Sunday Funnies. ::: SomeECards. :::

Happy Sunday Funnies to you, my friend!

How has your week, and weekend been? Was I the only one who felt incredibly overwhelmed by all the facebook posts this week regarding Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Week, and (today,) Mother's Day? Because I certainly didn't even know that this week was dedicated to all of those wonderful people. But in all of my being overwhelmed, I realized what a crazy coincidence it is that all of these celebrations fall within the same week.

As a nurse whose parents (and siblings) are teachers, I found this coincidence to be fitting. Both teachers and nurses have professions that are challenging and the people who choose these professions are nurturing and compassionate. But here's the rub: these descriptions also pertain to mothers. And, I think it's fair to say, many mothers tend to be a combination of a nurse and a teacher. Moms teach their children to be wonderful human beings and in the process they nurse their kids' injuries. Who would you want taking care of you when you are sick on the couch and can't leave the house? If you are like me, it's your mom. And who taught you to spell your name, do your laundry, and the important life lessons needed to make friends? Again, for me, it's my mom. 

So to celebrate Teachers, Nurses, and Moms, I've found SomeECards that I hope you'll enjoy.

Thanks again to all of you teachers, nurses, and moms out there. This world wouldn't exist without you. 

Tuesday Tunes. ::: Happy by Pharrell Williams :::

Good morning! And happy Tuesday Tunes! (I say, hoping that you'll forgive me for being an absentee blogger for the last 3 months.) 

If you know me (which you do because no one else reads my blog), you probably know that it's been a busy couple of months. I applied for, and got, a new job; celebrated St. Patrick's Day with friends, had an amazing Game Night, found my dress for a wedding I'm in this June, went to an 80's Prom, ate way too many 7am breakfasts at Snooze, and in general have just been living a scintillating life.

And to cap it all off, today's song, Pharrell's "Happy", popped into my life. What do you think about today's song? Some friends and I were discussing it during our "Tres de Derby" party (think: big hats, burgers, hot dogs, Derby watching, ice cream, basketball watching, and shuffle board playing) and I think the final point was this: "Take it for what it is." (Thanks Alan, for the insight.) 

Whether the song makes you smile, change the station, dance in the car, or unhappy (as a guy recently told me it made him), it evokes some reaction. For me, this song makes me dance in the car and smile. Unless, however, I've heard it more than two times in one day, and then it evokes the changing of the channel. But it never makes me unhappy (I think the guy who told me that was a little off his rocker). As a special side note, one of my coworkers recently messed up the lyrics to "Clap along if you feel like a room without a view" and we laughed for the remaining two hours of our night shift (I'm sure you too would forget the lyrics at 5am too). 

Anyway, here's the video, if you choose to watch it or not:

Additional side notes: 1) Like most videos, I hadn't seen this until I wrote this post. But apparently I like videos of people dancing (see "Brave" by Sara Bareilles). 2) I like Pharrell's multitude of outfits in this video. 3) I've heard (via NPR) that his latest album G I R L is pretty great, I guess I'll have to check it out, maybe you will too.

 Have a Happy Tuesday!

Sunday Funnies. ::: Financial Advisor. :::

Happy Sunday Funnies, everyone!

Today I present an actual Comic Strip from the one and only Zits Cartoon. I have loved Zits since it first appeared in the Sunday paper. Back then, I probably associated with Jeremy, the teenage boy in the cartoon. These days, and this day in particular, I side with his parents.

Why you ask? Well, because this week, I did exactly what Jeremy's mom, Connie, and his father, Walter ("Walt" to those of us who know them well), did. I met with a financial advisor*. A friend had actually suggested this meeting years ago and I was absolutely certain I didn't need it. More than that, I was terrified. What if this person looked at my finances and said "You are screwed." I've watched enough Suze Orman in my life to know that sometimes our goals are out of our reach. But I didn't want to face facts. Ignorance is bliss, right? So, I spent the last 4 years avoiding my finances. Spending how much I wanted, on what I wanted, when I wanted. The problem? So many "wants", too little money. Well, that's not completely true. But you get my point. I wasn't ready to take a good hard look at my financial future and make any short or long term plans.

This year though, it hit me: It's time to support me. (Later, I'll be sure to tell you all about my New Year's Phrase... this sentence is part of that.) And how can I support myself without some financial support? I can't. Basically, I'm finally ready to get my finances under control. And, like they say, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I was finally ready to take control and support me. Because of that, I've been reading more about the "Spending Diet" and  the "Spending Fast" (thank you And Then We Saved for some much needed inspiration!), I've been reading the Suze Orman book that has been on my shelf for 6+ years, and I finally contacted my friend's financial advisor. This first meeting was a step in the right direction, but the journey hasn't ended. Frankly, it's only just begun. In our first meeting, my financial advisor gathered all of my financial paperwork and will be looking over it in the next couple of weeks. But we meet again in two weeks so she can help me set some attainable financial goals (buy a house/condo/duplex, retire before I'm 80, etc.). I'll keep you posted on my progress in the meantime. And if I learn any gems, I'll pass them along to you. But you have to promise to do the same.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend (even if I did bring Sunday Funnies to a more serious side)!

