my life is so hard... except not really

That's right, I had a bad day today. I don't even want to go into the details of the day because I am SO over it so I'll just leave it at that. 

But even if I did list out each reason of why I thought it was a bad day, most of you would tell me to get over myself and quit being a sissy 'cause life could be a LOT worse. So I'm going to go work on that now. 

The ironic thing is that the part of my day that I should legitimately be able to complain about didn't really phase me. (I'll credit that to Regan's purely glass-half-full mentality.)  At nearly the end of my bad day Regan called me to say that his car was broken down. Not only was I not even surprised but I wasn't frantic either, like perhaps I had good excuse to be. We got it towed and we'll figure out the rest tomorrow. 

The silver lining of this all is that I realized that every once in a while I might just have a rotten day, I'll get in a good cry (maybe go get a diet coke), and then I'll know that the day has to end at some point and that things are bound to look up tomorrow. 

So here is to a brighter tomorrow. I'll drink to that.

when the cat's away...

...the mouse goes to work parties stag.

When I was a Jr. in high school I was all alone one day, it was a school holiday and my parents were out of town or something (it should be quite obvious by now that I have a failing memory) but I was really excited because I decided to go to a movie. Alone. The movie was lame, and I was the only one in the theater but it was one of the most exciting things for me. I don't know how to explain it, I'm sure it sounds crazy.

Anyway, the point of that tangent was that Regan was double-booked with work/school stuff tonight so I braved going to my work party sans my better half. Aren't I a brave little toaster? I actually was a little nervous; I don't go to many functions like that alone. Even before I was married I usually dragged a roommate/friend to any social event I wanted to go to. It was kinda weird to go alone but I'm kinda geeky and I like to do stuff by myself every once in a while. It makes me feel independent and empowered. Or something. And, I genuinely had a good time socializing outside of the 9-5. AND there was an open bar which is totally awesome. Haha, just kidding! But I think could have filled my tank with amount of diet coke I drank. Which might explain why it's almost 12:45 am and I'm still twitching.

And in case you are wondering, Wake Wives was fun too. We met at Kernal Kustards, (place in town that sells gourmet popcorn and custard. Creative, huh?) and it was fun to catch up with some of the girls I haven't seen since school let out and meet some of the new wives.

And since I'm giving you a blow by blow of my life, I also went to costco. I bought milk, bread, and a watermelon (but not spinach because it was on the outs). Is TMI a side effect of too much caffeine?

As my niece, Leo, would say, "I'm out."

baby cash

Reg and I drove to Charlotte yesterday to go to my cousin's baby's blessing. Stephanie and Chip's baby, Cash, was too cute in his little white suit with matching blue cummerbund and tie. We thought Charlotte was beautiful, I'm glad we finally made it down to see where they live.

It was fun to get to see my favorite girls while we were there, even if it was just for a few hours. Bonus: We scored some Trader Joe's green salsa (best EVER). Gracias Chels for stocking us up.

Congrats Chip and Stephanie!

p.s. completely off the topic, BUT does anyone think i should get bangs? this picture makes me think i should try it. my neighbor/friend/hair dresser has said that i should but i'm such a chicken! i've gone as far as pinning my hair to try and visualive it... but still, i'm gutless. i'm almost positive that as soon as i do it i will regret it. i'll probably just continue talking about it for the next few months (like i have for the past few months) and then still not do it.

ok, I'm done

And now we can talk about it. I'll just say that I liked this MUCH MUCH more than the previous three. I thought the ending was a little too perfect, but I still really enjoyed it. I no longer hate Bella and I will finally admit that I'm glad that Bella chose Edward over Jacob.

Wishing I had some other good book to go home to tonight... oh well. At least, I have Wake Wives!

best day of my week

And not just because it's Friday. That's nice and all but add a fabulous/easy lunch on a Friday and you've got a winning combination.

Earlier this week I rekindled my love affair with my george foreman. I am as shocked as the next guy. I didn't foresee pulling that thing out for a LONG time. I bought it during my sophomore year at BYU when I was first starting to really cook for myself everyday (or every other day. or every other other day.) Then I got burned out on it because is a PAIN to clean. And I'm lazy. (Suz: Former live former life!) Regan can attest to the fact that I am anti hand washing things; I like to put EVERYthing in the dishwasher. 

