Welcome to Adulthood.

I'm reminded of a Grey's Anatomy episode in which Meredith says, "We're adults. When did that happen...and how do we make it stop?" She talks about the hardships of responsibility and growing up, but she also talks about all the great things we get to do. (I'm pretty sure I remember getting to eat as much candy as you want, tequilla, shoes and sex being under the list of things that make becoming older worth it!)

Today after a short and not so great night of sleeping, there was grocery shopping, laundry sorting, smoothie making and kitchen clean-up, all before 10 am on a Sunday. Pretty impressive as far as my Sunday's go. Taxes were later involved, yippee for 1099's and all of their fun. Not to mention the lovely local tax in PA I'm still trying to figure out.... Then there's been the paying of the bills and balancing of the checkbook, cleaning house, folding and putting away laundry... Why did I want to grow up again?

But yesterday was Saturday. My Darling and I grabbed a case of Rolling Rock, piled some snow around it inside a cooler, loaded up my boss's Avalanche with homemade cookies and some rather frightening pickled sausages and headed out to our co-worker's farm in Washington to fire shotguns. The boys took out a bunch of clays while I decided to try my hand at stationary targets. I did pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I even shot a can that someone threw in the air on the first try! The boys set out some special targets to hit with the new rifle, which was pretty impressive.

Afterwards it was time to head back to town for some good food, games, loud music and dancing. Ok, I was probably the only one dancing. (Those boys need some lessons!) However, I'm pretty sure Meredith would be proud because the only thing missing was tequilla...

Talk about a way to wind down after a very long 55+ hour for all of us! Maybe adulthood isn't so bad.

Working for the Weekend?

We're brought up to believe that if we go to school, get a degree, we'll get a career, make money, be happy. But what happens when that doesn't work? It's definitely a new era where what once worked may not anymore.

I just finished watching The Company Men and it definitely got me thinking. My Darling thought it was depressing, but in actuality it's very real. Although, I guess reality can be depressing.

Maybe if some of those CEO's took a pay cut, there would be more jobs. Maybe the rich should pay more taxes. Maybe the poor should try a little harder so the state's aren't paying so much to take care of them. It's so easy to blame others for our problems. It's the economy. It's the President. It's my jerk of a boss. It's because that teacher gave me a bad grade. My parent's didn't raise me right...etc. (Don't worry Mom I'm NOT talking about you!)

I often find myself getting very bitter if I think about these things too hard. I did everything right! I did my homework, took my tests, didn't get grounded, made the grades, went to college, had a decent GPA, graduated from a great university, got a job, went back to school, started a new career...or so I thought....five years and several jobs later I'm still wondering what the heck I'm doing!

At the end of the day who's fault is it? Of course those outside influences might be factors but are we really doing all that we can to live full, happy, ethical lives? Are we living within our means? Are we appreciative of the sacrifices that others make for us? Are we working our tails off and giving 110 percent?  Are we making time for the people who support us? Are we doing the things we enjoy? Do we need to adjust our definition of success?

Here's the thing: money is important. It is completely necessary to have a job that pays your bills and gives you a little extra, but it is just as crucial to have time for the people that love you. At the end of the day money makes life easy, but people make it all worth doing.

 It's all about balance. Do something you enjoy, but you have to find something that also pays the bills. It's OK to not know what you want to do. We are surrounded by people who are unsure everyday. People who didn't pick a good fit for them the first, second or even third time. If you don't try you'll never know, and I'm definitely talking about more than just a job when I say that.

I by no means regret my degree. If I had to do it over again, I most definitely would and I'd definitely still go to OU! ;) I know that even when I'm not doing what I went to school for the fact that I earned one in the first place helps get a foot in the door. We all have to believe that hard work pays off, but in those moments that it doesn't, if you're surrounded by friends and family, the journey is ALWAYS worth it no matter how dark and twisty it is. 

Spammers.

Lately I've been getting a lot of spam in my blog comments. At the advice of a close friend, I don't use a Captcha. The things can be dreadfully annoying. However, I do moderate my comments, which is how I've kept the spam from reaching the public eye. Does anyone else have this problem? I've also noticed quite a bit on one of my Facebook pages. Although, on that particular page I can easily mark the comment and ban the user. I was surprised to be getting that sort of thing on a blog though.

While I'm mentioning online issues, ABC.com has been a little glitchy lately...at least on my end. We don't currently have a tv, so I watch my addictive shows online with our rather large computer screen that's set up in the living room. I haven't had problems with streaming shows since it was first created, so it surprises me that I've been unable to watch episodes when technology is always greatly improving. Thoughts?

P.S. Any comments left anonymously will be considered spam.

Sickly Reading.

So it is most unfortunate and completely aggravating,  but once again I am sick. Sore throat, upset stomach, hard to breath or eat or do much more than sleep. I have therefore decided to take advantage of the fact that feeling like death makes me want to do nothing but be surrounded by blankets either on the bed or the couch with a good book...or two...or three...

What's more, thanks to the lovely Nook that I received as a Christmas present, I have an entire bookstore at my fingertips! I had previously be reading "The Physick Book of Deiverance Dane" by Katherine Howe. It's light fantasy, mixed with loose historical facts in a modern day setting, witches being the topic, although it does take a while to get to that point. Personally, I thought it was rather entertaining. The main character, being a post-grad at Harvard, stumbles upon a trail to what could be the only real book of spells in history, all while cleaning out her crazy old grandma's house.There's even a teensy bit of romance, but thankfully it's not too overdone.

Once that was finished (and several naps later), I decided I ought to finish "The Retirement Miracle" by Patrick Kelly. I was actually asked to read this one for work. It's an easy read, short and to the point. Not something I would normally pick out for myself, but I'm glad I took the time to read it. Of course being for work, this was a non-fiction piece, and completely pertaining to my job. I actually already knew some of the information in the book, but it was nice to have things confirmed. (Meaning these can be very good options for people and it's not just management saying, this is our product, sell it!) There is a suggestion for people who are saving for retirement and another for those who have already done the saving. but still have concerns. The latter is one that I believe in whole-heartedly, but at only 112 pages, I'll let you discover what that is for yourself.

Then I couldn't help myself. I pulled up the "shop" tab on the Nook, shifted through their suggestions, and there it was, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. I suppose I'd never picked it up for fear it was overly religious, but there I go again judging a book by its cover. I read the description, and decided I must have it; plus $6 seemed completely doable. I have since finished it before it was even lunch time this morning. What a lovely little book. Although it's completely fiction, it'd be very nice if that's how things work out in the end. I think I need to add "Tuesday's with Morrie" by the same author to my reading list as well, although I'm not sure what I'll pick up next.

What's been on your reading list lately?