Ugly Odd Numbers

I was going to write about the sermon I heard this morning, but my day is flying by and I have so much to do in so little time, so I decided to save that post for another day and inform you of a pet peeve of mine. I am sure my list of pet peeves is on the top of your priority list and that is exactly why I chose to write about this today. Or maybe by now you're feeling sorry for Mr. B if I have more pet peeves than my previous top ten twelve list. Yes, he is a good man and puts up with the many little things that drive me crazy. There might be more to add to that list, but I won't take you there. Unless there is another day I don't know what to write about.

Pet peeve of the day: Odd numbers. I hate odd numbers. I think they are ugly and they really bother me. I like to make the volume on my radio and TV an even number, the room temperature an even number and special events like our wedding day and the eventual birth of our children (I only have so much control with this situation, but a girl can hope) even numbers. If you take a look over to the left of this post you will see I have 49 followers. Of course, this is a blessing seeing as just a few weeks ago I was dreaming about having a whole 25 followers. I have almost doubled my dream goal. Wow, let's take a moment and reflect on that achievement for a second........... Thank you. So as I am very pleased and thankful for my 49 followers, but it drives me nuts that it's an odd number. To give you a better understanding of where I am coming from, or maybe to convince you that I am even more "out there" than you thought, I don't consider multiples of 5 to be an odd number so if I could just hit 50 it would make me feel a little more comfortable with my blog. Are you getting the gist that I am never content with where I am at, the grass is always greener and I always want the next best thing? Because that is so not like me.

I know there is at least one person who is being invisible in stalking me, no need to be ashamed. I will admit, I was once an invisible stalker myself. So if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and become a follower of my smelly life you would totally make my Sunday. I love my Sundays, there is a lot to compete against, so please realize that making my Sunday is a really big deal. So if you are not yet a follower, just head on over to the left hand side and simply click "follow". I wish I had some extra money to have a giveaway for my 50th follower, but unfortunately all I can give you is a shout out and a big ol' THANK YOU!

In conclusion, let me share a little odd number story with you. Mr. B and I had been dating for about 3 years when he proposed. At this point he was well aware of my even number infatuation. So naturally, he proposed to me on April 19th. Can you say ew?? Other than the fact that I was completely naive, hated what I was wearing and didn't do my hair, I tried to make the best of the situation. It was obviously a very exciting time! But, I couldn't help but think in the way way way back of my mind what an ugly date! He had two beautiful even numbers to choose from, why the 19th?? He is of course a guy and this thought had never even crossed his mind. In end, being proposed to on the 19th wasn't really that big of a deal, I had a beautiful ring on my finger, I was having a fantastic nail day and most importantly, I was asked to spend the rest of my life with my best friend, I think I could get over it being one of the ugliest dates in the month. Clearly- I'm over it.

Trying to be creative with the ugly digits...

I know it looks deceiving, but that really is my ring finger.

All this to say, bring on the the even numbers!

PLEASE!

Housewife...here I come!

Let's go out and celebrate no more income for two months!! Oh wait..

we have no money.

Hand me the Wife of the Year award, please. I lost sacrificed my job a month early so that my husband has a mode of transportation. Call me a giver, call me a servant, Proverbs 31 woman, kind, amazing, whatever you please....

Although I was getting the vibe I should've been sad and heartbroken over the fact that I would no longer be making $6 an hour, spending 50 hours of my week with the kids, being a servant, doing their laundry, sweeping and vacuuming, doing their dishes and being taken advantage, I may have not been able to hide my smile when my employer told me that my last day would be March 6th instead of March 26th. Maybe there was a tear of joy. I hope it wasn't too obvious when I skipped my way out the door and into my car. I had good feelings about March, I knew it was going to fly by. But, wow I wasn't expecting it to go by this fast!

She had warned me that if there was an opening at the daycare they would need to take it, therefore ending my position sooner than I had requested. I was hopeful and it paid off. When I got home from work yesterday I had a huge smile on my face and gave Mr. B a big hug and million kisses.

"Let me guess, you're ending early."

Why he would make this assumption I have no idea. We are newlyweds and I greet him like that every day when I get home so it must have been a sixth sense type thing.

