Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Happy Tuesday
Monday, March 29, 2010
Happy Campers
Yesterday we took Kinsey out to Laguna Lake to go for a swim and play in the dog park. It was such a beautiful day here on the Central Coast. The sun was shinning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Laguna Lake is our favorite place to take Kinsey on a nice day. They have a floating dock and its perfect for her to jump into the water. She was one happy and tired puppy by the end of the day.
My new favorite thing to eat for breakfast is Chocolate Cheerios with soy milk. I was a little skeptical at first but they are so yummy!
Food News:
Job News:
After a year and a half of being unemployed, I finally found a job. Its nothing fancy but at this point a job is a job. I'll be working for a department store which is opening next month. Over the next few weeks we will be setting up the store and unloading truck fulls of product. I was concerned that they would rescind their job offer once they found out that I will be out of town the week of the grand opening. They said that as long as I can work the day of opening it should be ok. I'm really hoping that this is true and I'll be crossing my fingers and toes until I see the schedule for that week. We'll see how it goes...
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Fun and Smart Stuff
This is not the original ring we were going to go with. My engagement ring had a matching band to go with it but I found this ring and it is nicer than the matching one and quite a bit less expensive. You can't beat less expensive. This is what we went with...
If you look closely, the top row and the bottom row are separate pieces. I love this because I can have 5, 3, 2, or 1 depending on what I want to be wearing. I'm very happy with it except for the fact that I ordered it half a size too small. But that isn't a big deal.
Honeymoon News:
This recipe was quick, simple, and healthy you just can't beat that!
For breakfast this morning I made cinnamon rolls. I made the dough and did all the prep-work after dinner last night. This morning all I had to do was pop them in the oven. I found the recipe on allrecipies.com and it was fairly simple but I want to use the recipe from annieseats.com and compare.
The whole house smells like cinnamon now and I love it!
A pastry Brush
A timer
and most of all a rolling pin
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Crazy Ideas And Goodies In The Mail
Look what came in the mail....
Yay!!! Both of us got our passports way before we expected to get them. Our cruise is in 29 days, Mexico here we come!
School News:
I'm doing really well in all five of my classes this semester. In two of my classes I haven't even opened the text books since they came in the mail. So when I got an email from school saying that it isn't to late to sign up for late start classes I came to the conclusion that I should add on another class for this semester. This will put me at 19 units which is nuts but I just want to get done with school as fast as possible. I figure it is only a month of hell and I can make it through a month. In preparation for adding on this class, I'm spending all weekend completing all of my big assignments for my current classes. The only part that sucks is the fact that it's so beautiful outside and I'm stuck inside instead of going to the beach with Kinsey.
Twilight News:
As you all know I'm a Twilight freak. Last night New Moon was released on DVD at midnight. Yes I was one of the many people waiting anxiously at Walmart in the middle of the night. I'm so glad I went but I couldn't wait until today to watch it so I'm exhausted today. It was way worth it. Go Team Jacob!
Wedding News:
The wedding plans have been at a stand still for quite awhile. We are waiting to hear back from our reception venue, ceremony venue, and the photographer. We did place our order with the bakery and we ordered our rings. Dan's ring came yesterday and we are both very happy with it. There was a lot of deliberation before we ordered it because Dan is always really rough on his hands. We were advised to go with tungsten for durability and most of the tungsten rings are pretty ugly. Once we came across this ring we were sold. Dan is really happy about the ring having a black design on it but a little less excited about how heavy it is. It weighs 18 grams! I'm glad I don't have to wear a ring that heavy. Well here it is...
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Friday, March 19, 2010
Busy Bee
School News:
Wow this week was crazy! I have been going at warp speed all week and I got a lot of stuff done but, now I'm pooped. This semester I'm taking life management . My instructor told the class that this would be a semester of change and she wasn't kidding. She told us that a goal is not a goal unless you schedule daily tasks to make your goal a reality, its just a fantasy. We have been working on a goals project. This project made me write down my long term goals, my intermediate goals, and my daily tasks that will put things in action. I have been aware of my long term goals and my short term goals for quite awhile now but I haven't been doing anything to move forward with my goals. Since I could physically see what I want and what I need to do to get there I became really motivated. All though if you were to ask Dan right now he would say I'm way to motivated. I have been up until about 4am every night this week and since our shack is so tiny I have been disrupting his sleep. I feel bad but I can't help it.
So far this week I have gotten the following items done:
1. Organization- my filing system is updated, my calendar is updated, There are lists everywhere, and my desk has been rearranged to increase productivity.
