Happy Halloween

Fall Weather!

Lots of Candy!

Costumes!

Carving Pumpkins!

Cute Kiddos!

Whats not to love about Halloween!?!?


This was my free hand creation. Yes, I rule at pumpkin carving.


Here's mine posing with my husband's pumpkin. We make quite the team.



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Scaring the Children

This is what happens if you wait months and months between highlights.

I don't even need to dress up this Halloween.

I'm sorry if I offended you all with my witch black roots. I will be fixing that on election day.

Nurse Friends?

I know, most of you don't care but I need to ask a nurse a question.

I don't know any in real life, so I figured that maybe a nurse reads my blog.

I go for allergy shots every week. Usually, they happen without a hitch. This last time my arm kinda hurt and it's totally bruised. I look like I was punched in the arm. Like woah.

Is this normal?

Why did that happen this time, but not all of the other times?

What I Wore Wednesday (8)

Thursday:





Occasion: Work
Dress- Ann Taylor Loft
Cardigan- Ann Taylor Loft
Belt- Marshalls
Boots- Target


Friday:



Occasion: Work
Purple Cords: Marshalls
Cream Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Marshalls


I am not a good weekend picture taker. It doesn't help that we spend most of our weekends vegging out in sweat pants. Sorry! I'll work harder at getting dressed and making friends so we actually have weekend plans.


Monday:



Occasion: Trillion Degree Work Day
Green Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
White Sweater: Old Navy
Shoes: Marshalls


Tuesday:



Occasion: Uninspired Workday (and another hot one)
Brown Dress: Macys
Sweater: Ann Taylor
Super Cute Plaid Shoes (pic was blurry)- American Eagle

Grumpy McGrumperson

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.

 

It is so dang hot.  It is ALMOST November and I had to do my make up naked because I was sweating so bad after my shower.  It was 77 degrees in my house this morning (AT 6:00am).  I bet it was 89 with the humidity.  

 

It is raining. It rains every flippin' Wednesday.  Wednesday is my farthest away school in the boondocks.  It's not an easy drive. 

 

I could NOT find something to wear today. I felt like a hugely large cow with no style.

 

Because I felt like a cow I decided to weigh myself. Despite working out religiously for hours each week I've gained and lost the same 5 pounds for the last two years.  I didn't work out at all last year.  I still weigh same. That really sucks.   There has to be something wrong with me.

 

I got to school only to find out that it is sweatsuit day. That's right, even the principal is wearing a sweatsuit. I am wearing a skirt.

 

That is the disadvantage of working in four schools. NO one remembers to tell you that you could have just worn sweats today and saved yourself the heartache this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten on Tuesday (51)

1. What is your favorite decor item in your house?
I love our black and white picture collage wall. We have a few family pictures, engagement pictures, baby pictures etc. going down our hallway. I love it.

2. What is your favorite hair product?
Lord only knows. I have stick straight, baby fine hair. Everything that claims to work, doesn't. The best things that I've found so far are by the Big Sexy Hair line. The volumizing root spray rocks.

3. Are you a good dancer?
Ha. I took dance all of my life but I wouldn't say that I'm great (or good). I still take Zumba 2x a week but I'm usually embarrassed at some point throughout the hour.

4. You get some good news, who’s the first person you call?
Depends on the news. If if's it is unisex, my husband. If it's about shoes that went on sale, my mom.

5. Would you rather take pictures, or be in pictures?
My picture taking skills rival a four year old with a disposable camera.

6. What is your shoe style?
Grandma.

Flats all the way.

7. How often do you eat out?
Almost never during the week, usually once on the weekends. Eating out during the week is a waste of time and the food is never that great.

8. If someone has food in their teeth, do you tell them?
I would tell a friend.

9. Do you fold your underwear?
Never, it's stuffed in my drawer. But weird fact- I fold my husband's underwear.

What does that say about me?

10. Milk, dark, or white chocolate?
Eh, I could take/leave any of the above. I only like chocolate in the form of brownies or mixed with caramel and nougat.

Book 20

We are at book 20 in the 25 books in 6 months challenge
{also known as the quit watching so much crap TV challenge}

I can't remember who told me to read this book, but I'm thinking that it was either People Magazine or Glamour Magazine. I generally read the reviews in magazines and add the book to my library holds list.

Overall, I did like this book, but parts of it were down right F'ed up. If you don't swear, don't talk about sex, and don't enjoy a bit of grit, I wouldn't read this. If you can handle a bit of grit to get to the good parts, I think that you would really enjoy this book.

