It’s a work in progress, but I should start thinking about how to decorate a house.

But this summer I’ll be moving into a house. My first real house (renting not buying). And I have no idea what I’m doing.

Taking a tour of the work in progress (Paul Kuehnel is still working on renovations), I really have no clue where to start. I’m not too picky, Paul asked about paint colors and I just said whatever. Blinds were any easy choice, since my cat eats blinds.

But other than that, I’m at a loss. Where do I start?

I’m normally a planner, but so far I’m not stressing out too much about this. It’s not like I’m going to go in there and within the first week, buy all the furniture and decorations I want. I see it more as a work in progress.

Once we get closer to the move date, I plan on going back and measuring the rooms. From there, I’ll decide which bedroom will be mine, which will be the guest room and the office.

From there, I think I’ll be able to have a better idea for what goes where — based on what I already have. I have a lot of crap, but not enough to fill a house. So once I’m in, I think it’ll be easier to decide what I need/want and start chipping away.

I’ve also never really had a lot of paintings or photos hung on walls. And I want that to change. But I think it’ll be choosing things that jump out to me, versus finding items to fill spaces.

I googled some tips for decorating your first home, and they seem to reinforce the idea of not buying everything at once. Other tips include fighting the urge to match everything; using a color to tie things together and start with the rooms you’re going to spend the most time in. The last one really drove it home (home, get it?) that I don’t have to have a fully moved-in home right away. I’m going to start with the bedroom, living room and kitchen. Plus I don’t have to get the guest room and office ready until the family comes up for Christmas.

What about you? How do you go about decorating your own space? Do you plan it out ahead of time or just go with the flow? Any tips for someone decorating a house for the first time?

Random office scribbles. pic.twitter.com/myXWy2M6tL

— Jessica Verrilli (@jess) June 17, 2013

I’ve had a fascination with age for as long as I can remember. So the tweet above from Jessica Verrilli (@jess), who is in corporate development at Twitter, got me thinking.

From left, Nicole, my best friend from Penn State; Joe, her boyfriend; and I celebrate my 26th birthday.

I’ve never known as much as I do right now. I’ve never experienced as many things as I have in all my 26 years, 56 days, 17 hours and 38 minutes (as of the writing of this sentence). And the learning and growing will be a constant throughout my life, which is pretty cool. But also semi scary.

I’m kind of afraid of getting old.

And I do a lot of things in an attempt to keep myself young — at least in spirit.

My good friend and Smart editor April Trotter and I play on a kickball team. I like dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets more than anyone older then 10 should. I have yet to seriously consider ever having children. And I don’t like to take myself too seriously — except when it comes to my job.

This lack of love for getting older really started about the time I turned 22.

There was nothing associated with birthdays to look forward to — other than a reduction in car insurance premiums at 25.

Seventeen meant a driver’s license (in N.J.), 18 was “adulthood,” 21 signaled a start to drinking (legally) at bars. What about 26? Or 27? Or the 13-ish times I plan to turn 29?

I don’t know why I have such averse feelings about aging. I have three reasonably healthy — and awesome — grandparents, who have taken aging in stride. We joke that my Grandmom Elsie is 79 going on 35 (she might kill me that I revealed her age).

I hope to be in as good of health — physically, spiritually and emotionally — as they are when (if?) I make it into my late 70s. I just worry that I won’t be quite as well adjusted.

Maybe that’s my issue with aging.

And even though I’m older and wiser right now than I have ever been in my life, I still have a ton of years and knowledge to gain (much of which is probably about things that haven’t been imagined or invented yet) — whether I’m ready for them or not.

We sat out in the pavilion at Browns with a good crowd of senior citizens and families with young children. And I couldn’t help but think, “This is so much nicer than the bar on a Friday night.”

Yes, I am 24 going on 80.

When I head to the bar with friends, I am usually looking to grab a drink or two and hang out. Shockingly, I like to be able to hear friends when they speak.

At the same time, I’m not against live music at the bar. I’ve discovered and enjoyed several area bands and performers that way — 3 Dollar Suit, Soji, Shane Speal himself. But would it hurt to turn down the volume a teensy bit? Am I the only 20-something losing her hearing?

Or am I just approaching grumpy old lady territory far too early in life?

Read more:
– Find upcoming dates for Brown’s Sunday Summer Concert Series

The EcoATM is a cupboard-sized machine that allows users to exchange cellphones for cash. (AP Photo/ecoATM)

As a part of Generation Y, I often hear that people my age are too addicted to their cellphones.

“Twenty-somethings text too much, rely too heavily on Google Maps and don’t pay attention to the world around them.”

Usually my response is “If the technology is there, we will use it.” But, I get it — having such a close relationship with a smartphone can be dangerous.

For example, there is always that girl that texts her way into a mall fountain.

But, texting and talking habits might be more dangerous than just walking into an embarrassing situation. Having a smartphone visible in a public place might make you a target for theft.

Today reported that EcoATMs, an ATM that lets users trade phones for money, encourage people to steal phones and cash them in, without anyone knowing.

