So Excited!

I'm heading for Dallas Friday morning and I cannot wait! I'm meeting several of my girlfriends for a get together that's been in the works for a few months. These are some of the same girls that I went to New Orleans with in January 2008. I love these girls to pieces and CANNOT wait to see them again!!

Here are a few of my favorite NOLA pics from last year:











and to top it all off, Allison & I are staying a few extra days in Dallas to see BRITNEY!! Woohoo!

lol for the day

ummmm wtf L.Lo? WTF.

3 weeks.

It's been 3 weeks since I've had any caffeine.

3 weeks since I've had any dairy products.

3 weeks since I've had more than 15 grams of sugar in a day.

3 weeks since I've had any red meat.

And I feel phenomenal!! I can't even really pinpoint the motivation for the changes I've made. I just wanted to eat differently and feel differently. Sure I'll lose weight because of it, but that was not the factor behind my decision (ask any of my close friends and they will tell you- confidence is not something I lack. I'm comfortable with not being a skinny girl lol!). I just want to feel energized and good... and so far I do!

So far the lack of dairy has been the most difficult- but I'm supplementing with tons of soy options and taking my calcium supplement. The lack of sugar has taken some getting used to. Most sugar-free products use sugar alcohol to make up for the lack of actual sugar, and sugar alcohol makes me feel like crap! So I've been having tons of fruit to make my sweet tooth happy. (frozen grapes are heavenly) Our grocery bill has went up slightly but shopping is a breeze- I really am staying on the perimeter of the store. We're buying tons of produce, lean meats, dairy for Mike and soy options for me. The only time I go to the interior aisles is for couscous, rice etc

So yeah, that's what I've been up to. I'll keep you guys posted and I'll share some of the recipes I've been making.

I'm on a roll!

Oooh, look at me!! Two blog posts in one day! And looks like this one will be almost as exciting as the post from this morning--- it's about more window coverings! woohooooo

I found these for our guest room and I am thrilled!! Our guest room/ my sewing room is shabby chic- lots of white, pale pink and pale green. I found these drapes:



They're so pretty in person- and they're lined! The best part... $7.50 for the pair!! I absolutely love the Walmart Associate's Store. Now I'm on the lookout for the perfect curtain rods.

My Next Project

Since we purchased our home last July I've been trying to figure out what to do with this set of doors:

as you can see, they are right off of our little dining room and lead to our sun porch aka Jack Bauer's favorite room: (please excuse the very outdated picture!)

At first the plan was to leave the doors uncovered. Well my dear husband has a hatred for uncovered windows, so that was vetoed. I want to do something that would be decorative and functional (and inexpensive!)- and I've settled on this:

photo courtesy of the super talented Layla at http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com

burlap curtains! cheap? check! functional? check! decorative? well... to me, yes. so check! :-)
I think they'll add some texture and will look great in the space and since I now have a sewing machine and have mastered at least some basic skills these should be do-able. I love that they will still allow some natural light in, I wanted to avoid heavy black-out drapes because I hate feeling like I live in a cave. I also plan on adding the bamboo shades underneath... I'm still hunting for the best price on these.

So that's my next project, I'll be sure to follow up with pictures!

lost my blog mojo

I just can't get back into the blogging mood. I think twitter is to blame actually. It's such an easy simple form of "mini-blogging" that I don't have anything to talk about on here! I guess the most blog worth thing that I haven;t really talked about is the new addition of our kitty Marty McFly.

We found Marty on www.petfinder.com and I fell in love. He's been with us a little over a week and he couldn't be a better cat! He's smart, affectionate and very playful. He and Pinkie are getting along so well, it's wonderful to see her playing with another kitty-- she hasn't been playful since we lost Blackie back in June.

Here's Marty's picture that was on petfinder.com:

back then he was known as Salem. We think Marty McFly fits him much better. :-)

the dogs and the lake

a few days ago we had some gorgeous spring weather- we decided to take a walk with the dogs down to the lake. It was so nice and the pups had a blast. The pics are from my iphone, so they're not the best, but it does show the pretty lake. I feel so lucky to live where we do!

our house is at the top of this street.

