Mind Your Own Business...Unless You're Giving Me Money, Then Feel Free To Mind Mine...

So the last few weeks Brody and I have been talking ALOT about our future, especially school. I have had a crazy opportunity to have a career in real estate. Once I brought this to attention I had alot of people react negatively towards the idea. Some of the things they had to say were:

• You change what you want to do all the time: Yes I do, and I can. Why Because I'm 23 for Christs sakes. I'm allowed to change my mind. That is the beauty of being in your twenties. You learn who you are and what kind of person you want to become. I could change my mind tomorrow and guess what? It's none of your business or concern. I do what I need to do, you do what you need to do. If you don't like it or understand it that's fine, but if you won't support it, then there's no sense of being in my life. I surround myself with people who are positive and love and support me, if you do not do any of those things don't waste my time or your time. 

• Real Estate is risky, you might not have a job in a few years: Uh....every job comes with a risk. You don't know if your job will be there tomorrow either. And one thing I have learned from people in Real Estate, the housing market doesn't define how much money you make, YOU do. Yes, some people do fall really hard in this field, do you wanna know why? Because they didn't protect themselves. Let's say someone was making $12,000 a month (that's just a loose estimate). Their living expenses is $5,000 a month. If they were stupid and spent the other $7,000 on toys and racking up credit cards and buying brand new vehicles and buying a house they can barely afford the mortgage payment, they are going to hit the pavement hard if they loose their income. If they were smart they would have bought the "not as nice" car with cash, that can save you $200 a month in car payments so when something on the older car breaks you're not putting repair costs on the credit card. If they bought the house that was under their max budget, put down a large down payment and went with a 15-20 yr fixed mortgage instead of the 30 yr, they would pay their home off quicker, and they wouldn't be paying a shitload of interest. So let's say if they did that, their living expenses became $4000 a month, if they spend $4000 for their living expenses and have $1000 for entertainment and put that extra $7000 into savings, if their income took a hit, they wouldn't be having the brand new car repoed and foreclosing on the home they could never afford. It's not about how much you make, it's about living within or below your means and setting up a safety net. Brody and I have big plans for our finances. And again, worry about yourself.

So the original plan for us was: Me to get my license quit nannying and start working, then we would send Brody to school in August. After that I would probably go back and study business. 

A few weeks ago I was presented with the possibility to start school sooner. The only issue was money. I needed a grant and a scholarship to cover at least 60-70% of tuition. Last night my mom and I, over the phone, filled out my FAFSA online. Because I am 23, the government still sees me as a dependent (which is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, if I'm allowed to vote for leaders of my country or go to war at 18, I don't think I should be considered an independent...just my opinion.) Because my mom was married last year we had to use her husbands taxes as well. Well, I wouldn't get diddly squat. I was pretty upset. My mom said she totally understand that I'm ready to get my life started and whatever is meant to be will  happen. After we hung up, I was still feeling pretty down about it. Brody basically said the same thing and said next year I won't be a dependent. We can see where we are going to be after he is done with school and then I can go back to college. Right now I will just work on getting my license and keep nannying. Which is fine with me. I love my job and when I think about eventually not doing it anymore it makes me really sad. Brody just reminded me to take it one day at a time. 

And now....a meme:

I Pay My Escorts in Gift Cards and Grocery Shopping Makes Me Want to Commit Felonies

On Friday night, Brody and I enjoyed a date night out to Applebees. I had gotten a gift card for my birthday AND got paid today so it was my treat. Brody always feels horrible when he can't pay. But seriously, the guy has paid for EVERYTHING for the first 12 months of our relationship. HE would never EVER let me pay or pay half. I would spend hours asking if I could PLLEEEEAAASEEE pay for half of a date and he would never let me. So I like it when I can pay. I'm also mean so I like to make it funny. 

