Loves and Pinteresting!

Happy Wednesday! Be sure to go participate in these fun link ups with Jamie and Michelle...

First up, What I'm loving this week...

...the brick on the front of our house is going up and the siding is thisclose to being finished! (a house update post with pictures coming soon!)

...I'm going to Arizona to see these cuties for Halloween!

Jackson - age 2

Beckett - age 10 months

...I bought my first Christmas present. So much easier on the checking account to start early, no?

...as always, my wonderful best friend and husband : )

And here are my pins for this week...

(all images via Pinterest)

Cajun Chicken Pasta

An upholstered headboard that I can make myself!

Love this...maybe for the walls in the stairwell?

I'm ready to dress (and shop!) for Fall!

Wish the house was finished so I could decorate...I have lots of good ideas for next year though.



What are YOU loving and pinning this week???



A Weight Watchers Post

From time to time, I talk about my weight battle on here. Well, it's not really so much a battle as it is that I met my husband (before he was my husband) and discovered how nice a beer (or 4) is in the evening. And how yummy burgers and foods of the fried variety taste good, followed by another cold beer. And then pretty soon (more like over a 4 year time span) I had gained about 40 pounds. Fail.

Now, I will accept that some of that weight gain is due to the fact that I was 18 when I met Matt. And I acknowledge that a woman's body changes in shape and form. Therefore, I'll let 5-10 pounds slide. It's fine - I actually probably could have gained it anyway given those anorexia rumors during high school, but that's a different post altogether.

So that left me with 30 pounds. It wasn't until about a year ago that I realized I REALLY needed to do something about (actually, I always knew, I just didn't have the motivation or tools that I thought would work. Throughout my early 20's, I tried a few diets.....Atkins, South beach, The Flat Belly Diet, etc. The verdict on all of them was, eh. Last November, I committed to Weight Watchers. Kind of, except then the holidays rolled around, and you know how that goes. So in January, I really got on the train. And I've since lost 20 pounds.

What a difference!! I honestly cannot believe that I didn't do it sooner. I also can't imagine ever going back. Albeit I have about 15-20 more pounds to go, after the plight of losing that first half, I'm more confident that it's attainable.

I'm going to be so effing HOT : )

I Heart Tim Riggins: Part II

Back in December, I mentioned that Matt and I had begun to watch Friday Night Lights. Well, the trend continued and now, 9 months later, we have only one episode of the series left to view.

Seriously? This piece of television entertainment is gold. The storyline is good, the characters are real and believe able...here's a little more background on all my Friday Night Light peeps!

(all images via here)

Eric and Tami Taylor. The most real husband and wife on television. Their devotion and honesty with one another mirrors real life wonderfully. And some of the comments that they make to one another in general conversation crack me up.

Buddy Garrety. A car lot owner, football booster for the Dillon Panthers turned East Dillon Lions supporter who owns a bar. Father to Lyla Garrety. He becomes more like able as the series progresses. First he's slimy, then he's sweet. Kind of like a sour patch kid only the slimy part is different. Nevermind.

Julie Taylor. Eric and Tami's daughter. She gives the impression that she's not from Texas. She also gives the impression that she has no interest in dating football players. That all changes when Matt Saracen goes for her. She's smart and attractive, but her attitude upon arrival of Gracie Belle leaves much to be desired. And for having such wonderful parents, she sure can be a brat at times. I'm allowed to have a crush on Tim Riggins because my husband has a crush on Julie Taylor. For that, I guess she's alright.

Matt Saracen. Bench warmer turned star quarter back, this teenager has a lot of responsibility. He fights a lot of demons throughout the series, but does it in a like able way. I was sad to see him move to Chicago when he did, but somehow knew that wouldn't be the last I saw of him.

Jason Street. Original star quarterback turned quadriplegic. He dates Lyla for a time, but they eventually end things. Jason's journey is actually one that is very uplifting, though there are Debbie Downer times. And his friendship with Tim Riggins melted my heart on more than one occasion.

