So NE and I did a road trip to Glenwood, Iowa on Sunday. It was really quite enjoyable. All the rain we've had recently has made everything really green up. We stopped at Mills Lake on the way there - a small, but pretty lake in the Loess Scenic Byway? We also ate at a Mexican restaurant El Portal. It was an awesome place because .... they had veggie fajitas!!!! Usually at a Mexican restaurant I have the option of enchiladas or quesedilas or .... It was SO nice to have something different to choose. It was really yummy too - they included a pineapple ring - so good that flavor plus the other veggies.
Right as we got our check the waiter brought out a desert and told me Happy Mother's Day. Uh thanks ... maybe someday, but probably not.
I didn't end up getting to bed til nearly 11:30 .. on a work night. Still, it was so worth it.
(NE paid for dinner - it was his turn. )
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Anyone else getting that super annoying ad covering the bottom of your screen for CoverGirl? I get it on the blogs and on the forums - it slows the forums down majorly, and when logging in I accidentally clicked on it twice!
I don't mind ads as long as they're not obtrusive like that!
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So it seems my allergies are back at it in full force, even with taking Allegra D. The last couple days not only have I been overtired, but I've also been miserable with sneezing and coughing and just feeling generally ill.
Ugh and double ugh.
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I was reading on a blog or forum or something about how someone felt like their home finally looked like an "adult" lived there and not a college kid. It made me kind of think ... if someone were to come into my apartment, they probably would think "college kid" and not 39 year old.
There's not a whole lot I can do to change that look I think without spending money I don't want to spend. But ... I'm wondering if maybe getting rid of all my moving boxes which are currently stored in my bedroom - some under the bed and some next to it against the wall .. would help. When I move again I'd have to buy new boxes, but boxes aren't *that* expensive ...
I also am thinking I need to let go of my stereo. It was a college graduation gift (half from my dad, half from my pocketbook) which has definitely seen better days. Kari's claws definitely did not help its look.
Then there is the baby dresser which I have hauled around with me since I moved out on my own in 97. It was used for me and my brother ... I'm thinking maybe it's time to finally let it go.
There also is the portable dishwasher ... one of my last major gifts from my dad. I have it sitting next to my loveseat right now as sort of an end table ...
Getting another bookshelf or two, finishing hanging pictures, getting rid of the foldup table, etc., probably would also go a long ways toward "adultizing" my place.
Growing up all our houses were set up so nicely - decorated, good furniture, etc. So I know what it could/should be ... but for some reason I can't make it like that. Somehow the gene of dressing well, doing hair well, caring about makeup, creating a home instead of just a place I live in ... skipped me.
I don't know ... I guess I'm feeling like here I am almost 40 and I'm not married, I don't have kids, if it wasn't for inherited stocks I'd barely have any retirement money (they are 1/2+ of my assets ...) and my place looks like a college kids. This so isn't what I hoped my life would be like at this point.
Not to mention when I see articles say something like "on the low end of the scale are salaries of $35,000/year ..." and I'm thinking - I'd be jumping ecstatically if I made that much! (And at one time I actually made more than that .. had no idea how good I had it.)
And then there is the factor of not really having anyone to talk to/hang out with other than NE here ... and all the friends I've had over the years that I kept in touch with for the longest time .. have kids, have families, have way busy lives ..
Road Trip, Annoying Ad?, Sick and Thinking
May 13th, 2015 at 02:46 am
May 13th, 2015 at 03:03 am 1431482630
I think you have some good plans to update your space. If the boxes are being used for storage you might look for used wood trunk that could be used for storage. Or even inexpensive Rubbermaid type containers. I bet you could get some cash for the dishwasher and maybe even the dresser.
May 13th, 2015 at 03:08 am 1431482902
May 13th, 2015 at 03:27 am 1431484023
I don't think you should base your life on anything you imagined a long time ago, but definitely make changes that could make you feel better. (I know you're not afraid of change, with all the moves you've made!) Sprucing up your apartment might help in the short term. In the long term, it sounds like you'll need to commit to either finding things you love about Nebraska (job, social life, etc.), or considering making another move.
I wish you luck and happiness!
May 13th, 2015 at 03:31 am 1431484297
May 13th, 2015 at 03:40 am 1431484826
LAL - You know, that might be where I'm at too really. I've still not found THE place I'll be for years and years yet .. so investing a lot of time and money into making it "adult style" or truly "homey" just hasn't been a big priority.
May 13th, 2015 at 09:13 am 1431504789
As for friends- how is the gym and your walking group going? Any opportunities there?
May 13th, 2015 at 01:46 pm 1431521202
How about a class at a local library to meet someone? It's hard, I know. Lots of the local moms hang out, but their interests are so much different than mine, I'm better off with my university gals. Maybe a class would help you connect with some folks?
May 13th, 2015 at 02:28 pm 1431523713
I love to gussy up a place for cheap (thanks for the acknowledgment, EC!). I don't have much luck with furniture at Goodwill, but for wall hangings and accessories it can't be beat. Garage sales are great for furniture (also a way to meet people!) Hang those pictures -- that will warm up the walls and make a huge difference. (Use command strips; they're great!) Put a throw over the dishwasher, add some plants (unless Kari has issues with them!) Fold up and hide that folding table and get a real one. You can put together a dining set with unmatched chairs that's really cute. If you have a place to pick flowers, put a few vases around! I used to pick wildflowers on the roadside when I took my walks. You don't have to spend much money at all to make it warm and inviting, and you will feel so much better about living there!
May 14th, 2015 at 01:15 am 1431562528
MEC - I've bought some things off LinConsign like my couch and dining table, and all 3 of my dining chairs come from Goodwill (which is why I decided to let go of my folding table, since I have a real table!)
As far as I can tell the only classes the library here offers is beginning computer stuff - the very basics. But that is something I should look further into in case there is more than that available.
CB - I get that in my head, but at the same time I so want to go out to museums or go walking WITH people or take in a movie ... and that's a little hard when the only person you know here isn't much into going out and doing stuff (he will do it - the movie at least - once in a blue blue moon ..)
I don't know how Kari would do with plants. Monkey was a terror with them, so I just got used to not having any. Might be worth a try! I have lots of throws I could put over the dishwasher too. Thanks for the ideas everyone!