Beware of the Toxic Drywall

Are you thinking about building or buying a new home? If so this issue is something you should not ignore. I’ve been looking occasionally at homes here and there but I’m really nervous to buy one after hearing about defective American and Chinese drywall. If you have never heard of either I urge you to find out more information before going on your house hunt at The Chinese Drywall Lawyer website. Not noticeable at first some of the side effects caused by this toxic drywall are bloody noses, vomiting, coughing, internal pains, and headaches. Not to mention it is thought it could cause lifelong health issues. I’m starting to hear more and more about families who are having to deal with this massive issue. However this toxic drywall is still not well known in the public eye. Thus my reason for wanting to bring more attention to it and my fellow house hunters.

The southern part of the United States, places such as Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia are among the hardest hit by this toxic matter. But it is known to be all over the U.S. reaching as far as California and New York. I recently found the video above by George and Brenda Brincku who are dealing with such an issue in Fort Myers, Florida. For the 8 months they have been trying to pull together the pieces of this mysterious toxin in their home and have been forced to move because of it. To read more about the Brincku family you can view the testimony they sent to the U.S. Senate. I can’t believe what they have been going through and my heart goes out to them. Please watch the video they made, I think it has great tips for checking to see if your home or a home you looking to purchase has defective drywall.

We all need to educate ourselves on defective drywall because I would hate to see any others people go through this huge ordeal. The Brincku’s also have had a story done on CBS. I hope by spreading the word about the Brincku Family I could help put a stop to these drywall companies for making this toxic drywall and restore the people’s lives they heartlessly destroyed.

Lastly, if you or someone you know has defective American or Chinese drywall I found out you can contact Brenda Brincku on Twitter or on Facebook. I know she would love to talk to you and get you connected to the right people that could help you deal with your situation. I hope knowing about this issue will help you make a wise choice when you go to purchase or build your next home. Good luck!

Facebook Fan Page

Thanks to Sarah and her comment on an earlier entry It’s Facebook Official, I thought it would be time to make a fan page for Circle City Girl (Sarah, now you can click the like button all you want now *insert smile*).

Of course no one is forcing you to become a fan but I know it is hard to keep up with a bunch of different portals at the same time. At least for me it is and I wish that there was one place just to check everything. Thus the reason for the fan page, to make your life easier! So if you have facebook and you are interested in getting updates that way, feel free to become a fan.

It’s Facebook Official

So it is official, Facebook official that is. Mr. Facebook and I are now in a relationship on Facebook. Even thought we have dated for the past five months we haven’t announced our relationship technically to all my Facebook friends till last night.

It all took place last night when he came over my apartment for dinner. I wanted to do something special for him since he just got a new job. Thus to celebrate I cooked him one of his favorite meals, pot roast. We sat down and had an awesome dinner together (with music in the background, per his suggestion).

I was really excited because I had been wanting to give him this painting of Chicago. And I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. And if you know me, you know I can’t keep gifts very long. I think that is why I’m such a last minute shopper. Anyway, I wanted to surprise him and get it framed. But after running to hobby lobby earlier that day, I found out they didn’t have the frame I wanted in stock. Bummed out… I figured I would have to wait a little longer before I could give it to him.

Now Mr. Facebook has already seen the painting around my apartment because he saw me paint it. But it just so happen last night right after dinner Mr. Facebook asked what I was planning to do with the Chicago painting. I just smiled at first because I knew my plans I had to give it to him already. So in the heat of the moment I just blurted out it is for you. Not a very romantic way to give a gift or a painting for that matter. But I was so excited to give it to him and he was already calling me out on it, I just couldn’t help myself. He got this huge grin on his face and expressed how appreciated he was for the gift. The only reason I painted the skyline of Chicago was so I would give it to him. Besides it just wouldn’t feel right giving it to anyone else. I think Chicago holds a certain place in our hearts because that was our first road trip together. When I see that painting it reminds me of what a wonderful time we had.

After cleaning up the dishes together, we sat down to watch a movie on tv and browse the internet on our laptops. Granted normally we never do this but I’m practically glued to my laptop so it doesn’t help things much. To much of my surprise I got a relationship request when I logged in on my Facebook account. At first I had no idea who had just relationship requested me but then I saw it was him. With him looking over my shoulder, he said, “I did that before dinner.” Which my reply was, “Really now.”

I was just one happy girl, all I did was smile like a goof ball and of course I accepted. Seriously why was I so happy about a Facebook relationship request? I mean we had been calling each other bf and gf for a while now but that was to our close friends that we talk to all the time. But I guess now it was just like he was claiming me in the internet world and he didn’t care who knew.

So go tell your friends, family and everyone you know Mr. Facebook & Circle City Girl are officially a “thang.”

