Beer Koozie

So when we were growing up, my dad use to call tube tops a koozie for your ta-tas.  Yeah I know lol.  It's so funny now, it wasn't when I was 15, but like I said, it's a good memory now. I found this picture over at Crappy Taxidermy:

What is happening here?? I don't get it and it made my jaw drop, and then sent me into a fit of giggles.  Happy Friday people!

J&A Chronicles: Our First Picture & Cuba

Yep -- there it is. The first picture I have of the two of us. It was taken November 1, 2007 in North Florida. I think there MIGHT be another picture of us together from M's birthday that year, but I don't have any of those. So this is it -- we started dating October 10, 2007 --- well we think it was October 10th; That's the day we celebrate anyhow.

Our first BIG event together, was going to Cuba February 2008. My dad was stationed in Guantanamo Bay at the time on deployment. We drove to Ft. Lauderdale and flew in a teeny-tiny plane to Cuba.

We were there for a week. I think my favorite thing was Glass Beach. It was unreal! Pieces of glass that had been sanded down by the sand and salt in the ocean washed up on this one and only beach. we collected a LOT of it while we were there and it sits displayed in our home =)

The part of the island we were on was very desert like, not lush the way I thought it would be. The water was beautiful though and we had a great time snorkeling and using the new underwater camera I had bought J that Christmas.

 

 

It was our first trip together and we had SUCH a great time. We really got to know one another since we only had each other to hang out with while my dad was working. At this point, I already knew I wanted to marry him. =)

*Catch next Friday's post Spring Break 2008: My Sis Comes to Visit =)

Food For Thought Thursday

Over the last few years, I have noticed a decline in my positive meter.  I have noticed I have become more judge-y and competetive about ridiculous things.  Then I got engaged and it was happiness again -- that has started to run out and patience is wearing thin. 
I know of several people who don't have the life that I have.  They don't have the reasons to be happy that I do.  And some of these people are way more content in life than I have become.  Some of them are so miserable that it pains me to even look at them. 
Yesterday I had an epiphany. 

Look at my life -- look at my amazing husband and both our families! 

Look at my amazing friends! 

(sorry they are mostly wedding pics lol)

These people love me unconditionally.  I have managed to turn every aspect of my life into a competition (albeit silent) but it drives me crazy and makes me grumpy-pants (as my sis would say).  I love these people and I have an amazing life! What is my problem!? who cares if someone is prettier, or can run further or is taller/skinnier/funnier/nicer/more creative?!  Why does it matter so much to me? Is it because I want to be better at something than everyone I know?  Maybe -- does it make me a little crazy? Probably.  I don't know what my problem has been but I am over it.  I want to be happy and bubbly because that's who I was - not the grouchiness of yesterday, that's not me!
So this morning was the beginning of the return of me. Welcome Home, beautiful sweet girl! How I have missed you! So please don't be alarmed when I'm smiling and over the moon and just as excited as you are about YOUR situation.  This is me. No more Little Mrs. Crazy Lady! I'm back and I'm 100% happy!

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!

Veggie Tales

For many of you the site of this picture makes you think yummy thoughts.  For a very few of you, it doesn't look appetizing.  I am part of the very few.  I feel like all my friends and family enjoy some sort of 'real' vegetable. 

Meanwhile, I sit here enjoying my potatoes and corn. 
The thing is, I feel as if I am the only person I know
that doesn't like vegetables.  Heck, J LOVES green beans and brussels sprouts (<--major ew!).  I am in this club all by my lonesome, with no support group to get me on the veggie band wagon.

I don't particularly like vegetables.  It's not for lack of trying them either.  I get ambitious and at least make the effort to like them.  I think they are gross.  I will eat carrots raw and radishes every now and then, but for the most part, real veggies are not my thing.  I wish they were though. I want to feel like a grown up too! I just don't like vegetables. at. all.

So imagine my mother's surprise when she received this text last night:
"I ate green beans"

The replying text from her was:
"Was it a dare?"

No it wasn't a dare, thank you very much. And to answer your other question, I actually did eat them.  They weren't very good but it was tolerable. I would never say "MMMM let's make green beans tonight with dinner" but I am attempting to eat healthy.  I try vegetables at least every few months to see if maybe my taste buds changed or my mind can override my taste.  So far I have not been successful,but like I said, at least the effort is being made.

What sparked this sudden interest in eating better?  My friend, CK, has asked a few of us girls to join her in a half marathon the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I figure if I eat better, I will feel better before, after and while I work out.  You can follow my training progress on my "Training" page. =) I've only been going for three days, training only 2 of them.  Sunday I was exhausted and didn't think working out while being that tired was a good thing.  I decided to document my workouts so I will feel like I am being held accountable.  Further, I am taking BWH measurements on Saturdays to mark progress.  Thanks, CK, for getting me motivated!

