Everything's Okay

Today's Reverb Prompt is: What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

I think that the Everything's Ok this past year was the day we got approved for life insurance. In the past, I dragged my feet on getting it. After we got married, we got a quote from a guy (who now turns out to be one of our good friends) for the return of premium so if none of us dies, we get what we put into it. Didn't seem bad, but it was costly. Besides, we both had jobs so if one of us died, the other would be okay. But lately, I'd been thinking 'we need life insurance' So we did it...we got the quotes, picked the company we wanted and dropped a check for the first payment. I kept calling the home office to see if we were approved or not (after the blood test, etc). Then it went to underwriting, and i recently found out we were approved AND we got a better rate after all our tests were done! YIPPEE! Now, if anything happens to DH or myself, the other will be okay and not have to worry about how to pay the mortgage.

New Name

Today's Reverb Prompt is: New Name - Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

Wow, what a random question! This is really easy for me. I always wanted the name Beverly. I don't know why, but I like it. I guess as kids nobody really likes their name, at least I didn't. My name is Beth. Just Beth. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked if it's short for Elizabeth. Nope, just Beth (My grandmother was named Elizabeth - you can do so much with that. Elizabeth, Beth, Liz, Lizzy, Betty. My grandmother went by Betty). There's just not much to do with Beth. And my middle name is Ann. I do NOT like to be called Beth Ann, other my family calls me that. I always say people don't go around calling them by their first and middle names, so stop calling me Beth Ann. My husband will do it on occassion to tick me off...and I return the favor...I call him Micheal George. LOL.

When I was in oh about 2nd or 3rd or 4th grade (maybe even after that, i don't really remember), I had an awesome teacher, Mr. Faust. He was really cool and I remember him vividly...his clothes (cowboyish), his very deep voice, his beard, etc. We had to do an exercise were we could be anyone we wanted, and we had to pretend we are now that person and sending him a letter, and pictures of what we were doing as famous people. I chose Jennie Garth from 90210 and I went by the name of Beverly Taylor (her last name in the show). I've always like that name, Beverly Taylor. Simple and to the point. So if I could choose my own name, I'd be Beverly Taylor.

Travel

Today's Reverb Prompt is: Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

In 2010, I pretty much traveled by car. Since I'm afraid of flying and get motion sick sometimes, we are 'landlocked' as DH says. I don't like trains or buses (the smell gets to me) and I love boats, but last time I was out on a boat, I got VERY seasick. So cruises are also out.

Next year, we have a few travel agendas. First and foremost, hopefully Atlantis in Feb (late Feb, early March). We also have a plan to fly out to Vegas with his family since they go every year and we are avid poker players, and whenever we play in Atlantic City and I proclaim I've never been to Vegas, it gets quiet and you can hear a pin drop. We also won some tickets to Disney, so if we can find the time and money, we'd like to do that, if not, I can sell my tickets on Ebay or Craigslist.

Future Self

Today's Reverb Prompt is: Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

It's kind of hard to tell myself advice five years from now since so many factors can change, and normally it's vice versa, about going back in time to tell your old self something of importance. I think maybe I would tell myself not to forget where you came from. Remember your roots. Things I've done when I was little and how I was reflected the real me, so I need to keep that in mind. Don't change for anything, you are who you are and never apologize for that. Keep your head up, things can get ugly, but it's the love of your husband, family and friends that will keep you rich in the years to come.

If I could go back in time and tell myself something when I was 10 years younger, I could probably write a book! 10 years ago, I was 20 years old, hoping to be 21 so I can drink. Thinking back now, what a waste! I should have cherished the time I had when I was young. I think I needed to learn a thing or 2 about love. By 20, I was in my 3rd long term relationship and all 3 I thought I was going to marry. Boyfriend #1 was my 'first' and I longed for him and I to be together forever, for that reason. Even though he hit me, abused me mentally and physically, I didn't care. My values and belief in my religion dictated that since I gave him my full self, I'd have to marry him. Boy was I wrong! The second one was the rebound one, and he happened to be a friend of BF#1. What a way to get revenge. He was great to me, but had no goals in life. He didn't have any $, no credit, no place to live, no job, no license (it got suspended years prior). he ended up living with me and my parents since he had nowhere else to go. I worked part time and went to school full time, and I had to be the one to pay for EVERYTHING. He was 7 years older then me and had nothing to show for himself. I had higher hopes for my life. Then came BF#3. he had a job, a license, a car, good family life, very minimal $ in the bank, but it was a 'step up'. He was a manager of one of the departments where I worked and we started off just being friends. He taught me how to drive his car (stick shift) and we really clicked as friends....but I saw a future for us, so being the bad girl that I am, broke up with BF#2 and dated BF#3. It's almost like I needed to be in a relationship. There was never a time in my life I was single. I was always attached. Looking back at my pictures and old life, I was always with a guy...there were never 'girls' vacations or anything, and I think I may have missed out on those good times. If I could go back to myself, I'd say 'enjoy life!' b/c one day, you'll be married and worrying about mortgages. Guys are just guys...they are a dime a dozen!

