A lot on my mind.

1. Do I make things harder than they need to be?
I am well aware of the fact that I am over-analytical... maybe a bit anxious... always stressed...and extremely indecisive. Part of me likes those qualities, part of me hates them, but all of me blames them on my Mother. Every decision I make is a production. I gather the options... and place them in front of every one of my best friends (obvi including my sister and dad as they are two of them) and look for their advice and then make a decision from the collective opinions.
[Note: I should really try making some decisions (aside from the self-destructive ones-I'm good flyin' solo on those) on my own] However, there is no point in starting now... it's not the first yet*.
I am trying to decide what I want to do when my lease is up on December 1st... I have listed the following options. I appreciate every one's input (so basically, you, Maria).
a. Get a 2 bedroom apartment in FM (like Daniels/Colonial-ish), one for me and the other for my office. I have seen some for as low at $600/mo. (eat your heart out Hallie, Ilana, Libby, Amanda, Casey, and Britt). I rarely ever go into the office anymore, so I need a designated office space because my ADD-ass cannot work near a bed, TV, window, refrigerator, etc., and do it productively. I need a feng-shui space that I can close myself in and put up inspiration pictures of mountains that tell me to climb to the top. (Its motivating I tell you.) This obviously will increase my expenses since I only pay $550 now and split utilities and Internet between 2 others. But it'd be nice to have my own space and live closer to the office.**
b. Move in with my dear friend Ashby. She is one of my beautiful church friends, and she and her sister live in Sail Harbor. I would have a much smaller bedroom, but still maintain my own bathroom. I would pay a flat fee of $450/mo and the condo she lives in is beautiful... kinda of like the one I lived in in Bella Terra (the townhouse before the house I am in now). Obviously this is the cheapest of options.
c. Stay where I am. I am obviously not the most happy here as I say very few words to my roommates a day... and it makes it harder that they are sisters. And I snagger and bitch to myself when they leave their crap around and dirty dishes in the sink (dishwasher people!!!!!!!!! HELLO?!) and blah blah (I know I am not perfect and I am sure they think the same if I leave my office stuff around). But I am a road away from my sister (and more importantly my niece and nephews...jk...kinda) and 2 roads from my dad (and his gym and pool), and right next to the interstate, shopping, movies, bars, etc. And I pay $550 and a split the utilities 3 ways. I defo don't have isolated space for my office... I pretty much set up shop on a small desk AND my foyer table... which looks tacky if I don't clean it off every day.
c.ii. There is another opportunity (kind of-?)... this guy Mike that Libby knows is moving to work in North Naples and is interested (I think) in a roommate. I think it may be cool and totally non-petty to live with a guy. And he is interested in the Estero area (maybe Three Oaks) and I was thinking maybe we could get a three bedroom and he could have the master and I could have the other two, one for me and the other as my office... but who knows if he is even interested at this point.
**And what's really the point of moving into central Fort Myers when I never go to the office anyway. I mostly just market now and go to meetings... this way I would be centrally located between all of Southwest Florida.

Thoughts?! Who knows... I know I have time... and in true Alicia fashion I am sure I will stress about it until about November 30th. I want to save money but I also have to think like its investing money into my office space as well. Share your wisdom....

2. Because this is so long I am just going to rant about 2 things... and make this one short. October 1st* is tomorrow (or today technically) and as usual, I am starting the month with new goals (think New Years Resolution-every month) So here's list... I will elaborate on them more later (obviously only if I succeed) and keep you posted on the progress.
- Exercise and eat better. I mean, I eat well... with exception of binge drinking, 2am gorging and the 30th/31st "Last Hurrah" meals. I just need to work out. 11 days (? I've heard 7, 11, 14, and 21, so I'll just psycho-Semitic myself into believing 11) creates a habit... so I need to just do it and get in shape so I can kick-ass on my co-ed soccer team.
- Network more. Join 2 chambers this month and attend at least 2 events. Talk to or market to at least 20 prospects per week. And tell all new people about the biz. And remember to always keep my business cards on me. Always.
-Work 40 hours a week at AIA. (it gets hard when you work 5 ft from your bed/couch/tv)
-Spend less money. Go out less. Save the $4 and make my own coffee (which I have gotten pretty darn good at with exception of once or twice a week).
-Focus more on continuing education... update myself on current insurance news, changes in the market and read more about commercial insurance.
-Read the bible more.
-Make and maintain friendships with men (aside from Lawton). Sometimes I tend to look at men as... well... not friends. Not that I don't like them... its either I'd be interested in them or don't really care to get to know them more or make a challenge out of making them LOVE me. (And I am not even allowing myself to date right now so if anyone else would like to analyze that badboy for me that'd be great.)
Okay... that's all I have for now. As always, your advice and comments are much appreciated... especially the ones that will aide in figuring out my biggest struggles [of the hour].

