I have to start this post with a few things to bring you up to speed and what has lead me to feeling like I need to post this. First off, let's talk about how many pregnant women surround me right now.... probably 100. Actually when I stopped to count the number of pregnant ladies I currently know the total was 12. TWELVE. That's a lot and it sure feels like 100, and each year at any given time that number seems to fluctuate between 3 and 15 because I'm pretty sure we are in that stage of life where it's almost everyone's next logical step. Second, the number of women I know who have recently had a baby (within the last 12 months is what I'm considering recent) is around 15 when I do a quick count- but is probably closer to 20 if I really thought about it.
Ok, so now that you know those two things we can get to the heart of what I want to talk about today: Maternal Instincts.
You guys- when you meet me you may notice that I'm not the "girliest" girl you've ever met and you may even think that I might be lacking maternal instinct. I don't get all excited over new babies (unless you are my best friend or a really close family member) and I'm definitely not the first in line to hold a new baby. It's not that they make me uncomfortable or that I don't like them... it's just that I don't have that strange pull that makes me want to touch your offspring and cry when I see their baby-fat leg rolls (which I actually do think are super cute). I'm just not like that. If you need a break, I'll gladly hold your baby, but does your baby really want to be held by 1,000 strangers? I won't even begin to pretend to know what your baby wants, but I know that if it were me I would not like it one bit.
I guess I'm just feeling a little judged recently being surround by babies and soon-to-be-babies and women who want to do nothing but talk about babies. I think baby clothing and accessories are super adorable. I think babies are pretty darn cute. But I also think that babies are crazy hard work and I know that I am just not ready at this moment to handle all of the extra responsibilities and sacrifices that come with them. This is not to say that we won't be having kids... eventually we will, but until that time we are focusing on things that we want to do while we are young and still can. Anyhow, please don't be offended when I'm not jumping over other ladies to hold your baby. Please don't think that I don't like babies or small children because I'm not cooing over their every movement and expression. Please don't think that I completely lack maternal instincts because I'm not currently seriously interested in having kids. Just know that we are doing things in our own time.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
A LONG Overdue Update
Ok, so it feels like I died or something and I feel that I've completely neglected the old blog, but life sometimes gets BUSY and I've had weeks-going-on-months-now where all I have time to do is keep things afloat. So here is my attempt to update you all on what the Mr. and I have been up to since mid-April.
May:
Summer sort of started in May, just how it always teases us, so we decided that we would do a fun Memorial Day weekend with friends and camped on the coast. It was a soggy, wet mess and our poor dogs hated every minute of it (they aren't very fond of being wet, ever) but we got to spend some quality time with our friends and with the Tillamook Cheese Factory, so all was well. Mr got ready for the end of the school year and our schedule was packed with things pretty much every day... none of which I can actually remember at this point.
June:
We were still being toyed with by the weather, but Mr and I decided to start doing day hikes on the weekends, so we did a few of those on Saturdays and Sundays and realized how much better shape we needed to be in if we were going to climb any mountains this summer. I planned what felt like a million offsite meetings for work so that kept me pretty busy. School ended for Mr so we took a few days off together to just veg out at home, go on some hikes and organize our disastrous home. Then work kicked my but with all of the meetings we had, but totally made up for it when Postal Service played live for us at an outdoor company picnic. You guys, I have the best job in the world. Then our favorite restaurant in Portland closed so we had to go there on their last night ever for our favorite dinner.
July:
Mr and I took our first ever road trip together and went to visit my best friend in Utah and see her new cute baby. I got a totally gnarly spider bite that I eventually had to go to Urgent Care for because it got so swollen and itchy and gross that I was afraid my leg might fall off (it didn't). We had an awesome week in Utah hiking around and swimming in ponds. The bugs in Oregon totally ate me alive when I returned (I still have visible bug bits from that weekend) but we had a nice relaxing few days back before going back to work. Then last week I went to Atlanta for a week for work and I got food poisoning the first night. Talk about not fun. I felt fine the next day, once all of the offending food was out of my body, but spent the rest of the week eating really lightly just in case. This week (and for the next few weeks) I'm taking part in an elimination diet to see if I have a wheat or gluten allergy or intolerance. You guys, I just want some bread. You don't realize how quickly liquids go through you when you aren't eating breads and pastas.
So there is a super brief update of our past couple months. And now for the picture parade:
May:
Summer sort of started in May, just how it always teases us, so we decided that we would do a fun Memorial Day weekend with friends and camped on the coast. It was a soggy, wet mess and our poor dogs hated every minute of it (they aren't very fond of being wet, ever) but we got to spend some quality time with our friends and with the Tillamook Cheese Factory, so all was well. Mr got ready for the end of the school year and our schedule was packed with things pretty much every day... none of which I can actually remember at this point.
June:
We were still being toyed with by the weather, but Mr and I decided to start doing day hikes on the weekends, so we did a few of those on Saturdays and Sundays and realized how much better shape we needed to be in if we were going to climb any mountains this summer. I planned what felt like a million offsite meetings for work so that kept me pretty busy. School ended for Mr so we took a few days off together to just veg out at home, go on some hikes and organize our disastrous home. Then work kicked my but with all of the meetings we had, but totally made up for it when Postal Service played live for us at an outdoor company picnic. You guys, I have the best job in the world. Then our favorite restaurant in Portland closed so we had to go there on their last night ever for our favorite dinner.