Beyond Avoidance

Today's Reverb is Avoidance: What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

I should have gotten on a plane!!!!!! I was both scared to fly and worried about money and the cost of the vacation to go. I'm trying to overcome this fear so that in 2011 I can go on multiple vacations...we'll see how it goes!

Healing

Yesterday's Reverb Prompt was Healing: What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

I think that this past year, I healed myself, with the help of DH. See, I tend to worry way toooooo much about little things. If I get a papercut, I think I'm going to either bleed to death or I'm going to get an infection and will need to go to the hospital. And it's always right in the beginning of something happening that will cause me to worry so much, must without thinking rationally, which when it happens to someone else, I'm the rational friend they call to talk to. Over time, I've realized that over worrying is not worth the stress and to just take it one step/day at a time and really think about things first before jumping on anything.

Try

Today's Reverb: What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

Oh this is an easy one. My 'try' for 2011 is flying in a plane! I used to fly all the time when I was younger, but I haven't flown since I was about 12 or 13 (18 years ago). Since then, we didn't really go on family vacations, so there was no need to fly anywhere. Then, when in college, I couldn't afford any far away vacations so I didn't have to fly. Then when I met my husband, our go to spot for a vacation is Atlantic City, which is an hour away, free or cheap rooms, free food, etc. So they are inexpensive vacations (right up my alley). I chickened out on the plane for our honeymoon. Yup, got on, then my DH took me off before takeoff. I don't know where the fear came from, whether is it's heights, claustrophobia, terrorits, getting sick, or a combo of them all. So since then, we haven't planned on going anywhere.

For DH's vaca in Sept, we had wanted to go away on a vaca, at the last minute. We coldn't decide where to go, then as time grew closer, my nerves got the better of me and we put it on hold. But now, 2011 seems like the year of vacations. We would like to go to Altantis as our 'honeymoon' (3 years later), Vegas with his family, Disney (I won 4 1 day parkhopper passes) and my parents want the whole family to go to Aruba as they celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and renew their vows. That's 4 vacations we would like to take, all involving an airplane. I have xanax (had it for our honeymoon, but refused to take it) but I'd like to be able to 'mind over matter it' and do it without the aid of drugs.

so we will see if 2011 is the year of planes for me

December 17th - Lesson Learned

Today's Reverb Prompt is: What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

For me, during this past year, I figured out that I'm not Super Woman and that I can't do it all. I also learned that how I deal with stress of not being Super Woman is not so healthy. I tend to blow up, not rationalize, and just get really moody. I finally figured out how to deal with that stress a week ago. I was upset over going over budget for Christmas. I resorted to yelling at DH, blaming him for not helping me, etc. He then went to pick up dinner, I took a shower and mellowed out. I rationalized in my head while I was in the shower. When I came out, DH was home and I gave him a great big hug and apologized. I said we'd figure something out and that we don't spend any $ on ourselves throughout the year, so we 'splurge' during these holidays, so it's not a big deal. But I tend to make small deals into HUGE ordeals. I think I have tamed that best this year.

Reverb 10: I Appreciate My Husband

I've been following many blogs over the past 2 years, and one caught my eye today. Over at One Frugal Girl's blog, she's has been participating in Reverb 10 where you reflect on the past year and manifest what’s next. You sign the contract that you will blog or tweet each day on that day's topic. I've been meaning to get back into the swing of things on my blog, and what better way to do it!

