SwellBeing

Things I've learned at Trivia

2010-04-23T10:34:00.008-04:00

*The 2002 pre-crime movie (John got it without me saying anything else) is Minority Report. Remember when Tom Cruise's character had to get his eyes replaced, in order to escape the police?

*Whenever there is a question about what female musical artist had the most top #1 hits, it's usually Mariah Carey. Surprisingly, it is not Madonna or Whitney Houston.. or Lady Gaga.. yet!

*The difference between Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize awards. Actually, I didn't learn that.. but wondered.

*In 2009 the top 2 picks (running back and quarter back) came from UGA!

*When talking about how pressure affects different parts of the body.. the reflexologist deals with FEET! Hands are also used occasionally.

*There are two-letter codes for countries used for postage stamps. BR is Brazil, FJ is Fiji, ES is Spain and SA is Saudi Arabia - not South Africa.

*Scuttle from Disney's The Little Mermaid is a Seagull. "Duh," right?

No better.

2010-03-31T23:00:00.001-04:00

Plain. Nothing special. Messy. Imperfect.

Spoken words like moonlight. You're the voice that I like.

2009-08-17T23:48:00.005-04:00

I decided to take a bath.. it lasted about 40 minutes.. I am pruney, soft and I smell good from bath mix stuff. clean, lavendary, cozy.

I listened to The Stills radio station on Pandora.. and drank a glass of wine.. alternating between zoning out and flinging drops of water towards Corbin. The rhythm of the water is relaxing.

Bathtime thoughts:

What's wrong with waiting.. good things come, right? What's the rush? Doing the best I can.. waited 7 years.. why rush it now..?

3 tattoo ideas.. really itching to get more done.. maybe bday tattoos.

I don't know why I sometimes long for the feelings I had when I knew/know I was unhappy. It's not that I want to be unhappy- goodness knows I'm not always happy these days.. but it's more like the feeling in the air.. The thought of wanting more. At the risk of sounding horribly cliche and movie-like - the rush of being alive.. feeling so alone with someone, and so conscious of yourself at the same time. I don't want to be sad. I just want to feel life.

Happiness is the best feeling.. but sadness lingers and stabs and permeates.

Bathtime bands:

Deathcab for Cutie

Band of Horses

Feist

Interpol

The Stills

Iron and Wine

Modest Mouse

Gimme some monaaay

2009-03-03T14:01:00.006-05:00

Quick News

-My boyfriend's sister, Maren, is having her baby tomorrow! I'm so excited!
-I'm going to start moving on the 13th (and I shall cease on the 24th)
-Trace is visiting the first weekend of April!
-My work clothes all shrink and I look dumb with my pants not touching the floor.
-This is awesome: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E004262CCFD6FEC?artistid=1300805&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

ready to go

2009-02-23T13:31:00.004-05:00

Places I'd like to visit, in no particular order:

Asheville, NC (more more more!)
San Diego, CA
Baltimore, Maryland
Arizona - Tuscon, Scottsdale, Phoenix
Dallas - Where Rosie lives.
Chicago, IL
Seattle (definitely in the summer, again)
San Fransisco, CA
Italy/Sicily
Iceland
Richmond, VA

For the most part, I want to see warm cities.. I don't like the cold.. and I love the excitement and variety of the city. If I didn't live in GA, Atlanta would be a great place to visit.

I can't wait for summer..

some day the trees will sing

2009-02-22T17:13:00.005-05:00

Crap.

I want to write meaningful things. I found this website with daily 60-second writing prompts. I would love to get into doing that but I just don't feel like I can force myself to write. My words used to be so fluid but these days I just find myself stuck.. or pressured.. or nervous about time (that it takes) and worth (of what I produce).

Writing is so therapeutic.. it can be. I like to think that it helps me.. and I admit, I love looking back in time to my old writing. I even enjoy the hideous writings of my tom-boy, boy-crazy, teen-angsty, puberty-confused, misunderstood 14 year old self. I do.

I would love to start saving up my money for the day someone invents the brain-typewriter. Or the brain-computer.. where I can think of what I want and then choose to upload it onto a flash-drive.. or print it out onto a small strip of paper like a receipt. It sounds like I'm just being lazy.. and that's part of it, but my problem is really that I stop myself too often. I think my brain moves too fast and too unorganized for my hands to keep up. Damn.

I feel like I know how to make my life fulfilling, but it's hard when you still have to be responsible and so conscious of the things you "have" to get done.. and the things you don't want to do or even think about.

I've been doing some major soul searching in the past 2 days.. and I don't mean the magical, exciting kind where I strand myself in the woods with just a pen and paper for hours to pour out my raw emotions. I mean simply and boring-ly I've been thinking hardcore about what is going to make me happy in life. ..about what is going to help me grow and progress and "bloom" so to speak. Such a stereotypically stifling life has me by the throat and the heart right now.

I never thought I'd be the "9-5 type" and guess what, turns out I'm not really. It's do-able.. and I'm surely grateful to have income. It just really makes me step back and try to put things into perspective.

John says that we're going to live to be 100 years old. He thinks we'll be able to clone the parts of our body that fail in old age, by the time we get to old age, like in that movie The Island (Oh shit, you haven't seen it? My bad. Not missing much.)