I'm warning you though-- it is not for the faint hearted or the prude. But, if you make it through, it's a really great story.

Amazon.com Review
Product Description
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

Almost Old

Oh, Hi Monday.

 

You again?

 

Moving on......

 

I used to rate my "oldness" using the "Real World" theory.  It's a pretty crappy theory actually, but it worked for me.  It went something like this.....

 

If I am younger and/or the same age as the people on "Real World" and/or various other MTV shows, I still rule. 

 

Lets face it. I fell out of that category years ago. 

 

Once I aged past 24, I started the "NFL" theory. It goes something like this.....

 

If I can still play professional football, I still rule.

I've almost aged myself out of that category as well.  Running backs that were born in 1987?!?!? !@?#!@%#$^#$%#$ Pathetic!!!  Thankfully, there are people like Brett Farve out there to make me feel better about myself right now.

What I Wore Wednesday (7)

I'm not sure what happened with all of my outfits this week, but I don't have a lot to show you.

I wore the same outfit on both Thursday & Friday (I work at four different schools, which is a huge bonus). I don't repeat a lot (this is the first time in 7 weeks, but I do take advantage once in awhile).





Red Dress: Macys
Black Sweater: Marshalls
Leggings: Target
Houndstooth Shoes: Gap


We were away on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and I wore Steelers clothes the entire time. If you want to see those outfits, just scroll down to my last post =)

On Tuesday, it was back to work and I wore one of my old favorites-- an Ann Taylor Loft Dress that I forgot that I owned for the last year (oops) or so. I'm so glad that I noticed it once again, because it is so comfy and the chiffon looks fancy for work.



This mirror is SERIOUSLY disgusting. I promise, it doesn't look that gross in person. I must clean it (for reals).



Black Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
Purple Cardigan: Marshalls
Houndstooth Flats: Gap


Today: This is what I wore....

Heathered Blue Cardigan: Lands End Canvas
Blue/Gray Pencil Skirt: Old Navy
Undershirt: Target
Boots: Target

Just Sayin'

My cats are geniuses.
They must fall within the savant Einstein IQ range.

I would know. I give IQ tests for a living.
If they made an IQ test for Sage and O'Snap they would max out past Bill Gates and other smart people *their names slip my mind right now.

Why are my cats so smart?
My cats can tell time better than most 10 year olds.
To be honest, my cats know 10:00pm better than some 16 year olds that I know.

In fact, they have BOTH been giving me the death stare for at least 10 minutes. O'Snap is so smart that he positions his ass right in front of our television so we can't see what's on TV NOR can we change the channel (he covers the sensor every time).





Smart or starving like children in Africa?

... you decide.

1ST Anniversary Post

The hubs and I celebrated our first married anniversary on October 17, 2010!

To celebrate, we decided to head to Pittsburgh, PA for the weekend, which is where we were ENGAGED in 2008.

We basically relived our engagement this past weekend:

1. We stayed at the Omni William Penn hotel again this time. We stayed there when we were engaged in 2008 and we were married at the Omni Shoreham hotel (in Washington, DC) one year later. We have a family connection to the Omni company so we were blessed with a sweet room, a bottle of champagne, and some chocolate covered strawberries (thanks daddy-o).



2. We also caught a Steelers game (just like we did when we were engaged)

I am a huge Steelers fan, so I had a blast at the game. It was the most perfect fall day in a very beautiful city.
The hubs even got into the excitement and wore some Steelers stuff...


He did make sure that he carried his Washington Redskins hoody around with him though (ha)



That's only about 2.5% of my Steelers gear-- but it's what I wore for the game.


3. Right before we got engaged we ate at my favorite chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh- Sesame Inn. Growing up we always ordered from the one in Mt. Lebonon (I'm from Upper St. Clair), but this time we went to the one in Station Square.


All in all it was the perfect anniversary weekend and a great new married tradition!

Book 19

I love Elin Hildebrand.

She has successfully beaten out Jennifer Wiener as my (current) favorite author!

I've read almost all of her more recent books and I have yet to be disappointed. I picked The Island up as book #19 of my 25 books in 6 months challenge-- and I LOVED it.

This book reminds me of Jennifer Wiener's latest-- i.e., girls and mom bond, mom and dad separate, etc., but she she does it so much better than Jennifer did. Did you read both books? What did you think?



