What's Happening

I've been feeling a little disconnected lately with this little blog of mine. And trying to think of clever, interesting things to share is just not happening. Let's face it. I live a simple life. Yesterday I went to work, watched two episodes of Lost, went to the gym, watched another two episodes of Lost, and then went to bed. Interesting? No. I was bored just recapping that for you.

So in lieu of something new and exciting going on in my life, I thought I would give you bullets...AKA...a way to formulate a post when not one thing in your life is worth writing a whole post about. Ta da!

• I'm completely over the snow. Just when our driveway was finally cleared off...what happened? It snowed again. And there is another 4-6 inches expected through tomorrow. I can deal with the cold a little longer. But the snow. Not so much.

• I'm super jealous of my sister who leaves for her cruise next week. A week on a ship with unlimited food and fun sounds like just what I need right now!

• I'm thinking of joining the women's bible study at our church. I've always shied away from it since it was during the week and we live so far away...but my urge to get more involved and invest in my own walk just continues to tug at my heart.

• I'm one book away from finishing the entire Bible.

• I actually miss my husband the second I walk out the door in the morning.

• I haven't decorated a cake in 2 months. I've enjoyed the break.

• Still spinning. Still loving it. Butt hurts!

• Hubs leaves next month for a week for work. I despise sleeping alone and being without him...but I'm weirdly excited about my week of full reign on dinner and T.V. I pictures endless hours of Lost whilst eating cereal for dinner. Love it.
  

A Random List of My Random Life

Let the randomness begin...

• Every year we have a football pool at Matt's work where you pick one team to win every week. If you're right...you move on...but you cannot use that team again. It's called a suicide pool. I rock at this pool.

• We started a pool at my work this year where you have to pick the winner of all of the games. I do not rock at this pool. In fact, I suck at this pool.

• My parents are coming in 9 days! They haven't been to Cleveland in over 2 years and have never seen our house...so I'm really excited!

• We bought a new guest bed in anticipation of their arrival! Holy crap...bedding is expensive.

• We're taking them to the Fabulous Food Show to see Bobby Flay!

• I intend on eating my way through the booths so I'd better start amping up my workouts now to prepare.

• I'm going to Colorado to visit my brother this month!

• He wants to go skiing. I want to go, but the last time I went was in Junior High and all I remember doing is falling down the hill...not skiing. Oh, and my skis flying off. I remember that too.

• I've already started Christmas shopping and I love it. Ah, giving. Tis the season! I can't wait to get out the decorations! I have many, many Hermie items waiting to make their appearance! He wants to be a dentist you know.

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• I have a serious obsession with Hermie. It's a problem.

• I am finishing up my Christmas list for my mom. I send her a Word document with links to the exact items I want so she doesn't get confused. I love my mama, but picking out gifts for her daughter...not her biggest strength.

• As I shared with my dear friends Shaina and Lucy on Twitter this morning, I wear a lab coat at work with someone else's name on it. And have for three years. They won't get me one with my own name on it because I'm a contractor. Um, I've worked in the lab longer than the girl whose lab coat I am wearing! And the joke about calling me by the other name...not so funny anymore.

• Actually, that joke was never funny.

Any random facts you would like to share??

I Love...

Things I am loving right now:

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers...current favorite: Cajun Style Chicken and Shrimp (well to be honest, it's my current favorite because it's the only one I've tried...but still). You get quite a lot of food and it's only 5 points!

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I just started The Couch-to-5K running plan yesterday. My running has been, well, sucking lately, and I needed a serious change. I'm excited to get back to being able to run more than a half a mile without sucking for air!


Also, when I just went to stretch, my abs hurt from yesterday's workout! I love that. Makes me feel like what I did was worth it.


We have no plans this weekend! For three weeks we have either been out of town or had people over so I am looking forward to the break.


I also just have to say that I completely heart my blog friends. Y'all are freaking fabulous. Seriously...I'm talking about you. I'd like to give a special shout out to my girls Shaina and Lucy for listening to my daily craziness and being there when I need to talk. Big puffy pink hearts all around.


It's almost time for my first break...and morning snack! This includes: Fiber One granola bar and Weight Watchers yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries...total yum! If you haven't tried the oats and chocolate bars, you are seriously missing out. Love them!

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Speaking of break, I'd better get going! My tummy is calling me :)

XOXO

Show My Heart

Brittany over at Living in the Moment tagged me to "Show My Heart." Thanks girl! My heart is with YOU everyday!

The rules: "With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, a poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a Disney princess. If you want to join in, tag six more blogs."


Ah, creativity, on a Friday? Hm. Here's my best shot!

Picture:


This is Christmas 2007. It was our very first tree together and I forced Matt (and will continue to force him every year until we die) to get a real tree. I just love going out with him to find the perfect tree, bringing it home to string it with lights and ornaments, and enjoying that fresh pine scent! To say he was not into it would be an understatement, but for this one day, he put aside his own feelings and let me experience this little part of Christmas that reminds me of home. He even put the star on himself...and fixed it a bazillion times when I told him it wasn't straight. Oh how I love this man...



