New Friends and New Recipes

Good Evening Friends. 

I am having a great day today. Praise the Lord. I love how God sometimes gives me a happy day after I put myself through an icky one- I kind of feel like he's saying "see it ain't so bad." Apparently in my cosmology God speaks in colloquialisms.

The evening was really pleasant last night. I talked to a fellow BGSU Grad Assist. and really think she's fabulous! I had tons of fun talking to her and chatting about life and school and of course-- weddings! Hahah. I am really glad that we've talked, it will be really nice to know someone during orientation. Familiar faces are always great.

Then, you know how I was craving chocolate and peanut butter? I made up a mini dessert that was awesome. I took 40 calories worth of chocolate mini rice cakes, 50 calories worth of marshmallows, and a 100 calorie table spoon of peanut butter. Nuked it all in the microwave and was totally satisfied. Not bad for under 200 calories. Lot less than eating a stinking DQ Blizzard. :) Around 300 less calories Thankyouverymuch.

Today was so relaxed and nice. I slept in, watched some Nip/Tuck [ thank the Lord I am almost done!] and sat in my PJ's eating yummy oatmeal until around 10. I ran to go buy some stuff at ULTA and spent entirely too long wandering around the store.  I came home to hang out with my Dad. We were watching       Real Housewives of New Jersey and both of us fell asleep. Hahha. Mom made some amazing stuff for dinner. It had all of these veggies and toasted cubed bread and a red wine vinegar/olive oil sauce. AND we had sweet potatoes. Love love love love.

Now we are going to watch Shutter Island. I hope my parents like it. Chase and I did. Ahhh Chase. Miss him tons. Less than three weeks. Happy girl! I cannot wait to see him again. It feels like it has been soooooo long.

He is my Knight (at the Museum next to the Guy) In Shining Armor.

Dream Home

Sure. I'd live in a house with this Fireplace!
These are beautiful homes!

Craving!

I would give anything for a Reeses Blizzard or a Peanut Butter Milkshake. 

But I'm not giving in to the evil of all of those calories! 

Whew, I would literally just adore to have one right now. 

Instead I am drinking Green Mint tea. And watching a show about plastic surgery.
Great for my body image eh? 

Warning- this post is about to get self-reflective and girly. So its funny that I wrote that post about working out because I have had bad body image days the last couple of days. I think I've just got to get busy again. That will make things a lot better.

I eat when I am bored or unhappy. There I said it. Grrr. I mean lately it has either been things with BBQ sauce, any form of peanut butter, cheese, and potato chips. Yeah. 

Then to make things worse I found photos of myself from when I started school at LU. My hair was so much longer and I was in healthier shape. I know that my body has changed so much in 5 years. I mean  I'm not 17 anymore. I accept that. Its just weird. When I mention this to older women they laugh at me and tell me wait until I am thirty. This makes me freaking terrified of turning 30.

Why is it that so often women would rather share horror/war stories about being a woman rather than supporting each other? I mean either its complaining about our weight or how we had good days or bad days, or how we hate something about ourselves. We tease each other about our breasts or our tummies and yet we expect the men around us not to give us the same analysis process we give each other. I am really blessed with a man who simply wants me to be healthy and tells me I am beautiful even when I am in the nastiest sloppiest outfits. No, his opinion doesn't make who I am, but he makes me feel really wonderful.

In the Christian community we are always told that God looks at what is inside rather than the outside. And it is so wonderful to think we don't have to be "pretty enough" for God to approve of us. I just wish that my brain could process my own worth not based on the way I look. 

Now don't misunderstand me. I am in kind of a boredom rut.
 Just kind of needing something to distract me.
 Spending less time thinking.
I think. Hah. 

Okay enough personal reflection for now. Thankyouverymuch!

Update!

I updated my site! Woot wooot! I bought new clothes so I thought my blog deserved an update too. Hah. Silly girl.

Countdown

I sit here in the kitchen drinking coffee and eating some really good oatmeal. It was sugar-free maple syrup and brown sugar (thought it was sugar free...?) and I added walnuts, banana, and yellow raisins.  Very good. And not that bad for me. The whole trying to loose weight thing isn't going to bad. What makes the biggest difference is that I have a really good playlist to listen to while on the elliptical. The biggest thing is the tempo of the music gives me a good tempo for running. So if I run at the speed of the music I burn ten calories a minute but am not so tired out that I can run solid for at least 45 minutes. Works pretty great actually. So I thought I would share my discovery.

