To Do List Thursdays: 80/20 Rule

I have Internet ADHD. I can never get a chance to finish reading something because I'm always searching information that was mentioned in the article I was trying to read.  But anyway, on my search (I can even remember what I was looking for in the first place) I found this article talking about the 80/20 rule.  It was mentioned in the movie "Why did I get married" but for other reasons.  This rule is mainly applied in businesses, but can applied to your personal life as well.  The rule states that 80% of your outcome or results are based on 20% of your activity or input.  If you apply this to any areas of your life, you have to figure out what part of your life makes you the happiest (80%)--then apply how you achieved being happy (20%) and focus more of your time and energy on the 20% so that you can get the greatest results (80%) of being happy.

So the moral of the story...work harder on the 20% so that you can achieve the desired 80% (not the other way around).  Not only work smart, but work smart on the right things.  Stop wasting time on things that don't matter...

Here's an example...  (+) 20% of t.v being off  can contribute to 80% of weight loss...instead the situation is this  (-)20% of my t.v being on contributes to 80% of my weight gain..lol

 The real meaning of 80/20 in the above case....."get up off your lazy a$$"

Enjoy

To Do List Thursdays: The best $1.99 spent...

There's a store here called Ollie's which sells overstock type items.  I go there from time to time to pa rouse the aisles for goodies.  The book selection is great. You can find unique titles at a fraction of the cost.

While browsing the aisles, I found a workbook called  "The One Life Solution Workbook". This workbook is filled with exercises that really get you thinking.... about life.   A few exercises include:
~ a life audit
~creating your mission and vision statement-for your life
~finding out what is consuming your time
~and developing clear boundaries

 From this, I've come to realize that.....I never fully participated in the life GOD has created for me. I just roamed around it or through it- but was never apart of it.  Everyone has some sort of gifts and talents that HE has given us. It's up to YOU to utilize them which will make HIM happy as well as YOURSELF. 

So, for starters, I will sit back and do a "life audit" to see what's going on.  I challenge you to see what's what and evaluate if your living your full potential that GOD has given you. If the IRS can do it, why can't we.

Good Night

To Do List Thursdays: I celebrate ME

 To many times people (me included) focus on the things they wish they could change about their  looks that we don't celebrate our positive attributes. Well, here are some things that I like love about me:

~My legs. I try  down play my legs when it comes to showing them off. I've gotten lots of compliments (majority men)regarding my shapely "thick" legs. At times, I have to watch how I dress especially when it comes to going to work. If I wear dresses/skirts, I try to keep them at bay with a lower heel. When I throw a heal on- watch out now..lol. Which brings me to...
~My foot. Yes, my foot. I've been told that any shoe I put on looks good on my foot. Maybe it's the shapely leg attached to it. LOL.  But people say "oh those shoes look nice on your feet".Which brings me to...
~My skin. I've been told that my skin is super soft. I don't do much to it but put lotion on. Nothing in particular, just lotion. Which leads me to...
~My scent. I've been told that my body chemistry with perfume, perfumed body lotion or oil can hold a scent really well. Maybe the suppleness of my soft skin holds the smell in- I don't know just guessing.
~My dimple. A lot of people don't know I have a dimple. Though it's high up on my right cheek and can only be noticed when I smile. Which brings me to....
~My smile. I've been told that I have a nice smile, to bad I really have to practice smiling more though.

I don't want to seem conceited because I am not, but we have to celebrate what we like and stop dwelling on what we don't. I challenge you... celebrate the things you like instead of the things you don't.

Enjoy....

To Do List Thursday: Los Amigos

I had a wonderful time hanging out with my group- Entertaining Jackson: Eating Fabulous while staying on a budget. My meal was muy bien.  I had a potato burrito with onions & green bell peppers, rice and refried beans. The mix of flavors was so good.  The only down fall with this resturant was that you had to pay for refills. I didn't think nowadays resturants still did that. Anyway, my churro was the best I ever had. It was truly authentic not the Sam's Club 20 in the box thing.  It was filled with apples and a scoop of cool whip on top. It was yummy.  Take a look for yourself. 

 The Dish

 The Churro

The Crew

Enjoy

To Do List Thursdays: What's done is done

I recently received a text from the EUX(emotional unavailable ex) wanting to know what happened to us being at least friends. Friends? How could I be this man's "friend"?

