Blog Challenge

Two Songs:

1. I Cross My Heart by George Strait. The first dance song at our wedding. Still puts a smile on my face, brings tears to my eyes, and makes me stop and listen to the lyrics and think about how lucky I am to this day.

2. You Are My Sunshine - Various Artists. My Dad always used to sing this to me. I sang it to him in the hospital the day that he died. It will forever make me think of him and I will one day sing it to my children and tell them about their Papa who should be singing it to them instead.

WILW & Pinteresting!

Happy Wednesday : )

Go link up with Jamie to share what you're loving!

This week, I'm loving...

...that we will be leaving to go to Tahoe Friday morning. We're headed up there for a wedding Sunday, but plan to get in some good boat time too!

(via)

...my new Essie nail polish. Just put it on my toes and it looks fab.

(via)

...and as always, my awesome hubby!

Head over to the Vintage Apple to share your Pinterest finds!

(all images via Pinterest)

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings...perfect for those cool Fall nights!

I'm hoping my finished closet will look something like this!

Indeed....and I'm especially lusting after the handbag. And boots. And jewelry : )

Just a little inspiration for our will be loft!

What are YOU loving and finding pinteresting???

Blog Challenge

Three Films:

1. Yours, Mine and Ours. I've loved this movie since I was a wee one, and I still do.

2. Forrest Gump. A true gem.

3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. A must see in our home at least once every Christmas season, and sometimes even three or four times : )

Blog Challenge

Four Books:

1. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. My favorite book of all time. This masterpiece is gripping, emotional and an all around wonderful story that keeps the reader interested, and makes them feel as if they themselves are in the story.

2. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer. I know, I know....I'm not a 14 year old girl anymore. And if we're being honest, I was completely against reading these when they became all the rage. But then, I gave in - thinking that I would hate them. Seriously? They're great and I'm so glad that I changed my mind about giving them a chance.

3. Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond. I've had a girl crush on Ree for roughly 3 years. And when she published her love story, which I'd already read on her blog, I pre-ordered through Amazon and counted the days until it would arrive on my doorstep.

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. One word - marvelous. This book is written so perfectly, there just are not words. By the end, you feel as through the characters are your friends. And the movie was up there with my high standards.

Blog Challenge

Five Foods (that I love and could eat every day!):

1. Shellfish - crab, shrimp, lobster. YUM!!

2. Soup. I especially love French onion soup. Other favorites include clam chowder and tomato bisque.

3. Popcorn. My most favorite snack of all time.

4. Stinky cheese. Spread it on a crack, stuff it into a mushroom or make amazing pastas with it - however it's prepared, I usually am in love.

5. Gummy candy. Worms, bears, lifesavers, jolly ranchers. If it's gummy, I'm a happy camper : )

Blog Challenge

Six Places (that I would like to travel to):

1. The East Coast. I'd love to do a month long excursion beginning in Florida and then making my way up through Georgia and the Carolinas, the Nation's capitol, Boston and Rhode Island, and finally into Maine. Maybe when we retire?

2. Australia. I've always wanted to experience the wonders of the "down under". And maybe pick up a pair of Uggs while I'm there!

3. Ireland. I think this would be an amazing trip. The green countryside, the pubs and food, and the history would all be amazing.

4. Alaska. My maternal grandmother was raised in Ketchikan. I'd love to go and do some fishing and other nature stuff. Plus, after seeing The Proposal I think I may need a vacation home similar to the place in the movie!

5. Greece. Seems to have a little bit of everything...beautiful places, beaches, history, amazing food, etc.

6. Louisiana. I've been once, and would love to go again. I really enjoyed the culture and the plantations : )

Blog Challenge

Seven Wants:

1. To have a long, happy, healthy life with all of my family and friends.

2. To finish our house by the end of the year and have at least a couple of weeks to relax and enjoy it before I start nursing school.

3. A fancy camera. I like pictures, and I'm getting better at updating this nifty blog so it would be nice to properly document life.

4. A housekeeper. Seriously? This will be the first thing that I "buy" once I am done with school.

5. A pool. Just add it to the wish list for the house, mmmmmmm-kay?

6. At least one son and one daughter. It's really important to me to experience being the parent of both a boy and a girl. But, I know sometimes there's a bigger, better plan : )

7. To always be thankful. Too often, I focus on things that aren't as important as I make them seem and the things that really matter are unfairly pushed to the back burner.