Poem:

During the first few months of our relationship, Matt wrote me a haiku. Here's an example of a haiku if you aren't familiar with one:

God has lots of strength
God is a heavenly God
God is heart
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I can't remember exactly how it went (I'm pretty sure I have it saved at home??), but it was something about me being amazing and beautiful :)



Song:

This was the very first song Matt and I ever danced to. It was one of those spontaneous dance sessions that just happens out of nowhere when you are playing music. We were at his parents house upstairs going through CDs and he put on this song. I had never heard it before and it was really catchy. But my favorite part was when Matt sang to me.

Although the song has no business being a wedding song, seeing as the couple breaks up at the end, it was ours. It was our song and I could think of no other one that would've fit that moment any better.



Quote:

This has been my very favorite quote since high school. I even used it in my graduation speech...very appropriate!

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
~Anonymous

Item of Clothing:

My favorite piece of clothing I have ever worn has to be my wedding dress. I loved everything about it. When I first tried it on it definitely became one of those moments where you just know you will be wearing this exact dress when you walk down the aisle.








Place:


This is my favorite place to be...right in his arms.


Disney Princess:

I'm going to cheat on this one. Sorry! I'm not really into the princesses. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like them. But my very favorite Disney movies do not include princesses. So here is my favorite Disney character of all time from one of my favorite movies:

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Lilo! Oh how I love this girl! She is just the cutest!


My six bloggy friends I will tag are:

Adorably Distracted
Emily at From the land of cotton
Ashely Paige at I Love You More Than Carrots
Becca at Mrs. GI Joe
Pink Sass
Mrs. Real Life at The Reality of Happily Ever After


Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!

XOXO

My Strengths....

Thank y'all so much for all of the wonderful suggestions yesterday! I do hope our budget allows a trip this year for just the two of us so we can enjoy our time together as much as possible before we start our family. I just can't wait!


Anywho, I wanted to tell you about this book my aunt and lovely godmother (same person by the way) recently sent me called Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton.

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The book is revolutionary in its thinking and describes the importance of focusing on your strengths rather than eliminating your weaknesses. Dear Tami gave me this book because she noticed how unhappy I was at my job (hard to miss!) and wanted to help me figure out what to do with my life. Well, this sure gave me some insight!

The most revealing aspect of this book is a Web-based interactive questionnaire that I took after reading it. It instantly reveals your top-five inborn talents. Now that I know mine, I can go forward in my career and try to use these to my advantage.

Want to know what they are??

I thought so.


Achiever

• describes a constant need for achievement (very true...)
  
• must achieve something tangible by the end of the day in order to feel good about yourself
• possess an internal fire that pushes you to do more (I seriously can't sit still when there are things to get done!)
  
• able to work long hours without burning out (always has been true...late night/early morning studier right here!)
  

Analytical

• challenge other people's theories (always!)
  
• insist other people's ideas be sound
• like data and search for patterns and connections
• thinking is objective and logical (clearly)
  

Responsibility

• take psychological ownership for anything you commit to and are emotionally bound to follow through to completion (I definitely try to follow through on everything I say I will do)
  
• restitution must be made if unable to deliver on commitments
  
• near obsession for doing thing right; impeccable ethics (Thanks!)
  
• utterly dependable
  

Discipline

• world needs to be predictable, ordered, and planned-routine (duh, I could not live otherwise!)
  
• break long-term projects into a series of specific short-term plans
• not necessarily neat and clean, but you do need precision (so true...)
  

Competition

• must always outperform your peers or your achievement feels hollow
• other competitors invigorate you
• you like contests because they produce a winner; particularly those you know you can win
  
• you compete to win; you avoid contests where winning seems unlikely (100% true..and always has been. I never play games where I think I will look like an idiot.)

It was amazing how EXACTLY on this thing was. I would totally recommend reading this book. So worth it!

Hope you have a great Wednesday!! The weekend is inching closer :)

Not Me Monday!

These are always some of my very favorite posts to read, so today, I thought I would join in the fun...which all started here! Plus, I most certainly did not do anything crazy this weekend...


Before I left work on Thursday, I did not just stand there looking completely shocked when my co-worker told me he was "going to let me take care of" basically all of his share of the work for the next week or so because he didn't feel like we were that busy. I have not thought to myself every second of seeing his face today, "Hope you are enjoying having nothing to do because I have been busy all day!"

Friday, Matt and I began the 5 hour trip home to Indy. When we stopped for breakfast at 9:30 am, I did not order a Hot Fudge Cake Sundae with my sausage toaster from Sonic.

Upon arrival, Matt spent the afternoon golfing with friends while I had the pleasure of spending some quality time with my in-laws. I definitely did not spend half the time blabbing my MIL's ear off about my enormous amount of family drama only to love her even more for being just the way she is. I also did not agree to get ice cream with her which did not turn out to be my lunch and my 2nd time having ice cream in one day.

After meeting some friends for dinner that night, they most certainly did not suggest getting ice cream, not resulting in a day of ice cream for every meal for me.

My best friend's brother's wedding was on Saturday. I definitely did not have too much wine, again, nor did I ask my former high school teacher to dance?!? What? Me, never.

While busting out my signature moves to Baby Got Back, I most certainly did not slip on spilled beer (which I did not spill...no really....it was NOT me!) and fall smack on my butt right in the center of the circle of dancers. I also did not continue to dance on the floor like it was all part of my routine.

Sunday was super relaxing. I did not take a nap for the third day in a row on my in-laws couch and then spent the rest of the day traveling home with Hubs. We did not stop for ice cream. And it was not a Butterfinger Blast.

