i love life

good morning, bloggie friends :)

please don't be mad at me for not blogging yesterday. i had so much to do and i have so much information to share that i am afraid of an onslaught of what i have to post will make you bananas.

Monday was a wonderful day, spent with my family and a dear bestie, talking about life and (what else?) food!

I was about to finish my manuscript when I realized that i had to go over it again (and thank God I did!) and at this very moment I am placing it on a different format.

Since my January list includes cleaning up house/shop and moving out clutter, Tuesday and Wednesday had me do just that...until 4 am yesterday morning, when I felt something protruding from my neck. Crying hysterically, LML woke up and cuddled with me and tried to assure me that it was from me being sick. I felt bad and tried to be very quiet and still so he could go back to sleep.

By 11:30 the next day, I had done laundry, hung out with my sister, and finished a visit to the store for the necessary items. AND I had gone to the doctor, who solidified what LML had told me. So now I have to change up my vitamin regime and take my anti biotics until I am better. And keep my neck warm. I am parading around the house in a sweat suit and scarf, drinking lots of tea. It's quite fun today really because...
I am cleaning out EVERYTHING! This began on Tuesday, when I moved my printer from my office to my dining room table where I get the most sunlight. From that point, I cleaned out every internet file and moved every box of binders and papers that had not been filed yet and started downsizing.

(that's where the information I've gathered comes from...)

Binders FILLED with stuff that I was gathering before we got married. Tips on how to organize, clean up clutter, and general happinness.

It makes me uber-happy.

I will not be in contact with anyone today until some things are completed. I need structure! I need schedules- AND I'm addicted to them. I have also been preparing a lot of vegan meals, vegetarian meals and general yumminess.

How have you been spending the week?
Did you hear about the pending snow storm in New York?

Ew ew ew

Let me know- I love hearing from you all :)

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

enhance your life: toxic education

if you have people who follow these descriptions in your life right now...
GET RID OF THEM!
this makes for some interesting reading:

just walk away

and be your happy selves

my january list- part one

if you go back to this post, you will read my list of goals for the month of january.
here's what i've done so far in respects to:

• clean out the house of negative stuff
• clean it out of un-necessary clutter 
•  add all articles to blog i thought were interesting (and hopefully you will, too)
• add to blog list of items i wanted to blog about

i think i accomplished SO MUCH so far this week. here's what happened monday and tuesday, aside from writing and research...

i took down the christmas tree, and put all ornaments in the ornament organizer.

i cleaned out and purged things from this spot in my kitchen

(sorry, i don't have photos of the before )

i cleaned out my closet and drawers...i didn't organize it yet

the picture above my closet shot are the items going to donations at the church.

cleaned and cleaned out

the freezer and refrigerator

do you see my tofu, cider, greens in a bag and beer?

i cleaned out this cabinet that's in the corner of my kitchen.

i didn't shoot the before picture on purpose.

you did not want to see the before.

i cleaned out LML's closet, and will

bring stuff shown to my office.

i HAD to clean out this part of my pantry. it was making me crazy.

whew- it looks a little better now.

my family likes to fatten me up by giving me chips and cookies.

thanks, family. it's my just in case stash :)

i also cleaned the ceiling fan, and cleaned out a box from the boiler room.

and cooked.

and as for those last 2 items...

my blog is going to explode with information from now until february.

do you have a january to do list?

enhance your life: shedding

this year, i am shedding my old skin.
this month, i am completing projects.
today, it begins.

i am going to completely restore my creativity by feb. 1st.
but first, i have to shed.
it's time to organize bills, important paperwork.
it's time to get rid of knick knacks, pictures you don't want or need.

i will put away pictures that mean something to me in photo albums i already have.
i will not give in to the mental clutter-
your home reflects your life, and you can't make progress in your life if your house is a mess.

you'll feel so good!

i can't wait <3

spring cleaning- P-SHAW!

enhance your life- bye, bye stress!

i have spoken a million times about getting rid of toxic influences in your life...the only thing you have to lose is misery.

here are more ways to outsmart your stress:
( i love saying good bye to stress!)

• the color pink. even if you hate it, it gives a feeling of serenity. legally blonde, anyone? (PS- it's my favorite movie ever. Like, ever. more on that later)
• vitamin c! a 3000 mcg dose helps you handle an upcoming stressful event better.
• hum. sing! you're supposed to- it makes you happy :)
• candy, candy, candy! my niece was on to something- it's effective enough to stave off tension headaches, and helps loosen stiff neck muscles.
• earl grey tea. bergamot stimulates your brain area that promotes calm. that's what's in early grey. it's awesome.

it figures :)

amazing, how things can go so well and then someone tries to bring me down.
get over it!

i am ~:)
monday and today have been exceptionally busy for me.
i am kicking ass getting things done- and have discovered there is still not enough time for everything.