From Publishers Weekly
At the start of this steamy woman's novel from Hilderbrand (The Castaways), recently divorced Birdie Cousins is busy planning the September wedding of her older daughter, Chess, at the family house on Tuckernuck, a privately owned island near Nantucket. Birdie hopes to spend some quality time with Chess on Tuckernuck in July, but then Chess breaks her engagement to her consummate Ivy League golden boy fiancé, Michael Morgan. Michael fatally plunges off a Utah crag just when Birdie acquires her own new beau--a married man with a wife stricken with Alzheimer's. Birdie, Chess, and their support team--Birdie's computer-guru younger daughter, Tate, and Birdie's bohemian widowed sister, India--hare off to Tuckernuck. There hunky handyman Barrett Lee flutters hearts and dampens underwear in a breathless month of supercharged estrogenic imbalances. This never-never land portrait of the rich and randy will please those looking for a satisfying beach read.

Product Review

I love reviewing items for CSN! They sell so many cool things, like cookware, console tables, and other various household items. It's like an online Marshalls, supersized. So far we've tested a high tech garbage can and an indoor grill from CSN and we've loved both of the items that we've tried out.

This time I've got my eye on a personal steamer (for clothing) and a bread maker (Jackie, you inspired me). I'll be sure to keep you updated about how we like our newest item soon.

Anniversary Present

Keeping with the first anniversary "paper" tradition, I decided to borrow an idea from my blog friend, Jen.

This year, I purchased a scrap book and made one page that described our first year of marriage (this was perfect because we're on a budget and celebrating with a cruise so we couldn't afford big gifts as well). John loved it and we will continue to use this scrapbook throughout our marriage.

Next year, John will surprise me with a page from our second year or marriage, and then I'll follow on our new tradition with the third page.

I had a lot of fun making this, and I can't wait to see what John does next year. He says that he already has his wheels turning.....



I decided to include a few of our wedding pictures, a few pictures from our honeymoon, and a few pictures from other trips that we took throughout the year.



I also added several sections/blurbs that describe, "where we live" - "our current family" - "shows we watch" - "where we visited" - "current events/news stories"



John especially loved the little crab stickers that I included to represent Maryland (where we live).

Question

I have a lot that I should be writing about.

I've finished another book. I celebrated a one year wedding anniversary on the 17th. I spent a weekend holed away with the hubby in Pittsburgh, PA.

That is all coming, but in the meantime, I've just got to ask.......

DISCLAIMER: I am not pregnant. I am not even trying to get pregnant. If I am pregnant and become pregnant anytime in the near future it will be an act of god and miracle. I'm wondering simply because I know no less than 2343463453 pregnant people and I'm aware of that fact that some of them are probably puking their faces off.

How do those of you that suffer morning sickness with your pregnancies hide it for 12 weeks?

I know people that claim to just spontaneously puke fifty times a day on Facebook. How the heck do you hide that?

I don't feel comfortable calling these people out on facebook, but I'm seriously perplexed and I'm hoping that my bloggy friends will clear the air.

What I Wore Wednesday (6)

I forgot a few days, but here's a random sampling of my outfits this week.

Friday: What's with the weird pose?


Aqua Cardigan: Lands End Canvas
Skirt: Downeast Basics
Shoes: Marshalls

Saturday: Movie and Errands


Purple Cargos: Ann Taylor Loft
Tank Top: Target
Cardigan: Marshalls

Monday: Repeat outfit. Gotta get my wear in before it turns cold


Purple Dress: Gap
Shoes: Marshalls
Gray Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Tuesday: Close up of the dress. It was 3606354 degrees this day. I really need to clean that mirror.


Wednesday: Pretend I'm wearing shoes




Purple Top: Anthropologie
Undershirt: Old Navy
Silvery Gray Slacks: Ann Taylor Loft

Sinus Update

In case you were wondering what is happening with my sinus saga, I decided to get a second opinion after all. 

 

Overall, I wasn't entirely pleased with my current ENT.  He cancelled at the last minute, his office assistants were rude, and he insisted that he wanted to try medical management first, without prescribing anything but an antibiotic (one time).

 

I am thrilled that I went for a second opinion.  My new ENT actually spent time speaking with me and he helped me to understand what is going on.  He is of the opinion that my allergies are the main problem.  Although I have abnormalities in my nose (he called my turbinates very, very rare), my symptoms don't necessarily indicate that surgery will be 100% effective.  He asked me what my top two complaints are (sore throat and sinus headaches).  He said that fixing my deviated septum and turbinates may alleviate these symptoms somewhat, but that surgery works much better for people with congestion (which isn't terrible for me and/or in my top three concerns).