Blog Challenge

Eight Fears:

1. Losing someone near and dear to me. I'm sure this has been magnified with the loss of my father.

2. Fire. Whether it be in a controlled, camp-like environment or blazing across a dry hillside, this element and the possibilities of its wrath terrify me.

3. Terrorists. As past events have proven, they know no limits.

4. Not finishing nursing school. There's a lot that I feel like is riding on my becoming a nurse. Not achieving that goal would break my heart.

5. Divorce. Matt and I never will, I hope. I've learned to never say never though.

6. Heights. I don't like them. Being up high and looking over the edge of a rail down below makes my knees go weak and my stomach drop. Ladders have been an issue during this whole house addition/remodel thing.

7. Having our home broken into. It's happened once before, right after I moved in with Matt actually. And it was awful. The violation, the anger, the thoughts of "what if" that came along with that experience are things that I hope to never experience again.

8. The unknown. I am a self admitted control freak. I like organization and schedules and plans. I like to know what I'm going to eat for lunch three days from now and I begin my Christmas shopping in August. Not knowing the exact plan for the future may be exhilarating for some, but for me it can be torture.

Blog Challenge

Nine Loves:

1. My husband, my Mom and my Brother. They are the three most important people to me.

2. My girls. Seriously don't know what I'd do without them and their friend ship.

3. Food and cooking. Also? I'm a recipe whore. And popcorn from the movie theatre is a serious vice of mine.

4. My bed and a good movie or television show. Especially if it's raining outside and I'm wearing my black yoga pants with the hole in the bottom.

5. Summertime. This love blankets the subcategory loves of: flip flops, barbequeing, boating, sunshine, longer days, no school and swimming.

6. Reading. Even more so if it's a fabulous book like The Help where I begin to feel like the characters are my friends.

7. My dogs. Sometimes they're a pain in the you know what, but they're still wonderful.

8. Traveling. Favorite places include San Luis Obispo, Tahoe, Monterey and Arizona.

9. The water. Whether it's swimming in a pool, boating on the river, floating on a lake or walking along the beach, I find that these places put me at my calmest.

WILW & Oh How Pinteresting!

It's a double whammy link up on this Wednesday.....

First up, What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jamie

I'm loving...

...that I was able to go and see The Help. The book was awesome, and I loved the movie too!

(via)

...that I have Fridays off of work this semester. Makes a class from 6:30-9:30 every Thursday night that much easier to swallow.

...the progress that is being made on our home. I can't wait until it's finished.

...as always, my wonderful husband.

And here's what I'm finding Pinteresting! Go over to the Vintage Apple to link up.

(All images via Pinterest)

Love the contrast of the mirror!

I hope my bedroom can look like this when our house is done!

Pretty Fall decor : )

Love the colors in this room.

Shrimp scampi....YUM!

I think I may need this handbag and the boots.

What are YOU loving and finding Pinteresting????

Blogger Challenge

In an attempt to mix things up on here a bit, I'm going to participate in the 10 day blogger challenge I've seen a few other people doing. My disclaimers are that I may not post in 10 consecutive days. On the weekends, I try to stay away from the computer for my sanity! Here goes nothing...

The first post is ten secrets:

1. I really dislike it when my feet are dirty.

2. If I had to eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be fish.

3. I wish my little brother and I had a closer relationship.

4. I'm terrified of failing in nursing school.

5. Sometimes, I pretend I don't care what others think when I really do.

6. I wish I had thought of Rosie Pope's career before she did. I think I'd be good at it.

7. I'm envious of people who did things the "right" way and did college in the traditional, straight out of high school, four year time period route. But, I know that I wouldn't be who I am today without the experiences that I've endured.

8. Occasionally, I wonder what life would be like if I were single and living in a big city.

9. My husband is truly my best friend, but there are times when I find out something new about him that blows my mind. Like his knowledge of dinosaurs : )

10. I can't wait to be a mom someday. At this same time, I'm very much relishing in my "freedom" until that day arrives.

Monday, Monday

It's just a bullet kind of day...

