Crazy Shenanigans

It Just Wasn't Meant To Be

2012-02-15T09:02:00.001-05:00

On Saturday I was suppose to be relaxing in Jamaica. That didn't happen. Let's back up the train so I can give you the full story....

On Monday, Josh was in a car accident. He was driving to work and a deer ran out in front of his truck. He ended up in a ditch and hitting his head on the windshield. He had to be taken to the emergency room where they ended up doing a CT scan and an MRI. He left the hospital with a concussion and they told him that his brain was bruised but wasn't bleeding. They told him not to go to sleep for so many hours and sent him on his way.

On Tuesday, Josh wasn't feeling any better. In fact, I had to even leave work because he had to be picked up. It was a long, stressful day.

On Wednesday, I was at work and I felt really tired and my throat was feeling kinda scratchy. By the end of the work day I felt like someone had hit me by a car. Once I got home, I was freezing and I knew I was really getting sick. We took my temperature and it was 101.4 degrees. Yeah... not good.

Thursday morning rolls around and at this point I had already missed two days of work in the week. Well they frown highly on someone missing three days without a doctors excuse. I'm one of those million people who can't afford healthcare insurance (yes I have a decent job but it's still very expensive to buy into) so I sucked it up and went to work. My fever and went down and wasn't almost back to 98.6 so I figured it would be ok. Oh boy was I wrong.

I barely made it through work and got back home in the evening. In the night, I hadn't got any better. Friday morning I had to bite the bullet and go to the doctor. I knew I had to go because I could barely swallow liquids at this point. I got to the doctor, she took one look at my throat and said, "Oh you have really bad strep! I don't even need to do the test but I will." Six minutes later... it was was official.

So there I am, less than 24 hours from getting on a plane and I have strep throat and my raging fever is back. 3am rolled around really quick and it was time for our flight. Well to make matters worse, my city/state got their first winters real snow. The roads were horrible, I'm sicker than a dog and we're trying to get to a 6am flight.

The flight got cancelled. Yep, you guessed it! Due to weather.

We tried to get out the next day, we made it to Detroit. Then our next flight was over sold and over booked. They were begging people to change their travel plans. They were even offering cash to people. So there we are in Detroit. I'm sick and starting to panic because if we couldn't make the flight then we were literally going to be stranded through the night in the airport. I mentally couldn't do it because I felt horrible still. I was so sick smells were even getting to me.

So the flight boards and we're still sitting there. Four of us didn't make it. We literally sprinted to another concourse and barely made it to a flight that would be able to take us back home. So after 24 hours of traveling trying to go on a vacation. We came back home and started our staycation.

We've played lots of board games including: monopoly, Clue and Gone Fishing. We've watched movies and spent time together and that's been fun. Yes it would have been nice to get out of town but sometimes things just aren't meant to be. Who knows maybe something really bad was going to or could have happened while I was gone? I think it was meant to be.

And before I get a thousand questions on it. Yes, my flight was refunded. The resort we are unsure of because they aren't willing to let us come another time in the year.

Happy Heart Day

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you all have a very love filled day! I'll be back from Jamaica soon!

Goodbye America, Hello Jamaica!

2012-02-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

A month ago, I sat down, got on my computer and went to TripAlertz . I saw they had a great deal for a Jamaican vacation. One of my goals this year was to go on an amazing vacation, Hmm... I saw this as, "Two birds, One Stone", along with the help from many of you, I booked the trip. This weekend, Josh and I will be relaxing on the beach in paradise.

Oh, how I need paradise! I'm ready to get away from it all. The cold weather, the freezing rain. The mean spirited employees, the ass kissers, the one uppers. The prying eyes who want to know all of your business and go to great lengths trying to find it out. I'm ready to leave it all in the cold and embrace the sun and warmth. I'm ready to spend the trip with Josh and enjoy Valentines Day.

I may not look like Leann Rimes in a bathing suit (since that's all she wears according to all the paparazzi pictures of her) but you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be laying there on the sand having a blast! That's a whole heck of a lot better than being stuck in the cold with bitter betties. Oh... did I mention that it's an all inclusive vacation? No? Well it is! All the food and booze you can intake!

Now it's off to paradise, unplugged. The first time since circa 2006 that I won't be on the internet or using a mobile phone for an extended period of time. Wooohoooo

Theater Thursday

2012-02-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

It's Theater Thursday! This week is dedicated to the upcoming holiday... Valentine's Day! This week's featured holiday movie is, Striptease.

Let me preface this post by saying that I think Demi Moore is great and that I wish her the best in her recovery.

Striptease follows Demi Moore as Erin Grant, once was an FBI secretary but who is now an exotic dancer. Erin is a single mother who lost custody of her daughter. Wanting to appeal the verdict and regain custody of her little girl, she gets a job to make the money she'll need. One night at the "dance club" she sees a very famous face in the crowd, congressman David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds).

The Congressman instantly becomes smitten with Erin at the club. He later invites her to privately dance for him and wants her to become his wife, against his staff's wishes. Along the way, to all of this someone at the club also recognized him and wants Erin to help blackmail the congressman. Erin suspects more is going on than meets the eye.

There's also a series of murders going on in Miami and Erin suspects the congressman could be involved. Not only is she trying to get her daughter back from the deadbeat exhusband, she's also trying to pin the congressman to the wall for crime.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you just have to be silly

A Renewed Crush

2012-02-07T08:13:00.001-05:00

Like most people in America, I've got a Netflix account. Last week, one of my recommended movies (which always vary in quality) was a little known Dean Cain movie called, Bed and Breakfast.

I watched the movie and afterwards, I realized it renewed my crush on Dean Cain. Am I the only one who remembers when he hit it big on The New Adventures of Superman? Hello Dean Cain in spandex. Ring a bell?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

So then I started to wonder what he's been up to in recent years. I then of course googled him and learned that he now has a son and that he's been going through/went through a really hard custody battle. I also learned that his career is kinda... well... now limited to Lifetime movies and their equivalent. I wonder who he pissed off in Hollywood because if you watch Bed and Breakfast, you'll soon realize he's still very good looking and his acting isn't horrible.

Either way, I'm glad Netflix recommended the movie because now I've got my renewed crush on him and have tried to find all of his other movies. He's made a few!

Fabulous Jewelry

2012-02-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

I love getting new pieces of jewelry. Bracelets, bangles, necklaces, expensive or budget friendly.... I love it all. That's why I was so excited when I came across Anne Keane.

Not only does she feed my love of jewelry she also feeds my love of vintage! Not only does she sale new pieces but she's also got some great vintage ones as well. I originally came across her great products via her Instagram page: akeane_adjewelry but now I can't get enough of her sweet Etsy shop.

When I told Anne of my love for her items and shop, she graciously sent me this beautiful necklace.

She even customized it and added a "J" initial for me!

I can't wait to wear it in Jamaica so check back for more photos!

That's not even the best part. She's also giving a discount code to all of my readers! If you visit her Etsy shop you can get 10% off from now until February 10th using the code CRAZY2012 once you've got something in your cart.

Make sure you stay connected to Anne Keane! Here's where you can find her:

Shop: adjewelry.etsy.com

Read: adjewelry.blogspot.com

Tweet: twitter.com/adjewelry

Email: annekeane3@gmail.com
Pinterest: adjewelry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adjewelry/215409378478632

Disclosure: I was given the above mentioned necklace free of charge in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine and 100% true and completely unaffected by the seller.

Theater Thursday

2012-02-02T08:42:00.001-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around these parts... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, In Time.

I know I mentioned this movie when I originally saw it in the theater but trust me, this one is worth mentioning again. In Time stars Justin Timberlake as Will Salas, a young man living in the ghetto. Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried) is from New Greenwich the richest time zone in the world. When they meet their worlds collide the worlds time system will now be put to the test.

Instead of currency, everything is paid with time. Got an electric bill due? That'll be 2 weeks. Need an expensive breakfast... that'll be 8 weeks. Get the idea? Once you run out of time... you die. Those with time live forever. Those with no time don't live at all. Their spent working in factories and stealing to try to survive.

Will has a new idea. Sylvia gets pulled in for the ride. This movie is really good. If you've never seen it, get it! It's a new movie worth watching!

The Answers You Wanted!

2012-02-01T08:18:00.002-05:00

Over the last few days, I opened up my blog to the internet world for questions. Thank you to everyone who wanted to know something! Hope you enjoy!

Tootie asked... I would like to know more about your job and your favorite vacation spot! And here's a third - who do you most admire? I can't go into great detail about my job (for security/legal issues) but I do work for the federal government. For a hint to what department, it use to have a reality tv show about itself in recent years. My favorite vacation spot thus far has been London, England. As for someone who I admire... my mother and the famous traveler Samantha Brown.

Jax asked...Any regrets or things you'd like to do-over?You have an entire day...but just a day...to yourself to do whatever you want and have unlimited funds. What would you do? Biggest guilty pleasure? While I try not to have any regrets, I would like to have a few do-overs. I would have stayed in England longer. I would have done more travel before I got a full time job. If I had a day to myself and unlimited funds. I think I would spend it shopping in LA at the high end stores. I'd stock up on so many things that I wouldn't have to buy anything for years! My biggest guilty pleasure is buying dvd's and eating chocolate covered cashew nuts!

Nikki asked... Are you close with your family? Yes and no. I'm really close to my mom. My uncles, grandma and their wives. We talk and see each other but not all of the time. We usually all get together for big events and holidays.

JMJE and Nicole asked...What will happen with you and your boyfriend when you move to California? Will he come? Will you do long distance? I knew this question was going to be asked! lol. While I do know the answer to these questions. We haven't officially came out to the internet world with our response. We do however, know what we will be doing when that moving time comes. I can say that yes, we will still be dating. I'm sorry! I promise I'll post it all when the time comes.

Krysten asked... What are you most looking forward to in 2012? One word: Moving! I've had my transfer in come March for a year. I've slowly moved up the wait list and I'm thisclose. I can feel it and I know that sometime this year it's going to happen. Patience is a virtue and this last year has taught me that. Now I'm ready to move to CA, buy a house and start a whole new chapter in my life.

Carol asked... What is your favorite go-to comfort food? I'd have to say potatoes. I'm a big french fries eater. They make me feel better when I'm upset and feel like I can't eat anything else. One time when I was sick for like a month, I lived on these and soft shell pasta!

Adrienne asked...When you travel, do you prefer to relax and enjoy the scenery, or do you have an agenda and try to do as much as possible? The majority of travel that I go on usually has some type of agenda. When I visit a place, I'm not one of those people who spend hours in the room or aimlessly walking down a street. I have a plan and a schedule. I like to make the most of my trips and try to fit as many things into a trip without feeling rushed. Now my upcoming trip to Jamaica... this one is pure relaxation. We will be laying on the beach, eating good food and maybe doing 1-2 activities that will require leaving the resort.