Shoes, Oreos & DIY

This weekend J and I had a big group of our friends over to our house.  Needless to say, I was consumed with chores and laundry and didn't have MUCH time to craft.  I was so busy doing things that I have been wanting to do around the house for the past year.  I'm so relieved to have finally gotten around to it and get the house really clean.

I actually did make time for one little DIY project.  I have had it planned for about a year but wanted to wait to make it until J and I were married.  It's a last name sign! I LOVE IT!! It came out as beautiful as I hoped! A year ago, J did a project for me.  I wanted a mail holder with key hoks and a mirror.  AND I wanted it to be red to match the lights in the dining room.  So I went to Joann's and bought a framed mirror set that was on sale.  One was used for the mail holder and it looks fabulous! I love using it! I'll have to post a pic of it later -- somehow I don't have one =/

Saturday, I used the OTHER mirror for the last name project. I cut out the letters at 4" using my Winter Wonderland cartridge.  The border was cut out using DS (design studio) and Storybook cartridge.  I used clear Elmer's glue to adhere the letters to the mirror.  Yes I use Elmer's glue A LOT!  It's an all-purpose glue =) here is the finished product:

Ok well mostly the finished product, I'm kind of paranoid when it comes to posting too much info online lol. It IS amazing and it makes my heart happy when I look at it =)

As previously mentioned, we had a group of friends over to the house.  I thought this would be the perfect time to try the Oreo Truffle recipe that I posted last month.  I used 1 package of white chocolate and one package of milk chocolate. 

All of our friends loved them -- they were a big hit! Even our friends who don't like cream cheese, really enjoyed this dessert!  They are really easy to make too.  My favorites were the white chocolate truffles.  They are pretty fabulous!

Speaking of fabulous, my amazing mom surprised me with a new pair of shoes this weekend!!! EEEK!! How lucky am I?!?!?  They are Madden and pink and fabulous! I am wearing them today to work, which is where the pictures were taken and why they are a little awkward.  Oh and before you go judging me for not working, this is all happening on my lunch hour thank you very much. =) 

J&A Chronicles: The Second Date & Moving In

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!!! So last week I told you that Husband and I met through M, our mutual friend.
[Note:: There aren't going to be photos =/ the only pictures we MAY have taken together were at his 24th birthday, and I don't know who has those pictures]
Shortly after the first date there was a second date, to Mellow Mushroom. It was really laid back and very short. Once we had pizza, it was time for me to go home. That's it -- and I am not really sure why J insists that was our first date...there wasn't anything memorable about it?? *shrug* oh well =)

After our TWO dates, we started running together. He would drive to my apartment complex a couple times a week and we would go running together. We would talk about things while we ran and then he would leave. Again, it blows my mind how he never made it into my apartment for even a glass of water...some hostess I was, and how in the world did he manage to stay interested?!

Fast forward two months:: I was in between semesters (Spring and Summer 2007) and J was going to Sea World. OK, really, what guy WANTS to go to Sea World for the ENTIRE day without being persuaded by a girl? Yeah that's what I thought. But J wanted to go and he took me. We had a really nice time walking around, going to the beer sampling thing, watching shows. After Sea World, we went to Chili's, J's FAVORITE place to eat. I had a burger and two beers...why I remember that is beyond me!
After that FULL DAY date, we didn't see much of each other. We both got busy, summer semester started and, well, I don't know WHAT J was up to. =) So there it was, the end of July, and I was getting ready to cross that glorious stage, shake a hand and walk away as a college graduate. It was a great feeling but also slightly terrifying AND my parent's thought I should move back home. dun, dun, DUHHHNNNNN!!!! OK OK, in all seriousness, it wouldn't have been bad. It actually probably would have been a lot of fun. BUT, I hadn't lived at home since leaving high school for college.
The day I discussed this as an option with my mom, was the day I happened to be having lunch with J. He could tell I was a little discouraged and I told him what was going on. Without missing a beat, he offered to let me move in with him. So I left thinking "that's different but he seems really nice and Hey, what are friends for?" yeah. right. friends. ha ha little did I know!
So after graduation in August I moved into his house, planning to get out of his hair when I got back on my feet. Little did I know, I wouldn't be going any where. =)

*Stay Tuned Next Friday for Our First Picture Together*
P.S. -- don't worry, once we get into our dating life, I'll be marking the major events or the ones filled with pictures =)