Shape it up!

Today I went to my first bootcamp at the Y, and let me tell you, it totally kicked my butt! We started out running around the track, which I am used to... but then we had to run single filed and that's where it got tough for me. I have my own slow pace that I like to run, and I know I need to speed it up some, but the people in my class were just too fast for me! It seemed like they all were in tip top shape and were just doing the bootcamp to keep that up. I liked it though, even though my abs are feeling it right now (you know there has to be some abs under there somewhere!), and I may even go back next week! Thanks Miranda for inspiring me!

I have started to pick up more workouts this week than my usual one or two. I went to zumba on Monday and Thursday, ran at the Y and lifted weights on Tuesday, then I did the bootcamp today (Friday). I may start taking some different classes at the Y, instead of going to the zumba on Mondays. I hope I can keep all this up after I go back to working again.

I have also decided to cut down on my portions during meals, try not to snack late at night, and only drink pop on the weekend. Phil and I have been planning our weekly menus the week before, and making up our shopping list with those meals in mind. This has helped on cutting costs at the store each week.

Here is our new favorite recipe for our crockpot:

Lentils

1 cup dry lentils
1 cup carrots (chopped)
1 cup celery (chopped)
1 cup onion (chopped)
1 cup smoked turkey sausages (chopped)
4 cups vegetable broth
Season with salt, pepper, & cumin

Place all ingredients in the crockpot on LOW for 6 hours.

We are addicted to this right now, it is super easy, and before we made it Phil, had never had lentils before! I had never used cumin while cooking and now I love it! So good!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Yuck!

I haven't felt too great this week. Monday I worked and felt fine, but yesterday and today I just don't feel the best. Anyways...

Since I last blogged, on Friday we celebrated mom's birthday with some yummy garlic mashed potatoes I made! They turned out really yummy and I found the recipe here.

On Saturday, Phil and I went to his work party at the casino/dog track. I finally got to play the Sex & the City machine there and ended up making $10! Woot!

Sunday, we did nothing except go to Subway, which we should make into a place we regularly go out to eat instead of some other places we go. It will save us some money and be a healthier choice.

I need to start working out again. Last week I went and pushed myself to run a faster mile, then my hip hurt. So I didn't do anything else the rest of the week. Now I don't feel good, so I guess I am just making excuses now for not doing anything. Tomorrow, my plan is to go to Zumba! I miss it!

I still plan on making my Valentines' wreath! Stay tuned!

12 Goals for 2012

Happy New Year!!!

Hope everyone had a fantastic time last night! Phil and I decided to go out to eat then stay home for our first New Year's Eve as husband and wife! It was pretty great to be able to stay home and be an old married couple! haha

This year I am hoping to complete 12 Goals for 2012 instead of making any resolutions at all... I'm not too good at those!

12 Goals for 2012

1. Learn to quilt!

- one I didn't accomplish last year that I made sound more realistic as an overall just "Learn to quilt" instead of forcing myself to make 3!

2. Continue eating healthy and working out!

- this one may sound familiar too, but it is an important one to keep up with!

3. Make dinner and eat at home as much as possible!

- this is a new one for me & Phil since we have started living together, and we have done pretty good so far, but I would like to make it a goal.

4. Make tooth fairy pillows for my cousins/nephews!

- yes, another repeat but Alec is bound to lose his first tooth this year and I need to be a good dental hygienist aunt!

5. Read more books than I did in 2011!

- I changed last year's goal up a little bit this year! I only read 18 books in my busy 2011, and I just bought 3 new books a few nights ago, so I am bound to complete this goal!

6. Wish all my friends and family a "Happy Birthday" on their special day with either a card or a phone call.

- I am pretty bad about keeping in touch with everyone, and relying on Facebook and texting to convey my message just seems so impersonal.

7. Hang out with my friends more!

- they are special people in my life, and they showed up to the most important day in my life, so I need to be able to let them know I will be there for them!

8. To become full-time with my current job (or possibly another).

- It is hard to work only a few days a month, even though I understand our program is just starting out in my state. I just hope I will be thought of as an important member of the team enough to where they will pick me to work and rely on me!

9. Keep up with housework.

- now that we have our own place to take care of, I wanna make sure that I/we keep our house clean and organized!

10. Be a good wife!

- I want to be the best wife to Phil as I possibly can! I want to be understanding, listen to him, and make our first year of marriage go by as smoothly as possible! (they do say that the first year is the hardest!)

11. Pick back up some of my old blog followers and acquire more!

- during my absence from blogging last year, I feel like I've lost many followers and feel terrible I let them down.

12. Continue to blog!

- I know, another repeat, but I love blogging and hope to continue throughout this new year!

Well, there they are!

