that's what's up.

• Taking out the trash and washing muffin tins are in the running for worst house chores eva...
• House/Apartment hunting is a very time consuming, frustrating {and sometimes creepy} burden...but I'm totally obsessing over it lately.
• I attended the most fun Junior League event to date this weekend. It may sound like bragging if I tell you I hung out with Dhani Jones...but I got to hang out with Dhani Jones. {We won't talk about how I didn't know he was a player for the Cincinnati Bengals before this evening, but whatevs...that doesn't make him "un-famous" just because I'm not a huge football fan :) }

• I ran 4 miles this weekend {longest run of my lifetime} and it felt good! I'm well on my way to the 10K race I signed up for!
• My weekends are not complete without episodes of Brothers & Sisters. There wasn't a new episode this week because of the Oscars. Boo. I'm generally not a humongous awards show fan. So kill me.
• I cannot wait to go home this weekendddddd.....hoping the week flies by!

the little things.

Recently, I was missing the spontaneity and randomness of college. Just as I was craving little daily surprises, I was pleasantly amused by...

1. FINALLY getting professional wedding photos from my cousin's beautiful wedding...

 

all images from Kelly Rashka Photography

2. Coming home to a generous "holiday" gift from work {and conveniently instantly having delicious chocolates to indulge on for dessert}.

 

image here

3. Very unexpected compliments from co-workers. ;)

Despite staying at work until 8:30 tonight I'm feeling pretty happy thanks to the little things in life.

Are you taking time to be thankful for small blessings?

obsession

I am currently swooning over...

My new Birthday Boots

Chunky Sweaters & Skinny Jeans

The Camera on my Phone that I just discovered and the resulting Picture Mail capability {sorry if I'm annoying you mom and dad :P } & obviously still Starbucks...

Shellac {new nail polish that does NOT come off!}

United Bureau of Surveys

Ok, I know I've mentioned it before, but I am in love.

With B-105 in the mornings. 

They are doing prank calls to telemarketers all week and they are killing me. I die with laughter each morning on the way to work as Chris Carr & Co conducts their "Simple Surveys."

Please listen and find out what I'm talking about... :)

happiness is...

...both laughing and crying on the way to work listening to the radio..."Salute a Soldier" testimonies really get to me before 7am...I cry every time I hear them. They make me feel so grateful because I cannot begin to understand the sacrifices military families make.

...Free Yagoot days. Only available to "Yagroopies" - true story.

...Looking forward to a long weekend after really not being able to tolerate one more minute of working.

...Cooler weather. Finally!

...Dewey's Pizza. Enough said...we all known I'd eat pizza for every meal.

...genuine giggling that leads to tears of laughter with good friends. Anthony & Chelsea, you guys are such a beautiful couple. I enjoy being your "third wheel" more than most of the dates I've ever been on. You are so blessed to have found a best friend in each other, and I hope you continue laughing together - it is truly wonderful to be around.
 
...Cold Stone Creamery. What a pleasant surprise - the strawberry cheesecake ice cream was delicious! Anthony always comes prepared with a gift card {thanks again!!}.

...Getting 8 hours of sleep! So refreshing.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

hide ya kids, hide yo wife...

I admit, I'm a wimp. Total baby.

So, when I originally heard the story of a woman waking up to a man IN HER BED about to rape her I was terrified. My worst fear {well, maybe second or third worst fear for those who know me...} come true.

And then I saw THIS breaking news report, and didn't feel so scared. Doesn't look like my neighborhood. This has to be a joke.

And THIS made me laugh even harder...is this for real?!

 

People are crazy. Maybe I should be scared after all...

fall into me

It is too hotttttt to function.

I've had enough.

Totally ready for fall. Get at me cooler weather.

Fall and Winter are my favorite times of the year. 

 

I'm really looking forward to this season just right around the corner!

I'm totally craving:

fall football games & tailgating

scarves & cute jackets

my birthday {even though 24 sounds OLD!}, halloween, thanksgiving and then christmas! which, ultimately means time off work and relaxation with family

pumpkin spice chai lattes - heaven in a cup

...this may be a stretch, but I'm even looking forward to outside runs in cool weather!

homeless?

One thing that caught me off guard immediately when I moved up here - that showed I was in a much bigger city - is the amount of homeless people scattered about.

On my walk to work - check. 

Walk to lunch - check. 

Walk back to parking garage - check. 

Even on the way home from work - in my own neighborhood - check.

It's very sad, but somehow I've just gotten used to it.

However, I was caught even more off guard a couple weeks ago when my roommate and I were driving to the gym and saw a group of 5 of the regular homeless in our part of town hop into a new red Matrix station wagon. What? Who paid for their new car!?