for you- i have been photo-cataloguing what's been going on in the day-to-day life of me, though i have realized that i don't blog a lot about myself or things going on in my life.

the less than mundane things i mean (which i don't find mundane)...the reason for this is wandering minds want to know. these are the wandering minds i'd rather have NOT know- but what is one to do?

ah, ding ding! move on.

so here's my deal-
january is going to be interesting because i have a goal.
it's a big one. are you ready?

my goal this month is to finish ALL projects!
yes.

the list goes as follows:

1. edit and complete all stories and novels
2. illustrate children's stories (for my nephew)
3. clean out the house of negative stuff
4. clean it out of un-necessary clutter
5. take all loose photos and put them in album
6. complete all scrapbooks, unfinished or untouched
7. print out what needs to get printed out on this computer
8. delete un-needed files from computer
9. upload all photos into usb disc AND photo programs
10. select photos to be printed
11. get them printed (and repeat above)
12. finish reading all books left before i buy or pick up a new one
13. call church to pick up clothes for donation
14. go through and complete everything on my to-do list, which has come down considerably in the last two days. I am VERY excited about this.
15. send out those packages!
16. make those appointments (snow keeps stopping me from doing this)
17. start book club
18. organize all files/bills
19. make a list of places from here to long island i'd like to see
20. make my new years resolutions

is that enough? i can do that in a little over 2 weeks...right?
of course i can...
so follow along and let's see how this first month of my new year goes!
i hope you'll be with me every step of the way :)
in the meantime- do you have a similar month-to do list? i'd love to hear it!

much much love,
the globetrotting gamine

edited to add:
21. add all articles to blog i thought were interesting (and hopefully you will, too)
22. add to blog list of items i wanted to blog about

i'll go again before i start making even less sense...

wouldn't you know it?

i'm a really bad bloggie-friend.
i'm so sorry i haven't written and i hope that you've all been well.

things got a little crazy here- long weekends followed up by long parties. then things got interesting:

• got a little sick
• got back into yoga
• got mad and decided to finish the book
• started researching, printing and rewriting
• photography = snap happy
• weddings and more family events!
• editing the book
• am about to have new office!
• must redecorate new office!
• do 1000 things

this next month is going to be nothing short of crazy. home improvements, yard improvements, my best friend's wedding coming up! showers to plan, globetrotting to plan, people to see...

opinions on where to purchase office furniture (new? sturdy? cheap?) and a printer? what kinds?

how would you decorate your office?

lemme knowwwwww

i am one happy cookie

and hope that you are, too <3

loveeeee,
globetrotting gamine

ah....ah....CHOO!

i don't understand.

it's june.

and i'm home sick like a dog.

not this dog. a mean nasty boogery one...

a big thanks to my nephew...

there he is. he started it and passed it on to me and LML while we

were a few miles away from this place.

thanks, man.

right now, i am home watching TV...

but just the Fit TV channel.

looking at what i should be doing. i couldn't even make it through a warm up.

pretty much all i want to do is this...

ok, no.

not the most flattering picture of me...

but probably what i look like right now!

(even though it was taken last year in the dominican republic)

my grandmother is still in the hospital.

they are still running tests to see what she's got.

nightmares have been running rampant through my head.

i've been taking my vitamins...

obviously they didn't help since i look like

the above picture.

step, step, step....says FitTV...

oh!

crazy ex-bff tried out for the jersey shore.

have i ever complained here about it?

that LML made me watch it once and

i yelled at him for making me lose an IQ point?

i don't remember.

see...

now i don't feel so mean and bitchy anymore...

for saying that she was causing drama instead of just listening to me...

and respecting my wishes...

that i just wanted privacy...

well, if she gets on the show, that's shot to shit...

don't you think?

oops. sorry...started to daydream about sleeping again.

i can't go back to sleep. i CAN'T!

i get crusties and goo coming out of my eyes and it makes me want to hurl.

ok.

have a wonderful day. enjoy the sunshine for me <3

and thank you for the comments!

love,

gg

gemlike info: Virgin Galactic Expedition

http://www.virgingalactic.com/

ok.

i knew about this for a while now. i just didn't really pay attention to it until Salma Hayek spoke about it.

people are spending so much money to possibly go to space...via spaceship?

spaceship like the jetsons? like aliens? over the earth?

let me get this straight...there are spaceships that we made?

why are people spending an arm and a leg to go on this galactic journey? what's wrong with the earth?

geez.

for the record...i'll stay on earth. thanks.

check out the website if you're confused :)

love,
gg

a room of my own!

before the marriage, the travelling, the drama...

reeeeewwwiiiiiiinddd...

picture it...

new york, 2004.