What do ya think?

What are your goals for 2012?

Hiatus

Hello friends!

I swear I will be back in full blogging force here sooner or later, but it has been good to take a wee vacation from it here lately! I am getting the hang of my new schedule... going to sleep by midnight every night, waking up at 6:30am to be at work by 8am, getting off work at 4:30pm, then going straight to the Y/Zumba/Phil's house right after work, catching up on my shows, and repeating it all over again! Then I have the weekends of fitting things I can't do during the week and actually getting to spend time with my fiance! I guess I've entered the realm of workdom for the time being, I just hope it can continue!

I have come to the conclusion that I will once more have to rely on TiVo to take of my new shows that are beginning so I can start doing more things throughout the week! haha I just have to finish watching all my finales though! Speaking of finales... I really hated how Grey's and Private Practice left off this season! Aggravating! I hope that The Event and The Biggest Loser will not disappoint this coming week! How are your finales going?

I will also try to catch up on all the Pic-A-Days I have missed. I'm not saying that I will post a picture for all that I haven't showed here lately, but I will skip around and try filling you in on what I have been up to the last couple months!

I've also missed reading many of my favorite blogs, so I apologize to all of you reading this that I haven't been commenting! I will try my hardest to catch up!

XOXO

Week #34

So it's pretty sad that I really don't remember what I did this week, and had to remind myself from the few tweets I post! I just didn't sleep well all week for some reason, except for the first part - I do know why... Day 232: Today Phil was in major pain because of his tooth! His face was starting to swell, and in hindsight I should have just taken him to the hospital. I reluctantly left his house that day, couldn't really call and talk to him cause it was hard for him to open his mouth. I didn't get much sleep cause I was worrying so much. Didn't take any pictures... sorry!

Day 233: I got up early this morning and drove back to Phil's house cause I was so worried! He had already set an appointment to get this tooth pulled previously for Tuesday, but he was going to call this Monday morning to see if they could get him in since he was so bad. They could and I was glad I was there to drive him. They pulled it even though it was infected and put him on an antibiotic (for the second time). They said that if he swelled any more to go straight to the ER. So today I took care of him. I know I'm doing bad but no picture today too! My worrying got the best of me. When I went home again tonight I didn't sleep well again.

Day 234: Phil was okay today and I didn't worry as much, but still didn't sleep well. It was like I would get my hours in, but didn't feel rested when I got up. Anyway, I had to do stuff today like go find wedding invitations. I found these at Target that I liked, but when I went with mom today to get them, they only had one box. Sooo, I was frustrated cause everytime I find them the place doesn't have enough or you can't order/find them online. We decided to go to a place in town that designs/prints them for you and it is for a good price. This pic is of the paper we want, you can't tell very much but it is a ivory color with a bit of sparkle!

Day 235: Today, was my bub Adam's birthday! I also finally got to the Y! It was a hard workout mostly because I was so exhausted. Also, this morning my dad calls me up to talk to him before he was leaving to go to work, and I look him in the eyes and one of his pupils is dilated and the other isn't. I freak, thinking that he's had a stroke or something and tell my mom to come look. They start laughing at me while I have tears in my eyes! Turns out dad had gone to the eye doctor that morning and they only had to dilate one eye! It was okay, but it was a bad joke on me!

Day 236: Mom and I went for a walk in the park. We walked to the place where *I think* will be the place in the park that we are having the ceremony(pictured). Later today, I went to Zumba with Rachel again! So much fun!

Day 237: Phil is feeling much better now with the help from his antibiotic, and got to come to my house for the weekend! The lymph nodes under his chin are still a little swollen, but the rest of his face is much better! Those swollen nodes are stopping him from getting some early Easter treats!

Day 238: Phil got a new game for the DS that I decided I would try out before him! It's called "9 hours, 9 persons, 9 doors" and sort of feels very "Saw"-ish to me. There is a lot of reading to this game but you do get to figure out some puzzles, get to know some people, and search some rooms to get through the 9 doors.

So that was my week, and I'm happy to say that Saturday I had a good night's sleep!

Week #33

Hey all! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good, mostly so because of the weather, except for that crazy severe thunderstorm with hail I drove in on Friday! At least it was warm!

Day 225: Today, Phil and I went for a walk around his neighborhood then went bike riding with his nephew! It was a beautiful day as you can see from this picture with the blue sky and pretty spring tree!

Day 226: This is my favorite gummy bear, the clear or pineapple one! Yes, I had gummy bears today! Yum!

Day 227: So I worked at the dentist office again today for the hygienist that hurt her shoulder. I have never worked at or been to a dentist office where they wear the surgical hair nets, but that is what I have to wear there! Too funny!

