What Does The E Say: A Late Link Up

I can’t even with Ethan sometimes. He lives to embarrass me. This is a terribly late link up, but I just have too many E gems to share with the world (or maybe they should be locked deep away in a dark closet)....

• His latest nickname for me is stinkrat. He’s also referred to me a pork chop as well. 
• Last week while commuting in together (on crowded Metro), I poked him to show him something in the Morning Express, and he responds by saying (too loudly) “No Ma'am, you CANNOT touch my penis!”

• His parents want to give us some furniture when they move. When they asked him about an item, he told them, "I dunno, you’ll have to ask the Fuhrer." He also has referred to me as “the Boss” or “Heffe” while we shop, talk to his parents, have anything moved, when we had a little bit of kitchen work done, etc.

Ethan on Pregnancy/ a New Baby

• I was so excited someone finally asked me if I was pregnant. He says “I’ll pay you $5 next time someone asks you if you’re pregnant, look horrified, and say ‘why would you ask me that, do I look fat?!’”
• Do you think we can register for a Panini grill for the baby registry?
• I think it's a girl becasue my wallet's been tingling.

He was actually very well-behaved when we went to Babies R Us to register. I think only because we were going to get lunch afterwards and I said I would be too angry to get lunch if this didn't go well.

Shopping with Ethan: (I really should have learned my lesson already and just leave him home when I want to go shopping)

• A classic, while walking into Forever 21, he loudly asks, “aren’t you waaay past 21 to be shopping here?”
• Not what he says, but does, takes the stuffed dogs at VS Pink and puts them in compromising positions. 
• He also likes to find a spot to sit in to check sports. The best was when he sat on the floor by a display in the back on Loft. 
• He also loves to pick up an XXL shirt and say, isn't this your size? He also likes to wave giant granny panties in the air and say isn't this what you need Kim?

Humpday Confessions: Pregnancy Edition

Linking up with Vodka and Soda for some Humpday confessions.  I thought I'd give you all a peek into my pregnancy experience thus far.

I walk around with my pants unbuttoned all day with the equivalent of a tube top covering it. For jeans, I have a rubber band that strains to keep some semblance of "pants buttoned".

I might be a little moody. When the cafeteria ran out of big, soft, salty pretzels, I felt apocalyptic. Yea, I wrote them a note too. I'd love to hear the reaction of the person that reads that one. "Hardy har, this fat a** is concerned about running out of pretzels at 2p"

My face is broken out and around my mouth too, so it looks like I have the Herp. (I’ve never had a cold sore, so I don’t know what it’s supposed to be like, but hey, why not start now!)

I am not “showing”; I just look chubby. At least everyone knows now so they can’t judge!

  Sorry, any chance I can get to get a picture of a fat cat on the blog, I must take. It's a problem really.

 

All I feel like eating is (giant soft) pretzels and Mexican food. Unfortunately, both give me horrid heartburn.

I haven’t worked out since early January. I've been feeling much better, it's just that there's such good TV on right now! I keep saying I’m going to walk when it gets warm outside, so we’ll go with that for now.

I know I'm extremely lucky and I can't wait to have bay-bay, so here's some positivity so I'm not too complainy in one post.

Boys Behind the Blog Link Up #9

It's time for one of my favorite link ups! It's always a treat (?) to see what Ethan is going to say next.




1. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? Knoxville, duh. (I think he's being facetious because I always say I miss it).
2. Sand or snow? Sand (I've had enough snow this year, thank you).
3. What Winter Olympic sport would you rock at? Bobsled
4. You're cooking a romantic dinner- what is your go-to dish? A great dessert for my boo. (He knows me well)
5. Fill in the blank: This year, I gave (your wife/girlfriend/fiance's name) a ____________________ for Valentine's Day? Flowers and candy.

I don't have many pics of the E that I haven't used over and over, so I thought I'd get a new one. This is my sweet petunia:

Last night," please let me get a cute pic of you and the cat for the blog." I am trying not to offend, but you probably get what he's up to. (FYI, he's not terrible, just a jokester, we were both laughing)

 

Another Year, Another Leibster

I've was nominated for a Leibster last year, but sweet Kenzie has nominated moi again!

