Wordless Wednesday

While browsing pictures of our house to put up for RENT (that's right, we're MOVING!) I came across this picture of our animals.

Of course, Riley isn't with us anymore... :( But I just thought it was classic. I had given them all baths and they are all licking themselves! HA! It brought a smile to my face today because there have been a ton of crazy new things going on around here...! No, not pregnant! HA!



Saturday Morning (Afternoon) Scene

Linking up from Katie's Saturday Morning Scene linky!!!

Today, Shandy and I are baking buddies!!! I found this recipe a couple of weeks ago when I was dreaming of food and couldn't taste a dang thing! I told Shandy that we HAD to make them! So, this afternoon we are baking some lovely sugar cookies and making the cinnamon roll pancakes!!! Ohhhhmigosh! They are SO delicious! Definitely may be tying my ultimate favorite breakfast splurge, french toast! If you have a special day coming up... make these!!!! They're delish!  I have to give credit where due... I really didn't make them. I was busy making dough.  So, Shandy made them and that's probably a good thing because I tend to walk away from things and burn them... HA!!!  Here's a pic of them...

C'mon... that looks ah.maze.ing right!? We shared three. Hmm... Yeah, guess I won't be eating dinner! ;o) We are also making the cookies I have been planning to make for Nickolai's first birthday party next weekend. I can't believe he is one!!!! Anyway, we're making giraffes, monkeys and elephants! Shandy is making animal cookies and they're going to be frosted like these to look like the animal cookies! And I'm going to frost mine with royal icing and hopefully they'll turn out super cute! I will surely update you all! ;o)

Now if only Shandy and I could pop in a chick flick and enjoy the evening... Such is life! Work is a must! HA!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Denim Dilemma

Isn't it funny how a pair of jeans can change your life in an instant?  You know, like that time in middle school when I slipped and ripped the crotch out? That was embarrassing. What about those killer Mudd flare jeans that were popular when I was in middle/early high school. What.the.heck.!? Shandy and I would totally borrow each other's jeans... And don't even ask about the FUBU overall situation. I mean, woah! Or, what about the "I'll be able to wear these again someday" jeans that are sitting in your closet? Oh sure, that'll happen. But, if it did happen, it would rock your world... RIGHT!?  Jeans rule our lives as women a bit too much, if you ask me.  I suppose that is why I would choose a pair of beautiful black yoga sweatpants over jeans any day. Yep, I'm totally that person. But that's a whole 'nother post!

When I was thinner (ha! I've never been THIN) jeans were a lot more comfortable.  However, I've always had a hard time finding jeans to fit properly.  It seems that in most cases, thin or THICK, women have a really hard time with jeans.  My question is... who the HECK are they making them for then!!!???  It took me a long time to finally find pair/brand of jeans that I love.  I went through the GAP Long & Lean stage, whatever made me think that anything with that name would work for me? I am certainly not either long or lean. Then, there was the random DKNY jeans I'd find on sale at Macy's and even a few pairs from Kohls. and then of course the ever cheap Old Navy jeans that I kept on hand. But then, I broke down and went to Nordstrom. My beer budget certainly wasn't going to far there... ;o)

My love affair started back in the fall of 2009. I found a pair of Michael Kors jeans that were fan.tab.u.lous. But at the tune of $89 I couldn't just run out and buy three pairs. Sorry peeps, I'm definitely not the type to spend HUNDREDS of dollars on several pairs of jeans, it just doesn't work that way in my household.  So, I settled with one good pair that I took excellent care of.  Made sure to wash them inside out with little detergent and hang them to dry. But, because I could only afford one pair at the time, when I wore them with flats (I'm also not the girl that can effectively wear heels most of the time) they began to get worn on the bottoms.  Then, I noticed that the beautiful dark wash was starting to fade and... NO!!!! The crotch was getting thin.  That's what happens folks, when you only wear one pair of jeans several times a week.  So, what was a girl to do? Hide the evidence from her hubby? That will certainly be a great "discussion" once he notices. Why does my husband have to be so in tune to my clothes?! Well, I broke down and decided that I was DONE with Old Navy denim with the only exception being for work (because really, my job is messy) and I was hell bent on buying at least two more pairs. Screw a budget! Surely Brandon would have to understand my predicament.