99 Problems-- Jay-Z           
Womanizer-- Britney Spears           

When I Grow Up --  Pussycat Dolls           
Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) -- Beyoncé           
Rehab -- Amy Winehouse           
Poker Face -- Lady GaGa           
Maneater -- Nelly Furtado           

Lovegame -- Lady GaGa           

Just Dance ft. Colby O'Donis -- Lady GaGa           
Hot and Cold --Katy Perry           

Hey Ya! -- Andre 3000           

Gold Digger (Featuring Jamie Foxx) -- Kanye West           
Girlfriend (Featuring Lil' Mama) -- Avril Lavgine        
Fergalicious (Edited Version) -- Fergie           
Bad Romance -- Lady GaGa            

Don't Judge. Some of this isn't exactly quality music. But it works. Works perfectly. I stop every ten minutes to drink some water- and I walk out of there not tired. But rather have more energy. Pretty great.

(unrelated cute photo of Mom, Grandma, and Me)

Okay next topic. I AM COUNTING DOWN 'TILL WE LEAVE! Yesterday I reserved the hotels and the U- Haul for our trip to BG. Got good prices too. That was good.  It is really making this whole thing become more real. Some of my stuff arrived at the Wal-Mart in Ohio. Ohhh! And I got my assistantship placement. I am working in the Box Office- which is the EXACT assistantship I wanted. Very happy about that-- it will not only mean I don't have to work in the scene shop or something like that but I will also get some skills that could help me get some administrative work at a theatre in Iowa. Very excited. I also met a fellow MA on Facebook and she seems pretty nice! Which of course is very very good. Have I mentioned that I am excited?

Today is yet another lazy day. Which is glorious. I am going to do nothing and then go to Wilmywood tonight with my mom. I tried to go last night to see my preggers cousin Meg, but the traffic was stand still on 17.  I could not get very far. So I turned around and came home. I would have gotten there so late it would have been ridiculous. I bought more clothes online yesterday. A birthday present to myself. I hope they fit. Blech I am not holding my breath though.

Counting down Counting down Counting down...

Emily leaves for MKE today! Woooooh Girl I am soooo proud!

A Bad Day Made Sweet

Ladies and Gentlemen I do declare I was grouchhhhhy today. 

I miss Chase really badly, am so ready to go to Ohio, and have nothing to do around the house. I spend two hours at the laundry mat washing my smelly duvets (note to myself- do not store them in garage ever again) and while I was there I -of course- watched Nip/Tuck. The show is so melodramatic. I mean Augustin Daly would have been proud of its writers. If youre not a theatre history lover Daly is the one who is (perhaps incorrectly) credited with the whole "tie a woman to the train tracks while the train is on its way" thing. My generation would have most likely seen this in cartoons? Familiar? Anyway.  

After the ever so exciting Laundry mat, I came home and to be honest the next four or five hours is a depressing blur. I was hungry and nothing sounded good to eat, I was bored but there was nothing to do, and I wanted to sleep but simply couldn't. I was all gloomy and complain-y... poor Chase had to hear all of it. Eventually, my resolve waned and I fell asleep. 

That did the trick.

I was simply in a better mood when I woke up from my nap. Not grouchy, not complaining, not even hating Jvegas all that much. And then my parents and I went to Marrakesh for dinner. It is a great new Mediterranean place. I had stuffed grape leaves and feta and falafel and just loved every minute of it. Then for dessert we had a little bit of everything all very good and TURKISH COFFEE!

Now Turkish Coffee isn't for everyone.
But,
It surely is for me.

I just really needed it.
There is a quote,"

Coffee should be as black as hell, as strong as death, and as sweet as love." 

And for me tonight. I breathed some life back into me. I don't know what my problem was. But I'll try not to let that happen again.

Now, my family is sitting in the computer room watching a movie. That is because the computer screen is significantly larger than our old dumpy TV. I am so thankful for my parents. They are really wonderful people. They go above and beyond and well I just like them a lot. They are going to be what makes me miss North Carolina when I go off to school. Oh and warm winters. Hahah

So now. I'm happy.  

See...