Day 228: It was gorgeous out today, so I worked out at the Y and at the park! I walked 2 miles and took a few pictures along the way. I would have ran some, but my ankle was hurting and I feel weird running around so many people right now. I still feel like I have some work to do before I get to that point. Here is a pic I took while there, tulips are one of my favorite flowers!

Day 229: I got to work again today too, at the same office. After work, I met up with my friend Rachel to go Zumba! Obviously this isn't a pic I took, but I didn't have my camera on me at the time! Forgive me?

Day 230: Today was just one of those days where it felt like everything went wrong! I woke up early (for me) today to go meet one of my friends for lunch. I called before I was getting ready to leave the house and he said that he didn't feel good, so that ended that. I then decided to do this extravagant online thingy for a certain place that wants me to do temp work for them - it took way too long and all the pages took forever to upload. I then needed to get my TB test read for same said temp job and had to wait an hour because they were way under-staffed, and it only took them 2 seconds to look at my arm and say it was negative! When I got home (mom had driven me before) and was getting ready to leave in my car so I could go to Phil's for the weekend, The Mole (my car, pictured) didn't start. So I ended up taking mom's car and having to drive in the severe thunderstorm with hail in a car I wasn't used to! Then my day got significantly better cause I got to spend it with Phil :-)

Day 231: This day was much better than the last, except that Phil was starting to experience some tooth pain with a tooth that he is getting pulled this upcoming Tuesday. We had gone to Lowe's and to eat lunch with his mom and grandma, then we went shopping for me some wedding shoes and to look at some possible wedding invitations. I didn't find any shoes, but I found these invitations at Target that I like a lot!

I hope this week goes well, and that Phil can get his tooth pulled ASAP cause it is hurting him so much! I just want him out of pain!

Have a great week everyone!

Week #32

Happy Monday everyone! I hope it is going okay for you so far! I hope some part of my week will make you smile!

Day 218: This Sunday, Phil and I sat around and watched our collection of Jack Ass movies and finally watched the newest one. In a lot of ways I cannot stand to watch these movies, but in part they are quite hilarious and I cannot take my eyes away! haha No matter what, it's always nice to be able to laugh together!

Day 219: Today, I went to the Y and ran! I also finished up watching the Square Pegs DVDs I got for Christmas. Has anyone else ever watched this TV series? It is like totally 80s, totally! I had never heard of it before I got it as a gift, but it was a lot of fun to watch! I believe this was one of Sarah Jessica Parker's first roles.

Day 220: Mom and I went to another florist's shop today to get a feel for how they would be for the wedding. The woman was really nice there and I have a feeling she is who we are going to go with! From there, we went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few things including these (pictured) that we are going to use as table numbers. What do ya think?

Day 221: I spent the better part of this evening going over our gift registry and figuring out everything we still need to register for. I printed off this checklist and compared it to what we already have bought/registered.

Day 222: Today, I got called into temp work at a new dentist's office (that's #5)! Their dental hygienist hurt her arm which is so sad considering her line of work, but I'm glad I got an oppurtunity to fill-in somewhere new and meet new people. My aunt, uncle, cousin's wife & daughter (Asyra) left today to see my cousin graduate from basic training in Texas! This pic is Asyra and mom playing the 'scrub your ears' game she made up!

Day 223: I went to Phil's house this weekend. This evening Phil and I went to Point Pleasant to eat at a new place. Then, we went back to his house to relax. This pic is of Phil's mom's dog, Baby. Baby loves me and cuddled up on my lap tonight and went to sleep. I sure do miss having a doggy!

Day 224: Phil's nephew Alec turned 6 years old the day before, but today we, along with Phil's parents, took him to Chuck E. Cheese's to eat pizza, play games, and get prizes! He had a blast! After, Phil and I went to the bookstore where I finally got "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris since it just came out in paperback! I cannot wait to go read it!

Have a good week!

Week #31

Hey all! I had another busy week this past week, but my weekend was a little more relaxing so this is posted at the regular time! Woohoo!

Day 211: Isn't it lovely that when the calendar says that it's finally Spring that nature decides it is too!? Today the grass looked greener and the little white & purple wild flowers sprouted making my backyard look so happy! Yay!

Day 212: I actually did it folks, I took down the Christmas tree!!! Then I got into full on Spring cleaning mode with the rest of my house!

Day 213: This is a new nail polish I got! I keep seeing these pale shades of pink polishes and had to purchase one for myself! (Peter Piper Picked...) This color is called Easy Going by Sinful Colors. It took about 3 coats before it covered properly and since it's so pale it is not very forgiving for someone who doesn't polish neatly (me)! I like it okay, but may try finding a better color next time. Also, I got to work today at a dental office I've worked at before! It's nice to know that they'll call me up when they need someone and found out they want me to work a week for them in May!