Catch Up!

I cannot believe it is already July! The summer is flying by and that makes me extremely sad. Before you know it I'll be talking about how much I hate shoveling snow!

Since I cannot for the life of my think of anything to blog about today, I thought I'd catch up on an award...

I recently received this!



I received this lovely award from a cute little blog called A Journey Through The Waiting Game. What a great title huh? Head on over and show her some love!

The Honest Scrap award comes with a caveat or two.

**First, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know but that are true.

**Second, you have to tag 10 people with the award.

**Third, let all the people you've given the award to know that they've gotten it (comment on their blogs or something).

**And finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you."


So 10 things about me that you don't already know?? Hm.

1. You know I have a fear of birds, but did you know that my family used to have birds for pets when I was little? Wasn't scared then!

2. I send snail mail birthday cards to all of my friends and family. I think everyone should get a card on their birthday.

3. I plan my workouts two weeks in advance.

4. I sometimes forget to write my own posts because I am too busy reading everyone else's.

5. I always complain about not having any friends, but then when someone calls I don' t answer the phone.

6. I'm currently reading the Bible cover to cover. It's going SLOWLY but I'm finally beginning to make a dent.

7. I can sit on the couch all day long by myself and be perfectly content doing nothing, but as soon as Matt gets home I can't. I feel antsy and completely bored if we sit on the couch too long without doing anything.

8. I'm obsessed with the show Still Standing. I didn't discover it until it was already canceled and in reruns on Lifetime but it is SO hilarious I can't even begin to explain.

9. I like designing and prepping for my cakes more than I do actually doing the work to bake and decorate them.

10. I got a Twitter account but I never have anything to tweet about myself so I just read what everyone else is tweeting.

I'll tag:
All things Fluffy...Fashinable...& Famous...
Brown Eyed Girl & Her Beau
California Born and Virginia Raised
Living in the Moment
Naturally Caffeinated Family


Hope everyone has a fabulous day!! I LOVE short weeks at work. One more day! :)

Your Questions Answered-Random Edition

Here they are...the last set of questions you asked!


Mrs. Southern Bride & JLC from French Kiss asked, "Where do you like to shop?"

Want to know a secret? I don't really shop. WAIT...please don't stop following me! Here's the thing. It's not that I don't like to shop or that I don't want new clothes or shoes or purses...I hate spending the money. I honestly would rather put my money in a savings account than buy a new dress. Sad, I know. I get e-mails from Rue La La and Shop It To Me and I haven't bought one thing. Besides my wedding dress or maybe Prom, I don't think I have ever spent over $65 for a dress in my entire life. I just don't buy clothes for no reason.

But, if I'm going to an event, I need a new pair of shoes in a different color, or something else for a specific purpose I tend to look at H&M, Target, J.Crew, Old Navy, Banana Republic, or maybe Gap. Outlet malls are my friend.


JLC also asked a few more questions!

"If you had only one day to live, what would you do?"

I would definitely spend a lot of it in prayer asking God for forgiveness from my sins and thanking Him for the time that I did get here on this earth with the people that I love...and asking for His love and care on my journey to meet Him in Heaven. I would spend the rest of the day with my husband making sure he knew just how much I loved him and how being with him has changed my life for the better.

I would not work out.

"What country would you most like to live in?"

Honestly, I'd live in the United States. I know that is not the adventurous answer you were looking for...but it's me! I do really enjoy traveling, but the language barrier makes me nervous. Also, once I'm away from home for like 3 days, I'm ready to come back. I'm also really weird about trying new foods so I would be bad in a foreign country for an extended period of time. I once went to Holland and survived on Twix bars for breakfast and lunch for a week!

But, I would love to visit France, Italy, and Greece. Anyone want to be my translator?? Ha!

"What's your fave film/book?"

Some of my favorite movies include Dirty Dancing, Juno, & School of Rock. I hesitate to say Twilight was the best book I have ever read, but it is definitely one of my favorites. I also really enjoyed The Middle Place. I'm currently forging my way through the Bible for the first time cover to cover. I'm really excited about my progress and everything I am learning!


Tasha from Biology Gal asked, "Since I'm a science person too, just curious what type of work do you do in the lab?" Angela from 20-Something Dreams also wanted to know what I did for a living.

You two are in for a treat! Not. Ha! I work for a science based products and services company. Our particular branch in Ohio manufactures parts for jet engines, mainly for the military. The lab here consists of three people and our job is to test these manufactured parts before they are shipped out to the customer. All of the parts require different tests, but mainly we do thermal analysis, acid digestions, and peel strength testing. Basically, I get to walk around all day in a lab coat with my safety glass on and my steel toed shoes playing with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. You can usually find me sporting a bright yellow spill proof apron, a face shield, and aqua green nitrile gloves. Super. Sexy.

It gets old doing the same tests day in and day out, but it pays the bills. My degree is actually in biology and I would LOVE to get back into that field. I was planning on going to medical school for, well, forever, but then had a change of heart during my masters program and decided that I didn't want to spend my years dealing with more school. Well, what's a girl to do with a masters in biology?? I have no idea. Suggestions, please!


Angela also asked, "What are your guilty pleasures? Sweets? TV shows? Shopping items?"