Happy with an Anthropologie gift wrapper on my head. Niiiiice. Talking to Chase and wearing PJ's is nice and so is being with my parents. Oh and still tasting the glorious taste of coffee. Two weeks from tomorrow I'll be moving into my new apartment. Actually starting Act II. I hope they have Turkish Coffee in BG. 

Birthdays and Ohio Planning

I know I know I know. It has been a long time since I posted. I have just been busy and uninspired. My birthday was great, had good food and got some money which is always nice. Instead of a cake Mom made a reallllly beautiful banana pudding. I know you're asking- how can a banana pudding be beautiful? Well take a look for yourself.

Yeah, sure you can have some!

It was beyond good and we got to share it with Grandma Ski, Aunt Jan and Tina and Charlie. I was also spoiled at camp when the kids sang to me and gave me a chocolate chocolate donut. JK gave me a beautiful yellow scarf and a fun ring. She was really a blessing the last two weeks.  Chaser got me a great necklace from Etsy and my parents will get me frames for my posters once I get to Ohio.

Ahhh Ohio. Its getting closer every day. I ordered a ton of stuff for my apartment, it should arrive in Ohio right before my family and I do. We'll get a U-Haul, go to pick it up, buy my mattress and drive to BG. I found a new couch online that I am going to order... get ready for this... it is not red. Shocking I know.  You can go here and look at it online. It is Tan. More universally decoratable/matchable.

I simply am so excited to decorate. I am having a hard time getting excited for school because I don't know what is ahead of me. I don't know my schedule or assistantship. Just excited to get there and find all of the details out little bit by little bit. I also hope to find a really good church. I've been looking online but that never really tells you anything. So big prayer request that the process goes quickly.  Anyone have any tips? Know anyone in BG?

This week is full of a lot of preparations. I need to wash my bedding - its been sitting in the garage- eww. I have to take some on-line training modules "Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Preventing Employment Discrimination." Yeah. The really exciting life of a graduate student. I will start gradually going back through everything and repacking. Organizing is my favorite thing ever. Hah. Dork.

It has officially been what - 18 days  since I saw Chaser. Seems totally way longer. I have just under a month left until he'll visit with Erin in BG. I really respect Military Wives. I couldn't go months and years with out him. And we're not even married- much less have KIDS!  It is so wild that so many of the women I went to high school with are Moms. Blessings on them- whew I couldn't do that yet!

I hope to go see Megan on Wednesday night. Go to the awesome Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn. Starting to do all of the "things before I go" stuff. Wow kinda sounds like I'm dying. Not good. Anyway. Bought two more yellow mugs today. 4 down- 4 to go. Two more sets. Would like some really fru fru china delicate ones. Keep an eye out for me okay? Thanks.

Birthday Pineapple. Raygun Shirt.

Stuff This Christian Likes :)

I really love to read the blog Stuff Christians Like. It sometimes doesn't really apply to me and sometimes it rings so true it has me laughing out loud! For those of you who don't know I am one of those people who has  their political views on Facebook listed as "Liberal."  I really love the quote,

If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties--someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."
--John F. Kennedy

That all being said I particularly liked it when this SCL popped up in my Google reader. I agree with three out of the four-- I"ll let you decide which is which...

Last month, Jon Acuff wrote a piece for CNN.com about Christians treating secular media like Satan’s newspaper. A faithful reader of both SCL and The New York Times, I laughed along until about midway through the article when Jon joked that Christians are “pretty sure Fox News is baptizing people in their lobby,” at which point I completely lost my sense of humor.

It is an unspoken rule among liberals that only one Jon is allowed to make us laugh about Fox News—and it’s Stewart, not Acuff.

But how was Jon supposed to know? He’s an evangelical Christian, which means he is statistically obligated to have only one liberal friend.

So as a Christian and an occasional democrat…(yes, we do exist)…I’ve decided to be that friend, offering SCL a brief list of stuff liberal progressive Christians like:

1. Calling ourselves “progressive” instead of “liberal’

The word liberal (like evolution and sex) carries with it negative connotations in the Christian subculture, and is often used in the context of play-by-play accounts from a pastors or Sunday school teachers about the dangers of competitive slippery slope sliding. Progressive is better. People like Jesus and Donald Miller are considered progressive. Progressive communicates the fact that we’re not headed down, but forward…and just a little to the left.

