So I’ve been doing my Defensive Driving course this weekend, courtesy of Blockbuster Video. I have one more hour-long section to do and one last quiz, then I return the video and wait for my certificate of completion to come in. I’m sort of amazed at the gruesomeness of the video. I’ve seen dead bodies and stuff in this thing! And I’m seriously doubting that it’s just people covered in ketchup laying still. I see photos of dead bodies every day and these ones look quite realistic. I realize that they are trying to scare people into driving more safely, but I don’t think that I’m a good candidate for this video! First of all, I wasn’t driving recklessly although I was driving 20 mph above the posted speed limit. But I was very aware of my surroundings and in control of my vehicle. I was able to stop in time to not kill the police officer who jumped in front of my car, without slamming on the breaks or swerving. Anyways, the video is definitely scaring me off the roads, with all those crazy drunks out there, I mean geez!

This morning was sort of funny, our clocks are atomic so they all “fell back” last night to account for the old daylight savings schedule and so we had to rush out the door and take the tollway to make it on time for Mike to get to church for his videographing. I’m sitting in Coffee Central, a nearby coffee house with free wi-fi. I had a muffin since we didn’t have much time for breakfast and a coffee, so I’m doing good. I also had enough time to do section 5 of my defensive driving and my quiz. One more to go, yay!

I’m pretty proud of myself for what I accomplished yesterday. I got all my laundry done minus the small load still in the dryer that just needs to be folded and put away. I changed the linens in the bathroom and the bedroom. I did 4 sections of Defensive Driving, plus we ran some errands around town. Went to the library and got more audio books. The only two things we forgot about were picking up my refilled prescription at Target when we went there to price check contact solution, and to pick up my package at the post office. Oops! We actually remembered that while we were at Blockbuster and had 20 minutes to race to the post office but of course there was a TRAIN and we didn’t make it on time. That means I’ll have to get up way early tomorrow and swing by the post office at the crack of dawn. It’s worth it for Veronica Mars though!! (maybe.. I do like my sleep..)
So I’ve been feeling really tired and crappy lately. I decided last week that I was tired of it, so I’ve taken some steps to stop with all the junk I’ve been ingesting. That means not having a can of pop every day. I’ve decided that it’s a treat food (a sometimes food!) and not something I “need” to get through my day. I’ve taken to drinking only water at work with the occasional Gatorade or Perrier. Perrier is pretty much water anyways… well, it IS water, just carbonated. I’ve been feeling a lot better in the 4 days that I’ve started this “detox”. It’s actually sort of amazing, I didn’t expect to see a change so quickly. I’m feeling a lot more energetic WITHOUT the extra sugar and caffeine. Funny how we drink that stuff expecting more energy and it really works against us.

Today’s comment discussion topic: What do you think about traffic violations being taken off records with a defensive driving course? Good idea? Bad? Give me your thoughts!

Things have been going pretty well lately. I’ve been very busy, which is good. Getting out and hanging out with friends, family, and the rest. Last week I was out every day but Tuesday! Between my small group, other church related things, hanging out with the family, and dance lessons we’ve got a pretty full schedule. And it’s great! I would like some more time to get things done at home, but it’s also great to be spending time with other people for a change. I’ve enjoyed all the time I’ve spent with my new friends! Last Friday I went to a shindig at the church called “She”. It was basically a casual gathering for women, of the more young persuasion. We talked, ate desserts, and painted pumpkins! I had a good time, and I’m looking forward to the next one, and my next small group too!

I’ve recently started listening to audio books during my commute to work. I’m really enjoying it! It makes my commute so much nicer. Last week I listened to “He’s Just Not That Into You” and this week I started “Marley & Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog”. I should have done this ages ago! I actually look forward to my commute now. Work hasn’t really gotten much better but it hasn’t gotten any worse either. I’m mostly just really tired. For some reason I can’t stay awake when I’m at work. I’m fine otherwise, maybe the work is just boring! I picked up some instant coffee recently in hopes that it’ll help me wake up at work, and it seems to work for about an hour and then I’m back to sleepytime. Ah well, just a few years and then I’ll be enrolling into school again or maybe even popping out some kids.

I’ve been better at staying on budget…ish. I’ve been shopping at Kohl’s, trying to use more coupons, getting my make-up from Avon instead of MAC. It’s not as fun, but I can’t live the high life on our budget, especially if we want a house and I desperately want one. It seems far away right now, but if I can keep bringing my lunch to work, drink instant coffee instead of Starbucks, and get more affordable clothes and make-up with my personal money and make it stretch, then hopefully it will make it easier to get through the tight months. I definitely have a lot of books to read and stuff, I just have to curb the “gimmies”. Hopefully I’ll get some goods over my birthday (got loads of awesome clothes from my mom) and that’ll keep me going until Christmas. Friggin’ gimmies.

Anyways, I need to get to bed. Hopefully I will manage to wake up in time to start my yoga regimen tomorrow. I’ve been meaning to start it for awhile, and work out after work as well but I can’t get the gumption to just do it. I need to start sometimes soon or I never will!

So what do you do to pass the time on your commute?