In case you forgot the rules, the Liebster Award is awarded to new bloggers by other bloggers. These new bloggers may have a smaller following, but show potential for growth. Here are the rules for the Liebster Award: 1. Link back to the blogger that nominated you; 2. Answer the 11 questions requested by the person who nominated you; 3. Choose 11 nominees with smaller followings (ranging from 200-2,000); 4. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you; and 5. You must let the bloggers know they were nominated.
Same as last year, I don't really follow the rules when it comes to these. I don't know 11 blogs to nominate (none of the blogs I read are "new") and I nominated last year, so I'm taking a pass.  I know I'm not in the spirit of things, but I try to link back to blogs I like and read often :).

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging? The awesome people you connect with.

2. If you had an afternoon all to yourself, what would you do with it? If money is no object, have a fabulous facial and massage at one of the fancy spas in DC.

3. What is your favorite hobby? Scrapbooking, although I never do it.

4. What is the last thing you did outside of your comfort zone?  I dunno- I don't like to talk on the phone (I prefer email), so making a phone call to offer condolences to someone I didn't know well.

5. What is one thing you wish people knew about you? I'm an open book, and most people think I’m really outgoing, but it takes me a while to get there. I’m really shy & insecure around new people.

I guess since this is a pretty narcissistic post, I'll post a pic of myself. This is my "ask me about myself" pose.

6. What is one goal that you have set for yourself this year? Pay off one of our many student loans.

7. You have a free night, go out or stay home? Depends, I like to stay in when it’s cold like now, but definitely go out and walk around when it’s warm.

8. If you could have any job, what would it be? Something where I felt like I really made a difference, like a vet or a smartie that could research cures for diseases.
9. What is your morning routine like? Snooze 5 times, get myself ready as fast as possible (brush teeth, contacts, full makeup & get dressed), always make the bed no matter no late I am (defies login I know), throw my lunch I made the night before in my scraggly Vera Bradly bag (those things are not meant to hold up to daily Metro commutes) and out the door I go.

10. What is your favorite book? Hmmmm, so hard, I have so many. I love Pillars of the Earth, Roses, I Know This Much is True, Nineteen Minutes, and Savannah Blues are my top 5 (for now).

11. If you could have a $500 gift card to any store, which would you choose? TJMaxx or Target. 


 

Humpday Confessions

Yay, Humpday- halfway to a nice, long holiday weekend.

I posted yesterday about my pump me up jam and asked others what their song was. Yes, I didn’t know any of the songs (I did, but didn’t know the title until I you tubed it). Sad. No wonder Ethan doesn’t want me on his Pop Trivia dream team.

I don’t think I love shoes anymore. I used to, but nowadays I only wear the same 2 pairs of flats and heels that need to be shined and well probably just replaced. Walking around the city, you gotta have something you won’t fall in. (Although I do see some fabulous ladies wearing their big heels regardless)

I am a terrible "snoozer", like I seriously hit the snooze button 5 times before I actually get up. In an effort to get better sleep, I set my alarm for later and said I would just wake up when that went off. Now I just get to work later....

I watched Bad Grandpa and laughed so hard. Johnny Knoxville is from my hometown. It’s kind of embarrassing; we have him, Dolly Parton, and 2 NFL punters.

I have yet to get Ethan a V-day present, so he’s probably not getting anything (he doesn’t read this blog, so it’ll still be a surprise!).

I secretly wish I could get an awesome new camera and take some classes and be a great photographer. Then my Christmas cards and blog photos would be off the chain. I pretty much exclusively use the iPhone.

When I see service & police dogs, I want to hug and kiss them, even though I know they’re working.

 

 Remember Tiny Toons? I loved that show!

I don’t care about the Olympics (is that un-American?). I love movies about that Olympics though!