24 hours & 24 years

Sorry I haven’t been able to write about this past weekend till now but I had a publication for work going to press this morning, so my life has been a little hectic. We ran into a few issues but finally they are all resolved and everything was approved. I can’t wait for this May issue of the Magazine I create to come out, it is a brand new layout and I designed every inch of it. That alone makes me extremely proud of myself (I think I will pat myself on my back).

Anyway, back to my birthday weekend…

Friday:
What a day… working like crazy getting things wrapped up for the weekend, I couldn’t wait to get off work. I just keep watching the clock… oh please hurry! Mr. Facebook planned to pick me up at 5:15pm to take me downtown for my birthday party and if that wasn’t good enough it was beautiful outside. Which finally gave everyone in Circle City the glimpse of spring we have all been waiting for. I was so happy to be getting a short break for the weekend and be able to enjoy the festive events of turning 24.

Arriving at Howl at the Moon, an old piano bar which is famous in Circle City for having awesome live music. I wasn’t sure who was actually going to show up. But low in behold I saw a friendly face as soon as I walked in. Siobhan… you are awesome girl! I was so glad to see you there and I couldn’t thank you enough for the gifts you got me. I loved them! While talking with Siobhan and Mr. FB, people I knew started trickling in. Before I knew it I was catching up with old friends and gabbing away about new things happening in my life.

This was the first time that Mr. FB was being introduced to some of my closest friends and I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out. But much to my delight he was amazing. He not only seem to handle himself very well but he had a way of talking to new people he never met before. Making it look like they could have been good friends chatting. Afterward I got some rave reviews from some of my girl friends, which made me feel much better that they all liked the guy I have been dating. And yes, my friends opinions matter!

I didn’t want the night to end… it was so good just kicking back and laughing with everyone. Just like in the good old college days. I can’t believe it has been two years since I graduated. Jeez… has time flown by or what! As the evening went on so did the fun… except I feel really OLD right now. Because what I’m about to tell you just might blow you away. Even though I was having a blast hanging out I was whipped by 11:30pm. What happening to me staying out all night?!?! I guess this just goes to show I feel my age just a little more each year. So Mr. FB was nice enough to bring me home, which I might add I fell asleep on the car ride back. haha what a big birthday bash I had, the clock strikes 12 and I’m sleeping like a baby. Oh well… nothing wrong with that, at least I know I did have a great time with everyone!

Saturday:
The next morning I was happy that I just popped right out of bed. So I guess it pays not staying out till the wee hours of the morning. Mr. FB asked if I would like to go to get a birthday breakfast at Cafe Patachou. That same cafe that we were suppose to go to on our first date but didn’t get to. Which the food is amazing by the way if you haven’t gone you really should. It was really sweet of him to come take me out for breakfast even though he was coming back later that night to take me out for a birthday dinner! Can you believe that??

After breakfast Mr. FB had to run a couple errands before dinner that night, so I was able to relax for a bit (time just to be me). Which was great since most of the week before I had been working really hard and it was nice just to take a break to chill for a little. It also gave me a chance to catch up with a couple of my best friends and family on the phone. Besides that the rest of the afternoon I was totally shocked at how much people really cared for me. I got flowers delivered to my door, music sent to my e-mail, Facebook messages on my wall and a ton of cards from loved ones and friends in the mail. Not expecting anything, I’m truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in my life! It really made my day to get things in the mail.

You know sometimes it is really hard being away from family around holidays and birthdays because you never really have the chance to share those moments with them. And I know for myself I would of loved to have spent the day with all of them for my birthday. It really makes me cherish those moments when I am able to spend time with them even more.

Saturday Night:
Okay now to Saturday night, just what you all have been waiting for right?!?! Mr. Facebook showed up promptly at my doorstep with a present and a dozen white roses in his hand. All dressed up in a nice collar shirt he was so cute because he couldn’t wait for me to open up his gift. Seriously he is spoiling me with roses… (side note: I absolutely LOVE getting flowers) except I don’t always get them. This means his roses were a real treat!

Opening his gift he anxiously waited for me to open the card. I think I was so excited I opened it right away without looking at the front at first and he stopped saying wait don’t you want to read the front?!?! I could tell he spend a lot of time trying to find just the right card. As I read it, I felt just a little emotional because not one guy I have dated has ever gotten me such a sweet card that was this nice. I can count on one hand how many times someone has done this for me before. And to think this is only after dating a month!

The card read as follows…

“Happy Birthday to the one who makes me feel special and important, cared for and HAPPY, excited and content- all at the same time. I’m so glad you’re in my life. Happy Birthday with Love… CCG, I have truly enjoyed every minute we spent together and look forward to a future with you. Happy 24th Birthday! – Mr. Facebook”

I think I read the card at least 100 times after that night… I just totally blown away. Not only did Mr. FB get me beautiful white roses and a birthday card that just wants to melt your heart, he also got me a shirt! What, another thing I was totally surprised about. I pulled out the shirt and not only did I love it but it fit! Now when does that ever happen, seriously?!?! Needless to say I ended up changing so I could wear the shirt he got me to dinner.