Brittany asked... What is your job? I work for a department of the federal government.

To my real life friends who asked me questions... Erica you will always be my C O O L Rider and Mariah I'm free on Fridays and Saturdays. I also got asked an anonymous question...

Why don't you talk about your boyfriend's child?

Well anonymous (if you would have left your name, I could have told you directly), apparently you haven't seen all of my blog posts. I have mentioned my boyfriend's son in a few posts. The main reason that I don't blog about him often is because he's a child and I'm letting him keep his privacy. While I do care about him and he's adorable, I feel it isn't my place to put his life out on the internet for everyone to see. Maybe when he gets older, I'll feel more comfortable sharing stories or photos.

Now Is the Time

2012-01-31T08:18:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I opened up the blog to questions. Tomorrow I'll be answering them so if you haven't got your questions in yet you can ask them now. Nothing is off the table, so ask away. Ever wanted to know what I do for a living? Where's my next vacation spot? Favorite food, etc? Ask it here or on Friday's post . Tomorrow you'll be getting your answers!

I Wish Everyday Could Be A Weekend

2012-01-30T08:33:00.001-05:00

Seriously, the weekends just go bye way too fast. This weekend, I spent it relaxing and catching up on things I needed to do around the house. I'm down to less than two weeks till my Jamaican getaway and I can't wait! We've been counting down the days. I'm ready for the warm weather and the beach!

Since it's freezing cold in these parts, I went on a hunt for a good sweater. On Saturday, I found this little beauty at Old Navy.

I also picked up a cute necklace at Charming Charlies. Since I hadn't fed my accessories addiction in awhile, I thought why not! But I'm slacking on the photo taking since it was the SAG Awards last night!

I wish a few more of the winners would have shown up. Kate Winslet, where were you?!?!

Some women that I thought looked fabulous...

Now it's on to the Oscars!!

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 10

2012-01-27T08:53:00.001-05:00

Day 10: Ten Secrets!
I honestly don't have any secrets. In fact, let's do a question and answer post! Ask me anything! No topic is off limits. Ask away!

Theater Thursday

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! January has been dedicated to totally awesome 90's movies. This week's featured movie is, Man of the House.

When Jack (Chevy Chase) falls in love with his girlfriend, Sandy (Farrah Fawcett), they decide to take it to the next step and move in together. Jack wants to marry Sandy but first he realizes he'll need to win over Sandy's son, Ben (Jonathan Taylor Thomas aka JTT).

From the very beginning Ben (JTT) wants nothing to do with Jack (Chase). He doesn't like the fact that it's going from just him and his mom to the three of them. Ben sets out to make Jack's life miserable. He keeps pulling all kinds of stunts on Jack and even enrolls in a Native American group that's for fathers and sons.

What Ben is unaware of is that someone wants to cause real harm to Jack because of his job as a lawyer and a case he's dealing with. A weekend in the woods with the Native American group turns out to be a true test to their relationship and if they'll make it out alive thanks to the goons who show up trying to cause trouble for Jack.

If you've never seen this classic 90's movie. It's a must... and better yet it's got the teen heart throb JTT in it!

Instagram Made My Day

2012-01-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Brace yourself people. This one is epic.

On Friday night, as I was laying in bed, I uploaded this photo to Instagram...

Yep, Channing Tatum in the movie She's the Man. It's no secret that I love that movie. I'm mildly obsessed with it. Ok...fine, I'm completely obsessed with it. Anyways, my caption to the photo was:

Best Quotable Movie ever. #channingtatum

I woke up Saturday morning, not even really remembering posting the photo because let's face it. I post a lot of photos onto Instagram. To my surprise and utter delight and shock, Mr. Channing Tatum himself responded to my photo with this....

Yep. He totally sent me a smiley face!!! Before I got completely worked up about it, I tweeted him to make sure that was his legit account and indeed it is!!! Um.... epic win folks. Not only does he now know of my love for that movie but he even smiled about it!!! He's so hot. For real.

So come follow in my fun, find me on Instagram. My username is Jmomiller.

The Story of Us: From His Point of View

2012-01-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Last week I posted the story of us and how we started dating, from my point of view. Now after asking Josh, he willingly agreed to tell his side of the story and how he remembers it. Enjoy!

This is the story of how Jennifer and I met and began dating. Early in the year, I thought she was interested in one of my co-workers. I knew she had been texting with him and when she told me that they hadn't hung out that's when Jennifer and I started talking.

The first date Jennifer and I had, we went to the movies. I was so nervous because I really liked her and I wasn't sure if it was a hang out as friends or a date. As we got to know each other more, I really fell in love with her. We like the same movies, music, travels and food. The second time we hung out, we went to get ice cream. We were having a great time laughing and getting to know each other. I tried to kiss her and she pulled away and started laughing! So did I because it was like neither one of us knew what to do.

A few months later we went to California and I think that's when both of us knew we were meant to be together. We had the best time even though the trip home was stressful because the flights were crazy and she had to work the next morning. BUT we made it.

I can honestly say that I am so glad she has come into my life. She is so good to me and my son. We both love her so much and I am so glad I have found someone who loves me for who I am and I don't have to be someone I'm not. I love her more than anything and she means the world to me.

So there you have it. That's the story of us from both of our perspectives.

To Read or Not to Read?

2012-01-20T08:34:00.002-05:00

Last night, I finally gave in. I watched the movie, Eat Pray Love.

If there's a book and it becomes a movie, I usually try to read the book before watching the movie. Leading up to the movie coming out, I had seen tons and tons of mixed reviews about the book. I waited months and months to watch the movie because I wanted to read the book first. Well... I haven't been able to read the book still. I've been making my way through a stack of books and just haven't bought it.

Now that I've seen the movie, I'm intrigued. I'm sure there's things in the book that the movie left out. But really... I'm most intrigued by the relationship that she forms. Maybe I should just read the second book she wrote as a follow up, Committed?

So what do you say? Have you read the book and seen the movie? Should I give the book a read? Or should I skip the first book altogether and just read Committed?

Theater Thursday

2012-01-19T09:10:00.001-05:00

Continuing with the January theme of great 90's movies, it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, The Truman Show.

Truman (Jim Carrey) is a major celebrity. There's only one problem... he doesn't know it. Truman has lived his entire life in front of the cameras, on television, live 24/7. Truman was born in front of the cameras and his life has been the entertainment for everyone who tunes into watch.

The producer Christof (Ed Harris) of his life and one of the people who controls, the contained world that Truman lives in, is starting to have some trouble keeping Truman contained in the world they created especially for him. After and incident, in which the man who played Truman's father comes back into life after his supposed death, Truman begins to question all of the things that go on around him.

As the people in his life, his wife Meryl (Laura Linney) and his best friends begin to realize that if the truth comes out they'll no longer be on tv. They try to help contain Truman and subdue his fears. But as we've all learned... The truth will always come to light.

The Story of Us

2012-01-17T09:19:00.000-05:00

In July, I introduced the blog world to my boyfriend Josh. However, I never shared the story of how we started dating and became a couple. I've decided it's finally time to share the story to the world.

This story starts a few years ago. In 2009, I began working for an agency that's housed inside a building where multiple companies/agencies are established. Josh was already working inside the building at the time but for a different company. Honesty, I can't even remember the exact day that I first met or spoke to him because both of our lives were very different back then.

At the time, I was in a relationship with someone who I thought I would marry (oh to be young and foolish). I was new to my job and only really spoke with the people I worked with on a daily basis. Normal, I'd say.

At the time, Josh was married and as far as I knew (or rather I didn't know) he was just some happily, married guy who happened to work in the same building that I did.

Flash forward to 2011.

I'm single. I interact more with people in the building, not just my co-workers. I'm not looking for a relationship because I've put my transfer in and know that any moment, I'm going to pack up my entire life and move over 2,000 miles away. Josh is now divorced and because of our schedules we see each other more.

In the early months of 2011, I had became pretty good friends with one of his coworkers. We'll call him Simon. Simon and I were nothing but friends. We'd text, ask each other what the other was doing, banter, joke etc. Well all three of us were on the same work schedule so when I would see Josh, I would also be seeing Simon. Unbeknownst to me, Josh was interested in me but thought I liked Simon. Um... No.

I had been slyly trying to get to know Josh better, had friended him on facebook and was laughing a lot when I was around him. I just didn't know how to get to speak to him more. Well one day at work, we were talking about wifi codes and I said I would get one to him and to just put his number in my phone so I could text it to him. Yep... sly, I am.

He knew what I was doing. HAHA. We started texting that week and decided we would hang out. Well I figured it was just a hang out and not a date. So we drive in separate cars and meet for a movie. He never tried to hold my hand, didn't try to kiss me actually I'm pretty for sure our arms didn't even touch during the movie. By the end of the night, I drove home still not knowing if it was actually a hang out or a date.

Then the next day we went to get ice cream. It felt like a date. We sat outside, eating ice cream and making each other laugh. At the end of the night, he tried to give me a kiss and I saw it coming. I couldn't help it but I turned away laughing. It was one of those moments where you know it's going to happen but you weren't ready. I wanted it to happen though. So then he starts laughing too. It took him 3 tries but he finally got a kiss that night.

From then on out we were hanging out almost every day. It didn't feel like just casual dating. It felt like more. We talked about it one night and how we would both feel weird if we were casually dating other people and decided we were only seeing each other.

That's how we began. I can't believe it's already been so long. When I think back to how we started dating it feels like it was all just yesterday.

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-01-16T08:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, the weekends are a really good time for me to get things done. A few months ago, I got this Laura Geller make up primer in a birch box.

I was not sold by just looking at the bottle. I finally used it and oh my gosh! I love it! The sample isn't big enough! I went out to Sephora this weekend to get a full bottle and guess what? They do not sell it. Yep! I was floored. I just assumed they did and it was not to be found. Got on the site.... sold out! Apparently others like it too. SO I had to get something to hold me over for awhile and I got this....

The luminous primer by Sephora

Besides doing a little make up shopping, I had a pretty quiet weekend. Josh and I sat around and played five rousing games of Clue on Saturday. It was a lot of fun. He won three and I won two. Apparently, he rocks as Col. Mustard.

Josh and I are counting down the days to Jamaica. We got some snow over the last few days and the temperature has plummeted so we keep checking the weather for Ocho Rios. Every time I check it, I dream a little bit harder about sitting on the warm, sandy beach!

Since we got our trip for super cheap, we might just be able to take two fabulous trips this year. Maybe Trip Alertz will have another great deal, I won't be able to pass up. Incase, you haven't heard of them, check them out because they give awesome deals and if you sign people up , they give you $5.00 per person towards your trip! Love it! We saved 190.00 off our trip! Thanks to everyone who signed up after having to deal with my nagging!

