The Time I Was Up All Night

Last night I couldn't sleep. I don't know if it was the caffeine I consumed or what. I tossed and turned. I tried watching TV, but I was so dang interested in ANYTHING that came on that I knew I would never get any sleep. I lay in bed with my eyes closed, trying not to listen to the sounds outside. Yeah right -- ever try to NOT hear noise?! That only magnifies any noise going on. I wanted to be in my husbands arms, listening to his slow, peaceful breaths. BUT, alas, the tossing and turning forced me out of bed. That and I could not get comfortable. I tried more pillows. I tried less pillows. I tried being in a sitting position. I tried laying completely flat; curled in a ball, on my side; on my stomach; nothing worked. Finally I got up out of bed. I did learn something -- I can catch up on all the blogs I didn't get to read during the day haha!

So it is 2:30AM and I have commented on all of your lovely blogs and am now creating a post.

I tried reading Something Blue. I am about 75% finished with it. I'm still not sold on Darcy. I don't know -- she is just so self-centered and shallow. I guess I was hoping to like her more at this point in the book. I have considered putting the book down several times but haven't. I keep telling myself it HAS to get better. So far I like ALL the characters EXCEPT the main character.

I don't know what is going on with me; why I can't sleep. Maybe I am just so excited to get through the next couple days so I can start my four day weekend. Maybe it is because I am just thrilled beyond belief that my baby sister is getting married on Saturday?

I have been practicing my toast for the reception. It is really good, if I may say so myself. =) It is sweet and funny. I just hope I can make it through the speech without blubbering! I have read it at least once a day for about two months. I was finally able to get through it with barely getting tears in my eyes. Then on Sunday, I was practicing it in front of Ruger. I could NOT keep it together. I was slightly embarrassed and no one was around to witness haha! I have decided that in the event that I get too choked up to get through the entire speech, I will have to just skip to the end and give Jess a copy of the toast lol. I refuse to be a blubbering ball of non-sense, even in the presence of close friends and family.  That is one thing that annoys me at weddings -- if you can't make it through a speech, I don't really want to hear your incoherent babbling, no matter how sweet the intention is. Call me crazy or mean, but let's be real -- no one wants to hear someone crying for 3 minutes and not know what the heck is going on!

In other exciting news, the NFL lockout is over...for the moment. The players have until August 4th to get it all together and get back in with The Union, otherwise, the latest agreement is void. Hopefully they get it together. I look forward to the NFL season from February until pre-season. In all honesty, I would have been very surprised if they wouldn't have reached an agreement. I mean seriously, the NFL fan base is HUGH and I feel that if there would NOT have been a 2011/2012 season, the NFL would have lost a good portion of that fan base. I probably would have stopped watching, at least for a bit. =/ Thankfully it hasn't come to that!

With the start of the NFL season, comes the Fall show lineup. I can't wait for our shows to start again. I'm tired of not having anything to watch and recently my attention span can't be held for the length of a movie!

I am so ready to get back into a workout routine. I have taken a little time off - I don't have an excuse, I just have. I am very ready to start back at it again BUT I have to wait until after Sissy's wedding. I have had the bridesmaid dress taken in twice now, I pick it up tomorrow and it needs to fit Saturday. I know as soon as I get back into my routine, I will drop a little weight before gaining a lot of muscle back which means my dress may not fit. SO I have to hold off.

Along with being ecstatic about Sissy's wedding, I will get to see a lot of my family and our friends. We have been pretty anti-social here lately, J has worked a lot and hasn't really been up for interaction, so we lay low and have well-deserved, relaxing weekends. It will be nice to see our friends though --  I miss them!

Alright, well I think that covers my middle of the night randoms. I hope y'all got more sleep than I did! Today is my Thursday as far as work is concerned and I'm pretty excited about that! =)

What do you do when you can't sleep at night?

+ Wanton Wednesday +

{1} Last night J and I watched "Killers" with Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher.  I really enjoyed it =) It was fun and entertaining...albeit highly unrealistic BUT like I said it was entertaining. The story line doesn't drag on for days, the whole movie is about an hour and a half.  I like Kutcher in roles like this where he isn't playing a complete idiot.  Actually this movie kind of gave me a little celeb-crush on him!  I think Heigl looks gorgeous the entire movie and I think she's funny. 