Day 214: Got another call this morning from another dental office saying they need me! Feels great to be loved! haha It had been raining this day, but the sun came out so strong when I was driving home that I needed to put on my sunglasses for the first time this year!

Day 215: So I went to a "working interview" for the pediatric clinic that I regular interviewed with before. They say that they work so differently than a regular dental clinic that they wanted me to come in and make sure it would be a good fit for all. They are totally paperless, so I had to get used to their computer system and what they enter into that system, which was the major part that was different. The other dental hygienist there said that I did really well with that cause it took most of them a lot longer than it did me in just that one day. I hope that will make me look good, not only that but all my other qualities as well!

Day 216: My television in my living room has been on the blink for the last month or so, and with that is my TiVo, which you know I can't live without! So I've been recording all my shows to watch on my parents TV. Anyway, Phil came over this weekend and said he wanted to mess with it. He turns the TV on and it is working perfectly fine. Just him looking at it. This is not the only time this has happened, and it is pretty weird. Also, I actually ran at the Y today for the first time since I hurt my ankle! I didn't try to push myself cause I was afraid of hurting it, but I did pretty good!

Day 217: Today was my daddy's birthday!!! It just so happened that Phil and I were getting some more free cupcakes (and brownies this time) from another bakery for our wedding tasting. This is a pic of the brownies, which may look okay and all but they did not taste good. They were more like cake (and you know by now Phil does not like cake), but they were not good tasting cake, and the cupcakes weren't good either. So this was a FAIL on being dad's birthday treats, but luckily Phil and I made brownie cupcakes (brownie mix poured into cupcake tins and baked) the night before that turned out deliciously! Too bad we ate all of them before I forgot to get a picture of them!

Hope everyone had a good weekend, I did even though it was entirely too cold for me!

Week #30

I was pretty busy last week work-wise... then the weekend was filled with fun and wedding stuff! The bad part is that I forget to take pictures of some of the things that matter the most! It's the small little things that I'm like "Oh! I'll take a pic of that!" but I guess I'm so wrapped up in the moment during lots of wedding planning fun! I really need my wedding photographer to follow me around all the time! Sorry this is late, enjoy!

Day 204: I was at Phil's house this Sunday, and we decided to take his nephew on a little field trip to Kmart and GameStop on a quest for an Xbox game he and Phil could play together. We got to the Kmart just fine and dandy, and even bought some delicious and addicting Thin Mints (pictured, then gobbled) from the Girl Scouts. Anyway, after that we were on our way to GameStop when Alec says "I'm gonna puke" about 5 seconds before he does. Vomit is everywhere. It stinks. I feel bad for the little guy! Phil complained all week about this situation in his car and dumped about hundred different products on his car seat to get the smell to go away. Arm & Hammer was the winner! Sorry to incorporate the delicious picture of Girl Scout Cookies with this story!

Day 205: I woke up extra early cause I had a temp job today! It was at the dental clinic I've been filling in for since September. About 10 minutes into my 30 minute drive, I get a call from the girl I was filling in for saying that the clinic was cancelling all patients for the day due to a death in the dentist's family. I turned around and drove back and got a picture of the sunrise out back of my house! Then I got ready and went to the Y!

Day 206: I worked for the same girl mentioned in Day 205 today! And I actually got all the way there and worked! It was a rainy day, but it was starting to feel like Spring was coming!

Day 207: Wednesday I had to go to an "orientation" for a dental hygienist I would be filling in for at a new dental clinic. I went there for about 2 hours where I learned where everything was that I would need when I worked there, got accustomed to the digital x-rays I would be taking, and mostly just talked to the dental hygienist. On my way home I got me some much needed new tennis shoes! Love them! I am going to where my old ones only when I work out now.

Day 208: Happy St. Patrick's Day! I wore my green today, it's my most favorite of colors! As I drove around today, I was suprised to see there were a lot of people out around my hometown wearing green! Guess it's pretty easy garmet to wear since the local high school's colors incorporate green and so does the university... or they just didn't wanna get pinched!

Day 209: So I worked this Friday at the new dental clinic I mentioned above in Day 207. They were really laid back, with just one dentist/one assisstant/one hygienist (me for the day!)/one receptionist. It was a busy schedule but I did just fine getting used to the new location! I am currently a fill-in for 4 different dental clinics in the area, but still hoping for that full-time position!