July:
Mr and I took our first ever road trip together and went to visit my best friend in Utah and see her new cute baby. I got a totally gnarly spider bite that I eventually had to go to Urgent Care for because it got so swollen and itchy and gross that I was afraid my leg might fall off (it didn't). We had an awesome week in Utah hiking around and swimming in ponds. The bugs in Oregon totally ate me alive when I returned (I still have visible bug bits from that weekend) but we had a nice relaxing few days back before going back to work. Then last week I went to Atlanta for a week for work and I got food poisoning the first night. Talk about not fun. I felt fine the next day, once all of the offending food was out of my body, but spent the rest of the week eating really lightly just in case. This week (and for the next few weeks) I'm taking part in an elimination diet to see if I have a wheat or gluten allergy or intolerance. You guys, I just want some bread. You don't realize how quickly liquids go through you when you aren't eating breads and pastas.
So there is a super brief update of our past couple months. And now for the picture parade:
My made-up hair wrap, which was really just my shirt, but it was too hot to have my hair down and no hair tie. Lesson learned- always bring a hair tie.
Goodbye, Berlin Inn!
And now the SPIDER BITE PICS...
Salt Lake Temple
Hiking at over a mile above sea level- hard work!
The ATL!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Checking In
Portland has decided to be beautiful this week and I'm so thankful! It seems we've finally emerged from winter and are headed into a nice spring. This past weekend, Mr and I spent a good chunk of time cleaning up the yard and getting things ready to enjoy. Last summer we completely demolished the backyard because the previous owners neglected it to the point where nothing was salvageable so we took everything out and only were able to complete the paving-stone patio and put new sod down before summer was over. This year we are focused on adding back in some lovely plants to brighten it up so on Sunday morning we took a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot and came home with a few dwarf boxwood shrubs and a handful of pink and purple azaleas... and quite the load of bark dust. After tilling the dirt and adding some better quality soil, we planted the boxwoods and alternated them with azaleas in the back corner near the patio. Our plan for the long stretch of nothing on our neighbor-side fence line is to clean up the edges, dig out an old maple stump and put bark dust down. Mr bought 3 hop rhizomes and we've got them started in small planters, but the plan is to eventually get large half barrels to plant them in and then put them along that fence line to create some more privacy between us and the neighbors. An added bonus- organic homegrown hops for Mr's home brews! Still on the list of to do's is to get an awesome fire pit that we can enjoy as well.
Besides getting dirty in the yard, we've had the opportunity to figure out how to repair a dryer. Yay, home ownership!! We were catching up on laundry over the weekend and had 1 last load to dry on Sunday night. I put the clothes in the dryer, turned it on a timed setting and went to bed. I woke up at 4am because I heard something rattling around... so I listened for a moment and realized that I was hearing the dryer. I got out of bed to see what was going on and found that the dryer had been running all night, and without heat! So I turned it off, pulled the still damp clothes out and hung them around and figured we could fix it. Yesterday when both Mr and I got home from work and had eaten dinner we decided to tackle the dryer issue so began by pulling it out from the closet in which both the dryer and washer sit. To my absolute horror there was about 2 inches of filth baked to the floor and baseboards in the closet. I'm not just talking about dust and dryer lint. It was as if every time the previous owners did laundry they threw a sock or hand towel behind or to the side of one of the machines. Years of the damp and hot had created a rock hard formation of baby socks/towels/popcorn kernels/pistachio shells/etc on the floor. We literally had to use a paint scraper to SCRAPE the layer of yuck from the floor before I could even begin to clean it. I'm not disgusted by much, but it was quite the sight. We checked the fuses and what we could see and it didn't seem to help fix anything, so today we will look at replacing the heating element and hopefully that works!
And to follow up on my commitment of eating cleaner and moving more here is how the past week and a half has gone: If I had to grade myself I'd give myself a C+. Not the best, but average. I did really well journaling my food for the first 4 or so days and then we had a work offsite and I was so consumed all day that I would forget to write down what I was eating when and by the end of the night I was so tired I didn't even care. I didn't do great at exercising, but I will chalk that up to fighting off a sinus infection and working 12 hour + days. Every time I tried to do something active I would get crazy dizzy, my head would hurt and I would just want to die. Actually, last week was just too much all around. But over the weekend I got a great workout in while doing yard work and cleaning the house so I feel pretty good about that. And last night I ran a mile after the great dryer debacle. Today the plan is to do one of my Jillian Michael's dvd's or a 30 minute circuit (one I pinned online) while watching Downton Abbey. I've been doing pretty well keeping my fluid intake up and have been trying to replace my coffee with tea every couple days.
So that's what is new with us this week! What's new with you?
