A Long Weekend

My place of employment celebrates MLK day, so I had Monday off, which gave me a long weekend.

Friday night I did a bunch of nothing. Surprise. Surprise. I went to the library on my way home from work and checked out two books. I laid and looked at the decor activities in the Young House Love book for hours, then started my second book. Before I knew it, it was 10pm and I went to bed. I probably also worked on a few jigsaw puzzles on my iPad in there too, because my sister got me hooked.

Saturday I slept in. Late. It was Molly's birthday, so after I wrapped her gifts, went to the gym, store, and baked cupcakes, it was time to go out to dinner. She, John and I, along with our friend Lauren, went to Mad Mex, then met some other friends at Big Bang. That has become the place to celebrate birthdays the last few years and somehow I'm the only one that ever actually got put on stage.

My plan on Sunday was to go to the 9am church service, but because I got up too late, I missed it. Mom came to Columbus and the three of us went to the State Fairgrounds to the antique show. I'm on a search for an old map, but didn't find anything I liked. Molly got a wooden Pepsi crate, an old tape measure and something else. I don't remember what. We also went to some shops in Worthington, had lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse and went to Target. My mom loves Target. I hung out at home the rest of the evening and did my bible study lessons.

My dermatologist office doesn't close on MLK day, so I had an appointment with her on my day off, then I headed over to Brittany's house to watch little Hadley for a few hours. I only had her for an hour and a half. We played in the bouncy seat, took a bottle, slept for a half hour (the baby, not me!), and watched the birds out the back window. She was good, and if she started to fuss I just turned on this "cooperation" song and she just watched. I was exhausted and took a two hour nap when I got home! ha. We still had Bible study that evening too, so I went to that. I always leave there feeling so refreshed and optimistic. Being a part of BSF is definitely a blessing. I love going.

I also replaced three bulbs that were burnt out in my kitchen. 3 of the 4, so my kitchen went from being really dark to REALLY BRIGHT. That was my most productive thing I did this weekend - around the house anyway. :)

At Big Bang the boys wanted to embarrass her.

boyfrand

seesters

drink up - FYI, this was not hers, even though she is of legal age to drink it if she wanted....mom.

Moldog with her gifts from me. 

Bow wanted her picture taken too.

I hung up the birthday banner and set out a bunch of pictures she was in. Molly's 'shrine'.

birthday dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse

Bowie ate a cupcake too.

Babysitting Hadley.

And now we wait til Memorial Day for another day off. #wah

Workout Recap: January 13-19, 2014

I'm snagging Jenny's idea and keeping track of my workout from day to day so I can be accountable. Back in November I reactivated my gym membership and have been trying to go at least three nights a week. This past week I did really good. I even went BEFORE work on Wednesday. That used to be a regular occurrence for me a few years ago, but I fell out of the habit. Time to get back in the groove in 2014. And my 'rest days', those weren't planned and to be honest, they're 'rest days' because I was actually sleeping (as in, I fell asleep and was too lazy to get up and go when I woke up from my nap!).

Monday: 8 minute arm workout, 3 mile "Treadmill Shreadmill" workout (35ish minutes)

Tuesday: one hour Zumba class with Ag Ed Society

Wednesday: sexy leg workout, spartan ab 300 workout, 15 minutes of a treadmill workout

Thursday: one hour Zumba class

Friday: rest day

Saturday: weights, ran one mile

Sunday: rest day

Life Lately

No posts have gone up in the last week, because I really have nothing exciting to share.

• I was super busy at work this week. My new notebook to make lists in has improved my efficiency by 120%, so I'm crossing things off the list like no body's business. But the week was stressful and I'm ready for a three day weekend.
• I went to my first Zumba class last week and went two more times this week. I'm still going to the gym on the other days to lift weights.
• My first class was this past week. It's a volunteer management course and as a class project we have to volunteer so many hours over the semester. I wanted to do something with the Columbus Marathon, but they don't take volunteers at this time of year. So the group I went with is another good fit for me! :) (It had to do with cats!!)
• My hair went back to it's natural color last week. Now if only my natural skin tone wasn't so pale. #vampiretan
• The drains in my bathroom were clogged, so when the plumber came last week he got them working again, EXCEPT the drain cleaner he used discolored the drain and the bottom of my tub and basically melted the enamel. Then it was dripped all the way through my dining room, living room and the entry way outside of my door and it discolored the floor and stripped the varnish off the hardwoods. My floors look awful now. I complained.
• Wednesday night Molly and I drove down to Circleville to watch our 'little sister' play 8th grade basketball. I think she had more than half of the teams points. Go Avery.
• I have a three day weekend ahead with no big plans. Molly's birthday is tomorrow. On Sunday Mom is coming up and we're going to the antique show and Monday I'm babysitting Hadley for a few hours, then BSF, then celebrating Alicia's birthday with some bowling. And get caught up on laundry. Oh the exciting life I lead! :) But I love it.

The polka dots on my floor which are really stripped varnish. Grrr.