2. Assuming our daily fair-trade latte from Starbucks makes us committed to social justice

I may drive a gas-guzzling clunker to Wal-mart to buy a trunk full of out-of season fruit, but I’m certain that the steam pouring off of my free trade Cinnamon Dolce Latte is a sweet aroma to God.

3. Agreeing with the Democratic Party on everything except abortion

I am one of many progressive Christians in the unhappy predicament of supporting things like health care reform and environmental stewardship, while remaining steadfastly pro-life. To compensate for our insecurity about this situation, we progressives like to try to one-up conservative pro-lifers by noting that we’re also against the death penalty and war. This does little to actually advance the conversation, which usually ends with people yelling at one another about who is being more judgmental. Sorry about that.

4. NPR

To borrow a metaphor from a friend, we progressives are pretty sure that Ira Glass is mystically distributing the Eucharist through the airwaves during “This American Life.”

So, what would you add to the list? What else do progressive Christians like? (Conservatives, please don’t say “going to hell,” as it kinda hurts our feelings and messes with the whole Christian unity thing.)

(Rachel Held Evans is a liberal progressive Christian from Dayton, Tennessee, home of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. Her first book, “Evolving in Monkey Town” officially releases with Zondervan in July, but is currently available on Amazon. She blogs at rachelheldevans.com.)

Someone Make this For Me!

From Rock Recipes

We do a number of different versions of this particular panini. I like to split one with my missus with a spinach salad as one of our favorite lunches. I've often made these when entertaining friends too. I just make several and cut them in small wedges to serve as hors d'ouevres and they are always very popular. We make lots of variations by chaging the type of berries. I've used cranberries, partridgberries, blueberries and blackberries successfully in the past. One other addition I love that creates textural interest in this panini is toasted nuts. I like hazelnuts with raspberries but I've used toasted almonds, pistachios, walnuts or cashews with different berry combinations too.

Belgian or French bread

butter

brie

raspberries

honey

toasted chopped hazelnuts (optional)

Lightly butter two pieces of bread. Flip the bread over as the buttered side will become the outside of the sandwich. Place slices of brie on one piece of bread, top with a sprinkle of raspberries (and chopped nuts if you are using them) and a drizzle of honey. Place the sandwich on a preheated panini press and cook for just a few minutes or until crispy and golden brown on the outside. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Summer Food is the Best!

So summer is the best time for yummy food [fall comes in a close second.] Fresh homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil straight from the backyard are superior to all others. My mom makes so much good food during the summer- not that her food is good the rest of the year- because she has so much more time to try new things in the summer.

Last night we had Grandma over for dinner

and Mom made this really awesome Shrimp, Feta, Tomato, and Cous Cous salad thing.

(before)

 Whew I could have eaten the whole stinking bowl! I had just got back from the gym where I had done the elliptical for 45 minutes/3.5 miles/460 calories. It was so good. Then we had pudding with chocolate whipped cream. It was a really great dinner. Simple and cool and summery. Perfect.

(two servings later)

Tonight I am headed to dinner with one of my bestest friends from high school, Amber. It has been way too long since we got together just to hang out and do nothing. She's beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside and I am excited to hear about what she's been up to all this time! Lets just pray for nice weather so we can sit outside and eat and be cute. Hahah.

Three more days of camp. The kids are super great. Its really a great job. If possible I'll teach it again next year! I am super thankful for my assistant J-K. She's really a lifesaver.

And then we'll get paid- which means....... COUCH BUYING. I was looking at the dimensions for my apartment online and I am really going to ahve to wait until I get to Ohio and see how much space I ACTUALLY have before getting my heart set on one... I am thinking that because the space is small I might go with a love seat rather than a full couch. Plus its a little cheaper. We'll see.

Well the coffee is finished and the dog is snoring and I must be off to camp. Blesssssings on all of you!
After a really awesome sermon on Sunday my prayer for you and for myself is that you grow to know the Lord more intimately. For a listen to Jason's great teachings go here and then click on JAXCAST in the top right hand corner. It might not have loaded this weeks sermon yet- but go ahead and listen to last week's, it makes this week's even better!

Mustard Madness!

So tonight I really wanted junk food. I wanted lots of horribly bad for you food. So instead I ate an egg white omelette with cheese and bacon. And pretzels-- with home made honey mustard. See below.

Can I just admit to you that I CANNOT get enough honey mustard in my life? I want it on everything. I could eat mustard on everything.  Except like chocolate or something weird like that.