And then again today, I saw a woman that stands by the nail salon set down her sign, walk up towards the shops, take out a cigarette, and then flip open her cell phone! Where do they send this phone bill - she's "homeless" after all?

I am so confused. Even if they aren't "homeless" - I feel bad that these people have given up. They spend their days sitting out in the sun - the 90+ degree sun - when they could be contributing so much more to society. 

And if they are homeless, obviously my heart breaks even more for them. I know it's not my business, but I do want to know more - where do they come from? how did they get to this place in their lives? how can they get back on track? where are their families? 


The lonely, tired women I see every day on my drive home are on my heart tonight. Although I have become used to seeing many homeless in my daily routine, it doesn't make me any less sad for them.

Do the Dew

So, yesterday I was so disappointed at work because no one even acknowledged my one year anniversary. Come on, big deal here people! 

BUT, it turns out they were just a little slow.

In honor of my service {a day late}, a co-worker chugged a 2 liter of Mountain Dew in 1 hour and 26 minutes. Foul, right?

 

source

He did this on my first day last year as part of a team dare, but being the new girl I felt too uncomfortable to laugh or show any emotions back then. Today was "a-whole-nother" {not a word, why do people say this?!} ball game ~ it was hysterical, yet made me feel bloated, shaky, and scared all at the same time.

The saddest part of it all is that two of the guys on my team regularly drink an average of 100-125 ounces of caffeine a day {between coffee, coke zero and diet mountain dews ~ their "drug" of choice}. 

I can't even imagine what their teeth are going to look like in several years.

Anyway, here's a Big Dew cheers to 1 year! :)

sweat, storms, songs & sales!

With summer on the brain and my butt in the office, here's a look at what's gettin' me by:

• I've had two nights of really good workouts. This may or may not be directly related to my new workout clothes! Or the fact that I've left work at 4:30 the past couple days because I've been in trainings. Sweet.
• Speaking of sweets, I'm on day 2 of no goodies {unless you count the one, little, tiny spoonful of ice cream I had tonight after dinner. I, obviously, do not.} So far I'm in an ok mood, too ~ we'll see how long that lasts.
• Thank to Krista's lead on a good sale, I just purchased an adorable new zipper wallet. I've been looking for a new wallet for ages. Check out the sale at Kate Spade and see what you can find for yourself!
• The tornado and thunderstorm warnings that have been happening here the past couple of nights are TERRIFYING! Thank goodness I now have a roommate. And thank goodness we now have a basement {even though it does flood}.
• The storms are causing dreadfully humid weather. I hate rain. And I hate humidity. BUT, this song cracks me up, so I'm trying to listen to it's message and become one with nature... ;)

image here.

Early Retirement

Ok, work's been fun, but I'm ready for summer break. Oh wait, I never again get a summer?

Forget that.

I'm ready to "retire" and have kids.

Have I mentioned what an awesome stay-at-home mom I would be? We're talking dinner every night, PTA involvement, and mega carpools.

Maybe I should put out an add since {attractive, honest and driven} single men are getting snatched off the market like crazy these days.

Did I mention I can also scrapbook. And make a mean loaf of chocolate chip banana bread. Any takers?

The Blah Blahs

It's an inat7outat7comehomeandworkmore kind of week, and I don't see life slowing down any time soon.

Say something to make me laugh ~ I dare ya!

Several things that are making me smile at the moment:

• The thought of me walking in to Ann Taylor to return another cardigan something THREE times (on separate days) and changing my mind each time. Indecisive maybe? Those cardigans are so good but so bad all at the same time...
• All the posts about our NYC trip on Casey's Blog ~ she can depict the weekend prettier than I can, she's in advertising :)
• Knowing that my mom is coming up on Saturday.
• Visions of outdoor dining in nice weather.
• This hilarious video. Who would ever videotape this and then proceed to post to the internet!? Lord only knows {well, I guess my mom knows too} how I acted when I got my wisdom teeth out. I swear I thought I was being totally normal ~ I was craving a chocolate milkshake afterall...doesn't that sound like me?
• These disgust me and make me LOL at the same time.

Ok, this is clearly procrastination at its finest...off to be productive...

Happy Friday Eve to all!

Workin' for the Weekends

Welp, I've kept my face off the lobby floor so far this week, so not much exciting to report here except...

• I had a fabulous long weekend - patio "lunching" with a friend {and also alone on Sunday}, sleepovers {two!}, Keeneland, and even some shopping.
• I spent the night at a friend's house on Friday night. We woke up bright and early {we're talking before 7:30 on a Saturday!} to try a well-known breakfast joint in her hometown. It. was. to. die. for.

I love me some pancakes, and I don't eat them often enough!

Here we are waiting outside the restaurant because we got there before it opened. Oh hiiii, dorks! :)

• I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery around our neighborhood. I think the trees that line our streets are simply gorgeous. 

