Florida Chick Sneaks Out

Yesterday we got a new computer (you can read about it at floridachick 365). It was really exciting, but the truth is, we have no place to put a new computer – or more accurately, we have no place to set a new computer. We finally got rid of our 15-year old college dorm desk (I’m still surprised someone took it from the curb), and all of our extra furniture is…well, still up north – yes, still…even after 2 years. So we decided to stop in at one of those big retail furniture stores that you see on T.V. You know the store, there is one like it in every town in America. They’re the ones that have a new sale every other day: a“New Year’s Sale,” a “Day After New Year’s Sale” or an “It’s Friday – hooray Sale.” So that’s where we stopped.

I know you know what’s coming…the salesman rushed toward us the minute we walked in the door. I’m not positive, but I think he may have tripped the other salesman in an effort to reach us first. He introduced himself as Larry, and, as we were the only ones in the store, he followed us like a ravenous wolf – no joke. Actually, after about 3 minutes of us ignoring him, he reminded us that his name was Larry and sat himself down on one of the plush couches in the middle of the store – an open area with a 360 degree view of the showroom and watched eagle-eyed as we searched for a desk.

It only took another 2 minutes or so for us to figure out that we were not going to be able to find our desk here - apparently the “hooray it’s some famous person’s birthday sale” meant that 50% off only included furniture that was at one time heinously priced at $3500 and was now a less heinous $1750. We decided to check Target instead. Getting out of the store would be the hard part, however. Larry was perched dead center with a roving eye on us no matter where we went. So Chris and I made a plan, I wish I was exaggerating…but I’m not, we hid in the interior design center and mapped an escape. We walked through the dining area – hiding behind high-backed chairs and through the living center by using two or three plastic ficus as camouflage. About five feet from the doorway, there was no hiding – so we dead sprinted to the door, ran through the parking lot, jumped in the car and headed home before Larry could chase after us.
So here we are, one day later with a computer perched precariously on a tiny baker’s rack-turned computer desk moved unglamorously into our family room. It’s pretty unattractive but I suppose it will work until we actually make it to Target, but I do wonder… maybe Larry could’ve gotten us a good deal… I suppose I could call him, I think we have 3 or 4 of his business cards in a pocket somewhere.

Lots of Love from a desperately-in-need-of-a-new-desk Florida Chick

Florida Chick Makes a Non-Resolution

So, I've finally learned my lesson, after 30-some years I've given up making New Year's resolutions. The problem with resolutions for me is that usually by January 3rd I've lost the paper on which I've written my list, and by the 8th I've lost all desire to actually follow through with whatever was on the paper. I've realized that it's easier for me to not make resolutions so that I'm never disappointed when I don't reach the goal. For example, I know I have those 5 nagging lbs. that have parked themselves on my rear, but if I don't resolve to lose them, I won't feel guilty about not putting down the bag of lime-flavored tostitoes that are sitting on my lap, it's a win-win situation.

The other problem with resolutions is that all of the experts agree that it will take 14 days for any activity in my life to become a habit. If I resolve to work-out daily, and keep the commitment for two weeks, by day 14 I'll have created a new habit for myself that will just naturally be hard to break - a sure fire New Year's success. My problem, however, is that I have a much shorter attention span than 14 days. My limit for new activities is generally about 3 days, and after that I've moved on to the next big thing...which, I can guarantee never involves anything having to do with running, eating lettuce, or reading Russian classics (a one-time resolution) and more likely involves indulging in Dove dark chocolate, watching Lifetime movies, and reading any series of chick-lit novels (think Sophie Kinsella) - now those are things I could commit to for 14-days straight!

So I've figured out that the only possible solution is to make a non-resolution for 2009. Instead of setting 1 goal to reach by Dec. 31, 2009, I'm going to set 1 goal to reach every single day of 2009. That's 1 new thing every day for the next 365 days with no commitment, no 14-day habits, and no guilt for not running a marathon before next Christmas or not learning a new language, because let's face it, no-carb for a year - not gonna happen, no-carb for a day - very much a possibility. My non-resolution is just 1 new thing every day for the next 365 days. 365 new activities, foods, events, recipes, thoughts, or ideas - and even better, you get to join me on this journey. I'm going to see how far I can get and document it for as long as I can at floridachick365.blogspot.com. It's ambitious I know, and in actuality I do realize that it is entirely possible that I might only try 3 new things before giving up and grabbing the latest mindless fluff novel and reading it for 14 days straight - then again, 14 days isn't that long - maybe it'll just become a habit after all...

Hope you'll check it out and follow along...with lots of love and best wishes for 2009 from an overly ambitious Florida Chick