Hot New Bikini & "Just a Guy"

On-line shopping will be the death of me. Ok, so I used to have a severe shopping problem. I just love to shop. I love to have new things. I love fashion. I love shopping for what suits my particular body type, and I'm pretty good at it (at least I think I am). I love feeling like I'm in control of something.. even if my shopping is out of control. I mean, really, what girl doesn't like these things?

So anyway, Eric and I share our finances, which works out pretty well; we do our best to ensure if things don't work out between us, we'll still survive financially, and considering we've made a commitment to each other not to give up, no matter what obstacles we face, it's been working out well, so what's the harm? Anyway, before I get way off track, since we began sharing our funds, I've worked very hard to be frugal and cognizant of where every penny of our income goes, and also to make sure we both get the things we want and need. This has taken quite a bit of communication, consideration, compromising, and sacrificing, which is a constant work in progress. I handle all the bills, the shopping, the saving, the little "extras" we want to do, the vacation planning, etc.

Sometimes handling the money makes me feel like a good-time nazi. Sometimes it really sucks telling Eric, "no we don't have the money for that because we are trying to save money for this," and so forth. And sometimes, he has a little "tantrum" and figuratively stomps his feet and holds his breath, but most of the time, even if he doesn't like it, he understands we are working toward a common goal that we decided together. It's not like I always get things I want, I just don't voice that I want them, so they go unnoticed by him.

But anyway, today I got something I wanted. Well kind of. I'm more than willing to settle. I am more than happy to shop from the sales racks. Which is exactly what I did today.

Victoria's Secret! 

I just love VS. 

I got the top on sale for $24 

and the bottoms for $14.50.
Now that's a decent deal!

So this is an older design- a year, maybe two, but I like it, and these colors are on my color wheel. It would be really nice if I was as hott as the girl wearing it, but that's never going to happen. For starters, I'm only 5'2".. in the morning. 

FYI: Did you know you're taller in the morning? Gravity from standing and sitting compresses the spine, thus, making you shorter as the day wears on.  

On a completely unrelated subject, I'm starting a new book today. It's called Just a Guy -Notes from a Blue Collar Life. It's a memoir by Bill Engvall (You know, the guy from Blue Collar Comedy that's not Jeff Foxworthy or the "Tator Salad" guy or the guy that always wears red flannels with the sleeves ripped off that talks really slow and twangy.) 

I got it for Eric for Christmas last year.. it was something he had mentioned hearing about and wanting to read, but couldn't remember who wrote it or what it was called. So, without much to go on, I searched and searched and finally found it. I guess I should go ahead and mention he's only read about the first 10 pages. Anyway, I though what the hell, I'm going to read it. I'm hoping it's funny. 

The back cover's first paragraph is:

Here's the official definition of a guy: a person who doesn't think before he speaks. He's can't. He's not that deep. Because a guy has only three basic needs: eating, sleeping, and sex. That's it. Just a Guy chronicles a lifetime in pursuit of those needs.  

Have a wonderful Friday!

:: Bookshelf ::

My Bookshelf is a place for all my current favorites. I love me a good book. Most of these are contemporary adult literature with a couple of young adult and memoirs thrown in. If you have the time to read any of these, please share what you thought!

The Twilight Saga

-Stephenie Meyer

It's a given, they are the ever-popular Twilight books... but I love the fantasy about them.  

Can You Keep a Secret?

-Sophie Kinsella

This book I absolutely could not put down, and read a second time right after I finished the first. It was hysterical and witty and candid- all the things I love!

Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas

-James Patterson

Tear-jerker for sure, but very well-written and developed, with an element of surprise. Great book.

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell

-Tucker Max

I started reading this in class and immediately stopped because I was laughing so hard I literally could've pissed myself. Literally. And then I got excited when the movie was coming out.. until I saw the movie and was highly disappointed. This is the most hilarious, raunchiest yet intelligently written book I've read. 

Milkrun

-Sarah Mlynowski

I think at one point or another we've all been that girl that just can't let go, even when all indicators are screaming we should. I could definitely relate.

Remember Me?

-Sophie Kinsella

Somewhat predictable, but overall, it was a very good read. Kept me interested. But then again, I'm never disappointed with Sophie Kinsella.

A Girl Named Zippy

-Haven Kimmel

I was given this as a high school graduation gift from my creative writing teacher/great aunt, because this is one of her favorite books, and I remind her of Zippy. "Spunky" was the adjective she used. 

Secret Life of Bees

-Sue Monk Kidd

Just an absolutely wonderful book. I could really identify with May and her feelings of overwhelming empathy and sensitivity. I learned a lot about myself and self-expression from this book.

The Lovely Bones

-Alice Sebold

A new perspective, a different viewpoint from what I was used to, I was very intrigued by the story line. 

The Ex-Files

-Jane Moore

The opening scene of this book is so steamy you can't help but read on!

Book 1, finished... & Mother's Day

A lot has transpired over the past weekend.

I finished the book (Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella). I really enjoyed it. The only thing I didn't care for was the incredible similarity to the tv show Samantha Who?, as I said before. I felt like because I had seen the tv show, I could predict everything that was going to happen. I don't know the tv show first aired or when the book was written, but the similarities were extreme. I love Samantha Who?, and I love Remember Me?, but they both would be better if I had never heard of the other... but, I would definitely recommend the book!