 

He said that although surgery is relatively safe, 1 out of 100 times something goes wrong.  He doesn't think that the risk is worth it at this time.

 

He also informed me that my deviated septum is NOT that bad.  He said that they could do surgery on JUST the turbinates which is a very simple surgery.  I would be back to work the next day with that.  My old ENT never offered me this option and instead said that I'd need the whole shebang and a one week recovery.

 

For now, I'm going to continue with the weekly allergy shots (which is a pain, but I'm willing to try it) and we're going to try some prescription nasal sprays.  I'm going back in 3 months to see where we stand.

 

Thanks for weighing in!

Ten on Tuesday (50)

TEN ON TUESDAY via Roots and Rings :)

 

1. What does your work out schedule look like?
It varies, depending on how crappy work was, how busy I am, and how many other appts. I have.  On an ideal week it looks like this:

Monday: Step Aerobics

Tuesday: Zumba or Step Aerobics

Wednesday: Rest or weights (if I skip mon or tues night)

Thursday: Zumba or Step Aerobics

Friday: Booze

Saturday or Sunday: Cardio, Zumba or weights

I managed that schedule perfectly in June/July/August.  Now that school is back in session, I usually only get there 3x per week.

2. What is your favorite machine to use at the gym?
Elliptical, but I prefer to take classes.  They are so much more fun.

3. What is your favorite class to take at the gym?
Ha, Zumba and Step. I love step because it makes you work really hard. I love zumba because the music is so motivating.

4. Where do you shop for work out gear and clothing?
I usually get my work out gear from Old Navy, Target, and Marshalls. I don't wear anything tight and/or special.  Just sweats and T's.  I do own special zumba shoes though. It makes dancing much easier.

5. If you can't go to the gym, do you have a favorite outdoor activity?
Walking. I refuse to run. It's against my religion.

6. What about a favorite work out DVD? If so, please share!
Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped 1000.  She's AMAZING and I actually have fun doing it.

7. Are you more active now or when you were in high school?
In high school. In high school I thought I was fat.  Now, if only I could be that "fat" again.  I played field hockey, lacrosse, was a cheerleader and a dancer.  I had a full plate at least 5-6 days per week.

8. How has your dieting/working out philosophy changed since high school?
I actually have to try. I high school I ate whatever I wanted and probably could because I was so active.  Cheerleading, field hockey and lacrosse pratice was two hours long, every day, Monday-Friday.  Dance was at least 3 hours per week on top of that.  Now, I don't even have a quarter of that time and I certainly don't bust my butt quite as much as I did back then.  I wish that I could be that motivated.

9. What do you do while working out– (i.e., day dream, read, listen to music, gab with a friend)?
When I'm on a machine I'll read or listen to the lady gaga channel on pandora.  Can't do any of that during group fitness classes.

10. What working out resolution would you like to make for yourself this year?
I'm happy with the amount of exercise I do. I'd love to watch what I put in my mouth a bit more.  I need to do weight watchers and work out this much. I suck at doing both.

This Time Last Year

This time last year I was on the phone with 123432423 wedding vendors finalizing plans.

 

I was frantically calling friends to set up a caramel apple stuffing/bagging assembly line. 

 

I was obsessively checking weather.com.  They lied to me and said it was going to be sunny and warm.

 

This time last year I was five days out from my wedding.

 

Is it pathetic that I kinda missed the rush of wedding planning? Obviously not as much as I enjoy being lazily married but planning my wedding was so darn fun.   

10.10.10

Happy 10.10.10 Guys and Gals!

Does anyone else find that their weekends pass by at warp speed, but the weeks (more specifically during work hours) drag on and on?

Regardless, my weekend was beautiful! Is there anything better than a weekend in Rocktober?

I think not!

I spent Friday evening at girls night with several of my favorite bloggers (I'm hoping one of which is in labor as I type).

On Saturday the hubs and I went on a major shopping spree -- okay maybe not major, but we can't afford much. The hubs got a new job (yay) on Friday and needed more shirts and ties. I may have bought myself two new sweater dresses at well straight off the Ross dress or less racks.

We followed up our shopping spree with this movie....



We loved it!

Today, we went to a football party and had a few beers and ate way to much food. The weekends really ruin my diets!

Our weekends are even fuller than this for the next few weeks. I predict a lot of early weeknights in my future.