I am 25 right now. I think it took quite a long time for me to get to this point (about 25 years I'd say). I cannot imagine living for an average of another 75 years doing what I am doing today. Or even 40 years, more realistically.

Really, we all hope to be a little further along and move up in our jobs.. but I just mean I can't do this 'wake up at 7:15, get to work at 8:30, work work work boring boring boring, lunch at 1pm, boring boring boring work work, leave at 5pm, go home, eat dinner, say hi to my cats, go to sleep, wake up at 7:15a.m. again' thing forever.

I know it sounds hopeless to complain about.. but I know there's more out there for myself. I know I'm going to find it. It's just this waiting period.. ugh.

I feel a little better after writing this. Still tense and stifled and worried.. but at least happy that something positive came of it here.

By the way, if you're interested

The One-Minute Writer

Listening to: Moving Mountains - 'Pneuma,' 'Foreword'

about the 365 pix

2009-01-25T00:53:00.002-05:00

My camera is kind of not working right now.. So I haven't been able to take my 365 photos.. So I guess I fail. :(

Yea, I can do it with the phone on my camera, (that's how I did the 'from work' pix) but it's just not the same..

The camera claims that there's no memory card in there, when CLEARLY there is. Trust me.

Stupid camera. I have only had it for like a year and I've already had to send it to Canon to be fixed once.

I DO use it a lot though.. maybe it's me. Maybe I put too much pressure on it.

1/20/09

2009-01-21T07:49:00.003-05:00

It's freaking freeezing.

By the way.. Kitty's name is Keaton. Poor baby has a cold..

1/19/09

2009-01-19T15:25:00.004-05:00

New Kittycat. His full name is not 100% chosen yet. So, I am not ready to tell officially.

1/18/09

2009-01-19T15:08:00.001-05:00

::no photo taken::

I guess I forgot.. I wanted to relax.... I did get something though.. see next post

1/17/09

2009-01-19T14:48:00.002-05:00

::no photo taken::

sat in the car all day.. on the way home from Ft. Lauderdale.. Exhausted.

1/16/09

2009-01-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

The 19th Hole

1/15/09

2009-01-19T14:46:00.001-05:00

So tired.

1/14/09

2009-01-19T14:39:00.001-05:00

Hungover as hell. All puffy and ugly and miserable.

Feeling better.. in Cozumel

1/13/09

2009-01-19T14:36:00.001-05:00

I believe we were sitting at the bar, The 19th Hole

1/12/09

2009-01-19T14:33:00.001-05:00

Layeth my head upon the pillow.. of the Cruiseth Ship, Navigator of the Seas.

1/11/09

2009-01-19T14:28:00.001-05:00

Not a good pic, not taken by me.. but it's what i got.

Sittin in the hotel room.. Ft. Lauderdale.. playing Cranium.. and losing.

1/10/09

2009-01-10T16:45:00.007-05:00

Today's photo post is special.

I gots my hurr did! So this horrendous photo is the "Before." I'm sitting in my salon chair with goop all on my roots.. remember those ugly roots from yesterday? They're going away.

AFTER! Ta DAAAAAA. All better

Today I amused myself by doing the following:

Corbin likes to be in the bathroom with me, no matter what I'm doing. I usually let him in to shut him up. For once I got in there before he realized I shut the door. So as he tried to get into the bathroom, I yelled at the door, "Privacy please!" "Someone's in here!" "I'll be right out!" As if I were in a public bathroom.

Hey, I said "amused myself."

1/9/09

2009-01-10T16:39:00.005-05:00

Even though John was in yesterday's pic, he made it into today's as well. The reason is because I'm going on a cruise and I won't see him for a week.

Another reason why this pic is cool is because it's BEFORE I got my hair-did. So you can see how awesomely nasty my roots are. Like 2 inches of ashy dirty blond nast.

1/8/09

2009-01-08T22:36:00.004-05:00

I love this silly boy. We have so much fun together. Check out the video we made tonight.

John and Heidi...

No no no.. It's rated PG13.
If you watch it at work, just turn down the sound.

Okay.. all that makes it sound bad. but it's not bad. promise. Just might get you some weird looks from your neighboring cubicles :)

I made Taco Soup today and John just had his THIRD bowl.. holy crap. That boy is so picky, so I'm really happy he likes it. What's even better is that it's really not bad for us. Yes, we put Fritos and cheese and sour cream in it.. but I think that's okay.. because the soup itself is SO GOOD for you that it kinda balances out.

I like this photo thing.. it's a lot of fun. I'm going to be a tiny bit sad next week though, because although I will continue to take my daily photos, I won't be able to upload them. ...because JESS AND I WILL BE ON A CRUUUUUUUUUISE!!!! Yay! So, I think I'll live ;)

I'll just have to upload them on Sunday the 18.

Don't worry.. I'll still see you tomorrow and Saturday. TTFN.

1/7/09 Photo

2009-01-08T13:10:00.008-05:00

I have just been dragging my ass around the last couple days. I can't seem to get to bed before midnight these days, whether it's within my control or not.

I have these huge bags under my eyes. Not very attractive.