• The Easter bunny did good as always ~ so excited about new makeup and LOTS of candy! :) At work, we've reached the consensus that Easter baskets {and other childish holiday traditions} are acceptable from my parents until I am married...which at this rate, could be a while...
• I cannot contain my excitement for this upcoming weekend ~ Dad comes in town! Tony turns the big 2-1! College alumnae reunion at Keeneland! Celebration on Saturday night! My first Crossfit Experience! Bahhh so much to look forward to!
• A new season of "Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" started last night...freakin' love this show. I would marry Dean. But I also love Tori, so I won't do that to my girl.

 

{presh pic found here}

• I began packing my lunch this week...well, today. So far, so good. We'll see how long this habit lasts.
• With plans every night this week, it is going by pretty fast so far ~ hopefully we don't get drowned out of the baseball game tomorrow night!

I warned you this would be a boring post...but now off to bed. Here's to hoping I only "snooze" 35 minutes in the morning. Baby steps. Nighty night!

Snooze you Lose

I "snooze" no less than 40 minutes {ok, honestly ~ closer to an hour} in the mornings.

Image found here.

I so desperately want to be a morning person, but I cannot get my butt out of bed.

This has resulted in me setting my alarm for 5am to prevent me being severely late to work every day.

I just feel like that last hour is the most precious hour of sleep I get all night. Like I know that morning is almost upon me, so I have to indulge and completely enjoy every last minute of shut-eye.

What is wrong with me? Why am I so so tired?

And most importantly, why do they give nap time in preschool but not at work? I'm sure adults would appreciate this precious time much more than those little rascals do!

Friday (Observed)

I have a three day weekend coming up....so that technically makes tomorrow FRIDAY (observed)! 

   

No complaints here!

And the weather is supposed to be B-E-A-utiful! {Tangent: When is it appropriate to begin wearing a skirt without tights?! Lots of women in the office are already doing it, but I feel like it's still too early!}

I'm hoping to have a productive Friday with some errands, a dreaded free trip to the dentist {hooray for sweet benefits}, and {hopefully} doing lunch with a friend.

Friday night I'm going to spend the night at this girl's parent's house...gotta love some home cookin'

Saturday I'll be heading back home for Keeneland, spending time with friends, and Easter with the fam ~ dying to see my leetle brother and live vicariously through his spring break stories. 

And to have dinner with my momma! Hoping the Easter Bunny {am I too old for this silly bunny?} will bring me some Cadburry Eggs. Or possibly Mr. Hoppity will understand that I'm getting older and more mature, and now like new lipgloss in my Easter basket instead of coloring books...

Can't wait!

P.S. Please excuse the use of very old pictures in an attempt to make this "fluffy" post somewhat entertaining! I really need to get out more...thus have more to take photos of...thus fueling my beloved scrapbooking hobby...and providing for a more "lively" blog...but I will stop there with my rambling for your sake.

Random Ramblings

• It was brought to my attention this weekend that I suffer from a tragic disease of sorts. An undeniable, unrelenting sweet tooth.  I believe it's hereditary {from my Mom's side of the family}, but seriously how on earth do I cure it!? I cannot resist sweets, especially around all this delicious Easter candy {in particular ~ Cadberry Cream Eggs and Starburst Jelly Beans}, frozen yogurt, and Girl Scout Cookies. Yummmm-yum!

 

{Image Here} 

• Also on the topic of food, I know this is gross, but my apartment smells like vegetables constantly {funny because I know I eat more chocolate than I do veggies}. Does anyone have any tips on how to make my disposal stop smelling funny?! Suggestions seriously needed.
• Tomorrow is St. Patty's day ~ I'm guessing it's unacceptable to pinch the Prez if he forgets to wear green ;)

{Image of the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day found on Wikipedia. How cool is this?!}

• I'm getting very annoyed with my DVR lately. Although I have series of shows set to record {eh-em, Desperate Housewives I love you}, it is not working and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Have any of you had this issue? It literally has an "X" through the show recording and won't give me any other options.
• Since I can't watch DVR, I've been forced to watch part of American Idol tonight. How do you all feel about Ellen as a judge this season? I haven't watched this season much because the show just doesn't do it for me like it used to, but I do adore Ellen.
• Have you filled out your NCAA bracket? Obvi, I'm betting UK all the way!

Go cats!

• I finally broke down and invested in my first pair of skinny straight leg jeans and I cannot get enough of them. They are the most comfortable pair of jeans I own now and I feel so stylish. How did I not come across these things sooner!?