The problem with these emotional unavailable men (especially) is that they just don't get it. They are so preoccupied with themselves that they don't see the things they are doing.  Dealing with these types of people are very difficult and can harm your self esteem.  You start to question maybe it was you all along wanting to much.  But after sorting through every thing that went on, you realize that it's not you, it's was them.

 Here are some ways in which emotionally unavailable people act:

~Distant-can't connect on a emotionally level
~Always busy, sick or tired to spend quality time with you
~Cannot commit to the relationship
~They ignore request and don't try to make the relationship work
~Watch sports or read alot as it may interfere with then spending time with you
~Never follow through with promises
~Will be there for anyone else, but the person that he/she is in the relationship with
~Feels like everybody needs him/her
~Never introduces you to his/her family or friends
~Very critical/judgemental of everyone else
~Surface talk-never gets deep in a meaningful conversation

So, why would I be this man's friend when, as a friend, these qualities are still bad. No since of explaining, he still just won't get it.  Be friends, I think NOT!!!

Enjoy

To Do List Thursdays: House of Kabob

I had the best time tonight enjoying a good meal with  co-workers. We call the group, Entertaining Jackson: Eating Fabulous under $20.  The group was started so that we can enjoy food & fun (entertainment) while staying on under $20 (Jackson- who is the bill). Tonight's dining experience was at the House of Kabobs. Since I don't eat meat, I enjoyed the broiled salmon w/dill rice.  It was finger licking good. My counter parts enjoyed chicken and lamb kabobs.  We had a wonderful time and here's the pictures to prove it:

"Entertaining Jackson" crew

 Salmon w/dill rice

 Lamb kabob & rice w/saffron

 Chicken kabob & rice w/saffron

Persian (Iced) Tea

Enjoy

To do list Thursdays: Clip your coupons and stop playing

I love the deals and bargains I get when couponing. I get a chill to know that people are still paying full price for items.  Look at what I got:

Nivea Body wash $.79 a piece (normally $5.99), Bic Soleil razors $1.50 (normally $5.50) & Carefree panty liners $ FREE (normally $1.50).  So altogether I spent $4.98 for $27.48 worth of products.  I also got 6 cans of Arizona Ice Tea for $2.67 because they were buy one get one free.  Arizona Ice Tea is one of my favorite canned drinks.  I also love Gain laundry detergent and get it at for $3.99 (on sale for $4.99) when I used my $1.00 coupon.  We all know, Gain smells so good and is so expensive.  When it goes on sale, you have should stock up and save.  

I also got 4 packages of Stay free pads and Carefree package of panty liners all for $3.96.  The Stay free was on sale at Rite Aid for $1.99 and I had a $1.00 coupon.  The Carefree panty liners were free from coupon that was in the paper.  Let me tell you,  I haven't purchased pads in one year.  You figure, we all know our cylce comes once a month, so why not be prepared when it comes instead of going out paying full price when you need them.

How I do it:

I buy two papers, clip my coupons and watch for the sales.  You only buy when it's at a rock bottom price. For example... Nivea was on sale at Walgreen's (had to get rain check because they were out) for $3.79.  I have a $3.00 coupon which made the Nivea $.79.  Clipping coupons means staying organized and knowing who has the best sale for the week. So clip your coupons and save $$$$$.

To Do List Thursdays: Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I have no idea what to get my mom.  She has everything that at least I can think of. So, in my travels I went to Burlington Coat Factory to see if I can score a gift for her. I found some wonderful finds for my mother and other special ladies in my life (sister, aunties and family friends).

But of course, how could I go shopping without buying me alittle something something. I purchased  three shirts, sleepwear, a bracelet and some smell good sachets. I am in love with my bracelet. See below.

See how the bracelets wraps around your wrist. I love that. The bracelet was $4.99 from Burlington. I am also in love with my sachets. OMG.... they smell so good. I usually put them in my underwear drawer, closets or in between the seat cushions of my couch.  They come in a pack of 3 for $4.59. This scent (which is wonderful) is called Lilly of the Valley.

 I can officially scratch  off buying gifts for Mother's Day from my to-do list Thursday because I did it already.

Enjoy

To Do List Thursdays: Smile More

Today, someone asked if I was ok. I said "yeah, why?" They said, it looked like your were mad at someone or something.

A smile by definition is:

1. A facial expression characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or derision.
2. A pleasant or favorable disposition or aspect.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/smile#ixzz1LEgNKEOm

This is not the first time I heard that type of statement from people.  I've heard, "smile baby girl, it'll be alright" or "you look mean".  Surprisingly, the times that these statements were made, I wasn't mad at all.  If more than one person is saying it, it must be true.