Finally, I watched the Golden Globes and tweeted obsessively about it. I really loved how it wasn't only me calling out Madonna's fake british accent. I also loved how Ricky Gervas asked Johnny Depp if he'd even seen his own movie The Tourist....which bombed. Loved how they looked...

I can't wait to see what everyone will be in for the Oscars!!! Hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Tomorrow I will finally be talking about how Josh and I started dating!

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 9

2012-01-13T09:07:00.001-05:00

Nine Loves.

1. My mother.

2. My boyfriend.

3. My best friends Kristin & Erica.

4. Elvis Presley.

5. Travel.

6. Food.

7. Christmas.

8. Baby Olivia.

9. Blogging!

Theater Thursday

2012-01-12T09:05:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... It's Theater Thursday! This month I'm doing a totally 90's theme so every movie is a classic from the 1990s. This week's featured movie is none other than the classic, Clueless.

Clueless stared Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz, a California teen who's master skilled involved shopping, gossip and being the most popular girl in school. Her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash) was also a master at these skills. The movie follows the girls through their daily lives in Los Angeles, California during their high school days.

They share everything from Cher trying to help the new girl at school, Amber (Brittany Murphy) fit in with the popular crowd to Dionne doing the dirty for the first time with her boyfriend Murray (Donald Faison). It also follows the complicated relationship between Cher and her ex step brother Josh (Paul Rudd) who has seemed to grow a bit of a crush on her as he's been helping with legal work for her dad.

This movie was so popular that it even had a hit tv show for a few years that followed the movie and it's characters. It redefined a lot of girls thinking on clothing and make up!

There's No Rain On My Parade

2012-01-11T08:29:00.000-05:00

On Monday, I found out someone I would rather not know anything about my life found this blog. Oh great, it's going to be one of those kind of weeks.

It instantly gave me that gut reaction of, "I'm going to shut it down."

Then I started thinking. This is MY life. I write what I want to write. I post about what I want to post about. I like putting it all out there. The good, the bad, the ugly. It's MY life. I make the rules. I get this tiny outlet in the world, to share what I think, feel, see and do. It's my space to come and vent. To ask questions. To see other parts of people's worlds. To come in contact with people I would never have known about. To have made friendships with "strangers" who've become friends.

So what if haters can come here and see my life. Guess what? If they didn't really care or weren't even a tiny bit jealous of my life then they wouldn't feel the need to come on here and stalk me out. I find it flattering the more that I think about it.

So am I quitting blogging anytime soon? NOPE! I'm here to stay. And even better I'll give you some good facts. How about these jelly bellies......

I'm going to JAMAICA. To an all inclusive resort, where I plan on sunning myself while wearing sunscreen (unlike some leather face that I know).

I have a fabulous boyfriend who LOVES me. Who would do anything for me and even writes me super fabulous tweets like this one...

The list could go on and on......

There's always going to be people out there who want to see you fail. There's always going to be that person who yells out petty, snide remarks. The key is to remember that those people are miserable, unhappy and want to rain on your parade. The best revenge is when you succeed.

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 8

2012-01-10T08:08:00.001-05:00

Eight Fears

1. Chipping a tooth. That would just be one more hillbilly joke I'd have to shoot down.
2. Death.
3. Losing stuff: my phone, laptop, car keys, etc.
4. Snakes. Let's not even talk about them, ok?
5. Losing someone really close to me.
6. Not living life to the fullest.
7. Machetes. Dear Charlie Sheen, stop swinging them from balconies. I broke out in a cold sweat.
8. Barry Manilow. No one should wear that much velour.

Here I Come Vacation!!!!

2012-01-09T08:01:00.000-05:00

Next month, I'll be sunning myself on the beaches of...

JAMAICA

Thanks to the help of 26 people, I was able to book my Jamaican vacation with a whopping discount of 190.00 dollars!! Thank you, Thank you all soooo much! If you decide you want to join that site, feel free to keep using the link because umm..... I love to travel and will keep using the credits.

I can't wait till next month! I'll be staying at a great resort. It's all inclusive including food and drinks. I'll never even have to leave the resort if I don't want to. This will be my first trip to Jamaica and the first time in a long time where I'll be taking a vacation that isn't busting with scheduled activities each day. The resort does have some off resort activities so if any of you have ever been to Ocho Rios please let me know things I shouldn't miss!

I keep hearing about the Dunn water falls and a lot of people have mentioned zip lining. I'm really only looking for one or two activities because I plan on laying on the beach non stop. I may have even bought 3 new bathing suits for the trip. Wooooooohoooooooooo! Can you tell I'm a tiny bit excited?

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 7

2012-01-06T09:00:00.003-05:00

Seven wants.

I want a lot of things. Sometimes I want more than I should. Lately though, I've calmed my wants down and now the really important stuff seems to matter. Well... at least what I think is important.

I want to get married.

I want to get my transfer and move to California.

I want to own my own home in California.

I want to one day have a child. Not now, but someday.

I want to be in good health.

I want my mother and my boyfriend to always be in my life.

I want most of all to always be happy.

Pretty simple right?

Theater Thursday

2012-01-05T09:05:00.001-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... It's Theater Thursday! I've been doing Theater Thursday posts since I started this little, old blog of mine. Now for 2012, I'm going to be doing things a little differently. Everyone seemed to love my holiday theme posts for the Christmas season so what not continue with themes? This month is going to be all 90's classics. This week's featured movie is none other than, Getting Even With Dad.

In 1994, Macauley Culkin stared as Timmy, a burden child who was being watched by his aunt Kitty (Kathleen Wilhoite). When Kitty got married she knew she couldn't take Timmy with her so she dropped him off unexpected to his father Ray (Ted Danson).

Timmy hasn't lived with his father since his mother died and his father was sent to prison on a robbery charge. Now that he's out and Timmy will be hanging with his father, he'll get in the way of his dad's new plan... a coin heist.

Timmy soon realizes what's happening and plans on teaching his father and his two goon friends a lesson. After hiding the stolen coins from there and after years of being ignored he sets a plan of having his father and his friends do exactly what he tells them. They go to the amusement park, shopping, etc. OR he'll report them to the police.

If you've never seen this movie, it's a 90's classic and a memory of how good Culkin was as a child actor.

Pay It Forward

2012-01-03T07:02:00.000-05:00

I've made it no secret around these parts that I love to travel. I've blogged about vacations to Memphis, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, England and France just to name a few.

I've made it a goal of mine this year to take an amazing vacation outside of the United States. Now here's the only problem I have with that.... I also made a budget for the year. Ek!

That's where you come in!

I've set up an account with

and I found a fabulous, budget friendly vacation. What's even better is that Tripalertz gives me 5.00 dollars for every person I get to sign up on their site. So not only can I get this vacation for cheap but you can help me get it for even cheaper. All you have to do is sign up on their site (which is free) and activate your account by e-mail. That's not even the best part. Once you sign up and activate your account, not only do I get the 5.00 dollars but they give you a $25.00 credit!

They have everything from entire vacation packages to hotel accommodations.

So if you could PLEASE take the time to sign up and activate your account I would be forever grateful! All you have to do is use this special link or I can even send you a special e-mail to help me out.

It's a New Year!

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Years!

Last year, I completely slept through the new year. I had to work at 4:00 a.m. the next morning so I had went to bed around 9:00 p.m. the night before. This girl needs sleep to work that early in a day.

This year was different though. I had all of New Years Eve off work and I didn't have to work new years day until 10:00 a.m. I wasn't feeling well but at the same time I wanted to be able to do something. Josh and I were able to hang out and enjoy the evening. We stayed in, got some take out and watched two movies.

I have a feeling next year's new year will be completely different! And that of course makes me very excited! I can't wait to see what this year brings in all the aspects of my life!

Favorites of 2011

2011-12-30T09:05:00.001-05:00

As we say goodbye to 2011 and ring in a new year, I'd like to remember my favorites of the year gone by.

Favorite Song

I love all of Adele but if I had to chose just one song of her's I'd say this one was it!

Favorite Book

I loved The Hunger Games. I loved the entire series. I can't wait for the movie!

Favorite Movie

Harry Potter! I'm so sad that the movies are done. Maybe she'll write more books one day.

Favorite Vacation

San Francisco, California!! This trip was amazing. It was also the first that Josh and I took together so that made it very special too.

Favorite Photos

I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!!

Theater Thursday

2011-12-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

It's Theater Thursday and this week's featured movie is, Morning Glory.

I watched this movie last week and I fell in love with it. I'm not a giant Rachel McAdams fan but I loved her in this movie. Harrison Ford is of course, as always great.

Becky Fuller (McAdams) is the hardest working, most valuable television producer at her station. That is until she gets fired because of budget cuts. Out of a job and young in a world where experience rules, she starts applying to every producer job that she can find. Eventually she lands an interview for Daybreak, a struggling morning talk show where she's hired to up the ratings.

As Becky begins working on Daybreak she has to work with two tough morning co-hosts, Mike (Ford) and Colleen (Diane Keaton). If she can't get them to go along and the rest of the crew and cast to join in then the sinking show won't be recoverable. Becky is determined to succeed but she always begins to realize that there's more to live than just work when she meets a handsome young man.

New Year, New Goals.

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

As the month comes to an end, we'll be brining in a new year.

I can't believe how fast 2011 went. At times it felt like the year was slowly creeping by but for me, once the summer hit it was non stop on the go. The days, weeks and months flew. I've noticed the older I get and the further away from my college years, the latter half of the year always seems to be this way. So starting last year I made a few goals for myself so I wouldn't feel like I didn't have anything to show for it.

Last years goals :

To read more books. In 2010 I read 44 books. In 2011, I wanted to read 50. I ended up finishing 43. I feel that's a pretty good number!

To pay off debt. I started 2010 with 5 credit cards and a car payment. I'm finishing 2011 with 3 credit cards and almost half of the car paid off!

To save money. I am proud to say that I not only met my savings goal, I exceeded it! I have a substantial down payment for my dream home.

This years goals:

To keep saving money. I've made new savings goals for each month of 2012.

To keep reading. I'm not shooting for 50 again but I'd like to get near it again.

To pay off debt. I'd like to finish paying off my car this year. I'd also like to pay off 2 more of my cards in 2012.

To take a fabulous vacation. I'm talking out of the USA. I haven't been outside of the United States since 2007. It's time for me to go global again!

Hopefully, I'll be able to complete all of my goals for 2012. I'm pretty pleased with all the progress I made in 2011.

I Still Have That Holiday Feeling

2011-12-27T08:18:00.000-05:00

Christmas may be over but I still have that holiday feeling!
Christmas was great this year. I was able to spend the day with my family, eat some great food and I even got some great gifts.

On Christmas Eve, my mother and I headed out to see the lights. The last couple of years we've made it a tradition to go out and look at all the decorations and lights. This is by far my favorite house in the area...