I was ready to go to sleep Wed night at about 11:15 but then realized they were replaying the season premiere of Damages. (Ladies view) I have never seen it before but now I want to go back and watch Season 1. It looks SO GOOD. and I don't like Glenn Close all that much.. but I can deal with her.

Playing with my food.

2009-01-06T13:42:00.007-05:00

Well, I haven't kept up very well with this blog in the past. However, I'd like to take a cue and some inspiration from Erin and Jess, and write every day.

I always like and want to write.. but I don't always have the inspiration. It also helps when I know people are reading..

So, I've decided to begin the 365 photo project to get me on here everyday.. and hopefully get you interested in checking me out. ::wink::

You may or may not know, I really like taking photos. Actually, that's an understatement. I absolutely LOVE taking photos and feel naked and incomplete when I don't have my camera to grab and snap a photo with. So, I really believe it will help me get my hiney back to this site daily.

Today, I'm at work. Lunch is almost over.. and that means I'll have to stop playing online, sign back in, and open my office door.

I still smell like an orange, which is actually not too bad. I told my Mom, on the phone, that I wasn't sure whether we should have Clemintines on the car-ride to the ass bottom of Florida because they'll be messy and smelly. I know it's smelly in a good way.. but citrus can hand out headaches occasionally.

Today also marks a milestone - I've finally learned how to get photos from my camera to the computer. Which is a bummer because that would have come in handy a week ago before I lost all the old photos on the old camera. Such is life.

I miss the old times.

2008-10-22T14:07:00.005-04:00

I've been thinking lately about life. I feel sad.. about the way things change sometimes.

Things are not the same as they were a year ago, let alone 5 years ago. Of course, a lot of changes have been good. but people have not only grown up, they've grown apart.

I've been looking at old photos a lot the past couple days and everyone used to be so much closer. Now it seems that people just can't stand each other anymore. Like it's not worth fixing a friendship. It's just sad.

I've got photos of all of you hugging each other. All of you laughing together. All of you having good times. You can't tell me the good times never existed. I have the most proof of it out of everyone. Unfortunately, I hold on to those photos for dear life sometimes.

I miss all the get-togethers at the old house. I miss inviting everyone and not thinking about how one person's going to be mad if another one is there. I miss just going out at night and hanging out somewhere for hours.. just because that's what we did.

Don't you guys miss it too?

I keep trying to think of ways to get people talking again.. but it's out of my reach. The best I can do is to stay out of it.. because it doesn't get me anywhere. All I can ask is for everyone to agree to disagree. Let go of pride and move past it all.

Realize that it doesn't help to hold on to some hostility or anger towards someone. It stresses me out just thinking about it.. I can't believe people can move on with this negativity hanging over their head.

Maybe I don't understand because I'm not involved. Just consider the rewards to getting along.

I miss the old times.

Quick update to my last post, 5 minutes later

2008-06-03T23:16:00.004-04:00

I already got 2 responses to my Chem/Math equation proposal (mentioned in my last post)!!! One from my professor and one from a fellow student...... I did it right!!! Or at least, my theory was correct and I set up the problem correctly!! I am VERY excited..

I'm going to show off now.. my mad equationalizing-by-memory skills

Here's my initial post:
Here's what I'd like to know.

I have to admit I was just about completely lost when we had to do those conversion practice problems. (totally not focused on in the Comm Major)
However, I looked at them again today and THINK that I may understand them now (as much as I can, without a calculator, thus far.)
I feel like there are 'molds,' sort of, to fit the numbers into, depending on what you're doing..
Can someone confirm if this is correct?

*Base to prefix.. UNITS of measurement (such as kg, Mg, mm, etc) are on top of the parenthetical equation.. (VALUES on bottom)
ie: Converting 345g to kg
345g/1 x (kg/10^3g)
(So both g are diagonal to each other and can cancel each other out)

*Prefix to Base.. UNITS on bottom, VALUES on top
ie: Converting 345kg to g
345kg/1 x (10^3g/kg)
(So both kg are diagonal, and can cancel each other out)

*Prefix to Prefix.. Both must be done
ie: Converting 345kg to Mg
345kg/1 x (10^3g/kg) x (Mg/10^6g)

------

I had this in hand writing today and don't have the note in front of me.. so I recreated this from memory. In addition, it's difficult to express these equations in this message board format. However, I am confident it is what I'm trying to get across..
If it's completely wrong or confusing, just let me know and I'll bring it to Dr. Lewis in class..

Either way, thanks for reading =D I need all the help/support I can get.

Heidi
AKA - Really NOT a math/chem student..

Professor's response:
Everything looks good to me! If anyone has any questions or thinks there may be a mistake please write in - sometimes I miss things.
By the way, creating general statements is a great way to learn, because that's what you'll apply to new problems (i.e. questions on the test). The conclusion that the units are "diagonal to each other and cancel out" is the most important, and that'll be showing up again and again.

Fellow Student's response:
This looks correct to me. I think you just have one more step on the bottom though: Converting 345kg to Mg
345kg/1 x (10^3g/kg) x (Mg/10^6g)
the last step would be giving your answer in Mg.

(345)*(10^3Mg/10^6)
.345 Mg

I feel great!!
Maybe this is the start of the NEW ME!

Heidi, the CHEMISTRY MAJOR!

haha yea right.