At the dinner we were talking about celebrities and their Twitter accounts. Brody said he thinks most of them just have people that take care of tweeting for them. I said, "I wish I could pay someone to take care of my Twit....ter..." *Cue uncomfortable gasp from table behind us.* "Oh wait," I add, "That's you." *Cue another gasp.*

The rest of the night I referred to him as an escort. When the waiter brought us our check I made another prostitution reference loud enough for lots of people to hear. The people behind us are now so uncomfortable, they have stopped talking. As we walk out I make like 5 more references. Brody is now practically running out of the restaurant. As we get in the car I yell (just loud enough so it echos throughout the parking lot) "YOU ARE THE WORST PROSTITUTE EVER! I WANT A REFUND!" Brody asks me, exasperated by my shenanigans, if I have to yell that really loud. Why yes, yes I do.

Last night after a yummy meal at Brody's parents house, we made our way to WalMart. We went at like 9pm so we figured it wouldn't be super busy. Yeah. We were wrong. I begged Brody to come with me and I was starting to regret it. Sometimes Brody acts like he is 5 years old (I never NEVER ever act immature....ever.) We were in the frozen food section and he was giving me crap about choosing frozen lunches for work. There was a very pretty couple in the same aisle as us, and they were happily gabbing about how awesome it was to join their Bishop for Family Home Evening (all I know is that's what LDS people do.) At the same exact moment as they were basking in the joy of Jesus' love and yada yada yada I yell "CHOOSE A LUNCH OR I WILL BITCH SLAP YOU IN FRONT OF THIS LOVELY COUPLE!!!" Brody said "Try me." In a really sarcastic tone. I didn't want to hurt his beautiful face so I just playfully punched him in the arm, he turned to the couple and in an even more sarcastic tone said "SHE STRUCK ME!" I feel bad for people that have to be around us. Because they know they'll never have an awesome relationship like we do.

We got in line to check out, we got behind a couple who was seriously stocking up for the apocalypse, WHO NEEDS 15 CONTAINERS OF KETCHUP??? WHO??? They had like 30 things of each product. Then, they had so much shit (I gave up cleaning up my language for this post) that the register went into override. So the cashier had to wait for a manager to come over. BTW...why does WalMart have 90 registers but only have 3 open? And 2 out of 3 are the speedy checkout lanes and I have more than 20 items. So after the manager finally decides to show up to work, there's like 5 more people behind us. The cashier thinks this is a great time to ask the couple if they want to open a store credit card. The couple doesn't understand alot of English. The cashier thinks this means he needs to yell louder than usual. "I NEED TO SEE A DRIVER'S LICENSE DO YOU HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE?" We spent more time waiting in line than actually grocery shopping.

I wish I had the money to go shop at Harmons. 

Who The Hell Has Time To Make Coasters?

You know what I want to know? How do these pretty little m-effer blog ladies do everything? They always look super cute, their house is always extremely clean and there's like new decor every week. How is that possible? And some of these people are  mothers. TO TODDLERS AND INFANTS! How do you have time for these things???? And you know most likely their husbands work so that super cute outfit photo shoot they had in that field by the train tracks, they had to spend like 5 hours setting up the tripod for that crap. Probably while they're kids are sitting in the car with a baggie of goldfish and watching a movie on their Iphone. 

I don't have children and I don't even have time to make all the crafty stuff they make.Well I probably do but....sleep is better. And I'm really good at it. Making a coffee table out of barn doors and wooden pallets...not so much. I just want to know how you had time to shower, dress in like 30 layers of clothes and jewelry, expertly apply makeup, do your hair in perfect tousled curls with uber volume, do a photo shoot with yourself, and make a sock wreath...when you have like 3 kids under the age of 3? Is someone watching them while you glue gun the shiz-nit out of coasters made from wine corks....and when do you have time do drink enough wine to have enough corks to make coasters? Or are your children like cats and sleep 15 hours a day?