Humpday Confessions

I've had my 2 mo. sabbatical. What have I been up to- travelling the world, finding a cure for cancer? None of the above, just hibernating? Ding ding ding. (confession #1)

# 2. I had no idea who to root for in the Superbowl. Peyton did go to my Alma Mater (UT!) and he seems so nice, but there is another Broncos player that went to my Alma Mater, I'll refer to him as "Summer's Eve".  Another Broncos player did a terrible reality TV show on E!, I'll call him Massengill. Plus, the Seahawks had those flashy lime green splashes of color on their uniforms. It was hard. I just ate spinach artichoke dip.

3. I tried to binge-watch Breaking Bad, but just couldn't get into it.

4. I might go Bridesmaidzilla for my little brother's wedding. I am so excited for the shower and rehearsal and everything! I created a Pinterest page for the shower and everyone's probably confused since I've been married for oh 7 years. Also, I'm the oldest Bridesmaid (or am I a Bridesmatron?)

5. I recently re-discovered the EMP (English Muffin Pizza) and grilled cheese. It's all I eat for dinner anymore. So much for healthy eating in the New Year.

Well, that's about all I can handle until I get back into the swing of things. Pictures next post, promise!

Jan. Feb. March 2013- Review Extravaganza

I like to plan and the idea of recapping 2013 chunk by chunk definitely appealed to me, so for the next Thursdays, you'll be hearing about 2013. Thanks Kenzie!

Jan- we rang in the New Year in Cape Cod, MA. Set some goals. We actually did really well with the fiscally responsibility, until we bought a house. We just needed so much stuff that the budget was blown. 
Feb- went on a road trip to Richmond to have the cat's dental work done. Typing that sentence made me cringe at how crazy I sound.

 Only 1 tooth.

Feb/ March- went to Bimini with the girls just like the RHOMIA. It was amazing and the highlight of the freezing winter- duh. Sigh, I might need to make going to paradise when it's freezing in DC an annual occurrence.

March- went home to TN to help with the family garage sale and clean out my crap I've been storing in my old childhood bedroom. (I sorted it and my poor parents are still anxiously awaiting me to take the boxes).
Tune in next week to relive April, May, and June with me.

Humpday Confessions

Whoo hoo, my girl Kathy is doing a link up, so you know I have to participate for my favorite canuck!

1. Here's what pics on my phone look like. I love my little chubba. The poor fit cat doesn't get nearly as much love. And I might be a crazy cat lady.

2. I never wear shoes at my desk. This is a slight issue when my boss calls me into her office and I have to scramble to put my heels on.

3. We made up new words for the Sound of Music, just in time for Carrie Underwood's remake.
"I am 36, going on 37, I play video games...." This is for Ethan of course. I am still in my 20s and need someone older.

4. We've had to make phone calls recently to: my medical insurance, doctor's office, college financial aid, and the cable company. I don't even know who I loathe more.

5. I secretly love Vanderpump Rules. I might even like it better then the RHOBH. I'm far too old for these twenty year olds delicious drama.

Autumn Book Challenge Update

Happy Cyber Monday All. I am trying to stay out of the online shops today as to avoid being a greedy little piggy and buying a bunch of "gifts" for myself!

So, the holidays are upon us which means some added stress! To unwind, there's nothing I like to do more than snuggle under the warmth of a blanket and read a good book (I'm also having a hankering for some hot chocolate with a candy cane in it now). What's on the nightstand to read now is on my list form  Megan's Autumn Reading Challenge.

10: Read a book that has been featured in Oprah's Book Club.
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
I am so pissed- this book was awful. I got to 350 or so pages before I had to stop. Now, it's messed up my points! Grrrr.

30: Read two books by the same author.
The Tao of Martha and Jeneration X by Jen Lancaster
Done. I love me some Jen Lancaster, but I preferred Jeneration X faaar more than Tao of Martha. I don't really get into her "project for a year" format. Thus, I didn't care for My Fair Lazy and Such a Pretty Fat, or The Happiness Project for that matter.



Oct- 30 points
Nov- only 30 more points for a total of 60. Darn you Johnathan Franzen and your pretentious writing!
I might be a big loser regarding the points, but this challenge helped me put together a nice list of books to read!

Nov. Boy Behind My Blog Link Up

Once a month, I have been linking up give you some insight into what I am dealing with at home. J/K, hope you enjoy learning more about E.