{2} Tonight I am going with my sister, mom and one of the other bridesmaids to check out a few more bridesmaid dresses ... the ones I showed you in Monday's post. I hope we can have it narrowed down and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can pick the shoes also (the ones from Monday are my choice lol) BUT Jess IS the bride so obviously we will wear whatever makes her happy =)

{3} I am highly looking forward to this coming weekend.  That's right -- it's the 1/2 marathon, my VERY FIRST!! I am so excited and nervous.  I hope I don't psych myself out!  Thankfully I have my girls to go with me and push me through it.   We are driving out Saturday; the race is out of town on Sunday, so we are staying the night before.  It's going to be a mini-girls weekend! WOO!!

{4} We have decided after going to the Expo, that we are going to go see Harry Potter!! I am SO EXCITED! Maybe not as excited as others, but I have high hopes for this one. I read all the books and since then I have been seeing the movies.  Not always in theatre because, let's be real, some theatre people get crazy AND it really bothers me when I go to the movies and people talk/text/etc.  Just because texting is silent doesn't mean the screen light doesn't bother me A LOT!

{5} J is driving out Sunday to cheer me on.  I told him he doesn't have to be at the race when it starts at 7 (he'd have to leave the house no later than 5!) but to make sure he is at the finish line.  If I know him, he wants to surprise me some where along the course.  If not, that's OK, I completely understand PLUS he doesn't really get the whole running long distances for no reason thing. 

{6} Does anyone else feel sexier when their nails are painted??  There is something about looking down at my peep toe shoes and seeing a pop of color staring up at me.  I just LOVE it!  When I paint my fingernails, I feel so polished (unintended pun) and, not proper, but feminine, I suppose.  I feel like my entire look is complete when I wear nail polish.

{7} I really want to buy a new color.  I have lots of pinks and reds and I was daring once and bought purple.  Sometimes I want black, but I just don't think I can pull that off. Any color suggestions or favorites??

{8}Most of you know, I am a Steelers fan.  I was at the very first game the kicker, Jeff Reed played in Jacksonville against the Jags.  He has had a rough go this season and Tuesday, he was waived from the team.  I was very sad to hear the news but I can see why the coaches/owners made the decision. Bye, bye Jeff Reed, Hello Shaun Suisham -- who was actually originally on the roster in 2005.  Fingers crossed that he does well -- he IS kinda cute though!  I will miss you, Jeff Reed!!

I think that's all I've got for now, my week hasn't been overly exciting and I am just trying to stay focused for this weekend.  Happy Half-way-through-the-week!

My Weekend Was Jam-Packed! %

Friday night I checked something off my Day Zero Project!! I went to a high school football game! YAY!! My sister is a teacher and has been asking us to come support the high school football team.  We had nothing else going on Friday night so J and I drove out there to cheer on the Falcons! 

♥ The newly-engaged! ♥

The single best play of the game was from the kicker -- a girl! YEAH! She kicked off and the other team's receiver made it to the edge of the field and running full speed up the side line.  It came down to JUST him and the kicker. She speared him with her body -- it was unbelievable! He ran her over due to his sheer size and power...this girl couldn't have been much bigger than me! But she slowed him down enough that he didn't score.  She's one tough girl!  I KNOW she was hurting bad on Saturday!

As most of you know, I went dress shopping with my sister on Saturday morning.  She found The One! YAY!! She looks so pretty in it -- and it's definitely something I thought she would pick.  I can't share the dress with you -- sorry!!  But that would just be rude of me!

I CAN show you pictures of the 2 contending bridesmaid dresses that I tried on.  They are long and satin.

I like both -- I was just a little concerned about the heat and the satin not breathing.  So Wednesday night, my sister has asked me and one of her bridesmaids to go with her to Alfred Angelo's to try on a few dresses there::

OH AND -- these are our potential shoes -- which I am SUPER excited about! 