Ellie loves to roll around on the grass.

and she's always covered in grass when she's finished!

29 Days!!!

First Look at Britney's 'Circus' Tour

I could eat this everyday

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best salad ever.

My friend Beth introduced me to this stuff a few months ago and I eat it several times a week- for lunch, a small salad before dinner, I've even been known to eat this if Mike and I are up watching movies super late at night. I crave this stuff! I use Earthbound Farms Organic Mixed Baby Greens salad with Newman's Own Lighten Up Raspberry & Walnut Dressing topped with almonds (not the parmesan flavor- it was the only pic I could find). Sometimes I add some feta cheese- drool worthy. Seriously- so good!!

saturday

I haven't been blogging much and I really don't have a reason. There's just lots of stuff going on and none of it is necessarily blog-worthy. The thing that has basically consumed Mike and I for the past two weeks have been the Walmart layoffs. We are very thankful to report that he survived and is still gainfully employed. Yesterday was a scary day in our house!

Today should be a nice lazy Saturday. Mike is playing xBox with some friends and I think I'm going to try and sew a pillow. Wish me luck!

been there, done that.

This morning as I waited for my daily Golden Girls (don't laugh!) episodes to start I caught the tail end of some show called Get Married. It's all about planning your wedding- today they were discussing paper products: engagement party invitations, save the dates, wedding invitations, bachelor/bachelorette party invitations, wedding programs, wedding favors etc etc etc I was exhausted just listening to the host--- and so thankful that I don't ever have to do that stuff again!!

The funniest part of the Get Married show- it's hosted by the chick from The Bachelor/Bachelorette. The girl that recently broke of her engagement. I'm thinking she got the gig while she was still a bride-to-be. LOL

Get over yourself!

Okay, I'm giving you fair warning here- my blog, my rules. Tonight I feel like being a brat. I'm going to vent and if that's a problem for you, move along to the next blog in your google reader! LOL

I am SO FREAKING SICK of all the anti-Valentine's day crap. It's a "Hallmark holiday", it's worthless, I'm loved everyday etc etc etc. Okay, I get it, you don't like Valentine's Day. But guess what... I do. And just because I celebrate doesn't somehow diminish my relationship or how much my husband and I love each other- just like your lack of celebrating it doesn't mean a damn thing. (How absurd!) And I don't want to hear how lame I am for celebrating it with my AWESOME husband. Yeah I know this isn't a big deal, it's just annoying to me. So there. I told you I was being a brat tonight!!

Whew, I feel better!! :-) And you know what, sometimes that's what this blog is for.

Oh and fyi- I got flowers and candy and chocolate. ha!

It's in the bag

I've been desperately trying to come up with something, anything to blog about- and I found it over at my good friend Allison's blog! The challenge was to post a picture of the bag you're currently carrying. I couldn't cheat and go pick out one of my favorites out of my closet, I had to be honest and keep it real! lol So here it is! Mike calls this my rock-n-roll bag. I actually remember exactly when and where I purchased this. It was in February of 2005 at Wilson's Leather at Woodland Hill's Mall in Tulsa. This bag holds a special place in my heart because Mike and I had only been dating a few weeks and he agreed to go shopping with me for a new black bag. What a trooper!! LOL
I think I paid around $50- I do remember that it was on sale. It's the softest, nicest leather and I love it. So if you want to participate- here are the rules:


Rules (are for losers):

1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out your most expensive purse. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!
2. I want to know how much it costs. And this is not to judge. It is for entertainment purposes only. So, spill it. And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.
3. Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you're showing everyone your bag.

Tag. You're it.

Stuff

I've been a blog slacker lately! We've been pretty busy:

I got my hair colored on Friday:



We also filed our taxes on Friday: this is usually a dreaded occurrence in our house but for the first time ever we're actually getting a little bit of money back from the damn government!!!! WOOHOO!!!

Saturday we ran some errands- Barnes & Noble and Starbucks. :-)

Saturday night we had a zombie movie marathon. So FUN!

I've been saving money and planning for a girl's weekend in Dallas.

Mike's been planning and saving for a guy's weekend in Atlanta.

We've both been planning and saving for our trip to D.C. in a few months.