I've covered my go to anti-diet foods and my shopping habits but I do have a few must see TV shows. I'm a soap opera junkie and DVR Days of Our Lives everyday...and have since I was in elementary school. I do admittedly watch Jon and Kate Plus 8, The Office, 30 Rock, Grey's, & The Biggest Loser. I've drastically cut back on my television in the last year or so, but these shows made the cut.


Mrs. Ruby from Ruby Red Slippers asked, "What is your most embarrassing moment?"

Okay. Fine.

Before Matt and I were married, his mother was talking to me about some clothes that she had made for him. Well one of the items was a pair of boxer shorts and I was like, "Oh, I've seen those before!" I tried to play it off like I had seen them when I did our laundry together one time, but I don't think she bought it. Idiot.


Krystyna Lizabeth from everything happens for a reason asked, "What is your favorite part about living in Ohio...or your least favorite!?!"

Ha! Well if you've read my blog for more than 2 days you know that I don't like much! Okay, okay. Perhaps I am being a little hasty. I do like only living one state away from my friends and family and being within driving distance. I LOVE our neighborhood and the city we live in. Although downtown Cleveland leaves much to be desired, I do appreciate that they have sports teams to watch (giving me the chance to see Chicago teams when they come to town!). I also am a huge fan of the West Side Market downtown where they offer tons of fresh meats, fruits, and veggies for cheap! Oh, the lake, I like the lake! Although we don't venture out there often, I do enjoy being able to go to the Lake Erie Islands and pretend I am on vacation for the weekend.

I won't ramble on about all the things I don't like...but my least favorite has to be the weather. Although I grew up and Indianapolis and I am completely used to having horrible winters, I am over it. I hate the snow everyday but Christmas. I hate driving in it, walking in it, being out in it at all. It is only warm like 3 months of the year. I mean, this morning it was 60. It's almost July people. I need to be somewhere where it is 80s year round! And shoveling snow blows.


Cristina from Another Day in Paradise asked, "What keeps you motivated to work out?"

My fat? Ha! Well, it's kind of true. Just looking down and seeing it everyday makes me want to hit the gym. I will say that attending Weight Watchers meetings has done wonders for me. Actually having to weigh in front of someone who knows my name keeps me accountable. I also do a fitness challenge with my best friend from Indy to see who can work out the most in a 10 week period. There a point system we use to keep track and it helps us to avoid the bad foods and hit the gym!

Also, just belonging to a gym motivates me. I know I am paying for it so I might was well go.

I also get a ton of inspiration from blogging. There are so many people I look to when I feel like giving up. Some people are just starting out like me and others are old pros who are awesome at giving advice. Here are links to some of my favorite blogs that are written by fabulous women who are always pushing me to keep going: French Kiss, Just Another Day in Paradise, Mrs. GI Joe, not all those who wander are lost, Post Smith, The Shabby Princess, & Chic Runner.


Anna from Pocket Full of Pink asked, "What is on your iPod while you run?"

Y'all will get a kick out of this answer! I am not really a fan of rap music or anything that is "in" right now. I have a mix of country, oldies, and rock on my iPod right now. Some of my favorites at the moment that really add a little pick me up to my runs include:

Mickey by Toni Basil
Party for Two by Shania Twain and Billy Currington
I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston
Settlin' by Sugarland
Bye Bye by Jo Dee Messina
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany
Bang the Drum All Day by Todd Rundgren
Gimme Some Lovin' by The Spencer Davis Group
Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter and His Banshees of Blues


The Reality of Happily Ever After asked, "If you had to describe yourself as any character in a movie, what movie would it be and what character?"

This was the hardest question I had to answer! I thought long and hard about it, and you know what? They just don't make movies about girls like me.

I had the highest GPA in my class in high school, but I wasn't a nerd who didn't have any friends. I was an athlete but not good enough to play where I wanted to go to college. I wasn't unpopular, but I didn't really hang out with the popular kids outside of school. I wasn't misunderstood or always getting into trouble. In fact, I was quite the goody goody. Although I didn't have any serious boyfriends before Matt, I wasn't a girl pining away for her Prince Charming. I knew he was out there and I would find him someday.

My story would not make for an interesting movie. I'm just your average girl!


Brittany Ann from Living in the Moment asked, "What inspires you?"

This quote has always inspired me. I actually used it in my high school graduation speech. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

I am incredibly inspired in church by God and the people in the congregation to live my life for Him. My husband inspires me daily to be the best person I can be for him and our future children. And lastly, I'm inspired so much by my bloggy friends! You ladies keep my butt in the gym, keep me focused on what is really important in life, and have provided me with friendships I so desperately needed.

Whoa! Done!

Thanks again so much for your questions and for following my little blog. You all mean the world to me and I am so thankful you spend a little part of your day here!

Your Questions Answered-Food Edition

This next round of questioning has to do with one of my very favorite things...food!


Dollface from Inner Workings of a Real-Life Barbie Doll & Becca from Mrs. GI Joe asked, "What made you want to be a baker?"

I started decorating cakes only about a year ago. I was on the lookout for a hobby when I stumbled upon a course list at JoAnn Fabrics and noticed they offered cake decorating classes. What could be better than decorating cake with icing and then getting to eat it? Um, nothing. So I signed myself up for a class and ended up loving it! I took one more class through Wilton but I have mainly just taught myself through reading information on the Internet and practicing.