2. I polished up my resume
3. I have made spreadsheets for everything ie. school assignments, degree requirements, travel, chores, and financial.
I'm pretty excited about getting so much done. I'm planning on landing a job in the beginning of May because April is to hectic to start a new job. But the ball is rolling =)
Advisory Board News:
We had our March meeting yesterday and there was a lot of talk about budget cuts and whatnot. This is probably my least favorite part of being on the board because it is almost always bad news and the mood in the room tends to be pretty gloomy. On a positive note, when I got to the meeting my business cards were sitting there waiting for me. I know I'm a dork. The best part of the meting was a video we got to watch about teen drinking in our community. It was put together with students from San Luis Obispo County and it was really well done.
I found a recipe for oreo cupcakes on annieseats.com and I had to make them. They came out really good. Due to my current diet plan, I had to get them out of the house so I brought them to school. My classmates loved them and they were really happy to get cupcakes in class. YUMMY!
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Monday, March 15, 2010
Happy Pup
Kinsey after a day of daycare.
In Pet News:
Today Kinsey went to daycare for the first time. We will be boarding her at The Lucky Dog Pet Resort several times in the next year so we took her to daycare to see how she would do. When we got there she was so excited and when the employee took her away she didn't even look back. This was a heartbreaking moment. Dan and I ran errands all day and we couldn't help but to think of her every five seconds. When we went to pick her up we asked the employee how she did and he told us that she had a great time. The employee brought her out she was one happy dog and it didn't look like she missed us at all. This made me a little sad but it was nice to know that she likes it there. I'm going to be a train wreck when I have to drop my kids off at school for the first time. lol
In Crappy Grownup Life News:
I went in for a job interview today. There is a new TJ Maxx store opening in San Luis Obispo next month so today they had a hiring event. There was a lot of people at this event and it took forever. My interview went great the lady that interviewed me even asked me if I would be interested in management positions. I was all excited and then I asked her when the store would be opening and to my dismay... it is going to open the week when I'll be on my cruise to Mexico. She said that I would get a call back before the 30th if they decide that they want to hire me but even if the do call, I doubt they will want to hire me once they find out that I can't work opening week. I have my fingers crossed though.
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Friday, March 12, 2010
Not Quite June Cleaver
-Noelie Altito
In School News:
This week my favorite teacher was out sick and we had a substitute teacher. Luckily our substitute was my second favorite teacher. He wanted to get to know us so, he went around the room and asked everybody, what do you want to be when you grow up and why are you here? When he got around to be I said that I wanted to be June Cleaver when I grow up and I'm in college as a backup plan. After class he told me that women have been fighting to get out of the kitchen and be powerful business women since the fifties and that wanting to be June Cleaver might be viewed as taking a step backwards. All I could say was, "Maybe if women got back into the business of running a household and raising children the younger generations might end up being productive members of society." All he had to say after that was, "maybe you have a point."
Looking at this picture is making me hungry again.
I found this the other day. One day when we are living in a real house and not a shack, I want a crafting room just like this one but with more blue.
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sweat And Sweets
Positive Quote Of The Day:
Cade and Kalie
Kalie is one smart kid! Today Grandma had given her a bunch of candy and a little while later she saw me eating a smores granola bar and wanted a piece. I explained to her that she had already had to much sugar and I wasn't about to give her any more. She looked at me and said, " So next time I see you, if I don't eat candy, you will share with me???" I just love kids as long as I can hand them back to their parents when I'm done.
In food news:
The island chicken that I was going to make last night didn't get put in the oven and the chicken went bad. I'll have to try doing it next Friday =( Tonight after a long day of moving I had no desire to cook dinner so we opted for a freezer pizza. So healthy... but while the pizza was in the oven, I decided to make coffeecake muffins. I got the recipe from some website and the recipe didn't make any sense. I ended up with a ton of the streusel left over and not enough batter. They did come out nice and Dan gave them the thumbs up though.
Now the house smells like cinnamon =)
Instead of a muffin I had this for dessert:
It looks like ice cream, it smells like ice cream, and tastes like ice cream, but it is NOT ice cream!Haha I figured out how to make 100% natural ice cream with no sugar or dairy added. Does anybody have a guess as to how I worked this miracle????
There only three ingredients in this bowl. Strawberry, vanilla, and banana. I froze the banana and put it in the food pro. with a little vanilla, put it in the bowl with strawberry as a garnish. Is is so yummy and knowing that I won't get sick or fat from eating it makes it taste even better!
In crafting news:
People love my purse that I made last night and everybody wants one. I wanted to make a quilt next but now that is on the back burrner. Next up is a purse for Dan's sister. She will be getting a bag the same style as mine but hers will be black with hot pink polka dots and a pink inside. After that I'm going to make a pirate tote bag to take on our cruise. Dan picked out the fabric and the pattern and it is going to be super cute. After that is a tote bag for my mom. I don't have fabric picked out yet but it will be super cute as well. With taking fifteen units this semester, it is going to take me forever to get these three projects done but I can't wait!