Oh, and I guess I should add to that to make my own decisions. right.

Timing is everything

My fabulous weekend trip with AAA.
Alicia, Aly and Amanda

Last night I got home from my amazing weekend trip to Orlando. I went to visit my best friend Amanda for her birthday and Aly came down from Jacksonville. As I previously wrote, Aly, Amanda and I were the crazy girls in high school that were constantly together. We all ended up in different places but keep in touch constantly. We spent time reminiscing, getting ready, relaxing and going out. The three of us are so outgoing and funny- we can always make an event out of the smallest evening out. We spent the entire weeking laughing, analyzing our lives and appreciating the friendship we have. It is so amazing to see how we've all developed into these wonderful ladies... Aly is the philosophical, hippie writer with a style that totally exemplifies it. Amanda is fly-by-the-seat, everything will work out, optimistic, "finding herself" girl that always looks so together. I am the professional, analytical, realist of the group. Together we make for an all-end-of-the-spectrum conversation. They give such balanced advice and we're all able to appreciate each other's unique qualities. It's so beautiful how we've all grown up into more mature, [sometimes] calmed, intelligent, balanced versions of our younger selves. Mind you, we got in plenty of trouble growing up... but we have learned from every trial and tribulation and I truly believe we have all helped each other develop throughout the tough times in our lives.
Friday night we went out on the town with another friend from high school who lives in Orlando too, Elyse. We got dressed up fabulously and hit the town with boas (for Amanda's birthday) and deemed ourselves Sex and the City characters (the usual). Of course I had to be Miranda (because I am the working girl), Amanda was Carrie (totally fabulous style with all the right things to say), Aly was Samantha (the ice queen who always gets her man), and Elyse was Charlotte (the more subtle and relaxed of the four of us). Here's a picture of the four of us, fabulously walking down the streets of downtown Orlando, owning the world.
I am sure we looked obnoxious. But we had a blast. We went all over Orlando and had a great time. Saturday was great, we woke up semi-early, ran some errands, got mani-pedi's and had a beautiful day. Saturday evening we went to an event for Amanda's boss, which ended up being a great networking event for me! I met a ton of great people who can end up giving me a lot of opportunities and business advice/guidance. There was a wine tasting and appetizer time and then we moved into dinner and had fabulous dishes and decadent desserts with yummy cappucino- I think we all felt very posh. This was us all dressed up for the second night...The weekend ended far too soon... but the timing of it was crucial. It was exactly what I needed. I got away from the pressures and business of my life- work, soccer and church... and got a chance to relax and spend time with people I love and love me. I maybe got one phone call, barely any text messages and ZERO e-mails all weekend (my phone obviously didn't get service in Orlando- otherwise I would have been blown up, of course). It really rejuvinated my spirit, intensified my motivation and helped me re-prioritize. I am so thankful for such a beautiful, special friendship that allows me to teach, learn and just be me.
And since I can't have everything... of course I have another lesson to learn- Kyla is again my teacher....
I missed my niece Kyla's first soccer goal ever on Saturday. I was SO bummed. Maria didn't even tell me when I talked to her throughout the day Sunday (AND I EVEN ASKED HER ABOUT THE GAME), but at our game tonight, Kyla ran up to me, jumped in my arms and said, "LeLe, I scored a GOAL on Saturday!!!" Not only was I so proud that she scored, but so happy that she couldn't wait to tell me all about it- as soon as she saw me. I am sure she doesn't care that I wasn't there (this girl is the least petty human being I know, I can just see her saying, "It's okay, LeLe, that you weren't there, its okay." in her reassuring Mommy voice) but its still sad for me to miss those things... but also proves to me that I couldn't live anywhere further away from my family- missing the beautiful moments I get to experience on an almost daily basis.

One of those days,,,

Look at me... two posts in..like..an hour.