They do a ginger bread/candy theme and it's so cute! After we got back from looking at lights, we all opened our Christmas eve gift. In my family, since I was a kid we've always opened one gift on Christmas eve and then Christmas morning we open up the rest of our gifts.

Since I knew we were going to have a very hectic Christmas day and Josh had to work on Christmas day, I decided to let him open up his big gift...

Yep, that's right! I got him an LCD HDTV

After we got our Christmas eve gifts open, it was time to get a few items ready for Christmas day. We got all the presents under the tree...

and we prepared our Christmas day ham to spend the night in the oven...

Christmas morning we got up bright and early and opened gifts. Then headed to my grandma's house for Christmas breakfast. This is the 3rd year in a row that we've done a breakfast and it's so much fun. We always get to exchange gifts together and of course take our infamous couch photo.

I also got to spend time with my favorite baby, Baby Olivia! She was looking cute as ever in her little Christmas outfit!

My mom and baby Olivia had on almost matching Santa hats! It was such a fabulous Christmas and did I mention, I got satellite radio? Well I did! And there's a 24/7 radio channel of all ELVIS! My other favorite is the 90's on 9. Hello middle school music of my day!

I also got my new favorite perfume, Twirl by Kate Spade. I originally tried this because it was a sample in my September birchbox and totally fell in love with it.

It was such a great Christmas. I know I have plenty of dvd's to watch and books to read for the next year. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well!

A Festive Weekend Ahead

2011-12-23T09:02:00.001-05:00

Today I'm hitting the ground running. I've got an appointment to get my hair cut and highlighted and from then on out it's Christmas errands non stop! I've still got gifts to wrap. I've still got a gift I have to pick up. Oh man... I'm tired just thinking about doing all of it. I know I won't be able to this weekend so I'm just going to say it now....

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Theater Thursday

2011-12-22T08:58:00.001-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! Sadly, this is the last Christmas Edition of Theater Thursday for this year. This week's featured movie is, White Christmas.

Made in the 1954, White Christmas continues to be one of the most classic Christmas movies. The over the top dance numbers performed by Vera Ellen, complex choreography and top notch vocals of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney make this my favorite Christmas movie.

Bob Wallace (Crosby) and Phil Davis (Kaye) meet while serving in the army during WWII. After an accident in which Phil saves Bob's life, he asks for a favor of joining forces in becoming a singing duo. Over the next few years, the pair become a huge success and have a large company. While out on the road, they go to view a sisters act, The Haynes Sisters.

There they meet Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Ellen) and the two both become smitten with the sisters. Fate and a little pushing leads them to end up at the same Vermont inn where they begin a task that will not only feel their own hearts with the Christmas spirit but hundreds of others including an old army pal.

If you've never seen this classic, it's a Christmas must.

The Mother Load of Awkward

2011-12-21T09:00:00.001-05:00

Let me start out this post by saying, I DO NOT condone cheating. Any kind. Ever.

I have never talked about this before. I remained silent the entire time it hit the news. But now, I want to talk about it.

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian.

They met while making a television movie for the Lifetime network. Hmm.... yeah. I haven't seen the movie so I can't judge that one. Now, while they met working on the film they were both married to other people. LeAnn had been married for a few years and Eddie had been married with children for a few years as well.

So when it hit the news that LeAnn and Eddie had been having an affair and were divorcing their spouses so they could be together it became HOLY paparazzi overload! And I instantly thought, wow what a home wrecker. He had a family. He had kids. But it takes two to tango. I didn't know anything about their personal and private lives. I didn't know who his spouse was until she started filming for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Brandy Glanville. She seems like a real peach (note the sarcasm).

So when the paparazzi had it going in overload which btw they still do. I started to feel the awkwardness for both parties in the photos. Evidence #1....

This was at one Eddie's kids soccer games. Holy mother of awkward. I mean their literally sitting a few feet from each other. It's been noted that they never interact and they never speak. Ya think?!? But... I kinda feel for both of them after seeing this photo.

I've been in those awkward settings. I've been to the events where I've been within feet of ex's and it's never just a breezy day. And frankly, if I was LeAnn, I would be a little scared because Brandy can get a little crazy on RHOBH. Now, while I do not condone cheating I kinda feel for LeAnn because I mean she is obviously trying to be a good step mom and supporting the kids in their endeavors but at the same time she shouldn't have got involved with someone who was very much married.

Anyways, I feel that photo and situation is one major awkward moment. Thoughts?

The Infamous Christmas Couch Photos

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love a good tradition. A Christmas tradition makes it even better. Every year my family makes sure to gather for the holiday. We may not see each other a lot throughout the year but we make sure to get all together to spend the festive day as a whole. A few years ago we started the tradition of capturing this moment on camera. Then around the 3rd year of photos at Christmas, we realized we always crowded onto the same couch.

And really... I'm guessing the maximum number of people that's suppose to sit on this couch is five. Yet... we still cram onto it and pose for photos.

Now we realize and continue to make it happen. This year we'll have a new edition to the photo since Amy and Kenneth (on the far right) had a baby! This photo is from last year...

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2010

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2009

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2006

This was also the year Jonathan & Megan got engaged.

So this year, hopefully, we'll all be able to make it to my grandmothers and take another year's Family Christmas Couch Photo. I'd hate to see the tradition end and who knows, you never know what this year's could have in store.

This week includes Christmas!

2011-12-19T08:45:00.000-05:00

Friends, this week includes...

Christmas!

And that makes me sooo excited! I can't wait to get to open up presents, have time off work and spend the days with family and friends. Since I spent much of this past weekend sick and staying indoors, I got to stare at my Christmas tree for hours.

Then when I finally did get up and get dressed, I went out to the movies. I couldn't disappoint my favorite 4 year old. So we went and saw...

I thought it was pretty cute. I hadn't seen the first one that they put out a few years ago and I haven't seen the old cartoon in forever. It was cute and funny in parts. Later this week I'm hoping to go see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo since I read the book series. I watched the Swedish version of the movie and it was really good so the American one has a lot to live up to. Did I mention that I don't like subtitles? So that's saying a lot for me to give it high praise.

On the job front... still waiting to hear back from my interview! It hasn't been two weeks yet (how long they told me it would be before I heard either way) so I'm not giving up hope yet! Maybe today I'll get the call saying, Congrats! Let's hope!

A Case of the Sick

2011-12-16T09:39:00.000-05:00

It all started Wednesday night. As the evening went on I noticed my throat started to feel rough and by midnight it felt like I was trying to swallow a razor blade every time I tried to take a drink.

Then I couldn't fall asleep because my body was aching.
3:00 am rolled around and I was still laying there awake. At 9:00 am it was time for me to get ready for work. I didn't know what to do because I was so tired from not getting any sleep and then the fact that I couldn't breathe thru my nose and my throat was throbbing. I ended up going to work.

BIG MISTAKE. Thursday, I got even sicker. I got home from work and finally got sleep. Now this post is coming straight from my bed because I feel horrible. Let's hope this case of the sickies goes away before next weekend. I think the Christmas hustle finally caught up to me.

Theater Thursday

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing! It's Theater Thursday! With Christmas only a little over a week away, the Christmas Editions are in full swing! This week's featured movie is, Scrooged.

Bill Murray stars as Frank, a big shot, television executive who's in the middle of airing a live telecast of Charles Dickens' Christmas Story. He doesn't care about anyone or anything. Only his ratings and job. On this night he gets the shock of his life, when 3 ghosts appear to bring his actions into light.

This movie is a Bill Murray and a Christmas classic. It's a funny and clever twist on a Christmas traditional tale.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T08:51:00.000-05:00

If you missed the first set of photos and when I posted one of my favorites you can see those here and here .
Once we got our photos back from the fabulous Melissa, we poured over them for hours. I love the photos and so does Josh. I knew it would be hard to only upload a few but I managed to narrow it down to our favorites. I have yet to add any of the photos (besides the preview ones) to facebook because their new uploader kinda.. sucks!

Busy, Busy! Go, Go!

2011-12-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas. No... I really do love Christmas. I've had a tree up permanently since September of 2009. Yep, I'm that person.
This year has been like no others. I have been on the go non stop since Thanksgiving. Heck, I was on the go the whole week of Thanksgiving too. Since we ate the bird, I have literally wrapped presents, went Christmas shopping, decorated, cleaned up tinsel and had other commitments non stop. I am tired.

Last week wasn't any different. I had that big job interview on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who wished me well. I successfully passed the interview portion and did the presentation as well. Hopefully, I'll hear news soon. They said I would know either way in two weeks. I got a lot of questions about California when I mentioned the interview and it getting me out there. Let me explain it better:

I already have an active transfer request in for California. I've had it in since March 1st. Yep, I've been waiting since March 1st. Frustrating yes, but there's nothing I can do but wait. There has to be an open space for me meaning that someone either has to retire, expire, quit or the powers above have to create another position for me to transfer into. I can tell you that in the months that I've been on the list I have moved up to #4 on the wait list (as of October). What the job I interviewed for means, if I would get it, that I would literally get to go instantly with starting that job. No more waiting, just packing! *crosses fingers*

Apart from the interview on Thursday, I stayed busy last week by going to the Chris Isaak concert. Love him! I've seen him before and briefly spoke with him so I knew it was going to be a good concert. I took Josh and since it was his first time to see Chris, I don't think he knew what to expect. He dug it though.

iphone pic

Then on my off day, Saturday, I decided to brave the mall and surrounding stores so I could finish my Christmas shopping. Oh my my! Apparently, I fell and hit my head at some point because only blunt trauma could make someone forget how crazy stores are this close to Christmas and on a weekend no doubt. Needless to say, 5 stores later and still 3 people to shop for and 5 items to pick up. At least I've got two more weeks!

I need a vacation! Speaking of vacation, we're trying to plan something for late January/early February. We want to go somewhere warm. Any suggestions? I'd like to go some place that neither one of us have been before. Suggest away!!!!!

Theater Thursday

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the day people! Cross your fingers! Light a candle! Do what you gotta do! I have a really important interview and presentation at work today and the outcome could mean me going to California soon! Which hello... I've only been waiting since um... March 1st.

It's Theater Thursday and keeping with the Christmas Editions, this week's featured movie is, A Christmas Story.

If you haven't seen this Christmas classic by now, then you must go out and run to the nearest store and buy it. Do not pass go!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

One of my favorites!

The Good, Bad & Ugly

2011-12-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

The Good
Last night, I got home to find that Melissa sent me all of our photos! I then spent the next hour pouring over them deciding which ones to choose from to print. Um... all of them. Duh! Seriously, I live 4 blocks away from a Walgreens. I left the house and went a printing! 112 photos later I went home. I'll be showing you guys a few more of them tomorrow! I can't even decide which ones to post that's how many good ones there are!

