for dating and relationships. Because back in my day:

Meeting someone on the brand new internet was not commonplace. It was creepy and weird, and definitely not something you talked about. Instead you met them through friends or at a party or in detention or carrying a watermelon.
When you wanted to stalk your crush, you had to do it like a normal person–learning his school schedule, attending his sporting event as a “spectator”, calling his house and hanging up, trying to befriend his friends. You didn’t troll his Twitter or Instagram feed.
Speaking of pictures, if you did something stupid, you didn’t have to worry about pictures of that shit winding up everywhere (contrary to what 80s and 90s teen movies have you believe) and your significant other/crush seeing it. You kept it on lockdown, sharing it when appropriate and maybe not even then.
Also with pictures, wasn’t one of the best parts of the beginning of a relationship seeing that person’s photo albums? There was just something a lot more intimate about sifting through an oversized and overstuffed photo album rather than a phone.

someecards.com - I'm happy we're at a point in our relationship where you have told me about all the things I had already read about you on the internet.

You actually had to get to know a person through questions and conversations and first dates were awkward. Really, painfully awkward. Unless you did some really great pre-first date recon (or were friends first), you didn’t know shit about the other person. Facebook has completely ruined that experience.
When you decided where your relationship was going, you did so through a conversation, not a Facebook status change or profile picture update.
Long distance relationships were exhausting. Letters and scheduled and timed phone calls (you know, because long distance rates were a bitch), maybe seeing each other once or twice every few months or so. You kids with your Skype and email and gchat don’t know how easy you have it.
Wedding proposals were not slick, professional produced videos designed to go viral. They were sweet and nice and to the point. And private.
And lastly, any of these would have done as my boyfriend (for what it’s worth, I would still not turn down Matt Damon):

What did I miss? How were relationships back in your day?

Friday Five: Blogs I Heart, volume 1

April 18, 2014 by Jana 6 Comments

My brain is exhausted this week. Between the seriously fucked up weather, still not having a debit card to replace the one with the stolen numbers, and revamping my blogger mentoring program’s site for what feels like the 98th consecutive week, not to mention sleeping like shit, I’ve got nothing left. Like seriously, nothing. I’m surprised I’m even forming coherent sentences at this point.

Fortunately, there are dozens and dozens of bloggers around who have working brains and write really good blogs to prove it. So rather than spewing drivel, I’m giving you 5 ladies whose blogs you should read instead:

Life According to Steph—I met Steph freshman year of college and many, many years later she’s still one of the smartest, funniest, most opinionated people I know. Her blog is a wonderful array of general thoughts, organizational tips, recipes, pictures of pugs, and overall awesomeness. I promise, you will laugh out loud, and sometimes learn something really helpful, when you read her posts. So you should do that. Now. I’ll be here when you get back.

Beauty School Dropout–I’m a new reader to Sarah’s blog but it’s one that I visit regularly. She talks about topics that I totally relate to, like being a parent, her monthly goals and her progress (she gives herself a grade each month rather than a pass/fail system, which is I think is a fantastic ideas), shares lots of pictures, and overall just seems like someone I’d be friends with in real life (honestly, I feel that way about all the ladies on this list). Make sure you add her blog to your to-read list.

This is obviously NOT Sarah. But it's how her blog got its name so totally relevant. — This is obviously NOT Sarah. But it’s how her blog got its name so totally relevant.

Till Then, Smile Often—Kerry’s blog, like Steph’s, is a great mix of topics. One of my favorites ones, aside from the ones about her dog Seamus and her book reviews, is her Be The Change movement where she gives ideas for random acts of kindness. My favorites so far are to leave a box of tennis balls at a dog park and to leave a stack of quarters at a laundromat. How easy and inexpensive are those to do? And think of the difference they’ll make for someone! For more ideas, make sure to check her out!

She Crab Soup—The best part about Kelli’s blog? You mean, besides the great writing, awesome picture practice project (which I’m really trying to do), the fact that she’s completely relatable, and she’s also a (former) criminal justice person? She lives at the beach and shares lots of pictures! And the pictures are amazing. Go look at her site right now and you’ll see what I mean.

According to Athena—Athena is someone I’ve known for a couple of years now (we met through blogging) and she’s also my personal goals accountability partner and FinCon roommate. Like me, she love books and music and wine. It’s no wonder we get along so well! Her blog leans towards the personal finance side but she incorporates travel, daily life, and random thoughts. Her blog is worth the visit, especially for the music. So go read her blog and get your groove on at the same time.

someecards.com - I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of the wine I'm guzzling in order to tolerate you.

P.S. This is not how I feel about Athena but rather something I’m fairly certain she’d say. It’s why I love her.

P.P.S. I know this post isn’t at all pioneer related but I’m pretty sure even they took a day off now and then.

I think I’m going to make this a monthly feature. Because it was SO hard to choose and I want to give all the blogs I read their due accolades.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Linking up with the Northeast Bloggers Network:

Confession: I’m a blanket hoarder

March 18, 2014 by Jana 6 Comments

For the most part, I live in a clean, clutter free environment. Too much clutter makes me anxious and my anxiety attacks trigger depressive episodes and honestly, it gets ugly. Plus I don’t like to clean and when there’s clutter, that means cleaning.

It’s just smart housekeeping, really.

But I have a secret. ~~Lurking~~ Hiding inside most of the closets in my house are blankets. Dozens of blankets.

That’s right, friends. I. Hoard. Blankets.

I call this "Dogs with Blankets (and one cat lurking in the background)" — I call this “Dogs with Blankets (and one cat lurking in the background)”

I’m not really sure why I do it. It’s not as if I have some sort of blanket fetish or I’m a purposeful, avid collector of blankets. And most of the ones that I have, I haven’t even bought. They just keep winding up in my house. And I don’t get rid of them because…well, I’m not sure why. I know they’ve come in handy on several occasions and I think I’m afraid that as soon as we unload the blankets, our house it going to be infiltrated by 46 people who all need a place to sleep and therefore need blankets.

So I keep them.

I fear I may have some issues to work through.

In my defense, though, my hoard is mostly organized and no dead animals are buried inside any blankets. I’m not in need of an intervention, although a purge is probably imminent. And my collection is categorized, meaning no blanket is without purpose. In case you’re wondering, and I know you are, my categories include:

Our beds
Guests
The dogs (old ones that serve no other purpose)
Naps (these are my favorite. Soft, fuzzy fleece)
My daughter’s toys (converted from her baby blankets)
Handmade blankets that are too itchy for general use but I feel like a terrible person throwing away or getting rid of
Outside use (separate from beach towels. Think impromptu backyard picnics or lining an outdoor cat house)
Sentimental (handmade ones that are not too itchy but serve no real purpose)

Looking at that list, I realize I might be excessive. However. In my defense (again), my blanket reserves have: helped when our heat has gone out, saved me from having to remake my bed when I take a nap, enabled me to cover my daughter when she puked all over her comforter prompting a 3AM laundry session, created a mock soft foam pit for living room tumbling sessions, become fort making materials, and so much more. We’ve had hours of sleep, fun, and saved money as a result.

So, really, my hoarding is completely practical and not at all crazy.

Friday Five of my favorite things

Back In My Day: Relationships edition

Friday Five: Blogs I Heart, volume 1

Confession: I’m a blanket hoarder

Connect with Me

Subscribe to Jana Says