A Little Less Stress

No matter how you slice it moving, specifically packing, is very stressful. Believe me! I'm in the thick of it right now. While there is no way to make packing stress free, I do have two tips for helping to cut down on those pull-your-hair out moments.

1. Start in the areas that are the most important to you. That way you will have the energy to do the job right. If you have to move your mother's china and it will break your heart if anything gets chipped, start there. You will have the best packing supplies available and you won't be in a rush. Matt has several musical instruments that he was nervous about being damaged during the move. He packed those first in his strongest box. One less thing to worry about!
2. Throwing your life into boxes can make you feel out-of-sorts. It is ok to take time to organize. Think of a few things that you like to have organized, like your personal documents or books. It is ok to take the time to pack them in the order or way you like. A little extra piece of mind can go a long way during a stressful process.

You may have noticed I'm a little crazy about my closet. I feel more at ease when it is organized and clean. You won't be surprised that it makes me a little anxious when packing it up. So I decided to pack it up first and keep it orderly. This of course took a little extra time but, for me, it was definitely worth it.

This just won't do.

PANIC!

Ah! Much better

Eat your heart out Martha Stewart.

Song of the Day

I appreciate that sorting my hangers and tying them with color-coded ribbons may make some of you think I'm certifiably crazy so GUESS WHAT!? Today's song is Britney Spears' Crazy. Serves you right ;)

You Were My First

Dear Giant Walk-In Closet,

You are a diamond in the rough! Your vast expanses are rarely seen in sub-$3 million apartments in New York City. While I gave up windows in my room for you, you were absolutely worth the vitamin D deficiency.

We had a some great times. You housed all my color-coding, over-organized craziness.

And you provided the perfect hideaway for my mess when an unexpected guest popped by (or when I was just too lazy to clean for an expected guest)

So now you are again a blank canvas for the next tenant. I have loved you Giant Walk-In Closet. While I hope you are not my last, you will always be my first.
Song of the Day
I know how you like when I match the song with the post so I thought of playing R Kelly's Trapped in the Closet but that song is wicked bizarrO. Instead I went with this request. Please enjoy Fins by Jimmy Buffet.

101 Things in 1001 Days: #86

I'm kicking my 101 list's ass! Last week I completed #86: Start or join a book club. I started one with a friend who also had it listed as an item on her 101 list. Our first book was The Time Traveler's Wife, which everyone really enjoyed. It is a wonderful love story with interesting, well developed characters. Oh ya, plus the whole time traveling thing.

Our first meeting was a great success. As none of us had ever been in a book club before, we weren't sure where to start. We decided to begin with "Did you like the book and why?" I know, I know, not an impressive literary question, but just one opinion was a catalyst to a whole evening of great conversation.

The book club was everything I hoped it would be. Our friends had great insight on questions I had about some confusing parts and brought up points that had never occurred to me. Repeatedly during the meeting I threw my arms up shouting "I'm so glad we are doing this!" (If it wasn't clear to you before, I'm an over excited nerd).

Our next book is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I can't wait until our next meeting. We are going to do everything the same except with a little less food and a little more wine, always a recipe for success.

Do you have any book club book suggestions?

Song of the Day
Today's song is Chan Chan from Buena Vista Social Club. It was a special request from someone who needed a good memory during a hard time, which is exactly why this blog was created.

A Few Things To Look Forward To

As it is officially late August, I know I'm not the only one who feels that summer went by too quickly. Judging by the slew of Back to School promotion, fall must be just around the corner. And while I'll mourn the loss of beach weather as much as the rest of you, there is one thing I'm look forward to.... the FALL TV SCHEDULE. I'm done with all this rerun crap. Bring on the new seasons! Here is what shows will be rotting my brain in the upcoming months:

• Top Chef (Started Wednesday!)
• Project Runway (Started last night!)
• So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 (Me: So You Think You Can Dance is starting September 9th! Matt: groan Didn't that just end? Me: Babe, that is how I feel about hockey Matt: Touche)
• The Office (September 17th)
• 30 Rock (October 15th)
• Glee (September 9th)
• And what I am most excited for...wait for it....wait for it...BIGGEST LOSER (September 15th)

What are you excited about? Are there other awesome shows starting that I don't know about!?
Song of the Day
Here is a fun new song from Mika. Enjoy We Are Golden.

101 Things in 1001 Days: # 10

Man, I'm taking my 101 list by storm! This past weekend I completed #10, sail another boat besides Dulcinea. I met my dad, my brothers and my uncle in Boston Harbor to take a Sonar 22 out for the day. It couldn't have been a nicer day and the harbor was packed. I don't get to see my family as much as I would like, so getting to spend quality time with them, sailing, on a beautiful day was pretty perfect.

Song of the Day

Today's song is STYX Come Sail Away. Obiv!