But this week, Regan and I have been making homemade panini* and as you can imagine, I am totally smitten. (With the sandwiches.) A few times we have used some fancy bread from Fresh Market but really even my regular wheat bread from Costco does the trick. They are so easy to make and clean-up. I couldn't ask for more. I know its not a novel idea but you know how I hate always trying to come up with meal plans.

Here's my Equation:

A thin layer of Classico pesto sauce on one slice of bread

+ a handful of spinach

+ two slices of tomato (yes, I'm even having the tomatoes)

+a sprinkling of grated cheese

+ shredded chicken (if its a fancy night) or deli sliced lunch meat (on a regular day)

= Heaven. 

I'm a simple girl. If you couldn't tell, it really doesn't take that much to make me happy.

*Btw, I just learned from wikipedia that panini is the plural form of the word. Singular form: panino.  Huh. I never knew.

Drill Baby Drill

I didn't watch the whole Republican National Convention last night. Shame on me, I know. I was lame and reading Breaking Dawn. (I just started it so don't post any comments PLEASE. I was shocked when the library sent me a notice that my time on the waiting list was up. I guess it's the demographic of my county. The people here just aren't quite as excited about vampire love as the rest of us.) But I did catch the end of the convention which I assume was the most important part. 

And I was really excited by Palin's speech. (Although, maybe not as much as my brother or this guy. ) I thought her delivery was excellent and the content substantial. 

Even though I liked her sassy jabs at Obama, my favorite part of the entire night was when camera cut to a shot of Palin's family and there was cute, little Piper Palin licking her palm and smoothing her baby brother's wispies. Hysterical. Oh, and Cindy is just looking so classy these days, don't you think?

And does anyone else wish you could just do this when people start spouting off stuff you don't want to listen to? 

All in all it was excellent and I am really geared up to support this election. I credit that to Palin. Drill Baby Drill! (Btw, have I mentioned that I met McCain back when I was campaigning in Vegas in 2004? Just thought I'd toot my own horn.) 

my designs on a dime

Here are a few of the projects that I was working on while Regan was in UT a few weeks ago. I think I am most proud of the wall art... done by yours truly (with a little help from my equally talented spouse.) In retrospect, computer paper really isn't the best medium for water color paintings but whatever. It works. I probably shouldn't tell this but I love a good deal too much not to: I got all four frames for $2. Amazing. We actually did the paintings one day while we were in Richmond and I had a need for releasing some creative energy.

I can remember when I was in HS I used to get to the point where I felt like I just *NEEDED* to craft something. I don't really get those same urges as often these days... I like to blame it on all that cooking I do. Haha. Sometimes I really like to get those creative juices flowing but somehow the monotony of "what should I make for dinner?" annihilates the urge. I guess I didn't do as much cooking, or thinking about cooking, while I was in RIC because one day I had the urge to paint these beauties. I've affectionately named the grouping Big Poppy: (these hang in our hall bath)

(And I realize that the paintings look a little crooked in this picture, but they are not. It's your eyes. You should really get that checked out. Also, if you aren't impressed with my artistic abilities- shame on you. I'll blame it on my camera quality.)

ANYWAY, I also stained this table that I made my junior year of high school. I found it in my parents attic while we were living with them for the summer. My conversation with Regan went some thing like this*:

Me: Oh, look at this table! I think I made it.

Regan: Really?

Me: I think I did. I kind of don't remember but I think I made it in high school.

Regan: Wow.

Me: No, Regan, I think I actually made this! I mean, who else would have made it? I think it was my final project in wood shop. No, I remember now. I did make it! But I never finished staining it because I thought that I might want to paint it red and then I was afraid of painting it red and hating it. This is MY table!

Regan: This is really good. I can't believe you made it. (Then he really checked it out... you know like tapping on it and stuff.)

Me: I know! It was a lot of hard work, but I did it. I am so awesome. This table is awesome. And now we can have a coffee table. For free!

And there you have it. We weren't really looking for a coffee table. And I don't even really love oak. But when you realize that you forgot that you even made a table and then you stumble across it in your parent's attic and remember that it was in your car when you got pulled over for having expired tags on your car (so it should definitely fit on the slightly larger car that you drive now)... you don't really have much of a choice.

*Obviously, when a girl can barely remember that she made something totally awesome and useful--she's not going to remember something small like the actual details of a conversation that took place about that totally awesome and useful thing. But I think I captured the mood of the discourse pretty well.

I'm a little bummed that I forgot to take the before picture my table sans all the stain and finish... but c'est la vie. Now if I can just resist the urge to put my feet on it.

