Happy Birthday USA

I can't believe it's already that time of year. Summer is in full swing and we're celebrating the 4th of July again. It was a quiet day, but a good one. I was able to spend time with Jeff and my family, and relax.

This has always been a special holiday. When I was little my dad used to take me and my little sister to a local parade in the morning and then we'd usually end up at a family barbecue. But the most important thing about this holiday is to remember what a great country this truly is and how fortunate I am to live here.

Thank you to all of the men and women who bravely serve our country every day. Have a happy 4th of July everybody!

BLAHVOCADO

If you love avocado then the Subway sandwich below looks pretty good right?

The problem is that real Subway sandwiches with avocado are more like blahvocado sandwiches. I love Subway and when I saw the ads for these mouth-watering sandwiches I was ecstatic. But when I asked about how they prepare the avocado I was sorely disappointed. All they do is add a few slices of avocado to your sub and pass it on down the line.

The images in the latest ad campaign show piles of yummy avocado on top of the meat and vegetables, but that's not quite how the real sandwiches look. I know that there is a lot that goes into dressing up food for ads, but come on. Shouldn't they try a little harder? It doesn't take much to mash up some avocado and spread it on to a sandwich. I still love Subway, but I think a little more effort should be put into accurately advertising its products.

A Bit Out of Step

Have you ever watched an infomercial and gotten so excited about the product that you just had to try it? That's what happened when I watched an early morning infomercial about Zumba Fitness. I have been dying to try it for weeks.

According to Zumba.com, "Zumba Fitness^® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party" that is downright addictive. Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world's largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries."

Well, I tried this extremely active workout tonight and according to Jeff, it was quite the sight. My class ended a bit after He finished his workout so he was waiting in the car.

"What were you doing in there?" he asked with a smile.

I tried my hardest. But let's face it. When you haven't exercised regularly, much less tried to follow a dance routine, you're bound to look ridiculous. I felt like a hippo with two left feet throughout most of the class. I'm not very good at shaking my hips while jumping up. But it was fun. I think I'll try another class and see how it goes.

Deals, Deals, Deals

I have to share about the BEST deal that I got this week. Jeff and I have been trying our best to make our new place homey and more us. Last Sunday I was sifting through the dozens of furniture ads on Craigslist.org and I came across one that really stuck out. How could it be? An armchair for $40? No way! I thought it had to be a typo. After several text messages with the seller on Monday, Jeff and I became the proud owners of one brown and incredibly comfy chair.

Isn't it a beauty? And what a steal for $40!

Deals like this seem to be harder to find on Craigslist because of all of the junk out there, but here are some tips that might help you find what you're looking for.

• Have an open mind.
  
• Search by owner and NOT dealer, (A lot of dealers just advertise stuff you don't really want).
  
• Add in a price range for your search, (This will keep you from getting disappointed when you see something that seems perfect until you realize it's way over budget).
  
• Look for ads with phone numbers. I have found these to be more credible.
  
• NEVER go alone when meeting a seller!
  
• DON'T be afraid to walk away if it's not what was portrayed in the ad.
  
• If you decide you don't want it, tell the seller so they're not left hanging.
  
• Have fun. It may take a few days or weeks, but chances are you'll find just what you want.

The Ahem in the Room

Nobody wants to talk about it, acknowledge it or even think about it. It's right in front of their faces and they can't help but see it. It's there and it's very real. It's the elephant in the room. But perhaps if everyone pretends that it doesn't exist, it really might not exist. 

That's not how it works. Regardless of how well or how long they pretend that the elephant doesn't exist, it does. And it only gets bigger and bigger and bigger until there's no avoiding it at all. Many elephants make people uncomfortable. There is some issue that is difficult to discuss and even more difficult to acknowledge in the first place. Ultimately, issues have to be addressed. 

I can't stand being made to feel like I have the problem just because someone doesn't want to address a matter. It's extremely frustrating and downright maddening. All I can do is stand firm in what I know to be true and know I am not the one who is causing the problem and move on when those around me won't do a thing. I see the elephant and I acknowledge it.

Dealing with an elephant that no one else wants to even acknowledge its existence is difficult. It often means loneliness and isolation to a certain extent. But things have got to change one way or another. I am standing face to face with the elephant and it's go time. Ready, set, here I come. 

Happy 2012!

This year is going to be a great year and even better than last year. Though it seems that each new year comes along with a new set of worries, troubles and problems, there are also some really good things.

My 2011 Recap

• Received a tax refund because of my student loans, (good I suppose).
• Learned how to fire a 30.06 and a .22, (and yes, I'm a good shot).
• Had one one of the best birthdays ever with my family.
• Raised some tadpoles and later released them back into the wild.
• Got into a car accident, (uggh). But it all worked out.
• Went on a native plant tour with my mom.
• Met the love of my life.
• I celebrated one year at my job. Woo hoo!!!
• Helped plan one rocking party.
• Learned a lot about myself and changed a few things.
• Figured out what I want/ need to work on in 2012.
• Challenged things I had been told and I know that I truly love God. My relationship with Him is better.
• Grasped true friendship.
• Got to spend Christmas with my sister for the first time in a couple of years.
• Spent New Year's Eve at urgent care.

Those are the highlights. It was a pretty busy year and most of it is a blur. Note to self - take better notes this year.

I hope that you have an awesome 2012. Here's to the new exciting things to come this year. Buckle up, cause I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy ride.