Sure enough, my next trip to Nordy's was unsuccessful when I was informed by my lovely ladies (holla Nordy's salespeeps!) that they discontinued the style.  OF COURSE THEY DID! Just my luck! So, the search was on. Thankfully, the girls in the section that I frequent and Nordstrom are awesome and they hooked me up with these beauties:

So, now my absolute favorite brand that DOES NOT break the bank is KUT for the Kloth jeans. They're awesome. Stretch where they need it, dark wash, long for heels or the ladies that are blessed to be over 5'7", they come in a variety of styles & sizes and... the best part is the price! Just check these out they're on sale RIGHT NOW! I'm about to go buy a pair to add to my collection so I can have them hemmed for flats. I've always dreamed of having enough jeans to do that... sigh. Sounds pathetic, I know.

Unfortunately, my problems with jeans haven't completely ended.  While I LOVE these jeans all three of the pairs that I own have zipper issues.  Just ask Jen, when I visited in November I came running out of "my room" frantically asking her if she could help me zip them! The zippers are super sticky/nearly impossible to get up! And, I promise it isn't because they're too small! ;o) Well, now it has turned into a full on non-functional zipper problem in ALL three pairs. I have been wearing long camisoles under whatever shirt I'm wearing to cover the zipper! HA!  Luckily, since they're purchased from Nordy's, I have already had one pair replaced for free but I need to take the other two in and the closest store is a bit of a drive for me so I just haven't gotten to it. I think I will just have their tailor put new zippers in them... but maybe I'll just take new pairs! I have read the reviews on the Nordstrom site and didn't see any that mentioned zipper issues so maybe I was just supremely unlucky... totally probable. :o)

So, for now, my denim dilemma is mostly solved.  I am the type of shopper that would rather have a few decent/quality items in my closet than a plethora of random crap that I bought at discount stores and "thought" I would use.  I prefer my local TJMaxx and Marshalls for things to decorate the home, the clothing section makes me want to scream! So, while I can't have an entire closet filled with beautiful clothes from Nordy's or anywhere else of the same caliber... I will cherish my few beauties!

Since these jeans have really changed my life by being comfortable and making me feel good... I just thought I'd share! Please tell me I'm not the only one with DENIM DILEMMAS!? What are YOUR favorite jeans? And, do you have any embarassing jean stories? I can't be the ONLY one...

Award Time

Last week I had two bloggy friends give me a little award thingie-ma-jig! Now, I know this little blog isn't all that to hoot & holler about, but I have met some great people and I appreciate this award!!! So much thanks to Jen my now IN REAL LIFE FRIEND *whoohoo* and Chelsy! Who happens to have a nice name if I may say so!!! ;o)

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award your own recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award

Seven Things About Me

1.  I cheered for football and basketball in high school for four years and still have trouble following football games. HA! Of course, I get a bunch of crap for this. I loved cheering in high school... it was a huge part of my life. I love to dance perform and the skirt was cute too!

2.  I refuse to eat veal or lamb. No siree-bob!

3.  Until last fall when I visited Illinois, I had never been east of Arizona.  Now, I need to get my butt to the east coast! I have traveled plenty out of the country, for now, and I would love to visit some great American cities!

4. I am a huge family name person, I think it is a huge display of love and respect. I love having middle names that are family names (my Grandma's) and I plan on naming my kids after someone special.  Having said that, I'm seriously afraid of having a boy because our name options are very limited in that department.  I won't discuss the name situation here because I certainly don't want to be offensive... but I will leave you with this:  one of our options is Edwin. Yep, for serious. I've had people tell me that name isn't too bad... I disagree (sorry!!!) My poor step-dad just didn't end up with the name jackpot. Love ya dearly, Don! But there will be no Donald Edwins in our future. ;o) Now, if we have girls we are all set. Plenty of family names to be used: Jeane, Jeanette, Marie, Nora, Kristine & Elizabeth. No problems there...  So, sadly I have had two Grandpas pass and two dads pass and I'm not too keen on any of their names. :( I suppose I should just shut up now because this is a perfect example of my craziness... right? If a name is all about the meaning then it shouldn't matter, I know.

5.  My absolute most prized possession is a hardback of The Secret Garden that my dad wrote in for me.  I was in 2nd grade and had won student of the month in my school.  The school calls the parents to let them know that their student won (it was a surprise for me) and will be recognized and I was very surprised to see my dad at the assembly because he lived hours away.  The very next year he passed away. I will cherish this book forever!

6.  I am secretly (well, not anymore!) afraid that if I lose anyone else close to me I will lose my marbles, literally. I can't fathom it and just typing this breaks me. I'm afraid I won't make it through losing my mom and God-forbid Brandon... it is definitely my biggest fear.  And while I know that is common for everyone, it seems all too realistic to me.  I know first hand how quickly it can happen.

