It's a Love Story....

Hey there! Well, I have been taking some time to read for fun this week, which is a rarity these days, with law school reading and all. But, I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book! I love the Pioneer Woman and reading her love story has been so much fun! It is so sweet and so familiar! It seems so parallel to my story with Emory. It reiterates the "When you know, you know" mantra we always hear and never think it is true! I have really loved the story and I haven't even finished it yet! It is hard to find true stories of good examples of love and life, but this one is a good one. So, if you have time and you are looking for a great, easy read, look no further! Well, that was my quick share for today! Hope you all have a great week! The weekend, dare I say it, is ALMOST here! Yay! Have a lovely Thursday!

Playing catch-up

Well, I don't know if I'll ever catch up, but...
1. We have moved and are getting all settled in! We haven't unpacked all of our boxes, but I have decorated my front steps for fall. The wreath is made by my mom...

2. I am over halfway done with my first semester of law school! I must say I love it. It is alot of work, and a bit of a sacrifice of time, but I'm so glad I did it!
3. I'm promising to get back to regular blogging. I miss you guys and my BFF Carlie may kill me if I don't!
So, here's a see you soon, because I promise I'll be back very soon! I Oh and by the way, I am in love and addicted to Pinterest. Find me if we aren't already following each other!

Busy doesn't even begin...

Well, we have finally moved!! We have been waiting for 2 and a half months! Then, we got the word and we had 48 hours to pack up our entire house (more like 12) because the guy we bought our house from wanted to make it as difficult as possible on us, so we were those people who had to move in the middle of the night because like I said we had about 12 hours! Oh well, we are exhausted, but we are in our new home and all of our boxes are packed to the ceiling in our garage and slowly but surely, we will be all unpacked and settled! I hope once we get settled I can blog a little more! I need to update you on law school!! Have a great weekend, and Roll Tide!

Still here..

Hi there, I'm still here if you are wondering! I'm just taking a little (maybe big) break! Life has just been crazy lately! And I have just been trying to keep up! We are still in the process of buying a house, I am so done with the whole thing, but trying to keep my eye on the prize! Last weekend, I turned 26 and I gave up my life for the next 4 years and started law school!!! I'm excited, but it is going to be a challenge! I'm also still working full time at a law firm! Life is great even at 150 mph! Hope to check back soon! Thanks for sticking around!

Whirlwind crazy!

So, it is nothing new that my life is all kinds of crazy! I fill my days with looking around at houses in our area (although I think we have found one that we like), answering the phone calls at work, doing everything I can get done on my to do list at work, counting the days on the calendar until law school starts, and staring at my phone wondering if my real estate agent is going to call with good news (which she called today with potentially good news)!

I mean, I thought life would possibly slow down some, but it hasn't ONE BIT! But, we do think we have sold our house and have found one we like! I am training to run the Disney Wine and Dine half marathon in October! I am trying to prepare myself to start law school, and I am working 40 hours a week at a VERY fast paced attorney's office. Needless to say life just isn't slowing down!

Hopefully soon I can add some pictures to my posts! I still need to post the gorgeous pictures of our One Year Anniversary trip to the mountains! Hopefully I can do that before another month passes!! :)

One Year...

Wow how time flies! I haven't been on here in forever, hopefully I can set a more blog-oriented schedule soon! But, I just wanted to come by and share what a wonderful weekend I has with my husband...OF A YEAR! Yep, that is right! Sunday, we celebrated our one year anniversary! Can you believe it has already been a year?! We enjoyed a cabin in the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia, our wedding cake topper, our bottle of wine we bought in France on our honeymoon and each other!! It was the perfect way to slow down and really relax and reflect on where the year has gone! I got him a book that I made of our first year in review and he got me tickets to see Miranda Lambert! :) We visited a winery on Sunday and bought a bottle of wine to enjoy on our 2 year anniversary! I think we have started a great tradition, buying a bottle of wine in the place we celebrate our marriage and then drink it the next year!

Other updates on life: I am starting LAW SCHOOL in August! Yay! Working at the law firm was just the kick I needed to apply! It will be tough trying to juggle it all, but it will all be worth it in the end! :) We are VERY excited to see what comes of it! Hopefully I will be around here more often as well!! :)

Thank you all for being patient with me! My friend C told me that if I didn't hurry up and post a blog, that you guys were going to send out a search party for me! :) Well, I am here, alive, just SUPER EXTREMELY busy!

Again....

I feel like I am perpetually absent from the blog world for certain periods of time. Life is just moving WAY.TOO.FAST! I have SO MUCH going on that I can barely keep up, much less sit and write about it! So, I may take a small break while I catch  up with life. Maybe it will just be a few hours and I can check in before I lose my mind. Talk to you soon!

Getting back in the swing of things....

My list of things to do is just growing by leaps and bounds...seriously!

We are starting to pick life back up where it was left off in the aftermath of the storms from two weeks ago! We were without power for over a week. We were very lucky though, less than a mile from my house, you can't even tell there were neighborhoods there, or a grocery store, or a pharmacy. Really, it is scary.

