Saturday's Shoe Picks - Boots Edition

It's been a while since I've posted a Saturday's Shoe Picks post and since I was sitting here at the computer, being fairly unproductive, I thought, "well, shit, I can post about shoes!"  So, here it goes...

This week's edition will be boots... Since the summer is starting to wind down (don't stone me, it isn't my fault!  lol) and Autumn is right around the corner, this is the perfect time to start looking for boots.

I love a good pair of boots; high or short.  I have a few pair of booties myself and I adore them!  During a recent search on my favorite shoe site, 6pm.com, I spotted a few pair that I think are just to die for... So let's take a look, shall we!

Gabriella Rocha Shere Black - only $17.33 today 

Not Rated Ruby Grey - only $21.83 today

Promiscuous Amor03 Dark Grey - only $31.35 today

Michael Antonio Masado Black - only $31.68 today

I could go on and on listing boots that I adore, but generally I post only four to keep the post from being overwhelming...but you get the point.  6pm.com has tons of fabulous deals every day, so head over there and check them out!  You seriously won't be disappointed!

Don't forget to check back next week for my newest picks!  Have a fabulous weekend!  

Until next time... keep your boots stompin'!

A Few Facts For This Friday Afternoon...

When I say a few facts, I mean, a few facts about me... so, let's get started.

1.  I'm a Taurus... enough said.
2.  I've been living on my own (outside of my parent's homes) since I was just barely 16 years of age.
3.  I'm not a fan of self-loathing... it's not charming in any way.
4.  I've lost a few really dear friends in my life because I'm stubborn.  (I still think of you all, ALL the time!)
5.  My eyes are brown. 
6.  I wanted to name my first born, Kaleida, if he would have been a girl...but got too many snide remarks and decided on Paige instead... only to have him be a boy anyway...
7.  I live in the north, but don't like the cold weather much.
8.  I once wanted to be a music teacher.
9.  I'm allergic to cats.
10.  My middle & last names were changed when I was 4.  (Thanks Mom... I think? or not...)


Ok, so 10 facts seem sufficient at this time!  LOL... The truth is, I'm trying to head out of the office, so I need to finish up a few things before doing so.

Anyway, I would love to hear a few facts about you, my readers!  So, please leave me a comment letting me know one (or more) random facts about you!  

Until  next time...

Why The Entitled Attitude?

I wonder why some people act like they are entitled to everything.  I really find it annoying when someone walks around with an entitled attitude, making people feel like they owe them.  My motto has always been, if you can't afford it on your own, you probably don't need it, but that must just be the modesty in me, because so many people that I know act differently!

Let's take my siblings for example... both of them constantly ask me for money... but not in a kind and respectful way, no.  In a way that makes me cringe.   Recently, my youngest of my two brothers was arrested and has been in jail for a few months, well at one point he was asking everyone for bail money, but once he realized that no one had the bail for him ($7500), he was quoted as saying, "Just tell my sister to put her house up for collateral for me."

UM?  WHAT?  The house that I bust my ass every day to pay for... the home of my children... you want me to put that on the line for you?  Just because you don't like being in jail.  Hmmm... well, I'm sorry honey, but I didn't put you there, Your actions did, and I shouldn't have to pay the price for your mistakes.

Now, don't get me wrong, I try to help people out whenever I can.  BUT, not when it isn't warranted!

Another example, is "D's" sister...  and I realize I probably shouldn't be talking about here on this forum, but I've really had more than I can take.  Her entitled attitude makes me so angry!  Recently, she asked "D" to co-sign a bank loan for $2500 so that she and her fiance and their 5 children could move to a bigger apartment.  Now, normally, "D" would go out of his way to help his siblings, christ, one of them (his brother) has currently taken up residence on our couch (fodder for another post another time, I suppose) but right now, between the two houses we own, we are cutting it close to not being able to afford our own lives, let alone helping others.  The most difficult part about trying to help "D's" sister is that she isn't trying to help herself.  She's a stay at home mom, and before you flame me, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with staying at home with your kids, I envy it really, but if you want/need more money, try working from home or something...do something to make a little money for yourself... but don't beg for money from your family members.  It annoys me that she does this.  Especially since she recently posted photos of her new computer, new dining room set, and new living room set!  I'm thinking that stuff probably cost at least $3K... I mean, that could be a little on the high side depending on any deals they may have found, but the point is, if you can afford to blow money on new items like that, then eventually you can afford to save the money to move...and you don't have to ask your brother to co-sign a loan for you.  RIGHT?