The problem is that the EcoATM security checks (scanning an ID) are a little weak. And, it’s possible that someone other than the owner can cash in the phone.

Sean Conway Detective with the West Manchester Police Department said he has not seen an increase in cellphone theft. Locally, most cellphone thefts are because a phone was left visible inside of a car. “Nine times out of 10, it’s because the car is unlocked, ” Conway said.

There are 17 EcoATM locations within 50 miles of York, Pa.

Their site claims “EcoATM pays more money for more types of phones than anyone else!”

Related link: Kiosks in York County malls help recycle old electronics

Before binge-watching television shows was cool, I was doing it.

I blasted through 121 episodes of “Lost” with my boyfriend (now fiance) a few years ago. We even called Netflix to complain one night at 3 a.m. when, as we decided to pause the binge-watching and go to bed, the show disappeared from our queue. (They were going through contract disputes, and the stream service ended at midnight Pacific Time.)

I got into this habit once I moved to York in 2010 and didn’t want to pay a huge cable bill. I only subscribed to Netflix stream from my Wii, cancelling the DVD option, and used the free service from Hulu from time to time.

Binge watching might be in our future and the media might be all over this, but it also was in my past.

I had to log into my account and search my history to see how many TV shows I have watched. So far, I have seen: the latest “Doctor Who” series through season 7 pt. 1 (97 episodes) plus the Christmas specials; “The Starter Wife” (10 episodes); “The Tudors”(38 episodes); “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (178 episodes); “Charmed” (178 episodes); “Cashmere Mafia” (7 episodes); “Firefly” (14 episodes); “Futurama” (140 episodes); “Big Love” (53 episodes); “Lie to Me” (48 episodes); “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (272 episodes, ending on season 12); “North & South” (4 episodes); “Felicity” (84 episodes); “Gossip Girl” (121 episodes);  and “Extreme Couponing” (24 episodes).

I also own all seasons (94 episodes) and the movies of “Sex and the City” on DVD. My fiance and I also rented all of “Big Bang Theory” up to the current season.

As far as Hulu, I have seen all of “House” except the final season. I have a few other TV shows on there, such as season two of “Once Upon A Time” and “Lipstick Jungle.”

Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

There are some series I am still watching or trying to catch up on, such as “The Office,” ”Drop Dead Diva,” “Army Wives,” “Psych,” “Downton Abbey” and “Walking Dead.” And there are TV shows I am ready to binge on, such as “Mad Men,” “Sherlock,” “Battlestar Galatica,” “Sliders,” “Dawson’s Creek” and a few bridal TV shows.

Some might say this obsession has become many hours wasted, but clearly I am not the only one doing it.

Have you binge-watched any TV shows? What is your favorite TV show?

Hanging out on the Susquehanna near Wrightsville. (iPhone photo by Sarah Chain)

Over a few drinks this weekend, a co-worker and I lamented the downsides of renting. Overall, we’re pretty happy. But we wish for a handful of things — central air and in-house, no-quarters-required laundry, to name two.

Oh, and a backyard.

So Saturday afternoon, we set out to escape the confines of our humid downtown apartments. Our mission: Head out to Shank’s Mare Outfitters in Wrightsville and spend a few hours kayaking on the Susquehanna.

We set out in a tandem kayak and, let’s be honest, mostly floated and tried to avoid flipping over when motorboats or jet skis rocked us in their wake. After a too-close incident with a dead fish and around the time I felt my porcelain skin begin to burn, we headed back in. We grabbed a few scoops of ice cream at the nearby cafe, laid out our towels in the shade (I reapplied sunscreen) and looked at clouds.

How do you go wrong with ice cream on a 90-degree day? (iPhone photo by Sarah Chain)

Maybe my only outdoor space is my fire escape. Maybe my apartment is 86 degrees. But as I floated along in our kayak on Saturday, it didn’t matter — I had made my own backyard.

It’s these adventures — discovering parts of York County that are so wildly different from the city — that make me appreciate our area.

Who says you can’t have it all?

Also of interest:
– Shank’s Mare paddle tours to feature Old Republic Distillery, Civil War history

Yvonne Hershey, owner of Yvonne’s Bridal Boutique, shows bride Katie Steinour a dress as she shopped for her July 2013 wedding. (Credit: The Evening Sun — Clare Becker)

SIX.

(A few of them are right here in the office.)

That’s a lot of cake to be cut, vows to be said, rings to be exchanged, and, in some cases, assets to be merged.

Wedding season is fast approaching.

Money is often cited as one of the leading causes of stress in marriage, so it pays, in more ways than one, to know the kind of financial marriage you may be getting into with your soon-to-be spouse, according to Greg Lefever, PNC Wealth Management managing director in York.

He cited five money management questions couples should consider before saying “I do.”

1. “MY” vs. “OUR” money: Will we have joint or separate accounts? Will we consolidate accounts with the same banking partner?
2. Debt: How much debt am I bringing to the marriage, and how will WE manage it?
3. Who’s in charge of budgeting and paying the bills? Is there a CFO of the house, or is it a partnership?
4. Spending: Are our spending priorities in line? Is there mutual or individual approval for spending?
5. The Future: Are we prepared to plan for retirement together? (e.g. 401(k) plans, Roth IRA, etc.

