1. I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go, and it’s pretty much attached to my hip when I’m at home. Sometimes a good idea, or a particular way of wording something, will pop into my head, and if I don’t jot it down in 2.2 there’s a good chance I’ll lose it.
2. Yesterday’s plans to get my place back in order were a huge success. I probably spent about three hours cleaning, organizing, and de-cluttering, but it felt so good to get rid of some clutter and finally get things back to normal.
3. Speaking of normal, when’s a good time to take down the Christmas decorations?
4. … because StarbucksΒ definitely got rid of their holiday cups a little too early. I took a coffee break during my trip to the mall the other day and had to settle for drinking my daily capp out of a plain white cup. I was lucky enough to come across a Starbucks yesterday that still had their holiday cups in stock, and I swear it makes things taste better (see my notebook in the back? Told you it goes everywhere).
5. Speaking of yesterday… January 2nd’s memory in a jar? Scoring some sweet deals on board games.
6. And speaking of board games, I came across this little gem as well. I have no idea how you’d play it, but I imagine it would be a good laugh.
7. Happiness is a lazy afternoon spent reading. Loving these books – and yes, I read more than one book at a time.
8. Also loving this song. Newest repeat-obsession for sure.
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3IUeFlJpE0&w=560&h=315″]
9. Something I’m not loving? Pink Lady applesauce. I love Pink Lady apples, but they doΒ not make good applesauce – way too tart. Live and learn.
10. Tomorrow is my birthday. Squee!
. – . – . – .
What’s your favorite kind of apple?
What are you reading right now?
What’s your favorite board game?
I love the holiday cups at Starbucks. They really should do more theme cups during the year. I know I’d drink more if they did! That damn you autocorrect game looks hilarious, but I have a problem with funny board games because I don’t actually play the game, I just read the funny stuff to get a good laugh π
After I saw this post, I just HAD to comment. I’ve been a long time reader from waaay back when, but have never commented before. But, I have to chime in with my itty bitty two cents since it seems that we have very similar tastes in books. First off The Name of the Wind is and will forever be my most favorite book! I have literally read it upwards of 10 times and love it even more after each read through. The sequel called The Wise Mans Fear is equally as good. I like you also love the Game of Thrones series and have been quickly making my way through them all (currently on book 4). I would also like to suggest any book by Gillian Flynn and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Ok so i just outed myself as freaky book nerd but I just love hearing others get into the books that I have loved for so long. And to wrap up this unwarranted rant, I just want to say its so encouraging and hopeful to see bloggers like you who seem to be in a healthy place and have come so far in the recovery process…and Happy early Birthday!
10 times?! Love it! And I can definitely see myself re-reading this one… I can’t seem to put it down. I’ve read Gone Girl by Flynn, and just picked up Dark Places, which I’ll be reading after I finish my current two. Thanks for chiming in, Lindsey!
I really need to clean/organize my place!
Happy birthday to you if I don’t get to say it tomorrow! I see you have carcassone which I love but don’t have much chance to play…also have two expansion sets.
Oh I swear I have the same bed as you…the one with the padded headboard and drawers underneath…from Mobler? I bought mine this summer. Good for my tiny bedroom.
Thanks Dione! And yup! Bed is from Mobler π
Happy almost birthday Amanda!!
Mmmmm favorite apple?? I love any tart crisp apple – some of my favs are Macoun, Mitsu and Fuji.
Funny though the only time I really eat apples is during apple picking months!!
Right now I’m reading the Hunger Games – great exciting read!
Favorite board games – I’m kind of boring but love a good game of family scrabble!!
Doesn’t it feel so great to de-clutter and organize everything? It is such a calming and relaxing feeling for me after I get in there and tackle a mess…I’m a nerd! π
Yay for it almost being your birthday!! π Have a great day tomorrow!
If you’re a nerd then so am I – de-cluttering feels so good!
I carry a notebook with me too as my memory kinda (read: really) sucks. It definitely helps me keep things straight and remember things I normally would not have. I guess technically I could input it into my phone, but I just love a good old fashioned journal + pen or markers. And seeing my messy handwriting.
I’m so sad to read that the starbucks holiday cups have already all disappeared. Guess the holidays are truly over. But there is also so much to look forward to in a brand new year. hello 2013 π
Happy Early Birthday Amanda! I hope it’ll be the best one yet!!
Happy early birthday!
Hi Birthday Girl,
Funny you asked the “when to take down the decs” question because I just wrote about how I never take mine down until after January 6 as I celebrate the day of Epiphany, Well, most of the decorations go but my manger scene and my tree.
And also because I love sitting in the glow of the twinkle lights longer. And trust me…by the 6th? You are DONE. It’s borderline tacky to leave them up that long in my mind so when the 6th or 7th roll out I am ready to part.