Anyway, we had a previous trip to the beach planned for last week and with no power and work being closed, we decided it was best just to go. We packed in the dark and had to leave our house just kind of there. Really, it wasn't the way I would have chosen to do things, but we needed to go. We packed our bags and were gone. Although, with the disaster area and power trouble left at home, it was hard to fully relax on the trip. We also knew that when we got home, we had a lot of things to take care of. With no power, your refrigerator and freezer doesn't work. We lost EVERYTHING in our fridge and freezer, which again, we are the lucky ones. We had to come home and replace everything that we could think of in our fridge and freezer. It was a good opportunity to take all of the shelves and drawers out and clean the whole thing, I guess.

Now, we are back to our regular schedule and are trying to get back into our routine. Our dogs didn't do well with us being gone and are not the same, so that is another thing we have been trying to correct this weekend and I am sure for a while moving forward. Hopefully I will get to a better routine soon, now that all of our dishes and laundry is done and our fridge is kind of restocked. We just have a few more things to do for the house and everything will be back (kind of) like it was. Hope you all have a great week, I am glad to be back! If you would like to know more about the storm that hit my area go here! Thank you all for thinking of me and my Sweet Home Alabama during this time!

Devastated

Well I am updating from my phone. just as I was about to post an update, storms hit yesterday, and it was the worst in history for this area. As you all may know, I live in North Alabama. We have no power and won't for days, we were lucky at my house with no damage but today is going to be a long day of cleanup at my parents house, they have lots of trees down and can't get out of their driveway or road without extensive tree cutting. However, we wake up thankful today that we are the lucky ones, our friends and family are all safe and accounted for. Trees can be cut, power will eventually be restored, but the 128 (and counting) lives lost in alabama can't be replaced. Please keep our area in your thoughts and prayers as we begin the long journey of cleanup and restoration. And pray for power soon!

Happy Good Friday!

It looks my new blog schedule is going to be well, not as often. I do have lots to update on, but it seems as if I don't have an SD card slot at work, so I can't share pictures, and I want to be able to share pictures, before I share my post! Anyway....I am still working at the law office and busy, busy, busy!!

We have somethings to share, so maybe I will be able to tell everything in pictures when I get home this weekend!! Hope you all have a great week and a HAPPY EASTER! I will be back this weekend with pictures!!

Letters

I think I have mentioned before what a fan I am of snail mail! I just love letters! Really, I get so excited when I go to the mailbox and find something other than a bill or junk mail! It is really one of those things that just makes me so happy! When my husband and I were dating, we lived 4 hours apart. I used to send him a letter every single week. He kept them all and it has been fun to go back and read them and see how things were back then! :) When he was overseas for a month, I packed him up some letters to take with him, one for each week he was gone! I know how much it means to me when I get a real letter, and I thought it was something that he would really enjoy when he missed home! (I think he did!) Now, I am a pen pal to Lindsey! It was so much fun getting her letter in the mail last week and writing her back (it is on the way BTW!). A letter can really turn the day around. If you enjoy letters as much as I do, you should send one to someone you love, or someone you haven't kept in touch with like you should. If you don't have anyone like that, you can also go send a letter to a soldier, just to say thank-you. If you live with the person you would write a little note to, just put it somewhere where they will find it, like in their car or by the coffee pot. Kind words mean so much and finding a little letter can go a  long way! :) Happy Wednesday! Hope you all have a great week!! It is almost FRIDAY!!!

Checking in....

Well, the wedding this weekend was a success!! When I get access to some of the pictures, I will post them! The weather turned out beautiful and the day couldn't have been more perfect for them. So, if anyone is in need of a wedding director/planner, you can call me. Because I have done one with no hiccups and I loved it!! ;)

On another note, I am a big breakfast eater. I have to have something to eat in the morning or I am ready for lunch at 9:30 am and I can't think about anything else until I eat. Plus, if I get hungry, I get grouchy, just ask my husband! ;) We cook breakfast on the weekends and back when I didn't work, I would get up and cook breakfast in the mornings before E left for work. Well, now that I have to get ready and go to work, I don't really have that much time to cook a breakfast that we are used to, but I still need something and I don't want to stop for a fast-food breakfast every morning, that would just be bad for bikini season and the people who have to look at me! LOL So, I have discovered the awesomeness of the smoothie! I used to get these a lot in college after I worked out, but never really any other time. Well, I have been making smoothies this week for breakfast and can I just say I LOVE them and they keep me full until lunch!! Well, they do. I started with the Yoplait smoothie packet and discovered it was just frozen fruit! Well, at almost $4.00 per pack, I thought that was silly. So, I bough some frozen fruit at Publix, along with some fresh bananas and then you just add mild (and OJ if you want) and you have a great breakfast to keep you full! Plus, it won't be bad for bikini season. Because I have 18 days before we leave for a week at the beach!

Speaking of beach....everyone needs to go welcome by beach buddy to the blog world! She JUST started her blog and needs people to read about it!! So, go to her blog, Many Faithful Journeys, and let her know I sent you!! :) I have mentioned her and her husband before (he was the best man in my wedding and she helped keep my husband sane...) She is also a fellow duck-hunting widow in the fall...... So, go now and say hi and tell her I said hi!!