This is just a small example of some of the entitled attitudes that "D" and I run into.  Like I said early, I have two brothers, and the older of the two also constantly asks for things, bus tickets, money, etc... And as previously mentioned, "D's" little brother has currently been dubbed our "sofa loafer."

Most days, I feel like we must run a sibling charity center or something along those lines.  It's a difficult thing to grasp for both "D" and I.  Neither one of us have ever asked other people for help in this sort of capacity.  We both have always just worked for what we wanted or needed, and I don't understand how these siblings of ours get off acting like they are entitled to anything from us.  UGH.

I admit that maybe I can be harsh sometimes, it just gets old when every time I turn around someone is standing there with their hand out, looking for a free ride!

Do you ever deal with this?  Am I being too harsh?  

So Glad I Went To The Gathering Of The Vibes!

I almost didn't go... not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't really afford to dump the money for a weekend festival. 

I went last year, and between the ticket price, food, drinks, and gas money, I probably spent well above $300, possibly $400.  A pretty good chunk of change for just a weekend get-away (without my kids).  Now, don't get me wrong, I had a blast; the festival was awesome and I spent the whole weekend with my old best friend from highschool, so I couldn't complain one little bit, but really, that's a lot of money!

This year, I knew I really wanted to go, but I kept putting off buying the ticket.  My BFF, Gloria, and I had made a promise last year that we would make this festival our yearly thing, no matter what.  But, as much as I knew I wanted to go, I couldn't.  As I watched the ticket prices inch upwards from the "early bird price" to the "get it at the gate" price, I knew I was in trouble.  I just didn't have the money to blow this year.  (Having 2 mortgage payments & all the other bills inbetween made it impossible)  I felt like I was letting my friend down... we both keep talking about how much fun it would be, and then I dropped the ball... big time!

I finally confessed to Gloria that I couldn't afford it.  I was backing out.  She even offered to pay for the ticket and I could pay her back...but that still sounded so expensive to me.  And then, just two weeks ago, I sent her a message through facebook saying that I was sorry about not having the money to go...and she was totally okay with it... she had even picked up a few shifts at work since she wasn't going to be going to the festival now... but then told me that she was going to just go to the Vibes on Sunday... "Oh," I said... "that's cool, glad you are still going". BUT then it hit me!  Wait, I want to go!  I really want to go!  I want to see my friend and I want to enjoy part of the Vibes with her! 

So, I looked up the day passes online... only $40!  WOW, that's a steal.  AND, Connecticut residents got an even better deal at $20!  (Since Gloria is a CT resident, this was good news!)  So, I did the math in my head, and figured that between gas and the ticket, I would probably be able to make it, as long as I didn't spend much more than $100.  So, I wrote her back and told her to count me in.  "I'm coming to the show with you!"  And I did! 

The very best part (aside from spending the day with my bff)?  When we got to the ticket booth  table and showed our IDs, they counted me in as a CT resident.  BOOYA BABY!  $20 ticket!  Boy was I stoked!  Now, I had a little wiggle room incase I wanted to buy something to eat or something to take home as a souvenir!  THANK YOU to the kind girl at the ticket table, you made me a happy Viber!

So, even though we didn't spend the 4 days on the lot like we had originally planned from the year before, we did spend Sunday there and we had a fabulous time!  We laughed, listened to music, laughed some more, and had the best time!  And we promised to put aside money to do it all again next year... but bigger and better... we're totally going for the whole weekend! 

So, when I say I'm glad I went, well, as you can see, I'm really glad I went!  The Gathering of the Vibes is one of the best fesitvals that I've been to!  I'm not sure exactly what makes it so great for me ... I mean, it could be the time I get to spend with my dear friend, could be that the festival has been next to the ocean (sort of) for the past two years and I love the water, could be the vibes or the music that just soothes my soul...I don't know... could have been the roses... either way, I'm hooked! 

Gathering of the Vibes - Main Stage

Enjoying the Vibes!  :)

Until next year... ♥  Keep on keepin' on...

Tunes for Tuesday - My Newest Addiction!

I'm going to make this short this morning since I'm running a few minutes behind and need to get out the door on time for work today!