I honestly feel like a whole new person!! I love thinking about my life from March 6th at 6:01 PM on. Since my ideas and expectations typically go as planned (as seen in my previous post) I am really looking forward to:

• Sleeping in
• Reading by Bible
• Always having a clean apartment
• Watching all my shows (Regis and Kelly, Bonnie, The View, Oprah/Ellen- they are on at the same time which is a bummer, but I am happy that I will even have the opportunity to choose one or the other)
• More time to write posts
• More time to blog stalk
• Always having a home cooked meal ready for Mr. B when he gets home
• Completing 30 Day Shred (3rd and final attempt, if I just make it past Day 3 I will have improved and be satisfied. So important to set high standards for yourself, especially when it comes to working out)
• Spending time at the bookstore reading baby books and gossip magazines
• Spending time by the pool soaking up some sun
• Feeling refreshed, beautiful and ready to serve my hubby when he gets home from school and work

I will keep you updated on this success.

It figures that when I finally decide to be content with where I am in my life it completely changes on me, but I am so thankful it has changed for the better. Seriously, God, all this time I just had to be content?? I will continue to be content (an extremely hard quality to possess when things go your way, it's a good thing I am willing to put my selfish ways aside and press on) through this situation and follow where God leads us as we figure out what we will be doing after Mr. B's graduation.

After reading one of MckMamas blogs on how they had to be really tight with their money, I was thinking to myself that Mr. B and I really should start doing that too. Of course, I would never want to mention this to him because he would take it. run with it. never let me take it back. and make sure we spend no money. ever. So instead of making the decision to live like that, we are faced with no choice but to do live like that. Most likely a punishment for not mentioning it to him. Communication is key in marriage. Really. I knew it was what we should've been doing, but couldn't get myself to actually do it. One of those moments you look back and wonder now that you have it, why did I want that??? So as shocking as it may be, I am not looking forward to actually having no money.

Reality is, since we have been married we have had no money. But why kid yourself and live like you have no money when you actually do have money in the bank?? I realize this is an excellent point, and I may not need Suzie Orman's help after all, but rather she might need me. In saying that, now that I am out of work, pretty much a whole month earlier than expected, we really don't have money. The joke is over in this smelly life. So these next two months (maybe even more) will certainly be an adventure for us.

Of course I will still be the coupon clipping, bargain hunting woman that I am, but there will be no room for any extras (thank the Lord I bought all that chicken last week!). Through this "adventure" I can't promise there won't be any vent sessions about how I am tired of Ramen noodles and soup for dinner every other night, how I am back to using Suave shampoo that gives me dry, nasty hair for 99 cents, or how my blow dryer doesn't work anymore and I am hoping it miraculously comes back to life because I can't buy a new one now (it decided to die on me last night-thank you blow dryer, I hope you don't R.I.P, but R.F.D, Rise From The Dead, I made that up and realized I forgot the "t" for "the"... anyways point being: it better be a taking a rest!!) or how I won't be able to buy things I don't need because they are on clearance and the deal is too good to be pass up, or how we can no longer go to Chick-fil-a on Tuesday nights, or how I won't be able to satisfy my need for take-out. Yeah, this might be a long two months after all, but I look at my "look forward to list" (and of course that the Lord will provide and take care of us, but that's a given) and it makes all my "not looking forward to list" run like the wind. Soothing me, like a pacifier to a baby. When I was in a writing class in college I remember having to write papers where I had to compare the situation to something else in order to give the reader a visualization, so you're welcome and I hope you appreciated that analogy.

To add some more sunshine to this adventure:

• My mom is visiting next week= free meals
• Mr. B's parents are visiting two weeks after that = free meals
• We go home for 5 days for Easter= free meals
• We visit my grandparents for the weekend = free meals
• Family comes down for Mr. B's graduation= free meals

So I think it's safe to say WE WILL SURVIVE and I dread the day we are too old to get free meals out of family visits.

In the meantime, I could not be more excited to say..... housewife... here I come!!!!

Where in the World is Suzie Orman

You have an idea. You write out the logistics. You make a decision. You plan to succeed.

Sometimes you fail.

I failed.

This may or may not be my debt story.