Dollface & Lucy Marie from Lucy's Life wanted to know my favorite thing I have ever made.

I have been fortunate enough to sell quite a few of my cakes to my co-workers as well as Matt's and I also did my sister's wedding cake. I couldn't really pick a favorite...so I picked 4! Hope you don't mind :)

Birthday cake for a co-worker's son (my 1st shaped cake)

4th of July cake (my 1st stacked fondant cake)


I made this for a cookout for Matt's work


A practice of my sister's cow themed wedding cake
(couldn't find a good picture of the real one...but it basically looked the same)

DAR from Just Another Day in Paradise asked, "What is your favorite kind of cake to make?"

My personal favorite cake is just plain old white cake. There's something about white cake with buttercream icing that just hits the spot for me. I'm a big fan of cupcakes as well so as to prevent myself from eating a whole cake in one sitting :) I don't personally LOVE the taste of fondant, but I love using it on cakes because I am completely obsessed with them looking as smooth as possible.


DAR also wanted to know, "If you cheat on a diet, what do you cheat with?"

Great question! Here's the thing. Most of the time, I am really good about sticking to Weight Watchers. I count all of my points, I work out regularly, I go to my meetings, and Matt and I don't really go out to eat all that often. However, there are definitely times when I think...okay...today...you don't count! Once I've decided that a day doesn't count, it's over. I eat literally everything in the house that is bad that I have been dying to eat for weeks. My thought process is that it is better to have one bad day than spend all your days eating crap. Don't know if that's true...but I really don't care :)

Some of my favorite things to grab on those days are BBQ chips, ANY chocolate we have in the house, anything I can dip in peanut butter, and of course...pizza! I have an issue with pizza. I simply cannot leave any leftovers. I am convinced it stems from growing up in a family of 5 consisting of a food loving father and brother...where if you didn't eat fast....you didn't eat at all. We could NEVER count on our leftovers to be there in the morning. I feel like if I don't eat my whole 1/2 of the pizza, it won't be there when I wake up!


Mrs. Southern Bride asked, "What is your favorite restaurant?"

This is so hard to choose! When we are going fancy, my favorite is The Melting Pot. I mean, give me a pot full of cheese, some lobster, and another pot full of chocolate and I'll pay you whatever you want. And, I'll even cook it myself!



If it's a casual night, my favorite restaurant of all time is El Rodeo...obviously a Mexican chain. It first opened up in my home town when I was in high school and I fell in love. They have the absolute best beef and cheese dip for their chips in the entire world. And anywhere I can get a couple soft tacos for $3 is a winner in my book.

More recently I have discovered their margaritas...which are to die for. One 32 ouncer and I'm down for the count.



Unfortunately, all El Rodeos are not the same. Although I have found three here in the area, the beef and cheese dips do not even compare to the one at home. Thus, my go to dining establishment here is Chick-fil-a! Best. chicken. sandwiches. ever.


A NYC Housewife-In-Training asked, "What is your favorite dessert, besides Oreo Truffles?"

Ha! I do heart me some Oreo Truffles, but my all time favorite dessert is cheesecake. I love the silky smoothness of it and it's just so creamy and delicious! If I'm making my own, I prefer plain...but if I'm going all out at a restaurant...I love the ones with peanut butter in them like this one at The Cheesecake Factory. Now there is a piece of cheesecake I can get behind! Yum!

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Perplxin Texan asked, "If you could be any type of sweet (candy, ice cream, etc.) what would you be and why?"

At first I was going to say just plain old chocolate. Almost everyone loves chocolate and it goes with everything. It is simple, delicious, and super satisfying. But, sometimes I am mad at chocolate for tasting so good but being so bad for you! So, I've decided that I would invent a chocolate with 0 calories that tasted EXACTLY like the bad for you chocolate and I would be that! This way I would be rich for inventing it AND everyone would love me! Ha!


That does it for your food questions!! I'll be back tomorrow with my last set!

Your Questions Answered---Marriage Edition

Thank you all so much for asking so many wonderful questions!! I've had to split them up into several posts because either you were wanting to know WAY too many things about me OR I simply write too much! I'm convinced it's the latter. I didn't want you to have to suffer through one huge long post...so for my 1st post I will focus on questions about me and my Matty!



Tasha from Biology Gal and Angela from 20-Something Dreams wanted to know, "How did you meet your husband?"

I did a post on this a while back, so you can click here for the whole story! It's a good one.

We met during the summer after my sophomore year of college. I was at home in Indy visiting my good college friend, CJ. Her brother, Robert, was in town for the week from Colorado and guess who was over visiting him?? Matt!! Matt and Robert have been BFF forever (it's really cute)! So, I guess we met through mutual friends??

He wasted no time asking me out and with a little (lot) of persistence on his part, I officially started dating the man of my dreams!


Tasha also asked, "Where did you go on your first date?"

Our first date consisted of a wonderful Italian dinner at Maggiano's in Indianapolis where I ate an entire order of Chicken Parmesan and Matt ate two bites of his spaghetti. He claims he ate more and that they just gave him a lot of food, but that bowl sure looked full when we put it into the to-go container! We ended the night with a stroll in a local park. And do you want to know something cool?? The 6 year anniversary of our first day...is TODAY!

Later that week though was when I knew he was a keeper. He made me dinner all by himself...and baked a chocolate cheesecake for dessert. "Okay, fine. I guess I'll do the whole long distance thing, but you have to promise to keep making me cheesecake!"


