Achoooo

This morning I was reminded (not very gently) of all the wonderful allergens that are lurking in the air. YUCK! My eyes are swollen shut almost…and my throat, ears, and nose are congested. My head feels about as big as a balloon right before it pops and I for one, cannot function like this. I really hate the changing seasons because it brings on a whole new box of problems for me. I really appreciate Kleenex around this time of year and those delicious Ricola-Honey Lemon cough drops. Thank you cough and cold aisle!

I am going to dope on Vitamin C, orange juice, and Day Quil—so if my words are not making sense, you’ll know why.

Count your pennies!

I have been budgeting…which I previously blogged about, and I am really getting into it. I just may open up my own personal assisting/professional budgeting business (I know a few people that could use my services) and start saving people money. Saving doesn’t always have to mean sacrifice. It just means change. Becoming more responsible and savvy with your cash is all it takes! When is the last time you added up how much you spend monthly on “random” buys? It had been a long time for me but I was forced to take a look at it. Boy was I spending money excessively or what!

I am now on a “plan”. Some of it stolen from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace book and if you have ever heard of this genius, you know what I am talking about when I say “Emergency Fund”. By the way, this is my first piece of advice. No matter how much or little you are making, set up a savings account and start putting a percentage or amount in every month. I take out a set amount every 2 weeks when I get paid and I now have a chunk of hefty change in my account for any emergency that may happen. He suggests keeping 1,000 dollars in as your “cushion” so that is what I will suggest to you.

Second piece of advice is to pay off those credit cards and throw them away. It is time to start living within your means. No more swiping the card if you don’t have the actual cash to pay for it. That is financially wrong and you are lying to yourself. I can understand having one card if you are building your credit and then paying it off at the end of every month—but you must promise to pay it off. Make a list of all your essential bills (things you must have) and those are the 1st to get paid every month. Then you must divvy up the remainder.

Lastly, if you are making enough and are able to…pretend you have a car payment even if you don’t. This is for all the ones who desperately need a newer vehicle! I will not buy a car without having the cash for it so making a “fake” payment will get me to that goal!

Happy Weekend!

Bloom

So I have signed up to receive e-mails from “Groupon” of Tulsa-if you’ve never heard of it check it out http://www.groupon.com/tulsa/. Every day they send a new coupon to a hot spot in our city. For a week or so, I have been sent “personal trainer” coupons. Tulsa! Are you trying to tell me something? I think I should take the hint and get to the gym or find a trail to walk.

Meanwhile…Jordan (co-worker) brought me 2 flowers off her bouquet she received for her birthday! They brightened my day and they are such a fun accessory to my cluttered desk, plus they smell great. I would like to take this opportunity to express my LOVE of flowers. I do not care if they die in a week, or if they are cliché. I will always enjoy receiving them and picking them and admiring them. There I said it. I think it is the kindest gesture out there (besides greeting cards) and should be done every once in a while to show that you are thinking about someone special.

Brain means Power

Realization # 10: When other people tell you their opinions, it changes yours…at least a little. I work in an office and let me tell you how many times a day I hear gossip. I can admit to speaking about another person or something I have heard with my closet friends (yes, I have friends at work). But the point in my writing this is because I have realized something. After hearing what person A did to person B, I become slightly turned off to them. Even if I don’t know if it’s true or if person B deserved it, my opinion or “view” of that person A has changed all because someone told me some “information”. I don’t want this to be the case. Words are so powerful and it makes me angry when minds are skewed in such a way. Especially my mind-I should have control over it. That is the only thing I deserve to have control over. Me. When someone comes in and changes that or takes that away from me, shame on me. This has been my problem. Everyone, knew what was best for me! How can anyone know what is best for me? I know what’s best for me! I let everyone’s thoughts control my actions. I just took control again of my body again and it I feel so normal. I should be a therapist. Just sayin’...

Admit One

Today’s weather has been fantastic! I wore a sweater, my 1st one this season, and sat outside for lunch on the patio of a restaurant. It feels like fall more and more to me. My mom and I’s whole conversation—basically—was about football, homecoming plans, and school spirit. The one thing that this conversation brought to my attention was that I really miss being on campus. Stillwater would be booming right now with parents, student, alumni, and faculty all dressed in orange from head to toe. I guess my future Fridays in Tulsa could mimic that same scenario….I’ll start my own tradition. I have no problem with that. I was looking up Bedlam tickets today and to my surprise they have a great “Ticket exchange” program. For season ticket holders that cannot make a game or for anyone that wants to buy/sell OSU football seats, you are able to get on the website and purchase them. It goes through the Okstate website so they must be safe to purchase…I think? I will keep you posted.

On a side note—I am going Garage Sale-ing tomorrow! Happy shopping.

Pigskin

Brandon Weeden ----------------------->

Well if you are out of the loop, he is Okstate’s newest QB for this starting season!! Why the exclamation? Well because I am so excited for football, BBQ’s, cute boys in jerseys, and shouting touchdown! Not only that, but he seems pretty legit. He has a (sort of ) boy next door look going for him, that I pretty much DIG! The season is here and it is very near and dear to my heart. College football is where you find the heart and soul of this sport. Forget NFL…they don’t impress me and they are getting paid to frolick around on the “fake” green turf. BIG, BIG bucks that our country-for one-could use. I am on my soap box so I will step down…but just remember, whatever team you’re into, wear it loud and proud! Are you ready for some football?

Cup of Sunshine

This morning a co-worker, that I see every day, (love her) actually, walked up to me and said good morning! I said that very same greeting and added a huge smile, because that is what she makes me do. Smile. Her eyes filled up with tears and I asked if she was ok…she ran over and gave me a huge hug and said: You fill up a room. Immediately I thought—“girl that better not be a fat joke.” I asked her what she meant and she said: You have this presence about you and you make it brighter in here. I just had to give you a hug! As she walked away, I couldn’t stop smiling…because after everything I have complained about on here and about “losing” myself and blah, blah, blah…Today is my day. I’ve returned to my normal self. The one that is happy go lucky, and smiling, and singing, and most of all compassionate towards others. I guess it is written all over my face or something because people are noticing. So to that I say bye-bye to Bad Mood Betsy and hello to Bright Brittany. I’m shining people, I am shining!