A Few Websites that Hold My Attention

I know this may be a little random, but here are some lifestyle sites I can't stay away from.

• TheBar.com - Warning! You must be 21 to enter, but this website has great articles and yummy cocktail recipes to browse through for hours. You can even order personalized labels if you so desire.
• TheKnot.com - What girl - single or otherwise - doesn't dream of her wedding day? The Knot, based on a magazine of the same name, has great info on styling and decorating trends as well as a to-do list for brides-to-be.
• TheNest.com - It's supposed to come after theknot.com, but for those who have already moved in with their significant others (a 'la me) The Nest is the place to start. It's got a great community forum, just like the knot, design tips and tricks, home buying and home owning advice, and relationship advice to boot. If you're already past these two and ready to start a family, there's The Bump as well. But I'm no where near there so I'm not as familiar with the site.

Back from Bonnaroo 2010

I've got lots and lots and lots to say about this year's festival over at Bonnaroo Virgin so check that out, but here are some pics I'd like to share here as well.

Photo Processing Lessons

I didn't want to put this in the Lauranette Photography blog because it's my first time trying this and it's not really my style (it's Korin's, she's teaching me how to do it)...

This is only a test, and I'm not saying I did it all that well...

Original

Processed

I don't think this was my best effort, it was kind of a rush and not the greatest photo in the world for this kind of thing, but practice makes perfect, right? And I'll eventually develop my own style from what I learned here.

Bringing it Back to Basics

I can never decide what I want to do as far as blogging goes. I want to blog about Bonnaroo. I want to blog about health. I want to blog about photography. No one's reading all about me, who would want to anyway?

But I realize I miss having an online journal - even if no one reads it - for me. And one day, when I get married and have a family, this will be the place I'll want to post all of my fun news.

So I'm bringing this back, and I've returned to the template I used in the old days. Simple. Brown. Me. If you want to follow, go right ahead. For now, I've still got all my other blogs but this will be the one I post in the most consistently, and where you can find the links to the others if you're interested in reading on. (You can find those other blogs in a feed at the top right of this page.)

Reason for my Weakness

What kind of illness is extra more unfortunate for someone who can't stand to SEE other people touch their necks let alone get her own neck touched??

I'll give you a clue------------------------------->

So over the last few months, as if the onset of bad allergies and a touch of asthma weren't enough, I've had my blood tested for underactive thyroid. My parents thought it was a little weird when they came to my house around 6:30 p.m. and I had already passed out on the couch for the night. My boyfriend was a little curious as to why I go to sleep so much earlier than he does when I only get up an hour and a half before him. I was wondering why I stopped eating McDonald's for several months (after eating large meals about 3 times a week there for a long time) and started a running program and actually gained nearly 20 pounds in 7 months.

The answer? Ding, ding, ding. Underactive thyroid. And yes, my doctor had to take lots of blood and touch my neck a whole bunch before being able to determine that. (I'm still recovering.)

My numbers weren't so low that I have any major health problems, but low enough that this problem is a highly probable cause (at least a contributor) to my fatigue and weight gain at age 26.

The bad news is that this doesn't go away, and I'll have yet another pill to take every night for the rest of my life. The good news is much more exciting. For one, a lot of bad things can happen to people with a similar condition that's not being treated, i.e. heart problems, infertility, etc., and hopefully I've avoided most of that. Secondly, there is a reason that my exercise and lifestyle changes haven't helped my efforts in losing weight - and that reason can be fixed. Starting tomorrow, its onward and upward people, and I'm pumped.

My neck, on the other hand, is not.

A look back at 2009; 2010 Resolutions

Before I greet 2010 with open arms, a review of this past year's resolutions and whether or not I actually accomplished anything in 2009 (I copied this list straight out of last year's post btw):

10. Keep a more open mind when it comes to movies, music and books.

I feel like I accomplished something here. If not with movies and books, most of you know my friends, David and I started a music club called Music Togetherness. We're about to enter week 17 (or week 2-1). See how open I'm becoming at http://musictogetherness.blogspot.com.

9. Budget money better and build savings back up.

Being that my savings right now is at an all time low, it doesn't look like I accomplished much in this area. Between moving to a new home with cheaper payments and getting a better job with better pay I really don't know where it all went, but at least I can honestly say I'm entering the upswing in this category. Paying off credit card debt is a good start to 2010, wouldn't you say? I did also start a checking/savings account for the house if that counts.

8. Get rid of unnecessary clutter at home and at work.

Well, we got a new house in 2009, so instead of getting rid of clutter, we spread it out. I am doing better with more space though I think. And my work desk is organized to the hilt.

7. Try your hand at improving cooking and entertaining skills.

We've hosted a number of parties this year, including Thomas's surprise 25th birthday and one helluva Halloween party. In addition, I got really good at making these kick butt breakfast burritos and I got a lot of new cooking equipment for Christmas so onward and upward.

6. Get lauranette.com up and running with a purpose.

Well, I got something up, but it's not what I wanted. Try again.

5. Update resume and professional contacts.

Accomplished! I got a new job in August :)

4. Get my associate's degree in Web design from LCCC.

Not quite, but I have a good excuse. I took a little hiatus while getting some time in as an LCCC employee, and after February, I can take my last 4 classes for free! Boo-yah.

3. Organize files on computer, get more space for file storage.

Check. Got a 1TB external hard drive for Christmas. Cleaning off C drive as we speak!

2. Feel better about myself, lose 25 pounds by 2010.

I found out I had asthma which was why I felt terrible when trying to run, so with a new inhaler I found out I actually like running. I ran a 2.5K in October, and although I slacked after that and overall gained more weight than I lost, at least I gained some self confidence in 09.

1. Eat better and exercise regularly. Get back into yoga.

I did well with this on and off for about 3 out of the 12 months. Overall, fail.

Now for my new list. What can we expect in 2010?

10. Read more books and check some of those off my Goodreads.com to-read shelf.

9. Redesign laurnanette.com with a purpose.

8. Learn to cook and eat new, healthy dishes to improve skills and diet.

7. Finish associate's degree in Web design; take classes in photography.

6. Buy a Canon Rebel Ti1 DSLR camera and become a better photographer.

5. Budget money, pay off credit cards and build up savings.

4. Have a yard sale to get rid of unnecessary clutter at the house (and earn a little extra money for 'Roo).

3. Commit to at least 5 days of exercise per week.

2. Train for and run at least one 5K race in 2010.

1. New you for Bonnaroo - Lose 30 pounds by Dec. 31 and be at least halfway there by Bonnaroo in June.

Google Voicemail is a hoot

The text translations are never quite right are they? Here are a couple I've received since switching from regular voicemail:

• A coworker, looking for a missing cell number - "And I page. I'm just trying to get a hold of parcel lock midnight. Thank you work on her cell number yesterday. If you could give me abuzz back"
• My dad, telling me James needed to reschedule an appointment - "Hey, This is regarding a problem gym after work friday there anyway when you can change that Thursday Hi Bill is because we're give me a call."
• Family video, telling me some games were late - "Hello from your friends and family video. I'm calling to remind you WE Hill items over due on your account, please do their 24 hour drop box for your convenience or renew your late items over the phone. Thank you for choosing family. They DL at your entertainment. Joy." (Actually, that one was pretty good....)
• Me, calling to locate my cell phone - "There is what you guys hello"
• My mom, telling me I was late for Thanksgiving dinner - "Hello. You gotta run off Alliance well."

And that is why, you don't leave a voicemail. Or you speak really clearly when you do.