Saturday after dress shopping, J and I went out to a camp site where is future-potential-employer (keep your fingers crossed please!) was having a big weekend camping thing.  Don't be fooled by the word 'camping'.  These people had super nice trailers that they hauled out to the campsite =) We roasted marshmallows and had some food while socializing with the people that had come.  I ate like 12 s'mores before eating real food -- don't judge me!

Sunday, J and I drove out to my parent's house to take our family Christmas Card photo.  We haven't picked the photo yet, but here's a little sneaky peak:

Afterwards, J and I were finally able to go hang out at the house and just lay low...and cuddle of course! It's my favorite thing to do! 

We are in the final countdown for the 1/2 marathon -- 6 days from today! I am SO excited and really looking forward to this coming weekend -- although it's going to feel so short! Happy Monday!

Wanton Wednesday

There a lot of things that go on in my head -- lots of various thought and random happenings in my life.  Today I am sharing some of that with you...not so much the random thoughts but just an amalgamation of crap. =)
{1}If anyone watched the pre-game shows on NFL this past Sunday, they may have had the fortune (or mis-fortune depending on your team) of seeing this:

If nothing else -- it made me laugh - A LOT. and made me cheer a little inside. MOSTLY because the owner of my company lives and breathes Romo and a girl I work with thinks Manning is amazing. I of course, think otherwise, but it was nice to see 'professionals' agree with me =) PS -- it's ok if you disagree, to each their own =) AND clearly, these men are good at what they do or they wouldn't be NFL players.

{2} J and I accidentally crossed a movie off our Day Zero Project movie list.  It was on USA without commercials! YES!

Pretty Woman
Isn't Julia just MARVELOUS!?

{3} Monday morning I ran out of my all time FAVORITE eye liner!! It's by Pop Beauty and the type is Cat Eyes. I love the shape of the tip and the color: Black Dahlia.  It's ALMOST black but it has a hint of deep purple in it so it doesn't look so stark.  I LOVE it! This eyeliner is a good investment for me because it's relatively inexpensive and lasts a LONG time -- long as in about 10 months! That is like $1.80 a MONTH! Not bad =)

{4} My cousin, Corley, is getting married next year, and asked me to design their wedding invitations.  Her and Eric are using a petal 'envelope' and these are the 4 designs I sent them after a few back and forth emails with Corley. I won't tell which they picked because some of our family follows and I want it to be a surprise.  Oh also, they are colored but I'm telling what the colors are either =)  Each has a different font that she was able to choose from -- and I left off the last names and place of their wedding.  I will post the final product once we receive our invitation.

{5} Now that I have run a race, I find myself checking out others. I want to run more. I want to group run and most of all, I want to continue training with my girls!  It's so nice to have that time to ourselves -- I know i feel super productive.  Not only are we working out together but we get to catch up on things! YAY!

{6} Some of you know that I have been hunting for a new face wash.  It seems like what everyone else is using, doesn't work for me -- dries my skin out, makes me peel/red, breaks me out.  Well I finally found something that works for me! My skin is clearing up so nicely and it's a lot less red! WOO! I'm not saying it will work for you but it did for me =)  The product is: Clean & Clean Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin!

{7} Our one cup coffee maker pooped out on us just when I discovered a creamer I enjoyed.  Monday night we were out shopping and decided to get a 5 cup coffee maker, as it's the same price as the 1-cup.  NOW we needed to find a coffee to take home or a creamer.  I found a new coffee that I LOVE!! Too bad it's seasonal -- maybe I'll just need to stock up on it before the end of the holiday season.

{8} I determined a couple nights ago that I have a really difficult time focusing and being very productive on 3 hours worth or sleep.  Studies have shown that the average person does need more than 5-6 hours of sleep..although I have a very good friend who requires 8 hours or she'll punch you in the face haha! Just kidding - she's just a lot less social without 8 hours. I love her with or without her sleep =)

{9} I adore Darius Rucker.  I have been a huge fan since he was with Hootie and the Blowfish! For those of you unfamiliar with country music or living in a box, he has gone solo in country music.  Two years ago, he released his first album, Learn to Live, and two weeks ago he released his second: Charleston, SC Circa 1966.  I LOVE it! The cd is more fun and more uplifting than the first.  I think he was playing into the melodrama that country music tends to be but this album is amazing! PLUS I LOVE his voice -- it's so distinct!

