3*31*11

*It is a gorgeous day here!! Highs are supposed to be in the low 80's and with it being opening day of baseball season, our group of friends is getting together this evening to grill and watch the Giants game.

*Can anyone else believe that it's already the last day of March? In accounting, we deal with quarters - three month periods throughout the year. It's insane to me that the first quarter of the year is OVER! I see lots of paperwork in my future at the office.

*I just talked with Matt and he told me that he's probably going to start demolition on our master bathroom. Let the remodel/addition begin!! I took all of the before pictures the other day, and hope to do a post to share them as well as what our plan is.

That's pretty much it. Hope everyone is having a happy Thursday!!

New Blog

One of the items on my 30 by 30 list is to compile a cook book of all my favorite recipes. When originally making this goal, I imagined myself compiling a book from scratch. And now I realize that's probably not very realistic. So, I thought I would start a second blog (as many bloggers do) to record all my recipes and eventually have the blog printed to a book. MUCH easier, right?

Anyway, if you have any interest in what it is I like to cook and eat, you can check out my recipe blog here!

WILW

Head over to this blog to join in!

I'm loving that we are finally having some Spring time weather after rain and highs in the 50's all last week.

I'm loving that it's my Spring break right now and I don't have classes to attend until April 5th.

I'm loving that I'm down another 1.5 pounds due to following Weight Watchers.

I'm loving that my friend, Shara, and I will be going to farmer's market this evening.

I'm loving that I got a four mile run in yesterday.

"My" Shows

I think the majority of women, and a lot of the time men, have certain television programs that they watch on a daily or weekly basis. My husband, for example, watched the news every single morning and sometimes in the evening. Being a general contractor, he likes to keep up on the weather. He also watches what I refer to as boy shows on the weekends. Motocross racing, extreme 4 x 4, pretty much anything about cars, motorcycles, or trucks.

For me as of late, reality television has turned into the ultimate guilty pleasure. In fact, all that I watch is "reality" with the exception of my medical dramas (Grey's and Private Practice). So, here's the scoop about what I'm hooked on and why...

The Real Housewives

My ultimate favorite is New Jersey with Beverly Hills coming in a close second. I'm trying to watch the OC this season (last time around it was a FAIL). I didn't mind DC, but it doesn't look like those ladies will be returning. Atlanta and NYC have escaped me and I watched 1.4 episodes of Miami and called it quits.

I'm not sure what the draw about these ladies and their families and lives is. Is it that the materialistic items are so out of this world to someone like me, it just sucks me in? Is it they incredible bodies that all of them seem to effortlessly have? Or is it just the plain, old fashioned, train wreck drama that keeps me coming back?

Bethenny Ever After (and Getting Married?)

Love, love, love Bethenny. Love Jason and Julie. Want to pinch Bryn's cheeks. Wish I could afford a baby nurse like Gina once I'm a mother. I know it's still scripted to the max, but in my opinion this seems like the most "unrehearsed" of them all. Plus, it's interesting to watch a woman who is a newly wed and first time mommy experience all of these trials and tribulations.

Jersey Shore

I love me some fist pumpin' guidos and guidettes. Really, sometimes I just watch this show and wonder how it came about in the first place. It's like an uber trashy version of the Real World. But alas, I cannot pull myself away from the orange-skinned, muscle pumping, too short skirt wearing drama that is the Jersey Shore. One thing: Sammi and Ronnie both need straight jackets and also to stay away from one another for good!

Teen Mom (1 & 2)

This is probably the one that I'm most embarrassed to admit to watching. It's a complete train wreck, complete with smoke and sirens and everything.

Teen Mom 1 sucked me in on a random Saturday morning while a marathon was occurring. Maci, Farrah, Caitlyn and Amber all took myself and other viewers through their "lives" raising children very young, and usually with a not so supportive father. Caitlyn was the only exception as she put little Carly up for adoption. After 2 seasons, they are off air (for now).

I was pretty skeptical about Teen Mom 2. I was positive that the stories wouldn't be as good, I wouldn't like any of the girls as much as I did Maci and it would basically be just a flop. Boy was I wrong. I like Teen Mom 2 BETTER!! With the exception of Jenelle....that girl is a hot mess to the max. But, give me some Corey and Leah with their sweet little twins any day : )

And now that I've completely mortified myself by admitting that I watch all of the above, please, tell me what your guilty pleasure regarding television are!

30 by 30 One Year Recap

One year ago, I made a list of things that I would like to accomplish by the time that I turn 30. Here's my update:

1. Run a half marathon -
I completed the Nike Women's Half Marathon on 10/17/10. I hope to run the same half marathon this year.