• engaged.
• graduated with masters.
• homeowner.
• homerenovator.
• helping family move.
• organizing and moving my own stuff.
• returning 15 toasters and blenders.
• planning the kitchen...
• planning a wedding
• lists, lists, lists
• paperwork!
• appointments!

who said i ever did anything the right way?
the write way maybe...



love,
me

the great legging escapade

since my weight-loss...

i have come to wearing a uniform of leggings and flowy shirts

or jackets.

one saturday, while it was still snowy...

LML and I found an opportunity to find one

such pair of nice black leggings.

on sunday morning?

i realize that he purchased an extra small?!

extra small??? do i look like an extra small to you?, i ask...

yep, LML says.

right. my ass is NOT getting in these.

yes it is.

oh god.

so we pull on the pair of leggings...

as a team effort.

and the effort doesn't go unrewarded,

because once past my hips

they feel great.

whew.

whew?

continuing our sunday morning, we made our way

to a little cafe called avenue, in astoria, new york...

to have a frappe, which is as close to a "GREEK" frappe as

you're going to get

without you going to greece :)

while sitting down, i pull my coat up around my legs

because the cafe was busy and people kept

coming in and out of the door next to us.

finishing our frappe, we had to continue on

to our food shopping adventure at

the local fresh-food market.

i figured, now is a good time to go to the bathroom

because the sugar in the frappe

(in greek, pronounced  FRA- peh)

is enough to make anyone loopy if they

don't get it out of their system fast enough.

so...

and sorry if i get icky for you here...

as i go to pull down my leggings, what do i see?

my thigh.

a ball of my thigh sticking out

the gaping hole

right near my crotch.

egads!

uh-oh.

good thing i bought the coat with me to the bathroom!

good thing the coat covers my bottom!

omg

imagine if i wore that vest this morning

that didn't cover anything??!

so i hurry out of the bathroom

and whisper into LML's ear...

houston, we have a problem.

what?

there is a hole in my leggings. near my crotch. we have to go.

block my ass just in case.

let me see.

uh NO. there are PEOPLE here EATING FOOD.

hell to the no.

this does not stop him from going to the fruit market.

this does not stop us from walking...

carefully...

to the shops up the block (thank GOD)

and finally...

FINALLY

finding another pair of leggings

that literally...

saved my ass.

or rather, my thigh.

the moral of the story here is: always check on your leggings :)

love,

mg

beauty in the breakdown

dear bloggie besties:

please note:

sometimes i feel like i am, but i am not having a breakdown.

i am fed up with the ignorant ways of sad people who can't move forward in their life...

and i'm trying to go about my own life the way i have been...

but once again, these people bring me down.

i know, i know...these people shouldn't

be in my life at all, right?

you're right.

but i think the process

is going to be a pain-in-the-ass

because of juvenile mentalities.

today, i find that i have so much to say and i don't know where to begin.

i enjoy so many things...and i know i say them repeatedly...

homemaking, crafts, music, cinema, art, reading

and

my writing.

at this point, would it be a good idea to print out multiple copies

of my books

and bring them to various locations around Manhattan?

what do you think?

i always wondered, for you bosses out there...

if someone comes to you and physically pursues a job

that you have not advertised for

is that a good thing or a bad thing?

i've been in the boss situation before

(well, kinda)

and it's kind of creepy to me

and since it never works out...

anyway, i thought i would put it out there.

please let me know if you have the answer...

as always

your input is valued like you have no idea :)

love,

mg

Can you believe it?

When things are going so well in ones life, isn't there bound to always be a "thorn" there, somewhere?

I don't know why, but I always feel this way- in part because in my case, it always happens.

5 years ago, LML and I got married, moved in together, adopted our puppy, went to Greece for the first time together, I got a job in my "career"...and wouldn't you know it?

A thorn, aka, the principal at the school I was working at.

5 years later to present day, LML and I still married, very much in love with each other AND our puppy, relaxed...

and a thorn, aka, someone in denial of the *principal* of the matters at hand.

As the snow comes down outside, I wonder...is there really any reason for one persons negativity? Sure, a lot of people could take things to heart when there was nothing hidden between the lines...but what if all you really asked for was to be listened to by someone you've known basically your entire life-

and they don't give a crap to listen?

Does this make YOU crazy? Delusional? Depressed? Anti-social? Suicidal? Pregnant?

That's what it made *me* yesterday, according to this person. Why, you ask?

I asked this person to stop talking to people about my and my family's personal business, and to please be respectful of my privacy. Violations include:

•  the way she talks about me in front of my face to other people (about stuff that I don't care for anyone to know)
• wants to only go out to clubs and drink, which is not LML and I's thing. It was a few years ago, maybe when we just got married because we'd never done it before. But we're not 21, and we've progressed in things we'd like to do.
• how she balls me out and e-mails everyone we know to make me sound like i'm crazy...since I am not entitled to feelings
• not respecting my wishes with what i like to do and what i *don't* want to do.
• tagging me and virtual strangers in photos *strangers to me* because we're neighbors and we should talk...(really? what business is that of yours? did i force you to go to your next door neighbor and become friends?)
• and then, to be called all of these names AND upon "realizing that i'm pregnant because of mood swings" (which i'm not, but she said so- so she MUST be right, right?) offers to take me out to celebrate...
• because would i really go out and celebrate by drinking if i was pregnant?