Besides getting dirty in the yard, we've had the opportunity to figure out how to repair a dryer. Yay, home ownership!! We were catching up on laundry over the weekend and had 1 last load to dry on Sunday night. I put the clothes in the dryer, turned it on a timed setting and went to bed. I woke up at 4am because I heard something rattling around... so I listened for a moment and realized that I was hearing the dryer. I got out of bed to see what was going on and found that the dryer had been running all night, and without heat! So I turned it off, pulled the still damp clothes out and hung them around and figured we could fix it. Yesterday when both Mr and I got home from work and had eaten dinner we decided to tackle the dryer issue so began by pulling it out from the closet in which both the dryer and washer sit. To my absolute horror there was about 2 inches of filth baked to the floor and baseboards in the closet. I'm not just talking about dust and dryer lint. It was as if every time the previous owners did laundry they threw a sock or hand towel behind or to the side of one of the machines. Years of the damp and hot had created a rock hard formation of baby socks/towels/popcorn kernels/pistachio shells/etc on the floor. We literally had to use a paint scraper to SCRAPE the layer of yuck from the floor before I could even begin to clean it. I'm not disgusted by much, but it was quite the sight. We checked the fuses and what we could see and it didn't seem to help fix anything, so today we will look at replacing the heating element and hopefully that works!
And to follow up on my commitment of eating cleaner and moving more here is how the past week and a half has gone: If I had to grade myself I'd give myself a C+. Not the best, but average. I did really well journaling my food for the first 4 or so days and then we had a work offsite and I was so consumed all day that I would forget to write down what I was eating when and by the end of the night I was so tired I didn't even care. I didn't do great at exercising, but I will chalk that up to fighting off a sinus infection and working 12 hour + days. Every time I tried to do something active I would get crazy dizzy, my head would hurt and I would just want to die. Actually, last week was just too much all around. But over the weekend I got a great workout in while doing yard work and cleaning the house so I feel pretty good about that. And last night I ran a mile after the great dryer debacle. Today the plan is to do one of my Jillian Michael's dvd's or a 30 minute circuit (one I pinned online) while watching Downton Abbey. I've been doing pretty well keeping my fluid intake up and have been trying to replace my coffee with tea every couple days.
So that's what is new with us this week! What's new with you?
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Getting After It
Oooohhhh. *BIG SIGH*
You guys. Do you know what happens in the winter? Heather eats whatever she wants and stops running as much as she should and gains a few pounds and gets soft. I know I'm not the only one that lets this happen.
And this year I am truly committing myself to getting in shape before bathing suit season. I am serious. So today I'm sitting down and crafting a healthy eating plan to keep myself on track and to have a plan to fall back on so I'm not scrambling to find things to eat each day. And when I'm done with my eating plan/menu I am crafting an exercise schedule because I don't follow through when I have to think about what I'm doing- it just has to be a "plug and play" situation where I know exactly what I'm doing on exactly what days or else I waffle between what I should do and what I want to do and end up sitting on the couch in my running stuff looking at Pinterest and not actually exercising.
My food guidelines aren't going to be super strict because I find that when I totally deprive myself I end up hating everything, being grumpy all of the time and not sticking with it after about a month and a half. Instead here is what I was thinking- eating more lean proteins and vegetables. Cutting down on the carbs and grains I eat and trying to stick mostly with brown rice and sweet potatoes vs breads and pastas, but the occasional whole wheat bread or pasta is fine. Keep the dairy to a minimum- I've already cut out dairy yogurt and dairy creamer in my coffee to coconut yogurt and coconut creamer but ensuring that I'm using olive oil instead of butter (which I mostly already do) and keep the cheese to a minimum... which is the hard part because I love cheese. Cut down on the processed/packaged foods- we already keep it pretty minimum, but sometimes I find it easier to grab a prepackaged bag of snack crackers rather than preparing fruit and nuts for a snack. If I want a small piece of chocolate or a small serving of a goody, I can have it. If I want a beer or glass of wine, I can have it- just make sure I'm not having sugar-loaded cocktails. Sometimes it's the little indulgences that make a difference between feeling like you hate life and feeling like you are healthy and happy.
I have decided to keep a food journal using an App on my phone to make sure I am conscious of what I am putting in my body each day, and also keeping a regular daily journal to log how I am feeling- not just about food and exercise but in general.
My exercise guideline is to just move more. I am a fairly active person (not always in the traditional "Take a jog" way, but I work up a sweat deep cleaning and rearranging my house on a weekly basis) so mostly I just want to ensure that I am more consistent with my exercise and that I plan out what I'm going to do. I want to do some sort of resistance work 2 times a week and then cardio at least 3 times a week. Mr also wants to start taking long hikes on the weekends since the weather is starting to improve and he has made a goal of climbing a mountain soon.
I know I can do this, I just need to remind myself to make the healthy and better decisions on a daily basis and that the occasional goody or extra is not bad.
So here we go.
You guys. Do you know what happens in the winter? Heather eats whatever she wants and stops running as much as she should and gains a few pounds and gets soft. I know I'm not the only one that lets this happen.
And this year I am truly committing myself to getting in shape before bathing suit season. I am serious. So today I'm sitting down and crafting a healthy eating plan to keep myself on track and to have a plan to fall back on so I'm not scrambling to find things to eat each day. And when I'm done with my eating plan/menu I am crafting an exercise schedule because I don't follow through when I have to think about what I'm doing- it just has to be a "plug and play" situation where I know exactly what I'm doing on exactly what days or else I waffle between what I should do and what I want to do and end up sitting on the couch in my running stuff looking at Pinterest and not actually exercising.
