Just a day and a half left of 2011. I don't have many feelings about it. This year was relatively slow and a lot more boring than previous years.
Not to say there weren't some highlights. Celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. The vacations I took to BC, Vegas, Duluth and Minot. Getting our first puppy in May. Transitioning from an office to permanently working from home.
But I'm looking forward to 2012. Mostly I just like the idea of a fresh start. I don't do New Year Resolutions, too much pressure. However, I do have some "goals."
I am going to try to pay off my credit card debt, blog more often, walk the dog (at least once a week), scrapbook our wedding, eat healthier, lose some weight, and aquire some art to hang on our walls. All pretty reasonable, right? I also want to try to live in the moment and enjoy my life as it's happening right now. I am so bad about wishing my life away when I'm bored or looking forward to an upcoming event or trip. It seems like I've been like that my whole life. "I can't wait to graduate and go to college." Then, "I can't wait to graduate from college and get a real job." "I can't wait to get married." "I can't wait to buy a house." I'm living the best years of my life right now, so I really want to focus on making the now my reality and enjoying the little things.
That said.....I can't WAIT for our family cruise to Alaska in June! Hahaha. I think Ryan and I are going to fly out to Seattle a few days early so we can explore, and maybe even rent a car for a day and head over to Vancouver as well. We got upgraded to balcony suites, and it is going to be so cool eating breakfast outside, watching the glaciers and the mountains as we float by.
I also want to plan something awesome for Ryan's 30th birthday in September, as well as my dad's 50th birthday in December. Lots of milestones and fun things to look forward to!
So, cheers to 2012. I think it's going to be a great year!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thoughtful Gesture
I have a nightmare client....and had been working particularly hard on this account in July because we had a presentation to give in Memphis in front of all of the key executives.
Ryan and I had a garage sale the day of Mallory's bachelorette party.....we had it at the old house so we could get rid of everything that we didn't want to bring to the new house. We sold a lot of stuff, I think we ended up making $300 each? But it was H-O-T. And it took a lot of work to get everything organized and priced. By the time it was over, and I had dealt with my fair share of hagglers, I vowed never to have another garage sale again. Next time I'm leaving it all at Goodwill.
Just when we were closing up and about to head home, a van pulled up and a guy got out with the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers I had ever seen. He started walking towards us, and of course I thought he had the wrong house. Nobody has lived there since we moved out last November.
He asked if anyone was "Andrea!" HUH?? What is this random bouquet that came to the old house at the exact right moment? I read the card, and it was from my colleague who supervises that horrible account. It was a thank you for all of my hard work. Just because. I thought it was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, and I enjoyed every second those beautiful flowers graced my dining room table.
Later, I found out that she had sent it to my old house by accident, she got the address from my boss in Memphis. How crazy is it that I happened to be there that day??
Ryan and I had a garage sale the day of Mallory's bachelorette party.....we had it at the old house so we could get rid of everything that we didn't want to bring to the new house. We sold a lot of stuff, I think we ended up making $300 each? But it was H-O-T. And it took a lot of work to get everything organized and priced. By the time it was over, and I had dealt with my fair share of hagglers, I vowed never to have another garage sale again. Next time I'm leaving it all at Goodwill.
Just when we were closing up and about to head home, a van pulled up and a guy got out with the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers I had ever seen. He started walking towards us, and of course I thought he had the wrong house. Nobody has lived there since we moved out last November.
He asked if anyone was "Andrea!" HUH?? What is this random bouquet that came to the old house at the exact right moment? I read the card, and it was from my colleague who supervises that horrible account. It was a thank you for all of my hard work. Just because. I thought it was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, and I enjoyed every second those beautiful flowers graced my dining room table.
Later, I found out that she had sent it to my old house by accident, she got the address from my boss in Memphis. How crazy is it that I happened to be there that day??
Mal's Bachelorette- "Glitter"
July 16 was Mallory's bachelorette party. Chelsea was Mal's only bridesmaid that lives in OK, so she planned it.
We met at Mallory's house for pre-drinking and to get ready. Chelsea bought huge bags of glitter for everyone to "throw in the air" during the night out. We started with dinner at Nonna's, which took forever. I don't know why, but it took them an hour to get our food out and there weren't that many girls. We had bachelorette "dare to do" cards, and some of the girls got started early by torturing our waiter. He grinned and beared it, we left him a nice tip.