Jackie from And So It Goes and Anna from Pocket Full of Pink asked, "How did Matt propose to you?"

Matt and I had been together 2 1/2 years before he proposed. That ENTIRE time we were long distance. Yeah, I know. Rough. I was in Indiana at Purdue and Matt was in Virginia at law school...then I stayed in Indy for grad school and Matt made the move to Cleveland to start his job in September of 2005. Let me tell you, the phone was our friend!




Matt proposed Christmas Eve of 2005. Ever since I was a kid we have spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. Once my grandmother passed away, we started going to Chili's for dinner and ending the night at my parent's house for presents. Matt's parents also now join us for this event every year. So we ate dinner and opened presents just like any other Christmas. Then Matt asked me if I wanted to take a walk. I thought it was a little fishy since, um, it was night...and kinda raining...and December!?! But, who am I to say no to this man??

We took a stroll around the block and we stopped underneath a light pole in front of my elementary school. I'm sad to say that I don't remember every single word he said to me that night, but I know it was something along the lines of loving me and wanting to be with me forever :) Then he got down on one knee in the rain and asked me to marry him. With a little tear I said yes! We headed back to the house and got to immediately share our good news with both of our parents and my dad's whole side of the family. It was truly a special night!

I guess Matt had originally planned to take me to the canal in downtown Indianapolis which is where we spent one of our first dates...but he thought I would give him too hard of a time for wanting to go there in the rain. Probably true :)

1 year and 9 months later...we were man and wife.




Newlywed Next Door asked, "What is your favorite thing to do with your husband on the weekends?"

Ha! We both laughed when we read this question. Our weekends are usually VERY casual. Unless we are traveling out of town, we rarely have weekend plans...so our typical weekend goes as follows:

Saturday: Morning workout; grocery shopping
Sunday: Church

This doesn't look like much...but our shopping trips are not just a quick trip to the store. We are both huge believers in Wal-mart, but there is not a Super Center in our town. We drive about 20 minutes to the Wal-mart a few towns over to get the majority of our shopping done there. Then we head to Costco for a few bulk items and occasionally have to stop at an additional store for items that Wal-mart did not have. As you may've guessed, this shopping extravaganza takes up a large portion of our day. We have recently discovered the genius behind shopping for 2 weeks at a time...so thankfully this craziness is now somewhat limited.

On Sundays we travel 45 minutes to and from church in the mornings, again a large portion of our day. We have contemplated going to another church that is closer to home, but our pastor is just too fantastic not to travel to hear. It's totally worth the drive, but we usually just crash once we get home.

So I guess on a regular, normal weekend...my favorite thing to do with Matt is to sleep in! We both get up at 4:45 am during the week...and 6:30 am on Sundays...so Saturdays are my favorite. We wake up slowly and lay around chatting and sometimes watching TV. Property Ladder is our fave. It's so relaxing and a great start to our weekend.




Becca from Mrs. GI Joe asked, "Are you ready for kids now or do you want to wait some more?"

Becca, I was ready for kids yesterday! I have been a little baby crazy for about the last 6 months, if not longer. It's so funny because during our pre-martial counseling, I was the one who wanted to wait 5-10 years to have kids! Well, that lasted like 1 year. I'm not sure what it is but I want so much to be a mother.

Matt is slowly but surely coming along and God willing we will start really trying early next year. This is good for both of us...seeing as he has financial and stability concerns and I'd like to lose a little of this weight first...so I don't have such a daunting task ahead of me after the baby comes!


DAR from Just Another Day in Paradise and Angela asked, "What is your favorite thing to do on a date?"

I love doing things with Matt that allow us to talk. We spend a lot of our day apart...and I have a LOT to say :) Besides the fact that it is so dang expensive, this is a big reason why I don't like going to movies. I like to be chatty!

So going to dinner is a favorite activity of mine..or for ice cream. Basically anything that involves food, I'm into. I also like to go golfing and bowling even though I am fairly horrible at both. I love hanging out with him in ways that are out of the norm for us.


Alrighty! I'll be back tomorrow with another round!

100!

Two posts in one morning...I know...nuts!

But this week I reached 100 followers! What a milestone that is in the blog world!

I never in a million years expected any near that number of people to want to read my blog. Did you know that up until I met my husband I didn't even know what a blog was? When Matt said he read something on a blog, I laughed and told him to stop making up words. Yep. I was VERY out of the loop.

Well, I am crazy thankful to Erin at Blue-Eyed Bride for inspiring me start my own blog. It has literally been life changing for me to connect with so many people this way. I never imagined making so many wonderful friends! I just wish I could meet you all! Ah...someday...I'll hunt you down state by state! Road trip anyone?

Anyway, since I've got a few followers now and a good 4 months of blogging under my belt, I thought I'd do one of those "Ask Me Anything" kind of posts. Anything you've been dying to know about me?? How about the hubs...he's pretty interesting?? Bet you didn't know I knew Erin in real life, huh?? I know...I'm full of mystery! Go ahead...ask away!




Feel free to leave a comment on this post or e-mail me (you can find the link to my e-mail in my profile) with any questions you have. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say! I'll post answers when I return next week.

Have a great weekend!!