My food guidelines aren't going to be super strict because I find that when I totally deprive myself I end up hating everything, being grumpy all of the time and not sticking with it after about a month and a half. Instead here is what I was thinking- eating more lean proteins and vegetables. Cutting down on the carbs and grains I eat and trying to stick mostly with brown rice and sweet potatoes vs breads and pastas, but the occasional whole wheat bread or pasta is fine. Keep the dairy to a minimum- I've already cut out dairy yogurt and dairy creamer in my coffee to coconut yogurt and coconut creamer but ensuring that I'm using olive oil instead of butter (which I mostly already do) and keep the cheese to a minimum... which is the hard part because I love cheese. Cut down on the processed/packaged foods- we already keep it pretty minimum, but sometimes I find it easier to grab a prepackaged bag of snack crackers rather than preparing fruit and nuts for a snack. If I want a small piece of chocolate or a small serving of a goody, I can have it. If I want a beer or glass of wine, I can have it- just make sure I'm not having sugar-loaded cocktails. Sometimes it's the little indulgences that make a difference between feeling like you hate life and feeling like you are healthy and happy.
I have decided to keep a food journal using an App on my phone to make sure I am conscious of what I am putting in my body each day, and also keeping a regular daily journal to log how I am feeling- not just about food and exercise but in general.
My exercise guideline is to just move more. I am a fairly active person (not always in the traditional "Take a jog" way, but I work up a sweat deep cleaning and rearranging my house on a weekly basis) so mostly I just want to ensure that I am more consistent with my exercise and that I plan out what I'm going to do. I want to do some sort of resistance work 2 times a week and then cardio at least 3 times a week. Mr also wants to start taking long hikes on the weekends since the weather is starting to improve and he has made a goal of climbing a mountain soon.
I know I can do this, I just need to remind myself to make the healthy and better decisions on a daily basis and that the occasional goody or extra is not bad.
So here we go.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Heather's Definitive-ish Guide to Travel
Ok, if you haven't heard from me for the last month it's because I've been providing any and all updates via my cell phone in airports and hotels using their sometimes spotty wireless while trying not to lose my mind. I was traveling for work for a bit, and I'm about to head off on my own Spring Break (because I haven't been on enough airplanes and slept in enough hotels yet, apparently). As I've been out and about for this spurt of travel - and it always happens in spurts grouped together- I've made some observations and come up with my own definitive guide for travel. Not only did this list help distract me during layovers and runway taxi time, I believe it's helped smooth my adventures as much as possible with each passing trip.
Firstly- have a good set of luggage. Luggage is totally up to the individual, but it always helps to have a good bag or set of bags that meet your needs. I'm a pocket and pouch girl- I need lots of little places to stash odds and ends while I travel and little zippered pouches and bags within them to keep my items organized and not spilling out of my bag every time I open it to grab headphones/gum/etc. This also holds true in my larger luggage. I like to compartmentalize my clothes, shoes, toiletries and whathaveyou. The luggage I currently own is awesome (for me) because each side zippers completely off from the other side and has smaller zippered compartments within the larger ones. In the big main compartment I usually roll all of my clothes- jeans, shirts, sweaters, and pj's. There is a smaller zippered pouch within that area where I stash my underwear and socks, etc. And then there are two even smaller zippered side pockets where I put things like belts and accessories. On the top side main compartment I put larger clothing items like jackets and bulky sweaters and then line the sides with items like my blowdryer, my boots, etc. My largest bag even has a separate compartment for shoes- so they aren't touching my clean clothes!
And while I'm on the luggage and bag topic I should also specify that it is a good idea to come up with an easy way to identify your bag, especially if you are checking it. This could be a bright or original luggage tag, ribbons on the bag handles, etc. I've opted for a neon colored "Belt" for my bag (they are made to cinch overfilled bags, but I don't really need that) so I can spot my black bag easily.
Secondly, research and plan ahead of time. I believe there are times to be spontaneous and times when preparing ahead will save you time, money and sanity... even if your plans don't work out. I like to have all of my travel details nailed down as much as possible two to three weeks out- meaning flights booked, hotel reserved, car or transportation reserved/tickets purchased. I will also do some research about where I'm traveling to and where I might be passing through during my trip to see what types of restaurants, stores, etc are in the area to get a good feel for it. This does a few things for me: a) If I don't have meals planned out I can get a good idea as to where I can expect to eat or if I need to pack snacks, b) if I wander and get lost, I know what stores/landmarks/etc are in the area to navigate by and c) if there is an emergency and I need something, I know how to get to what I need. On the list of things I research before I go are coffee shops, restaurants (chain and otherwise), hospitals, hotels (so I can easily catch a cab if needed), Target/Walmart/Grocery Stores/etc, landmarks and historical sites and ATM/Bank Locations. I'm not the type of person to schedule every single second out, but I give myself a general guideline for a trip and go armed with my research so that no matter what happens, I'm in good shape. I also look at the forecast for the week, but I'll get to that soon enough.
In my personal preparations I also make sure to call my bank and have them note the dates I will be traveling and the locations. It has happened before that I've tried to purchase something while traveling and had my card declined because the bank assumed they were fraudulent charges. They are happy to note that you will be adventuring and to note that there may be charges from different locations to avoid any issues.