We didn't really have a plan for what to do after dinner, but Chelsea wanted to go to Kamp's Deli to see her friends play in a band, so we went. The highlight was getting yelled at 3 times for throwing glitter around and creating a huge mess everywhere we went. Mallory wanted to leave about an hour after we got there, so we left Chelsea there and went to a club/hookah bar. We closed it down and then took a cab home. I'm sure the cab driver was thrilled with the glitter we left in her backseat.
The gorgeous bachelorette
One of Mal's dare cards...get a guy to buy you a shot.
Lots of glitter!!!
We met at Mallory's house for pre-drinking and to get ready. Chelsea bought huge bags of glitter for everyone to "throw in the air" during the night out. We started with dinner at Nonna's, which took forever. I don't know why, but it took them an hour to get our food out and there weren't that many girls. We had bachelorette "dare to do" cards, and some of the girls got started early by torturing our waiter. He grinned and beared it, we left him a nice tip.
We didn't really have a plan for what to do after dinner, but Chelsea wanted to go to Kamp's Deli to see her friends play in a band, so we went. The highlight was getting yelled at 3 times for throwing glitter around and creating a huge mess everywhere we went. Mallory wanted to leave about an hour after we got there, so we left Chelsea there and went to a club/hookah bar. We closed it down and then took a cab home. I'm sure the cab driver was thrilled with the glitter we left in her backseat.
The gorgeous bachelorette
One of Mal's dare cards...get a guy to buy you a shot.
Lots of glitter!!!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Wedding Shower- Patrick & Mallory
On July 10, I hosted a wedding shower at my house for Patrick and Mallory. The theme was purple and green, the wedding colors. I was really excited to have a house to entertain people in, and to be able to do this for two of my favorite people!
I had a Groupon to a paper place in Oklahoma City, so I bought the invitations, straws and favor tags from there. I bought purple and green M&Ms in Vegas while we were there, and I got the purple and green sodas from Pops.
It was a small, but fun party. I thought everyone had a good time. The bellinis and mimosas ran out fast, haha.
I had a Groupon to a paper place in Oklahoma City, so I bought the invitations, straws and favor tags from there. I bought purple and green M&Ms in Vegas while we were there, and I got the purple and green sodas from Pops.
It was a small, but fun party. I thought everyone had a good time. The bellinis and mimosas ran out fast, haha.
Anniversary Trip to Vegas
Ryan and I went to Vegas for a few days in June just to get away, and for a belated anniversary vacation.
We stayed at the Aria hotel, which is brand new and right on the strip, next to the Cosmopolitan and across from the MGM. The hotel was gorgeous, we got a great rate because we were part of the MGM Players Club (the hotel belongs to that ownership group). Our suite was amazing and very high-tech, there was a master control by the bed that controlled everything....you push a button to control the lights, the tv, the temperature, the window blinds, everything.
The trip started off great until we started gambling. It was like we were cursed, and could not win at ANYTHING. More me than Ryan. Food and drinks at Aria were also pretty high, so before long I was broke and sad. We eventually made our way down the strip and found some cheap table games at "Bill's" (I'm embarrased that we went in there, but it was seriously the only place with $5 tables!) And even then, I lost every time. Because of this, we didn't get to go see any shows or anything. We did have a couple of really nice meals though, because we love our food.
By the time we went home, I vowed not to go back to Vegas ever again ....or at least not until I have a few thousand dollars saved up.
Here are some pictures from the trip. Please excuse the poor iPhone photo quality.
Checking in.
The back of the hotel.
The Cirque Show "Elvis" was in Aria
Picture I posted to Facebook to make everyone jealous.
Ryan playing roulette. Don't let him fool you, he lost those winnings the next spin.
Yummy dinner at the steakhouse in Aria.
Meredith, the friend I made playing blackjack for 8 hours straight at Bill's. This picture was taken around 2am the night before we left. Needless to say, it was a rough flight home.
We stayed at the Aria hotel, which is brand new and right on the strip, next to the Cosmopolitan and across from the MGM. The hotel was gorgeous, we got a great rate because we were part of the MGM Players Club (the hotel belongs to that ownership group). Our suite was amazing and very high-tech, there was a master control by the bed that controlled everything....you push a button to control the lights, the tv, the temperature, the window blinds, everything.