We usually leave ours up until after the 6th too. I feel like such a Scrooge this year for wanting to take them down so early π
I agree with you about the Starbucks cup thing. When I first see them out during the holiday’s, it’s like my cue to go there 3 times a week until they’re gone. The rest of the year, Starbucks just isn’t that exciting. Just found your blog, btw! Very nice π
Eee….Happy early birthday!! I always carry around a notebook too!! I have for about the past 2 years or so…you never know when idea will come to mind! Yep, I found a starbucks with the holiday cups, and I’m totally going there until they go away, which I’ll be very, very sad when that happens.
Happy early birthday! I love that you carry around a notebook, I just use the notes part of my iPhone if a good idea pops into my head. Also, I’m a huge honey crisp and fugi apple fan. Nom, nom. π
Happy early birthday, my favorite apple is a honey crisp, but they are so huge they fill me right up!!
honey crisps are my favourite apples- sweet and sour and crunchy, mmmm :3 pink ladies are definitely second though!
and omg, I do #1 too! notebooks are my life. I have like 6 different ones for different purposes.
Happy Birthday for tomorrow! Hope you have a fab day π
Happy Early Birthday!!! How are you celebrating?
Favorite board game: Monopoly. Imma buy all your hotels.
Still not entirely sure about what people are going to put me through this weekend, but I’ll be happy as long as there’s cake π
wanna come tackle my house next?
p.s. I dominated sorry!
Happy early birthday!!! Hope you enjoy a nice big slice of cake!
I LOVE apples. My favorites are honeycrisp, gala, pink lady, cripps pink, and lately I’ve been digging red delicious and granny smith (oddly enough, those were the two I hated as a child). I don’t love the bland flavors – fuji, golden delicious, mcintosh…but I usually just choose whichever looks the most fresh at the store that week!
I’m not reading anything right now π after an excruciating term at school I have been too burnt out to pick up a damn book. It doesn’t help that I’m so indecisive…I just need to pick a book and commit already!
Happy early birthday!!! I hope it’s amazing! That game looks awesome, I must find it! And I agree, decluttering feels wonderful.
First of all, happy birthday tomorrow AManda! How are you going to be? And one way you can finish your applesauce without throwing it away would be to add a tinge of maple syrup. It makes everything better, seriously~! And omgshhh I love Jenga! It’s so therapeutic and a great way to thummp your friends on the forehead. We Koreans hit each other or thump people’s foreheads when they lose a game. π
I’ll be 28 going on 12
Yahoooo happy birthday eve, Amanda! What do you have planned? Hope it involves a red cup at some point of your day! Funny enough Mumbai is still stocking the red cups- I was pleasantly surprised when my cappuccino yesterday came in the red cup! Love those board games, especially Sorry! Did you ever play Candy Land? Best game ever! Speaking of sweet things, Pink Lady apples are my favorite variety although for super sweet applesauce, stick with Galas!
I’m actually not entirely sure what I have planned yet. All I know is that different people are busy at different times so I’ll probably be celebrating the whole weekend… no complaints π And I used to loooove Candy Land, but it’s been years since I’ve played it! I really need to pick that one up as well…
Have a great birthday. I actually thought I was one of the only ones who carries a notebook around. I jot down a lot and if I don’t it’s like instaforget!
SETTLERS OF CATAN!!! aaaah omg I love that game so much. Takes all friggin day but I guess that’s part of what makes it so epic? π And omg agreed on the Starbucks cups….I do feel like coffee, tea etc just taste better out of them….and I mean at least wait till New Years to get rid of them? π I wish they had cups for all the holidays….Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter….it would just make the year so much better. Or at least design winter cups to make the long dark snowy cold months a little easier. Hmm Maybe I should work for Starbucks haha.
I do the notebook thing too π Happy early birthday!
I ALWAYS read at least 2-3 books at the same time, although I just finiahed both yesterday so now need to figure out what to read! I think my favorite apples are honey crisp and gala, although sometimes a red delicious really hits the spot! And my favorite board game is a tie between apples to apples and catchphrase, although I hear that cards against humanity is quite entertaining, so I really want to try that π Happy Day Before Your Birthday!! I hope you’re starting the celebration today (or last week, really)!!
I was this close to picking up Apples to Apples. I’ve never played it, so I’m assuming it’s a good one?
I always carry a pen, but a notebook is a little too ambitious for me. haha. And seeing as our Christmas decorations have been down since 2006 … no advice on that one. π Knowing you, you’d probably want to keep them up until the thaw, and you live in AB so… Canada Day? π (just teasing).
I used to read two books at once, but I find that I’m better able to fall in love with the characters when I’ve only got one on the go. And seeing as I usually couldn’t care less about the plot but need to love the characters to love the book, gotta go with one.
Yayyyy for your birthday!! Can’t wait to hear what kind of surprises come your way!!!!!
Canada Day?! That’s a fantastic idea! I’m going to leave them up just for you π <3 <3
Holiday decorations should come down immediately after New Years(or a couple days early in my case) in my opinion. I like to start the year fresh with a clean house free of decorative clutter!
