CONFESSION: I'M TERRIFIED OF WINTER

Winter is coming.  That's a fact.
Don't try to tell me that Winter is still many weeks away.
Don't try to tell me that there are still sunny days to enjoy.
Winter is coming.  Winter. Is. Coming.

The view from my apartment window before it really dumped snow!

Growing up in Southern California- where it basically never rains, and when it does you can still wear flip flops... Winter in the Pacific Northwest is absolutely brutal.

Confession:  I didn't own a jacket with a hood until I moved up here last year.

From the first snow dusting last year.  It was a winter wonderland!

Is it too early to prepare for Winter?
I am going to say no.
Just yesterday I purchased from Amazon.com a pair of boots and some Vitamin D pills.
Next on my "to buy" list is a SAD lamp. And a dog.
The dog may need to wait longer than the lamp.

The water fountain in the atrium of my apartment complex- frozen over from coldness!

Who else is preparing for winter right now? Tell me I'm not alone! I'm scared. 
 

TUNES FOR YOUR TUESDAY

I feel like my Tuesday tunes have been a bit of a flashback.  But, you know what?
I don't care!
These songs are awesome.  This one in particular makes me just want to drive around and wreak havoc.
This girl is such a bada$$ like. I can't even.

Sleigh Bells "Comeback Kid"

WEEKENDINGS- LET'S DANCE!

What a weekend!  I feel like I had a great balance between staying in and going out!

Friday, I left work a bit early and hung out with my friend.  We went out to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and saw the HUGE sturgeon fish!  There I learned something about myself- big fish really freak me out!
Then later that night I met up with some girl friends for dancing at Barrel Room.

Sheila, Me, Allysum. We didn't plan on all wearing matching black outfits!

We ended up migrating over to Whiskey Bar a bit later.  Oh man, so much dancing.  Whiskey Bar had an awesome DJ playing.  I'm not sure if this is TMI, but I was dancing so much my hair was drenched in sweat.  Can that count as a workout?

Saturday, I met up with one of my old co-workers that was in town and had lunch at TILT.
Oh my holy huge delicious burger!  I wish I took a picture.  It was so good.
I wouldn't be disappointed if someone wanted to eat there again!
Then Saturday night I went out to Hobo's to celebrate my friend winning the Mr. Gay Portland contest and headed over to Barrel Room AGAIN for yet more dancing. I just love to dance. Dancing is my favorite.

I had lunch with my friend on Sunday and vegged out to some Doctor Who.  Ah, just living the life.

What did you get into over the weekend?

WEEKLY FORECAST

I'm a bit of a terrible person and I didn't do a single thing on my goal list last week.
Not. A. Single. Thing.
What's the point of making a goal if I don't do anything to works towards it?
I just don't even know.
Maybe if I did some sort of reward system for completing each one?  That could provide a bit more motivation!

Here is what is on my list this week:
- work out 3 days
- find a day planner
- clean my apartment
- clean my car (inside and out!)

As I noted last week I was going to make Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wraps.  And, you know what?  I did it!  It was pretty good.  The first day I put it in lettuce wraps, and for the second day left overs I added a little bit of ranch and put it in a tortilla because I didn't feel like being healthy haha!  It was delicious and I don't regret that life choice! 

Sorry for the horrific-ness of this Iphone photo!

 I'll definitely be making it again this week because I already have all of the ingredients and don't want to go shopping!  My sister made the Skinny Crockpot Thai Chicken and she said it was so awful she spit it out!  I still might give it a go.

I have a short work week this week!  I am taking Friday off so that I can go up to the San Juan Islands with some friends to camp for the holiday weekend!  I will be taking my camera to practice some photography skills. We plan to go kayaking/whale watching, bicycling, wine tasting, etc.  I'm excited!

What are you goals and plans for the week?

CUSTODY OF THE CONDIMENTS

Relationships are great.  You get to share things.  Discover things that the other person likes and you get to incorporate it into your life.  The person cooks for you which is awesome if you're a terrible cook like I am.
But, what happens when you break up?
All of the things that are mutually shared now need to be divided.

"I'm going to take some food out of the fridge", he said. 

"I'm going to bring some of the groceries over to my new place", he said.

It's been 2 weeks, and I am still discovering things he took from the fridge and cupboard.
Oh, I want to saute up some spinach- nope can't do that because he took all of the oil.
Many times I have slammed the fridge.  Cursed the heavens.   MothaF*****!

Oh, I want to dip my single serving size frozen pizza in some ranch?  Can't do that because he even took the tablespoon of ranch that was left in the bottle.
*I shake my fist*
Which is actually really funny since he couldn't seem to throw out anything.  I never understood that.  You finish something and.... put it back in the fridge?  It's the same distance to the trashcan!