Have a great week!!

So, I lied....

...You know, when I promised you about two weeks ago that I was back for good this time. Well, hopefully I really am. I have had SO much going on lately it isn't even funny! I am lucky that I have a chance to sit down and even speak!!

So here are a few bullet points on what has happened in literally the last week...

1. I have a new job at a law office that I love.
2. My car is sick and in the shop.
3. I am having to drive my husband's truck! (Only difficult in reverse)
4. I am directing my first wedding this weekend and I am so excited!

I will update you all soon! I PROMISE!! Hope you are having a great week!

I'm Back (for real this time!)

Well, as I have said, I have been super sick! I had a toothache then allergies and neither of them will leave me alone! Although, I do believe I am on the mend! I had my root canal on Monday and there is no more shooting pain, just pain from them having to drill all the way to the bottom of my tooth (that I already had to get a root canal on)! Needless to say, I am SO ready to feel better again! I think today is the beginning of me feeling better! I mean, for me not to have blogged in so long nor have I worked out, I was S.I.C.K!! But, now I am better!

I will have to catch up little by little! Spring is officially here! Our trees are blooming and our tulips have finally bloomed! Yesterday, my husband cut the yard to get ready for the season!! I am SO excited!

Here are some pictures of the wedding I went to this weekend! (Well, I was in..) It was HOT in South Alabama and I was still sick, so please excuse me! It was my sister in law (feels weird to say that) my husband and I were both in it!! So, without further adieu....

The whole wedding party!

Amy and her bridesmaids!

The Winters family (immediate)

The WHOLE Winters family!

Update

I need to update you guys about so much! I am still in some pain from my root canal yesterday so it may be tomorrow or this afternoon before I can update! I will let you know about the youth and the wedding and some exciting things coming up! We shall talk soon!

Still here!

I can't believe I have been gone for so long! I mean I am here, reading away, just not posting or commenting! But for good reason...
I have been so sick! First I had a major toothache, went to the dentist and then a specialist who determined I needed another root canal (already had one on this tooth) but he can't do it until the 21st! So I am on pain meds and staying away from anything hot or cold until then! Next, I got hit with a major sinus infection! Like unable to physically get out of bed sick! It has been rough. But I am getting better everyday! My sister in law is getting married this weekend five hours away, so I have to feel better because emory and I are in it! But, just wanted to check in. I am blogging from my phone because our internet modem died and I am waiting on emory to hook up the other one tonight! Hopefully I will be back at it now!

Cooking Success and ABC's

So, last night Emory and I decided to cook a new duck recipe I found! Cream cheese duck. Basically it is butterflied duck breasts, tenderized with cream cheese and jalapenos and wrapped with bacon and grilled on the grill pan! They were GREAT! We soaked them in Italian dressing (thanks to Brittany's suggestion)  and then cooked them last night. I also made the Parmesan potatoes that I mentioned a few weeks ago! It was a GREAT meal! Have I mentioned that I love LOVE my Le Crueset? Because I really really do!

And now for the ABC's, I found this over at Cait's blog!

A - Age: 25
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Putting away clean laundry!!!
D - Dogs: I have two. Scout, a lab/shepherd mix who is almost 5 and Max, a Weimaraner, who is 8 months!
E - Essential start to your day: Letting the dogs out and COFFEE!!
F - Favorite color: green and red
G - Gold or Silver: Silver. Gold just doesn't look good on me!
H - Height: About 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: None. My brother got all of the musically ability in my family!
J - Job Title: Stay at home um wife
K - Kids: None yet. Maybe one day!
L - Live: Sweet Home Alabama
M - Mom's name: Ginger
N - Nickname: Becky (real name is Rebecca) and my brother calls me Deanie (no idea why, he just always has)
O - Overnight hospital stays: When I was about 3, but I don't remember.
P - Pet Peeve - not using the blinker and driving slow in the left lane!
Q - Quote from a movie: This one is lost on me. I have no idea!
R - Right/Left: Right!!
S - Siblings - Older brother Chris.
T - Time you wake up: Between 6 and 6:30 most days.
U - Underwear: Victoria's Secret and  I have way too many!
V - Veggies you dislike: Tomatoes unless they are green!
W - What makes you run late: I HATE being late. So, if I am late it is because of someone else!
X - Xrays you've had: We should talk about the ones I HAVEN'T had! It would be quicker!
Y - Yummy food you make: Everything! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook!
Z - Zoo animal: Elephants and giraffes!

OK, now go and have fun! I want to hear from you! And HAPPY FRIDAY! Have a great weekend!

Say hello!!

Well, Thursday and Friday, I am going to be filling in at a local law office while they are out of town so I won't be checking in quite as often probably! But, I have noticed that I have gotten a few new followers! I would love to hear from you! I know there are also some readers who read the blog often, but who don't ever comment! I would love to hear from you and know who is out there! So, give me a shout out! If you don't want to leave a comment, at least drop me an email! You can let me know what you like (or don't like) about my blog or just say hi! Sometimes as a blogger it is hard to remember that you are actually talking to people out there because we never hear from some of you! I also have a facebook badge on the side if you want to be my friend! Just let me know you are from the blog and I will add you!

