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July 31, 2009 In Uncategorized

I’m Giving Away Money

Well, not really. Not yet anyway, but I will. 

I was going to proclaim here; “Someday when I have a ton of money, I am going to have so much fun giving it away.” Then I thought you know- you don’t need that much money to give it away or share with others, so I will shall proclaim instead; “Someday when I have a little more of my debt paid off and a tad bit of absolutely disposable income, I am going to have so much fun giving it away.”
I think about this a lot.
Like last week when I watched this happy looking young guy on the side of the road twisting and throwing one of those huge cardboard signs outside of a restaurant to attract customers. He looked like he was just as happy as a clam. (Now I have had a lot of very un-glamourous jobs but this one to me is one of those; UGH. Would be SOO hard for me to keep a smile on my face doing this one- kind of jobs.) I All I could think was, look at that kid?! Standing outside in the sun and sweltering heat smiling away twisting and throwing. God I’d love to just pull my car over- hand him a $100 bill and drive off. How fun would that be?
Then there was yesterday at a rest stop. There I was running in to use the restroom, grab a coffee and fill up gas along with the 47,557,259,021 people on the road. As in most typical experience, there were moms scurrying kids, men looking annoyed waiting for their girlfriends/wives/daughters outside the ladies room and lines 15 deep for an egg Mcsomthing at the fast food joints. As I was washing my hands in the ladies room- the short, smiling female attendant was standing next to me scrambling to refill paper towels and soaps. Every time someone mindlessly tossed a paper towel near not in the trash- she just kept picking them up smiling and whistling away doing her job. She didn’t looked phased one bit. I just thought- unbelievable. The scene was so typical and happens every single time I am at one of those rest stops. For whatever reason yesterday I just stopped dead in my tracks for a minute watching shaking my head. I finally got this woman’s attention and told her thank you very much and I hope she had a great day.
I thought; God it’s going to be fun someday when I can hand people like her a $100 bill, say thank you and just walk away smiling. 
I cannot wait to start doing this.
Thank you to all the people out there who bust your butts to keep our belly’s filled, bathrooms clean or do any job that might totally suck, while choosing to wear a smile, even when you don’t have to. You make me want to be a better person. I hope you know there really are other people out there who completely respect you, notice the good job you’re doing, and feel lucky to have you as part of our day.
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July 30, 2009 In Uncategorized

Eat, Run, Eat More, Run More

After I stuffed my face with that giant cinnamon bun from Frosty’s the other day, I went for a run in an attempt to reverse the damages done by the delectable treat. I can’t lie. It was hot and I felt like I was going to barf. It was totally worth it. Check out the road sign I found!

Funny stuff. This really was an actual road sign in use. Love it. It gave me enough pep to keep in my step to make it back to the cabin without heaving. 
Later that night I ate a Dairy Queen Blizzard. God I have some incredible willpower over my cravings.
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July 29, 2009 In Uncategorized

I’m A Stripper, That’s How I Make My Money

I figure if this waitressing thing doesn’t work out- I can always fall back on my supermodeling career.

It’s not rocket science.
You could too.

What the hell is the difference? It all works the same.

You’d be surprised.
Do you know how easy it is to do this stuff?
Yep- I got it for that cheap.
…So which of the above do you think I have said to people? 
Yes. All of them.
I have gotten and continue to get constant comments and questions along the lines of; “Wow- you sure travel a lot”, “Must be nice”, “Do you ever stay home?”, “Business must be good!”, “How the hell do you afford to go places all the time?”, “You’re so lucky.” 
(That last one is my favorite.)
HA! Come on now. Are you kidding me?
Lucky? Yes. I guess I’m lucky that I have been smart enough (along with plenty of stupidity of course) to make some choices I have in my life. I have afforded myself the opportunity to go places and do things that I want. I’m not sure it has been “luck” though. I wonder what that means when people say that I’m “lucky.” I’ve had every kind of job to make ends meet in the past 15 years from slinging burgers and beers to working on marketing projects and as somebody’s “Toots” (they literally called me that. I was a Project Manager which in this case meant a glorified babysitter of staff and secretary.) I have struggled to pay my bills, put a roof over my head keep “food on the table” just like every other human, but somehow I am one of the “lucky” ones. Sweet. I like that. I’ll run with it and pretend here for arguments sake that I am some uber lucky person. A total genius and way super smarter than everyone else walking around busting butt. Lets say I’m the magical merlin. The all-knowing. While we’re rolling with that ridiculousness, I will share my secrets here. 
Next time you are:
*Grabbing your $5 Venti mocha frappa-dappa-yappa whatever delish at Starbucks and paying $10 for their unlimited TMobile Hot Spot WIFI for the day
*Writing a check for your monthly car and insurance payment
*Buying that new stylin’ top/dress/pants-whatever at Banana Republic
*Out with pals having a top-shelf martini 
I will be:
*Grabbing my Tall Starbucks dark roast of the day with my 10% off card that comes with free refills. (It only costs between $1.43 and $1.65 depending on location.) I’ll also be using their free WIFI because yes- you can actually get it for free
*Writing no check for car payment because I own my used Honda Civic that I paid in full on the spot for $3,800.) 
Car insurance? No monthly payment. I pay in full for 6 months because they give you insane discounts when you do that. 
*Buying something equally as stylin’ from Banana Republic. But from the clearance rack. 
*Out with pals having whatever drink is on happy hour special or sipping some YUM $10 bottle of wine on my porch or theirs.
Just like everyone else, I can still get a caffeine high, drive wherever, whenever and safely when I want, I can look hot in my threads and get tipsy all for a sliver of what most people pay. And best? No one, including me- can ever, would ever or cares ever- the difference whether I spent a buck of a thousand bucks on anything. 
Yup. I’m a friggin genius. 
No, I just pay attention a little closer and take a few extra minutes for certain things. It’s sure worth it to me. Come on people. It’s not rocket science. I’m not lucky. I’m an average chick. I don’t have disposable income, I have bills and problems and all the rest of life stuff just like everybody else. There’s no luck about it. It’s about being smart. I just make certain choices of how I want to live. My choices are time, experience and stuff that’s usually on sale or not quite as new and perfect and shiny. Some people have to have the best and shiniest as soon as they can get their hands on it. That’s Ok. To each his own. Believe me, I LOVE me some fancy and brand new cool stuff. I have expensive and “snobby” taste about some things. I just don’t allow myself to practice that expensive taste and snobbery all the time. If I did, it would get in the way of buying lots of gas for my car and plane tickets so I could go see people and stuff that I love and that is so not worth it to me.
I’m happy to share money saving tricks and tips if anyone wants me to. I could teach you to save TONS of loot on the above and more. It does take a bit of effort, but if you want to stop looking at someone and thinking because they travel a bunch or have something you want, they are “lucky” just stop for a few minutes and take a look at yourself, your life and your choices first. You just might be able to make tiny little adjustments that could get you those new jeans or plane ticket before you know it.
Who needs a session? I should charge for this stuff. Maybe I’ll start a side biz called “Living lucky with Diane.” HA! 
Man does this free Starbucks Gazebo blend refill taste yummy while I use their free WIFI. 
(Now after rereading this post and some thought, I think I’m going to have to start posting some deals, bargains and money saving tricks and tips I use so stay tuned for some of that.)
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July 28, 2009 In Uncategorized