 So, for my-To Do List Thursdays-- I will smile more and smile often.

How is this????

                                 

 Say cheeeezzzeeeee...

To Do List Thursdays: Get acquainted with your own backyard

There are times when I fantasize about jet setting around the world or wining & dining at the fanciest restaurant's, but then reality sets in because guess what- I can't. Well, I won't say can't, I'll say- can't- right now.

 Some people are driving a Benz, but are on a Ford Focus budget.  All of this to what- keep up with the Jones'. NOT!!!!.  Let me tell you something, I'm not going broke for no one.  I grew to understand what my "living means" are and are not. And guess what, It's not much.  But I also realized that you can do some of these things without breaking the bank.  It's called "exploring your own city". 

In exploring your own neighborhood, you'll be amazed at how much it has to offer.  By doing this, you can accomplish a few things: (1) Learn something new about a neighborhood you haven't been to (2) Recyling the dollar within your community to help keep businesses afloat & (3) Take advantage of the free to low cost entertainment that's being offered.  There's a variety of things to do to fit any budget. All you have to do is search.

As a resident of this city/state for 9yrs, I need to explore more.  So, this summer, I am challenging myself to get acquainted in my own backyard while on a budget. Are you up for the challenge?

To do list:

(1) Black Wax Museum
(2) A new local restaurant
(3) Old Ellicott City
(4) Other malls in the area.

Good night people.....

To do List Thursdays: Get a life

 There are times when I think that my life is just passing me by. They say that money is not the key to happiness, but the way I'm feeling, it sure helps.  There are several lessons in life that I will continue to learn and maybe this life lesson is to be patient.  There's a lot of things that I would like to do: travel, buy a house and getting the things that I desire. Instead, I window shop through life along the way.  Don't get me wrong, I am someone who is very aware of the difference between need vs want.  I save my money and shop wisely with coupons and bargains. Some may even call it being frugal, but being frugal is not a choice, it's my way of life in order to survive.

If you know me, you will know that I take books/DVD/CD's out from the library. I buy on clearance & sales racks, clip coupons, stockpile items, search the website for coupon codes and downgrade if needed on certain things like cell phone or cable television.  But there comes a time when a sista just wants to buy what I want- when I want it or go on vacation without having to plan it a year in advanced.

 But for now, I guess I have to learn my lesson and make do with what I have. Maybe life isn't  just about exploring the world (all the time). It's also about  taking advantage of what's going on in my own backyard that GOD created. When it's my time, it's my time. God knows.

Good day people

To do List Thursdays: Emotionally Unavailable Men (Not to Do)

 So, I fake dated this guy for a little over a year. I call it that because it was by no means real.  To the outside world, he looked good on paper. We were in the same field of work, he liked music, he coached girls high school basketball, knew a lot of people and had a knack for always being there for others when they needed him.  This was all a fantasy, an illusion, a wolf in sheep's clothing and a phony.  To know him only on a friend level, he was a good guy, but to really know him, intimately, he was selfish, negative and manipulative. His conversations were dominated by him and his endeavors. He never asked about me, my goals, my future. When I did get a word in edge wise, he seemed like he wasn't paying attention.

While dating, he would always put others first. At the drop of a dime, he would be there for his "boys" or any of his friends that needed help. They would call on him, he would be there in a heartbeat. But me..nawww, I was second ,who am I fooling, 20th.

 My eyes were opened last year when I had surgery.  I was out of work for  six weeks and was not allowed to drive. Did mister care about my well being or recovery? Not really. He wasn't there like he should have been- even when he had a key to my place. Now I understand that men think differently than women, but at least a "friend" would see you needed anything (from the store), maybe take you out for fresh air (because you were couped up for a minute). None of this was done by my so called man (with a key might I add).

 I painfully came to the realization that he was emotionally unavailable- to me at least.  This is very much a real phenomenon amongst people, men  in particular according to comments, topics and discussions from a page I "liked" on face book called-Baggage Reclaim. I learned that I am not alone on this topic. There are a lot of men who just don't know how to give emotionally.  We as women have to take the stance of knowing when our gut is talking. It's called  red flags and we have to start taking heed to those uncomfortable feelings inside.  When something doesn't feel right, 9 times out of 10, it's not. My lesson- to ask more questions while in relationships and let my inner self guide the way.

Dating an Emotional Unavilable guy is Not a to do....on my list


Good night people