 

{Citizens of Humanity "Amber" found online here.}

• Last week I was invited to a "game night" with some friends in the area. I haven't laughed as hard as I did that night in a very, very long time. It was hilarious and all week I have been wishing I could go again, but it is hosted every other Thursday night so I will have to wait. Although I completely embarrassed myself by failing to describe "Larry Bird" and "Shawn White," I would definitely feel comfortable showing my face in front of these people again because they were the most welcoming, accepting group of people I've met in the city.
• And finally, I am looking forward to hopefully seeing my BFF while she is home this week and spending a weekend with some beloved high school friends. So cool that we are all such good friends despite the very different paths our lives our leading us in at the moment. 

 

Random Ramblings

I don't have anything exciting or important enough to deserve an entire post, so instead here are some random thoughts currently on my mind:

• I am excited that I have nearly influenced four friends to start blogging. Probably not completely my doing, but still...I'm excited and I love reading them.
• Speaking of reading...I want to start reading for pleasure again. Really, I want to find hobbies in general. I need something I look forward to and really enjoy doing. {Besides watching TV....oops on the next bullet...}
• I am ashamed to admit I'm pumped about watching Kate Gosselin on Dancing with the Stars...I've never watched this show before, but she has piqued my interest.
• It is extremely cheap of me, but I have been sleeping bundled in a sweatshirt {or my "sleep sweater"...for those who are familiar with that ratty thing ;) } and socks instead of turning on the heat in my apartment.
• The gym has been easier to go to now that I am not working 5329487 hours a day AND that there is a cute trainer that comes to talk to me each time I go...although I feel like he's totally judging my workouts. Maybe if I increase the flirting I'll get some free training tips.
• I'm already stressing out about my spring wardrobe. That season confuses the heck out of me...probably because it's confused. The weather can never decide if it wants to be warm, cool, rainy or not. Do you all have the same issue?
• I've been here about 8 months and still have less than 5 friends in the area. Sad. Therefore, I'm thinking about joining Junior League {after being inspired by a particular friend}, and I'm trying to think of other ways to meet new people. Dad suggested bowling league...probably because both groups have the word "league" in the title. I'm terrible at bowling.
• I am dying to get dressed up and go on a date. Probably not in my foreseeable future. Wah wahh...
• It seems I have a lot of money on the line if I can recreate my curly bob 'do...I haven't given up and I'll definitely keep you updated. I have your bets in writing, afterall ;)

I think that's all I will bore you with today. Now I'm going to catch up on some DVR. Hope everyone is having a great week....tomorrow is the halfway mark already! yayyy.

Where Am I?

Directions: Try THIS, and then read below.

Ever since I started working, I've been a little self-conscious of my geography skills. Fellow co-workers talk about crazy countries that I didn't even know existed, what beaches in Turkey are the nicest, why Brussels {is that a country? or a city?} is an "easy" place to live, etc...

And I smile {it's what I do best} politely. Until I can google what the heck they're talking about.

Then my grandmother sent me this above link. And lowered my confidence another couple of points. 

I guess before I attempt to conquer the world {in terms of geography, that is}, I first need to start on common ground...I scored a whopping 82% on this "Know Your States" quiz...pretty low for living in the same country my entire life. 

New England States...a total blur. 

I swear, Tennessee was to the right of Kentucky last time I referenced a map. Aren't they both in the "deep south" ;)

And the worst part...I placed Ohio left of Illinois. I cannot get in my head where this silly state is supposed to be amongst the vast Land of Liberty. 
  
Where am I? I'm not exactly sure, but please come visit if you can find me.

So, how do you compare? Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Could you pass elementary school Geography?!

Vancouver 2010

I'm excited for the Winter Olympics to begin on Friday. 

Winter Olympics > Summer Olympics. Obvi. 

I have fond memories of watching figure skating as a little girl. Me and my best friend would lay on the carpet in our sleeping bags for hours watching Brian Boitano, Nancy Kerrigan, Kristi Yamaguchi and others. This sport sure saw some drama in the 90s...

Ski Jumping, Speed Skating, and Snowboarding amaze me as well because I realize how many times I've been skiing and am still terrible!

Olympians have so much discipline. It is so impressive.

What is your favorite event in the Olympics?! 

 {check out the Vancouver 2010 website here}

Teen Mom

I am ashamed to admit I LOVE this show. Probably because it is just so stupid. Mindless entertainment. Is anyone with me on this?

Each girl is extremely annoying...except Maci, she's sweet.

What's up with Catelynn's mom being married to her boyfriends dad?! And Butch being in jail all.the.time.

Amber has the most annoying whine I've ever heard. And she's lazy.

Maci's boyfriend is also lazy.

Farrah should clearly not have a baby. She gets more dates than I do and she's a baby momma. Something's wrong.

...Hopefully I have something more entertaining to write about tomorrow....work is all that is on my mind right now and this show is my attempt to distract myself. My apologies for filling your thoughts with this garbage :)

Seriously looking forward to the weekend.