I have a job interview on Thursday morning and I'm super excited/nervous. It's within the same agency that I work for but in CA. Um... yes please. Plus it's more money and gets me off of our "floor" as we like to call it. Also, I would always get to wear business casual to work. I mean really the lists of pluses could go on and on. Did I mention it would get me to CA super fast?!?!? Cross those fingers people.

The Bad
The weather. All it's done recently is rain, rain and rain. However, I'd rather have the rain than the snow. I am not ready for that. I thought I'd be living in CA already. Note to self: do not give away winter clothing till after the move.

The Ugly
Monday I spent half the day sitting in a room at the court house waiting to see if I would get called as a witness. I also had to put $1.00 in the meter to make sure I didn't get a ticket. A dollar well spent if you ask me.... Almost 2 1/2 hours later, I got to leave with a smile on my face.

You can see happy in the eyes.

2011-12-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

I am sooo excited to post about this today! I didn't want to post about this until I had the goods aka photos to back up the post so here it goes!

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Josh and I headed out to the park so we could have photos taken. I had been trying to set something up with my photographer friend Melissa for awhile now but the timing and just never worked out. I didn't really want to do photos with anyone else because I always find it a little awkward when having nice photos taken. Well... let me tell you, the wait was totally worth it!

Melissa did such a great job on the photos. Not only was it a plus getting to see her again but she made Josh feel so comfortable (they had never met before) and her work is fabulous. I mean really... Here's our preview photos. We won't have the rest till later this week. Oh did I mention her turn around is super fast too!?!

I love them! I want to post all of them on here but I'm pretty for sure people would go insane with the overload. If you'd like to see more, you can go to her site . I can't thank her enough for taking such great photos. We are so happy with how they turned out and I highly suggest her to anyone in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

In totally unrelated news, one of my bestest, best friends Erica is now blogging all about the 90's and such! You should check out her new blog . And of course there's always my mom's blog .

Tiny Prints

2011-12-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

As I started to think about doing Christmas Cards this year, I wasn't for sure I was going to send them out. I didn't know if I would be able to find some that were really great and then I found Tiny Prints.

I started looking through all of their Christmas and Holiday cards and then the problem became which one will I choose?!? I think I'm going to go with this one...

I love this card. Not only is it a Christmas card but it could even be hung up on a tree. You might just have to wait and see which card I choose though! There's so many great designs to pick from. I'm glad Tiny Prints has so many designs and styles to pick from.

Theater Thursday

2011-12-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

It's Theater Thursday and the Christmas Editions are in full swing! This week's featured Christmas movie is, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic. Every year my family and I watch this movie and laugh. We make jokes all Christmas season that reference this movie and always feel a little bit better about our own family dynamic compared to the Griswold bunch.

If you've never seen this Christmas classic, you must watch it! It's about Clark Griswold wanting to have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas and spending it with his large family. He decides to go all out for Christmas this year decorating but it seems like nothing can go right for him. Everything turns into a disaster and the whole family is there to be apart of it.

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 6

2011-11-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

Six Places. I love to travel. A ton of my blog posts have been about travel. If you know me, you know I live to travel. Narrowing down to 6 places is hard!

London, England. I loved it there. I did a study abroad trip there in college. Once I was done with college,I went back over again once I was done with school. I love it there so much that if someone gave me a work permit I'd move there in a heartbeat.

What's not to love about it? It feels super safe, the people are friendly, the sights are amazing and you're walking around where so much history has occurred. Man this makes me want to go back!

Sydney, Australia. I have yet to get there. I want to see the Opera House. I want to hold a Khola bear. I want to ride around in the outback and take tons of photos in the red clay and pretend I'm an outdoor enthusiast. I want to try it all!

Los Angeles, California. Have you been there? I have and let me tell you. You will never be bored in LA. There's a 1,001 things to do and see there. Plus it's crawling with celebrities. You show up and the right place and the right time and guess what... you'll spot one. The weather is great year round.

Hawaii. I have friends that live there. I know people who have vacationed there, yet I've never been there. I have a feeling, I'll be getting there in the next year though. The views are to die for. The weather is amazing and there's so much to do on the tiny islands. Hello... who doesn't want to swim with a sea turtle?! Their my favorite sea creatures! Sign me up.

New York City, New York. Can you believe I've never made it to NYC? I know, I'm shocked too. They've got great vintage stores, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Broadway. The list could go on forever. I thought I was going to go there this Christmas season but we couldn't get the travel plans all laid out in time. Maybe soon!

Italy. They've got the Colosium. They've got the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They've got the wine country and they've got style. I have yet to get there, but I'm telling you from the travel book I bought a few weeks ago on it, I must get there and soon. Beautiful and Romantic. Check please!

Destino

2011-11-29T08:40:00.000-05:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am a firm believer in the fact of Destiny and that Everything Happens For A Reason.

Saturday night, Josh and I were hanging out at my house and on a whim I decided to pull out some old photos. When I say old photos I mean from back in my hay days of college and my travels to England and France. We didn't know each other back then so it's always fun to get to see photos of the person your with in a time frame that you'll never be able to go back to.

As we were flipping through the photos he says, "Stop!" and points to a girl in one of the many photos. I tell him her name and mention that she was one of my two roommates my senior year of college.

A smile comes over his face and proceeds to tell me that his friend HS dated her around that same time. I started laughing so hard because I know his friend HS and since I have a very low opinion of my old roommate, I was not surprised to hear this. Because friends... she got around! Anyways, we started trying to pinpoint when he use to hang out with HS and my ex roommate.

Josh literally use to hang out with the two of them at the same time that she was my roommate. I about lost it. I couldn't get over the fact that he had been to my apartment (when I wasn't there of course) and was part of events that I knew about but didn't know he was involved in back then. It was surreal to say the least.

It blows my mind to think that he was literally running around town being a 3rd wheel to my roommate, being at my apartment and hearing the same stories that I heard.

Yet... we never met then.

That we would have to wait almost 6 years to start dating and 4 years until we even met one another. I think of all the relationships that happened during that time, all of the heart breaks and the things that we'd both have to endure until it was our time to meet. I think of all the time wasted and spent learning life lessons that would get us to this place. And then I think... it was destiny.

It reminds me of the quote from Serendipity...
"Yet even in certain defeat, the courageous Trager secretly clung to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. But rather, its a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan. Asked about the loss of his dear friend, Dean Kansky, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and executive editor of the New York Times, described Jonathan as a changed man in the last days of his life. "Things were clearer for him," Kansky noted. Ultimately Jonathan concluded that if we are to live life in harmony with the universe, we must all possess a powerful faith in what the ancients used to call "fatum", what we currently refer to as destiny. "

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T09:01:00.001-05:00

This year's Thanksgiving was wonderful! I got to spend the day with family.

iphone photos! (Mama & I)

I ate some good, good turkey! Actually, I'm still eating it as leftovers and probably will be all week long. No wonder I get excited for Christmas because then it becomes ham leftovers.

I got to see and hang out with Baby Olivia. She's so cute!!

And then of course I got to hang out with my wonderful boyfriend and his son. Sadly, those photos are on my real camera, which of course I haven't put on my computer yet.

After Thanksgiving, we hit the ground running and started getting ready for Christmas. I put up my white, candy theme Christmas tree.....

Which of course, will get it's own post later this week. Then my mom and I went out and got a live tree as well.

It's now fully decorated....

Now I'm even more ready for Christmas! I just have a little bit of shopping to do still and everything will be done! Also, don't forget today is the last day to join in on the Christmas Blog Swap that Star & I are hosting ! Join in, it's going to be a lot of fun!! Plus it's tons of goodies in the mail.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T09:01:00.001-05:00

It's Thanksgiving and I'm wishing all of you a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving.

This year I'm thankful to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family. I'm thankful for all of the wonderful people who have came into my life and to all of the memories that have been made. This year has been full of ups and downs and I'm so thankful to have had great friends, my mom and my wonderful boyfriend, Josh through it all.

All About Breaking Dawn

2011-11-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to join in on the fun of Star & I's Christmas Blog Swap ! Deadline to join in on the fun is Monday at midnight.

Last night, Josh and I went and saw Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1.

I've read all of the books so I knew the plot and how the story ends. Josh on the other hand, hasn't read the books and had no clue what was suppose to happen. In fact, he kept whispering to me, "What happens?!?" during the movie. I gave nothing away though...

Out of all the books in the series, Breaking Dawn was my least favorite. I don't know why but after the wedding in the book, I struggled to finish it which was a first for me when it came to this series. Soooooo... with that being said, I thought the movie was far better than the book. Now would I say that about the first 3 movies? No. The books were still better.

Now we play the waiting game for Part 2.

All over the place

2011-11-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

Have you signed up yet for Star & I's Christmas Blog Swap ?

It's going to be a lot of fun! Besides, who doesn't love getting goodies in the mail?

This past weekend, I did absolutely nothing. No... I really mean I did nothing. I sat around and watched tv and grocery shopped. I was planning on seeing Breaking Dawn Part 1 but something came up. Hopefully, we're going to go tonight and see it!

Last weekend, I forgot to mention that I went and saw, In Time.

I really hadn't heard too much about the film before I saw it so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I thought it was really good and completely recommend people seeing it. I'll definitely be buying it on dvd when it comes out.

Besides that, I'm just gearing up for Thanksgiving this week and getting all of my Christmas decorations out this weekend!! Woooohooooooo!

Theater Thursday: The Holiday Editions are back!

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Want a fun box of Christmas goodies in the mail? Come join in on Star & I's Christmas Blog Swap Exchange ! We're sending out swap partner information shortly after Thanksgiving.

It's Theater Thursday and the Christmas Editions are starting up again! For the past two years I've dedicated Theater Thursday's around this time of the year to the holidays! This year is no different. This week's featured movie is, All I Want for Christmas.

Hallie O'Fallon (Thora Birch) and Ethan O'Fallon (Ethan Embry) are about to spend their first Christmas as a divorced family. Their parents are divorced and they've been living with their mother and their grandmother for a year now. When Hallie visits Santa Clause at Macy's she asks for her family to be back together.

Ethan (Embry) being her older brother doesn't want to see his little sister disappointed so he sets out on a mission to try to get their parents back together. Wanting it just as much as Hallie, Ethan sets out a plan including a few of his friends to try to trap their parents together in hopes that they'll realize they miss each other enough to get remarried.

Ethan, Hallie and their friend Stephanie have got their hands full since the previous Mrs. O'Fallon is dating a man named Tony. They've also got to get their busy father to make time.

It's a great Christmas movie!

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 5

2011-11-16T08:59:00.001-05:00

Don't forget to join in on the Christmas Gift Exchange !

Oh, how I love food! Five foods that I love and love to eat...

Breakfast. I am a huge breakfast foods fan. Give me some hashbrowns, bacon and pancakes and I'm set!

