When Sorority Sisters Reunite

There are several of my sorority sisters that live int eh DC Metro area, so we finally got together for a mini-reunion this weekend. 
At one point, I remarked sn't it funny how in college, at an AX gathering we would talk (seriously and at length) about what fraternity we were doing homecoming with or what sororities were "good" and now we are talking about real estate prices, birthing, and politics.

iPhone pic shamelessly stolen from Facebook. Our waiter wasn't a very good photographer. Next time we might need one husband or boyfriend to silently join us and just take pictures for social media. 

It was fun, it makes me miss the simpler days of college, but I love seeing how everyone is doing and has changed.

Also this weekend, we finally got up and ready and made it to church (oh, and I'm not talking about the 8:30am service, but the 11am/ hangs head in shame). We like this one, so I guess we need to make more of an effort to go every week. I want to meet more people in our 'hood as well as do some good in the community, so I guess we need to get more involved.  It's hard though (even at church) to just show up to an event! Would you, should I not be a chickensh**?

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed a bit of Spring :)

Dazed and Confused

is how I'm feeling after a 5 day weekend!
I know I keep saying I'm going to be a better picture taker, but this weekend I was not. Again.  

Saturday, we celebrated Valentine's Day at one of our favorite DC spots, Old Ebbitt Grill. I really meant to take some food porn pics of my amazing crab cake sandwich, BUT I was so hungry I gobbled it down before I remembered to take a pic. So Here you have a menu cover (whomp whomp, I know). The picture does really reflect the beautiful historic decor of this restaurant. I would highly recommend you try it if you're touristing DC. (It's right across form the White House & is the oldest restaurant in DC).

Sunday, I went to a bridal shower tea at the Willard. It's actually next to Old Ebbitt Grill and is super swanky. I took pictures in the lobby because I love fancy pants hotels and do manage to get pics in their lobbies (can we say redneck?). Anyway, the MoH did an amazing job and now I want to copy all her ideas!
Sunday evening I watched Downton Abbey and felt awfully British after my afternoon tea followed by my favorite Masterpiece Classic. (OK, it's the only Masterpiece Classic I watch.)


Monday was a holiday, so that means comfy pants!

Hope you all had good weekends, long or short.

Paying it Forward

I needed to pick up a prescription at CVS this weekend. In front of me in line was an older man with a walker talking to the technician about his meds. He was telling her to put some back and she said he was going to get sick if he didn't take them, and he responded he couldn't afford the $275 price tag. He said he was going to try to borrow some money from someone, get a cart, and would be back.

This absolutely broke my heart- I saw my dad and my grandfather in that man and had a kinda cray idea.

I my purse I had a recently received $200 Visa gift card from Comcast. I asked E what he thought about me giving that gift card to the technician for the man in line's meds. He said yes and so we did it (anonymously).

We hid in the greeting card section to make sure the card went through. I really have no idea what got into my head because we're not high rollers by any means. I guess it was just the holiday spirit.

Since I did a good deed for a stranger, for the rest of the season, I want to focus on being kinder (or practice random acts of kindness) on the one person who I seem to take for granted- E. I helped him rake leaves and made a nice meatloaf dinner (that's a start, right?)

I goof around a liitte with my favorite leaves. This is my Ke$ha makeup.

My challenge to you this holiday season is do something unexpected for a stranger. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all "paid it forward?"

What's Up

Wow, it’s been a while. Here’s an obligatory catch up.

We took the party bus to TN and watched the Vols get creamed for their Homecoming. I forgot how young college kids look & how ridiculous Southern college girls dress for football games.

We ate the best BBQ, Sweet Ps, in Knoxville (check it out if you’re ever there).

 Ethan and his bromance. I seriously can’t with these two when they are together.

I love the Pride of the Southland marching band. They did a great tribute for Veteran’s Day (I told you I was behind). 

I looked like a pale beast in all the pics, so I'm not sharing, and I'm on a renewed diet. 

Poor E got sick, probably from the plebs on the bus, and has been laying low since. 

I have been on a frenzy cleaning for Thanksgiving since I’m hosting my family this year.When I say frenzied cleaning, do I mean I cleaned one room and a bathroom and spent the rest of the catching on Homeland, you betcha.

In other news, the Chocolate Chip Peppermint milkshake is back at Chick-fil-A (I love the gays, but I can't resist that inexpensive hate chicken). So much for losing weight.

The Worst Weekend There Was*

This past weekend was supposed to be the Best Weekend Ever. We were going to go back to my hometown of Knoxville, TN to see family and friends, and go to the UT vs. GA game. Instead, I worked ALL WEEKEND. Not like got stuff done around the house. Like actually reported into the office. Anyway, this weekend taught me something very important. I *might* be a complainer. I think I asked my co-worker every hour if he was done and if I could go home.

I don’t mean to be a whiny brat. My big mouth just always gets me in trouble.

Also, I wore jeans into work and caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror and now officially need to get some new jeans and bra due to my weight gain. Time to hit the mall and the gym and log into myfitnesspal.com!