Til next time... You know.. <3

The Good, The Bad, and The Laughable

2008-06-03T22:40:00.007-04:00

Just a couple quick things today.. It's getting to be past my bedtime.

1. Yesterday a straight, married female stopped me in class and told me I'm beautiful. I know it sounds superficial, but it really made my day. I guess it's more of the ACT that impressed me, as opposed to the actual words. How many people, male or female, actually do that? I think she had some guts (and was maybe missing her contacts since I felt so dirty and sweaty from babysitting and the heat of the day!) She put aside any thoughts of embarrassment or awkwardness and paid me a compliment while expecting absolutely nothing in return. I thought that was really cool of her. I was, of course, flattered, and it was just plain nice.

2. Today, I slammed my forehead into a pole. (nice segway?) The house where I babysit has a carport.. I put one child into her carseat, closed the door and quickly turned to my left... only to meet the big, round, metal, HARD pole face-to-face. I just know I am SUPER lucky to not have broken my nose!! Somehow, my nose didn't even get bumped.. and I mean, I slammed the CENTER of my forehead. It's almost as though my nose disappeared into an alternate universe that very second... Or it just folded up into my face for a moment. I honestly don't know how it didn't collide with the pole as well, seeing as though it sticks out quite a bit further than my forehead.. hah.
The worst of it now is that I can feel a bruise under the skin. The worst of it then was a little bit of general shock and a tingly face. At least it's not back and blue.. yet.. This, I can laugh at.

3. I just recreated a Chemistry/Math equation from memory on a message board. SUPER NERD! The purpose was to check my theory about the work we are to practice and must do/learn. I didn't think I understood the process.. in fact, I was almost SURE it was just a bunch of gobbledegook that 50 people agreed to agree on and pretend was REAL, just to confuse me.
However, if my peers and professor accept what I've posted, that means I not only understand it, but I'm also AWESOME for memorizing a buncha stupid numbers and letters. I'm kinda proud. Cross your fingers.

Til next time.. Live Swell ;)

Heal the World..

2008-05-25T00:08:00.006-04:00

I have for sure gotten into being eco-conscious in the past couple weeks.. It's a good thing for the earth but a bad thing for my brain because I know I'm going to drive myself crazy with all the things I can and should and could be doing to save the earth.

I wanted to share a couple thingys with you.

Very Very awesome idea: CupKozy (Photo courtesy of CupKozy.com)
You know those little cardboard things that you get around your hot beverage when you order out? Well, while they are very helpful in preventing you from burning your hand on your coffee, they seem like such a waste of paper. After 15 minutes, your cup is no longer so ridiculously hot, and you don't even need the thing anymore, right? Some tree suffered horribly for the life of that little thing that we throw out without even a thought.

Of course, I'm being dramatic.
In addition, I should add, I drink Starbucks Zen Tazo Tea like a mad-woman.. so I'm not picking on any one cardboard-thingy producer NOR user, in particular.. However, most of the time I have my own travel mug and make my tea from home......

At any rate.. why not save the earth where you can? Buy a cute, handy, reusable CupKozy from Dinah on Etsy.com and next trip to the ole' caffeine drip, you can say "I'll have a large, double mocha, soy, non fat, triple shenanigans, cafelatte with whipped cream BUT, hold the cardboard cozy, please... I've brought my own!"

___________________________________

Here's another gem I found recently. Ten things you should never buy again

I've already shared this with the majority of my friends and family. I like this list because it tells you the item NOT to buy, then it provides an "alternative" AND a "best option." So you're not left without a product for your need.

It's very interesting but not necessarily as easy to accomplish. A couple of the things on the list, I admit, I tend to buy mindlessly. I guess we just don't realize how harmful one plastic spoon could be.

However, if each of us can change just one product that we use, can you image how much we'd be helping? And furthermore.. wouldn't you feel great for saving the earth that little bit? I know I would.

Good luck.. and thanks for reading!!

Til next time.. Live Swell! (And treat the Earth Swell as well!!)

Hello there..

2008-05-14T17:02:00.006-04:00

Shame on me! It's been quite a while since I've updated.

I really would like to update more often.. I guess I just got caught up in the excitement of the end of the semester and just wanted to take a break from everything that I was doing.

Currently, I am taking a Maymester class - Persuasion. In addition, I feel like I am going crazy in my head - I don't know what it is, but in the past week or less, I've been really anxious. I've really wanted to just start with a new, "real" job.

I babysit and work in retail as a framer.. but it's not cutting it anymore!
I am so close to graduation that I can TASTE it. I'm starting the job search. It's exciting. Like a whirlwind. I've been feeling very artsy, as well. I feel that I just have to surround myself with art - my own art, other peoples' art, artsy hobbies, artsy job...

Is anyone else graduating? College..? High school? Update me.. what are your plans?

I have a lot of things going on in the next couple months. Plans.. projects.. inspirations.. I hope you'll stick with me. Comments and suggestions will motivate me to keep updating.

Til then.. Live Swell!

Appreciate what you have!

2008-04-10T00:08:00.015-04:00

It's been a month.... So sue me!

I've been very busy with moving into my new place (yippeee!) and papers and projects for school (NOT yippee...).