These Buns Aren’t Messin’ Around


I accompanied my sibs and mom this morning to Frosty’s in Brunswick, Maine to participate in their yearly cinnamon bun feast. Holy crap. Holy yummy. This sugary spot was jammed full of locals and enough pastries to make your heart stop. The cute older lady who helped us had that poof of grandma hair that was perfect for an old- school donut shop like this. My sister told me this poof haired lady had been working there forever. She was too busy serving up sweets for me to bother her for her picture though- so I opted for the buns themselves instead. As you can see these things are EEE-NORMOUS. (And those are my bite marks out of one. Mmm…)

I would like to add here that at the end of every day of my life when I think to myself; Self- you should really stop having treats and sweets and move toward an all healthy, all the time fruit and veggie diet. The thought that follows that up is; Nah- I’ll just run another mile. I’m on a “live-it” not a diet. (Within reason of course.) 

Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and all others? You got nothin’ on this glazed goodness. Thanks for the biggest cinnamon bun I have ever eaten this morning Frosty’s. Now off to run…
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July 28, 2009 In Uncategorized

The Coast, Champagne And Condoms

Ahh… Portland, Maine today. Saw loads of great shops, restaurants, scenery, people, etc.- what a fabulous coastal city. Highly recommend this one too if you’re ever on a New England tour. I’m having so much fun and running around experiencing it all (did you notice I forgot to add the photo to yesterdays post until now? Yeah, it’s a case of the having too much of a good times.) so I haven’t had much time to write all the gazillions of things I want to. Again I will have to say more soon- hang tight and if there’s one thing I can guarantee for sure it’s that I will never run out of material for my writing and posting here so I hope you’re in for the long haul with me and you’ll be patient.
We drank a bottle of champagne at a park overlooking the ocean, walked through alleys of cafe’s as pictured here and went into this shop; Condom Sense . It was hilarious. (Don’t be offended- it had great gag gifts. Even my mother came in the store with us was cracking up at the selection.) It was chucked full of things you could bring to just about any party or person for some good laughs. Great name, very entertaining. 
Summer days, the Maine coast, sunshine, a bottle of champagne with some fresh baguette and cheeses for a snack in the park, chocolate truffles, “lobstah”, shopping, and still being able to get work done so as to not be complete slacker because you have a Blackberry…priceless. Now that’s some quality of life and an office I like to be in.
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July 26, 2009 In Uncategorized

I Love You Pinot Gris

I visited Atwater Vineyards the other day to pay a visit to a friend and taste some wine. Oh what tasty Pinot Gris they had along with this great chalkboard quote. They even have a webcam you can see Seneca Lake. from the tasting room. The view of the lake never ever gets old. It’s absolutely gorgeous. 

This was my first Atwater visit, but I have been visiting the lake and many other wineries for years. There are over 30 on this lake alone. Wine tasting around those parts is always comfortable and casual as the typical air of snobbery is nonexistent. You always feel like the staff in the tasting rooms and wine makers themselves (that tend to wander through at random greeting you) are just those average guys and gals- neighbors that anyone could get along with. Love that.

Next time you have a chance to go for a trip and you’re feeling like some green beauty, water, wine, relaxation and all things ahhhh…head to upstate NY. You just don’t get this kind of package anywhere else. 
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