I don't despise these women, in fact I gots nothing but respect for them. If you can do all that and bring an income into your home (maybe through your blog, maybe not) you deserve props yo.  I am kinda jealous. I would love to do all that for a living, and maybe one day I will. 

Last night Utah got hit hard by a snow storm. My boss is kinda awesome and amazing and sent me home at like 3 so I wouldn't have to drive from South Salt Lake to Centerville. My drive was actually not too bad until I hit Woods Cross and the snow was starting to stick to the roads. Brody on the other hand, didn't get off til 5. By then the roads were horrible. I spent the whole time watching for him out our living room window. I get worried really easily. So to get my mind off of everything that could go wrong, I decided to start taking down Christmas. Yes, I do know what day it is. No, I don't care. I got the Christmas tree packed, but the box is still right by the couch....and the kitchen decorations taken down....they are sitting on the counter. I'll probably have everything cleaned up by February. It usually takes him 20 to 30 minutes to get home but last night it took him an hour and a half. I was seriously freaking out. I was so happy when he walked in the door. I felt incredibly blessed to be able to be inside our warm home safe and together. 

Speaking of the love of my life, remember the other night I spoke about us trying to be more romantic? Yeah....scratch that. The other night I realized our relationship isn't champagne and roses. And that's fine. I love our hilarious relationship. I would rather watch 3 hours of funny cat videos together than going to some fancy restaurant with food we can't pronounce. We are more beer and steak than caviar and champagne. We still do romantic stuff for each other. There's lots of love notes, cute surprises and we are that annoying couple in the grocery store holding hands. Well...the last time we were in WalMart we made a guy bust up laughing because Brody was giving me shit about something and I said "If I did the things I'm thinking about doing to you right now, I would go jail." and then Brody started mocking me like a 5 year old. That's how we roll. And I love it. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about our relationship. No one has made me laugh as hard, love as much and let me be myself like he has. I think to myself that it impossible to love him anymore than I do but then he does something that makes me love him more. 

That's enough of the mushiness. Bleh.  

In other news. Tomorrow I have a meeting with a College to see about maybe going back to school. I had one financial adviser tell me I have to be considered a "dependent" and use my mom's tax info. I had a person from FAFSA saying I didn't have to. So we'll see how that goes. Both people say I have a really good shot at getting a Pell Grant, which would be nice. So it just depends how much grants and scholarships I can get. If I can get like 80% covered than I  may start like...next month. EEEEEE! So excited. PS: Government Financial aid can suck the dirtiest part of my toe (I wanted to say something else, but I'm supposed to try and cleaning up my language...can I say ball sack...SHIT...I mean DANGIT!). I don't live with my mom, she doesn't pay any of my bills, so why should I be a dependent? I think it's bogus that they assume that she's going to contribute money to my school. The whole federal financial aid thing is a joke. 

Anyways, I'm hoping weather isn't going to be a bitch tonight so we can go to Applebees...we have no food in the house...and I don't want to go to Walmart. 

PS: Twitter update!!!! We upped the amount of the giftcard to $40. So if I reach 100 followers by Jan.31 a lucky follower will win!
PPS: I'm too lazy to edit this...so if you find an error...suck it.

Super Good Girl Talks and I SUCK At Romance

Last night I watched the season premiere of The Biggest Loser. It was soooo inspiring! I became inspired to get in shape (I may weigh like 10 lbs but believe me...none of it is muscle....and I wheeze when I walk up stairs.) and become a healthier person (aka no more vodka and m&ms for breakfast). I said to Brody "I'm going to go to the gym and work out and start eating healthier!" And then my brain laughed and said "*SNORT* No you're not." And she was right so I finished my popcorn and beer and changed the channel to the Food Network and watched Paula Deen put 8 sticks of butter into a pot of Mashed Potatoes. 