Pork Chops.

Fetticini Alfredo

Brown Sugar Baked Ham

Hot dogs off the grill

What's some of your favorite foods?

Star & Jennifer's Christmas Gift Exchange!

2011-11-14T08:00:00.009-05:00

Welcome friends! Today, Star from Star's Pink World and Jennifer from Crazy Shenanigans are announcing a great gift exchange! With the holiday season fastly approaching and our deep love of the season, we've decided to team up and host this years Blog Gift Swap!

Interested in participating and getting a great package of goodies in the mail? Everyone is welcome to participate! All you have to do is sign up, be willing to send out a package spending a minimum of $20.00 with a maximum of $30.00 before shipping to your swap partner and answer the few simple questions below.

Here's all the details:

1st- Comment or Link Up That let's us know you want to participate

2nd- Answer the questions below and email them to: Holidayblogswap@gmail.com

3rd- Let us know if you're willing to ship your package overseas.

Then watch your e-mail for your swap partner & all their information.

Don't forget to include your mailing address in the e-mail along with your responses to the questions

Here's all the dates:

The cut off for signing up is midnight on: Monday, November 28th.

You're partners information will be sent via e-mail &posted on: December 1st.

We request that everyone send their packages by Thursday: December 15.

Just Answer these Questions! That way your partner will have some idea what to fill your box up with.

1. Favorite colors, candies, snacks and treats:

2. Favorite holidays items:

3. Do you like to bake/craft/scrapbook for christmas?

4. Any specific colors or holiday ornaments you decorate with or collect?

5. Name 3 items you always love to have/get/use:

We hope to see all of you participate!

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 4

2011-11-11T09:03:00.001-05:00

I love to read! Last year I read 45 books and this year I've been on a quest to read 50. The four books, I'm going to talk about today are great reads. If you haven't read any of them, I highly suggest you pick them up soon and add them to your reading list.

Choke by Stuart Woods

Choke was the first book that I can ever remember myself not wanting to put down. I wasn't much of a reader when I was kid and when I became a young adult it was the same thing. I think I was in high school when I got this book and it completely changed the way I read. I loved it. I couldn't get enough. It sparked my love of reading and the book was so good!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read this book in one sitting. I had been hearing things about it but before it became super popular. I didn't know if it was going to be good or not but the concept sounded interesting. Then I read it and it blew me away. I read the whole series in a week.

sTori Telling by Tori Spelling

This book came to me after a break up. I was doing anything I could to keep my mind off the state of my personal life. I read her book and it completely changed how I felt about the break up. I realized that if someone so rich and famous could have that many problems in their personal life that I was doing pretty good for someone who wasn't rich nor famous. Everyone has problems. Everyone has issues. This book definitely reassured me of that. Plus Tori Spelling is actually really funny.

New York Dead by Stuart Woods

This book was the first book in Stuart Wood's series about Stone Barrington. I truely believe that if Hollywood would get off their butts and make some new, originial movies that this could be the American James Bond. Stone Barrington is an ex NYPD cop/detective who took a bullet to the knee. Once he left the force he got his law degree and practices law in the city. He always find himself in crazy situations in exotic locations with women flocking to him. He's also got his best friend/ex partner always by his side.

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 3

2011-11-10T09:01:00.001-05:00

Three Films.

I think it's pretty obvious that I love movies. I devote my Thursdays on here to Theater Thursday. I also have a huge dvd collection that continues to grow. So limiting my choice to only three is hard for me.

Here's 3 movies that I love and will always want to watch over and over....

Back to the Future

My mom tells me to this day that I would go around when I was 2 or 3 quoting this entire movie. She says I was obsessed. She had to watch it so many times because of me she knew exactly where the cuss words were so she could hit the mute button.

Romancing the Stone

I love this movie. I liked the second one but it wasn't as good as the first. Michael Douglas looked good in his younger days! This movie always makes me laugh and smile. My favorite part is when they hang from the vines to get across the old bridge.

Grease 2

I have a deep love for this movie. I don't know why but I like it more than the first one! I also love the soundtrack. I keep it in my car and on every car trip, I play it at least once. Usually, much to the annoyance of whoever else is riding along with me. HA!

Seriously, I could name a 100 movies I love so it was extremely hard to name only 3.

10 Day YOU Challenge: Day 1 & 2

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

This is the first time I've ever done one of these 10 day challenges. This one's all about me so maybe you'll find out some things you didn't know about me before.

I had originally been saving this for when I move across country but well.... I'm tired of waiting so I'm starting the challenge. And more than likely I won't post the challenge every day in a row. Soo..... yeah. I'm combining Day 1 & 2.

One: Picture of yourself.

outside of one of my favorite places: Graceland!

Two Songs: I have always loved these two songs. Their classics to me and I'll always love them.

The first one is, "Just Pretend" by Elvis Presley.

The Second is, "With or Without You" by U2.

All I want for Christmas

2011-11-08T09:04:00.002-05:00

Christmas is right around the corner! Yeah, yeah... we still have to get through Thanksgiving but it's getting closer! It's my favorite time of the year. If money was no option, I'd go for everything I want and what everyone I know wants. Here's just a few things, I'd love this Christmas season. Mom do not buy all of this!

The Stella Stainless Steel Watch- Two Tone. 135.00

Flight Plated Stainless Steel Watch Rose 135.00

Twirl by Kate Spade 65/80.00

Sirius Satellite Radio (the one that plugs into the charger) 60.00

Fiesta Masquerade Mirror 20-Piece Flatware Set 74.00

The Adele 21 Album. Love her! 10.00

I'm on a major Mary Tyler Moore kick! Season 3 on dvd 19.99

I want a new flat screen to move cross country. This HD LCD 1080p would do the trick

Now if Santa would only bring me something! Yay! In all honesty, I'm just glad that I will get to spend Christmas with the people who matter most to me. I could care less if I get gifts.

A Little of this, A Little of that.

2011-11-07T08:54:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness friends! Can you believe it's already November 7th? Where is the time going?

On Friday, I got in more of the Christmas spirit. I did a little bit of shopping and I started wrapping the presents that I've already bought over the last few weeks. I also started listening to Christmas music. There's a radio station that has already started playing Christmas tunes 24/7.

We also went and saw Puss In Boots.

I'm not usually a fan of these kinds of movies but it was really cute.
On Saturday, I headed out to get a few errands done and ended up at one of my favorite stores, Hobby Lobby. For real, I have a deep love affair with Hobby Lobby. I had a gift card for them so I got some cute stocking holders but I'm still on the hunt for a tree skirt.

I'm trying to find a gingerbread or candy type tree skirt. If you see one out somewhere, let me know! After a little shopping, I went to see my Uncle Kenneth and his wife Amy's baby, Olivia. She was a week old on Saturday and still just as cute!!

Pardon my overly excited facial expressions

After getting my baby fix in, we headed to one of my favorite places to eat....

Yum!! Of course I got the pork chop and hashbrown casserole. Hope you had a good weekend friends!

Theater Thursday

2011-11-03T09:05:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing! It's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is actual a television mini series that was shown on HBO. It's also available on dvd and won tons of awards. It's none other than, From the Earth to the Moon.

The series which was a huge project for Tom Hanks, focuses on the early days of NASA all the way through the end of the Apollo missions. It accurately tells the story of the missions, their successes and failures from the very beginning all the way until the last Apollo mission.

It features tons of celebrities and is a great way to learn history without feeling like it's a lesson. I personally loved this mini series and bought the dvd set. If you love anything to do with history, space and NASA, then you'll love this one for sure!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T09:02:00.000-04:00

Everyone should go to Graceland

It's Already November?!?

2011-11-01T08:59:00.015-04:00

Am I the only one who can't believe it's already November? Where has this year gone? It feels just like yesterday that I was making my goals for 2011 and now we're only 53 days away from Christmas and the end of the year. Wow!

Yesterday was the end of October and it brought with it Halloween. I didn't dress up this year and frankly I was fine with that. I did however, carve a pumpkin!

As you can tell, I have major skills *note the sarcasm*. I think if I ever became super rich and didn't have to work, I'd take one of those ice sculpture classes to learn how to carve those bad boys!

Now that November is here, I can officially say that I've been Christmas shopping hardcore for the last few weeks. Now that it's November, I'm going to have to step up my game. I've got a few more people to buy for this year that I didn't have last year and I'm OK with that. Love the new people in my life.

I also need to buckle down and keep my nose in the books. If I'm going to meet my reading goal for this year then I'm going to need to read and read and read some more. Who knew that getting a boyfriend, trying to move and just enjoying life would throw a major cramp into my reading?!?

I have an out of town wedding in less than two weeks and I still have nothing to wear. Yep. No idea! HELP! It's in Alabama and it's in the afternoon. Someone tell me what to wear. I literally need to go shopping this weekend and see what I can find. I've been eyeing some stuff from the Express catalog that came in the mail the other day.

Here's to a good month friends!!

A Fabulous Weekend!

2011-10-31T08:54:00.001-04:00

Friday morning at 8:18 a.m my family got an early surprise. Baby Olivia arrived a little over a week early!! She's adorable and came out with a full head of hair.

Isn't she adorable? It kinda gave me a few minutes of baby fever but then they started telling me all about the birthing and magically the fever went away!

Congrats to my uncle Kenneth and new mama Amy!

I spent the rest of the day being a lazy bum and catching up on this season of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team.

Every season this show comes back, I swear up and down that I'm not going to watch it. Then they'll have a marathon on and I get sucked into watching it. It's actually really entertaining and there's usually some really good dancers on there. It's fascinating to see all the stuff the girls will go through and do just to make it on the squad. It reminds me of my twirling days.

On Saturday, Josh and I went and saw the new Footloose movie.

When the movie first came out, I swore up and down that I wasn't going to go see it. I knew that there was no way they could ever out shine the original with Kevin Bacon. I mean really how can you ever beat Kevin Bacon doing gymnastics, the fake glitter at the end or even the burgundy blazer they put him in at the end? The answer: You can't!

So on Saturday when we were deciding what to see, we settled on Footloose. I went into it trying to give it an open mind. I actually wasn't too disappointed in it. They opened with the iconic theme song and followed the script of the original almost exactly. They modernized some of it but I'd have to say that it was decent. The kid who played the new Willard was actually in my opinion the best one in the whole movie. He was very funny.

the new Ren & Willard

On Saturday, in honor of Halloween, I got some of this...

The True Blood drink! I'm a big fan of the show and I've heard a few people say it's good. I haven't tried it yet but tomorrow I'll be cracking it open and giving it a try!

Happy Halloween!!!

CMT Says I Can

2011-10-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I was flipping through some channels on tv looking for something to watch. That's when I saw it. The squirrel jumping from the tree.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

CMT was showing it! Since that night they've showed it two more times. That makes it good enough in my book... Christmas is officially on it's way!!! At least CMT says so!