Keepin' it Real since 1981

As you can tell, August is a busy month for our little family of two. And yesterday was one of the best days of the month because Regan had a birthday! 

We celebrated with some presents, a trip to the gym, a stop at Fresh Market to pick up some gourmet food, and some Olympics. We topped the night off by having some friends over for cheesecake + cherry topping.  (I got the recipe from Martha Stewart and it turned out pretty good, esp. for how easy it was.)

Happy B-day Regan. I'm glad you were born. 

Guess who's back?

Welcome back,  welcome back, welcome back!

Hahahaha. This picture cracks me up every time I look at it. 

And yes, I am bored at work today. 

And yes, I have had FAR too much time on my hands this week. 

And yes, I do need to work on my photoshop skills. 

But you get the point. Enjoy!

Best Two Years

This song came on as I drove to work today. Naturally, I blasted it for my entire commute. Too bad my commute only lasted 2/3 of the way through the song. I looked it up once I got into my cubicle this morning because I thought it was a good theme song for the day. (And you know I can't resist a good theme song on Repeat. Especially since I've been working on my 'moves' in my Zumba class at the gym... LOVE that class.)

Because, (drum roll please) as of today, Regan and I have officially been married for two years. HOW CRAZY! I feel like I blinked my eyes and here we are. Although the time has flown by, I can't believe all that has changed in our lives.

On our anniversary last year we pulled into our new town at 10 pm at night and Regan was to start school two days later. We had no idea where we were going to live, what our new city was like, where I would work, etc. The whole thing was definitely scary although a little exciting, too. Little by little we've been making this place feel a little more like home. When I think back to how things have turned out so far for us I am amazed at how blessed we have been in so many ways, probably more than we deserve. I am so grateful that I have Regan in my life and I hope he never leaves me alone for a week again. haha, jk. But I am looking forward to picking him up from the airport tomorrow. 

I think the 2nd year has been even better than the first. Here's to a billion, trillion more!

Sweatin' with the Oldies

I swear Richard Simmons was teaching the class I went to at the gym yesterday. I thought I was going to a class called 'Burnout' but some how I ended up in step aerobics. I've been to all different sorts of classes before but I usually pass on the step aerobics but I decided to give it a go since I was already there and the class was starting. My instructor wasn't wearing the tank top and he didn't exactly have the same hair-do but everything else was spot on.

The entire time I was trying not to laugh as I attempted to V-Step, mambo in the back, travel the world, skip turn, straddle up, straddle down, etc. The class only had 6 people in it and I was by far the youngest and least experienced.

The best part was at the end, when I was putting all of my gear away, the old guy next to me told me not to worry because they had all been doing this for a long time. (I guess he must have noticed that I was a little slow when it comes to learning choreographed moves. Or maybe he just saw me take a pass every time they did the the skip-step. I'm sorry but I just didn't like skipping around my bench!)

While the class was very entertaining, I think I'll try a new yoga class tonight instead.

Three Dog Night had it right

`Cause one IS the loneliest number. This morning (at 5:00 AM) I shipped Regan off to visit his family in UT for a week. Don't worry, I'm not sitting at home bawling my eyes out. (Not yet anyway. heh) I am going to miss having him around for the next 7 days but I am really excited that he gets to go see everyone and maybe get a little Cafe Rio at some point. He deserves a fun trip after all the hard work he has done this past year. I know he is excited to beat everyone at badminton, eat all of his mom's good food, and get reacquainted with the mountains. Have fun in Zion, Regan!

As I crawled back into bed this morning at 5:30 AM I realized the silver lining to my new-found independence. A whole bed to myself without interruption really isn't too bad every once in a while. In fact,  I think I might just use his pillow too.

I've got a few projects on my to-do list while he is gone, including but not limited to: organizing the office (again), doing some light decorating (this one never really goes off my list), staining the coffee table I made in high school, trying out some new classes at the gym, and watching lots and lots of dumb girly movies. Now if only the whole work thing didn't get in the way of all my fun. Siiigh.

ps- nice picture, huh? haha, I've been playing with the camera on my new work computer all morning. I'm IN LOVE with this MacBook Pro.

If you can can can

We went peach picking with my brother Denton and his family a few weeks ago. It was a blast. Now I am just wishing that we had picked more. Highlight of the day: Regan lifted Leo up to pick some peaches off of the highest branch of a tree and she dropped all the peaches on his head. I might be alone in this but I thought it was SO funny.