* - "adviser" and "advisor" are considered interchangeable according to the internet and my most trusted grammatically correct friends.

Tuesday Tunes. ::: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers :::

Good morning, and happy Tuesday Tunes to y'all!

How was your weekend? I worked this entire weekend, so mine was pretty much just filled with work and sleep & sleep and work.

In a previous post, I talked about listening to the signs around me. Realizing (read: hoping, wishing, believing) the Universe has some cosmic way of saying, "Hey! I have a plan for you, now go out and do what I say!" Well, I've been feeling like the Universe is back at it recently. This may not seem odd to you, but I've heard today's Tuesday Tunes every time I turn on the radio. Every time. Not only that, this song recently showed up while I was watching "How I Met Your Mother." Twice. What does it mean? That 97.3 KBCO is obsessed with The Proclaimers? That I listen to the radio too much (and by the way, who else is listening to the radio when you could listen to digital music or Pandora or Spotify?)? That the Universe is not only controlling the radio, it's also in control of "How I Met Your Mother"? I don't have the exact answer. 

But what I do know is this: I am listening (who remembers those old Deep Rock Water commercials?). I figure if the Universe has a plan for me, it must know me pretty well. And it must also know that I am a very literal person. So, with that said, I've decided in 2014 I will walk 500 miles. And perhaps next year, I will walk 500 more. Just to be that (wo)man who walks a thousand miles to fall down at your door. 

Thus, I present you with I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) by The Proclaimers.

Please note three things: 1) I have never seen this music video before so don't judge based on that 2) it must be a legit video- it has the MTV logo in the lower left corner (which makes me nostalgic for the days when MTV showed music videos. Odd concept, right?) and 3) I apologize for falling down at your door in advance.

Sunday Funnies. ::: 17 Reasons The Denver Broncos Are The Least Hateable. :::

Good morning, and happy Sunday to you!

This week I'm presenting a BuzzFeed List of the "17 Reasons The Denver Broncos Are The Least Hateable Team In The NFL Playoffs." I would have put this up last weekend, but I didn't see it until after last weekend's game. I have to say, the entire town of Denver is still buzzing with excitement about our last playoff win. There is a flurry of orange and blue everywhere you look, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjkiebus/reasons-the-denver-broncos-are-the-least-hateable-in-the

Anyway, look through the list and see what you think. Reason number 15 is spot on. And reason number 14 just makes me smile. It's so important to have a sense of humor in life. Instead of giving more publicity to athletes who are selfish and rude, let's focus on athletes/coaches/management who don't behave like jerks, just because they can.

Tuesday Tunes. ::: Tubthumping by Chumbawamba :::

Good morning, and happy Tuesday Tunes to y'all!

How are you this morning? Are you feeling as wonderful and elated as all of us in Broncos Country? I sure to hope you are. And how was your weekend? Besides the fact that I had to work for the majority of the weekend, I had a pretty fantastic weekend. I worked both Friday and Saturday nights, but luckily for me, I did not have to work on Sunday. I went to Park Tavern with some friends and watched the Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots! We drank, ate, and were incredibly merry because now our Denver Broncos are going to the Super Bowl! Who's excited about that? This gal. And to show my excitement, I'm going old school on y'all.

Now, the last time the Denver Broncos went to the Super Bowl, was the 1998-1999 Season. And the song that I've chose to feature was popular then and I remember the local radio show making a parody of this song. They put John Elway and company into the song and talked all about the Broncos. And though I have been unable to find said parody (if you find it, please let me know!) I will simply play this little ditty for you guys. Sound good?

I hope you have a wonderful week everyone! And GOOOOOOO Broncos!

Sunday Funnies. ::: Oops, I Crapped My Pants. :::

Man, do I get some funny looks when I mention certain hilarious skits, this one included, when my friends haven't even heard of them! "Oops, I Crapped My Pants" is a classic skit in my mind and I'm always surprised to find out when people don't know what I'm talking about. This week my friend Rachel and I were having dinner at Sushi Den when I mentioned the skit and she looked at me like I had five heads. So, to avoid receiving this look again, I happily bring you "Oops, I Crapped My Pants."

My favorite line: "I'm wearing them. And I just did."

Have a wonderful weekend!