Since you read about my life everyday,  now it is your turn to say hi! Hope you all have a great end to the week and I can't wait to hear from all of you!!

Spring Fever!

The weather has been absolutely perfect around here for about the last week! Although it has been a little cloudy, the temperature has gotten us ready for Spring! This weekend was a long weekend for us and Emory and I took the opportunity to get everything prepared for springtime! We have fruit trees in the backyard, we pruned them, we have a pergola on the patio that we have grapevines growing up, we pruned them. Our tulips in the front of the house are starting to grow, and we decided to add to the house and build to new flower beds. We built one in the front, and one in the back! Then, we planted some bulbs. If I can keep a little gray four legged person out of them, we may actually get some flowers! Needless to say, after building two flower beds out of concrete pavers and then shoveling dirt (TWO TRUCK LOADS!) I was so sore yesterday that I could barely move! My back was so stiff, I didn't think that I was going to be able to go about a normal day. I tried to really stretch it out, and it wasn't until this morning that it really felt better! I am SO glad! Anyway, all of this wonderful weather has really put us in the mood for Spring, which is just around the corner! We are ready at our house!! Now, we just need the warm weather to be here for good! I am so ready to see green everywhere and see our flowers grow! And to plant our garden and have some fresh veggies for Summer! What are you looking forward most for Spring?

Playing Catch Up

I feel like this week has been super crazy. Nothing has really  happened and I don't think I have much to show for it, but I didn't really get a chance to sit down at my computer and write anything. Our taxes are filed! That makes for a burden off your shoulders and a relief! Our trip to Palm Beach is booked and is driving me crazy because I have to wait til MAY! (But it gives me time to look my best, or better than I do now, if not my best!) The husband and I started running this week! We will also be starting P90X when we get the nerve. We have done all of the prep work, we just have to start. Like I said, this week has just not allowed for anything! I had TWO Valentine's swap partners and they were AWESOME! They really made my day! If my camera wasn't dead, I would put pictures up, but of course it is and I can't! I went to the Library yesterday and I checked out a few books, I started reading one yesterday afternoon and I couldn't put it down, so I finished it! In one afternoon! It is called Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson! It is worth reading! So, go now and get it, it isn't a huge book and it was great! I had tears and couldn't stop reading!! This weekend is a long weekend and I am SO excited! The husband has some Fridays off, so he is off today (even though he is fishing, it doesn't seem like he has today off) and he is off Monday for the holiday so we get to spend some much needed extra time together!! VERY excited! Well, I guess that is all I have to share, I hope this post hasn't been too all over the place, even though I know it has! I hope you all have a glorious weekend! It looks like the weather is much prettier these days all over the place, so maybe you can get outside and soak up some sun!! See you guys next week!!

Happy Birthday....

to my wonderful husband!!! Today, Emory is celebrating his 27th birthday!! Last year, we were at the beach for his birthday, and not only was it a great day because we were celebrating the day of birth of my #1 man, but he also asked me to marry him!! Yep, last year, on his birthday, we began the journey to husband and wife! (Click here and here for the story!)
So, today, just one year later we are celebrating again! This time, as husband and wife! What a wonderful year it has been! I am looking forward to celebrating SO MUCH MORE for years and years to come!

I know I talk about him sometimes on the blog, but I don't think I have ever dedicated a post just to him! So, what better way to celebrate him on his birthday? A little about my husband....he grew up in south Alabama. He was the quarterback and valedictorian. He graduated from The University of Alabama and then got  his masters. He now works as an engineer. He is a duck hunter in the winter, a fisherman in the summer and the best guy I know! He knows how to take care of anything at home! He likes to build things and will always do things himself (and correctly)! He always makes me smile and he cares about everyone else's happiness above his own! He can be quiet and shy, but once he warms up to you and becomes your friend, he is the best friend anyone has ever known! He works so I can stay at home. I love being here when he leaves and greeting him when he comes home! I love that he loves tradition as much as I do! I love roadtrips and traveling with him or just snuggling on the couch and watching tv with him! Anything we do together is always thes best time! He is the sweetest husband and I am so happy to be celebrating him today! So, Happy Birthday Emory! I love you so much!

Menu Planning Part 2

Well, I got so many questions about my menu planning yesterday that I decided to post for all of you the menu at our house this month. I subscribe to Myrecipes.com and I get recipes emailed to me daily. I have been saving them in my email for a couple of years. I went through the Publix sale paper insert last week (the first of the month) and made my list loosely based on what was on sale at Publix. I would go through my email and see what recipes I had stored in order to best use what was on sale! Keep in mind we are trying to get healthy, so I tried  to stick with recipes that were light. They all mostly come from Cooking Light, so they are pretty healthy! If you would like any of the recipes that I have listed below, just comment or email me and I will be glad to send them to you! I thought for now I would just list our menu and if you want the recipe, just let me know, I will be happy to share! (I cook Mon.-Fri.)