The trip started off great until we started gambling. It was like we were cursed, and could not win at ANYTHING. More me than Ryan. Food and drinks at Aria were also pretty high, so before long I was broke and sad. We eventually made our way down the strip and found some cheap table games at "Bill's" (I'm embarrased that we went in there, but it was seriously the only place with $5 tables!) And even then, I lost every time. Because of this, we didn't get to go see any shows or anything. We did have a couple of really nice meals though, because we love our food.
By the time we went home, I vowed not to go back to Vegas ever again ....or at least not until I have a few thousand dollars saved up.
Here are some pictures from the trip. Please excuse the poor iPhone photo quality.
Checking in.
The back of the hotel.
The Cirque Show "Elvis" was in Aria
Picture I posted to Facebook to make everyone jealous.
Ryan playing roulette. Don't let him fool you, he lost those winnings the next spin.
Yummy dinner at the steakhouse in Aria.
Meredith, the friend I made playing blackjack for 8 hours straight at Bill's. This picture was taken around 2am the night before we left. Needless to say, it was a rough flight home.
MC Fail
The cleanse lasted for two days....and it was miserable. I was cranky, I had pounding headaches and I felt weak and crummy. The lemonade became disgusting, the cayenne pepper would stick in the back of my throat and make me gag. Don't even get me started on the liter of salt water I had to drink in the mornings. I don't know how anyone stays on that cleanse for 10 days.
I broke down on the third day and started eating solid food again. The dress still doesn't fit....I'm trying to stick to a lot of soup and veggies and water. I have also been working out pretty hard. I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best! Sorry, Jessica.
I broke down on the third day and started eating solid food again. The dress still doesn't fit....I'm trying to stick to a lot of soup and veggies and water. I have also been working out pretty hard. I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best! Sorry, Jessica.
Monday, August 22, 2011
MC Day 1
I was rethinking this last night because Ryan went to the store yesterday when I wasn't here and bought a bunch of yummy stuff to cook for me this week. When I got home and told him what I was doing, he was really disappointed. BUT, I had already decided.
This is going to be harder than I thought. I am STARVING right now. But I'm not giving up on day one.
The "lemonade" is really spicy. The cayenne pepper kind of sticks to your throat. But it overall the taste isn't bad. The maple syrup makes it taste almost like real lemonade. I have had about six glasses so far, and you are supposed to fit in 12 per day. I'm really full of liquid. I watched a few video blogs online for inspiration.
This is going to be harder than I thought. I am STARVING right now. But I'm not giving up on day one.
The "lemonade" is really spicy. The cayenne pepper kind of sticks to your throat. But it overall the taste isn't bad. The maple syrup makes it taste almost like real lemonade. I have had about six glasses so far, and you are supposed to fit in 12 per day. I'm really full of liquid. I watched a few video blogs online for inspiration.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Master Cleanse
It has happened again. The bridesmaid dress that I'm supposed to wear in two weeks for Jessica's wedding DOESN'T FIT!!! It's way too snug around the middle. I can't even suck in enough to hide it, and when I walk the material bunches. I don't even think I can sit down in it. It's not even my fault....I got measured at Bella Rose and they told me to order this size!!
So, I have decided to do it. Starting tomorrow, I will be doing the Master Cleanse and plan to do it for 10 days. I know the weight will come back really fast when I'm done, but I really just need to fit into this damn dress by September 2nd.
It sounds really hard and really gross, but most people lose at least 10 lbs. by the end of it. I'm supposed to start "easing in" by eating raw "living" foods, then I move to soup, then orange juice, then the cleanse starts and you drink 12 glasses of "lemonade" every day and do a salt water flush in the mornings. Good thing I work from home.
I'll blog about my experience so you can share in my misery.
So, I have decided to do it. Starting tomorrow, I will be doing the Master Cleanse and plan to do it for 10 days. I know the weight will come back really fast when I'm done, but I really just need to fit into this damn dress by September 2nd.
It sounds really hard and really gross, but most people lose at least 10 lbs. by the end of it. I'm supposed to start "easing in" by eating raw "living" foods, then I move to soup, then orange juice, then the cleanse starts and you drink 12 glasses of "lemonade" every day and do a salt water flush in the mornings. Good thing I work from home.