Day 210: This was a busy, busy Saturday! First, I went with my mom & bridesmaid Corey to go look at bridesmaid dresses and finally picked one! Then, we went out to lunch where I talked to the cupcake lady that works there and got 6 different cupcakes for free to take home to Phil! As you know, Phil does not like cake but was willing to try this lady's orange cupcake since it was a different flavor. So mom, Corey, Phil, & I sat around the kitchen table at my house and had our own little cake tasting! They were so good for all except Phil. Next, Corey, Phil, & I went to the mall. We dropped off Corey with her hubby, and Phil & I shopped around (I was looking for wedding shoes, which I didn't find). We ran into our friend Rachel and her mom, chatted a bit, then went on to JCPenny where I found the banner pictured! Sephora is coming to our mall!!! I was super excited and sadly this is the pic I took instead of all the wedding activities of the day! After the mall, we went by another local bakery where we found a woman willing to make a small brownie cake for me and Phil to cut at the wedding to solve our cake problem. The rest of the guests would have cupcakes, and this woman said we could call her back sometime this week and she would give us 6 cupcakes/brownies to try for free too!!! So yeah, this was a looooong day and we passed out when we got home!

This post doesn't even incorporate yesterday's Sunday and you see that Saturday was so packed! Thanks for bearing with me and sorry if there was too much to read! Have a happy week!

Week #28

Had a busy week full of getting stuff done! Woohoo!

Day 190: Only watched the Red Carpet portion of the Academy Awards, and maybe a little bit of the beginning just to see how Anne Hathaway and whats-his-face would do hosting. I agree with a lot of my other bloggy friends that Anne totally did the carrying on this one, at least the part I watched.

Day 191: Made my way back to the Y today for the first time since I hurt my ankle. I did pretty good using the bike and the precor machines but it is when I am just walking that it bothers me. Ended up only gaining 1lb in all that time off, so I thought that was pretty good compared to what I thought! It's been raining a lot here so this is a pic I took, on my way to the Y, of the creek near the park that was overflowing.

Day 192: My purse strappy broke today :-( Time to buy a new one :-)

Day 193: Mom and I went down to the Ramada which we reserved for the wedding reception! Exciting stuff!

Day 194: Dad booked the DJ for us today! It's nice getting all this stuff under control! Also, it seems Charlie Sheen is now writing lines for Conversation Hearts! It reads: "WIN ME"! haha I totally found this in my V-Day sale rack bag of Sweethearts I bought!

Day 195: Qdoba... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Sorry I didn't get a picture of the delicious food, but I was too busy scarfing it down!

Day 196: Phil and I went out registering more today! It is pretty fun! This is one thing came up on our registery that we didn't scan, and I kept my eye on Phil when he had that gun, so I know he didn't do it! Might just leave it on there! LOL

More wedding stuff going to be accomplished this week as well, stay tuned!

Week #27

Hi all! Here on time this week's Pic-A-Day at it's normally scheduled time! Yay!

Day 183: I read this book - "The Girl Who Chased The Moon" by Sarah Addison Allen - in one day. It is an easy read, not to mention romantic and magical! I am trying to watch how many books I buy right now, so I may start reading some old mysteries I read a long time ago that I have forgotten what they are about, but I may just have to go buy the other 3 books by Ms. Allen!

Day 184: It seems like this whole week has been about the rain. It goes from warm to cold, rain to snow, but at least rain means that Spring is near!

Day 185: I got to work again at the same office I worked at last week! I didn't want to go out in their waiting room to take a picture so this pic I took from the internet will have to do! Yes, they have a Ms. PacMan table video game in their office! I wanted it badly!

Day 186: I worked again for the same dentist office again today! So excited that they will be able to use me so much! I just wish I could be a full-time hygienist there. Mom met me at Burger King today for my lunch break!

Day 187: My friend, Lee, won tickets and took me to see "Chorus Line" at the Keith Albee tonight! It was pretty good, but has to be the cheapest musical to produce ever! The characters all had the same clothes for the entire show except at the end for their "One Singular Sensation" finale and the background was just dance studio mirrors. This pic is of the inside of the Keith Albee, it's pretty amazing.

Day 188: On Wednesday night of this week, my babysitter/3rd grandma passed away. She was two months shy of her 90th birthday and such an amazing & strong woman. Anna took care of me from the time I was 7 weeks old until I was about 12 years old. I will miss her dearly. This day was the day of her funeral. She had tons of pink roses at her funeral, pink being her favorite color.

Day 189: I finally got some material to make Phil's nephew, Alec, a tooth-fairy pillow. I hope to have it done by his 6th birthday on April 1st. Do you like my fabric choices? There are so many different ones I love that it takes me forever to pick them out!

For those of you who want to know, my ankle is feeling alot better now. I am still limping a bit, but Ibuprofen helps tremendously. I am going to try and work out at the Y today cause I feel like I've gained every pound back again that I had previously lost.