Packing- here is where I think I've learned the most over the years. While I'm the type of person who always wants to be prepared for any situation I've come to find that being prepared does not mean that you have to overpack. As I get older I realize that I don't have to pack for all of the possibilities, I just need to make sure I have the essentials that will get me through. Normally before I pack I research the weather trends in the area I will be visiting to get an idea of what I should be wearing. For instance, tomorrow I'm leaving for Buffalo, NY. The forecast calls for around freezing temps and snow showers off and on until later in the week. I go through my closet and pick out an outfit for each day that I will be traveling and lay them out as a complete outfit- underwear, socks, pants, top, shoes, accessories. Sometimes my outfits are missing 1 or two things because I will wear the same shoes multiple times or the same shirt again, etc. Once I have all of my outfits put together I make sure I'm not missing anything for any activities I might also be doing (like swimming!) My bed looks like deflated people are laying on it, but it helps me visualize each day. Once I have everything set, I start to pack my bags- everything in their own compartment - I roll almost all of my clothing except jackets, which I lay flat on top of everything so they take up less space. This is pretty much the same process I use for toiletries... lay everything out on the bed to ensure I have every item I normally use and then pack them in their respective bags and organizers.
Some of my learning curve here has been around hairstyling, makeup and accessories. I've realized that no one else cares if I change my hairstyle each day, so unless I'm traveling for something totally glamourous I try to stick with low-maintenance hair when I travel. That means I don't have to pack a flat iron, a curling iron, a blowdrying with diffuser, hot rollers, etc. Usually I don't even bring blow-dryer because if I'm staying at a hotel, I know they will have one or I can ask for one. What I do bring is a brush and a large-barrel curling iron because it's very versatile for me- I can create big voluminous waves, or just give my ends a little flare, or pin my curls up so they set and have curly hair... or just blow-dry straight. Also, as I've gotten older I've simplified my beauty routine and found a few great products to multi-task so I avoid packing my whole make-up bag.
What I've whittled it down to are the following:
1. Benefit Play Sticks foundation Stick which acts as a foundation & concealer and dries to a matte finish
2. Tarte cheek stain stick (I found a mini size version of the big stick in one of the holiday samplers at Sephora this past year) that I can use on my cheeks and lips and even eyelids (depending on the shade)
3. Eyelash curler
4. Maybelline Full 'n Soft waterproof mascara in Very Black
5. an eyeliner or two- usually a black and a brown
6. Benefit "Hello Flawless" powder compact
I will also throw in a lipgloss or lip-stain if I feel like it, but I'm really more of a lip-balm girl.
Toiletries are really up to each person's preferences and it really depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing when determining what I'll pack, but again, I try to only take what I know I'll use. My obvious staples are deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, body lotion and hairspray.
What I take on the plane with me has become super important and I always have a "carry-on" bag (but not necessarily the wheeled small bag you are thinking of). We are allowed 1 "Carry On" bag and 1 personal item, so typically (if I'm not carrying on my luggage for a short trip) I have a just a larger bag that I put my purse into that will fit under the seat in front of me. Sometimes it's a backpack (super easy to lug around since you don't need hands for it) and sometimes it's just an oversized cross body bag. What goes INTO that bag is what is important.
There are a few things that I've found I cannot live without:
1. a super moisturizing lip balm- lips get dried out during travel!
2. hand and body lotion
3. eye drops
4. earache drops (I use a naturopathic brand I found at Whole Foods)
5. gum and mints
6. my iPad loaded with books, magazines and music for entertainment with my headphones
7. a LARGE bottle of water (purchased at the airport after security)
8. extra pair of socks and extra pair of underwear- just in case I get stuck without my luggage somewhere.
9. my travel scarf- which is huge and doubles as a travel blanket, shawl, etc.
10. Snacks- I always grab a handful of my favorite snacks just in case I'm in a bind and starving. Those include individual serving packs of nuts, small packs of fruit snacks, individual sized bags of trail mix- things that are ok when squished or smashed during transit. I get super grumpy when I don't eat so these are a must.
11. 1 serving of a cold medicin/decongestant and 1 of Benadryl- I have terrible allergies and sometimes traveling messes me up and my eyes water and my nose runs like a river.
12. TUMS or other antacids because you never know.
13. My little bag of chargers- I have a tiny little cosmetics bag that I use to stash my phone charger, my ipad charger, a flash drive, head phones, etc
14. Small pack of Tissues
15. Small pack of handi-wipes or clorox wipes
Everyone has their favorites and items that make them the most comfortable.
Along with how I prep and pack for a trip, I've also learned a few "While Traveling" Rules. Some of these are guidelines for myself and others are guidelines I wish other people knew about because they do things that directly affect everyone else.
Here goes:
1. Go with the flow. It doesn't matter how well you plan or prepare, sometimes things happen. Just chalk it up to part of the experience and don't let it ruin your adventure- just think of it as a good story in the making.
2. Don't touch other people's stuff unless you have their permission. If I put my bag in the overhead bin, which is over my own head, that is where I want it. It doesn't mean you have permission to move it so your totally-too-large-to-be-a-carry-on-bag can be over my head instead of my own bag. Asshat.
3. Cover Your Cough/Sneeze and WASH YOUR HANDS. It sucks to have to travel when you are sick- I've been there. But please don't infect the rest of us!