Just a reminder. :)

Molly and I went to the mall and we like this dress.

My crazy cat sleeping on my shoes.

Weekend Trip

This past weekend I went to Washington DC to visit my sister, B-I-L, and nieces. Since they weren't able to come to Ohio for Christmas, I took Christmas to them. So to speak. ha.

I stayed in town Friday night to watch the Orange Bowl, but unfortunately, Ohio State lost to Clemson. #wah :( I gathered a group of friends to watch the game at Buffalo Wild Wings and Molly and I both showed up in our new scarves (gifts from Heather) and Ohio State headbands (my gift to Molly and myself). 

Twin Seesters.

Saturday morning I got up way earlier than I have in months and flew to DC. My flight left at 7:10 and I was there at 5:45. Needless to say, I was one of the first to arrive at my gate. I enjoyed a Starbucks hot chocolate while I did my Bible Study lesson and people watched. 

Not a fan of Starbucks, but it helped keep me awake and warm.

My plane was pretty empty, so I had the row of seats to myself. I read a few chapters of Trista Sutter's new book and enjoyed some gorgeous sunrise views. I even spotted the ski resorts I've been to in WV. And coming into Reagan, I got to see Arlington National Cemetery from the air. All of the white headstones lined up is amazing. Sad, but amazing.

A little reading on the plane.

Taking off. 

Flying into the sun. :)

Canaan Valley in West Virginia. I've been to that ski resort in the middle of the picture.

Arlington from above.

We landed 20 minutes earlier than planned. So we waited on the plane.

Spending the weekend with the girls was so much fun. I haven't seen them since August and they have both changed so much since then. Em is in kindergarten now and Charley is just so funny. Em reminds me of myself and Charley of Molly. One is quiet and reserved, the other is the family entertainment.

We played legos, watch a few TV shows (Emery can operate the Netflix remote better than me), created cupcake stickers, and had a sleep over. There were soccer games, slides down the stairs, 'snowball' fights, we played cats, looked at pictures of cats, looked at all the pictures on my phone, played Barbies, read books, and just had a great two days. They're coming to visit Ohio soon and I'm excited to see them again. 

Charley was being a cat.

Bowie hangs on the fridge in DC. Emery colored her. 

Cupcake sticker book was a hit!

Noel even got in on the princess logo action.

Triple Selfie

I'm sleeping in a box.

"Hey look, I'm a teenager." - Emery, age 5

On Sunday, my plan was to take Emery to a children's museum nearby, but because of rain that turned into ice, our adventure got cancelled. :( I'll have to make another trip.

The weekend was so much fun.

Love my girls. But not my hair or fat face.

The trip back to Ohio was not as fun. I took the train from near Holly's place to the airport and despite taking my motion sickness pills (two, actually), I got the worst case of car sickness I've ever had and ended up being sick to my stomach on the train platform at Reagan. I was the only person out there - everyone else had already headed for the stairs - and was sick and crying, and lost. I was a hot mess if you've ever seen one. A nice girl came over and asked if I was ok. There was a language barrier, but she gave me a napkin and pointed me towards the airport doors.  Luckily I was able to get a water, gum, postcards (important!), and take my zofran again. And I felt fine the rest of the way home.

The dreaded train ride. After dark. In the snow. Heat blasting. Ugh.

My phone died right after I got on the plane, so I had no photos of that, which since it was at midnight, I didn't have a lot of photos to take. Funniest story, I ended up sitting next to Joey Bosa, an Ohio State football player, who was on his way back from staying with family a few extra days after the Orange Bowl. I had no idea who he was and even after he told me his name, I still asked dumb questions like "do you get to play?" and said things like "I'll have to look for you next season." Then I get home, look him up and find out he's one of the biggest players on the team. Big Ten Player of the Week, All-American as a freshman (probably). So, there's that.

I was excited to get home because while I was at Reagon, I got the text saying work was closed on Monday because of the arctic temperatures we were expecting!! Sleeping in sounded great to me after a weekend of traveling.

NYE

This year I spent NYE with friends at Tricia and Jamey's house in Deleware. It was a low-key celebration, but still a lot of fun! Tricia's house is decorated so cute (I quickly figured out she reads Young House Love too!) and she had really cute decorations for NYE!

I'm so excited for 2014! My horoscope says many good things are coming my way this year, even a 'love interest' in February. Say what??? ha. But I know that it is actually God's plan as to what my life has in store for this next year, but I couldn't be more excited for the adventure.

How cute are these decorations?

Two of my best friends.

More cute decor.

 After looking at my pictures the next morning, I realized I spent NYE with girls that are three of my best friends! So I was glad that I got to spend it with them, along with Tricia and Ashley who have been friends since college! It was a great night.

Me and Jill

Me and Abra - we've known each other for 10 years!! 10! That's crazy.

Me and Cara

 And of course, Bowie sent out a snapchat to her friends too. :)

On New Year's Day, I slept in and when I woke up at 11am(!!!!) I immediately got dressed and headed south for dinner at my grandparents. Mam made ribs and we had mashed potatoes, rolls, and green beans. Everyone but Tyler and I also had sauerkraut, but I'll take my chances of being poor over eating that.