The second week of camp started off pretty well. The kids are good and J-K is super great. We have a fun time and its a great experience. Just wish it didn't start so early!

I am trying to go to the gym more. The number on the scale is going down-- which is wonderful, but its not going down fast enough. Why is it so easy for some and difficult for others?

Well I have run out of things to say. I love honey mustard. I cannot wait to go to Ohio. I miss Chaser. He's the best.

My birthday is Thursday. Hopefully I'll have something good to say then!

Hurray!

Random Foto of a Beautiful Friend Thursday: S.G.

I would just like to celebrate that I DID infact go to the gym tonight and I did infact burn 300 calories in 25:04 minutes on the elliptical machine. I MUST admit that the first 30 calories were burned going backwards on accident. Yeah. I'm new to this. New to it and addicted!

Btw- Isn't Steffie Pretty? [see the beautiful bride above]

Will See For Sure

Thursday, Tofu, Trina, and Target

Good Morning.
It's day 4 of 10 for camp. Things are going very well. The kids are all so very well behaved and knock on wood very self motivated. Which makes my job very delightful. J-K, my "assistant." is really great. She's very helpful and the kids really like her- I do too! So that is super helpful. They day goes by pretty fast. The more I teach traditional theatre classes this I realize that I love teaching, but I cannot do this everyday and feel fulfilled. Its just not motivating to me! I like seeing the kids get excited and have fun and that is very rewarding. I just absolutely love the discovery of research. I'd like to have my cake and eat it too.  And thats what I am working toward. Slowly but surely... 26 days until I head back to school.

This whole fitness thing is kicking my tush. I am trying to watch my caloric intake. And its not that bad just annoying. You don't realize how many calories are in things you think are low fat. Lets just say thank the Lord that I really love bananas and oatmeal. But I needed to get more protein into my diet. So I smothered some servings of tofu with this really yummy BBQ sauce and baked them. So easy, not bad for you, and lots of protein. They turned out absolutely beautiful if I may say so myself.

What do you think?
If you don't like tofu and you also have never tried it-- your answer doesn't count! :P

As I sit here at the breakfast bar I am enjoying the symphony of snore coming from the puppies at my feet. Trina our about 16 year old dachshund is the virtuoso. Very loud snoring. I thought we might lose her to the great dog park in the sky the other day. She was super disoriented and just acting strangely. She slept a lot [more than usual.] So to day I pay homage to my beautiful old girl Trina. She's still trucking and hopefully the blind lady will outlive us all! 

I am very happy because yesterday I found out I can return the duvet I bought from Target. It is super cute and fun but just too busy and dark. That is 60 bucks that I can spend on something else. I am super excited to get to BG and decorate. I think I am going to take a suggestion of Next Design Star and paint fake molding and fru fru stuff on my dresser drawers. If I find a photo I'll post it...

I hope I get to go to the gym tonight and spend some time on the elliptical. Switch things up a bit.

Finally, this doesn't start with a T, but I just wanted to let everyone know Emily's surgery went very well. She is still a master costumer.  And an awesome person. I mean look at her! 

Please?

I just really want some yellow pairs of coffee mugs
for my birthday.

Two of a kind and lots of different versions. 

And yellow. 

Microwave and Dishwasher safe.
And Yellow.


And To see Chaser.
In his Yellow Shirt.

Yes I know the shirt in the above photo is not yellow!



Don't forget to Pray and Think Happy thoughts for Emily
as she has carpal tunnel surgery!

Adult? Hardly.

One of my favorite photos of me and Emily [Emily and me?]

who I miss very much and who is having surgery soon.

Think happy thoughts / say lots of prayers for her!

Day three of yoga kicked my tush, or rather punched me in the gut! I did an ab work out last night and this morning and whew-wee I am feeling it even now at 9:30p!  It felt good to get my exercising out of the way before the day got in the way. I simply knew I would not want to do it once I got home from camp. 

Once I could finally get on base today -they had new policies that started THIS morning-- I was only 45 minutes late to when the camp started! It was a little ridiculous, I had to go back at lunch.  It was frustrating, but the Marines were so nice I couldn't complain too much. Meaning the Dad Age Marines. The ones over the age of ... lets say... thirty five. They hold doors open and make sure no one cuts you in line. One called me ma'am. I love that. I love being called ma'am- I don't think its demeaning or sexist. I was raised to think its respectful. I call my students ma'am and sir. Sets the tone in the classroom.