1. Who is your favorite band/musician? Really, anything but Country music

This is lame, I probed him to give you all a better answer, but no, this is all he's got.


2. What was your first CD/tape? I'm pretty sure it was a Michael Jackson "Thriller" tape; yes, I'm old enough to remember when CDs weren't even available!


3. Who was your first concert? Aerosmith in 1993 or 1994


4. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Green Bean Casserole
This is true, my man goes crazy for some GBC as he calls it.

5. Finish the sentence: I am thankful for... being healthy, a loving wife, a great family and in-laws, and to being relatively comfortable in life.

Fall Book Challenge- Oct. update

How was everyone's Halloween?  Mine was a DISASTER!
I wasn't getting any trick-or-treaters, so when I finally got 3 older trick or treaters and they asked how much they could take, I said whatever, take as much as you like. Oh they did.  I was a hero for like 30 seconds.
Of course minutes later, the parade of kids came though and I ran out! I had to turn away a little princess (seriously, she was like 5, I turned away a 5 year old princess).
I then turned out the lights and hid.
Ethan comes out of the office and sees the lights out and wrappers all over the coffee table.  Ethan: "didn't you learn anything from The Wire. You NEVER get high on your own supply."
(hanging head in shame)

 I tried- I mean I wore cat ears and orange and got the good candy like Reese's and Kit Kats!

Anyhoooo, since today is November (I can't believe it), it's also time to check in with Megan's Autumn Reading Challenge.

 

5: Read a book that does not have "the," "a" or "an" in the title.
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
This was excellent! Jeannette's novel about her tough as nails grandma's life staring in the 20s. She the kinda gal I look up to.

10: Read a book that has been featured in Oprah's Book Club.
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

10: Read a book that takes place in the state where you currently live. If you do not live in the U.S., read a book that takes place in the country where you live.
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman
Ehhhh, this one slowed me down & I usually like Laura Lippman.

15: Read an epistolary novel, which is a book written in letters, emails, diary entries or other documents.
Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
Quick read- I didn't hate and I didn't love.

15: Read a book first published in 2013.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

15: Read a book with something spooky in the title.
Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison

20: Read a book with "air," "water," "earth" or "fire" in the title.
Red Water by Judith Freeman

20: Read a book on which a television series has been based.
Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman

25: Read a fiction book that has someone’s first and last name in the title.
Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

30: Read two books by the same author.
The Tao of Martha and Jeneration X by Jen Lancaster

35: Read a fiction and nonfiction book about the same topic.
We Were Soldiers Once... and Young by Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway and 
The Things They Carried  by Tim O'Brien

Dang, only 30 points! I guess I should have started from the bottom up. So I also read the Dinner and How to be Lost in Oct, but they didn't fit in my categories. Oops!
Off to the library!

Better Late Than Never: Boys Behind the Blog

Oops!!! Work and life has been crazy, but the hubs did answer the Boys Behind the Blog link up questions, so here it is!

Round #5 Questions:

1. Describe yourself in 5 words.  Funny, moderately intelligent, squeezably-soft.

2. What is your biggest fear?  Being considered a failure in life by family/friends.

3. What is your favorite candy? Milky Way, plain dark chocolate, or Mounds bars

4. What was the best Halloween costume you've ever worn? (include pictures if you have them) I was a lumberjack (and I'm okay) with my wife.  She was more excited because she thought lumberjacks drank maple syrup all day. 

 I like him better as a fireman ;) He has been a lumberjack twice, so yea, I would say that's his favorite. 

5. Who is your favorite football team? Tennessee (college); Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

Quality vs. Quantity

I am currently reading The Dinner by Herman Koch & there are several passages about fine food. I think the character says something like people that say they don't want to spend money on going out to eat for food going out have no idea about food.
Well, let me tell you, I am one of those people! I hate fine dining and never want to spend all that money on one meal when I could go to Chick-fil-A for like 30 meals for the same price. This led me to the conclusion, I might be a quantity over quality person, but I don't think I should be that way.