• I began the school semester last week. I am taking pathophysiology. It is the last pre-req required to enter nursing school. My teacher seems nice, but some of his regulations kind of blow. Like having to take a 50 question exam every Sunday between 7 and 8 pm. Yeah. That really blows.
• Speaking of nursing school, I am currently sitting pretty at spot #76 on the wait list. Which means that I only need to move up 46 spots to start nursing school in January. Which means that I will more than likely be starting nursing school in January. Which means that I will be quitting my job this winter. Which means that I will be HAPPY and EXCITED.
• We had a looooooooong weekend. It was fun, just busy. Lots of fair time with fried food, beer, demolition derby, and good friends = a very tired me! To top it off, we had a birthday celebration for Matt's sister at his mom's house last night. We didn't get home until 8:45. Which meant we didn't go to sleep until 10:00 because we had to take care of the doggies and finish laundry. I was a little grumpy this morning.
• After aforementioned fried fair food, I am back on Weight Watcher's with a vengeance this week. Probably shouldn't have taken that little break these past few days and maybe I wouldn't feel like crap right now. Oops. Live and learn!
• I need to do a house update, but I don't want to without pictures. Hopefully that will be done later in the week.
• I have Fridays off of work this semester. Me likey.

Happy Monday : )

My Other Half

This whole house thing has been hard. But I'm so thankful that Matt is my partner in all of it. I truly don't know what I would do if he weren't my husband. The first time I heard this song (like many other ladies out there, I'm sure) I thought of us.....

"God Gave Me You"

I’ve been a walking heartache

I’ve made a mess of me

The person that I’ve been lately

Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me

And watch as the storm blows through

And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you

Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing

A divine conspiracy

That you, an angel lovely

Could somehow fall for me

You’ll always be love’s great martyr

And I’ll be the flattered fool

And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you

On my own I’m only

Half of what I could be

I can’t do without you

We are stitched together

And what love has tethered

I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you, gave me you.

He gave me you.

A Kink in Training

So, I get to run the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco again this year. I'm totally stoked. Last year, it was quite the experience. I enjoyed the training and was amazed at what my once "non-runner" body was capable of.

Training this year began on July 30 with a 5 mile run. I rocked it, like, totally. I had to miss the 6 mile run a week later because I was living it up in San Diego with my girls. Well, during said trip, while innocently standing in the middle of a club, sipping on a cocktail, I got injured. Some twit who had been drinking far too heavily to be on a dance floor, let alone wear high heels, rave stomped the top of my foot. And it HURT. That being said, I didn't think it was too bad. I knew for sure it would bruise and maybe be a little sore, but I thought that would be the end of it.

Fast forward to a few hours later when my group and I arrive back at our weekend beach house. After sipping some wine on the patio, I look down at my foot and see a ping pong ball sized lump right where I had been assaulted. Not good. I immediately elevated and iced, still thinking there wouldn't be much in terms of long term damage. Ha! How naive.....

The following evening after schlepping through the airport all day, I arrived home. Upon showing my hubby the disabled foot, he told me that I should get it x-rayed. After some deliberation, I decided her was right. The next day at the doctor, I was told that my foot was not fractured. Though, given the sight of my black and blue toes and swollen purple heel the doctor was shocked. I was thrilled....until she told me that I still couldn't run for two weeks. WHAT?!? TWO WEEKS????? Apparently, running on a foot in the condition that mine was could cause tendinitis, and that would be even bigger trouble in little China.

To make a long story even longer, I have now missed not just one training run, but two. The six and seven milers. My plan is to get back on routine tomorrow. The race is in less than eight weeks. Here's what I'm gonna to do still be able to run it and not die......

Week 1:
Wednesday - cross train for 30 minutes
Thursday - run 2 miles
Friday - rest
Saturday - run 8 miles
Sunday - cross train for 30 minutes

Week 2:
Monday - rest
Tuesday - run 2.5 miles
Wednesday - cross train for 30 minutes
Thursday - run 2.5 miles
Friday - rest
Saturday - run 9 miles
Sunday - cross train for 35 minutes

And so on.....Every week, Tuesday and Thursday runs will increase by 0.5 miles. Saturday runs will increase by 1 mile and Sunday cross training will increase in duration by 5 minutes per week. I know this is a do-able plan for me. It's just going to be getting back on the horse. More than anything, I'm hoping jumping right into 8 miles this Saturday will be okay, and not a hindrance in some way. Wish me luck!

Weekend Recap

We had a great, but busy, weekend! It actually kind of began on Thursday when we went out on the lake with Matt's Dad, step mom Helen, step sister Catherine and sister Carrie. Not arriving until about 6:15 meant not leaving until we'd had out fill at about 8:45 (also, it was DARK!). This meant that by the time we yanked the boat out of the lake, drove home, picked up our car at Rancho de Shellhammer, fed the dogs and showered, we didn't get into bed until like 11. Which is uber late for Matt and I. What can I say? We're very old.