Camp went well today, the/my assistant J-K was super great and is a great asset for the camp. We played games, did lessons, and laughed a lot. The kids were actually really well behaved knock on wood and I think we are going to have a good week! We'll see how tomorrow goes.

As you can see from the title I am still counting down the days until I head to BGSU. And then once I am there 13 days until I see Chaser and Erin.  The McCools got me hooked on Next Design Star- and for those of you that watch it- I DO NOT like Nina, she needs to do something other than paint a cheap looking mural on the wall. Be creative! Thats the whole point of the show!

Eh. I feel like I should have something profound to write this evening. I don't think the litany of what happened to me today would keep readers coming back for more. But my brain just isn't working that deeply. I am enjoying not having the stress of having to be "on" all the time.  I admire my friends who are out there searching for real adult jobs and making their own way in the adult world. I mean, yeah I guess I would consider myself an adult as I sit here in the bedroom I was brought home from the hospital to, but then so much of me is just excited about buying new school supplies [is a uber fabulous couch a school supply?] and the new episode of whatever tv show Im addicted to at the time. To be cliche, when do you actually become an adult? Is it a zero sum game? I don't know. and i have a feeling no one actually knows.

Well Yoga at 6am is approaching quickly.
I am waiting to talk to my Chaser and then I'll go to bed. Working girl's gotta get up early. 

Oh yeah. And that Emily up there? She's so wonderful.
I hope her surgery goes wonderfully! A costumer with carpel tunnel is not a happy costumer!!
 I have so many friends from UNCG that I hope to remain life long friends with,
 and I'm not worried one bit about loosing touch with the most beautiful Emily. 
-update- she comments that it is minor surgery but frankly I think surgery is surgery. Pray anyway!-

29 Days... and counting

Can we just say I am so stinking ready to move to Ohio?

Don't get me wrong. I am having a good time being with my parents and family friends. I am just so excited to have more space and my own schedule and my own whatever else.  Plus I miss Chaser like crazy and once I am in Ohio he's only two weeks from visiting. Yikers. That seems longer now that I actually type it. Blah.

This week starts camp, which I am using as a means to buy my a couch. Yes. Back to the couch. Still wanting a red one and still wanting it yesterday. I just want to have a house that I am excited to come home to. Something really important to me is to have a home that is very welcoming and that people want to come over because they feel comfortable.

A home full of good coffee, music, smells, and people.  A couple years ago I wrote a blog entry,

" want the life of the person who buys Milano cookies on days other than special occasions. That same kid who wanted that volvo couldn't understand why her mom would not buy the $3.76 a bag cookies every time we went to the grocery store. Its just 3.76! - I used to say.   It was the prestige of the Pepperidge Farm cookies. In their double foiled bag and their muffin cups inside. The people I wanted to be ate these cookies. But who were these people? I don't know. My wealthy friends parents? Someone I saw on television? The people I imagined inside the radio speaking to me on NPR? I genuinely don't know where this idea came from?

I realize now it was many reasons that kept us from buying cookies like that every time. But as I face life (freak out here) I am considering what else I am. In the movie Juno, she says "I don't really know what kind of girl I am."  Isn't this supposed to be the time of our lives where we figure ourselves out? Thats what NPR says. Well perhaps NPR is letting me down this time. I don't have it figured it out. But I do know

I want the perfect

JCrew-ed attired family

The cottage style house

The Teva sandaled vacations in the Outer Banks

Alumni Association Dinners

Political Party Fundraisers

A Boat for Sunday afternoons

Tickets to a season of Jazz Music

every book I feel like buying

oh...

and

Milano cookies

(PS: A happy, loving, God centered family are really important too... But thats a given...) "

It is so wild to look back and read a blog from May 18, 2008. I have changed in small ways. Not as big a fan of JCrew (why was that so important?) or the Outer Banks. I'm more into vintage and the mountains.   Having a boat isn't that important to me any more, but I surely love jazz music, books, and cookies. As Chase and I get closer and closer to wedding bells, I just look back and see how much my life has changed since I began college five years ago. I wonder how much I will change over the next couple of years. I am excited that Chaser is going to be on that adventure with me. Surely I didn't know that I would be here five years ago. I mean look at me this is my very first facebook photo. Very first.

