Haters Make me Stronger

I am fascinated by those that talk about me when my life in NO WAY impacts or is impacted by theirs.

Long story short - I believe Jason is lying about not getting a roommate. So I wanted to do some research. Now, I have deleted almost all of his friends from my Facebook - as I could care less what they are doing - especially since he is telling people lies about me and making up stories. Regardless, I did keep a couple of people.

Anyway, the person that I am quite certain is moving in with Jason had not yet been deleted. So, I checked his FB today to see if there were any comments about him moving in with Jason. And what did I find?

He and another one of Jason's friends, who I have deleted, had been commenting back and forth, making fun of "Sazzle".

I am fascinated with people that mock me and comment about things that I do when I was nothing but cool to these two guys. I never said anything bad about them and I genuinely really liked them. WTF? Are people SO BORED and negative that they have to mock someone that has no impact on their lives?

This is just more reinforcement that my life is so much better without any of them. Thank GOD I am out and never have to be part of any of their lives.

I am NOT a Weirdo

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Sazzlerific Thanksgiving 2009

As you all know, I decided to spend 3 nights at my parent's house for Thanksgiving. Had a blast! Here are some highlights:

For those of you that don't know, Niko has only been in the car a few times. So, riding in a car for 2 hours with her is not fun. Jumps to the front, jumps to the back, whines in my ear, tries to sit on my back, pant, pant, pant, jumps to the front, jumps to the back, accidentally shifts my car from drive to neutral, pant, pant, pant...not very fun. She didn't calm down until I was on the other side of Newaygo - which means she was nuts for about 60-75 minutes. However, once we got to the house, she calmed down.

Niko hung out with Max, my brother Kevin's dog.

There was some of this:

...and some of this...

...but there was mostly this:

...and a WHOLE LOT of this:

Finally, Niko has someone to play tug of war with!!! For the most part, they got along quite well - except for one instance when Niko tried to eat Max's food while he was eating. Each morning, Max would whine at my "bedroom" door until I opened it up and let Niko out to play. Didn't sleep in, but Niko had a great time with her new Buddy.

So, what did my family and I do while I was home?

We posed for pictures:

Kevin (21), Sarah (17), Dad, Elizabeth (30), Mom, Me (21...er 28), David (28), Scott (23), Kendyl (5), and Aden (3).

And more photos:

I played with Aden - I was the good guy and he was the bad guy. Although, after he met Scott's girlfriend Sara - she got the Aden Attention.

Speaking of Scott's girlfriend, Sara: He brought her home. Not only is she pretty, but we really like her. Hopefully he doesn't mess this one up and scare her away!!!! We can't figure out what she sees in him!!!!! (Kidding Scott - but this is a ploy to get you to comment on my blog and actually add yourself as a follower)

Sara and Scott

I was intrigued with the editing skills in the local paper. The Fremont Times Indicator apparently doesn't understand the difference between a comma and a semi-colon!!!

I posed some more...

I found out that now Mr. Aden Pants is very good at telling stories and that Kendyl probably prefers singing to the songs in her dance class than actually dancing.

We also posed for the classic "Sisters" picture. As always, I grab the middle spot! I tell everyone that it is so that it goes in age order - but really it is because the middle gets more attention in a picture :)

There was some Wii playing...

Although I would have preferred to have Scott and Sara do the Hannah Montana dance (yes, they know it)

Oh, speaking of the Wii: Kevin, Sarah and I played Mario on the Wii for about 10 hours on Friday. As a matter of fact, Sarah and I didn't even change out of our pajamas on Friday.

Me and Sarah Marie posing some more

We played Bolderdash. I was the purple one...can you figure out who won? Hmmm...if I remember correctly, everyone else gave up...

Niko had a great time at "Grandma's" house. I am quite relieved because she has to stay there for a week in December when I go to Amsterdam. Thankfully I think she will do great!

Oh...there was some of this that went on too...Niko loved this ball.