So, my week had it's highs and lows... how was your week?

Week #25

WARNING: This post has pictures of my swollen and bruised ankle in close proximity of a picture with delicious artichoke dip. You have been warned! haha!

Day 169: This Superbowl Sunday, Phil and I hung around the house, ordered pizza, and made this yummy artichoke dip (pictured). I found Hutch's recipe on her blog, Be Awesome Instead. It was a perfect way to watch the game, along with the Puppy Bowl of course! And I totally think that the Kitty half-time show was so much better than the Superbowl half-time show! If only Slash played withw the kitties instead!

Day 170: Monday I got up early, went to the Y to run a mile, then sprained my ankle like I devoted a whole post to mentioned in my last post. Well, if you liked that post you are in luck, because that is mostly what this week's Pic-A-Day depicts as well. Sorry. Here is my ankle, majorly swollen.

Day 171: This is the inside of my ankle, swollen and bruised.

Day 172: This is the outside of my ankle, swollen and bruised.

Day 173: My parents came home this evening! It felt so nice to have people there to help me if I needed it! I managed myself by using a plastic bag to carry things from room to room, but it was still hard! This is my foot in it's bandage. I was happy I'd painted my toes before I hurt my foot!

Day 174: Phil got me out of the house and took me to Captain D's today! I had been craving it! haha It was a bit hard being out of the house with the crutches but we managed.

Day 175: And finally, it's not an ankle pic! Phil's mom sent over a Valentine's present for me! I love dark chocolate! Phil and I also ventured out of the house again today and pushed me around in a wheelchair! Wish I had pics of that! haha

Okay guys, sorry that I've been complaining about the ankle so much. That's all I've had to do though since I was home alone for most of the week and unable to do much. I'll try to make this week much more entertaining!

Week #24

So I had a fairly good week, lots more wedding research and accomplishments were made! Enjoy!

Day 162: My parents and I went next door to my aunt & uncle/cousin's house to say farewell to my "little" cousin Zach before he was leaving the next day to go to basic training. This is a pic of me playing with his daughter, Asyra. She had me ride on her horse with her in the kitchen floor.

Day 163: Went to the Y today and Mondays are my meeting days. We talked about cholesterol today and I thought this little cartoon was pretty cute. If you can't see it, it is a vampire scaring a woman but the woman says "I'd better warn you - I've high cholesterol!"

Day 164: Went looking around for more options for the wedding ceremony and reception location. For the reception I'm liking the Ramada, but we'll see if this will be close enough to where we want the ceremony. This is a pic of the floor plan.

Day 165: Got another free wedding magazine in the mail! It has options for decor, invitations, favors, and gifts in it. It may come in handy!

Day 166: Went Krogering today! I love grocery shopping for the most part, but I especially love getting the Kroger sushi!

Day 167: Took my parents to the airport today! My mom and dad had planned this trip a long time ago so they could go visit some of my mom's relatives down in Florida. Although I would have liked to join them, it probably is for the best that I stayed here cause I ended up with another interview this Monday (today)! This pic is driving down the hill from where the airport is located. I also ran into my friend Jennifer (Crazy Shenanigans) there and it was good getting to catch up with her! After that, I went right to the Y and ran a mile without stopping for the first time ever!!!

Day 168: Phil and I went to Ashland today. We ate at the Cheddar's there, went to the mall where I got my Clinique freebies (pictured), then went to Burt's Pet Shop where we got our pet fix!

I am crossing my fingers that I will get some calls about jobs this week! I also have made a chore list for myself to complete... we'll see how that goes!

Goals for 2011

I've decided to make goals for myself for the new year. They really can't fall under the category of "resolution" since they aren't really things I need to change, although I do have few resolutions too.

11 Goals for 2011

1. Find a dental hygiene job!
2. Find an apartment/house for me and Phil after finding that DH job!
3. Learn to quilt - by year's end I would like to have finished at least 3 quilts: My t-shirt quilt, a baby quilt (for my new little cousin due May 1st!), and a quilt for me and Phil.
4. Continue eating healthy and working out.
5. Use my crockpot.
6. Plan mine and Phil's wedding and have fun doing it!
7. Make tooth-fairy pillows for my little cousins/nephews.
8. Get a kitty.
9. Continue to read for pleasure as often as I can.
10. Start paying off my loans.
11. Continue to blog!

Resolutions

• Begin going to sleep earlier and waking up earlier - This will be a hard one to start and I'm afraid that it won't happen until I find a job I need to get up for.
• Start writing down what I eat everyday - I was doing this really well for the first part of my weight-loss program I joined at the Y, but lately I haven't at all.
• Be more patient.
• Hang out more with my friends!