Today's proverb is about what you appreciate the most during the past year. I'm normally a very independent woman, but after 3 and a half years of marriage, I've learned that it's all about give and take. I'm very controlling in our marriage, as I am the boss and it has to be my way or no way. But this year, I've learned that I can't always have my way, which was a hard pill to swallow. DH and I have had quite a number of 'talks' about everything from money, to vacation, to planning for children, etc. He was never the type to sit and talk about serious topics, but lately he has been. His persona was more or less the 'Party Animal' that could care less about anything, unless it had something to do with beer or a club. But he's changed a lot in the 7 years we have been together. Yes, this time of year marks the anniversary that we met, which wasn't in the typical type of way either. 7 years ago, my life changed and looking back, it changed for the best!

Over the past year, I have had my own issues with health, money, work, stress, family, you name it. But DH was always there to ease my stress. I automatically stress about the smallest of things, but he has learned how to calm me down and he has been on point with it this year. He knows when I'm in a 'mood' to just let me be, so he will go into a different room then i'm in. And if I switch rooms, he follows suit. He also knows when I just need a hug and a 'It'll be okay' pep talk. He also knows the best way to cheer me up, with either a trip to Atlantic City or a coupon that he found, or a sale on something that I've been wanting. I'm still getting used to our 'team' as in my past I always so it as me against the world. But now, it's him and I against the world and I have a pretty good teammate if I do say so myself.

WSOP Circuit - Harrah's Ladies Event 12/11/2010

I had originally planned on playing the tournament at the Borgata on Dec 11th since it was a two day event, and I really want to get my feet wet playing a multi day event. In the past with work, I wasn’t able to, and the ones that are on the weekends are over $1k buy in, which my bankroll can’t stomach. Then, on Friday, Dec. 10th, I checked the Borgata website to double check times, etc and it was changed to a 1 day event. Eh. So I switched back to wanting to play the ladies event.

We got to Harrah’s around 10, checked in, didn’t get a room, so we put our luggage at the Bellhop. I then went up to register for the tournament, no line. We then walked around for a little bit until the tournament started.

I started at a pretty good table…all the ladies were nice (as always). I wanted to try to suss out the ladies at my table to see how they played (tight, loose, aggressive, etc). I got a pretty good read on them all pretty quick (another reason I like the ladies event, easy to suss out). Many tight players, and 2 loose players at my table. The one was in every hand, she’d raise every other hand and so many times at the river, she’d be like ‘Ace high’ since she kept trying to win the pot by betting. Another girl was the same way, she’d always catch on the river. One girl flopped a set of nines and bet big, and raised, etc. Same on the turn, bet huge. With an ace and a queen (maybe a jack on board). The girl kept calling…10 on the river, she caught a higher set on the river, leaving the other woman with like 300 left. She was MAD! But this other woman that hit the set on the river could not get off ANY hands!

I must say that my ace king was loving me that tournament! I lost 2 times with it and got it about 8 times. The first time I got it, I raised pre flop with 2 callers. Nothing on the flop, check to me so I continuation bet it, one caller. 10 on the turn, making 2 diamonds out there and 2 tens. She checked, I bet, she insta called again so I put her on a 10 since she was a tight player as well. She checks the river before it came out, Ace on the river, I check (since my pair of aces loses to a set of 10s) and I flip it over in disgust and she mucked…she said I got her on the river. Sweet!

Got ace king again a few hands later (suited) and I raised pre flop, 2 callers (both the loose girls too). Nothing hit on the flop and one girl bet out so I folded. Other girl raised (thinking ‘good fold’ to myself). They bet again on the turn and river. Ace rag won (ace high), the other girl had queen 7 off. Wow…I woulda won with ace king high. Oh well. But other then that and the hand that knocked me out, my ace king was unstoppable, which is RARE!

At the end of one of the rounds, I got pocket 8s or 9s. I hate getting a hand as we are going on a break. So I raised pre flop, got one caller (loose girl). I flopped a set, girl checked and I bet out (flush and straight possibilities) and she folded. Thank goodness!