Who Knew!

Scarlet Johansson can sing! Who knew!? I thought this duet between her and Pete Yorn was very catchy. Check it out.


Song of the Day
Please see above ;)

A Dream Come True!

Since I was a little girl I've loved musicals. My mom and I spent every car ride listening to Rogers and Hammerstein's classics. My dad took me to see Phantom of the Opera when I was 9 and I remember staring wide-eyed at the stage thinking "Holy crap! I wish this how life was!" Ever since then I've wanted to live in a musical. Somewhere where it was completely appropriate to sing and dance along with your emotions. A world where you could burst into song on the subway and no one could hear you. Or better yet, everyone could hear you and knew the words and would join in.

You may think I'm a giant dorky loser, but I'm not the only one who wishes for a musical world. I recently came across Break Out in Song and my mind was blown. My dream has become a reality.



Check out the additional Break Out In Song moments at other New York City landmarks here www.breakoutinsong.com

Song of the Day
When I first started PositivelyAnna, I told a friend that I would be including an upbeat Song of the Day. Her response was "You aren't going to play a million songs from musicals, right?" I've stayed strong and I'm proud to say that we've had over 230 Songs of the Day, none of which are from musicals. But I can hold out no longer. This post deserves a great Broadway tune! Please enjoy Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Big News!

Matt and I are moving in together! We made the decision a long time ago but I didn't want to tell you until it was official. I guess I was afraid I would some how jinks it. But we have signed a lease on the perfect apartment so NOW it is official.

I am so excited and ready to move in with Matt. He is my best friend and just the idea of living with him makes me smile. Now I know it won't be all sunshine and Eskimo kisses but we have been together for over 3 years so I know there will be a lot of sunshine and Eskimo kisses. But for the times that there is not, I'm confident we will work through them.

I'm also going to look to you, my wise and faithful readers who have already crossed this big life phase bridge. What should I expect when living with my boyfriend? Are there rules I don't know about yet? What about peeing when he is in the shower? What about if I reeeeeally have to go? What about alone time and bed time and gassy times? I'm looking to you for help.

Song of the Day
Along with the sunshine and Eskimo kisses, I also know there will also be a lot of The Beatles as it one of the few bands Matt and I agree on.

101 Things in a 1001 Days: #75

Today I had no choice but to complete #75, go to the dentist. Some very yummy ice cream left me with a very nasty toothache, which could possibly result in a root canal. I'll find out more about that tomorrow. I'm trying not to focus on that and just give myself a pat on the back for manning up and going to the dentist. I, like million of Americans, hate going to the dentist. And I actually really like all the dentist I know but the inevitable pain and the scolding about not flossing is something that I would rather skip. But I'm feeling very excited about finishing another item on my list. Hmm what's next? Maybe I could try # 26, not swearing for 1 week, although I should probably wait for a week that won't involve a root canal.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Rob Thomas' Problem Girl. Enjoy!

101 Things in 1001 Days: #54 Part 3

I almost forgot the best part of the whole golfing experience...what I wore. I had A LOT of options. Here are the two I went with. A little plaid and a little argyle...the the way I like it.

I've decided to use the winnings from my first PGA tour to by a new camera.

Song of the Day

My officemate is listening to this Kings of Leon song right now. Please enjoy Use Somebody.

101 Things in 1001 Days: #54 Part 2

Click here if you missed the first post about my golfing adventures.

My second day of golfing went much better than the first. We were on the third hole of the day, a par three, which had a MASSIVE water hazard smack in the middle. I looked at the hole with dread as I couldn't see how I was possibly going to get over a stupid lake. So I teed up high and, following the advice Matt's uncle who teaches 8 year olds, just wound up a little. I hit the ball on my first swing (an accomplishment, believe me). The ball shot off the tee but only about a foot off the ground and I wasn't surprised when it headed straight to the middle of the water hazard. But then, as if my ball had been kissed by the golf gods, it skipped twice on the water, ricocheted off a rock and landed on the fairway, a foot away from the green. Still a novice to them game, I did not completely appreciate what had happened until I turned around and Matt was staring mouth open at my magical ball and his dad threw his arms up in the touchdown sign. I then jumped up in the air and shouted (they really like when you do that on golf courses) and we all highfived several times and laughed our butts off. My hit was named Play of the Day and eventually was elevated to Play of the Week.

Song of the Day
Here is Carole King's Where You Lead, for the Gilmore Girls fans out there.

Love, Don't Love: Reading on the Subway

Love: Being so engrossed in my book that I almost miss my subway stop

Don't love: Being so engrossed in my book that I ACTUALLY miss my subway stop

Both of these happened today thanks to The Time Traveler's Wife.

Song of the Day
The characters in my book went to a Violent Femmes concert so I've had Blister in the Sun stuck in my head. Enjoy!