7.  Brandon and I have recently been searching for a home church.  We have been missing from the church scene for too long and we decided it needs to become the foundation in our life and marriage.  This poses a problem for me in several ways... Our lifestyle doesn't always coincide with what I "think" it "should" in the eyes of the church.  Also, not very many of my friends are Christian so it makes it difficult for me to talk about this important issue with people because they just don't understand.  We think we have found one and have been going for a couple of months now and it feels so GOOD to be there.

Ok, well that was fun. Hopefully not an overshare? Ha! Here are a few bloggers that I read regularly and think you should check out!!!

1.  Jen @ Jen's Place! 

2.  Shandy @ Cupcakes Anyone? She is my IRL BFF from WAAAY back! Check her out, she's kind of hilarious. Oh, and nuerotic... like me! ;o)

3. Amy @ Our Happily Ever After!

Thanks for stopping by.... have a great week!

American Idol Virgin

This year is the first time I've actually watched and followed American Idol! In reality, I haven't been home during the weeknight evening in a LONG time, but I still kind of blame J.Lo! I have always loved her. She's not the best actress, but I can get down to some of her music and I think I just plain fell in love with her from Selena! I really love the chemistry between the judges this season. Before, I just thought Paula was a looney tune and Simon was so pompous. There's a difference between honesty and arrogance!!!

Does anyone out there watch AI? I honestly have never been a fan of primetime reality shows. I despise the Bachelor and Survivor and have always thought that they're ridiculous. I even have said in the past "How many American Idols can we HAVE!?" While I do honestly wonder how long it will go on, I can say that this year I'm enjoying it also. I also think it's great that they've added online voting. That will be useful, for sure. I don't think I would be one to call in a bunch of times. However, I am notorious for winning radio contests...

I don't have a favorite girl yet... Brandon enjoys the hot brunettes!

Pia Toscano

Julie Zorilla

I think one may be underage, I called him a perv.

My favorite guy is Stefano Langone..

 Representin' Washington and he's super cute! Whoop! I just really like him all around, though. I also really like James Durbin... I'm a sucker for a great story and he has one!

So, is anyone with me? Watching this season? I have to admit, three nights a week is a LOT. I DVR it so I can fast forward through everything but still, quite the commitment.

Our Lives

There are so many ways to measure or analyze your life. Today while cleaning our kitchen from the yummy french toast I made this morning, I was admiring our fridge. Well, not at first. At first I was cleaning splatters of vanilla off of it because I dropped the bottle on the counter and it splashed everywhere, literally. Oh, it is SO not my week. First m&ms then vanilla? Really?! Anyway, after I wiped it off & discarded expired coupons and straightened pictures I realized we are so lucky to have these people in our lives. Our fridge is full of friends and family. Some we haven't spoken to or seen in years and some we speak to or see regularly. There are hundreds and even several thousand miles between some of them. :( The important part is that while this messy collage of random tid bits may drive some crazy, it makes me smile. Better yet, all of those BABIES make me smile! Can I have mine yet?! Please?!

My favorite items on the fridge are my magnet that says 'excuse the mess, we live here' (Huzzuh!), my cousin's daughter, who actually resembles me when I was her age, a lot! Just look at the red hair! And a fortune from a cookie that says 'you will obtain your goal if you maintain your course'. That seems like a no brainer... ha! Easier said than done though, right?

Anyway, just wanted to share my thankfulness today. I'm coming accross kind of mushy, and I'm not really that kind of person! Ha! It's been kind of a rough week around here so I suppose I'm just gaining some perspective.

I'm enjoying a snow day at home with my pets and trying to get some stuff done around here! Have a great Friday and weekend everyone! :)

Cookie Update

Ok, I know you all are dying to know how my cookies turned out! You're not? Oh yes you are! ;o)

Turns out, a friend of mine wanted to buy cookies from me for her Bunco Party & a Progressive Dinner Party. Sweet! But I had to make sure they were nearly perfect! I took my time with them, employed my miniscule amount of patience and... viola! I made Valentine themed cookies because she needed them for the week before VDay and I made goodie bags w/nametags too!

I can post pictures from my phone but I can't put descriptions between them so you can just make up your own caption! ;o) I was happy how they turned out & I'm excited to make St. Pattys Day ones! :)

I don't see a cookie franchise in my future, but hey! If someone is willing to pay for the supplies and I can make some extra cash for my coffee habit... good deal! ;o)