4. Try New Things. Some of the best travel experiences I've had are because I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. If it doesn't work out well, see Rule #1 and turn it into a good story.
5. Follow the TSA's guidelines and pay attention. Don't be the ass who holds up the line because they don't have their liquids in a separate bag so the TSA has to search them and slows everything down. Don't be the jerk who The rules have been the same for almost a decade now so we should all know them and be following them without confusion.
So I'm off to NY and then to California and I'll see you all in April!
Firstly- have a good set of luggage. Luggage is totally up to the individual, but it always helps to have a good bag or set of bags that meet your needs. I'm a pocket and pouch girl- I need lots of little places to stash odds and ends while I travel and little zippered pouches and bags within them to keep my items organized and not spilling out of my bag every time I open it to grab headphones/gum/etc. This also holds true in my larger luggage. I like to compartmentalize my clothes, shoes, toiletries and whathaveyou. The luggage I currently own is awesome (for me) because each side zippers completely off from the other side and has smaller zippered compartments within the larger ones. In the big main compartment I usually roll all of my clothes- jeans, shirts, sweaters, and pj's. There is a smaller zippered pouch within that area where I stash my underwear and socks, etc. And then there are two even smaller zippered side pockets where I put things like belts and accessories. On the top side main compartment I put larger clothing items like jackets and bulky sweaters and then line the sides with items like my blowdryer, my boots, etc. My largest bag even has a separate compartment for shoes- so they aren't touching my clean clothes!
And while I'm on the luggage and bag topic I should also specify that it is a good idea to come up with an easy way to identify your bag, especially if you are checking it. This could be a bright or original luggage tag, ribbons on the bag handles, etc. I've opted for a neon colored "Belt" for my bag (they are made to cinch overfilled bags, but I don't really need that) so I can spot my black bag easily.
Secondly, research and plan ahead of time. I believe there are times to be spontaneous and times when preparing ahead will save you time, money and sanity... even if your plans don't work out. I like to have all of my travel details nailed down as much as possible two to three weeks out- meaning flights booked, hotel reserved, car or transportation reserved/tickets purchased. I will also do some research about where I'm traveling to and where I might be passing through during my trip to see what types of restaurants, stores, etc are in the area to get a good feel for it. This does a few things for me: a) If I don't have meals planned out I can get a good idea as to where I can expect to eat or if I need to pack snacks, b) if I wander and get lost, I know what stores/landmarks/etc are in the area to navigate by and c) if there is an emergency and I need something, I know how to get to what I need. On the list of things I research before I go are coffee shops, restaurants (chain and otherwise), hospitals, hotels (so I can easily catch a cab if needed), Target/Walmart/Grocery Stores/etc, landmarks and historical sites and ATM/Bank Locations. I'm not the type of person to schedule every single second out, but I give myself a general guideline for a trip and go armed with my research so that no matter what happens, I'm in good shape. I also look at the forecast for the week, but I'll get to that soon enough.
In my personal preparations I also make sure to call my bank and have them note the dates I will be traveling and the locations. It has happened before that I've tried to purchase something while traveling and had my card declined because the bank assumed they were fraudulent charges. They are happy to note that you will be adventuring and to note that there may be charges from different locations to avoid any issues.
Packing- here is where I think I've learned the most over the years. While I'm the type of person who always wants to be prepared for any situation I've come to find that being prepared does not mean that you have to overpack. As I get older I realize that I don't have to pack for all of the possibilities, I just need to make sure I have the essentials that will get me through. Normally before I pack I research the weather trends in the area I will be visiting to get an idea of what I should be wearing. For instance, tomorrow I'm leaving for Buffalo, NY. The forecast calls for around freezing temps and snow showers off and on until later in the week. I go through my closet and pick out an outfit for each day that I will be traveling and lay them out as a complete outfit- underwear, socks, pants, top, shoes, accessories. Sometimes my outfits are missing 1 or two things because I will wear the same shoes multiple times or the same shirt again, etc. Once I have all of my outfits put together I make sure I'm not missing anything for any activities I might also be doing (like swimming!) My bed looks like deflated people are laying on it, but it helps me visualize each day. Once I have everything set, I start to pack my bags- everything in their own compartment - I roll almost all of my clothing except jackets, which I lay flat on top of everything so they take up less space. This is pretty much the same process I use for toiletries... lay everything out on the bed to ensure I have every item I normally use and then pack them in their respective bags and organizers.
Some of my learning curve here has been around hairstyling, makeup and accessories. I've realized that no one else cares if I change my hairstyle each day, so unless I'm traveling for something totally glamourous I try to stick with low-maintenance hair when I travel. That means I don't have to pack a flat iron, a curling iron, a blowdrying with diffuser, hot rollers, etc. Usually I don't even bring blow-dryer because if I'm staying at a hotel, I know they will have one or I can ask for one. What I do bring is a brush and a large-barrel curling iron because it's very versatile for me- I can create big voluminous waves, or just give my ends a little flare, or pin my curls up so they set and have curly hair... or just blow-dry straight. Also, as I've gotten older I've simplified my beauty routine and found a few great products to multi-task so I avoid packing my whole make-up bag.