Food:
Should I be a fabulous French woman and choose a delectable dark chocolate petit four or scarf down a Wendy's frosty?
Clothing:
Should I go for multiple pairs of  DSW and TJ Maxx pairs of shoes, or get one great pair of Louboutin nude pumps I could wear every day?

Let's just look in a drawer at my office shall we:

Um, case settled? I am what I am says Popeye.
What about you- do you choose quality over quantity?


Well one thing you can never get too much quantity of is some back that azz up music & linking up with Whitney!!!

 

Professionalisms

It’s performance review time in my neck of the woods and I’m not sure what to say when it comes to the category of "professionalism". Here is what I really would like to write.

I spend too much money on clothes so I look cute professional. There are some ares I could improve upon. 

1. Cursing less at work.
2. Laughing hysterically when someone says “I need a teabag” or “just go in through the back door” (in reference to a computer system).
3. Dance like a toddler on my way to the fridge right at noon because I'm excited to eat. 
4. Eat snacks at my desk like the delicious cafeteria popcorn that gets all over the place.
5. Listen to the back that azz up Pandora station at my desk!

Glad it's weekend when I can go home and do whatevers I like, professional or not! Now here's a badazz lady that gets to do what she wants, when she wants.

 

Boy Behind the Blog #4

This has been such a fun link up- the Big E is really enjoying getting to participate in le' blog. 
  

 So without further ago, here is the Q&A: My comments are in italics below because I can't keep my opinions to myself :)

1. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?  
Mongoose
(haha, our favorite debate is who would win in a fight to death - a badger or mongoose. E is team mongoose)
2. What is your favorite meal?  
Hamburgers (on the grill), oven fries, coleslaw
(My parents always make this for us when we come to stay with them (even in Nov.). We don't even have to request it anymore!)
3. Do you use any forms of Social Media? What is your favorite? 
Facebook, but I hate all of them  
4. Beer, wine, liquor, other, or none of the above?  
Beer; wine
5. Complete the sentence: "Never have I ever..." 
been mad at my wife
(lies, all lies- he just tried to say the right thing to make himself look good ;) He made sure he told all our guests at the housewarming "happy wife, happy life")

Serious Weekend Shenanigans

My goal for the weekend was to get our bedroom looking a little more finished, but since I am such a spazz, it might be more like the weekend E was ready to head to the d-court.  (Not really, I think he likes my "adventures" ;))

Friday:
I made plans (unbeknownst to the hubs) to buy a carpet for our bedroom after work. E came to pick me up & I said I needed to go somewhere- I might not have mentioned it was 30 min. out of the way. We got a house & E asked where we were. I casually said I found this guy on Craigslist (E does not have an appreciate for the awesomeness that is Craigslist- he thinks it's sketchy & a pain in the arse). This guys was selling beautiful rugs out of his basement. Too bad I didn't have enough cash, so E drove me to the closest grocery for more cash. Strike 1 by the time we got home at 9:30pm.
 
Saturday:
I needed drapes and curtain rods for the bedroom. I got so excited, I locked my keys in the car and e had to stop doing his landscaping to rescue me. Also, since we only have one car, E took a Taxi.
Oops, strike 2.

Sunday:
I went on the crazy train making my own headboard. (DIY is such a satisfying hobby- separate post to come). I made multiple trips to Home Depot and Joanne's (E in tow for some) and many times I hollered at E to help me lift or hammer something. Strike 3 was when we watching trying to watch ESPN and I was squawking I needed his help.

Even though I drove E super crazy this weekend, here's the master bedroom with the new drapes, carpet, and headboard:

 

I ordered 2 more of the curtain panels and I think I'm going to switch up the pillows a bit. 

I'm  undecided if I wanted to hang something in between the windows...

Oh, and we also finally opened out champagne (well, Prosecco, but whatever) to celebrate our first home!!!

EZBZ Day

Yay, I've been so excited for this blog linkup and I think E actually likes to participate. He keeps asking if I have more questions for him. So here's Behind the Boys linkup #2, otherwise known as the day EZBZ took over. 