Last year my resolution was to call my family/friends more often and get over my phone phobia. This resolution didn't turn out too well cause I never did. Bad Mariah! I hope this year's goals/resolutions turn out better than last year's!

I've also added the 11 Goals for 2011 to the left sidebar so you can track their progress with my other lists!

• Do you have any goals/resolutions for the new year?
• How did you do with last years resolutions?

I Didn't Know I Was Stylish!

I want to thank my friend Miranda over at Hanging Loose With The Tucci's for this award! I didn't realize I was considered stylish, but I'm glad to find out that I am (just don't go through my wardrobe!).

There are 4 duties to perform to accept the award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award:


2. Share 7 things about yourself.


3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.


4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

So here are 7 things about me:

1. I technically have gone to 3 different colleges: Marshall (B.S. Biology), WV State (just for 1 class - Organic Chemistry II), and WVU (B.S. Dental Hygiene).


2. I'm getting married on October 15, 2011!


3. I love to scrapbook, but don't think I have actually finished any one project.


4. I need to find a DH job soon!


5. There was a huge spider in my laundry room today and thankfully my parents found it before i did. I wanted to vomit after seeing it and was scared to use my toilet after dad flushed it.


6. I've lost 10lbs. since I have started my weight-loss program at the Y. It seems like it has taken a long time, but I consider maintaining my weight during the holidays as an accomplishment!


7. I got a Christmas card in the mail today! haha

Now I'm going give this award to 15 bloggers I've recently (or not-so-recently) discovered. They may or may not be a follower of mine.

1. The Country Chic Cottage
2. A Girl In Pearls & A Boy With Toys
3. Apothecary Fox
4. Be Awesome Instead
5. Color Me Katie
6. Crazy Shenanigans
7. I know, right?
8. In Between Laundry
9. It's Blogworthy
10. Knock Knocking
11. Lavender, Leopard, & Lace
12. Making Stuff Is Fun
13. Princess & The Blog
14. The Fickle Nickle
15. Thoughtful Day

Week #17

Only one more week until Christmas people! Can you believe it? This past week, there was a lot of decorating, snow, and nostalgia going on!


Day 113: I decorated my little Christmas tree today! My mom and I got a new, bigger star for the top of our big Christmas tree so I took the old one! Yay! I secretly like the old one better and it has a lot of memories attached to it, so I'm happy I can put it on mine and Phil's tree for year's to come!

Day 114: Mom and I decorated the big Christmas tree today! Dad put up the tree the night before and hung the lights on it, but then mom and I put the decorations on. We got some silver beaded garland and some silver bulbs this year for something different. Then we hung our old familiar and favorite ornaments.

Day 115: My parents got a beautiful white poinsettia and I love it! I also got to work my temporary job again today! It makes me sad to think that I want someone to call in sick so I can have my chance! I really don't want them sick, maybe just playing hooky!

Day 116: Mom spent like 2 weeks working on her picture arrangement seen here. She had to get just the right frames and have our whole family displayed. I think it turned out really pretty!

Day 117: Today was a lovely snow day! I stayed around the house, scared that I couldn't get down the hill that I live on, and listened to some old music I haven't heard in a while!

Day 118: I ventured off my hill today to go to the YMCA. My hill was fairly clear, just mostly slushy. All the main roads in town were clear, but the side roads were a different story, like seen here on the street the Y is on. Guess, I should have been paying attention to the road more while driving instead of trying to take a picture! Ha!

Day 119: Phil and I were out and about today and on our way to Applebee's for dinner, I saw that the Keith Albee sign was proudly flashing! This was very nostalgic for me and made the snow-filled downtown, with its lighted snowflakes, look very picturesque!

I want to wish everyone luck this week at finishing up their last minute Christmas preparations!

Week #16

Welcome to Week 16 of my Pic-A-Day Challenge! We are getting closer and closer to Christmas and I keep getting more and more excited as time goes on! I love giving the gifts to the people I love and I love watching the little ones open their presents! Here's what I did this week.

Day 106: It snowed every day here for like a week and this is sadly the only photo I got of the snow. On my way back into my house, from walking Phil to his car cause he had to go home, I took this pic of the solar light shining on the snow.

Day 107: Today was a Y day! I went and worked out this day (I usually go to the Y on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and then had to come back this evening to go to my healthy weight loss class I've joined. I took this pic of the outside of the Y cause the windows, on the second floor where the workout room is, were all steamed up due to the temperature difference inside and outside. Hard work going on in there!

Day 108: Pablo came over to visit us from next door. He told us that it was too cold outside and my cousins forgot to let him back inside. When we heard them calling for him, he didn't want to go back out in the chilly weather! I sure do miss having a doggy.