So, who decides who gets custody of the condiments?
I suppose he did in this situation.
He was nice enough to leave me 2 half eaten boxes of taquitos (guess who ate the other half?  I'll give you a hint that it wasn't me!) and some freezer burned chicken.  What a sweetie.

CONFESSION: I'M OBSESSED

I've turned into one of "those" people. You hear people talking, and you're just like huh? what's all the hype about ya weirdo?
Well, I have to say it has happened to me.
I like Doctor Who.
There. I said it.
What? You can't read that?
ok
I like Doctor Who.
Better?
No?
Ok, Fine.
I like Doctor Who.  I like Doctor Who and I don't care who knows it!
I'll tell you though that it didn't happen over night.  I watched the first season (against my will), and then it just evolved.  This show is bloody brilliant (read that with an English accent will you?).
And now, I want all the things Doctor Who in my life.
Here is my Doctor Who wish list:

1- This coffee mug
 

2- This t-shirt
 

3- This artwork
 
Give me all the things!
Anyone else out there nerding out to Doctor Who?  The new season starts this week! 

TUNES FOR YOUR TUESDAY

Last night was rough.
Like, really rough.
Hanging out with ex-boyfriends is never a good idea.
Is anyone out their friends withe their exes?? I need to know!
It hurts.
But, what is happening is that my heart is healing and that's all I can ask for, right?
So, what better way to help than with music!
I've liked this song for a while and haven't listened to it in a long time.
I think it's rather fitting- if I do say so myself.

How's your Tuesday going?

WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF?- GROCERY SHOPPING EDITION

Why do I always wait until the last minute to go grocery shopping?
I didn't do very much yesterday, and I thought about going to the market,
but sitting around just seemed so much more fun, right?
And now, this morning, I'm starving.  Like ravenous, don't talk to me I'll bite your head off mean
- and there is no food in the fridge.
Why.  Why do I do this to myself!!
It's my own fault. I've set myself up for failure.

Here's the game plan for this weeks food situation:

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wraps
and also maybe the Skinny Ranch Dressing too!
Skinny Crockpot Thai Peanut Chicken

I'm really trying to focus on healthy meals to get my mind and body back into shape!  I think these recipes look delicious and I'll let you know how it turns out!

What does your menu look like for the week?

My goals for the week:
- workout 5-6 days
- eat right and portion controlled every meal
- write in my journal everyday
- write letters to my friends in other states
- research things to do when my friends/ family come to visit in September

HOW TO: GET THROUGH A BREAK-UP

People break up all the time. And it's hard. Really hard.

Some find someone else to move one with right away, so that makes it easier
(I suppose)

But, what about those of us who need time to heal before jumping into another relationship? How do you do that?

Here are a few things that I've been doing that seem to help a bit:

1- Stay as busy as possible.
I have been saying "yes" to every single possible thing that I have been offered to do. I have: gone on a hike (I HATE hiking), gone to countless happy hours, tasted beers at the Portland International Beerfest, floated the Clackamas and Sandy river, tanned on Sauvie's Island, gone out dancing...etc.

 2- Create a playlist of songs that make you feel better. Here is what is on mine:

"Substitution" by Silversun Pickups 

"What Goes Around" by Justin Timberlake

"Days" by The Drums

"Upgrade You" by Beyonce 

"Problem" by Ariana Grande

"Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson 

"Dirt Off Your Shoulder" by Jay Z

(I don't normally have such weird taste in music... or apparently I do!) 

3- Surround yourself with friends that support you.
You absolutely need to have friends that can see you for the way that you are- not the way that you are telling yourself that you are. I was having a touch day (texting people and saying things I shouldn't a la crazy ex-girlfriend). My co-worker was so kind to me. She gave me a rose quartz stone that her friend had given her when she and her boyfriend broke up. It's supposed to give you healing energy in the romance department as well as help you put out energy to find someone else. It was so kind. I cried.

4- Exercise 
Not only does exercise give you those endorphins- but you'll be getting a super hot bod to make your ex jealous. Brilliant, right? I think yes.

 5- Let it all out. 
As much as you don't want to cry about it anymore. Let yourself. Or else you will be sitting at your desk at work, crying. It's embarrassing. Get it out while your home alone, driving in your car, wherever. Don't hold it in. You can't heal and move on if you don't let yourself grieve. It's ok. Slowly start to do things (one little thing at a time) and you will start to move on with your life. You will find someone else.

These are the things that I have been doing to try and help myself get through this tough moment in my life. I have some family and friends coming up to visit in a few weeks so I have something else to look forward to.  What are some ways that you get over a breakup?