1. What celebrity would play you in a movie about your life?    

Will Arnett or Rob Riggle (he just thinks these guys are funny- he looks nothing like them- ha)

2. What is your dream car?   

Volvo station wagon (see above- he is a perpetual jokester)

3. Do you have any tattoos? What, where, why? 

NO (this was emphatic. I also have no tats which is good I guess since he's so passionate!)

 
4. Boxers or briefs? 

Boxer briefs

 
5. List 3 random facts about yourself...  

I've never been skiing (water or snow); I can't stand it when people lick their finger to turn a page; I don't really like sweets.  (I'm working on the sweets thing with him ;))

Tuesday Ten

Linking up with Rita Marie today!
Here's my Tuesday Ten (things I'm grateful for). It's like my own online Oprah gratitude journal.

1. A super cool hubs that drives me to the Metro every morning and picks me up (since we’re sharing uno car) and doesn’t complain!

2. A short week this week. I’m off Thur. and Fri- whoo hoo!

3. A super nice boss that gave me a housewarming present

4. An ice cream social at work today- I brought brownies! I luv me some brownie sundaes.

5. I can pretty much eat what I want and have stayed about the same size as high school. Not skinny, but good enough :)

6. Being asked to be a bridesmaid in my lil’ bro’s wedding. I am so honored & I love me a good wedding. Let the festivities begin (showers, pictures, bachelorette parties!)

GIFSoup

7. My health. I always take this for granted when things are going good. When you hear about other people having a hard time with health issues, it makes you thankful to wake up feeling good.

8. Enough money to not worry about food & eating healthily. We go to Wegman's (my latest obsession) and buy lots of produce and organic meats, and always have yummy healthy dinners, which is a true luxury for most people.

9. Having packages arrive in the mail. We got new moving cards, address labels, and all sorts of other fun things arriving on our doorstep. It’s like Christmas!

10. New seasons of True Blood and Dexter!

Weekend Recap

Friday, I did go to the National Mall for the Smithsonian Folk Life Fest, which highlights 2 countries' culture and food on the National Mall. I love that they had food trucks (that I can go to anytime) in a tent and I ended up with chicken n' waffles (um, not too much of a different cultural experience for me since I grew up in TN). They were delicious chicken n' waffles though :) I also wore a new stmt necklace my momma gave me & new jewelry always puts a pep in my step!

Saturday was pretty spectacular, because we got new appliances! Ya know you're getting old when that constitutes an exciting weekend! Dishwasher, stove and microwave- we're also having a new cabinet installed to put in the over the range microwave. (pics to come of our little remodel) E mowed the lawn for the first time and I hung some curtains in the guest room, so everything's coming along.

Sunday was easy, I watched The Hobbit which took most of the day. I watched bunnies and rednecks in our 'hood.I also got a dragon fruit  at my fav grocery Wegmans.

In case you can't tell by backgrounds (that clash with my blog), I'm pumped for the 4th. "Merica- heck ya!
Linking up with  Sami for Weekend Shenanigans!

Summertime Bucket List

1. Try Strawberritas (I didn't care for the Limearitas, so I'm hoping with luck here).

2. Find a pool in my new 'hood, or perhaps join the swanky Belair Swim & Racquet Club. 

3. Read an awesome “beachy” read.

4. Make it to Solomon’s Island or a local beach for the day. Seriously we live like an hour away.

 5. Hold my sweetie's hand while we lie on a blanket watching fireworks.

6. Make sun tea.

7. Go to an awesome summer festival in DC. I’m going to try this one today.

8. Have another crab boil and pick my own crabs (did that sound nasty to you too?)!

9. Get fresh berries from a farmer’s market (I’ve tried to get the hubs to go with me to a farm to pick them, but no going. He could pssible be bribed, but I need to find a closer farm)

 10. Use said fresh berries to make a pie (mmm, my inner fat kid is going bananas right now, mmmm banana puddin’, mmmm)

11. Find a dock on the bay and sit and watch the tide roll away and waste time ;)

With that, I am linking up with Whitney again for #backthatazzup Friday. (Will Smith wasn’t reaaaaaly a rapper (sorta though right?))

Welcome Summer!