In wedding news:
Tomorrow afternoon Dan and I are going to meet with the owners of the restaurant where we will be having our reception. I almost feel bad for them because I have made a spreadsheet for the meeting. Yes I'm obsessed with Excel. Dan is really excited that he has the day off. Originally I was going to go and take care of it myself and he really wanted to be part of the menu selection process. After the restaurant, we are going to walk down to the bakery and order the coolest wedding cupcakes ever! I think I'll have to test the cupcakes one more time while we are there, just in case ;)
Have A Happy Night
-Free
Needles And Polka Dots
-Maysoun Saadi
I'm going to pick up a gerbera daisy to pin in the upper right corner. I'm already planning my next project but, I need to hit the books hard before I can get started.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Fun And Furballs
"If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself."
-Charles Schultz
Speaking of blue... I'm in love with a mixer. Once I saw Betty (Yes I named her) it was love at first sight. I often dream about us sitting on a white sandy beach sipping on margaritas together. When I finally do get a kitchen, she's mine and I'll be in the kitchen baking for weeks.
Ok, I need to have this dress!!!!! I'm going to become a master with my sewing machine and then it will be mine, all mine!!! (Insert evil Disney villain cackle here)
I have been really good about not talking about Disney World but today the Disney bug bit me. Dan likes to be spontaneous and just go with the flow but, I'm a planner! The spreadsheet for the Disney trip was started today. Yes I made a spreadsheet that breaks down hour by hour in each park. This one I get to blame on both of my parents. lol I have a type A mother that plans for everything and then there is my dad... he makes spreadsheets for his video games. I was doomed from the start =) I think I may need a 12 step program for Disney planning addicts.
On to the yummy stuff:
I was feeling tired and lazy tonight after six loads of laundry so I decided to make calzones.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Going Places And Learning New Things
School News:
Today was a long day of school. I accomplished a ton of work in my first two classes which is super. But my last class of the day gave me a huge challenge. I had to take a really hard exam and I have no idea how I did. But, Sharon said that she will have our grades posted before Monday. I'm crossing my fingers and toes! If I manage to get an A in her class this semester, I'll be on the dean's list.
Honeymoon News:
Dan and I found an awesome travel agent at AAA. Her name is Joie and she is helping us put together the best vacation ever! For those of you who don't know, Dan has never done any kind of traveling ie. no planes, no trains, no ships. The farthest he has traveled is to Las Vegas. This trip is going to be a lot of firsts for him so we are both super excited. The first part of our trip is going to be a western Caribbean cruise.
This is our cruise ship. She is Royal Caribbean's Navigator Of The Seas. There are endless amenities on this ship including, an ice rink and rock climbing wall. We will set sail January 15th from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Our first port of call is Cozumel Mexico and the second port of call is Grand Caymen. I can't wait to plan our shore excursions!
Yesterday I was watching flight prices on Priceline.com and I found the perfect flight for an amazing price. SFO to FLL for only $82.00! I called Joie and told her what I was seeing and she told be to purchase them right away because the flights she was able to find for us we much more expensive. It was just one of those times where I was in the right place at the right time. So now the first part of our honeymoon is all set.
In other news:
I have been trying to figure out how to make money at home so that I can finish up school without having to go back to work. Over the last week or so Dan and I have been talking about starting our own business from home. The idea is to make homemade items and sell them online. I have always wanted to learn how to sew and this idea is giving me a reason to take the time to learn. Saturday my friend Kristi is going to give me lessons. My first project is a purse.
This is the inspiration for my first piece. POLKA DOTS!!!! Any who... I want to learn new skills and build on the skills I already have and capitalize on these skills. My mom is one of those freakishly talented and crafty people so, I am hoping that the crafty gene got passed down to me. We shall see...
Have A Happy Night-
Free
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Stormy Weather
Last Thursday the rain started but this week the storm came. I have been feeling off since last Thursday but I was not able to put my finger on what exactly the problem was. Last night, I found out that one of the most influential people in my life had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heart dropped when I heard the news. How can such a horrible thing happen to such a great person? I broke down and she took me into her arms and told me, "Don't worry, I'm a fighter!". As sad as I am, those words made me feel a lot better. I know she would give me the look for saying this but, I know she is going to kick this cancer's ass. She is having surgery next week. If anybody is reading this, if you are one of those people that pray, I would like to ask for your prayers. If you are not one of those people that is fine but, could you please cross your fingers and toes for me? There is stormy weather outside and there is stormy weather inside me. What a coincidence!
Have a happy night-
Free