What I've whittled it down to are the following:
1. Benefit Play Sticks foundation Stick which acts as a foundation & concealer and dries to a matte finish
2. Tarte cheek stain stick (I found a mini size version of the big stick in one of the holiday samplers at Sephora this past year) that I can use on my cheeks and lips and even eyelids (depending on the shade)
3. Eyelash curler
4. Maybelline Full 'n Soft waterproof mascara in Very Black
5. an eyeliner or two- usually a black and a brown
6. Benefit "Hello Flawless" powder compact
I will also throw in a lipgloss or lip-stain if I feel like it, but I'm really more of a lip-balm girl.
Toiletries are really up to each person's preferences and it really depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing when determining what I'll pack, but again, I try to only take what I know I'll use. My obvious staples are deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, body lotion and hairspray.
What I take on the plane with me has become super important and I always have a "carry-on" bag (but not necessarily the wheeled small bag you are thinking of). We are allowed 1 "Carry On" bag and 1 personal item, so typically (if I'm not carrying on my luggage for a short trip) I have a just a larger bag that I put my purse into that will fit under the seat in front of me. Sometimes it's a backpack (super easy to lug around since you don't need hands for it) and sometimes it's just an oversized cross body bag. What goes INTO that bag is what is important.
There are a few things that I've found I cannot live without:
1. a super moisturizing lip balm- lips get dried out during travel!
2. hand and body lotion
3. eye drops
4. earache drops (I use a naturopathic brand I found at Whole Foods)
5. gum and mints
6. my iPad loaded with books, magazines and music for entertainment with my headphones
7. a LARGE bottle of water (purchased at the airport after security)
8. extra pair of socks and extra pair of underwear- just in case I get stuck without my luggage somewhere.
9. my travel scarf- which is huge and doubles as a travel blanket, shawl, etc.
10. Snacks- I always grab a handful of my favorite snacks just in case I'm in a bind and starving. Those include individual serving packs of nuts, small packs of fruit snacks, individual sized bags of trail mix- things that are ok when squished or smashed during transit. I get super grumpy when I don't eat so these are a must.
11. 1 serving of a cold medicin/decongestant and 1 of Benadryl- I have terrible allergies and sometimes traveling messes me up and my eyes water and my nose runs like a river.
12. TUMS or other antacids because you never know.
13. My little bag of chargers- I have a tiny little cosmetics bag that I use to stash my phone charger, my ipad charger, a flash drive, head phones, etc
14. Small pack of Tissues
15. Small pack of handi-wipes or clorox wipes
Everyone has their favorites and items that make them the most comfortable.
Along with how I prep and pack for a trip, I've also learned a few "While Traveling" Rules. Some of these are guidelines for myself and others are guidelines I wish other people knew about because they do things that directly affect everyone else.
Here goes:
1. Go with the flow. It doesn't matter how well you plan or prepare, sometimes things happen. Just chalk it up to part of the experience and don't let it ruin your adventure- just think of it as a good story in the making.
2. Don't touch other people's stuff unless you have their permission. If I put my bag in the overhead bin, which is over my own head, that is where I want it. It doesn't mean you have permission to move it so your totally-too-large-to-be-a-carry-on-bag can be over my head instead of my own bag. Asshat.
3. Cover Your Cough/Sneeze and WASH YOUR HANDS. It sucks to have to travel when you are sick- I've been there. But please don't infect the rest of us!
4. Try New Things. Some of the best travel experiences I've had are because I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. If it doesn't work out well, see Rule #1 and turn it into a good story.
5. Follow the TSA's guidelines and pay attention. Don't be the ass who holds up the line because they don't have their liquids in a separate bag so the TSA has to search them and slows everything down. Don't be the jerk who The rules have been the same for almost a decade now so we should all know them and be following them without confusion.
So I'm off to NY and then to California and I'll see you all in April!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Everybody's Sick and Tired
No seriously. Everyone at work (or almost everyone) is sick or is getting over being sick. It's awful. Luckily (or not, whichever way you see it) I got the sicks at the beginning of January so I'm hoping that my immune system is ready to handle it. Mr's immune system was not ready and this week so far he's been at home lying on the couch, moaning and groaning and running a fever. I'm upping my intake of vitamins and fresh air and water just in case his germies find me.
Also, HOLY MOLY it's halfway through February and Valentine's day is this week! We're hoping Mr is feeling better soon - or at least by Thursday for dinner- because we have reservations at our favorite restaurant, Berlin Inn! Mmmm... fondue and sausages.
And I feel like I owe everyone an apology for being insanely grumpy. So I'm sorry if I've been grumpy or awful to you in the last 2 weeks. Things at work have been busy, I feel totally broke (as I always do in Jan and Feb), and everyone being sick is really making me crazy (because I'm a huge germaphobe AND because everyone else is grumpy and whiney while being sick). None of those are good excuses to be grumpy to anyone, so I sincerely apologize.
Let's all go take naps and catch up on Downton Abbey.
Also, HOLY MOLY it's halfway through February and Valentine's day is this week! We're hoping Mr is feeling better soon - or at least by Thursday for dinner- because we have reservations at our favorite restaurant, Berlin Inn! Mmmm... fondue and sausages.