<--Anyway, welcome to my new home! I'd like to share with you some things I've learned over the past couple weeks in my new place. To start, I'd like to say that I am lucky to have all the things I have.. I am very happy with my silly little "possessions" and what not.. but I'd like to point some out to you all to raise awareness about NOT TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED!!! Enjoy<3

Don't take your laundry basket for granted.. Hmm.. You could be using a shopping bag like I am. At least it's a nice paper one with strong handles. Hey.. it works!

Washer and Dryer.. This is the place in the kitchen where they SHOULD be. Right now my roommate and I are transporting our laundry (I, in my good ole' Harry and David bag) back to our Moms' houses. After you move out, you've got to make time to visit Mom anyway... so why not kill two birds with one stone? You may even get a free meal out of it ;)

Uh.. a Pantry? Nope, not in this apartment. But we do have this funny little closet that is apparently for brooms. Yes, that's a nice touch.. but I don't own 'AH' broom let alone many brooms that would necessitate an entire closet (flash back to Waynes World.. please view and then continue below!)

Moving along..........

Anyway.. since we have NO pantry.. this is the next best thing for us.. A lil' cabinet. Kind of like the cupboard of the old lady who lived in a shoe? I'm grasping straws here. The left side is mine, by the way. It is cute though isn't it? But not as cute as...

...my super-tiny, pocket-sized TV! Okay I'll give it a little credit.. it's like a 12'' screen. I bet you didn't even know TV's this small still existed did you? Well, that's the best part... This must be from like 1996 when I saved up my allowance for it! Frankly, I'm surprised it still works (like a charm!) and furthermore, I'm surprised my boyfriend hasn't broken up with me yet over it. His TV is almost as wide as I am tall... when we watch mine we feel like we're going blind. "Did you see what just happened?" .. "No, I was hoping you could see it.."

At any rate.. I am super happy in my new place. Sure it's not very well lit.. and we may starve just because we have nowhere to store our food ;) but it's comfy cozy.. and it's HOME!

Til next time.... Live swell! (whether your place is new or old, light or dark, furnished or bare!)

Vacation!

2008-03-08T20:34:00.002-05:00

I get made fun of because I take a lot of vacations.. I try to get away often.. and I get a little crazy when I've been doing the norm for more than 2 or 3 months straight.

I don't know why I take so many more vacations than my friends do. I don't know where the point of disagreement is.
but it's true.. frighteningly true..

I actually know people who do NOT go on enough vacations!

Everyone loves a getaway, don't they? Well, they should! There are so many things you can do on a vacation.. There are so many benefits, as well.

My new home!

2008-03-04T21:28:00.012-05:00

I have so far neglected to mention that I'm moving! Just a few weeks ago, my friend Jess and I signed papers for an apartment.. We are so excited!!!

This is not the first time I've moved.. it's not even the first time I've moved out of my parents house. However, it IS my first APARTMENT! We, being 20-something hip and fun-loving chicks, have yearned, for quite a while, to live closer to Georgia's big cit-tay - the ATL!

I'd like to share some resourceful sites and pages I've been using for random things.

These may be helpful to you, as well, whether you are moving or not!

Craigslist.org - This is a great FREE website for buying, selling, renting, meeting, borrowing, trading, discussing, hiring, being hired, and more!! There is an extensive list of CITIES alone to search through.. So wherever you are, you're pretty much set - Including Internationally. Everyone is looking for some kind of deal here.. You are very likely to get a good one.

I am currently negotiating prices for some bookcases. The one I have now is OVERFLOWING and I have an unhealthy habit of buying books just to see them on my bookcase. (What a thrill!)

Promove.com - We used Promove to find our apartment after a friend suggested it to us. I signed up online and was promptly contacted, by phone, by a nice gentleman. The day we went in, he noted our requirements, gave us probably 100 complexes (each on their own sheet of paper, with all the details, amenities, prices, etc), and helped us narrow them down... "That one's kind of ghetto.. This one's really nice.. This is a great area.."

We went home with about 18 "maybe's" to shuffle through and were instructed to narrow them further. We ended up with 7 that we wanted visit and see with our own eyes.

The best day for Jess and I to start checking out apartments was a Sunday - NOTE: Half of the world's apartment complexes are NOT open on Sundays.. so we settled for the 4 that were advertised to be open on Sundays.

The first complex was okay.. The second one was a little better.. the third one was actually NOT open on Sundays.. and the 4th and last one of the day we just fell in love with. Everything just felt right about this place. We decided to not bother with the last 3 complexes. Overall it was a pretty easy process because of Promove.. OH I forgot to mention that PROMOVE IS FREE! So you really have nothing to lose.

DIY: Painted Doormat - I have NOT done this yet, so I can't give you much info about it.. but you KNOW I will do this.. What is better than a Welcome mat for your new home? Nothing except maybe a HOMEMADE doormat!!! This looks super easy as well.

Return Address Labels - I'm not changing my address officially since my I'm close with my family and can always grab my junk mail when I pass by the house. However, I am thinking about getting some new return address labels!! Much easier than hand-writing your addy for each bill, letter and postcard. Plus you can add your own personality since there's so many designs to choose from. Fun!!
Til next time.. Live Swell!