On to more personal affairs.  I didn't spend time with my mom on Mother's Day. Try not to be judgmental here, I've had some recent revelations (that I don't want to get into just now) about some of my mom's life decisions that directly impacted me as a child that really just... well, piss me off. So Mother's Day was very untimely. I called her last night at about 9:30, from Eric's phone, and left her a message when she didn't pick up. Now I have a guilty conscience, especially because I spent the entire evening with Eric's family (which I do not intend telling my mom about), because I really hope I didn't hurt her feelings. Last night I started to wonder if she was upset or mad, and in my mind I visualized her curled up on the couch, just her and her jack russell Molly, crying. As soon as that thought entered, I ushered it out. I know she had plans with my sister (the good daughter) earlier in the day, along with my sister's boyfriend and his parents, so I'm hoping she had a nice Mother's Day.

So Mother's Day. It's not my holiday to celebrate, but once upon a time it was going to be. Two years ago this june, Eric and I were busy trying to move into a nicer house in a nicer neighborhood in a quiet part of town. The last night we spent in the old house, with no electricity or furniture, just candles, an air mattress, a pack of phase 10 cards, and a box of delivery pizza, we got a little... careless. One thing lead to another and before I know it, it's 5 weeks later and I'm 2 weeks late... then 2 weeks later, I'm in the Emergency Room, in terrible pain, both physical and emotional, because I'm losing our baby. It was an unplanned pregnancy and we were both not where we wanted to be on a number of levels when we had children. So as much as it killed me, we made sure it didn't happen again. But 2 years later, I still wonder... boy or girl? blonde or brunette? short like me, or tall like daddy? sweet or ornery? ...the questions are innumerable, and forever unanswered. I have baby fever. wedding fever. honeymoon fever. I am head-over-heals in love with Eric, and I know I want to spend my life with him. I am ready to get this going. I'm ready to see our baby's face, kiss his or her plump little cheeks, hear him or her screaming at 2 o'clock in the morning, and share every other difficult, beautiful moment with the man I love and the child we created from that love. And wow, I am quite the sap.

Dog puke and my book choice

Ok, so yesterday I had a bit of bad luck. My furbaby, Barlee, is a very good girl; so good in fact, we don't ever have to kennel her when we're at work. However, my sweet baby dog has been known to have a sensitive tummy, and sometimes... she throws up. Ok, I know it's disgusting, but yesterday, I was in a huge hurry trying to get some important things accomplished over my lunch break (it's SO inconvenient that places are open "normal business hours.. what happens when you work those "normal business hours"?- when can you get anything accomplished? But, I'll save that for another time). So I  run home to grab the receipt I needed, and I see the huge pile of dog sick in the middle of our living room carpet. YUCK. I didn't know one dog could house so much bile. So, I start cleaning it up, and ever-so coincidentally, I run out carpet cleaner. Long story short, I had to wait till I got off work, ran my other errands,  and got back home (which by this time it was about 8:30p) to spend about 45 minutes trying to get the stain out of the carpet. My efforts we're pretty successful, you'd have a hard time finding the spot, thank goodness.

Yesterday I said I'd be buying a book. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (who wrote the Shopaholic books, maybe you've heard) was one that I hesitantly mentioned because once I get there ALL bets are off. Well, because of a time crunch, I didn't allow myself to peruse. If you've ever seen the tv show Samantha Who? (which was, unfortunately, cancelled), the story line seems to be pretty similar. So the premise of the book is a 28 year-old woman wakes up in a hospital after an accident she doesn't remember. She also remembers nothings of the past 3 years, and learns how drastically her life has changed. She is trying to figure out who she is, who she was, and who she wants to be. I am VERY excited to start this today!

A glass of wine and a good book

Today is going to be a good day. My grades have been posted- 3 A's and a B. Not too shabby. Last night was my last final exam of the semester, so my boyfriend and I celebrated with a few drinks with the neighbors. There's nothing quite like a well-deserved glass of wine! (or half a bottle, but whatever, who's keeping track?) It was nice to kick back and get to know the neighbors a little bit better. Anyway, about two and a half weeks before my summer semester begins, which should be much less stressful than this past. I'm still kicking myself for taking so long to get back into it, but I'm so glad that I am now- one semester down...

On another note, I'm thinking that some of my free time might be well spent reading a good book. I'm running a few errands tonight, so I'll run by the bookstore and pick something up later on. I'm excited to have some free time at work again to get back to something I love!  Right now I'm thinking I'll go with Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella- I absolutely LOVED her style and wit in Can You Keep a Secret?, as well as her well-developed characters and thoroughly conceived plot. But, once I get to the bookstore, there's a good chance I'll change my mind; there are just SO many appealing pieces of literature out! I've also considered starting the Evernight series, but I never know if that's a good idea; I tend to get sucked into series so deeply I can't do anything else, including sleep, which I happen to find VERY important. 

Ok, so I'll check back in tomorrow with my final selection(s) and then I'll just go from there. May the gods of good literature direct me.. haha