 

I'm a little rounder, older, and hopefully wiser. I don't wear Sperry's anymore, and that purse got sent to Goodwill a long time ago. So here's to the new house, the new school, and new purses. The next five years!

Farmer's Market Morning!

The summer is starting to wrap up for me. Day by day I am a little closer to heading back to the grind and I barely can process it. I don't have much to do so I've been just going with the family flow.  I cannot buy anything else cause Dad is worried we wont have the space and it won't make it to Ohio But shopping is about all you can do here in J'ville, that and my new found hobby- exercising. I'm trying to lose the weight I have gained over the last few months and just get back into good habits.

Milk-able Cow at the Farmer's Market

If you've ever tried to count calories you know it is the bigggggest pain in the tush. But the LIVESTRONG website has a counter that makes it pretty easy. I use it even though I am not the biggest fan on one Lance Armstrong. Just helps you pay attention to what you're eating as opposed to just chowing down when youre bored. That is my biggest problem. And not exercising.

Our little Farmer's Market

Mom and Dad are super helpful and supportive. They are trying to eat healthy too, so our family meals work really well with my goals. We have tons and tons of fruit and veggies here in the house. We went to the Farmer's market here in town- its tiny but happy. Mom bought tons of good veggies and stuff and we just had a fun time together as a family. On the non-healthy side I tried this amazing Lavender and Apricot goat cheese spread. Holy cow. Very tasty. It was fun to taste but we have lots of cheese already so we're waiting until next week to get some.

The Goat Cheese Guy

So here at home life is quiet and relaxing.  I mailed off my Teacher Licensure Application. Worked on the schedule for camp next week and watched breaking bad. I am almost finished with all of the shows so far. Whew! I keep revisiting my "things I am going to buy for my apartment" list. Changing a few things here and there.  I am really ready to get this school year started. Really ready to get to Ohio and plant my feet. Buy a couch. Buying a couch has such symbolic meaning for me. I don't know why- but I just see great comfort in a red fluffy couch!

So many wonderful things are happening in my life. God is blessing me all over the place. 

I just cannot wait.

Real Iowa Update

So I went back on my word and didn't blog a whole lot while I was in Iowa.
I resume now!

Pretend it is July 4th!
Chase's grandparent's came to visit! It was really rainy and gross and nasty. The house has geothermal heating and cooling- so the house was super cool. Which of course was super nice- I'd always rather be cold than hot. What is funny though is... it was so cool and there was a down draft ... that Mr. McCool started a fire!!! We had a nice little crackling fire on the 4th of the July! I'd like to think it made up for the rain-canceled fireworks. 

Chase's siblings broke out the old Sega Genesis.  To be able to play it one had to rig it! And so they ended up using a Bible, a couple of novels, and of course a book by our beloved Jerry. It was pretty funny. I read a book while Chase -- of course-- was conquering the world via digg. I was so snuggly and happy that I fell asleep- surprise surprise! All was well in the world until Erin creamed Logan in some basketball game and he yelled out "Nooooo!" I woke up screaming I was afraid Chase was hurt or something... but no it was just me being a spaz.  After I calmed down everything went back to normal and the rest of the day was full of yummy grilled food and family time!

On to Monday--
Um I dont exactly remember what all we did. Ha. But it was a lazy day!

Tuesday--
Chase's cousins came over and we just had a nice day of sitting around, chatting, laughing and of course EATING! Simple day. And gloriously awesome. It is really lovely how much Chase's family is like my family. Our parents are very similar in their beliefs and types of parenting, our grandparents are going to be best friends someday, and I appreciate his relationship with his extended family because its much like the way my family operates.  We had a lovely little mini date for coffee and just talked and watched the sunset through the Starbucks windows. So mushy mushy romantic!

Wednesday-
Travel day. After saying goodbye to Chase and his sisters and dad,  his mom and I had the house to ourselves! She did some chores and things and I (very sadly) got packed to leave. We talked about teaching and family and everything and then drove (alllll the way) to Kansas City. But the drive was actually really fun. Lots of girl talk and story telling. The flying process went off without a hitch, and I eventually got home around 11:45p. Late night.