Got that warm fuzzy feeling inside today

2008-02-26T21:43:00.011-05:00

I must say, one of the best feelings in life is to know you or something you've done has been appreciated. Today I was lucky enough to experience that TWICE!!

Ian and Eli

This morning, the mother of the 2 little boys I watch (Ian-8 and Eli-4) thanked me for doing what I do for her sons. She hugged me and told me I make them feel so special with the things I do for them and with them. She mentioned the Valentines Day hearts I made for them (which they have hanging on their doorknobs) and the stuffed penguins I included in their holiday gifts. Ian sleeps with his penguin everynight and even though he successfully acts as the "tough older brother" he apparently talks about me all the time. They are all so sweet.. I love them.

Madelyn and Ava
Tonight, I am babysitting the 2 girls I normally see, Madelyn(3) and Ava(1). It's usually an adventure trying to get Mommy and Daddy out of the house without one or both of the girls screaming in a tantrum.

Today when I showed up, it had obviously been a difficult day. Both girls saw me and immediately started clinging to Mommy... We have a good time, really, but no one likes to see their mommy go out without them. Madelyn sat on Mommy's lap while we watched Ruby and Max on NickJr. but Mommy had to get going for her date with Daddy.. We looked at each other and prepared for the coming "natural disaster" of a tantrum.

Mommy passed me Madelyn and ran.. I held Madelyn and drew her attention to the tv. She yelled and then was silent for a second.. ::the calm before the storm::.... I waited for the scream.. waited.. waited........ uhm... waited..?

I don't know WHAT went on, but somehow she didn't scream.. and she kind of curled up on my lap. She cuddled with me for the rest of the night... I told her that I liked cuddling with her and she looked at me and said "me too."

This may sound nice and sweet and normal.. but this has never happened before. In fact, it's unusual if lil Madelyn goes a whole night without telling me something to the effect of "go away" or "you're a witch."

These are the kinds of things (the compliments and cuddling, that is) that make each day worth it. It all makes me remember how lucky I am and how important it is to be happy...

Til next time.. Live Swell!

(Photos in this post - thanks to Webweaver)

Volunteering pays off!

2008-02-24T22:13:00.008-05:00

A couple posts ago I mentioned how great and beneficial it is to volunteer for a cause or event. Well since then I've gained a great PAID opportunity from volunteering!

The weekend of Feb 8-10, my boyfriend John and I volunteered at the Atlanta Comics Expo for comic distributor Tales of Wonder.. we applied to be Convention Leads that weekend and we actually got it!

So last weekend on Feb 23rd we went to Ma-Con (ha ha!). A comic con[vention] in Macon, of course. We had a little set up in the fossil room. It was a lot of fun.

We will be doing a handful of comic con's this year.. and it's a real job! It's great experience for both of us.

Til next time.. Live Swell!

It's the little things in life..

2008-02-16T10:56:00.017-05:00

As I've mentioned before, I try to live life to the fullest and enjoy myself through everything I do. "Little things" are very important to me. My boyfriend thinks I get excited easily like a little kid and my friends think I'm crazy because I get a thrill from post-it notes. Okay okay.. maybe it really doesn't take much to amuse me.. I really don't think there's anything wrong with that though. =]

I think everyone should have little thrills in life. If you can't enjoy yourself in the process of work and other annoying obligations, your day-to-day life can get dull, stressful and depressing. We all deserve to have things to smile about.. it's good for your spirit and your health.

Here are some of the little things that make ME happy:

I love to start off my days with a cup of hot tea. It's a most essential part of my day because it fuels me. Tazo Zen tea is my most preferred blend and I highly enjoy it and recommend it. You can find it at Starbucks of course, but it's cheaper to buy a box of it from Publix or Kroger's tea and coffee aisle.
I drink tea because I'm really not a coffee person. I enjoy an occasional fancy coffee but on a day-to-day basis I'm most happy with this herbal goodness. I drink it totally plain and although it takes a minute to get used to it, it's much better than having it "light and sweet." In addition, herbal teas can be very good for you.. Cheers!

I love things that help make my life easier! Little things like this "Leashables" chapstick holder/keychain just tickle me. Have you ever bought a chapstick, stuck it in your pocket and washed it? Or left it in the pants your wore yesterday? Well.. not with this little tiny piece of material joy. You almost always need your keys, right? Well, your chapstick is always there with you. Let me also mention that it's actually really easy to access your lip lube while you're driving.. I don't condone multitasking while operating a motor vehicle BUT sometimes you just NEED chapstick.. you know.. for when your lips REALLY hurt.

Meet my buddy.. her name is Trace-in-the-morning! This is a tattoo on the inside of my right hip. She hangs out right on the top of my low rise jeans. She's got a twin, too, who lives on my best friend/tattoo inspiration Tracy.
Trace-in-the-morning is a super cutie who I sketched in high school. She was just a musical, Hawaiian beaut' until I decided to be funny while naming her. Now she is a symbol of the friendship Tracy and I have!
Tracy lives in my hometown back in New Jersey. So, in August 2006, after meeting up in Myrtle Beach, SC, we decided to be silly and immortalize my work of art.
Tell me you wouldn't smile every time you saw this thing!!