2. Begin (and hopefully finish) nursing school
On February 11, I got a letter from the local JC stating my acceptance into the nursing program. I'm waiting to hear back from three other schools. I know this doesn't count as beginning and finishing, but it's HUGE progress that I wanted to share : )

3. Visit New Orleans again

4. Go backpacking at Five Lakes Basin

5. Grow a garden

6. Become a wake boarder

7. Hike Bishops Peak

8. Bake something from scratch

9. Organize all of my photos and place into albums

10. De-clutter and simplify my home

11. Take a California road trip

12. Learn yoga and meditation

13. Go wine tasting 
Went for the first time in January. It was F-U-N!

14. See a Broadway show

15. Compile a cookbook of all of my favorite recipes

16. Learn to drive and launch our boat

17. Have one day of shopping where I buy whatever I want

18. Visit Las Vegas

19. Treat my Mom to a spa day

20. Play a round of golf with my husband
Completed during a warm weekend in February.

21. Eat rattlesnake

22. Learn to barbecue

23. Open a retirement fund

24. Get reacquainted with the piano

25. Landscape our backyard

26. Go to an amusement park with my husband

27. Learn to make my own green cleaning solutions

28. Ride a trail on my bike
Did this in Lake Tahoe last September

29. Find a skin care regimen
Thanks to my cousin who is a Mary Kay rep, this is done!

30. Reinvent my wardrobe
 
 
So....I'm 6 for 30. I have four more years to complete the list, and at the rate I'm going, I'm actually right on schedule!! Ha!
 
It's funny, looking at the list I realize how easily I can cross some of these off......baking from scratch, green cleaning solutions and the photo album are all things that I could do this weekend. And maybe I will!!
 
I think I'm also going to print a copy of my list out and keep it somewhere visible. Maybe then I'll accomplish things a little more quickly : )
 
A shout out to E for coming up with this idea and sharing it with her readers. I'm having fun with it!!!

My 26th Birthday

I woke up yesterday morning to wind and rain. And a roof leak above our fire place. Kind of a bummer, but since we're getting ready to tear the roof off of our house anyway I figure it's pretty good timing.

The bulk of my day was just normal. Work, lunch, more work. I did leave the office about 2 hours early.

After I left work...I did some relaxing and watched One Born Every Minute. Maybe nerdy of me, but with aspirations of someday being a labor and delivery nurse, I love this show.

When Matt got home (with a gorgeous bouquet of tulips in tow!!) we went and had some drinks with our favorite neighbors. Then, we met my Mom and brother for dinner. It was good times, with three of my favorite people.

My brother got me this shirt, which I love.....



And when I opened my Mom's gift, I kind of lost it.



This is kind of "our" movie. We've watched it together countless times, the first time being on a rainy day when I was about 12. I told her that it was one of the best, most thoughtful gifts ever. I can't wait to watch it!!

Matt made me wait until we got home from dinner to receive his gifts. He did a wonderful job!!





Aside from all of the materialistic chatter from above, I has a truly excellent birthday. I guess I focus on the gifts because my Mom, brother and Matt all make me feel this loved every single day of the year, and not just on my birthday. I am so, so blessed to have them all. Cheers to another wonderful year!

WILW- Birthday Edition!

Head over to this blog to share what you're loving!

I'm Loving...

That today is my birthday!!

 Last night, I was able to enjoy dinner out with the majority of my girls.

I'm having dinner with my husband, Mom and brother tonight.

I worked out Monday and yesterday and have also completed all homework for the week. That means today after work I can do whatever I want!!

All of my wonderful family and friends for making it a wonderful birthday : )

Weekend Update

This last weekend flew by! I feel like I did so much, yet so little at the same time.

I kicked it off on Friday evening by having a girls night. Cody and Anika's wedding is fast approaching, and while the boys celebrated Cody's bachelorhood, us girls had snacks, drank wine, and chatted all evening long. It was great!

Saturday my Mom and I went to breakfast and then hit up JC Penney. I found some great Spring tops - on sale too!

That night, I had dinner with two girlfriends and we then caught up on Jersey Shore.

Sunday I did some cleaning, homework and a little more shopping at Marshalls. My day was rounded out by watching Confessions of a Shopaholic. I thought it was cute!!

Happy Monday : )

Friiiidaaay!!

To share your own answers, go here to link up!


1. Have you ever testified in court? For what?

I have not. Though, I love going to our local courthouse. My Dad was an attorney, and I have many fond memories of watching him in court : )

2. Do you still have your wedding dress?

Yes. And almost three years later I still need to get it cleaned!!! I feel bad about that, but there's just so many other things I'd rather spend $200 on! And there's a question for you....is that an atrocious amount for a cleaning??? Maybe I'm being "had"?

3. Is there a special place you like to go when you're happy, sad, stressed, etc.?

Um, the nearest bar? Really though, no. I have places that I love to be.....my bed, the river, on my bicycle, running. But none really relate to any emotions. Maybe because I'm so overly emotional most of the time that if I had a spot I wanted to be I'd never be home!! Ha!

4. If you have kids, do they sleep with you? If you don't have kids...will you let your kids sleep with you when/if you have them?

I don't have kids. And I also don't have a clue. I don't want to end up jinxing myself by saying no way, and then have 2-3 kids in bed with me until they're 14!!! I also don't want to say yes and sound like a spineless mommy to be.....

5. Do you watch late night TV?

Like, do I watch TV late at night? Sometimes. If the question is more geared toward the Leno/Letterman/O'Brian type shows, then no.