For dinner Mr. Facebook took me to Maggiano’s Little Italy… a great Italian food restaurant where again the food is absolutely amazing! I am very blessed to have had such an fantastic day with such an great guy! At the end of our meal, Mr. FB made sure I had cake with a candle to blow out. I really couldn’t have asked for a better birthday, it was more then perfect. After we were done with dinner he asked if I would like to go to a movie… so the night was far from over. We end up running to the movie called State of Play. If your looking for a great movie with a lot of unexpected suspense, I recommend it. I love movies like this for some reason… I guess I like the fact that it is unpredictable and I don’t know what is going to happen next.

Thus by the time the movie was over it was 12:30am and my birthday had past. It only took 24 hours to have a birthday come and go and 24 years to get to where my life is today. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t change a thing. I have learned some valuable lessons during my 24 years in this world but I’ve also learned the value of life and what it means to live life to it’s fullest. Gaining that wisdom alone is the best gift I could have ever received.

Hope you enjoyed my long post about my birthday… man, I had a lot to catch you up on!

25 Random Things

Thought you would enjoy these 25 random things you might have not known about me…

1. Christ is the MOST important thing in my life.

2. I am a Sunday School teacher for 1st graders.

3. I can snow ski, wake board, & scuba dive… now all I have to do is sky dive and I will be set.

4. I love traveling… I would be on a plane tomorrow if it meant going somewhere new.

5. I write and keep a personal anonymous blog about my dating life. (Wait you guys already know this)

6. I hate doing laundry. Who does ?!?! Please let me know so I can have them do mine.

7. I live, breathe, design…and I am 100% a MacBook Pro Girl.

8. I love watching a good movie snuggled up on the sofa by myself.

9. If we didn’t have sweet tea the world would be a sad place… can you tell I’m addicted to sweet tea.

10. I can fall asleep about anywhere… even if I have a computer on my lap.

11. I love to network! Smaller Indiana, LinkedIn, Facebook, gchat, skype, Twitter, Rainmakers… the list goes on and on. Seriously, I’m going to have starting a log book for how many passwords I have.

12. I run marathons for fun… that is 26.2 miles long, end of story.

13. I used to coach a kids ice skating and hockey class.

14. I’m a president for a multimedia company.

15. I’ve almost died once.

16. I was certified and worked as a physical therapist at a Chiropractic office

17. I am a workaholic.

18. I can’t STAND drama… I stay far away from it!

19. I’m not one to play games with guys… I have better things to do with my time.

20. I love kids! I want to have 2-3 someday I think. Lord willing.

21. I’ve been trying to teach myself Korean.

22. I didn’t know how to use a grove tool on an ice scraper till Dec 2008.

23. I’m an oil painter.

24. I used to be a tom boy growing up and I love sports!

25. I didn’t wear make-up till I went to college.

Time Change Challenged

So…Mr. Facebook showed up an hour late today for our blind date. Due to the fact he said he forgot to change his clocks back. Apparently he is time change challenged, likely excuse right? However I was already kind of ticked off before the date even begin because I was starving. Which in any case is not a good sign when the girl is hungry, period. Consequently, due to the fact he was late… our previous plans of going to that little cafe had to change. Since they closed at 2pm and he was just picking me up around that time.

We ended up at Kona Grill at Clay Terrace. I have to say the food was really good like always. I’m glad I at least got my favorite salmon salad out of the blind date deal. Overall, it went well with Mr. Facebook. We had decent conversation but I just wasn’t really feeling it. Maybe it was because he was already in the dog house for being late but honestly there was no real spark.

He seem like a really nice guy but I’m not looking for the next nice guy. I’m looking for someone that is going to hold my attention in a conversation. Granted if he did ask me out on a second date I would probably except, just to give him a second try to redeem himself. So we will see but I think I will throw this one back in the sea. Mr. Facebook just isn’t what I’m looking for and I’m okay with that.

Blind Date

Random blind date tomorrow.

Tonight while I was out with one of my good girl friends Brit, I got a text from Mr. Facebook asking what I was doing tomorrow. Now to explain a little bit I met Mr. FB back at the end of December. He had ran across my profile on Facebook from a mutual friend and had sent me a message. Granted we have message back and forth the last couple months getting to know each other briefly.

Tonight he asked if I would like to meet up for coffee and brunch tomorrow at a little cafe. I figured what the heck I have nothing to lose, it is just brunch right? He seems like a nice guy from what I’ve gotten to know… so we will have to see how it goes tomorrow with Mr. FB. Well I better go, got to figure out what I’m going to wear.