February 2011 Menu

2 - Grilled Tilapia, Rice and Scalloped Oysters
3 - Maple and Soy glazed steak with steamed veggies and noodles
7 - Chicken Quesadillas with chips and salsa
8 - Fettuccine with shrimp and portabellos
9 - Turkey Burgers and Roasted potatoes
10 - Chipotle Bean Burritos, Chips and Salsa and guacamole
11 - Garlic Chicken Pizzas
14 - Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry and Rice
15 - Cream Cheese Duck and Potatoes
16 - Roast Chicken with Balsamic Peppers and Cous Cous
17 - (Prior engagement)
18 - Tex-Mex Lasagna
21 - Chicken Penne with Lemon Caper sauce
22 - Pork with Parmesan Potatoes
23 - Fish Steaks with Heart of Palm salad and Cous cous
24 - Drunk Duck with Rice
25 - Baked Chicken Tortillas
28 - Mahi Mahi with Verde Caper salsa and rice

Notice, we have a few nights that we have duck on the menu, my husband is a duck hunter, and I don't think you should just shoot to kill, if it is killed while he is hunting, we eat it. It isn't my favorite meat, but I am learning new ways to cook it where I am actually beginning to like it! The pictures are of my menu calendar and a fuzzy picture from my Publix receipt. The total says :$135.39! Have a great Tuesday! Let me know if you have any questions about my meal planning or recipes!

Menu Planning

Happy Tuesday everyone! We are finally past Monday and now the week can start to get better! This is a happy week around my house! Friday is my husband's birthday and also the anniversary of our engagement! S very happy and exciting day! It is great that it is on a Friday this year! Even though he has to work, it will still be a great day!

Who doesn't love to save money? I have tried the couponing thing and honestly, I just can't get it, or maybe I am just not that good at it. Anyway, I wanted to try something that I have heard people doing but have just never tried! The last day of January I sat down and looked at recipes and what was on sale at Publix and I made a menu of healthy recipes (we are trying to get beach ready at my house) for the whole month of February (cooking Monday through Friday, eating left overs for lunch the next day). I then went to the grocery with a HUGE list and purchased what we didn't already have at home to make all of the recipes. I spent less than $150.00 at Publix for groceries for THE WHOLE MONTH!! I was stunned! And all of the recipes are gourmet stuff, not just something boring! I was SO excited! That is less than half of the money I put aside in our grocery budget. We usually don't eat regular scheduled meals on the weekends and we have lunch/supper and my mom's on Sundays. But I have a few ingredients that can be used if we choose to eat at home! 

If you knew me, you would know that I am the queen of planning and the queen of lists! I have a daily to do list and I love marking things off. I even add things to the list that I have done that wasn't on the list just to mark it off! So, with this whole menu thing, I wake up with a PLAN for dinner, which I LOVE and it takes the stress out of wondering what is for dinner! It is even great because if I am doing something (like working out) where I am not home right at dinner time, my husband can look at the calendar (because the calendar is filled out with what is for dinner each day and recipes are in a binder) and see what is for dinner, look at the recipe that is with it and start dinner, and KNOW that he can find the ingredients in the pantry/refrigerator! It is awesome! 

Anyway, just wanted to share for some of you that want to save money but are like me and can't get into the couponing thing. Plus, just having the plan is worth it for me! Hope you all have a great Tuesday! I am off to run some errands and am looking forward to dinner! I think tonight is linguine with shrimp and portabellos! Yummy! Have a great day!! 

A whole lot of random!

Well, I have been MIA for the latter part of last week! Sorry about that, I just let life get in the way! LOL Actually when my husband has days off from work, I like to spend the day catching up with him and blogging usually doesn't make it into the agenda!

Actually, we had a pretty fun weekend. Friday, we got some errands out of the way and had to spend most of the day inside because it was nasty and rainy! Saturday, it was cold and snowy but we decided we had been in long enough and took the puppies to the local Botanical Garden for the Bow Wow Boneanza! They let you walk around the Garden with your pups (they are only allowed in winter) and they had some vendors set up and they had a dog agility course up that you could try. Well, Scout is a mama's boy and he likes to stay close (he is a rescue) but Max is pretty fearless. He LOVED the attention and he also LOVED the agility course! I mean, we walked him through one time and showed him what to do, and the second time, he sprinted the whole course and LOVED it! His favorite part was the tunnel! The guy that owns the agility training place told us to bring him to classes because he did so well! We were proud parents! Scout was also a proud big brother! He watched him the whole time!

Sunday, we tried a new church and didn't care for it. Then, we came home and watched a movie (AND BOOKED A FLIGHT TO PALM BEACH IN THE SPRING) before heading to my parents house to watch the super bowl. They are huge Steelers fans, so it was a let down for them. I was super disappointed from the beginning. How do you mess up the National Anthem Christina? I mean really? That is pretty disgraceful! Then the commercials were not THAT great, they have been better, and the halftime show was a story in its own! It was just a no-go the whole way through.

Here's to hoping this week is a good one and it doesn't get too cold!!