Crafts!! Little crafts, like this bottle-cap locket, make me so happy. I love making crafts, sharing them and showing them off! This particular one is a picture of my boyfriend and I. I have it hanging from my cars rear-view mirror. Crafting is very calming for me... and being creative is one of the best feelings!

I was very excited when I bought my first new car. A black 2007 Nissan Versa is actually the 5th car I've owned.. but the first one newer than a 1992....

I think that deserves a YAAAAAY!!!

There are definitely more little things I enjoy in my life.. this is just a glimpse. What are your little thrills in life? I'd love to hear about what makes you smile.

Remember, even if it's in little ways, Live Swell =]

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T19:58:00.006-05:00

These days, I unfortunately find myself with little time to create the crafts that I think about all the time. However, last night I babysat and stayed overnight. I had some free time to use so I made some Valentines for all the kiddies I watch. They are not all in the same family - they come in 2's and the last one is my boyfriend's niece. Anyway, my new favorite craft supply is those foam sheets. You can make ANYthing out of them!! Very exciting.

These are my 9 children. I love them all.. the angels as well as the monsters ;)

I sketched hearts in red and pink foam, cut em out and glued them together with "glitter glue" - which was the only glue I had on hand. I used black tee shirt paint the write the names and I poked holes in the top of each with an end of the scissors for ribbon.

I figured they could hang them on their door knobs or something. Just little reminders that I care for each of them!

Happy Valentines Day... I hope you had a good one.. whether you're single or taken. <3

Til next time.. Live Swell!

Atlanta Comics Expo - Feb 8 - 10, 2008

2008-02-10T11:10:00.003-05:00

I must have been more exhausted yesterday than I thought.. I spoke all about joining and volunteering and didn't mention what I volunteered for YESTERDAY!

My boyfriend John and I volunteered at the Atlanta Comics Expo which lasts from Friday Feb 8 to Sunday Feb 10. We worked for the Tales of Wonder booth, helping set up on Thursday and helping customers on Saturday from 10 to 3pm.
John really enjoyed it because he loves comics and knows a LOT about em. I enjoyed it because it's more event experience for me..

After our shift I got a "cadaviture" from Dave Cook and we bought an awesome print from Tyson McAdoo. We met some really nice guys and had a lot of fun! Let me tell you, you don't have to be into comics to enjoy an event like this. I came home with some great books and great art in the process.

Til next time.. Live Swell!

Altanta Craft Mafia and Joining clubs.

2008-02-09T22:10:00.002-05:00

I am excited to share some news.

I applied to be part of something called the Atlanta Craft Mafia.

I'd like to share their "About Us" page with you, because they can explain themselves better than I can!
"The Atlanta Craft Mafia was formed in the fall of 2007 by seven local independent crafters with a strong DIY ethic, a shared love for all things crafty and a belief in the beauty of all things hand-made. The Atlanta Craft Mafia seeks to provide support and resources for other members of the Atlanta crafting community through public events, networking opportunities and collaborative marketing.

The Atlanta Craft Mafia is part of an international extended “familia” known as The Craft Mafia. The first Craft Mafia was founded in Austin in 2003 and serves as the model for all Craft Mafia organizations."

I have just been accepted into the Atlanta Craft Mafia, and although I am not sure what it will be like - since they are brand new and I have not paid my dues because I haven't signed up for Paypal yet - I am VERY excited to meet the lovely ladies who started the Atlanta chapter. I am also very excited to see what kind of events will be happening.

It's a really cool thing to feel like PART of something. I guess it's that age-old thing where being "accepted" into any kind of group makes you feel like the cool kid on the block.

There are a lot of ways to get involved with some kind of cause, club or community. I, myself, have been involved in several throughout my life. That includes girl scouts, field hockey and school clubs/publications. There have also been a handful of festivals such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival (to the left you can see a picture of my friend/co-volunteer Jess and I at Dogwood) that I have volunteered for in my quest for event planning experience. (If you missed it on my 'about me' section at the top right, I would like to work in event planning as a career!) I'd also like to become involved in the 3Day walk for Breast Cancer.. The rewards are two-fold: In addition to all the personal benefits, you're helping OTHER people as well.

I'd highly suggest, to anyone, find your interests and then find the people who are interested in the same thing. You really can't go wrong. You gain knowledge, experience, friends, contacts and more often than not, you have a lot of fun!! I think everyone likes to feel like they are part of something.

Happy joining and good luck!

Til next time.. Live Swell!

Error, correction and excitement!

2008-02-09T18:27:00.002-05:00

I made an error! In the previous post, here, I stated that the newsletter sign-up was for organization tips by NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers.

CORRECTION: The tips are by Donna Smallin, the author of the book I mentioned: Organizing Plain and Simple. The original blog post is now corrected as well.

Donna actually found my blog, herself, and brought it to my attention!! ::blush::

Thank you Donna; I apologize for the error!! =]

Organizing: Finding the way to "do it right."

2008-02-08T15:31:00.002-05:00

This is going to be very brief, but I learned something today I just HAVE to share with you.

That book by Donna Smallin that I told you about in the last post, Organizing Plain and Simple; it's got a great paragraph about perfectionists and their clutter and procrastination on page 161. She says, basically, perfectionists have to do it right or not at all. If you have seen my room, you know I have done the latter.