Around 3 or 4 pm ( I can’t remember the timing), I got pocket nines and someone raised ahead of me. I call, looking to see a flop as I wasn’t going to repop her since she had a tight image. Girl to my left calls also, VERY tight. She played maybe 3 hands the whole time. Flop was 9 2 3 (two diamonds). Tight girl leads out and goes all in, I go all in on top and the tight girl to my left goes into the tank. I must note, that right before the hand was dealt, Hubby Mike came up to check on me. So he was standing behind me as the whole hand took place. As soon as I pushed all in, he moved back, thinking ‘Oh boy, if this goes bad, she’s going to blame me’. The girl to my left finally folds, and we flip over our cards. I forgot what the woman had, but the girl to my left was like ‘I put you on a set, that’s why I folded pocket jacks’. Turn was a blank, river was a jack! Good thing I pushed all in or the girl to my left would have called just the all in of the other girl and I woulda have most likely gone busto in that hand when she rivered her jack.

Right before the dinner break, our table got busted up, which was a good thing b/c two girls got into a heated argument when one rivered a one or two outer ( I wasn’t paying attention that hand, I’m just going by hearsay). I got moved to table one, with Ac_pokerchick. Soon after, we went on lunch.

I played tight at the new table to get some reads of the new people. At one point, I had pocket 7s and I raised pre flop. Pregnant girl to my right called. Flop was ace jack rag, she checked, I bet out, she called. Turn was a 9 I think, she bet I folded. At this point I went from over 30k in chips down to about 21k. I don’t remember if I got involved in many more hands as at 27 left, we redrew tables and seats.

We moved down to 3 tables from 4 and I was at seat 1 at my new table. I hate seat 1, I never know when it’s my turn lol. Hubby Mike and Hubby 2 were there watching and nicknamed seat 10 my arch nemesis. She won a few hands off me, but I won a few from her too, and when I counted we were about even stealing money from each other. One particular hand was when I had 10 jack of clubs in the big blind (arch nemesis in small blind). Flop came out two clubs, she checks, I bet out someone behind me folded, arch nemeis calls. Turn is nothing, she checks, I check, river is the ace of clubs. I just hit my flush! That hadn’t happened the WHOLE tourney! She bets out, I go all in (or I raised her a lot, I don’t recall). She thinks, thinks, thinks, etc. Then she folds. Here’s where I got ticked off, but didn’t let it show…Hubby Mike saw it too and wanted to say something, but kept quiet. After the hand, arch nemesis asked if I caught my flush b/c if I did, she had me beat the entire way to the river. I had in my headphones, but had paused it at some point or another. I just remember I had in my earphones but paused the song for whatever reason. So I pretended that I didn’t hear her. So the dealer (in between us), taps me and says that arch nemesis was asking me a question (as I’m racking in my chips). Thank goodness for Ac-pokerchick! She didn’t know that it was on pause, but knew that I had in my headphones and was like ‘she has her earphones in’ LOL. Now why in the heck would the dealer tap me and say ‘she asked you a question’ HELLO…deal the cards! Don’t talk and don’t get involved! Eesh!

This is around the time where I started the roller coaster again. In the past, I’ve done this, but would go down, then up, then down and out. This time, I rode the coaster for awhile, I’ve never gone down and up so many times and lasted.

One girl did comment that I was very patient and knew the exact time to shove.

Although a kick from Ac_pokerchick from down at the end of the table woulda been nice lol. She had raised pre flop, I was in the big blind and I had ace king, so I had to call…I was very short stacked…less then 10k and the blinds were 1500/3k. She had aces…woops! So that was it, I was out in 16th around 11pm and we started at 11am. It was a LONG day and I was exhausted and hungry. I went to eat and came back over an hour later to see who was at the final table. Kim finished in 7th, (congrats!) and the final table was playing. I went to bed shortly after. I’m still trying to see who won, but worldseriesofpoker.com hasn’t updated the ladies event yet 

Congrats to Ac_pockerchick! I checked out pokerpages.com and she has her own page!

A & P 12/10/10

4 Scott Naturals Wipes - $1.89 * 4 = $7.56

4 Blistex - $1.00 * 4 = $4.00 - 4 $.25 off coupons (Qs) doubled to $.50 $2.00

Total = $9.56 +$.21 tax = $9.77

Used $5 CAT from the brownie deal = $4.77. Got back $5 CAT for buying 4 Scott Wipes = $.23 profit!