Then last Saturday we went to Denton's and he taught me how to can. It was so fun, and I am now all about it. I can't wait to have a garden. I'm ready to invest in my very own canner. Or at least I am at the point where I actually have a desire to own one. Who knows how long it will be before I actually bite the bullet. (Remember how long it took me to get a new crock pot after that whole saga?)

Oh, and maybe Regan is the only one who has heard me say that I want a popcorn popper for the last 8 months... but I got one! Turns out my dad had a spare. I could die happy.

4th of July

We missed going to the annual balloon launch in Provo this year but we still had an excellent Independence day. Here we are at the Richmond canal where we went on a little tour of the river district. (Not pictured is me deciding to follow Regan down a grassy hill, taking a fall, and exposing myself to all on this cute little boat. Nice.)
As you can see my mom had a raucous time on the cruise.


Of course we had to get a "girls" picture...notice my mom sporting Regan's shades, I thought it really completed the picture.

After the canal we came back to my parents for a cookout. I attempted to make Regan's mom's layered jigglers. They didn't turn out quite as perfect as her's (surprise) but not too bad for my first attempt, I thought.

Happy Birthday Whitefish!

Update

I found a job. Horray! I can't believe that I found a job so perfect for such a short amount of time. Briefly, I thought I was going to have to go back to NC to work at my real job. (My boss found some work for me, which was totally nice, but I was dreading being there by myself and driving back and forth every weekend.) But, somehow things have a way of working out at the last minute for Regan and me. You'd think we'd be better with the whole patience thing. (We're getting there.)

Actually, I just finished my first week and so far so good. I am "babysitting" for a family that lives like a mile from my parents house. I say "babysitting" in quotes but the family has three girls: twin ten year-olds and a twelve year-old... so its not really babysitting. More like, hanging out, making sure they do their chores, and driving them to whatever fun activity we have planned for the day. It is so much fun. So far we have gone to the pool, ice skating, the library, and the park for a picnic/mini hike. Today is baking day... we are going to walk to the grocery store and then make homemade pizza. I may just decided to never go back to my other job.

Regan's job is going well, too. It sounds like he has gotten to do some cool stuff. Today he is at the prison... he told me not to be too surprised if he doesn't come home. Everyday I am amazed at how different his days are. I am sure it is a welcome change from classes.

Oh, while I'm in the mode of updating, I guess I will mention that I started wearing my retainers again... haha, yes I know you were all dying to know. It was pretty rough the first couple of nights because my teeth have shifted quite a bit... but the jaw pain that I was having has mysteriously disappeared, so that is good. I'm still not any better at talking with them in... but I think I sound THO THO THEXY. I just feel like I am getting so in touch with my middle school past. Hanging out at Skate Nation, wearing retainers, spending lots of time with 5th and 6th graders, etc. (Did I mention that they are also girl scouts? We can REALLY relate.)

We Moved!

Okay, we didn't really move... more like we are on an extended vacation. Except that hopefully we will both be working. Regan started working today for an attorney in Richmond and it sounds like he is going to get a ton of hands-on experience. I'm not positive what I will be doing...still working on that. We moved in with my parents yesterday and we are both excited to be doing something new. And I'm also excited because my parents have cable : )

Of course I am looking forward to my usual stops:

The Byrd Theater. (Though the seats may be slightly uncomfortable, you can't beat a $2 movie... with an opener that features and organist that emerges from beneath the stage!)

The "fancy" Arby's as we like to call it. Yes there is such a thing. And yes, they do have hedges trimmed in the shape of animals in the parking lot. I haven't been back here my last few visits but I feel like it should at least get a shout out on the blog.

Monument Avenue. That's all I have to say about that.

Pony Pasture. It is a rite of passage for all those who come to visit, I think.

My alma mater... gotta stop by good ole Mills E. Godwin. Or at least take a jog on the track...

Stony Point Mall. Okay, this is a picture of some other random child I found on google (scary, I know) but it looks similar to some pics I had of my nieces that got deleted off my computer so I figured it was ok to borrow. Evie turned 3 yesterday so we are having a party at the mall for her today. The fountain at SPM is really fun... for kids, not so much for me. I just like going to Anthropology.

Short Pump Town Center. Its funny that I'm excited for the malls considering I don't have any extra money to spend right now... but it will be nice to have an Apple Store nearby. And of course I always love to stop in at H&M.