I also found a similar paragraph in an article she wrote for MyLifetime

Donna states, "Believe it or not, perfectionists are some of the biggest procrastinators. You could be one of them if you put things off because (1) you don’t feel you have enough time to do the job right, (2) you don’t have the “perfect” tools for the job, (3) you haven’t yet figured out how to do the job perfectly or (4) all of the above."

Remember I told you I was a perfectionist? This makes me feel so much better about my messes. I am still not going to let them take me over BUT at least I don't have to beat myself up about 'em! I will beat them!!

In addition, check out Donna's website, Unclutter.com. Once you're there, check out the right sidebar, underneath Donna's photo and you can sign up for a free monthly newsletter of her organizing tips.. I just signed up for it today.. so I'll check it out and let you know how awesome it is =]
Another interesting resource is The National Association for Professional Organizers at napo.net. They are, coincidentally, located in Norcross, GA.

Til next time ;)
Live Swell!

I really do major in "organization" ....kinda.

2008-02-06T13:11:00.002-05:00

..Let me clarify. I am an Organizational Communication Major. It doesn't really mean what I WISH it meant - which is that I am taking classes on how to Organize everything in my LIFE. It's moreso about Organizations - as in companies. However, I don't see why they can't go hand in hand. Being organized is a big benefit in any aspect of life, right?

Let me give you a little background on myself.
I am a Virgo.. Virgo's are "perfectionists." While I am far from perfect things that are less than perfect often bug the crap out of me! Furthermore, I get great, sometimes borderline creepy joy out of anything that helps me organize. This includes organized people, classes on organization, organizational tools and organizational references. I'd like to share some with you.

I understand completely that organization may be a terrifying thought for some.. but you don't have to be afraid. Really! A lot of authors make it exciting or at least slightly amusing to pick up after yourself.

Just remember the following tips from me, personally:

There's a home for everything.. don't be shocked if you realize that the GARBAGE CAN is on the list of homes..

Letting go is a big part of organization.

Lastly, if you CLEAN as you go, you will never have a huge, terrifying mess to clean up. That one is actually compliments of my mom. Those crazy moms, they actually know what they're talking about sometimes. ;)

Today we'll start with references which will include 3 books and one magazine for now.

REFERENCES:

As a gift, I bought a ReadyMade magazine subscription for my boyfriend's sister, for her birthday.. conveniently, I also bought one for myself! In an even stranger coincidence, this is the first issue I recieved. "Get Organized!" -Perfect!! The subheading of the magazine is "Instructions for Everyday Life." Ohhh I get tingly. Further, the website's subheading reads "A Bimonthly Magazine for People Who Like to Make Stuff." If that is NOT my middle name, I don't know what is. If the content in this paragraph excites you as much as it has excited me.. well thank goodness I'm not alone. Between organizing, creating, decorating and just finding new things to tell your friends you found it first.. this mag is pure joy. Check it out here!

If you have never checked out Amazon.com, you are definitely missing out. Besides all the interesting things you can find, there are some amazing prices! For a person, like myself, who buys books faster than she can read them AND finds joy in just LOOKING at her overflowing bookshelf, Amazon.com is the perfect heaven.

I recently found 2 books very cheap on here. I began searching for Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. (Okay, THAT title is my middle name...) Although, I did find this book available for purchase, I didn't buy it in time to get it for $3.09. I've read some reviews on it and am yearning to own it. However, I'm so cheap.. I can wait.

The books I purchased came from a book store a couple towns away from me and I actually spent a total of no more than $12, I believe. Shipping was about $3.50 and you do the rest of the math.

Tell us Bob... the actual retail price of these two books was a total of $35!! I love a good deal. The overall process of buying books online is great. All you need is a credit card and an address. (Preferably both belonging to yourself.. or at least someone who is aware you are using theirs!) I got my books in just a couple days!

Donna Smallin.. you're a genius.

So far, I've read the first one.. Not cover to cover. It's not meant for that. It's actually meant for just quick referencing. It's organized (hah) very well into categories like spaces, papers, etc. I think this would make a great "coffee table" type book. Really.

I will keep you posted on my readings.
Til then.. Live Swell!

About SwellBeing

2008-02-03T14:03:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my new blog, SwellBeing! Before we get started, I'd like to explain a little. According to Merriam-Webster online the title of this blog is literally "excellent life."

swell : adjective
excellent —used as a generalized term of enthusiasm

being : noun
conscious existence : life

I believe in living life to the fullest. So, in everything I decide to do, I try to find the good in it and make myself happy while I'm at it. Otherwise.. what is the point?

SwellBeing is a blog about creativity, happiness and wellness. That means whenever you visit this page, you will find posts exploring the easiest, most organized, most fun, most creative, and most beneficial ways of living life. (You may also find the occasional craft!)
The topics come from my own experiences and I share with you any research I find helpful!

In addition, I look forward to your input and comments..
'til then.. Live Swell!

Test Test.. Well, hello there..

2008-01-13T01:49:00.001-05:00

This is a test of your emergency swell being system.

If this were actually a real emergency, your swellness meter would go off and you'd be made aware of what actions to take.

Thank you for your time.