Thursday-
Slept in - whew I was so tired! We had lunch with my grandma and then I ran errands. Got some new work out clothes and its funny how new clothes to wear motivates me to actually kind of want to maybe workout.  Dentist and blah blah blah nothing else interesting. My parents and some family friends went to the new Duck's Restaurant in Swansboro. Amazingly good. It was almost like the Gourmet Cafe that used to be there- and that I loved so much! Went to bed super early. Getting back on schedule for camp next week.

I am just tired from waking up at 6:30a and I want to take a nap... Today doesn't really have any plans, but I'd like to go to the gym and maybe try a spinning class. I've heard its actually pretty fun and good for ya. Couldn't hurt to try right?

Okay. Enough listing what has happened to me in the last couple of days. I'll be better about actually blogging things other than lists -- promise!


Update- went biking while mom walked and then redid the route... kicked my butt-- but I finished... which feels really good!

Viva J'vegas!

I am home and exhausted. I don't know why but that trip wore me out completely! Lunch today with Grandma Ski and the parents. Better blog post later!

Good Morning from Iowa!

All is lovely here at the McCool Family home.
I am having such a fun time with everyone and I have been lazy about blogging.
 So to update.

I got to the J'ville airport bright and early like I needed to... and my flight was over an hour late.I later came to find out that the DOOR WOULDNT SHUT on the plane. So I was okay with a delay so they could fix it.  But anyway I got to sit and chat with some family friends, and it made the time go by so much faster. They were really lovely. Because of the delay at OAJ I totally missed my flight to Kansas City. [Practically everyone on the plane missed their connections] I tried to get a flight anywhere closer to Des Moines, but US Air doesn't fly anywhere closer. Lame. So I sat in the airport until 4:30. Three hours wasn't tooooo bad. I ate Dove chocolate and read my [really good] book Gatsby Girl. It tells the story of Fitzgerald's muse and their relationship- fictional but based pretty closely on true events. So here is what I looked at for that entire time...

My Legs/Book

and the terminal itself!

After the ride to Kansas City, on which I got the biggest crick in my neck from trying to sleep, I was looking for Chase's dad. I've never actually met either of his parents before, but I have chatted with them and stuff. So I was looking for his Dad, and found this along the way....

A TORNADO SHELTER!

We don't have those in North Carolina. I giggled and while I was giggling I ran into Mr. McCool and he was wearing a bowtie! Awesomely Awesome! We drove the three hours back to DM and it actually surprisingly looked at lot like North Carolina. Farm land and all that. 

When we finally got to Chase's house I met a ton of his cousins and his mom's parents. Very silly and fun. THEN CHASER CAME HOME! Yay! We were both pretty exhausted and went to bed about 1030! I am sleeping on a cloud. Literally. The bed is sooo big and fluffy!

Friday Chase worked in the morning and then got off at three. I just laid around and chatted with his mom. When Chase- who is a little sickly- got home we went to this awesome Tapas place called Trostel's Dish. Yes, I wore my new dress, and yes Chase liked it very much. We had cheese, and risotto dumpling things, lettuce wraps, and havarti shrimp. All of it was very good. I had read all of the books I brought with me so we went by Barnes and Nobles and then DQ for dessert. [The desserts at the restaurant were $7 for one... and Chase and I have such different tastes when it comes to dessert so we decided we could both get what we wanted at DQ for the same price!] 

Once we got home we pretty much crashed again. Lazy kids.

Saturday Chaser took me to that awesome store Smash/Raygun. I got two shirts. See below.... (except my DM one is Kelly Green)

Saturday was also the day Chase's brother arrived so once he was home we went to a fun pizza place and then walked around downtown DM and saw the state capital.  It was a nice and lazy night afterward.

Sunday, which was 4th of July, we went to church with Chase's parents and siblings. Many people were very nice and welcoming! After church we went to Panera! Woot! Apparently that is the McCool family thing to do. I divulged my OBSESSION with Adventures in Odyssey-- and if I may say so myself, I think that they were quite impressed with my sheer abundance of knowledge. Haha.

He is simply the handsomest.

Today, Monday, Chase has the day off so we had blueberry pancakes for breakfast and are going to just hang out until his dad's parents arrive around lunch time. I love vacations where I can be lazy. If Chaser didn't have to work I would possibly stay longer. I am having a great time.  I'll update more probably once I get home.

I am a happy and blessed girl.

Oh and I miss my mommy and daddy.

Currently pretending to be a McCool