Do you ever have one of those days? I woke up this morning at 7:00, which is pretty impressive considering I am working from home today... usually I won't wake up till about 8:55 to start working at 9:00. :)
I thought it was going to be a good day... started working on some things and sent a couple emails to Lawton (because he thinks I am a total slacker these days...) just so he would know I started working at the crack of dawn. I made coffee... and then my morning took a turn for the worse. I got my creamer from the fridge and shook it up. Well, apparently, I didn't snap the lid closed ALL THE WAY and there I stand, vanilla creamer all over me, my fridge and my floor. Lovely. Automatically I think, crap, is it going to be one of those days? They say, don't cry over spilled creamer...
Then, Comcast got here at 9 instead of between 10-12, which I was happy about. Fixed our home phone line (yay!)... and got a couple of good work calls. So maybe the day is looking up. I will be driving to Orlando around 1pm to visit my best friend Amanda with my other friend Aly. In high school we called ourselves Triple A (AAA), and we were the wild and crazy girls. They are two of the people in my life I can be completely myself and completely honest with. I never have to worry about them judging me or worry about standing up for what I believe in.
I pray that God will turn my day into a productive and joyous day! I pray that I can remain steadfast in my walk this weekend and be an example of Christ's love. I pray for my safety while driving and Aly's safety driving from Jacksonville. I pray that God will bless my time with these wonderful ladies and use me in some way... amidst our crazy behavior.
I am also bringing something with me that is close to my heart... but should release me from a lot... which I will update you more on later...

Lesson Learned: Don't tell your 5-year-old niece a guy a cute.

I know its been forever, and I completely intend on writing more (I mean, I even have a scratch list of subjects I need to blog on- but thats the story of my life, a list thats never fully scratched out.) but... I... just haven't made a priority of it...
Since I thoroughly enjoy reading all my 'Mom Friend's' blogs about their silly children, I figured I would write an Aunt one...
Maria, Kyla, Carter and I went to Publix the other day ordering the kids' cakes for their joint birthday party. I had to do some grocery shopping so I left with Kyla, leaving Maria and Carter to figure out the cake situation. Kyla had fun being my helper and I got a laugh from her response to the vegetables I was picking out. See, vegetables in the Glassford house consist of corn, potatoes, carrots, green beans (maybe).... and salad?? So when she saw me pick out asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumber, she gave me responses like, you eat those trees (broccoli) and eee, pickles! (cucumber) and asparagus she thought just looked plain gross. Anyway, she loaded up her hands and we made 1 stop at the cart before returning for more. We were looking at the meat/fish area (which again, she was intrigued/disgusted by) and a cute guy is awile off down the aisle. I make the mistake of saying, "ohh he's cute", this grabs Kyla's attention and she asks me, "who?"
"That guy walking over here in the red shirt," I respond.
"Is he married?" (Obviously the only question to be asked?)
"Well, I don't know, Kyla."
"Why don't you go ask him."
"Ugh, I don't think so."
Then my little five-year-old niece starts trekking his way... and I ask, "What are you doing?!"
"Well, if you won't ask him, then I will!"
Luckily, I pull the whole, Kyla Jean Glassford, get your butt back here right now! She gives a little giggle and remains at my side. However, unlucky for me, he's headed our way. As soon as he is about 2 feet from me, she says "LeLe, here he is, here he is!!" I die. I can feel my face on fire and pretend to be intently focused on picking out something-anything!
He obviously hears her and gives a little smirk. HOW EMBARRASSING! oh, but its not over yet!
We're then in the yogurt aisle and who turns the corner but red-shirt guy!
Again, Kyla says, "LeLe, here he is again! Look right there!" (I obviously see him kid, I am just trying to ignore you or pretend you have mental difficiencies!!!) He is probably embarrassed by now too and scurries off to the end of the aisle and I whisper, "Ky- you can't say stuff like that- you're embarrassing me!"
And she proceeds to yell, "Why?! You said you wanted to marry him!" I know he heard her. I know. Then I told her I was mad at her for doing that and she laughed... mostly because she knows she has me wrapped around her little sparkly pink nail painted finger. We pass by him one last time at the registers and she goes, "Look LeLe, there he is AGAIN!"... takes a look at my face and says, "just kidding!" With a glowing smile.
It was extremely embarrassing, but all the while, I love the little girl. She was only trying to get me hitched. I mean, Maria must coach her into convincing me to get married. Or maybe she just wants some more cousins. Well, I have news for her... it'll be a long time coming.