What's Wrong & What's Not

Things that are irking me today:

• My lab coat is made for a boy and the buttons are on the wrong side; why is it assumed that only boys work in the lab?

• The name on the lab coat is P. Scruggs. This is NOT me. P. Scruggs still works here and she is NOT nice. Why have I worked here for 2 years, 7 months, & 30 days and still do not have a lab coat with my name on it?

• I have to make another doctor's appointment. 3 appointments in a one month span is not fun (and no, not preggers, but I know what's wrong...hopefully this is the last one)

• I have lived in Cleveland for 3 years and my parents have come to visit me once

• The real reason they came is because the White Sox were in town

• I have lived in my current house for almost 2 years and my parents have never seen it

• My mom told me today that my dad is going to drive 12 hours to Kansas City to see my brother (who just left after being home for 2 weeks mind you) over Labor Day (bro lives in Colorado and is the equipment manager of a football team there...which will be playing in Kansas City over the holiday)

• I live 5 hours from my parents

Things that I am thankful for today:

• I have a job at a company that hasn't let anyone else go for over a month

• Matt is going with me to the doctor

• My issues have spurred discussions about babies!

• I have a sister, Jessi, who I can call when my parents show our brother favoritism and has complete understanding of what I am going through

• This is the same sister who has come to visit me more than anyone else and when she found out about this Kansas City trip...started planning a vacation of our own

• If Jessi doesn't call or e-mail me back, I can call my mom to find out what is going on and get her to talk to me again

• She is a better friend than anyone I have ever known and I get to have her forever since we are family.

And honey, that is why I must insist on at least two kids. I mean, come on, built in friends!

Tagged!

I was tagged by the lovely Kristen from Happily Ever After to do this fun little post! Thanks friend!

The Rules
1. Mention the person who nominated you.
2. List six unimportant things that make you happy
3. Tag six blogs, state the rules & notify them with a teeny comment on their blog.

So...my 6 unimportant things that make me happy!

1. Great weather...I'm talking 80's, sunny, low humidity, and staying light outside until 9 p.m.

2. Finishing a run...I love running the most after I'm done and I didn't quit during the torture.

3. Seeing no dishes on the sink...and having none to put away.

4. Changing the month on my calendar...not sure why...just like it!

5. Deleting shows from the DVR...I have a weird and totally unachievable goal about getting it to 0%.

6. Getting to park by the cart collector at the grocery store...I hate walking far to put it away.

I'm skipping rule #3 and leaving it open to anyone who wants to participate! What makes you happy??

A Case of the Mondays...Reversed!

I'm still feeling a little sickly today. Do you ever have those sick days where you just feel exhausted?? Not really tired per say...just worn out? That's me. On my first day back at work in a week. Not good.

After getting bossed around by my co-worker...who ranks second in my "I hate your guts" category to only the Devil himself...I decided that instead of sitting here thinking of all of the reasons I hate my job and how all I want to do is lie on the couch and catch up on some Days...I'm going to post about what I am thankful for!

1. I'm thankful for church...yesterday I was feeling like poop and didn't even want to get out of bed let alone go to church....but we did...and my fave singers, The Getty's, were there and totally made it worth going.

2. ...for family. I got so much family time last week that it was overwhelming...but I am so thankful for my family and the time I got to spend with them. They may be crazy, but I'm lucky to have so many people that love and care about me.

3. ...for my sister. I wouldn't know anything about the casino without her :)

4. ...for my BIL Dave. He went running with my slow booty last week and it was so sweet. It was my first run with a friend...and he really pushed me.

5. ...for my job. Even though I hate it...it's a paycheck...and I am thankful that it is still here for me after a week off.

6. ...for Memorial Day...which is only 14 days away.

7. ...babies. Not that I have any...but I'm thankful other people do so I can pretend.

8. ...Banana Nut Cheerios. I just discovered these this weekend and I am in love!

9. ...for my husband, who I love more everyday. How he puts up with me I will never know...real love I guess :)

10. ...for my God. My life would be lost without Your guidance.

So today, on this cloudy, icky Monday...put a smile on your face and tell me...what are you thankful for??

Wednesday Randoms...

1. Mike Brown, the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, joined my gym yesterday.
2. I'm pissed he didn't put down my name as a referral. I could've saved $10 a month!
3. I don't even like the Cavs.
4. I'm going on a trip this Saturday for a week to Wisconsin with almost all of my aunts, my grandma, and my mom.
5. Should be interesting.
6. We're staying right next to a casino.
7. Again, should be interesting.
8. My family consists of some HUGE gamblers.
9. The first time I went to a casino was last year.
10. I won over $100.
11. I only like to play the slots because I don't actually want to interact with people, therefore letting them in on the secret that I am actually in a casino.
12. My idea of a huge risk is putting more than $5 into a machine at a time.
13. I'm excited for a week off of work.
14. I hope my job is still here for me when I get back!
15. I'm hungry :)
16. I hate the phrase "hump day."
17. When my husband first said that to me years ago, I thought he was making it up and trying to be dirty.
18. I'm glad that Tara and Mike were not below the yellow line on The Biggest Loser last night.
19. I can't believe Ron is in the final four.
20. I have a cake due on Friday!

And in other news...




My sweet friend Nessa of Sparkles of Serendipity (don't you just LOVE the name of her blog?!?) gave me this award! Her blog is too cute...thanks again so much!