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FRIDAY!

Ya'll, can you believe it is Friday?! In high school, we used to have a teacher who would make her classes sing "The Friday Song," you could hear it all through the hall on Fridays. I still remember hearing it, and even though it sounded pretty annoying, it was always a great reminder that it was finally Friday! Anyway, I am SO excited! I love Fridays! Everyone is always extra nice and happy! I am feeling kind of craft today and I really want to make a wreath out of book pages! Have any of you ever done this? If so, did you make the rolled pages or the rosette one?! I am just curious! I have LOTS of errands to run today it seems! But, that is ok! I also think I get to hang out with one of my good friends so that should be fun! I am really looking forward to a great Friday! Hope you all have a lovely Friday and a wonderful weekend!!

It's a beautiful day...

Ok, so I was at a loss for a blog title here. I am not talking about the U2 song, nor am I about to quote Mr. Rogers. I woke up today in the best of moods. I attribute it to the FULL NIGHT's sleep I got! Yep, I didn't wake up all night, and Max slept in his bed all night. Who knew a little switcharoo on him would make him stay in his bed?! Well, it did and I am willing to do whatever works!

I am in such a good mood this morning that I didn't even get bummed because I thought today was Friday when it was really just Thursday! Nope, not mad, because I am not going to ruiin my great mood! (I am sure my husband is glad that I got a full night's sleep!) He even told me this morning that I woke up in such a good mood that I was acting silly. (Because I was talking to Max in my little kid voice.) But, it was great and I feel like it can only get better from here!

Well, I don't have much to say today other than talk about my night's sleep. That's lame. Sorry. I will try to do better tomorrow. Here is a picture to make up for the lameness! LOL

Our honeymoon in Fr@nce! I miss it terribly and it reminds me of warmer days!

ThirtyOne

I am excited about the new venture in my life coming up! Have any of you heard of the company and products ThirtyOne? Well, it is a direct sale type company that sells bags, purses, totes, kids stuff, thermal bags, baskets, baby stuff, stationary and lots of other things, I can't even list them all! Well, I had a party at my house in December and I fell in love with the stuff that I bought! The patterns of the fabric are cute, the types of things they have are practical and I really loved it all! The sweet lady that held the party at my house told me that I should start selling it since I loved it so much. I thought about it and I thought that is exactly what I will do. I am SO excited! I love meeting new people and this is a great way to do it! I used some of the things that I bought at Christmas and my family fell in love with it, I also take it to grocery stores as reusable bags! It is even monogrammable so I can personalize it! I really like the hostess specials you get when you host a party! (I got most of my initial stuff for FREE!)

Anyway, I also like the company because they are a Christian based company. Their name, ThirtyOne, is referencing the bible verse Proverbs 31. So, of course, I fell even more in love with their stuff! I have the time and I love the products, so why not huh? Anyway, I was super excited (and all of my supplies should come today) to join and I thought I would mention it since it is on my mind. If you want to check it out, you can go to my personal ThirtyOne website here. You can have a catalog party or an in-home party if you are within driving distance! :) Or, if you see something you like, let me know, you can place an order without having to have a party!

Sorry for the plug today, I was just SUPER excited and had to share! Happy Wednesday! The week is half-way over!

Dinner and Success!

Well, I am here to tell you that I got more sleep last night! And it was WONDERFUL! Not that any of  you care because if you even read my post from yesterday, you didn't comment! You may not have even read it! I was suffering over here with NO SLEEP and you all didn't even care!

Kidding! It was Monday, you are forgiven! Anyway, to recap, I haven't been sleeping because I have a large dog who wants to get in our bed and sleep under the covers and we have to tell him thousands of times a night to get down, resulting in not sleeping one bit! Well, last night, we switched things up on him and switched the sides of the bed that we sleep on! And miraculously, it worked. I guess Max was just so confused that he didn't try to get on our bed! We slept more last night than we have in a while! It was great!

Another thing that I mentioned yesterday was that I was going to start telling you about some recipes that we were trying! Since I have a lot more time to do what I like to do best (cook) I can make more stuff! We had a pork loin in our refrigerator and I decided that last night would be the night it would end up on the table. It marinated all day yesterday in the fridge and then we roasted it last night. I made some Parmesan roasted potatoes to go with it as well. It turned out pretty good. I think I may change the sauce a little next time so it is less sweet (I don't like sweet things really). But all in all, this thrown together, last minute meal was pretty good, I would eat it again! It got approval from the husband too, so that is really all that matters right?! Here is a picture of the finished product:

Anyway, I am off to start my day! That means cleaning the floors in the kitchen! Rain this morning plus two dogs who love to play outside and can open the door to let themselves in equals muddy paw prints on my tile floor before I can catch them to wipe their feet!! Have a wonderful Tuesday!!

Weekend and some help!!