I'll blog about my experience so you can share in my misery.
Monday, August 8, 2011
One Year Anniversary
Ryan and I celebrated our one year anniversary on June 10. I really can't believe it's been a year since our wedding! It completely flew by.....
I thought for awhile about what to get him. Traditionally, the first year is a paper gift. I checked in with the Hawaii Nesties to see what everyone else got their husbands, and someone told me about the Indigo Night website. You give them a date and a location, and they recreate what the stars and moon looked like on that night. You can pick the background silhouette, and the one they had for "Islands" looked just like Hawaii.
I also wanted for us to eat the wedding cake top that I had saved from our AHR in July last year. I had wrapped it really well and left it in the old house when we moved. I went to the house to take it out to thaw a few days before our anniversary, and when I looked in the freezer, it was gone. I pretty much had a breakdown and went hysterical because I thought Ryan's mom threw it away. Only later did I find out she had moved it to the garage freezer, and I didn't think to look there (she didn't remember to tell me either when we called to see what happened to it).
Our wedding video was supposed to be ready for us to watch that night, but the day of our anniversary it still hadn't been posted online. I decided to trust in the company, because they had promised over and over again.
Ryan took me to our favorite restaurant downtown, Red Prime. We had fried green tomatoes, steaks, potatoe gratin and mac and cheese. We were also given a creme brulee on the house. So yummy! At dinner, we exchanged cards. He had written me a long love letter that made me cry! It was so sweet.
Back at the house, I checked my email but the wedding video still hadn't been posted. And it ended up not being posted until 3 days later....after I had to send them a nasty email telling them what a letdown it was.
We exchanged gifts and Ryan got me a wedding journal to document the first year of our marriage. I was surprised and touched that he stuck with the "paper" theme! He loved his Indigo Night print. It was framed and it looked beautiful.
We had some champagne on the couch and then Dash kind of ruined the night by peeing on the couch.....twice!!!
I thought for awhile about what to get him. Traditionally, the first year is a paper gift. I checked in with the Hawaii Nesties to see what everyone else got their husbands, and someone told me about the Indigo Night website. You give them a date and a location, and they recreate what the stars and moon looked like on that night. You can pick the background silhouette, and the one they had for "Islands" looked just like Hawaii.
I also wanted for us to eat the wedding cake top that I had saved from our AHR in July last year. I had wrapped it really well and left it in the old house when we moved. I went to the house to take it out to thaw a few days before our anniversary, and when I looked in the freezer, it was gone. I pretty much had a breakdown and went hysterical because I thought Ryan's mom threw it away. Only later did I find out she had moved it to the garage freezer, and I didn't think to look there (she didn't remember to tell me either when we called to see what happened to it).
Our wedding video was supposed to be ready for us to watch that night, but the day of our anniversary it still hadn't been posted online. I decided to trust in the company, because they had promised over and over again.
Ryan took me to our favorite restaurant downtown, Red Prime. We had fried green tomatoes, steaks, potatoe gratin and mac and cheese. We were also given a creme brulee on the house. So yummy! At dinner, we exchanged cards. He had written me a long love letter that made me cry! It was so sweet.
Back at the house, I checked my email but the wedding video still hadn't been posted. And it ended up not being posted until 3 days later....after I had to send them a nasty email telling them what a letdown it was.
We exchanged gifts and Ryan got me a wedding journal to document the first year of our marriage. I was surprised and touched that he stuck with the "paper" theme! He loved his Indigo Night print. It was framed and it looked beautiful.
We had some champagne on the couch and then Dash kind of ruined the night by peeing on the couch.....twice!!!
Canadians in OK
At the end of May, Nola and Joe and my dad all came to Oklahoma to stay with me for about a week.
We had a blast!
The float trip in Tahlequah was one of the highlights of the week. We went before Dad arrived, because he hates the water. Joe had never been, it was his first time in OK. Nola had been a few times when we were younger. The river was up really high and moving really fast, so we did the 12 mile. We stocked up with beer and Four Loko, and almost died when the raft got caught in a giant tree in the middle of the river and flipped. Our stuff and we went flying everywhere.