I hung out with the parents and grandparents until the Rose Bowl started, then drove back to Columbus thinking that I'd get home in time to watch the second half of the game. Well, I did get back in time, but the game was on ESPN and I don't get that channel (no cable). In fact, not one college football game was on any channel I got. The best day of the year for college football and I spent my evening watching an episode Law & Order from 1996. #firstworldproblem

Christmas 2013

I had a really great Christmas season this year with friends and family.

I feel like the season started off with a little Christmas dinner I had in mid December. The theme was "Merry & Bright". So guests had the option of how to take the 'bright' part which was a dress code requirement - glitter, sparkles, bright colors. I ended up wearing my favorite gold glitter shorts. Alicia wore a bow skirt (similar but much cuter than this one) and was definitely the best dressed. 

Other than the mirror selfie of me before I changed for bed, I took no pictures! Thanks to those that came.

Why do I have to get so pale in the winter?

 Shannon had a cookie decorating party, so I got my fill of decorating. My favorite is the obre tree I made with pink icing and sprinkles.

Gifts under my little tree. :)

Something new we did this year, which I hope continues to happen every year, was getting together with my grandma's family. We used to go to my Great Grandma Primer's house every Christmas night. It was hands down my favorite part of Christmas when I was little, because we'd all get dressed up in nice Christmas dresses, there were so many people there, and I like being dressed up and at holiday parties! The last time we all got together was the year the Christmas before Grandma moved in to the assisted living facility, which I believe was 2006. It'd been a while. Thank you Cathy for hosting all of us at your house!

Somehow three generations in a row were 90% girls.

On Christmas Eve, Heather, Jimi and baby Cooper came down for Christmas. This year, Holly's family didn't make the trip to Ohio (I'm heading there later this week!). But it was fun to hang out with Cooper, which we refer to as Hanging with Mr. Cooper :). It was great to be a part of his first Christmas.

He is obviously not a fan of Uncle Tyler.

This year, Mam and Randy didn't go to candlelight service at their church, so Molly and I got dressed up and went to the service that Grace UM was having with Teresa and Erin. I loved the service. They told the story of Christmas by reading verses and then having a song that went with it, so throughout the program we went from Mary finding out she was with child by the Holy Spirit, to ending with the wise men arriving at the stable. There were a few songs that we didn't sing which I consider 'must have' Christmas songs, BUT they did sing my new favorite Christmas song which is Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. We sang it at BSF a few weeks ago, then I started noticing it everywhere! I love it!

Silent Night by candlelight at church!

On Christmas Day, we went to Mam and Papaw's for breakfast. I love Christmas morning breakfast at their house. It's my favorite Christmas tradition. Other families do dinner, we do breakfast.

This year, instead of buying gifts for everyone, we drew names. I got my Mom's name and she got mine. I got her a pair of nice pajamas and she got me a chunky grey necklace and black and white Aztec print leggings.

Cousins at Mam's.

Each year, Mam takes my picture with her nativity scene. She has done this since I was a baby and someday I'm going to go through all of her photos and get those pictures and put them all together. She doesn't do this with any other grandkids. I'm sure it has to do with me being the first grandchild and after more came along it got too hectic. ha. 

I tried to get a 'family' photo of Bowie and I in front of my parents tree, but that worked about as well as nailing jello to a tree (a saying of Dad). So here is the best result. Molly even got one of her jumping out of my arms. 

#dyejobneededasap #aswellassun

Christmas night we exchanged gifts with the family. I got another pair of aztech leggings (from Molly) and a cute top, along with new towels, flannel sheets and a shop vac. And of course, I was super excited about all of them. #gettingold

The best present of all.

Dan was in town for the holidays from Brazil. He was an exchange student that lived with Vonnie and John in 2011. One evening we all went over and played card games all evening with him, Anna (his cousin who is the current exchange student living with Vonnie) and some of Dan's friends from when he visited. It was a lot of fun. We played Apples to Apples every day for a week. It's a fun game!

Molly also gave Portuguese lessons in between rounds.

After 7 days at home, Bowie and I were excited to come back to Columbus, although I was really jealous that the night I left Molly got to hang out with Payton and Avery and then the next day they went prom dress shopping!!!! While unpacking and putting away gifts, I realized Bowie got about 25 mice or play toys for Christmas! And I didn't buy her any of them! My family always teases me about being a cat lady, but look who the crazy ones are that buy her stuff. (I may or may not have bought her catnip bubbles at the store last night, but it was after Christmas!)

I'm the baby, gotta love me!

This was a great Christmas and I'm so thankful to have spent it with my family. In the past I stressed about decorating and gifts and wrapping them. This year, I took time to read the stories of Jesus' birth from the Bible, because to me that's an important part of the holiday season. :) My gifts weren't wrapped any special way - a cheap roll of paper from Target and festive bows from Walmart, but hey, they served their purpose!