Well, this weekend was an eventful one even though I was a hunting widow because Emory was in AR hunting ducks! Friday night I went to the place that I work out (the dance stuff) for a special event that was called Sips n Strip. Basically it is what it sounds like except the dance they taught wasn't really a strip, it was just more of a slow, make you feel sexy dance. It was a lot of fun and I won a massage from the door prizes!!! :) That was awesome! Saturday, I got to help again at the bridal fair with my WONDERFUL wedding photographer Alicia! We always have so much fun! I think watching all of the different kinds of people is always my favorite part! I mean, you should really see these people! Then, I came home and put my feet up! There is nothing like standing up all day and then being able to sit in a comfy chair with your feel up for the rest of the night and watch predictable Lifetime movies! Sunday, I had a board meeting for a non-profit that I have been working with for a while now. That was fun, I will have to tell you about that later! Then, the husband came home and all was right in my world again!

Ok, now, here is where you come in with the help.....I didn't sleep one minute last night. Ok, maybe for a little bit from 5 to 6 (when the alarm went off). I don't have kids, I am supposed to be able to sleep all night for 20 hours if I feel like it! Nope, I don't have kids but I do have Max! He is that cute little Weim that all of you commented about in the snow! Well, as I mentioned, he has decided that he wants to sleep in the bed, under the covers and not on his bed under his blanket! He was doing so well, until the last few weeks or so. We tell him every time he tries to get on our bed to go get in his bed and he gets down and does so and then 5 seconds later he is back in our bed and the process repeats!! He is just too big to sleep in our bed! Literally he tried to get in our bed 5,726 times last night from 10 pm to 6 am. It was exhausting! I was ready to just let him have my spot and me go to the other bed because I was literally UP ALL NIGHT! Now, our other dog goes to sleep in his bed and doesn't get up in the night! Max used to just sleep right next to him until recently! This is where I need your help!! Have any of you had this issue and successfully remedied the situation? If so, PLEASE let me know what your secret is! We are going to try to switch things up on him tonight and see if that helps, he ALWAYS comes to my side of the bed because he knows I am the softy because it is closest to his bed. But something has got to give! This girl needs SLEEP! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Now, as for the blog, I hope I can start sharing some recipes with you guys! We have TONS of ducks in our freezer and we have got to start cooking them! I hope to maybe share some of the things we cook in our house (and not just duck) because we cook ALOT and love it! Anyway, I hope you all got more sleep than I did last night and have a wonderful day!

Weekend!

I know it is Wednesday and I am just now updating my weekend, but I was BUSY and my husband stayed home from hunting so I got to spend lots of time with him, so blogging wasn't on the agenda. Plus, Monday was a holiday and yesterday I took a short road trip, so I wasn't around much!

Anyway, we went to see Little Fockers in theaters, it was ok. It wasn't up to the "Fockers" standard I don't think, but there were funny parts. But again, the whole thing wasn't as funny as the rest of them have been!

Then, we tried a new pizza place here in town with some of our good friends. It was GREAT. The owner of the place has won a Guinness Book of World Records award for Highest Pizza Toss. The food was great and the company was even better! It was fun to have a little date day out with Emory. We don't do that very often because we both would prefer to be at home, but it was so much fun!

I have also started working out at a place called DanceTrance. It is awesome. Basically you lose weight by dancing. They teach you dances and you do dances back  to back for an hour! You will sweat your booty off! It is great so far! I have gone everyday this week! (This is only my second week to go because of the minor blizzard last week that caused us to all stay in our houses for 5 days straight!)

Anyway, I am catching up on blogs today and doing some housework and then relaxing with a book probably! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week! I will be back!

Seriously Snow, a Book for the year and Le Cresuet!

Well, the snow and ice is still here in Alabama. Although, the roads seem to be clear according to my husband who has been to work the past two days. Schools, however, are closed for day number four! Yep, schools have been out all week and will be out again Monday for the holiday even if they are in tomorrow! It has been crazy! I haven't left the house all week. It hasn't really bothered me, because it is SO cold outside. And I HATE to be cold, so I would much rather stay inside with blankets and a heater and as many clothes as I can put on, because let's face it, you can never be too warm when it is something like -10 degrees outside. (Ok, maybe it is like 16 degrees outside, but whatever it is, it is too cold for me!)

I am excited that tomorrow is Friday though, even though it seems like everyday is the weekend when you are home! There is just something about the sounds of Friday and Saturday that change the mood! Since I haven't really been out of  the house I have nothing new to report or talk about really. Other than the fact that I got really bored yesterday and got out the cookbooks and started thinking of things that I could cook with my Le Creuset. Oh, I haven't told you about the WHOLE SET of Le Creuset Emory and I got for Christmas have I? Well, we did. We now have 3 dutch ovens of various sizes, a saucepan, a grill pan, a huge skillet, a stockpot, a casserole dish and a braiser, all Le Creuset! We LOVE IT! We cook alot and this is a set that we fell in love with this summer when we got a dutch oven on sale. It is now just about all we will cook with besides our Rachel Ray stainless stuff. I mean it is AWESOME! So, when I am bored, I try to find recipes that will require the use of the most pieces of our set! We even bought this cute little stand so we could display it and not have to put it in the cabinets because we love it so much! Maybe I will start sharing some of our favorite recipes and our Le Creuset! So, without further adieu, here is our beautiful Le Creuset!

