Is the Grass Greener?

This blog post is a little different than the ones that I’ve posted prior.  It’s not so much recounting a new experience, as it is a new observation.

I’ve given a lot of thought lately to the subject of “happiness” and have wondered what makes all those single, fabulous women so happy?   You know that girl that you see out and about, and she’s laughing, glowing, having an absolute amazing time, and she’s single?!  I started to think about what “her” thought process would be about being single, and try to emulate some of those thoughts.. I think “she” has just realized that on her side of the fence, although the grass may not always be green, there will always be fertilizer…

Green Grass of being single:

• You become an expert on almost every new series on TV
• When you go for coffee in the morning, you only need to get one, so it’s much easier to open your car door
• Wayy less dishes (although, maybe not after point #2 below..)
• You become tidier… There’s nobody there to do it but you!
• When you fart and nobody’s around, it’s actually pretty funny
• You can read your book all day long if you want
• You end up walking the dog a lot more
• You can get rid of that sports package on your TV and swap for it for Slice
• You get to know how truly AMAZING your friends really are
• You end up doing things more – brunching with friends, going for a drive, window shopping, etc.
• You’re able to shamelessly turn your head and stare at firefighters
• You end up making that hair appointment ASAP
• You finally have something to blog about

The yellow grass of being single:

• There’s no warm body beside you at night (Fertilizer: buy a body pillow.. or a dog)
• There’s not enough people to eat a full meal, so you end up eating the same thing for dinner at least two nights in row (Fertilizer: let it inspire to you cook more complex/interesting foods that you’ll be excited to eat two days in a row)
• You don’t own a drill (Fertilizer: call your Dad)
• You miss the company (Fertilizer: perfect time to catch up with old friends)
• You get frustrated with yourself for not being able to do something that you think you should be able to do; i.e. hang a mirror (Fertilizer: call your Mom)
• Your lawn is starting to get so out of control, the grass is actually swaying  (Fertilizer: offer the neighbour’s kid $10 to mow it)

The To-Do List

You know how we all have that To-Do list that keeps getting bigger and bigger and it's all the annoying things that could be done later that are on it?  I'm starting to knock things off my To-Do list.. Seriously.

Tonight was supposed to be a different challenge (A really exciting one that I'll do next week), but since I woke up feeling like a swallowed a thousand thumb nails, I decided this would be a good time to start doing things that need to be done and don't require a lot of talking.

To-Do #1 - Re-sole shoes, dry clean winter jackets.  I know this doesn't sound like a big to-do, and really, it's not... It's just that I've wanted to get my dog-chewed leather winter boots repaired since the middle of last winter, but just didn't... Although it would be more expensive, it would definitely more fun to buy a new pair and if I bought a new pair I didn't need to go to the repair place, drop them off, pick them up, blah blah blah... AND, I would get to shoe shop... who doesn't love to shoe shopping?!
Well, since my rent has now doubled, I thought it better to pay the $20 and get them repaired.  So I did!
(**Note - this does not mean that I will not go winter shoe shopping this year... Just not yet).

To-Do #2 - After repairing my shoes, I felt like I could totally check something else off my list.  You know that junk drawer that everyone has in their kitchen?  Have you ever LOOKED in there?? Oh my gosh.. unreal... Among the things I found in there include: 47 pens and pencils, 3 pairs of scissors, 2 pairs of pliers, a pair of sunglasses, a ruler (like, what you used in 3rd grade), and a padlock.  WHY do I need all these things?  So I cleared it out, and my junk drawer is now just a drawer... for now  :)

To-Do #3 - Ok, here's the biggy.  My dining room has always kind of been an eye sore considering the dog cage is in there, his extra love seat (used to be under the window), and the dining room table (which was more of a space filler, then a plate holder).  When he left, he took the love seat with him, as well as this painting that his uncle painted.  This is what my dining room looked like... Could it be any more depressing?!

Well, after a call to a couple friends, I was feeling inspired... Off to Ikea I go!  With a little window treatments, lighting, and a new print, my dining room now looks inviting; and all done in an afternoon! 

Not that I didn't have my challenges....  For instance, after going to 2 different stores, and buying two 2 different hooks to hold the drape rod, I still couldn't get the damn screw in the small plastic thing, and get it in the wall - who the heck invented those things?? Ugh.. So I ended up going to 2 more stores, and finally found some hooks that just stick on the wall - genius! And the picture? Ya, you think I could get attach the string on the back to hang it from?  Not a chance.  But it's up... nobody go near that wall...

Yes, I kept the ruler.

Saddle Up!

One thing I've always wanted to do is go horseback riding.. This weekend, I decided to saddle up and go for it!

Horses are just such beautiful animals and so regal and elegant looking.  And if I'm being honest, the main reason I wanted to ride comes down to pure vanity.  What girl riding a horse isn't sexy, right? I have never been on a horse before (besides a the pony's at the fair), so I was really surprised to see just how big they were!

Luckily, the weather couldn't have been more perfect!  It was a beautiful day with just a hint of a breeze in the air so that you didn't get too hot.  Being out on a farm on a sunny day surrounded by acres of trees and greenery, silos, ands horses, is inexplicable.  It's almost like a calm immediately envelopes you and you realize that taking life slow is sometimes worth it.  There's no tractor trailers braking, horns honking, music blaring....It's just you, animals, and nature. I've found that being in the country or on a farm is, on its own, such a relaxing experience

But back to the horses.... The ride was so much fun!  We were able to go through trails, and farmland, and it lasted about an hour.  People had told me that my butt would really hurt.  They significantly understated that. Whoa.  When I got off Frasier (my horse's name), I felt by butt hurt a bit and my knees as well, but it was nothing compared to how I felt that night.

Imagine going to sit on the couch and you plop down and land on two cylindrical pieces of rock that jut directly into your butt bones.  Now, you jump up off the couch, but only to sit back down in the same spot.  That's what it felt like every time I sat down that night.

Was it worth it?  Totally. Will I do it again? Absolutely.     

....Only next time I'm bringing a inflatable donut... 

Tackling the dreaded garbage can

Those that know me well, know that I do not like bugs.  Last week was garbage week and the can was gross.  Since the rules in our were that HE takes out the garbage, we both thought it was fair that HE cleans it out... Then he goes and breaks up with me 3 days before garbage day... Grrreat.

So I had a moment of thought about asking him to still do it anyways... BUT then I figured if he can do it, I can totally do it.

If your garbage has never had bugs, maggots, and gross slimy stuff on the bottom, then kudos to you for keeping it clean. 

I started my challenge by first going to purchase those elbow length yellow rubber gloves, scouring pads, and a cleaning agent.  I tried leaving the top of the can open for a bit to air out the stench (which doesn't really work by the way), then went at it.

This is a really gross job.  I don't reccomend that anyone does this. It's stinky, dirty, and the garbage can comes up to my chest.  Get the visual here... My body is literally  doubled over into the can scrubbing; my face inches away from slime and filth.

But I did it!  And now, my garbage can looks just lovely!

**Disclaimer - when you look at the picture of this disgusting garbage bin, please reserve judgement... There are a couple people who live in the basement who also use this bin and are apt to tossing food in there.. without a bag.  Just sayin..