Lyla Garrety. Not my favorite, though she grew on me as time passed. The character development of Lyla was entertaining. I think that overall though, she was a little whiney hiney at times.

Landry Clark. AKA Lance to Coach. He adds some humor to the mix. A nerd, turned star kicker, you find yourself rooting for the guy. More so than any other character, really. Also, can this kid ever catch a break with the ladies???? Geez!

Brian "Smash" Williams. A kid from the wrong side of the tracks who hopes like hell that football will be the thing to take him places. His hopes pay off, but not after some trials and tribulations. I would expect nothing less!

Tyra Collette. She's one of my favorites. First, she's totally gorgeous. Second, she ends the stripper white trash cycle with hard work and determination. The only thing I would change is how badly she treated Landry. Homegirl should have wised up and let the good guy finish first for once.

Vince Howard. A thug who participates in the football program to keep out of trouble. It changes his whole life. I was not a fan when first introduced to this character, but that slowly changed. His story is heart wrenching, and you find a certain pride watching him turn things around.

Jess Merriweather. This chick is cool. She is raising her brothers, loves football, and has a thing for Vince. Coach takes her under his wing as a shadow. She wants to be a coach someday. Her and Vince end up together, and that's a sweet relationship.

Luke Cafferty. My Tim Riggins Jr. He's sweet, he's polite, he's Southern. And he's a damn good football player. I was so glad when he and Becky hooked up, and ultimately worked things out. I hope my will be son turns out like Luke.

Becky Sproles. A Tyra Jr. She is introduced because Tim ends up renting a trailer from her mom. They strike up a friendship, and Timmy helps her through some stuff. You can very much see that Becky just wants a place to be loved, and she ends up finding it in the most unlikely of places.

Billy and Mindy Riggins. They become more a part of the story as the show gets "older". Seemingly white trash in the beginning, they grow up to be a decent married couple. Taking care of Becky upon Tim's request makes them incredibly like able, especially Mindy who has more Momma Bear in her than I thought possible.

 And, saving the best for last....

Tim Riggins. Swoooooooooon.....from the beginning there was just something about him. He has everything you could ever want in a good television character - plus he's hot. And making him even more like able is that given life circumstances that aren't the best, he really is a good guy. Someone you could fall in love with or someone who you know you could be friends with for the rest of your life.

Honestly? I want to move to Texas and make Matt become the coach of a high school football team.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

If you have seen this, please do. I promise you won't be disappointed.

An Affair to Remember

This last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of a dear friend, Tyler.

I met Tyler about4 years ago, through a mutual friend, Rachel. We instantly hit it off. In early 2009, she made the decision to move to Nashville, TN for a few months. Just for a change of scenery and to try something different. Little did she know she would end up meeting the love of her life! 2 years later, they were married in Monterey, CA. The event couldn't have been lovelier. Congratulations girl - love ya!

Friday night we attended rehearsal dinner and then went to a dive bar called Mortimer's for drinks and dancing!

Tyler and BJ with Brian, who married them.

Me and the bride!

She's ready for some dancin'!

Matt, Tito and Nate joined in the fun.

The bride, mother of the bride, Rachel and myself.

DIP!

Ceremony site at Monterey Plaza Hotel. Gorgeous!

My groom and I.

Tito and Matt.

Us again!

Tito and Rachel. They're gettin' hitched on June 16th!

Me, the bride and Rachel.

In The Still of the Night

Ten things I pondered whilst awake from 1:15 am until about 2:30 am....

1. That I needed to bring my camera cord to work so I could upload pictures and blog with them. This didn't happen. So much for that mental note I made at 1:17 am.

2. How much fun Monterey was and that I would like to go back in the not so distant future. Must have more fresh seafood.

3. If the aforementioned trip does in fact take place, I must make it a point to run or participate in some form of exercise on said trip. Hips do not like fresh seafood....or more specifically, creamy clam chowder and fried crab cakes.