“Open and honest communication is a key factor in the success of any relationship, and it is crucial when dealing with family finances,” said Lefever. “The degree to which a couple plans their finances and communicates the management of that plan to one another will play a major role in the solidarity of the relationship.”

Required for driving: A driver’s license.
(Photo courtesy of stock.xchng user atirme)

When I first got my driver’s license at 16, I lived in Connecticut. The DMV “nearby” — about a 20-minute drive — was packed with people on a weekday afternoon, and I was a bucket of stress.

Fast forward five years, when I graduated college and moved to Carlisle. I applied for a Pennsylvania license at a driver’s license center — just a few minutes from home, and virtually empty on a weekday morning. I paid the fee and got my photo taken, no problem. Props, Pennsylvania.

Then, the employee explained that while the state ran my photo through facial recognition software (to be sure I wasn’t a criminal masquerading as a small-town journalist, of course), I would be issued a temporary ID. It looked just like my driver’s license… with the word TEMPORARY stamped across it.

I nervously made a joke about still being served at the bar (at 21, I had priorities), which the state employee did not find hilarious at all.

Fast forward again to this month, about eight weeks in advance of the date my license expires, when I received a renewal form in the mail. “Pennsylvania is so progressive!” I thought. “I can renew my license through the mail?!”

Turns out, not true. I can pay the fee online, and submit the form. Now, in eight to 10 days, I’ll receive a voucher of sorts that I can then take to a driver’s license center to have my photo re-taken and complete the process. (Which is a bummer, because I have shockingly somewhat-flattering photo on my license now.)

Either way, it beats the lines at Connecticut’s DMVs.

Also of interest:
– Understanding auto insurance — and Pennsylvania
– What to bring when applying for an on-street parking permit

Instagram by Ashley May

Once upon a time, I installed Comcast cable. It hasn’t even been a year yet, and I’m already saying goodbye to my favorite shows.

I called Comcast’s customer service number (1-800-934-6489) and selected the option to discontinue service (not to be confused with billing). And, 30 minutes later, I scheduled a time to stop cable and drop off my equipment. This morning, Comcast called to ask why I was stopping service. My answer:

I can’t afford it.

Earlier this month, The New Yorker reported that Comcast had lost 360,000 subscribers since 2012 but the company increased revenues. That’s because cable bills rose $3.40 more per month.

I’m not paying an obscene amount of money on a digital package or DVR. I’m actually not even under a contract. I’m still paying the introductory “special rate.” It’s almost $90 a month for my cable and Internet. That was the cheapest deal the company had when I signed up. In a few months, that price would increase to well over $100. It’s money I need to go toward my wedding or a gym membership or, more realistically, my summer electric bill.

It’s a 20-something cost-cutter, “don’t get dessert at the restaurant” and “pack your lunch,” so says Hello Giggles. Plus, I’m still going to pick up another, cheaper Internet provider — so, I will be able to survive in the real world. I just might not be able to pick out my favorite gown on “Say Yes to the Dress” — but, that’s probably a good thing, because let’s be honest, I couldn’t afford anything on that show either.

If you are thinking about cutting cable, check out these links:

Last year, Forbes wrote about the cost of cutting cable and using Internet to stream shows.   The article shows a breakdown of the extra stuff people must buy in order to connect a TV screen to the web — from the gear to the subscriptions to the time it takes. Going from cable to web might actually be more expensive than you bargained for.

Techlicious published a post on the pros and cons of cutting cable in 2013. The article gives lists of other entertainment options, like Netflix and sports websites.

 Would you consider finding other ways to watch your favorite shows just to cut expenses?

It will mark the first birthday of my adult life that I will be celebrating on the wagon.

I haven’t had a drink since July 15. Needless to say, I’ve been celebrating a lot of things without alcohol recently.

A few days after I had my last drink, I enjoyed a good friends’ wedding sober. I celebrated getting this job without holding up a beverage. I attended a Steelers game, a Penguins game and a Pirates game, all in Pittsburgh, without imbibing. I had a ball over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years without a measurable blood alcohol content.

Putting down the bottle was a personal choice and one that was made for a litany of reasons. But it was done so for a better, healthier and happier future.

You might wonder how this has affected my social life. How do I fraternize on a Saturday night? Do I still go out? What do I do at a tavern or ale house? Has this changed any relationships with my drinking friends?

The answers are soberly; yes; drink non-alcoholic beer, soda or water; and no, not at all.

Amid a culture of alcohol that makes booze appealing, attractive and paramount to every social gathering, I stand tall and void of temptation. I don’t need alcohol to have fun. Equally as shocking, I can enjoy myself with a group of drinkers. I’m a constant designated driver. And I’ve even been told by friends that they’ve never seen anyone not drink with people who are drinking and have just as much fun engaging in fellowship and raucous laughter.

Keep an eye out in FlipSide, where, come June, I will be writing a weekly column about my nightlife experiences.

As my mom always told me and I’m now discovering, it’s a boatload of fun to stay sober, sit back and enjoy the show.