Over the course of the last 2 months or so, Brody and I talked a lot about our future and what plans we have (which life looks at and laughs most of the time...but they're nice to have). What I realized is that I reallllllllllllly realllllllllllly want to make this blog work. And that takes time. I spend anywhere from an hour to 8 hours a day on this blog. I work on trying to find sponsors, I work on branding it, I work on social networking for the blog and of course writing it. It has become a second job, which it doesn't feel like work because I love it. But I needed to cut out some things from my life.

I started doing Slumber Parties in July, then I taken a break from blogging and was really excited about being a part of this awesome company. It was a fantastic way to make money and meet really awesome people. I love this company and love what it stands for. I love that it empowers women to take charge of their sexuality and teaches them how to have healthy sex lives. The consultants are incredible and the products are really high quality. I went full steam ahead for a few months and then started to slow down once I picked the blogging back up. A few weeks ago I realized that I no longer have time for SP anymore. And today I made the announcement.

I'm sad but feel more relieved. I feel like this is the right thing for me right now. And my amazing SP sponsor Jamie, who is THEE best, pointed out to me that if I ever want to pick it back up in the future, I can. 

Speaking of Jamie, I seriously had the best girl chat today than I have had in MONTHS! I don't know why I cut so much back on my girl time. It was so nice to be able to let loose, and talk about things that if some of my more conservative friends heard...they would gasp. HAHA! Nothing like dirty girl talk to make a gal's day (not THAT kind of dirty talk ya nastays). The only thing missing was a glass of wine. But it was like 11:30 in the morning. Which normally won't stop me but yeah I didn't want her kids to come home from school and meet me the first time and I'm a sloshed hot mess. 

Totally off topic...but I got teal colored pants. I'm kind of excited about it. And I'm wearing them right now. 

Speaking of wearing pants. I know I said I wasn't going to put any on or a bra yesterday but Brody and I remembered that we had a gift card to the movies and so I made myself look like a normal human being and we saw This Is 40. And It Is Hilarious. It was nice to actually get out of the house and do something. All weekend we just stayed inside and watched tv and played around on the computer (and did something else...but I don't kiss (ahem) and tell....). I started thinking about since we moved in together we stopped dating. A very very wise person once said "If he hasn't put a ring on your finger, he still needs to pursue you, and you need to pursue him because he hasn't put a ring on your finger". Beyonce's Single Ladies totally just popped into my head. NOW ITS IN YOUR HEAD!!! Have fun singing that for the next 6 hours!!! Anyways, I think that is totally true. And even after the ring is on your finger it doesn't mean romance just chucks itself off a 12 story building and smashes violently into the concrete spraying blood and guts over innocent bystanders and hot dog carts. I really want a hot dog now. So I think that we should try at least 1 or 2 Saturdays a month we leave off everything and just focus on us. But then I started thinking..."what do we do?" I don't think I can just stare at him all day. Although he is pretty friggin sexy I would get bored. Next week we are going to Applebees (why? Because we have a gift card and I get paid....) and then...I am going to try to do something romantic. So suggestions would be appreciated (nothing to expensive, I'm not made of money...or cheesy...I hate cheesy). Comment here about cute, romantic and inexpensive things you do to be romantic to your love muffin (PS if it's cheesy I WILL tell you) OR tweet me at itsme_arielleb. Stay classy San Diego! 

How Does My Boyfriend Put Up With Me?

Last night I discovered my Pinocchio dvd is missing. I have never been so distraught in my life. Not really. But I was pretty sad. My poor Pinocchio dvd is out there somewhere probably scared and missing me. The only way Brody could console me was to start talking to me about Disneyland. Which helped for a second, but then I started missing Disneyland. I haven't gone in like 4 years! That's a long time considering between the ages of 14 and 19 I went like 3 or 4 times a year. I even had an annual passport because I went so often, it was my 18th birthday present. Best. Birthday. Ever. I told Brody about the time my mom just dropped Lacey, my best friend of 6 years, and I at the gate and said she might be back to pick us up if there was enough Valium in the world to calm her shot nerves. 