4. The big spider that I found in the bathroom prior to going to bed. Seriously? It. was. huge. Here's an example:

Matt and I decided it was maybe a garden spider? I didn't want Matt to kill it, just catch it and take it outside. After dancing a fun little jig in attempt to catch the sucker while I hovered on our bed watching, my wonderful husband was successful at capture and set the little darling free. I proceeded to worry about whether or not the spider had returned to the bathroom between 1:32 and 1:40 am.

5. Weight Watchers. And how wonderfully it works when I don't cheat. I need to get back on the point tracking train, oh, and maybe actually exercise again. I haven't gained weight back. And I don't want to. Also, losing another 15-20 pounds would be super fab.

6. How sticking to #5 may or may not effect # 2 and #3.

7. The bird that lives in the tree in our front yard and how I would very much like for him to go away. I can understand birds making loud, annoying noises at 6 am, but at 1:54 am? Not cool. I wondered how I could relocate him and made a mental note to research the relocation tactics of blue jays. Any input is appreciated. And yes, I've very seriously considered just shooting him. But it hasn't happened yet, and if it ever did I think I would feel bad (see #4).

8. That it drives me nucking futs when co-workers walk into my office and ask, "Are you busy?". The answer that I would like to respond with is:

"Why yes, I am always busy while I'm at work, actually. Aren't you? Do we need to assign you more duties? Can I ask you a favor??? When you need something, please do not ask me if I'm busy under the guise that you're trying to be considerate, because I know that's a load of horse crap. I appreciate those who are direct and up front and would much prefer if you simply came out and requested what it is that you need from me. That way, I can get back to my work in a much more timely fashion after I hold your hand through whatever it is that you think you need help with. Thank you and goodbye."

I know I'm a bitch. This is why I have very few friends, but the ones that I do have love me. So there.

9. Thought of a friend who wants a baby. Said a prayer that a year from now, she will be awake at this time of the night with a baby, and will love every minute.

10. Was thankful that my husband wasn't feeling any side effects from his injection earlier in the evening.

Ahhhhhh....the inner workings of my mind. Aren't they entertaining? No? Oh, okay. Sorry....

I Have Not Forgotten

Yesterday, every one's mind was lost in the past. Thinking of September eleventh, two-thousand and one.

I was no exception. Though I did not post on the actual day of remembrance, I would still like to take the opportunity to reflect.

9/11/01 was a Tuesday. I was sixteen years old, a junior in high school. Honestly? I didn't even know what the World Trade Center was until my mom came into my bedroom that morning, waking me with the news that a plane had crashed into it. A few minutes later, I could hear her exclaim that a second plane had hit the South tower.

I went to school. First period was American History with Mr. Alloway, one of my favorite teachers. The bell rang, marking the start of class. He turned the television in the room to CNN, stood at his podium, pointed to the screen and said, "This is history. You're watching history." . He then returned to his desk and we silently watched the news footage for the next 53 minutes.

The rest of that day holds little memory for me. No other teachers had news coverage turned on. I'm sure by the time I was done with my school day, I was focused on much more important things like whose house I should go to to watch MTV and what I would wear to homecoming.

Now? Now I realize the weight of the events of that day. I have for a long time. I understand how the tragic events that took place brought our country together as a neighborhood. Thinking of what happened puts a tear in my eye and a weight on my chest. But, it also puts pride into my heart. Pride for all those who were lost, for those who helped, for those who came together to support one another.

I want to briefly mention one hero in particular from that day. Rick Rescorla. My father was in the Army with him, and they attended OCS together. I recall my dad mentioning his name and his story....first, prior to the 9/11 attacks when I went to see "We Were Soldiers" with him, and then of course after that fateful day. Mr. Rescorla was one of many who sacrificed that day and I am honored to live in a country where there are still people willing to be so unselfishly brave.

A heartfelt thank you to all of those who fight for our country to remain free and a sincere prayer to the families and friends that lost loved ones on that monumental day. Cheers.

Blog Challenge

One Picture:

Matt and I on our wedding day - May 31, 2008. I love this picture. Looking at it, I see so many things. A couple who is both new and old. The promise of the future. Giddiness of newlyweds. The beauty of love and the comfort of friendship. And most importantly, the happiness and partnership that I know we'll share forever.