And I feel like I owe everyone an apology for being insanely grumpy. So I'm sorry if I've been grumpy or awful to you in the last 2 weeks. Things at work have been busy, I feel totally broke (as I always do in Jan and Feb), and everyone being sick is really making me crazy (because I'm a huge germaphobe AND because everyone else is grumpy and whiney while being sick). None of those are good excuses to be grumpy to anyone, so I sincerely apologize.
Let's all go take naps and catch up on Downton Abbey.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Long Over Due Post
Hey Guys! Where did January go? Because I feel like it shouldn't be February yet, but here we are.
So many things going on and some very cool things to update everyone on from January. First, my bestie had a BABY GIRL. Totally the cutest baby ever in the history of babies. I hope later this Spring I get to meet her in person. Mr and I are totally ecstatic for D and M. I cannot begin to describe how adorable she is! Also, I still don't have baby fever, and if that cutie couldn't do it for me, I don't think I'll ever have baby fever. Not to say I won't have them, but there is no ticking clock for me just yet.
In the work world I got a new boss who I really like. Our schedules have been hectic at best, but we are working through it. She would like me to join her on some of her upcoming travels which will be exciting and also frequent! It will start in late February and I will be gone for a week in Seattle, back for the weekend, then I'll be gone for a week in Las Vegas for a conference and then back home again for the weekend. Then in March I'm at home/office for a week and then I travel to Chicago for a week, back the following week at home and then the personal travels start. After Spring Break I will spend a week in a to be determined location and then hopefully be home for a bit.
Speaking of personal travels, I don't know how Mr. and I are ever going to save money if we keep having to go places... you know, because we HAVE to go to Disneyland. In late March I have to go to New York to visit family for a few days with my mom and sister, and then I'll land in Portland for 6 hours and then get on a flight to LA to go to Disneyland for a few days and to visit Mr's sister in San Diego. Definitely not complaining about getting to hang out in sunny CA for almost a week!
Oh yeah, back to January. Some other things that happened- I caught the death cold/flu like I do every winter pretty much the only week I couldn't take sick time, when my new boss started, so she got to see me at my very worst, which is kind of nice to have that out of the way. I also officially changed my name EVERYWHERE, got a new SSN and driver's license, etc. Wow, it all feels so adult and real. I do not, however, feel super official and adult and am not sure that it will ever change. Mr and I also signed up to run the Shamrock Run here in Portland in March so we've been trying to get out in the wet and cold and get some miles in. And then on the very last day of January we got to see Muse, live at the Rose Garden. It was fantastic and ended January well.
And into February we go. It hasn't been half bad, other than the Super Bowl being totally disappointing, not because we cared about the teams, but mostly because the half time show wasn't longer and the commercials weren't as funny as I wanted them to be. Last night we went to see BEN FOLDS FIVE which rocked my face off, but put Mr to sleep.... give him a break, he's had a long week full of report cards and long hours. Anyway, it was my 90's dream come true and I loved every second of it.
Away we go, into February. I promise I'll be better at updating!
So many things going on and some very cool things to update everyone on from January. First, my bestie had a BABY GIRL. Totally the cutest baby ever in the history of babies. I hope later this Spring I get to meet her in person. Mr and I are totally ecstatic for D and M. I cannot begin to describe how adorable she is! Also, I still don't have baby fever, and if that cutie couldn't do it for me, I don't think I'll ever have baby fever. Not to say I won't have them, but there is no ticking clock for me just yet.
In the work world I got a new boss who I really like. Our schedules have been hectic at best, but we are working through it. She would like me to join her on some of her upcoming travels which will be exciting and also frequent! It will start in late February and I will be gone for a week in Seattle, back for the weekend, then I'll be gone for a week in Las Vegas for a conference and then back home again for the weekend. Then in March I'm at home/office for a week and then I travel to Chicago for a week, back the following week at home and then the personal travels start. After Spring Break I will spend a week in a to be determined location and then hopefully be home for a bit.
Speaking of personal travels, I don't know how Mr. and I are ever going to save money if we keep having to go places... you know, because we HAVE to go to Disneyland. In late March I have to go to New York to visit family for a few days with my mom and sister, and then I'll land in Portland for 6 hours and then get on a flight to LA to go to Disneyland for a few days and to visit Mr's sister in San Diego. Definitely not complaining about getting to hang out in sunny CA for almost a week!
Oh yeah, back to January. Some other things that happened- I caught the death cold/flu like I do every winter pretty much the only week I couldn't take sick time, when my new boss started, so she got to see me at my very worst, which is kind of nice to have that out of the way. I also officially changed my name EVERYWHERE, got a new SSN and driver's license, etc. Wow, it all feels so adult and real. I do not, however, feel super official and adult and am not sure that it will ever change. Mr and I also signed up to run the Shamrock Run here in Portland in March so we've been trying to get out in the wet and cold and get some miles in. And then on the very last day of January we got to see Muse, live at the Rose Garden. It was fantastic and ended January well.
And into February we go. It hasn't been half bad, other than the Super Bowl being totally disappointing, not because we cared about the teams, but mostly because the half time show wasn't longer and the commercials weren't as funny as I wanted them to be. Last night we went to see BEN FOLDS FIVE which rocked my face off, but put Mr to sleep.... give him a break, he's had a long week full of report cards and long hours. Anyway, it was my 90's dream come true and I loved every second of it.
Away we go, into February. I promise I'll be better at updating!
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