Friday, we both worked. And then I had Baby Laine for the last time on a Friday afternoon until my TEAS is completed and passed. And then, we went to dinner and a comedy show with Baby Laine's parents Nick and Jordan for Jordan's birthday. The comedian also happened to be a hypnotist. Jordan volunteered to go up on stage and let him work his magic. Matt and I were skeptical, but it totally worked. It was insane, funny, different, and probably something I'll never see again. That is until the DVD of the entire show is delivered sometime this week : )

Saturday consisted of working on the house during the day. Matt primed the eaves of the roof. After that, we went to a Trace Atkins concert. It was a good time, at a small venue. I'm not a die hard fan, but definitely enjoy his music and this show did not disappoint.

Sunday, we were in pain. Three nights in a row of staying up late (for us) had taken it's toll and we slept in until about 7:45. Then, we went and ate breakfast out. Then, I begged Matt to let me go back to bed and watch Real Housewives of OC on DVD. Then, Matt told me to dream on and get to work. Then, I stuck my tongue out at him and instead of getting to work I went grocery shopping. That sure showed him. Then, I came home and made enchiladas for dinner. Then, I got to work. Preparing window frames with flashing and then actually installing windows were among the house tasks yesterday. We're going to finish putting in windows today. Go us.

And now, here we are. Another Monday. Another weekend behind us. Oh, and also? School starts this week. The good news, so does my routine of not having to come into work on Fridays! To commemorate the end of summer, here's a photo of my hot hubby and I during happier, non-house building times...

A Bachelorette Weekend

Last weekend, I flew down to San Diego to celebrate with some of my girls. Miss Leah is getting married on Labor Day weekend and we all wanted to enjoy a weekend away with her before the big event.

Activities included the Del Mar horse races, a VIP booth at a rooftop club called Ivy, some beach time, drinking wine and champagne on the patio at our beach house, and possibly getting a little too rowdy (but no one will ever know for sure!). Here are some pictures of our weekend...

All the girls before the horse races

Carissa enjoys a beverage on the way to the track

Leah and myself at the races

Rachel and her sister Leah (the bride to be!) drink mimosas while making breakfast

Sarah R. being goofy at the Guava bar, conveniently located around the corner from the beach house we stayed at!

Sara B. cute as always : )

Rachel, Sarah R., and Leslie enjoying a complimentary pitcher

The bachelorette was into her pink lipstick while at the club

DANCING!

 As fun as it was to have a weekend away with the girls, it's was also so wonderful to come home to an amazing husband that loves me as much as he does. When I got home, he had these roses for me. Such a sweetheart that guy : )

Photo Inspiration Friday

Head over to Jenn's blog to share what's inspiring you!

Happy Friday!!! This week, I'm inspired by any and all things beachy and big city-ish because in 3 hours I'm headed to San Diego for a bachelorette party!!

All images via Pinterest

House Update!

So the last time I updated, we had just begun the framing process. Now, we're almost done!!

Second story frame from the front yard. On the left is where the upstairs bath will be, in back are two bedrooms, and to the far right is the loft area.

Taken from the back yard. The far right is the bathroom, in front of that is one bedroom, the second bedroom is on the other side.

Another rear view. You can see the three windows upstairs - from left to right those windows will be: loft, bedroom, bedroom. On the first floor, you can see the second French door opening on the left, then there's the master bath window, and on the right is the master French door.

Cody, Jason and Joel hard at work. Thanks guys!!

This is the opening in the floor of the loft. You will be able to see up there from our entry hall.

Looking into the living room from the entry hall. On the left is one French door opening, and the second French door will go where there is currently a slider (on the far right). And of course, Cash has to be in the middle of all the fun!

The downstairs hallway....powder room is the first door on the left, then the stair entry. The right side of the hallway wall will have the door to enter the master bedroom at the very end.

Matt is in the future stairwell here. This window will be in the landing and will be the "centerpiece" of the exterior of the home.

Stairwell from the inside.

To give some perspective....a picture of the same window, but taken from further back.

So, there you have it. Yesterday, Matt and his Dad built the stairs!!! Yay for no more ladders! Windows are scheduled to arrive early next week, and siding and brick will be going on within the next couple of weeks. At that point, the outside will look like a house again!! Then, it's time to plumb and wire.......