{10} Is it sad that I am super impressed with my happy alliteration title?! My little sister is a teacher and blogs about it over at Chronicles of a First Year Teacher.  She corrects me a LOT for my spelling/grammar/made up words/etc.  It has been a lot of fun seeing what a teacher goes through, especially within the first year of adjustment.  She JUST started teaching at the beginning for the 2010/2011 school year.  Check her out -- it's very intersting and she just started a page called "Kids These Days" -- random quotes/funnies from her students.  I can tell you this -- I had NO idea how much is involved in planning/grading/etc. 

{11} I found a photo editing software online that is close to Photoshop! It's fotoflexer.com.  I really like the features they give -- like I said it's very similar to photoshop BUT there isn't nearly the learning curve. AND it's free =)

I guess that does it for me for now.  I hope you all have a Wonderful Wednesday!

J&A Chronicles: Super Bowl

WHEW! There are lots of things to cover before getting to our 1st wedding anniversary and beginning the wedding coverage! =)

 So now it's 2009 and football season is coming to a close...but WAIT! My team went to the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals! We hosted a Super Bowl 'party' at our house -- yippeee!! =)

        

This was also the year that a 3-D show/commercial aired and everyone had to have 3-d glasses. 

Ruger even got in on the action!!

They won -- but barely.  For those of you who remember, it was almost a devastating loss by the Steelers. They pulled it out in the end! WOO!      

You may notice that J is only in the first picture. =/  This is because at some point in the evening he started feeling very sick so he went to bed by half time. =( My dad and I had a good time still -- can you tell?! =)

Happy September!

121 <-- that's how many days are left in 2010!  Can you believe it?!  So much is going on this month in my happy little world to which I am looking forward:

-3 day weekend this weekend

-Mom and Dad celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary

-College football kicks off

-Husband's birthday is Next THURSDAY --- EEK!

-NFL season officially kicks off: Go Steelers!

-Prime time shows return :: House, Rules of Engagement, Glee, Cougar Town, Modern Family, Grey's, Outsourced, Private Practice, The Mentalist ::

- 6 months of Wedded Bliss =)

There are officially 115 shopping days until Christmas!! EEEP! I haven't even considered Christmas shopping.  I think this year is going to be full of Christmas crafting and gift giving this year will be sponsored by moi via handmade items.

I already want to start listening to Christmas music and deck the halls, but apparently that would be a little pre-mature. The next four months of my life are filled with birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. J and I will celebrate our 3 year dating anniversary -- I don't know that we will celebrate but it's still a milestone for me.  It's definitely the longest I have ever been in a relationship, now I'm locked in being a wife and all =) My mom's birthday and Thanksgiving follow and shortly thereafter, CHRISTMAS!!  YAY! I love Christmas -- the feelings, sites, smells and get togethers. Last year, a group of friends set up a Christmas party:

and it was a lot of fun!  The invitation designated it the First Annual so hopefully this year we will continue the 'tradition'. 
As of last Christmas, J and I no longer have to split the holidays, as my parents moved within a reasonable distance and J's parent's live even closer.  I think J and I want to create our own Christmas thing this year, being it will be our first wedded Christmas.  Can you tell this year marks a lot of "first wedded" whatever?!  Not that it feels any different per se, it's still fun! Don't get me wrong, we will definitely be spending time with our families Christmas Eve/Day, but we will start our own traditions. I wonder how we'll do Thanksgiving this year???

Are You Ready For Some Football?!?

That's right people -- Steelers football begins in T minus 26 days!!! EEEP!!! I am SO excited.  Football season is definitely my favorite time of the year.  J and I have an odd relationship when it comes to sports; J doesn't really watch sports, well didn't before me and I am an avid sports watcher. I really need to get into a sport other than football...but really, football players have the best booty; maybe it's just the pants! ha! That's not why I watch, I'm kidding. =)

This football season is even more exciting since Victoria's Secret introduced their NFL lineup! I am in LOVE! and the Steelers stuff is amazing!