Photo Challenge Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

I don't want this to be a politicial blog, and so I don't usually blog about politics.  This is something I have to address, though.  I sincerely wish that Ron Sparks (the man on the right) had become our governor instead of Robert Bentley (the man on the left that looks like a character from the Simpsons). I want a lottery for this state, so obviously I wanted the democratic candidate to win, but now my reasons for wishing this are even bigger:

• Governor Bentley is fighting against educators instead of fighting for them.  A bill is in the Senate as I type this that would cut teacher pay (we already only make about $1 per kid per hour, and that doesn't include after school activities and hours).
• He wants to do away with tenure (there's a bill in the senate for this too).  How fair is that, when even corporate jobs have 90 day policies.  And, all other state jobs have some form of this.  Besides, bad teachers CAN be fired under current laws (its just a matter of whether or not the administrators fill out appropriate paperwork).
• He's already cut budgets for education, police, firefighters, and other state jobs. (This is while leaving loopholes for large corporations that want to come to Alabama).

So, my question is this:

What have the public servants ever done to you, Robert Bentley? 

Photo Challenge Day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

It would be nearly impossible to pick just one, so I'm not even gonna try...

This might seem like an odd choice to some, but you have no idea how great the love story is in this interesting sci-fi thriller!

I LOVE this book, especially since I've always tended to side with the villified, underdogs of the world!

If you've ever been interested in Greek mythology (or even if you haven't), The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series is one I HIGHLY recommend!

This one speaks for itself...I know its cliche, but so many people agreeing on the greatness of something can't be wrong, right?

I'm guessing no one's ever heard of this book or it's author (William Cooper), but if you think you know how the world works (or think you might care) you should read this book.  However, I warn you that you will never view history, politics, or any other government related thing the same again (think all the hidden histories and CIA secrets in one place-- the author is a former agent)

Childhood fave that I read and re-read at least once every year (the movie sucked though)!

Never Have I Ever...

Received delivery flowers....

That is, until today!

My wonderful husband surprised me by sending me flowers at school!  I was shocked...I'm really hard to surprise, because I usually pock and pester people until they confess the surprise or decide not to do it (bad habit, I know).  AND, Wes hardly ever gives me flowers, so it was something I never saw coming. :)

Happy Birthday to....

ME!!!!

It's MY 25th birthday, and this is how I'm celebrating:

• Tonight, I'm cooking one of my favorite meals for myself (that's so unhealthy I never fix it any other time): Fried Breakfast Porkchops, Buttermilk & Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Collard Greens sauteed in bacon grease, bacon crumbles, onion, and garlic (with pepper sauce of course), and buttered garlic bread with sweet tea to drink.  I can't wait...
• This weekend, Talladega County is out of school Friday AND Monday for the race (woohoo!)!  Here are our plans:
• Friday: Being lazy (possibly getting together with the usual crew that night)
• Saturday: 

We're spending the whole day shopping!



Then, we're eating dinner with Jessica and Brad at this AMAZING restaurant!



•  Sunday:



We're going to 'Dega!  This will be my first time tailgating and being in the stands, so I'm WAY excited!  (Now I just have to figure out who to pull for...)



Photo Challenge Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

So, I'm not the world's worst at doing this when it comes to most rooms in my home, and I'm actually pretty good at closets, but when it comes to office area/desks/filing I'm the queen of cardboard boxes.  If its an important document in my home, its in a cardboard box near the door that I can just grab if there's a fire.  I know this is sad (and possibly surprising to those of you who have seen my otherwise neat and well-decorated home), but I just can't wrap my head around how to organize a filing system that works.

Photo Challenge Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

There's a blank up there for a reason... I don't want to forget anything!  While its definitely true that I've been blessed with a life full of wonderful memories, I've had my share of pain as well.  But, I wouldn't trade any of it for all the money in the world.  Every memory, no matter how painful, embarrassing, regrettable, scary, etc. has worked together to create the unique individual that is me.  Some of the worst experiences of my life are things I now count as blessings (which reminds me of the old Garth Brooks song "Unanswered Prayers").  Honestly, I think memories are the most valuable thing I possess.  Maybe that's why I've always been drawn to journaling, blogging, scrapbooking, and websites like facebook that archive our lives....

Photo Challenge Day 19 & 20

Day 19 of the photo challenge (a picture and a letter) makes zero sense, so I'm skipping to:

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

GREECE!!!

Of course, I will only go there after finishing my goal of visiting all 50 states in the USA, but then its the first place I'm headed.  I love Greek mythology, culture, food, and history.  Its basically the birthplace of Western Civilization (first democracy, first place where women had some basic liberties, first olympics, etc.), so I kinda see it as a homeland (since I'm an American mutt who has no idea what my actual ancestry is...

Photo Challenge Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

My weight is definitely my biggest insecurity.  I have so many things I hesitate about due to this.  When people say, "Hey, we're having a pool party!" or "We're going to the lake/river!" or "Do you want to go to the beach?" I pretty much shudder and feel sick at my stomach, which is really, really sad because I absolutely LOVE the water.  My parents have a big in-ground pool, and I learned to swim before I could walk.  
I also really love clothes, but shopping can be frustrating because I have a hard time finding ladies sizes that fit in all areas, but I'm not big enough for women's sizes (so I'm definitely overweight, but not enough that I get a special store/section).  
And, obviously I love to eat (or else I wouldn't have this problem), but I feel self conscious about eating a lot of the time because I think people are wondering, "Why in the world is that chub eating that (insert unhealthy and delicious food here)?"
Furthermore, I'm always afraid to say anything about my unhappiness because a lot of times the response is "Do something about it or stop complaining."  Well, I wish it was that easy. Believe me, I have tried.  Over the course of the last few years that I've been dealing with this I've tried weight watchers, vegetarian, restricting calories, and nutrisystem.  I've also joined a gym back in January, and there for a while I was going at least 3 times a week.  Through all of that, the most I ever lost in a month was like 3 lbs.  Its so slow for some reason (even when I combined the diet and gym) that its not possible for me to maintain.  I can kill myself on a diet and lose 3 lbs a month or eat what I want and not gain (as long as I'm going to the gym a few times a week).  That makes it nearly impossible to be motivated.
AND, the biggest problem of all related to this is that I really do think I'm a clinical food addict.  That's hard to admit, but I need AA for food addiction...seriously.  I've read up on the topic, and if shrinks weren't so expensive I'd definitely invest in one.


Anyway...this post has turned into bitching, moaning, and rambling.  Although everything I've said is true (and I swear I'm not making excuses), I'm going to go ahead and spare you from anything else on this subject (for now anyway).


Ciao

Photo Challenge Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

We got our federal refund a few weeks ago, and I just checked my bank account and saw that our state refund came in yesterday!  This is very huge because I just got back from a trip to Orlando a few weeks ago (where I spent WAY too much money).  This may seem like something superficial to some of you-- to say that money makes a "huge impact"-- but its really the most "impacting" thing that's happened lately.  After the huge decisions of the last 2 years (graduating college, starting a big girl job, getting engaged, getting married, moving twice, buying a house, and starting grad school) I'm just trying to lay low for a bit and not make too many huge decisions.