This isn't even all of it, but it was all that would fit on the cute little stand! :) LOVE

Elizabeth over at Musing Experiences is hosting a book club, for the ENTIRE YEAR. It is a book for the entire year to inspire happiness! Hop on over and join us!

Oh sNOw!

Well, as you all know I live in Alabama. We normally have two seasons, cold and hot. Well, Sunday night it started snowing here and didn't stop. They were warning us to stock up on milk and bread, which flew off the shelves. Normally when  they predict snow, it rains. It is when they don't predict it, is when it happens! Well, the weathermen were actually right this time! We woke up Monday to about 10 inches of snow! EVERYTHING has shut down. The banks aren't open, the stores are closed, schools are closed, the mail isn't running. Even the interstates are closed. We just aren't equipped to deal with the white stuff. Especially now, it is starting to melt, yet the temperatures are in the  teens so it is freezing causing ice. Needless to say, we haven't left the house. We can't. There wouldn't be anywhere to go if we could! So, we are going on day 2 of being snowed in! It is actually really fun to be stuck in the house with my husband and two fur boys! We took advantage of the time together yesterday and played in the snow, made soup, made snow cream and took a really long nap. We then watched DVRd shows in order to avoid watching Auburn play Oregon in the National Championship game. We had lots of fun. Who knows what we will get into today, since we definitely aren't going anywhere today either. There are already muffins in the oven!! Enjoy some pictures of our time in the snow! (Which the little ones in our house LOVE!!)

Emory and I in the snow!!

ME and Max! He was taking a break from running like crazy!

A rare moment. Me , Max and Scout!

Pictures I couldn't upload the other day....

Picture of our living room tree...

Ornament we bought on our honeymoon in France!

Eiffel Tower ornament from Target!

Santa Clause my dad carved!

Apparently that is all Blogger will allow for today. Maybe I will get back with some more tomorrow or later tonight!
Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL Thursday! I can't believe the weekend is almost here!

I interrupt your sleep....

.....to sleep on  your face and nuzzle under the covers at all hours of the night. No, I am not talking about my husband, I am talking about my six month old, sixty-plus pound puppy! He has found the bliss in snuggling in under the covers and gets on our bed every night to do so. Multiple times. After we put him back in his bed and cover him up with his blanket! You would think we had a child in our house. He has a bed, he has a blanket, we get up every couple of hours after we go to bed, and there are toys ALL OVER THE HOUSE, no matter how many times I pick them up in a day! Anyway, that is my rant! He is still stinking cute and I don't know what we would do without him. But it is so funny how different the two dogs are! Scout HATES the covers and is really neat with his toys and you hardly know he is around. Max on the other hand is literally always in your face letting you know he is here and you need to pay attention to him!

Now, the real reason for the post is catching up on Christmas and the joyous things that come with it! Since it was our first Christmas, we put up a tree together for the first time. Well, two trees. One thing that was a common theme for people  to give us was ornaments, which I loved! Now here is the part of this post where I would show you all of the pictures, but Blogger is not letting me upload any of them. Maybe I will try again later and you will have a complete, unboring post!

The view from here....

I am loving my new coffee cup that I got for Christmas from Anthro. My bro and his gf got it for me. There is just something about a dainty little cup that makes my coffee taste so much better, and makes me so much more productive (or makes all of your blogs just  that much better). Here is to a new year, a new week, a new view and an awesome new coffee cup! :) I will be updating all week with some of my favorite gifts from Christmas that I am getting to use now that Christmas is over since I didn't get to update much in December! What are some of your favorites?

2011 : New Year : New Everything

Wow, I can't believe I have been gone so long! I haven't blogged in a few weeks, but I must say, December 2010 was probably the worst, heaviest month of my entire life as of yet! First, on December 8, my grandfather passed away, this made the holidays especially difficult, then on December 30, my very first and oldest friend passed away. It was a tough thing to swallow on the first day of a new year, to bury someone who is 2 weeks older than me.

Even though December was very tough, the rest of the year was actually the best one yet! In January, Emory and I rang in the new year in New Orleans and The University of Alabama won the BCS National Championship! In February, we celebrated Emory's birthday with snow at the beach and getting ENGAGED! In March, I moved and in June, we were MARRIED and went on a fabulous 2 week honeymoon to FRANCE! The rest of the year was spent getting into the routine of being married! Then, we all know how my December ended up.

But, now that 2011 is here, I am very optimistic! I think there is no reason that this year can't be just as good as 2010! I am looking forward to everything that it has in store! A few goals that I would like to work toward: 1. Blog more. 2. Exercise and get back to my pre-wedding weight. 3. Read more books. 4. Travel more even on little day and weekend trips. 5. Spend more time with my friends. 6. Cook at least three meals a week. (We have been really good at this so far!)

Well, here is to commencing a great year! I know it is already the second day and this if my first blog post, but I am REALLY hoping to blog something everyday of the year!! Maybe one day I will blog twice to make up for missing yesterday! Anyway, thank you for hanging in there with me for 2010, here is to a great 2011!!!