Mom & Dad have been talking to Connor- sounds like he's doing really well at his infantry/combat training school (I'm not sure what it's called exactly).

So that's it, we're all doing great and keeping busy!

Daniel comes to an end

Tonight was my last Bible study class of Beth Moore's "Daniel". It was such an awesome experience. I learned a ton and met some of the kindest, warmest and funniest girls. We're taking the rest of February off and will start a new class in March- I can't wait!!

Humor me one more time...

one more picture of my favorite Marine.

what a great weekend!

I finally got to spend some time with my brother. It was fantastic. He was such a good sport and agreed to let me take some pictures of him in his new uniforms:




this one is my very favorite- we laugh so much when we're together:



of course I had to mess with him a little bit- here are a few more funny ones

48 Questions...

I was sent this in an email a few weeks ago- I'm terrible and forgot about it until now. Since I haven't blogged in about a decade, I thought I'd use it for a post! Here goes...


1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Hmmm- I don't know the answer to this. For some reason I think I was named after the Rolling Stone's song Angie. I could have totally imagined that though!

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
last week when that damn Sarah McLachlan ASPCA pet commercial came on tv- not once, but twice in a row!! That one even gets Mike upset.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Meh, I guess.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast beef

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
yes, three of the furry variety

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
without a doubt!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
I'm fluent in sarcasm

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
nope

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
yep

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
ummm I guess Cherrios. But when we lived in Tulsa, I loved the granola from Wild Oats.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Baskin Robbins bubble gum

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their face I guess?

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
my lack of patience

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
my grandpa

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
n/a

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
black pj pants and gray socks

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
our crappy local news

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
cadet blue- I always thought that was a bizarre name!

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
clean laundry

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
my mom

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
absolutely

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
boxing

27. HAIR COLOR?
brown- but I'm having it colored February 6th!

28. EYE COLOR?
green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
sushi

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
scary movies

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
something crappy on Lifetime I'm sure. In a theater I think it was my 2nd viewing of Twilight.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
black

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
neither- Fall!

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
both

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
n/a

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
n/a

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
"The Lovely Bones

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
n/a

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Golden Girls

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S).
music, the ocean...

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Hawaii

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
far too many to list! lol

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
T-town

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
n/a

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?

high school! good old Booker T. Washington high is the short answer. :-)

alright, I've met my weekly blog quota! We've got some nasty weather right now and Mike & I have our fingers crossed that we won't lose power. Wish us luck!!

I'm loving

Having local friends (finally!!)
Catching up on all our dvr'd shows
My iPhone
Having my brother home from boot camp
Homemade potato soup

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Yay Connor!!

his graduation is today...more pics to follow!

Heading to Tulsa

I'm leaving tomorrow for Tulsa. My parents are currently on a flight to San Diego-( Connor's graduation from Marine Corps boot camp is Friday!!) so I volunteered to work a few days at my mom's office. Not looking forward to it, but it's only a couple of days. I am taking Jack Bauer with me. I could use the company and he'll have a nice big yard to run around in for a little while. I'll be back on Thursday evening!

hair cut!

crappy pics, but I'll have Mike take better ones tonight!



I love it!!

at the salon...

About to get my hair cut- pictures to follow!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

testing this thing out!

This is my first blog from my iPhone... Let's see if this works!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Almost There!

I've blogged about my little brother Connor being away at Marine Corps boot camp before. It's 13 weeks long (of pure hell from what I hear!) and Connor has been there since the end of October. I've missed him a ton and we've kept in touch with lots of letters & cards. His graduation is in just a few short weeks- I'm ecstatic!! They make a video of each platoon in the last weeks of training and post it for parents and loved ones to see their Recruit (they're not called a Marine until after the Crucible-- which I'll blog about this week). Connor's platoon video was posted just a few minutes ago and it's the first glimpse we've gotten of him since October- needless to say, we are excited and proud. :-)

I had to try and take pics from the video so the quality isn't great, but here he is with other platoon members:


and here I tried to crop just him:
My mom & dad & I can tell he's gained weight (only Connor goes to boot camp and gains weight!)- probably a ton of muscle- and he looks mean!! Like a badass. lol!