Please note that I have always been aware of the differences between me and this other person. This person used to be very good to me and used to ask me how i was feeling...this person has stopped caring. This person has been focusing all her attentions on herself and petty things, not caring who she hurts in the process. But...upon being labeled all these things above, this person claims that they will always be there for me so that I should go to them with my problems since I have so many.

No joke.

My problem, once again...and maybe YOU have caught on...

is MY PRIVACY. SHUT YOUR MOUTH ABOUT MY PERSONAL LIFE, ATTRIBUTES, WHEREABOUTS, GOINGS ON!

Last I checked, I HAD a mouth. Still do. I can use it at will...apparently, this person has never had me use my mouth to defend myself to them, and now that I have I am mental.

My sister said it's the Jamaica in me that should have came out when I was young. My husband claims it's because I grew up and realized that I'm not a doormat.

Whatever the case, what would you do if...this person...was doing this to you?

Love,
globetrotting gamine

Excessive-List Maker

You wouldn't be the first one to tell me that I have issues.

This past summer, when my best friend went on vacation for a month, I offered to clean up her house. *Note: I always knew that she was messy. I always had helped her clean her room when we were little, and it was never anything that I couldn't handle.

This time, I really couldn't handle it. I actually wrote 16 pages of the heart wrenching- ew ew experience that was my summer. There was so much. SO MUCH STUFF. In my journal, I wrote this:

Day 1, 3:30 to 7 pm with $60 cash
Horrible Mess. Used two bottles of windex because there is nothing else to clean with in this house. Stuff everywhere. Everywhere. Needs paint job, as to there are unmentionable species growing on the wall. New oven, since I can't even see what color it USED to be. New couch. Matching chairs that aren't lawn furniture. Bedframes. Need to throw EVERYTHING AWAY.

Note: When she comes back, teach her how to clean. Give her list of phone numbers for cleaning lady services.

Wanted to go home to take a bath immediately. Held my pee pee in until I drove 5 minutes to my parents house to do just that.

Need for tomorrow: clorox, bounty, red bull (or i'll die), air freshner, air deodorizers, dish soap, baking soda (10 of them!) brillo, comet, toilet bowl scrubber, gloves, contractor bags, mop, folders for organizing.

Then need to: paint the house, clean the floors, jewelry boxes to fill, put frames on walls, draw living room layout, coffee table, 4 matching chairs, place rugs, curtains for living room, vases, kitchen list, bed frame, twin sheets, wash clothing, throw garbage out, towels, sheets, to buy and then put in linen closet.

This has to be compulsive hoarding. Interesting that there is a show starting on compulsive hoarding.

The experience is still traumatizing to me. Sometimes I think about how before she left to go on vacation, she told me to let it all rot. So basically...20 garbage trucks later, one visit to IKEA, multiple visits to Target and Dollar stores later, she had this:

madness & chaos

This weekend was the first taste of fall for me. Crisp air was tickling the velvety petals of mums and other delicate posies. Thank Goodness.

Technically, I am over the chaos that happened during the weekend. Mainly, because I had nothing to do with it. It's irksome.

Saturday was a lovely day, though. LML got me up real early to go look for plants, trees or flowers for the yard. We found mums- HUGE ONES- for $5 each...and everywhere else, all the other stores and shops- even that same store- they were marked for 15. We don't care that they were floppy, we're still going to plant them and they will be beautiful.

(as you can see, even pup loved the mums)

LML's idea was to snip off the floppy pieces to give a bouquet to my nephew- who lives quite nearby. So we put together a big bouquet, and left it on his stoop. Then, I called my sister to hear his reaction when he saw them...and he said...am I getting married? Oh no, Chrissy did this! Look at the face she drew on the letter..

The letter states: Roses are red, violets are blue, nephew is sweet, smart and quite cute. :D

He loved it.

Soon after, LML took me for a wonderful meal of sushi, which my niece coincidentally made later when we passed by her house.

I love sushi. A lot. I am so glad there are sushi buffets in New York. So LML scored necessities for his wardrobe, since he so generously stocked my wardrobe the past 2 weekends before this one. And he purchased for me the white button down shirt I have been longing for :)

We ran into a friend shopping yesterday, and that was fun as well...she is one of my favorite people on this earth and I am so lucky that she is my friend <3

Other things going on:

*I have purchased candy corn as per my favorite holiday season:

* I have continued gardening and photographing things that make me happy:

(inspirational, but not mine ) <3

Until next time...

MG