The ABC's of Me

Not much to post about today, but I don't want to be a slacker!!! Just for fun...


A. Age: 25




B. Bed size: Queen...and will be getting a king when this one wears out!



C. Chore you dislike: mopping



D. Dogs: Cash the doberman and Macy the black lab


E. Essential start to your day: Laying in bed for 10 ish minutes to have "wake up time"



F. Favorite color: Red



G. Gold or silver: Depends what it's for....jewelry is silver, shoes, purses, etc is gold.



H. Height: 5'6''



I. Instruments you play(ed): the piano and the drums



J. Job title: Bookkeeper/Student



K. Kids: Not yet!



L. Live: California



M. Mom’s name: Sally



N. Nicknames: Linds, Sis, Babe



O. Overnight hospital stays: None as of yet!



P. Pet peeves: lateness, selfishness, assumptions



Q. Quote from a movie: "I'm your Huckleberry"



R. Righty or lefty: righty



S. Siblings: Mitch



T. Time you wake up: About 6:00



U. Underwear: Yes, I wear it



V. Vegetables you don’t like: Beets



W.What makes you run late: Typically my husband!



X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, ankles, wrist



Y. Yummy food you make: Casseroles



Z. Zoo animal favorites: Elephants

Wednesday

Join in the fun here

I'm loving...

How quickly I am moving up the wait list for nursing school at the Woodland/Marysville program. In just two months, I've moved up 13 spots!

That I was able to spend the weekend in Scottsdale with my friend Bonnie and her wonderful family.

The thought of starting our remodel/addition. We met with the architect last week to pick a plan, and she is now fine tuning a few things. We'll meet with her again tomorrow evening - I'm excited!!

That my birthday is in one week!

How Weight Watcher's is totally working for me. I'm down 9 pounds. Can't wait to reach my goal weight and do some heavy shopping : )

That Spring is almost here. I'm ready for some tank tops and flip flops!!

The book I'm currently reading. The Help - by Katherine Stockett. I know I'm probably behind as I've been hearing about others reading this for months....but I just started last week and I am really enjoying it. I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't read it yet.

My Five Answers

It's time for Five Question Friday again!!!

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?

Don't have any children as of yet, but I figure when I do, I'm only human. It will probably happen....

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

The movies to see "I Know What You Did Last Summer" with a guy named Joey. Actually....it was quite the romance. It started in kindergarten with him naming one of the family turkeys after me and ended our sophomore year in high school after a lot of on again off again. The first "date" was in junior high. We held hands : )

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)

Ugh.....windy mountain roads. Even if the road lane is super wide and I know I'm safe, the whole erosion thing really freaks me out if I let it.

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

It really depends. I would say the majority of the time I deal with it as it comes. I'm not a confrontational person, but I will defend myself if need be...

5. Wood floors or carpet?
 
Wood floors in the main living areas, carpet in the bedrooms.

My Family

Today at Kelly's Korner, the show us your life theme is family. Kelly points out that on our blogs, we mostly talk about our husbands and children and don't often mention the family that you grew up in. Here's the story......

I'll start with my Dad. His name was Bill and he grew up in Iowa. After flunking out of Iowa State University, he joined the army where he excelled. He became a parachute instructor and the day before his tour in Vietnam was to start, he broke his leg during a routine jump. That saved him from going overseas. Post army, he returned to college to complete his education ending up at Duke law school. He met my Mom a few years later after moving to California. They got married and started their family in 1985. My Dad was so fun to grow up with. He was super eclectic and well rounded. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2002 at the end of my junior year in high school. I miss him everyday, but I'm also thankful to have had one of the best Dad's there was. Even if it was for too short of a time.

My Mom, Sally, is just amazing. She was born and raised in our hometown. When she was 15 in the early 70's, she was very sick with an unknown type of hepatitis (at the time). Prednisone was very new to the medical world and she and my grandparents were advised that if she were going to live, it should be used as treatment. Thank goodness it worked. In her early 20's, my Mom made a career for herself at the school district. Once I was born though, she and my Dad made the decision for her to stay home. She didn't go back to work until I was about 11. I'm so glad and feel so fortunate to have had her at home for all those years. My Mom is a spitfire of a lady who tells it like it is. But, she is also very empathetic at the same time. Like I said, she's wonderful. Love her!

Finally, my brother Mitch is three years younger than I. When my Mom was pregnant with him she asked me if I wanted my baby brother's name to be Daniel, Thomas or Mitchell. I answered, "Baby Mitchie!!!". That's still what I call him today, even though he's almost 23 and a good 7 inches taller than me : ) Growing up in the country, my brother and I were close friends. We had to be because there was no one else to play with! Ha! After high school, Mitch decided that the typical college route was not for him and instead he went to a mechanic school called Universal Technical Institute. He got straight A's and graduated a few years ago. I admire him very much and think he is so smart because I can't even wrap my mind around an oil change let alone any of the harder stuff. And don't even get me started on the tractors that he knows how to work on!!! I'm so proud to be his sister and can't imagine having anyone else as my brother!

So, there you have it. My family. Happy Friday!!!