The highlight of my lame weekend was Lifetime’s Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret movie. Talk about my dirty little secret-  my love for all these movies they’ve done on criminal media storms (Scott Peterson, Casey Anthony, Amanda Knox, Elizabeth Smart, etc.)

*This wasn't really the worst weekend ever- I love my co-workers and I'm grateful I have a job!
Hope your weekend was more eventful than mine! 

Sunshine Award and a Sleepy Weekend

This weekend I was so lazy. I watched 2 excellent movies- The Place Beyond the Pines (I finally won at Redbox) and then a gem on Lifetime, Restless Virgins (I just love Lifetime’s movie titles). I slept in and then napped on the couch- how much sleep do you get on the weekends? I’m wondering if I’m normal, lazy, or need to have my thyroid meds checked!

Anyhoo, good thing that Denise nominated me for a Sunshine award for a more entertaining blog post than how much sleep I got! 

Here are the "rules"... 1. Link back to the blog who nominated you for the sunshine award. 2. Include the sunshine logo in your post. 3. Answer the questions given to you by your nominator. 4. Nominate bloggers who add sunshine to your day!

 

Here are the questions I was given: 1. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Hit the snooze button, repeat.
2. Favorite holiday and why? Christmas of course! I love the decorations and all the traditions that go along with it. 

 
3. Extrovert or introvert? Extrovert
4. What is the one food you can never get tired of?  Fro yo (as long as I can get different flavors and toppings)
5. What is your biggest pet peeve? Tie between people that talk during movies and women who go braless that have no business doing so.
6. Where did you go on your first date ever? Oh, I can’t remember really- the movies. Not that I know which one.
7. What is something everyone else loves that you don't? Ha, the first thing that came to mind are these Vietnamese sandwiches that everyone at work LOVES except me.
8. Fall or Spring? Fall- the colors, the pumpkin flavored everything!
9. Favorite celebrity. Kate Middleton
10. Love sports or hate them? Hate ‘em, but love the social aspects of them (like tailgating). 

Me, being a poser

It’s my turn to tag people for the award. I choose:

Rita Marie at Champagne-n-Pizza

Haylee at Jets and a Brunette

Erin at Party Girls Guide  

I would tag Kathy over at Vodka and Soda, but I'm not sure these are her thing :)

And here are their 10 questions:

1. What’s the best movie you’ve seen this year?

2. Starbucks drink of choice?

3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

4. If you could be an animal for one day, what would you be?

5. Do you believe in ghosts and/ or angels? Why or why not?

6. If money was no object, what would your dream job be?

7. Favorite family tradition while growing up?

8. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

9. What’s the best meal you can make?

10. If you could go forward in time, what would you want to know?

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.

 

Vroom Vroom

So this weekend, we got a new car! No, we didn't win one or anything like that.

Now, we just need to come up with a name to car our new baby. Oh yea, it's our first new car (2013)! Whoo hoo- big pimpin'

I also went to the Penny Saver massive yard sale at the Bowie Baysox stadium. I just love to root through other people's junk. I picked up a leaf blower for E for $25 and some other tools (he doesn't want).

Nothing line a line at sunrise. 

 My big treasure were 2 weathered rocking chairs for $20. I unfortunately had to paint them all freakin' day Sunday. Note- when wood is "weathered" AKA dry as the Sahara, it will just absorb paint and you will need more elbow grease than expected. Also, using spray paint can make your forearms hurt.

Who dat with the hairy legs photo bombing?!

I also started watching Ray Donovan- hello, how have I missed this?! I also said a big goodbye to one of my favs shows, Dexter. 

A Birthday Weekend

I have really fallen off the wagon with this blog. I guess it's kinda like exercising (which i did once this weekend).
The weekend was the Birzday (yup, in my family, we say "birzday" the same way my grandpa with his Croatian accent says it).
I got my new couches delivered & love them! e really wanted leather, but I'm so glad we did fabric (with the kitties). I also think fabric is just so much nicer against the skin.

We are also the biggest rednecks on the block because we put our old couch on our front porch. I listed it on Craigslist & freecycle, but no one wanted it. I was kinda sad. It wasn't that bad. My brother suggested that people are wary of free couches on Craigslist because they think some peed on it or worse.

Anyhoo, E made me homemade cinnamon rolls for my b-day and we also saw This is the End for my big day At my age (32 sigh), I really am like "Big Whoop" on my b-day, but it was a really special day and I do like presents :) Like this chocolate bar wrapped in a very special wrapping paper from my co-worker.

People Watching

I had Friday - Tuesday off for Labor Day. Don't be jelly. Part of the looooong weekend, I went to the MD Renn Fest. It is one of the biggest Renaissance festivals in the NATION (or so I've been told).
We went a few years back with some friends (who have now moved to Florida). Said friends were  back for the weekend, so we went again. E did not want to go the first time we went. For someone who likes a lot of nerdy things, I was shocked.  I gave him a fun task to occupy his mind & he ended up having a blast!
E's fun task at the Renn Fest is to get covert pictures of the craziest boobs and costumes at the Fest. (If you've even been you know what I'm talking about). 
Here's a photo montage of some of the Renn Fest highlights:

1. Knife throwing (I was terrible, not a.single.one stuck in the wood)
2. A funny animal/ bird stuck to this lady's costume
3. Wow- just no.
4. Showing off your luxurious back hair- also a no.
5. Ouch- this lady had mad skillz.
6. I think E liked this one's. outfit. It was very busty-licious from the front. 