Here are the rules:
These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I'm going to take the easy way out and pass this award along to all of my beautiful followers! I'm stunned everyday to log on and see that there are actually people out there that WANT to read my blog! I never in a million years expected that...so thank you friends!

Rain Drops on Roses...

I'm in need of a teddy bears, rainbows, and sugar plums post...so here it goes!

These are a few of my favorite things!

1. Puppies!
Matt is allergic to puppies...and kitties...just about anything with fur. But I can't get enough of them! I learned on Wikipedia, which is of course the most reliable source on the Internet, that Westies are hypoallergenic...so they are my new obsession! I WILL be getting one.

(source)

2. Peanut Butter
I'm a huge fan of the pb...and will put it on just about anything. I don't like jelly though...and I will ONLY use JIF. I'm not sure why...but I will not budge on this issue.

(source)

3. Sun
Although I've lived in the Midwest my entire life, I am a total Southern wannabe. I thrive in the sun. It gives me so much more energy and I adore being outdoors in the warmness. I seriously think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because my mood is WAY better when it's sunny! (And what kind of acronym is SAD anyway??)

(source)

4. Days of Our Lives
I know I've mentioned my obsession a couple of times, okay...okay...tons...but it is getting really good this week people! Phillip was SHOT and is bleeding out his bullet hole in his chest....Nicole and EJ's wedding was just interrupted by Sami...and there's a chance EJ could find out that he and Sami share yet another child together...(although it's actually the child he is raising with Nicole...not the one Sami is raising)...did you make it through?? Totally lost?? Give me one episode and you'll be caught up in no time! It's been the same day for a whole week!

(source)

5. And last but not least, my bloggy friends!! I truly do not know what I would do without the support system I have found here and I am so thankful for each one of you! I have formed so many unique relationships that I would've never been able to do before and I feel so lucky to have the friends I have found here in my life.

So...

(source)

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'll be heading back to Indy tomorrow for the services...so I'll try to keep up as much as I can!

XOXO

Confessions...

Some things I MUST get off my chest....

• When a Clay Aiken song came on my IPod at the gym while I was lifting weights yesterday, I didn't change it
• I was internally super pissed when a lady and her daughter stole my workout bench when I stepped three steps away for two seconds...hello...my weights, water bottle, and locker room key are sitting right there people! You had to step AROUND them to get to the bench!
  
• I stole a Twizzler from my husband's Easter basket this morning...okay fine...and an Almond Joy
• I didn't do The Shred yesterday...even though I had planned to (Lindsey...will you make that one up for me??)
• Logging onto Blogger and seeing that I have more followers than the last time is a highlight of my day
• They let 5 people go at my work today, and I was glad it wasn't me
• Even worse, I was happy about 2 of them
• When I "cleaned" the living room yesterday, I didn't dust...or windex
• I jammed to Keith and Kristyn Getty really loud before my husband got home from work...and I may've danced around the living room a little...a little
• I want with all my heart to eat the cake we are getting today at a meeting...go home and eat chocolate chips and everything else that is left in Matt's Easter basket...eat all the chips in the house...and then order pizza (but I won't...because it's weigh in day!)
• I went to Tammie's house yesterday to let out her dog...and I seriously thought about taking him home with me
• I read the spoilers on Soaps.com for Days of Our Lives...every. single. day.
  

Wow! I feel much better!

Any confessions ladies??

Retraction?!?

Anyone remember my post from yesterday?? I received such wonderful comments from my readers about what a touching story it was and what a loving couple we looked like. So you'd think that when my husband read my post he would be happy, right?? Well sisters, you'd be WRONG!

The ONE AND ONLY thing he took away from my post was this:

"Every time I was there, he was there. He was working downtown for the summer (it was the summer after his first year of law school) so he'd stop by after work everyday in his suit and bow tie. Oh...what a big dork I thought he was...but he was so much fun and truly hilarious...one could overlook his outward dorkiness."

That's it. Nothing else. A post I wrote to tell the story about how we met and fell in love is now leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

As soon as I walked in the door last night he said he had a bone to pick with me. I was so nervous...I kept thinking...did I leave my straightener on?? Did I almost burn the house down? Was I supposed to do something and forgot about it?? While I was racking my brain to try and come up with why he was so upset, he said it was about my blog. He was mad I called him dorky! Oh dear...

Well he is demanding a retraction...and he's not going to get it...but I will explain.

Matt is not someone I would've ever pictured myself with. He's unlike any other person I have dated or even been attracted to. I think that's why I was so unsure about our relationship in the beginning...because it was so different than anything else I had ever experienced. Matt is extremely intelligent, very well spoken, funny, a UNIQUE dresser, ridiculously underweight, and he cannot deny it when I say that he is totally lacking in the muscle department. He wasn't what I was looking for at all in a boyfriend...but there was something about him that made me take a second (and maybe a third) look.

Matt turned out to be the one man I had been waiting for all my life. He had qualities in a significant other I never knew I wanted. He is extremely affectionate, sensitive, and caring. He's a great talker (a necessity with a long distance relationship) but also a great listener. He's everything to me and I can't imagine my life without him. Everything about him just fits...and I wouldn't want him any other way.

So who knew I would end up with a bow tie wearing, boat shoe strutting golfer who will only wear ties with little animals on them and won't exercise one minute to save his life? God knew...