Indulgences

I never thought Friday would come. This has been a week of stress; waking up with headaches, a pup with allergies that can't stop scratching and midterms. But tonight will be great. Because tonight we're out with my friends Krysta and Justin to Mellow Mushroom for pizza and beer. Pizza AND beer!

A few months ago, this really would have been nothing. But Dave and I have been working to save money through spending less (hard) and paying off debt (even harder). We have cooked and crockpotted our way through 98% of our meals. I've even developed a luke warm relationship with coupons... warmed further by the discovery of coupons for champagne (still trying to decide if using coupons for alcohol is frugal or maybe indicating a drinking problem). So I feel like we've earned this. And with Dave's birthday coming up, we have another reason to go out and celebrate. On the list: Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe (read: heavy German food smothered in delish cream based sauces). Definitely not glamorous sounding, I know. But having been there is like being part of a secret society. It's that local place that is ALWAYS packed. And when you mention it in public, anyone who's also been will totally jump into the conversation and agree that it's the best place ever and you become insta-friends. Well, maybe not insta-friends, but it does add to your street cred. I guess there's no real point to this post, so long story short - not a fun week. But relaxation on the horizon. And something yummy to look forward to.

UPDATE: Something is going on with the posts... None of the spacing works? Oh well. Too tired to fight it.

Poor Moo

The vet said that Macy's allergies are so bad that her little ears need two kinds of drops to keep them from swelling. And it doesn't help that her ears are thisbig. We already give her shots to help her build an allergy tolerence but I don't think that's happened yet. so Dave got her a cone to keep her from scratching them... it breaks my heart to see her in it. How can I put her cute little head in a cone? (Exhibit A: adorable photo featuring her 'there's someone in the kitchen' expression.)

(Photo courtesy of my friend Chad)

Dear Master Card, I'd Like My Soul Back Now

Dear Master Card,

Tomorrow I am paying off the balance that we have shared for almost 10 years. You lured me into your gingerbread house of credit with warm & fuzzy promises of low interest rates and new shoes. But we were not meant to be.

I know I am fabulous and work hard and my next big promotion is right around the corner (reality check - it's not) so I deserve some perks to save me from going mad. I've said it before, I can justify almost anything. But I am happy to see this end.

I went through college watching Carrie Bradshaw in all of her Manolo glory. Fiscally responsible, she was not. But she was fabulous. And when it came to paying rent or taking a vacation you let me say "why not both?"

Ah, the good times. And here I am, on the brink of 30... and you are still here.

But things have changed. Your interest rates went up. And now you are going to charge me for NOT using you. So just like the crap-tacular college boyfriend I outgrew, it's time to call it quits. At least I know you won't drunk dial me. (I hope.) And there won't be one of those "it's not you... it's me" speeches because this time it IS you.

As of this week, I have moved on. I'm moving you out of my wallet and into a considerably less fashionable filing cabinet. And that's only if I don't decide to have you canceled and shredded. So behave.

Sayonara,

Danielle

PS: Visa, watch out.

Home Brew Update

Wednesday marked the ready date for the beer home brewing project. And it wasn't that bad!(Insert furrowed brow + skeptical sipping here). The taste landed somewhere between beer smelling water and Natty Light. Although, the sediment at the bottom of the glasses was definitely unusual.

The guys are going to put it in the cooler for the Super Bowl tomorrow. So a note to those people coming to the block party: If you're drinking beer out of an unmarked bottle make sure to double up on the TUMS.

Good thing no one else saw that

Today is one of those beautiful, happy to live in Florida days so I opened all the downstairs windows and doors to let in the air. It's so sunny and breezy and cool...

But now all the beautiful breezes are blowing a winter's worth of hair, dust and dog fur tumble weeds out from under my couch. Gross.

Now, where to start...

It's been a while since I've had time to post anything. I know this. I've been super busy at work and school has started up again. So even though there's been a lot happening I haven't been able to talk about it (isn't it ironic... don't you think?).

Don't get me wrong; I would rather be overworked than have nothing to do. My productivity goes way up because I have more things to organize, finish. I thrive at work when there's structure and school helps add to that. So when non-work fun stuff pops up, like my friend Jen's bachelorette party this April in NYC, it sucks because I can't immediately drop what's boring (conference calls, class, spreadsheets) and spend three hours Googling random crap.

Luckily, my friend Michelle lives in NYC and is organizing the festivities so there's really not that much for me to do. I did offer to create some slightly-tasteless-but-fun t-shirts to commemorate the weekend, but I've been spinning out on ideas because I can't find time to think up something that is cool enough to put on a t-shirt. Although I have decided it needs to be pink. Help?

Adding to it all is a little pressure since Michelle's schedule of events is slightly AWESOME. I can't write about it now because some of it is a surprise for Jen. But the events pretty much range from classy to slightly classier to the classiest event I've seen since my Titanic themed junior prom. When I can finally post the itinerary you'll see exactly why these shirts need to be sweet.