Lacey and I in Disneyland is kinda hard to explain. But this is the best way: imagine a 4 year old in Disneyland. Now imagine that 4 year old took a shitload of speed and then went to Disneyland. That's Lacey and I in Disneyland.

                                                      I can't tell you...I just have to show you...

One time we were just waiting for Fantasmic to start and we turned around and noticed like 5 people had their video cameras out recording us...it's that sad...and magical at the same time!

One day Brody and I will go to Disneyland together...and hopefully we will leave together. Because last night I almost put him in a anxiety attack (you know the kind of attacks parents have after their 5 yr old consumes an entire box of Krispie Kremes and the sugar starts setting in?) and I was just talking about Disneyland. The excitement is like a billion times more heightened when I'm actually there. 

Onto other news, yesterday I spent like 80% of my time doing stupid menu planning. Does anyone actually enjoy menu planning? Because I would like to know why. My brain felt like mush afterwards. But I managed to plan out 21 dinners, 15 lunches and 8 breakfasts. Now if any those things actually made is another story. Last night Brody and I made a delicious vegetable chowder. Which you can find the recipe here:  http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheesy-vegetable-chowder.html 

We were pretty impressed with ourselves, and it turned out really tasty even when Brody tried to add a leeeeeettle more flour he dumped like 1/3 of the bag of flour into the pot and because he didn't mix the flour with water first the flour lumped up and we tried getting all the lumps out. And we didn't have enough milk. But still...SUCCESS!

Today I shall celebrate my time with my beloved Pinocchio dvd by spending the day watching Disney movies. I shall not put on pants or a bra or makeup because it's the weekend bitches and I don't have to.

What the Hey, Bobby Flay?

I'm enjoying my coffee this morning and I notice something slightly disturbing...I'm sweating...while I'm eating. I feel like Newman from Seinfeld, which does not make a girl feel pretty, even though she has bedhead and no makeup on to begin with. I begin thinking that I am either: a.) going through early menopause, missed my chance of having babies and will die alone as a result of my effed up hormones or b.) somehow gained 500 lbs. overnight and I am the only one who can't see it and now sweat when I eat. I then realize that I am drinking hot coffee, and wearing a hoodie, sweatpants and slippers. 

I shouldn't call it coffee. I should call it: Hot Chocolate with Vanilla, Cinnamon with Enough Coffee so it has a Slight Coffee Taste and Wakes Me Up. If I ever sell the idea to Starbucks, I think they would find a better name for it.

While eating my breakfast of champions, I am watching the Food Network. Which has been on a lot in my house. Usually everyday for at least an hour I flip between HGTV (LOVE Property Brothers, and Love It or List It..I feel so bad for Hillary if someone "lists it", she just busted her ass finishing your basement for you and you're just going to sell it now, pricks!) and either the Cooking Channel or the Food Network. If nothing interesting is on either of those channels, I feel a little lost.

And I actually want to try some of the recipes on these shows. I used to be like "uh there's more than three ingredients and it requires more than 1 pan and actual concentration, never going to happen." But since my mother bestowed upon me the all powerful slow cooker (and we now have a REAL knife set!!), and Brody said I am a "good cook" (his words, not mine) I am willing to try any recipe. Except if it has mustard or pickles in it, then GTFO of my kitchen ya nastay. Unfortunately this new outlook has taken on a life of its own. I frantically try to find scrapes of paper and writing utensils to write down recipes (the other day Giada was making an Italian Breakfast Sausage Bake and I couldn't find a pen, I was really tempted to take the kitchen scissors and cut off my finger and just write the recipe in blood). Thank God someone invented Pinterest and I can just Google the recipe (thank you baby Jesus for Google too) and Pin It to my cute little food board. I also have begun watching these shows like I am watching a sporting event. I get really mad when there's an ingredient we don't have at home or I can never find in my local grocery store. 