Day 109: Mom and I decorated the mantle today. I think it turned out beautiful! I love the pinecones she added!

Day 110: Today I was not feeling being awake. I lounged around for a long while on my couch with my warm blankie until Mom wanted me to go to Hobby Lobby with her. On our way there, we stopped by the Starbucks and saw Rachel!

Day 111: Just wanted to show you some of the Christmas cards I've recieved!

Day 112: Saturday, Phil and I went to pick up his grandmother and take her to the mall for some of the final gifts she needed to purchase. I showed you her tree last year here, and this year it is just about the same minus the hundreds of red bows! I kind of miss them, but know they had to be a real pain to put on each year.

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Are you almost done with your holiday shopping?

Are you finished with your decorating?

I Got Tagged!

My friend Miranda over at Hangin' Loose With The Tucci's tagged me with her little question/answer thingy! Here they are:

1. What is your daily routine like? What time to you get up, go to bed, dinner routine, etc.

• You all probably don't wanna see this, but during the week I usually get out of bed around noon. I was going to lie and say around 11am, which is sometimes true I guess, but more than likely it is noon. I love my sleep and I don't usually have anything to do early anyway. I am a night creature and looooove staying up late and go to bed around 2am. Obviously this will chance once I have a job! During the day I am usually looking for a job, planning my wedding, going to the Y, and/or hanging out with my mom. On the weekends, I am with Phil since we don't get to see eachother during the week very often. And believe it or not, it is the weekends that I get up fairly early (for me anyway) cause Phil and I like to go go go!

2. What are things you do with your family for fun. And for those of you with children, what fun things to you like to do with your kids?

• I love to travel with my family. My fondest memories are ones that involve the beach, skiing, or going on any trip! Family birthdays always turn out to be interesting too... my Aunt Marcia has seriously used the same wrapping paper for presents my entire life and most likely longer! Thanks old Lazarus!

3. What are your FAVORITE holiday traditions?

• My favorite holiday traditions are: carving pumpkins with Phil, going to haunted trails/houses/hayrides/places for Halloween with friends, decorating the Christmas tree, waiting (or trying to wait) until midnight on Christmas Eve to open a couple presents with my mom, dad, and Uncle Abbie, eating and filling up the living room with wrapping paper with my entire family on Christmas Day, and dying/hiding/hunting Easter eggs.

4. What do you do when you want to relax and have some "me time" ?

• I usually get online (here), watch some TiVo, or read a book.

5. What is one of your favorite books you've read so far?

• This is sort of a hard question. My answer I always have given before has been "Every Living Thing" by James Herriot as my all time favorite and I'm pretty sure that still stands true. His books could be counted as a series but I like that one as it stands on its own. My favorite series would have to be the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris. I could also say my favorite mystery book is "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie.

6. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

• Ice cream. That was an easy one :-)
  

Now I have to come up with my questions for 6 lucky readers:

1. What is your favorite book(s) of all time? <- I liked this question courtesy of Miranda :-)

2. Do you have any pets? If so, tell me a little about them! If not, is there a pet that you would like to have?

3. What is your favorite color and why? <- kinda lame but I'm curious!

4. If you are not blogging, what is your favorite website you like to visit?

5. What is your favorite vacation destination or one you'd like to go to?

6. Do you have any wedding planning tips for me??? <- anyone can comment on this one!

The 6 lucky readers I am tagging are:

Kelsey Claire @ Lavender, Leopard, and Lace

Jennifer Fabulous @ I know, right?

Hutch @ Be Awesome Instead

Sarah @ Princess & the Blog

JMJE @ Making Stuff is Fun.....

Not Quite Awake @ Reality Faker

Do this only if you want, and anyone else who wants to do it, please do!

No Luck Yet

So I didn't get that job I interviewed with last week (what's wrong with you people for not crossing enough limbs for me!?!? haha j/k), but the dentist did say it was between me and the girl he picked out of 5 people. He also said he gives everyone a 30 trial period so he may still be calling me if she doesn't work out. I'm not above being seconds!

I am sad I didn't get it, but it was good experience and leaves me with some hope! He also said I could use him as a reference anytime. I just feel like I let everyone down, even though they say I don't. I know Phil was wanting me to get this job so badly so we'd have some more money and get an apartment together quicker. And my parents like to analyze and over analyze every situation, so that just aggravates me. My time will come I believe and everything will be great!

I do feel good right now cause I just got finished working out! I'm starting this weightloss program at the Y so I hope that will get me where I want to be for now.

(Picture depicts how I am happy for experience and feel good for burning some calories, and sad I feel like I let people down, have messy hair, and ultimately do not have money. I promise I did not have a stroke.)

Happy Tuesday everyone - I want some soup!