I don't exactly know the correct etiquette when it comes to talking numbers and accrued debt, but hey we are all pretty much best friends now so it's about time a take you inside the Ms. J's did-you-really-think-that-was-possible-you-might-want-to-consider-being-a-realist-world.

These words may have come out of my mouth at one point in my life:

"It's perfect, I will have little to no debt before we get married!"

Silly, Ms. J.

Although there is no regret in my decision, I may be a little off track.

My story might go something like this....

9 months of community college: $5,000.

$555 paid monthly.

9 months of putting up with jokes about community college.

9 months of defending community college.

Remaining balance: $0.

9 months of Out-of-state college: $18,300.

Achieved in 9 months:

3 loans.

1 indecisive student.

3 different majors.

12 classes.

6 amazing girlfriends.

1 bridesmaid.

Aka: Paid $18,300 for friends.

They are worth every almost every penny.

I love them, but that's a lot of pennies.

A decision was made:

No more school.

No more debt.

Follow passion:

Become a nanny.

Pay off debt.

$18,300.

1 amazing nanny job.

2 awful nanny jobs.

15 months of payments.

1989756765 more to go.

Underpaid nanny.

Monthly minimum payment.

Total Paid: $5,042

Hopeful loan balance: $13,258

Actual loan balance: $17, 100

$1,200 towards loan.

$3,842 towards interest.

1 frustrated girl.

Mr. B proposed towards the end of my Sophomore year of college. In just two years I had not only changed schools 3 times, I had also changed my major 3 times. It sort of made sense, a new major for each school. Wasn't exactly my intentions, but it worked out that way. By the end of my Sophomore year I had done Liberal Arts, Communication Disorders and Elementary Education. Believe it or not, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Seriously. It just so happened that school or these majors wasn't part of that. I wanted to be a nanny, then a stay at home mom, then have a small in home daycare. What I really needed/wanted was a homemaking degree. Not only did I change my majors, I took core classes in each of those majors and no gen. eds.

Silly, Ms. J.

NOTHING transferred.

It appears as though I wasn't thinking properly. I may have been lacking in the intelligence department. I agree, but I promise I was a smart girl. I graduated High School with High Honors and I even got all A's in college (even at the out-of-state college in case you were thinking well duh it was community college and if you weren't I apologize for my assumption, like I mentioned I learned to defend). Anyways, while in school and hating my classes, I would see ads for nanny positions offering $700-$1000 a week, the whole sha-bang: the car, the health insurance, the traveling, the paid time off etc.

Um...hey genius, why are you in school when you can be making MORE than a teacher and not have the crazy amount of debt from school??

Little guy on my shoulder was right.

With much prayer and consideration, Mr. B and I decided that it would be best for us to stop putting ourselves more in debt with my college loans. I would pursue my dream job, pay off the loans in just one year before we got married, become a stay at home mom and eventually have my daycare.

Oh, hello reality. What's that? I will actually be the family's servant? I will be underpaid and hate it? My planned weekly income is actually my monthly income? I won't make enough for us to live, let alone pay off my loans?? I will keep paying for my loans and they keep growing?? It will be like digging a hole in the sand by the water??

Um...Suzie Orman, I think I could use some help over here.

Whatever Wednesday

I made this title/theme myself, pretty creative huh? Feel free to contact me if you need some tips on how to create a title.

Today, I'm just going to write about whatever comes to my mind because it's a rainy day and I am tired.

Mr. B and I have been married 7 months today. It's amazing how fast time has gone by, but at the same time I feel like it's only been 7 months??

Our bed has not been made 5 times since we have been married. This is due to the fact that Mr. B is OCD, has nothing to do with me. Post on that coming soon. If it occurs again we will be moving onto a second hand and that is just repulsive.

Does Bonnie Hunt wear the same outfit everyday or did I miss something? When I first saw her outfit (a week or two ago) I thought it was cute. I am not 100% sure if it's everyday because I can only watch it on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but on those days she wears a cute blue ruffly shirt with a black blazer. Ummm Bonnie don't you have a stylist?