They got to meet Dash while we was a tiny pup. We took them to Bricktown and had a good time at Tap Werks. We went shopping at the mall and bought my dad his Father's Day present (marinades and BBQ sauces...he loves to cook). Nola laid out to try to get a tan. Nola baked me a cake and I had a birthday dinner at Mama Rojas to celebrate turning 28 (sick!!) And....we ate everywhere. All around town. Flat Tire Burgers, Upper Crust, Earl's BBQ, Big Truck Tacos, Mama Rojas, TapWerks....you name it, we were there. I gained 5 lbs that week to prove it.
The week went by fast, I hope it's not long before I see them all again.
We had a blast!
The float trip in Tahlequah was one of the highlights of the week. We went before Dad arrived, because he hates the water. Joe had never been, it was his first time in OK. Nola had been a few times when we were younger. The river was up really high and moving really fast, so we did the 12 mile. We stocked up with beer and Four Loko, and almost died when the raft got caught in a giant tree in the middle of the river and flipped. Our stuff and we went flying everywhere.
They got to meet Dash while we was a tiny pup. We took them to Bricktown and had a good time at Tap Werks. We went shopping at the mall and bought my dad his Father's Day present (marinades and BBQ sauces...he loves to cook). Nola laid out to try to get a tan. Nola baked me a cake and I had a birthday dinner at Mama Rojas to celebrate turning 28 (sick!!) And....we ate everywhere. All around town. Flat Tire Burgers, Upper Crust, Earl's BBQ, Big Truck Tacos, Mama Rojas, TapWerks....you name it, we were there. I gained 5 lbs that week to prove it.
The week went by fast, I hope it's not long before I see them all again.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dash the Dachshund
A few months back, Ryan had FINALLY agreed that the timing was right to get a dog! I did tons of searching, we checked out a few short-haired dachshund litters, and were even close to buying one. But when the deal fell through, I went back to looking. I contacted an aquaintance that I know through mutual friends because I had seen Facebook pictures of her dog. It was a long-haired English Cream dachshund and it was the cutest dog I had ever seen. They are a really rare breed though, and apparently there are no breeders in OK or surrounding states. Finally I found a breeder in NC who had a puppy almost available. He was adorable!!!!
So after the Vegas trip, on May 5, I picked up our first family puppy from the airport. He flew all the way from North Carolina to be with us! We had so many fights about naming him, and actually decided on Fendi the night before I picked him up. Then, when I picked him up, the airport tag on his kennel said DASH. Ryan saw it, and said, "Hey....how about Dash?" Perfect.
Here are a few pictures of his first day home. He was three months old:
Dash and his squirrel
He has grown a ton over the past three months. He recently has become a TON better about not having accidents in the house. The first 2.5 months were hell, and I cleaned up 4-8 messes every day. Luckily, working from home, he has never been crated for very long by himself. He's so spoiled! He sleeps in his crate at night, and loves to cuddle in the morning. Having a puppy has been the best thing ever, I feel like a hole has finally been filled. Having a cat and a dog keeps me so busy, I don't know how people find time for their kids! Ha.
Some growing up pics:
Dash his first time at the vet. He weighed 4.5 lbs!!
His sad face in his crate while I'm across the room trying to get some work done.
One of my favorites!
Ash and the fur kids.
Graduating from Petsmart puppy class!
Dash today (almost six months old):
So after the Vegas trip, on May 5, I picked up our first family puppy from the airport. He flew all the way from North Carolina to be with us! We had so many fights about naming him, and actually decided on Fendi the night before I picked him up. Then, when I picked him up, the airport tag on his kennel said DASH. Ryan saw it, and said, "Hey....how about Dash?" Perfect.
Here are a few pictures of his first day home. He was three months old:
Dash and his squirrel
He has grown a ton over the past three months. He recently has become a TON better about not having accidents in the house. The first 2.5 months were hell, and I cleaned up 4-8 messes every day. Luckily, working from home, he has never been crated for very long by himself. He's so spoiled! He sleeps in his crate at night, and loves to cuddle in the morning. Having a puppy has been the best thing ever, I feel like a hole has finally been filled. Having a cat and a dog keeps me so busy, I don't know how people find time for their kids! Ha.
Some growing up pics:
Dash his first time at the vet. He weighed 4.5 lbs!!
His sad face in his crate while I'm across the room trying to get some work done.
One of my favorites!
Ash and the fur kids.
Graduating from Petsmart puppy class!
Dash today (almost six months old):
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