So, with that said, let's take a look at my newest addiction.  If you remember me saying in a previous post, I have a tendency to find a song or band I like that I will continuously play for a while...  and right now that band happens to be The Civil Wars!

I "found" this band because a friend on Facebook posted one of their videos last week, so when it showed up in my feed and I clicked to play the video, I was instantly hooked.  

I just love everything about this band!  First of all, it's a duo... and I love duos!  The musicians are John Paul White & Joy Williams.  From what I've read, they were both solo artists that were put into a room together and from there this amazing journey between them began.  And when I say amazing, I mean totally frickin' awesome!  Once you hear them, you'll know what I'm talking about!

Now, If I didn't know better, I would have thought these two had been together for years and years and years... they flow together like milk & honey.  It's endearing to watch how closely connected they are with each other... not only in the music between them, but their stage presence shows that they are highly attuned to each other.  It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!  Secretly, I can't help but feel a tinge of jealously and wanting to have a relationship in my own life that is similar to what they display.

Alright, so let's just get right down to it.  I'm going to post a few videos, but I highly suggest that you go over to YouTube to continue to listen to their music or go out and purchase their album!  I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Oh, and they have done a few fabulous cover songs!  I love a good cover... when it's done well, and well, they have done things to these songs that just make me feel so.... so absolutely inspired!

Well, there you have it... my new obsession!  I mean seriously, if you watched these videos, how could you not just love these two... their sound, their connection, and Joy's fabulous dance moves!  LOL... she's just too cute... and well, John Paul has already stolen my heart... shhhhhh ... Don't tell "D"!  ;)

Don't forget to leave me some of your favorite songs in the comment sections!  I'm always looking to discover new music!

Something Stinks!

SOFA KING PISSED!

I spent tons of time last night writing out my Way Back Wednesday post, included photos, and clicked "publish post", only to have the whole thing disappear on me!

FRICK, YO!

Monday Morning - I'm Not Lovin' It!

Ugh, I woke up today feeling almost paralyzed.  My back is killing me and I'm not sure why.  I think it may be time for a new mattress, but who the heck can afford that!?!  Certainly not us right now!

And to make matters even better, my stomach keeps churning and I feel like I could vomit at any moment.

I just want to go back to bed!

I hope this day goes by quickly... because seriously, I'm just not lovin' it!

A Sad Day Indeed...

Today, "D's" grandmother was laid to rest.  After many years of various health complications, she has moved on to a better place.  We will miss her deeply.

Many memories will remain, as she was a wonderfully caring woman.  She had a warm heart and a kind soul.  She was thoughtful and generous.  As cliche as it sounds, she was the type that would give the shirt off her back if you were in need.  Her generosity knew no boundaries!

I'm thankful that I was able to get to know such an amazing woman and that my daughter had the opportunity to know her great-grandmother and will always have fond memories of her.

As we say goodbye to her today, we remember the woman she was.  And with those memories we are able to find peace.  She wouldn't have wanted anything but happiness for her family, and today, although many mixed emotions arose, the family came together with love.  


"Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow."  ~ author unknown

Casey Anthony Verdict!!! WTF?

I'm in shock!  Complete disdain, actually. 

How can the verdict be "not guilty"?  How can our judicial system drop the ball on this?  How much evidence was really needed to determine that Casey Anthony is a complete waste of space?  She did this to her own child...without remorse.  It's a sad day.

Caylee Anthony, may your sweet soul rest in peace.

How do you feel about this verdict?  Agree or Disagree?  Let's discuss!

Work Load Stress!

I'm sure you've all experienced this at one time or another, so I know I'm no exception... but seriously, today I'm overwhelmed with work load stress! 

This always happens after a long weekend, so I should have been prepared for it, but not so much. 

Not only did we just come out of the Fourth of July weekend, but we also just experienced a death in the family.  You see, "D's" Grandmother just passed away on Friday evening, therefore our weekend was mostly full of grieving and sorrow.  It's hard to enjoy a holiday when you can't stop thinking of the ones you love and have lost.  "L" is having a tough time with this and it's been quite sad to see her go through the emotions while trying to process her loss.  :( 

On top of all of this, I have to create a presentation for one of the big wigs, detailing the project that I manage here at work, and truthfully, today, I'm just not in the mood.  The end.