We got a package from Mr. B's parents yesterday! My excitement was doubled when I realized I am now married and I do not have to share these with my family!! Mr. B doesn't like Samoas, excuse me, I mean Caramel deLites, so I get two whole boxes all to myself. Wow. Just what I needed. So I might be wearing Mr. B's tshirt on a regular basis, for reasons other than bloat.

They also sent us some surprise money to go out for dinner- score. So we will most definitely be repeating last Friday night and getting those nachos again. You know when you eat something and it's so good, and it's all you think about for the next week? Nothing else sounds or tastes good, it's a legit need. The steak, the chicken, the queso, sour cream, salsa and guacamole (a taste I have finally acquired- I tried really hard to like it and I finally do. A milestone I reached in my 22nd year of life.) That's us with these nachos. I am drooling too, don't feel ashamed.

The sunset looked really cool last night.

This is what happens when you begin blogging, you take a picture of every little detail of your life, even if it is pointless and no one cares, with hopes it will give you something to blog about.

I have not stopped thinking about how the total of the meat at Winn Dixie didn't add up right. We should have spent less. After 5 days of figuring it out in my head, I finally decided to take a look at the receipt. Sure enough, they didn't take off a $10 savings!!! So we are going there tonight and they better give the money back. That's enough for a dinner at Chick-fil-A. We better get it back. Or else.

I like to eat out, have you noticed?

I keep getting weird friend requests (yes that's plural) on facebook. Like spam/porn type things. Seriously?? How do these weasels squeeze themselves into every little thing online?? Sorry yummygirl32 you have been denied. ignored. delete. I don't want to look at your adult only profile and pictures. Thanks for the offer. Please tell all your friends.

My bloating is just about gone. I know you were worried about that, I appreciate it. It always feels good to have your body back, for a few days anyways.

I am looking forward to seeing Octomom on The View today. It's important to aim high in life and get excited over the little things.

Mr. B's moped (mo-ped) looks to be taking a turn for the worse. This is not a good thing. We only have one car, which I need for work. Being the loving wife that I am, I am willing to sacrifice my job and stay home all day in order for him to get to class and his work. I am offering to sleep in, watch tv, lay by the pool and read all at the expense of losing my job. Wives respect your husbands...it's the least I could do for him, really. So we will see what happens with that situation.

I am reading a book right now called Nanny Makes Three. I am loving it, it's basically a book that discusses the relationship/perspective of a nanny and the mother. It is so funny hearing the nannies point of view because it's exactly how I feel. And then of course I know the mom's is just like most of the moms I have worked for. I have another post planned for this topic too, it's called "A Nanny is NOT...." Please don't let the suspense kill you. Anyways, it's nice to read about other nannies that don't like it when the dad is home napping and watching TV in his room all day while you do the kids laundry, clean, do the dishes, watch the children and don't even get to out early. Not even 15 minutes early. sometimes even 5 minutes late. Not that this has ever happened to me, or even happening to me today. Or happens to me at least once a week. Again, I am willing to do whatever I can in order to give Mr. B a mode of transportation, even if it means losing my job. Can you say giver?

Check out Heather's fun little giveaway for her 300th post over at Step Inside. Please, just check out the giveaway and check out only. Do not leave any comments therefore decreasing my chances of winning or I will no longer blog. Talk about a serious threat, right? That might be a lie, but if you do win feel free to include me since I did introduce you and all.

Happy Wednesday!! Half way through the week!!!!!!!!

Road Trip Entertainment

A little over a year ago,

for my 21st birthday Mr. B bought me a new camera.

We took a road trip to Hilton Head to visit his parents.

What else are you supposed to do with a new camera and 7 hours in the car?

He played along.

Once.

About 6 hours and 200 songs 10 minutes and 2 songs into this trip,

he may have been regretting buying me this present.

Ben asked for the Flip HD video camera for his birthday this year.

We may have been a little surprised when we opened it.

Ben didn't just get any kind of Flip from his parents.

He got a Flip that will never be mistaken for another's.

A Flip that looks like Mr. B's eye is the lens.

A Flip that screams "Hello Ms. J, look at your face taking up the majority of the front".

A Flip that will remind us of what we I (and Mr. B's mouth) used to look like in the years to come as we tape our children's milestones.