If you've been reading for awhile or know me in real life, then you know that I absolutely love Christmas and the Christmas season. In fact, I might even put my Christmas tree up over the weekend. Are you ready for the Christmas season?

Theater Thursday

2011-10-27T09:04:00.001-04:00

This week's Theater Thursday is a special Halloween edition! This years Halloween pick is none other than Hocus Pocus!

Three sister witches named the Sandersons (Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy) return to modern day and their on a mission. After 300 years, the sisters have resurrected on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts.

A young teenager on a dare, lit a black flame candle not believing the legend of their possible return. Once the sisters are back, he realizes that it's up to himself, his young sister and their new friend in town to save the town from the wrath of the Sanderson sisters and to save the children of the town.

The Sanderson sisters plot to make the night theirs by sucking the souls of all the children so they can fully return and make it through the night and be back in the modern world.

One Year Ago Today

2011-10-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

On this day last year, I wrote a post called, I REFUSE to Settle .

I talked about how I was seeing all of my friends become a plus one. I was seeing all of them getting engaged, getting married, buying houses and starting families and well... I wasn't. I talked about how I was refusing to settle for a man who was anything less than what I wanted and deserved. That when I met someone who was everything I wanted then finally my head would turn. That was a year ago.

It's been 365 days since that post. During those 365 days, Josh came into my life (technically he was already in my life but we were just acquaintances). When we started going out, I knew something was different. I could completely be myself. We started noticing that we liked to do the same things. We enjoyed the same foods, loved the same movies, listened to the same music, made fun of the same celebrities. We also had the important stuff in common.

Then the big one came for me... we traveled together. Since I have a deep love for travel and always try to make the most out of my trips having an equal travel partner was and is always a must. The trip went great. It was like we had traveled together for years. That sealed it. It was fate. Everything that we've done together, even just hanging out while watching tv has always been a good time.

So a year ago today, I said I was refusing to settle for anyone that wasn't what I wanted and deserved. Well let me tell you, I've found it. We're a perfect match and I love it.

Isn't it crazy how much can change in a year?!?

My Weekend Getaway

2011-10-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, we hit the ground running. I was able to cut out of work early and we hit the open road to start our weekend getaway. Where did we go, you ask?

Pigeon Forge/Gaitlinburg, TN

The trip was just what I needed. I've had a lot going on. There's been so much debbie downer stuff going on lately that I haven't posted about. In short, my uncle (the one who's baby is due any day) has kidney failure, someone in my boyfriend's past is a something from a bad horror movie and I'm still waiting to move. So getting out of town was greatly needed.

We had our own private cabin. We toured museums, watched funny shows, ate good food and shopped. Plus... hellooooo! It wouldn't be a trip to Tennessee without stopping at the Christmas store!

Oh... the food! We ate at Mel's, Johnny Rockets and The Happy Days Diner. Yum

I have tons of photos but sadly, these are the only ones I've got on the computer so far! Gotta love the iphone!

We toured the Titanic, went through the Star Cars Museum and even hit up a few stores. Where I proceeded to add to my Coach bag collection...

The Coach Patent Leather Signature Logo Gallery Bag

Now it's back to the grindstone and planning our next trip. I'm thinking something overseas?

Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk.

2011-10-21T09:02:00.001-04:00

Walk the walk, talk the talk.

I was born in 1984. That makes me 27 years old, maybe it's my age group or maybe it's just me and the majority of my friends but I firmly believe in and back the statement up of, Walk the walk, talk to the talk.

If you're not friends with someone, just say it. Don't go behind people's backs and trash talk them while being nice to their face. That isn't walking the walk and talking the talk. Telling the person that you don't like them and that your not friends then saying nothing about them. That's walking the walk and talking the talk.

Saying your going to get something done. Then going and getting it done. That's walking the walk and talking the talk.

Getting food poisoning at a Rax in 1994 then saying you'll never eat there again. Then never eating there again. That's walking the walk and talking the talk.

I've noticed a lot lately that young people aka early 20 somethings and late teens have not learned this concept. Maybe they'd have less drama or a little less angst in their lives if they grasped it. As Elvis once said, "Need a little less conversation, a little more action."

Theater Thursday

2011-10-20T09:02:00.000-04:00

It's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is one of my fall favorites, The Beautician and the Beast.

I don't know why, but around this time of the year when it starts getting cold, I always want to watch The Beautician and the Beast. The movie stars Fran Drescher as beautician Joy Miller. One day while Joy is working at the beautician school, a fire starts and burns down the building. During the fire, Joy realizes that tons of animals are trapped inside the building and decides to save them. She was rewarded by getting her name and photo in the paper.

The photo was seen my a diplomatic representative from Slovetzia named Ira. Ira misunderstanding, believes that she's a school teacher and decides to hire her. Joy (Drescher) thinking this is a great opportunity, hops on a plane and heads overseas for her new job. Once she lands she realizes that she's now student teacher for three children that belong to Slovetzia's President, Boris (Timothy Dalton).

While there Joy realizes that Boris isn't as tough as he wants everything to think. While Joy is having to keep the secret from almost everyone except Ira that she really isn't a school teacher. Over time, she starts to develop feelings for Boris but realizes they can probably never be.

It's All About the Beef

2011-10-18T09:03:00.000-04:00

I am addicted to beef jerky. There... I said it. I feel so much better. Shew, that was a load off.

No really. I love me some beef jerky. For months, I've been eating tons of beef jerky. It all started out in such an innocent way. I was working and a coworker had a bag of this...

I told her I thought it smelled good and since I had never had a piece of beef jerky she insisted that I give it a try. Well... I took a piece, ate it and loved it. A few days later I was out at the grocery store and I saw the same bag that she had. I bought a few bags and that turned into a deep love of beef jerky.

Fast forward a few months and I've tried tons of different kinds of beef jerky. Two weeks ago, a different coworker was placing an order from a catalog and asked me if I wanted to order some beef jerky in a large quantity at a discount price. Umm... yes!

20 bucks later and I've got 6 pounds of beef jerky. Do you realize how much beef jerky that is? Yeah... it's a lot of freaking beef jerky. So now I'm 2 pounds in and I'm starting to realize that this kind of beef jerky... well... it upsets my stomach.

As in gives me the worst farts I've ever had in my life. I mean they smell like death. Anyone want 4 pounds of jerky?

A Brand New Week

2011-10-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but I'm glad it's a brand new week.

After a long, chaotic and stressful work week, I was excited to have the weekend to relax and catch up on things that I have left undone. I finished knitting a toboggan and a cowl. I think it's the fact that it's starting to be chillier around here more of the time than warm that's got something to do with my burst of craftiness. However, it could just be because of...

I also used the weekend to start watching a classic show from the very beginning. Season 1.

I had watched this show in reruns as a kid and now I'm watching it from the very beginning and going through the seasons. It's just as funny as it was then. Maybe once I'm done, I'll start watching Rhoda.

I also caught up on the only reality shows I watch anymore... The Real Housewives of NJ and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Does anyone else think Dana kisses butt non stop? Also... I wonder if Brandi got beat down by a girl and that's how her ankle got broke? I am not a fan of Brandi at all.

Theater Thursday

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing here at Crazy Shenanigans. It's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Sixteen Candles.

This 1980's classic stars Molly Ringwald, as 16 year old Samantha Baker. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, Samantha is turning 16 years old. Too bad her parents forgot!

Samantha's birthday is on Friday and her older sister is getting married the next morning. Having to deal with the wedding stress her mother, father, brother and entire family forget that it's her birthday. In an attempt to cheer herself up, Sam goes to the school dance. At the dance she runs into school nerd, Ted (Anthony Hall). Feeling down in the dumps she tells Ted about how her parents forgot her 16th birthday. She also confides in him that she's got a crush on the most popular boy in school, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoffield).

Much to her surprise, Ted informs Samantha that he's buddies with Jake and that infact he does know that she exists. Completely shocked, Samantha doesn't know what to do! Jake is dating the most popular girl, Caroline. Why would he ever be interested in her?! So Ted sets out to see if he can make it happen for her. In the meantime, tons of crazy adventures happen through the night and into the next morning.

The whole time Samantha is thinking about Jake and her forgotten birthday. If you've never seen this classic, it's a MUST!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T09:04:00.001-04:00

Sometimes self timers can definitely be handy.

The Good, Bad & Ugly

2011-10-11T09:01:00.000-04:00

I have a 1,001 things going on. I mean really, how does people do it all? I feel like I'm falling behind in everything that I need to and should be doing. Let's have a little catch up session shall we? We shall...

The Bad....
Last Thursday night I got sad, sad news. I've been waiting forever to hear about my transfer and I finally hear something that night. In the 8 months that I've been sitting on the wait list I have moved up 4 spots. Four. I'm in the 4th spot which means 3 people are ahead of me. Which means I have to wait it out. I'm not going to lie... I cried. I cried hard.

I don't want to have to sit around for another 8 months or longer before I get to move to California. I feel like I've got so much on hold in my life. And honestly.... that blows. But it is what it is and there's nothing I can do to make it go by faster.

The Good...

I am just a few days out from a 3 day weekend vacation. Next week I am out of here! I can't wait. It's just what I need right now! Where am I going? Ohhh.... to an undisclosed location! See the photo? That's a hint. If you follow me on twitter, I'll be talking about it but until I get back, I won't be posting it on here. Surprise!

The Ugly...
I've got so much I want to say on here but I can't really say it right now. Hang in there! I'll all come out eventually. It usually does. Until then, just hang in there.

Bare/bear with me....

2011-10-10T09:05:00.002-04:00

I had conflicting dictionary results choose one for your self bare/bear.

Friends, I've got a few things going on. I can't talk about them yet so hang in there. I shall soon return! Hope all of you had a lovely weekend! Big things are coming!

The Case of the Missing Recliner

2011-10-07T09:07:00.000-04:00

As you'll recall, last weekend I bought some retro, vintage furniture. My living room isn't that big and with the addition of the sectional and the two chairs that I also purchased, I ran out of room fast.

I had a recliner that had obviously seen better days. It looked almost exactly like the one in the above photo plus or minus a few tiny drops of drink stains. Basically, a good deep cleaning and some screw tightening and you'd have a great recliner. Well.... with getting the furniture, I decided it was time for the recliner to get a new home.

On the day that we moved in the vintage sectional and chairs, we moved the recliner out onto the porch. It was misting rain and since I didn't want the recliner to get ruined, we placed a clear, plastic drop sheet over it. That was on Saturday. Well come Sunday morning, I started letting every single person know that I had a recliner up for grabs. As in FREE!

Everyone at my work and a few neighbors got offered this chair. It was a, "first one there to get it, it's theirs" stance. A few people were interested and a co-worker who just moved said that she'd take it. Fast forward to Tuesday evening.