Highlights of the trip:

• Niko being REALLY good on the way back to GR - thank GOD she is finally getting used to the car

Here is how happy she was to be riding home:

• Aden singing "I love Christmas, I love Christmas...ALL DAY!!!"
• Having Mom cook tons and tons of food
• Watching Scotty's Sara play with the kids. Uh Oh Scott... :)
• Kevin being the best brother EVER and changing my oil, fixing a flat, fixing a fuse, changing my brake pads, and being really good to Niko
• Elizabeth getting confused by the time zone between Scott and us...telling him that he could "ruin" a show for me because he sees it an hour earlier...he he...
• Everyone liking Niko...even though she is a sloppy drinker and gets water all over the floor
• Consuming my weight in sugar...sadly it is probably close to true
• Getting hit on at the Auto Parts store when I hadn't showered and looked AWFUL...Fremont makes me laugh
• NOT getting up for Black Friday - but being woke up every morning because the "kids" wanted to play
• Staying up REALLY late with the family each night
• Having everyone actually call Niko "SHE" and "HER". Most people call her "HIM"
• Spending some MUCH needed and overdue time with my family - they Sazzle

Oh - and did I mention I Sazzle?

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!!!

Week #1 - Success!

As I wrote a week ago, I am now focusing on creating my Sazzle Style. Each week/month will be focused around a different area of my life that I am working on. This week was about planning how to turn this crappy apartment into a "home". Result - SUCCESS!!!

Let me explain all the Sazzle Style that has been created in the apartment:

First, I bought 2 of these lamps and put them in the living room.

Then, I decided that I liked these better for the living room:

So, the first ones went in the bedroom and the second ones are in the living room. Now I can give Mom her lamps back!

Up next, I hung these pictures:

...and these:

Then I hung my diploma:

Up next: Set up the Christmas tree. Yay for festive holidays!!!

To continue with the festive attitude, I hung this shelf with some cute little decorations:

I was on a roll, so I hung up these hooks:

Oh...and I bought this coat:

And purse:

And this purse:

And my shoe of the month came:

Oh, and I got this cute thing to hang Christmas Cards from. Now, hopefully I will get a couple!

When I say I am going to do something, I like to get it accomplished. I am quite impressed with my "home" progress thus far...and pretty impressed with my cute new accessories. I am also working on "designing" some curtains, pillows, table-runner, and accessories in teal and silver - as I decided that should be the color scheme.

Now - can someone PLEASE convince my mom to actually make me the curtains, table runner, pillows, etc...?

"Momma I'm Coming Home"

I have a ton to update you on - as my first Sazzle focus week went very well. However, I want to take a minute to talk about Thanksgiving.

For the past 5 Thanksgivings, I have spent the day only at my parents' house. This year is a bit different. Niko and I will be spending a few DAYS in Fremont.

Now, I have to say that I am ACTUALLY excited. As a matter of fact, I am more excited about this Thanksgiving than I have been in 5 years. To be quite honest - I am more excited about the whole holiday season than I have been in the past 5 years.

Maybe it is because I get to relax for a few days?

Maybe it is because Niko will have lots of land to run around on?

Maybe it is because I only have to worry about my family this year?

Maybe it is because I don't have to hang out with any weird "in-laws"?

Maybe it is because I don't have to buy any presents for people I don't like?

Maybe it's just because I am happier now?

Whatever the reason - I am excited. I don't even care that I will probably get a million "Steph, when are you going to land a man" or "Steph, when are you going to get married and have babies", or "Well, you will understand when you are married or have kids", or "You should focus more attention on meeting men" comments from family members. I am quite content right now without a man.

Honestly, this is the first time in a long time that I have been "alone" at Thanksgiving, but I don't feel "lonely" in the least!!!!

Pinky

Being sick sucks. I have been running a fever for 8 days and they are certain it is H1N1.

So, what do I do to raise my spirits so that I can feel better? ...

Wear all pink...ALL pink.

Pink underwear, pink sports bra, pink socks, pink tank top, pink hoodie, and pink and white striped Victoria's Secret Pink pants - with the word "Pink" on the butt. Pink, pink, pink.

A: I can fit into all of it again, so that raises my spirits immediately
B: Pink makes me smile and brightens my mood...perhaps I should be wearing/buying more pink.

Everyone have a perfectly pink day!!!

Ok...this is the best I could do for a pic. It is hard by myself to get the full picture.

Week #1: Make your "House" a Home

Going from a house to an apartment sucks. I miss the garage, the grass, the silence....and the list goes on and on. I'll admit - I don't really treat this place like I care about it - to me it is just a crappy apartment, a temporary situation.

Honestly, it may not be as "temporary" as I would ideally like.

Part of me not asking people over is because my place is a mess. (Ok, I am exaggerating - it isn't a "mess" but more of decorated like I am a college kid that just moved out on my own)

To achieve Single Girl Sazzle-ness, I need to start making this place my "home" because that is what it is going to be for awhile. Now, this project will, indeed, take months to achieve - so this week's goal isn't to complete the task - but to complete a plan to complete the task.

Any ideas?