"UGGGHHHH EFF YOU RACHEL RAY, I DON'T HAVE A FREAKIN FRESH HERB GARDEN, JESUS CHRIST NOW HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE YOUR BRUSCHETTA , DAMMIT!!!"

"THEY DON'T SELL ARUGULA AT WALMART!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU BOBBY FLAY? USE YOUR BRAIN!!!" 

My cat won't come near me when she sees me turn on the TV. By the way, Arugula is a type of lettuce. It's more spicy so it is nice in a salad and goes great in a vinaigrette. I wouldn't know though, the only time I found it in a store, it was super expensive (in my world, it costs more than $2). 

But seriously, I have been cooking more this week, than I have in like, the last 6 months. And the realllllly scarey thing is...I've been enjoying it. Cue Minion:

 Or MinionS. Because this is my blog, and I said so. That last one has nothing to do with this post, I just thought it was hilarious...and true.

I also decided to be one of those crazy people who do menu planning. Refer to middle picture again. I have yet to try it but I have my doubts. How do I know what I want to eat on the 5th of next month when it's not the 5th of next month? Usually I get home from work, go on Pinterest, find a recipe that has ingredients that I currently have in my house and looks delicious and make that. But I heard it saves you bundles o' money so I figured I would give it a try. Oh and we are only going to go to grocery shopping once a month. Apparently preparing to go grocery shopping once a month, is like training for a marathon. It takes weeks to prepare for and the day of shopping takes like 5 hours to complete. But again, it supposedly save tons o' money. I'm already a champion of price matching and coupons so that's not new. Brody used to think it took too long and was a pain. But when we went 2 weeks ago we got about 3 weeks of food and the total before price matching was about $120. After price matching: $88. BAM! How do you like dem apples! I actually get a thrill out of price matching and clipping coupons. I feel like I'm sticking it to the man. 

Because of my new addiction to the Food Network, I will be trying a new recipe every month and posting it on my bloggy blog. So make sure you tune in to see if I succeed. 

I am also having my first Giveaway! I need 100 followers on Twitter by Jan.31st. If I get to 100 followers by then I will randomly select a lucky winner to win a $20 Visa Giftcard!!! YAAAAAAY! So make sure you follow me @itsme_arielleb! Good luck my cute lil' readers and have a fantastical Saturday!!!

I'm Sorry I Did This To You.

I'm on strike. So if anyone know a great union to join let me know. Or if anyone can get Christian Bale to dress in a newsboy cap and show up at my apartment to sing "The World Will Know", that'd be pretty dope too. 10 brownie points if you named that movie. 

Frankly, I have a strong belief that if I cook dinner, the other person should do the dishes (if you are good at math and you know there is one other person and a cat living here, you should get who I am talking about...not the cat.) 

But I am not one to gripe about my relationship on the interwebs. Because in fact, my relationship is better than yours. Actually...I don't know. But some people would agree, evidence A: a text message convo from today between me and a friend.

Me: Last night, Brody sang the Reading Rainbow Song AND quoted Fox and The Hound in a 10 minute time span. I. Want. To. Marry. This. Man.

Friend: If you don't procreate with him, I will.

Super creepy but still.

He IS the best guy ever. 

And he is mine,

So stop looking ho.

In other news! All the things I complained about in our apartment got taken care of FINALLY!

I can't believe this is going to be a blog post (this is what happens when someone asks somebody who is super boring to write 4-6 times a week).

2013 is looking amazing so far. Brody has some great things a-happenin. That I don't know if I can say so I won't say it on the internets yet. And I got extra hours at work. Which meeeeaaaannns...mo' monayyyy! So excited. I think this is the year we see a crapload of our debt start to disappear and some pretty big things start to come together. One of those things I hope to be is making money by sitting on my ass eating Apple Jacks in my PJs at 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Just saying...

I am going to put this blogpost out of it's misery already and end it. HAPPY NEW YEAR MY PEEPS!