Next weekend, E has somehow convinced me to go to the Baltimore Comic-Con (it's mai birthday weekend too!). I'm sure I'll have an even better photo montage for that!

Dog Days of Summer Weekend

So I had kind of a lame (and short) weekend, but it was just what I needed.
I watched 2 horrendous movies on Lifetime- Forever 16 (a vampire helps solve a murder at a high school) and The Haunting of Molly Hartley (1 star on rotten tomatoes- I agree!).

Sunday was slightly eventful. E and I trekked to Baltimore to try Blue Moon Cafe, a restaurant featured in Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. I knew when I saw their Capt'n Crunch encrusted french toast, I would love it!
And I did, except the wait was over 2 hours to get in.
I forced E to go to a dog adoption show afterwards (it was all part of my master plan- Blue Moon Cafe was the lure for E). My dog dream will all be coming true soon. Except most of the rescues want to chase kitties!

Also, E has put some of the final touches on his "man cave" which includes the original Star Wars movie posters.

Weekend Recap

This weekend, I still worked on the house. Now that we have the house warming, I want to finish up all my little projects.

1. I major OD'ed on the Chick-fil-A mocha cookies n' cream milkshakes. They are fabulous and I'm obsessed. Yes, I am kissing it in the pic.
2. I am finished with my family picture wall. This was the last
3. Pintersest WIN- I made this burlap wreath. I plan on adding little holiday touches a few times a year  (berries, fall leaves, erc)
4. The Brown book club met and went to an awesome Vietnamese restaurant. The food was wonderful and I'd highly reccomend it to anyone in the area. Plus the place was so beutifuly decorated- I loved these fresh flowers everywhere. it's all in the details.
5. Another Pintesrt win. I built another headboard with my faux suade.
6. I also went to some garage sales Saturday morning and picked up this cool table. I just need to add something, like a candle or platter or something.

Not pictured- I met a friend and we decided to walk in the park with her kids instead of meeting for lunch, drinks, dinner like we usually do. It was so much nicer to do something healthy- I'm going to start thinking of alternative (i.e. healthier) things to do with peeps instead of just going out all the time.

Sorry I'm so boring lately, but I LOVE having a house and lots of fun projects, I just don't want to do anything else! Every weekend, I am smelly, covered in bruises, and loving it!
Do you like weekend home projects?
What's your favorite Pinterest creation?

Weekend Update

Sorry I haven't been posting/ commenting lately. Work and the new house have occupied all my time. I wouldn't expect much until after October :)
With that, here's what we were up to this weekend:

1. I made this using an old frame I got at a garage sale for $2 and some postcards my brother got me in Japan.
2. I added nailheads to my homemade headboard and hung my 2 set of drapes.
3. Cleaned up my dresser (heron pic was also a garage sale find for $2). My jewelry is now all in my closet hanging off on of E's tie hangers.
4. E was hard at work landscaping. he cleaned a ton of weeds out of the terraced garden in the back and out of the bed on the side of the house.
5. He also planted beautiful azaleas in the front and a tree we thought was just a plain old tree, bloomed. It's a big Crepe Myrtle!
6. E and I decided to be in our own book club together :). We both wanted to read this, so it's our first selection. It will probably be only selection since we really agree on reading topics.

Deuces

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!!!

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!

A Weekend Surprise

Most of  Saturday, E and I cleaned and packed until we ran out of boxes. As soon as that happened, I hopped on the bed for a nap and when I awoke, made E take me out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guaops. I rationalized with him that after dinner, we could hit up CVS for boxes (like their free packing boxes, not actually buy them).

Guapos was delicious as always. Plus I love they know what I'm taking about when I want a "Skinny Girl" margarita.

You know when you walk in and see the tortilla maker and a little lady making homemade guac with a mortar and pestle; it’s going to be awesome.  

We went to CVS with nice plump bellies, but they didn’t have any boxes, so I suggested the grocery store across the street. Apparently Saturday isn’t a big shipping day (der), so as we were leaving, E’s beady little hawk eyes spied a recycler. It was good, but only had smaller boxes, so we drove around the corner to where all the recyclers & dumpsters where. I checked out one, while E walked ahead to scout the other one. (Yup, me in my maxi skirt and white lace shirt and E in his Polo were dumpster divers).

I didn’t see E for a while, so drove the car up to get him.  He was practically jumping up and down when I got there. Apparently, he found some (tranny) adult entertainment sitting on the top of the boxes. It was just the cases, but was a pretty funny surprise. 

 

 sorry, blurred out for the decency of my blog's sake

Sunday we packed some more and I watched the worst movie I have ever seen in a while- Bachelorette (it was supposed to be like the Hangover with women), but it wasn’t funny and the ladies were just horrible people, and I can’t believe I watched it all.