Ukropies! I love love love going to Ukrop's any time of the day. Best grocery store ever. (Although, I will say that my Harris Teeter is close in the running b/c it has much better sales.) Except that I think Ukrops is more than Just a grocery store. The cafe has such yummy food and their desserts are my favorite. I tell everyone how great Ukrop's is but you really can't fully appreciate it until you go there yourself.

Wish me luck on my quest to find summer employment!

OBX 2008

We had such a fun time at the beach with my family. It was a major bummer coming home and having to get back to reality. I wish we could go on a permanent vacation.

Some highlights (in no particular order):

1) Probably my favorite conversation of the week was on the first night when I was sitting in the living room with Denton and Leo. Leo was telling me that she liked math and Denton told her she should show me her math skills. Leo said ok and then turned to me and said "Twenty" in this hilarious-dramatic- almost seductive voice. I laughed about it all week long.

2) Burying the kids in the sand... and Regan too! (Sorry, Regan jumped up just before his picture was taken b/c one of the kids accidentally kicked sand into his mouth :)3) Braving the freezing water at the beach. It wasn't so bad by the end of the week, or maybe we just got used to it. Next time we want to bring boogy boards. I know you are dying to see pics of Regan and I at the beach but I couldn't find any of us from and when we went with the kids and although we went several other times, we never brought our camera. We also didn't take our camera when we went to the light house and met some really nice Mennonites. (Also a highlight.) Maybe next time?

4) Making "the best chicken tacos my dad has ever had". I don't have a picture of the tacos but here is Clayton making the salsa.5) Taking the beach cruisers for a spin with Regan (it has been YEARS since I rode a bike and yet I could still do it!) and now I totally want to buy a bike- with a bell and a basket. I do have a picture of me on the bike but I have not uploaded it... I'll have to add that one later. Or maybe you can just imagine it.

6) Playing Big Booty, the strip game, and mafia... ok, not really mafia, I guess... but I felt like I should just put it down to document that we did it. But mostly, just getting to hang out with my crazy family.7) Taking this hilarious picture of Evie during the road rally:
8) Getting to play with all of my nieces and nephews and getting to meet my newest niece, Tess. By the end of the week I was even getting used to waking up that early : )9) Watching Felix try to play anyone and every one at Chess. (Here he is teaching 2 year old Maddox how to play.)10) Girl time.
11) Thanks to Clayton, I realized that I forgot to add "Johns" to the list. Not necessarily the best milkshake I've ever had (although definitely one the of pricier) but getting to hang out with Clayton is always a good time. We went here on Saturday afternoon and by that time most of my family had already started for home. We spent the last afternoon/night hanging out and talking with Denton, Marissa, Clayton and his friends which of course was a nice way to end the very eventful week.
I can't wait for next year's reunion!!

He made it...

Regan officially finished his first year of law school on Wednesday. We are now working on trying to forget the misery that is FINALS. He was relentless when it came to studying and I know that all of his hard work is going to pay off. All I can say is WHEW!! I'm glad it is all over.

This year had flown by, I seriously can't believe how fast it went. But I am grateful to be on to the summer, the beach, and hopefully a lot more free time.

And now the countdown:
Romans Reunion 2008 in 2 days!

If only my car ran on diet cherry seven up...

A few weeks ago I was checking out at Teeter (that's my really clever slang for Harris Teeter, my favorite local grocery store) and after scanning and bagging my loot at the self-checkout I grabbed my receipt and the coupon that prints out at the end when you do self-checkout. The coupons that print out aren't normally that great... but every once in a while there is one worth using. On this particular trip it was for $1 off a Diet 7UP product. I thought that was decent but didn't think of it again until a week later a noticed that the Diet 7UP 2 liters were on sale for a buck... "Awesome, I'm totally going to get a free 2 litler." So I grab it and head to the self-checkout where at the end of my purchase another '$1 off a Diet 7UP product' coupon prints out. "That's kinda funny" I think as I head back to grab another soda, because I figure I might as well.

But is doesn't end there. It keeps printing out every time I "buy" a Diet 7UP! I went back the next day because I had to return the redbox I rented the previous day and I realized that the sale was ending and figured that would be the end of it. And it was... until I looked at the ad yesterday and now diet 7UP is on sale for $0.88. So really, I save about 12 cents on my groceries by choosing to buy soda.

I feel compelled to keep getting them every time I go to Teeter. And I keep thinking that if this keeps up I will never have to spend money on diet 7UP again! The funny thing is, I don't even love the stuff... which is why I discovered that the coupon also works on diet cherry 7Up- which I LOVE.