I am not sure why Mr. B asked for a video camera.

We have nothing to tape.

We do have a couple road trips planned.

I won't complain.

He might.

MIGHTY Monday

I might pry myself away from the computer take a break from blogging on the weekends because I might easily spend hours wasting my days away.

This might be our friends' pet. You could not pay me enough to take care of that. Actually, I could use some extra money so I take that back. But I can't guarantee how much affection would be shown.

We might have broke the no-more-eating-out-until-my-mom-visits rule when we needed Moe's. Obviously we were not in our right state of mind when we made the decision we could go two whole weeks without take-out, therefore, it was overruled.

I might have ate all of those nachos out of spite for Mr. B thinking I wouldn't finish and he could eat the rest.

I might have regretted that decision when I felt my stomach stretching because I way over ate.

Mr. B and I are in our 20s, we might be party animals and go to bed at 10PM every Friday night.

I might have taken some Benedryl so I could finally sleep in on Saturday morning.

The Benedryl might have expired April 2008 so it might not have been as effective as I had hoped, but it gave me an extra hour and a half which was appreciated.

We might have stayed in bed until 1 PM on Saturday. It was perfect.

We might have spent the afternoon on our balcony soaking in some Florida sunshine and warmth (finally!) and talking. also perfect.

There might have been a really good sale on meat at Winn Dixie.

The total might have been $84, but we might have only paid $42. Bar-gain.

.99/lb might be cheap, but you pay for it with extra nastiness. So I might have spent the rest of my Saturday doing this. And mentioned to Mr. B that when it comes to this chicken prep I might be taken for granted. There is no other way to describe this other then dis.gust.ing. Yet, in a strange way it is kind of a stress reliever as I peel/rip the skin/fat off.

I might be weird.

We might have gotten 20 chicken meals and 6 brisket meals out of that- woot woot.

I might have planned the rest of our meals until we move May 1.

We might be extremely anxious to move and talk about our countdown just about every day.

I might have been so incredibly bloated that I was willing to go out in public wearing Mr. B's tshirt, just so I could feel comfortable and breathe. I didn't care that I looked like someone I would nominate for What Not to Wear. Maybe even secretly hoping Stacey and Clinton would be out doing one of their episodes where they choose random people at the store. I would have qualified.

Mr. B might have made me change. I looked that bad.

NBC might have advertised that there will be Ice Dancing on Sunday at 7 all weekend, but it didn't really start until 10PM. My bed time. Thanks for getting my hopes up.

That might have made me mad.

I might have gotten excited when I saw that there was a girl Jordan on the Amazing Race, but it was quickly cancelled out when I realized there is also a guy Jordan on this season.

I might in shock that this is the last week in February, but I might also be ecstatic.

First Blog Award!

I was given the 'Beautiful Blogger Award' from Ashely over at The Thames Trio

Thanks SO much! :)

As are the rules of winning the award, I'd like to pass this award on! The rules are simple:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award and insert a link to their blog.

2. Copy and paste the award into your blog

3. Share 7 things about yourself.

4. Pass on the award to about 10 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are great! (in no particular order)

****************************************************************************************************************

7 Random Facts about Ms. J

1. I can not sleep without a fan

2. I went to 3 different colleges in 2 years (I mentioned before I might be indecisive)

3. Mr. B is my first and only boyfriend and I am his first and only girlfriend.

4. I am OBSESSED with babies

5. When I had my long brown hair, people used to tell me I look like Natalie Portman.

6. I have a brother 2 years younger, a sister 10 years younger and

another brother 11 years younger

7. I am 22, my sister is 12. She is taller than me.

Annual Christmas Pjs Picture

*******************************************************************************************

Bloggers I nominate

I know most of you have already been given this award, so don't feel compelled to fill it out again.

Just know that I enjoy stalking you :)

1. Abby at Babbling Abby

2. Brit at Dave and Brit Plus one

3. Margaret at Green Beans and Little Things

4. Meant to be a Mom at Hanging with Mr. Cooper

5. Kelly at Kelly's Korner

6. Sarah at My Life as Mama

7. Jana at The Meanest Mom

8. Erin at The Williamson Family

Enjoy your weekend!!