I go out for something and the recliner is gone. I never heard anyone come onto the porch to get it. Didn't hear a truck back up to my steps... nothing. So then I start to wonder who I know that got it. The girl from work who was suppose to be by to pick it up never text me like she said she would before showing up. I texted another guy from work, asking him if he picked it up and he said no.

Soooo... I'm thinking that some random person that I do not know, saw it on the porch and decided to make it theirs. However, I had an umbrella on my porch and it was/is still there. If you're going to steal something that you don't know is already being given away as free, why wouldn't you just go all out and take the umbrella too? Anyways, I have no idea who got it but it's gone and that's all I'm glad about!

Theater Thursday

2011-10-06T09:02:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here! It's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is the classic, Sleepless In Seattle.

Staring Tom Hanks as Sam, who's now a single father after he losses his wife to cancer. Not knowing what to do, he moved his son Jonah and himself half way across America from Chicago to Seattle for a fresh start.

On Christmas Eve, Jonah calls into a radio talk show that's giving out life advice. When he tells Dr. Marsha Fieldstone about his dad and losing his mother, Dr. Marsha persuades Jonah to get Sam on the air. At that exact same moment, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) is in Baltimore with her new fiance spending the holiday with family telling them of their engagement.

In the car, on the way to visit more family Annie hears Sam on the radio and instantly feels a connection toward him. She's never met him and has never seen him. From then on out she has a fascination with him and wanting to meet him. As time goes on, she finds herself doing things she didn't think she would and with fate giving her and Sam a little push....

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

Going through this year's photos to decide on a Christmas card is hard work!

Black Magic

2011-10-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have a magnetic voodoo doll that hangs on my fridge. It was acquried when I was on vacation in the south and since then it's been hanging on the front of my fridge. I see it everyday and usually don't think too much about it.

A few weeks ago, someone did something extremely mean and uncalled for to me. Trying to shake it off and laugh about it, I made a joke and said that I was going to have to go home and stab that voodoo doll a little harder. Then I started to really think about it....

People out there really do believe in voodoo dolls and their abilities. Hey, tomato tamoto. I'm not saying that I don't believe in them but I'm not saying that I do. I think that what you put out in the universe can come back on you aka karma. So maybe sitting at home and stabbing a voodoo doll wishing bad things to happen to others could really get you somewhere.

But for me, I'm still killing this person with kindness.

A Vintage Weekend

2011-10-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

Earlier last week, I was sitting at work and surfing the internet while eating lunch. I decided to stumble upon one of the many vintage shops that I've been in before to see some of their current items. And to quote Rachel Zoe, that's when "I died".

I saw a couch that I knew I had to have. I know, I know. I'm moving to California but the price was just right. Plus vintage stuff is a one in a million find. You could see it again somewhere else or you could never see it again ever. I didn't want to be kicking myself for years to come so I called them up and they still had it in the store. It was totally meant to be. Minus the fact that the store was 280 miles away from me and that I don't own a truck.

That's where the boyfriend came in handy. He got a cargo van and we made the drive together this weekend. The store was nice enough to put a hold on it for me and when we got there it was waiting for me!

At the Nostalgia Store

The three piece sectional is great! It can be set up a few different ways and it was in almost mint condition. While I was at the store, I ended up getting a few more items. I mean have van, will fill. Right? I saw two great egg chairs so I scooped them us as well.

You can't really see it from the iphone photo, but their velvet and in a wine color. They also have a faint swirl pattern on the fabric. I'll have to take a better picture. I also got this super retro, carry on luggage piece.

I love it! I can't wait to carry it! Right now it smells like old lady on the inside of it but I figure it'll air out before my next trip.

Everything was in such great condition and the people at Nostalgia in Tennessee were so nice to do business with. If you're ever in their area, I highly suggest stopping in!

Not Your Average Theater Thursday

2011-09-29T09:01:00.001-04:00

Every Thursday, I feature a movie available on dvd. This week is a little bit different. Allow me to explain... I've featured the movie, She's the Man before as a Theater Thursday pick.

Yet, I can't get enough of this movie! If you've never seen it, watch it. I guarantee that you'll laugh. If you have seen it, then maybe you'll know what I'm talking about. Allow me to dissect my love of the movie She's the Man...

Channing Tatum. He filmed this movie when he wasn't the giant movie star that he is today. This was way before Step Up, GI Joe wasn't even a hope yet and his 6 pack of abs were still almost being counted as 8. Suffice to say... he looked good.
It's quotable. My friend Erica and I, we seriously quote this movie to each other all day, everyday via text messages. It's awesome and sad at the same time because we know every line to this movie. I'm going with awesome.
Amanda Bynes. I'm not even a big fan of her. But in this movie she's hilarious. At certain parts she just completely gives up on doing a dude voice and I love it. I wonder if she thought as she made this movie, that her career was already going down the tubes. I don't know but either way she's hilarious as Olivia playing Sebastian.
Soccer. The movie is centered about the sport soccer. It actually shows a lot of soccer being played. And Channing Tatum usually takes his shirt off while playing.

I usually end up watching this movie at least 4 or 5 times a week. No I'm not kidding and no I don't care if you think I'm insane. I have my tv on all the time anyways, I might as well have something fun playing than silence.

I seriously think this movie is hilarious. I love to quote all of the weird characters in the movie and I do like the ending. Is it too much to hope for but can we get a She's the Man 2??????????? lol

I told you. You're welcome.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T09:08:00.001-04:00

Seriously... it's my favorite time of the year!

And... it's getting closer!!

My 2 New Favorite Fall Television Shows

2011-09-27T09:03:00.000-04:00

Fall television is here! If you know me, you know I love some good tv! I've got two new favorite shows and I'm really hoping that they make it. I hate when I love a new show and then it ends up getting cancelled after a few episodes or one season. I'm still bitter about the mid season replacement, The Deep End getting cancelled awhile ago..

My two new favorite shows are already...

Terra Nova. It premiered last night with a two hour opener and for the entire two hours I was on the edge of my seat. It was sooo good. If you missed it, check it out. I feel it's kinda like Lost but not. I'm really hoping it makes it, with all the hype it was getting I wasn't sure but after watching it. I'm sold.

The next new show I'm liking is,

The Ringer. Let me preface this with I was not a Buffy fan so I didn't tune in just because of SMG. I watched the pilot and thought it was pretty intriguing. SMG, has to play two people and the roles are good. I'm hearing that it's not getting the ratings they were hoping for so I hope it ends up staying around. I want to find out what's going on with the twin being in France!

What's your new favorite show this fall season?

Just Another Manic Monday

2011-09-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

I swear Monday's are the hardest day of the week. I need to win the lottery!
Maybe it's because the temperatures have been dropping or maybe it's just that fall is upon us but I've been in a super crafty mood lately! So I took that mood and ran with it! About two weeks ago on Pinterest, I saw this really cool craft...

It's a paper chandelier. It's made from free paint samples and an upside down, stripped lamp shade. Um.... genius! Plus it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to make it.

Craft whole punch $7.99

Double sided tape $2.99

Thread $.99

Lamp Shade $3.99

What took the most time was whole punching all of the paint samples and acquiring them. While they are free in stores such as Home Depot and Lowes among others, it's awkward taking 20 or more of each color. Let's just say I made a few trips. And before someone gets all upset about it.... Paint samples are FREE! Companies send them to these stores in an attempt to sale the paint and usually at no cost. Plus I just gave the store like 300 bucks for a new hot water heater in November so I've paid for them! Trust me!

So here's how mine turned out!

Obviously, I used different colors than the one on Pinterest but I think it turned out really well! In fact, I might even make another, bigger one! Crafting can take a lot of energy!

Dear So & So: The Bad Service Edition

2011-09-23T09:09:00.001-04:00

Dear Comcast,

I love how I turn on my television and my screen has turned black and white and the only channel that comes on every channel is now QVC. Then finally the next day when you say it's fixed and I go to turn it on... it's nothing but a blue screen. Not cool. Then you tell me you're going to show up from 9:00 am- 11:00am and then never show up. So now I've went numerous days during prime fall television without CABLE!

Screw you CSR Wayne, unplugging the box and counting to 20 did not work.

Dear Bob Evans Restaurant,

I was hungry. No, let me rephrase that, I was famished. When I called in that Carry Out order that meant that I was ready for it to be done when I got there so I could take it home and dig in. I loved standing around waiting for food while complete strangers gawked at me. Then when I finally did get my order and made it back home, I was shocked to find that the bacon was raw. As in left it on the grill for maybe 20 seconds to make it feel luke warm. The potatoes were sill raw and the pancakes were burnt..... black.

Exhibit A & B

I Will be thinking twice before going there again

Dear Target,

Stock your Missoni collection again. You should have known that fashionistas would invade the store. Too bad many of them just bought clothes to sell on ebay for enormous prices.

Bitter.

Dear DMV,

When going to get your car inspected for a new inspection sticker it is important to have your registration. I gave you my money, now give me my registration. It's been 5 business days and I'm still not seeing that slip of paper in the mail. Wonder how well it would go over if that's what I said about a payment you were wanting. Oh you'll see it in 5 business days from now.

Don't pull me over because of my inspection sticker

Theater Thursday

2011-09-22T09:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Theater Thursday! Around these parts, Thursday is a day to feature a good movie! This week's featured movie is, Night of the Twisters

If you remember this 1996 gem then I give you some major props. Night of the Twisters stars then hunky, teen heart throb Devon Sawa as Dan Hatch. Living in a farm town of Nebraska, Dan thinks its going to be an average boring night. His mother goes off to work and he's responsible for watching his younger brother, while hanging out with a friend.

Then an unexpected storm starts up, surprising the entire town. Twisters begin hitting the town and in unusual weather patterns. Once Dan's house is hit he's on a mission to reunite with the rest of his family and make sure everyone is safe. Unfortunately, the storms keep hitting through the night.

If you're in your mid to late twenties, this movie will definitely be a flashback for you!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T09:03:00.000-04:00

One of my many trees last year.

I'm so ready for Christmas.

Oh Baby!

2011-09-19T09:04:00.000-04:00

This weekend was a busy one but a good one. On Saturday, I attended a baby shower. If you remember me posting about it months ago, my uncle and his wife are expecting a baby girl! Baby Olivia will be here in just a little over a month so it was time to get her some stuff to welcome her into the world!

Among the many things that we got her, my favorite was this...

Why yes, that would be a whale tub! As soon as I saw it at Target, I knew we had to get it for her! I thought it was so freaking cute! In fact... it even gave me a few minutes of baby fever. Ekk!

Would you believe this is on the only photo from the shower that I took...

Obviously, I have my priorities! Let them eat cake!

All in all, it was a good weekend! Now if only I'd get the call saying it's moving time!