What I Wore Wednesday (5)

This week I recycled a lot of pieces because either I like them or I was feeling lazy.

I forgot about Thursday, but here's what I wore Friday



Favorite Dress: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Shoes: TJMaxx


Saturday- Anniversary Party for the hub's parents


Proof that I have a bitchy resting face



Purple Dress: Gap
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Houndstooth Shoes: No clue-- at least 5 years old


Monday- I felt like crap and didn't shower (shhhhh). I took the picture as I was walking out the door. Note the jug of iced coffee that I take daily.



Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Cords: Marshalls
Gray Shoes: Gap


Tuesday



Why is my blackberry so sucky at taking pictures?

Dress: Target
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Polka Dot Flats: American Eagle
Belt: Marshalls


Wednesday- No IEP meetings! At an inservice about depression in preschoolers



Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Pants: Marshalls
Belt: Marshalls
White Ruffly Shirt: Marshalls
Polka Dot Flats: American Eagle

Ten on Tuesday (50)

Link up at RootsandRings

 

1. What keeps you up at night? (figuratively)
Not to much. I can sleep like a log.  Thank you, lord.

2. What keeps you up at night? (literally)
Those damn crickets.  We've opened our windows and those things are loud. 

3. Where do you want to go in life? (figuratively)
I want to be someone who is happy, feels great almost every day, lives life to the fullest, loves her husband every day, and who raises a beautiful family.

4. Where do you want to go in life? (literally)
Home or on vacation! I'm ready.

5. Have you ever bit off more than you could chew? (figuratively)
I've learned not too.  I bite off as little as possible with four schools and add more when I have time.

6. Have you ever bit off more than you could chew? (literally)
Not that I can think of-- but I have lost a filling chewing a tootsie roll.

7. Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? (figuratively)
I'm sure it seems that way sometimes.  But, you can never know the truth without stepping in someone elses shoes.  I may look miserable sometimes, but I just have a bitchy looking resting face.  I'm blissfully happy most days.

8. Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? (literally)
NO. I wish- instead they have various bikes around the yard.

9. If you can't stand the heat, do you get out of the kitchen? (figuratively)
Sometimes, but most of the time I try to help out in whatever way I can. 

10. If you can't stand the heat, do you get out of the kitchen? (literally)
And starve?

Taco Soup

I made this Taco Soup tonight for a work luncheon tomorrow (the hubs and I also had it for dinner because it feeds an ARMY).

The hubs, who hates tomatoes and most soups even loved it. He ate two bowls full which is usually unheard of for him. We served it with some cheese on top and with some homemade tortilla chips (baked flour tortillas).

Taco Soup

1 lb of turkey or ground beef
2 cans of corn
2 cans of kidney beans
2 cans of pinto beans
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packet of ranch dressing mix

Step 1: Brown turkey. Step 2: Add browned turkey to crock pot. Place both seasoning packets on top of that. Place drained and rinsed cans of beans on top of that. Step 3: Place canned corn with juices and canned tomatoes with juices on top of that. Stir it all together and place in the crock pot for hours. The longer it simmers the better it tastes.

Try it, it was super easy and you won't be sorry.

Yum.

Case of the Mondays

CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP

 

I just spent the last half an hour writing a background history for one of my 23432432 psychological assessment reports.  Of course, with one swift click of a button I lost the whole damn thing.

 

I know it's not a tragedy but seriously-- it's a rainy Monday, I have a bit of a cold, and I forgot my lunch.  Did I really need to lose an entire psych evaluation too?

Feeling Crafty

Every once in awhile I feel crafty! I decided to try my hand at making a ribbon wreath. It was my first time attempting one and I had a great time picking out the ribbons and constructing it.

I told my husband that I'd love to go into the ribbon wreath making business, but I doubt that there is a high volume of people requiring ribbon wreaths. Regardless, I plan to make one for every holiday and maybe even some for our favorite sports teams.



I think it turned out pretty nicely for my first time



I love all of the fun Halloween colors.

October!

Today is one of those days were I can't help but to smile and to be thankful for my blessed life.

The sun is shining,

I was lucky enough to marry my best friend one year ago last October,

I have a job that I tolerate and even like,

My husband and I are lucky to have the most amazing families,

My inlaws are celebrated 35 years of marriage and my parents just celebrated 30.

and,

I live in a gorgeous little house that I love



Plus, as my fortune so wisely stated:
Everyday above ground is a good day.



Happy Rocktober. Make it a good one!