Happy early birthday!!!
As far as apples there are only a few types I will eat: Pink Lady, Honey Crisp and Jazz. All firm!!
well that song is amazing, never heard it before but immediately plugged in my earphones to listen to it at work. I can tell that we have very similar music tastes, one day I will attack your itunes and steal some of your jams. I just love your taste. how did i not know we were so close in birthdays? where have I been? i am like you except mine is sticky notes, not notebooks. but i always jot down various things throughout my day. I want to play all those board games. have you ever played sequence? one of my favorite board games. although damn you autocorrect sounds like one I would and should try…
I tried going the sticky note route at first but they ended up everywhere. Even now, after having cut back a bit, they’re still all over the place. Crazy. And I’ve never played Sequence, but if you like it then I’m going to have to look it up because 1) yes, we definitely have similar tastes, and 2) I’m a sucker for board games
Happy early birthday, Amanda! You best be doing something amazing for it:)
Yay it’s almost your birthday!! I love pink lady and honey crisp… the best!
That jar of memories is such a great idea! Writing things down is such a good idea. I have never been one to keep a journal, but on my trip to India last year I wrote in one every day for 5 months and it is amazing to go back and read my entries now!
Happy early Birthday! Can’t wait to hear what you have planned for it! I want to find that autocorrect game now. It has to be awesome. I totally agree on the red cups. I was just reading on Lisa Lately’s blog that they should have different cups for every season. How awesome would that be?!
Happy early birthday!! I love that you found so many boardgames at a decent price…the game of Life is actually my favourite! A close runner up would have to be Scrabble, that’s a fun one too.
I took down my decorations on the first…it always depresses me a little!
Happy birthday for tomorrow lovie!!! I hope you have a fun day planned π OH and I love your taste in music by the way π
My parents were taking down our decorations on NEW YEARS DAY…I was like wtf?!!
My fave apple contrary to the blogging world who seems to prefer Pink Ladys, Honeycrisp and whatever else, is the good old common Royal Gala. They’re just perfect..sweet and crunchy but not too crunchy. I think people definitely overlook them for the more expensive varieties personally…
Yay for board games! I’ve been meaning to ask for some as birthday gifts – not long anymore! – but then again my family doesn’t like playing them.
Speaking of birthdays and yours being tomorrow: Which cake did you decide on :)?
My current favourite apple is Boskoop though I’m not sure it’s available worldwide. I ate way too many of the ones from my parents’ tree while being at home. Sigh, one more thing I’m missing already …
I’m currently reading “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout which I just recently picked up.
Oooh, in other news I finally (!) tried your idea of Greek yogurt + cereal bowls and have just one word: Delish! Thanks for the idea. Carrying around a notebook seems like another great idea to steal because I’m usually using loose papers for those thoughts and … well, they don’t make for organized notes to say the least.
I’m not 100% decided on my cake yet – I’m still choosing between a couple, but I’ll be sure to share which one I picked tomorrow π Glad to hear that you enjoyed the cereal bowls! I’m so stuck on them that they often end up being breakfast and dinner.
I totally need to put my Christmas decorations up, too. My favorite apples are Jazz apples! So sweet and crisp. π
I always am reading two books at once too! They have to be completely different though or else I get confused. I went to Starbucks yesterday and saw they were using both red and the normal white cups. Naturally, I requested a red cup. I don’t want them to go away! YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!! Can’t wait to hear about whatever you do to celebrate or what you treat yourself too. You deserve it <3
Oh God I am sure that Damn Autocorrect is fun. I had belly laughs when I checked out the website. I took my xmas decor down yesterday π I put up a new pretty one to cheer me up π I read the Wildrose from Jennifer Donelly the last part of the trilogy. I LOVE it. Yay for your birthday tomorrow!!! I hope you get spoiled massivly and get a to-die-for-birthday-cake!!
Oh, so I’m not the only one who reads a few books in the same time… I find it quite good because when I’m not in mood for one book I always may open the second one.
Now I’m reading “Lalka” by BolesΕaw Prus and also “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath. The second one is much more interesting, to be honest. I’m just quite sad because I don’t have enough time to finish reading – too much homework!
Bleh… I need some coffee… I’m addicted to Starbucks π
You and me both! What’s your favorite drink to order from there?
Well, it’s quite hard to choose one… But I loved Toffee Nut Latte and White Cranberry Chocolate Moccha π Anter “Christmas time” my favourite one is probably Caramel Macchiato π
What about you?
My go-to drink is usually a cappuccino, but when I feel like something flavored then I usually go for a cinnamon dolce latte or a chai tea latte.
I hope you have some pretty epic birthday plans! Aren’t productive days just the best? You feel SO accomplished afterwards. Oh, and our Christmas decorations came down on New Years Day. My mom can’t stand keeping the tree up much longer than that beacause of all the pine needles. I think anytime is a good time after the holidays are over!