Decisions, Decisions

I’ve made a few decisions this week that I’m pretty excited about. I’ve made one that I’m not excited about at all. See if you can tell which ones are which.

First of all, I’ve decided on bridesmaid gifts. I obviously can’t put them here as I know that at least one of my bridesmaids is a regular blog stalker, but just know that they are fabulous and I’m really excited about them. They are a good mix of fun and functional, which I think is important.

Second, I decided what I’m going to get Paul for his birthday. Again, I can’t tell you what that is on the off-chance that he reads this, which, given his Tupelo-induced-boredom, he may very well resort to. But I’m really excited about it and hopefully he will be too. I’m conflicted because said-item is really him, in a way, and not him at all, in another. If it’s more not him than him then I will return said-item for something a little more him. Have I confused you yet? Good!
Last night I decided that I hate making, “Things I’m going to buy when I get paid” lists when that list includes things like paper towels , dog food, and Ziploc baggies. I know I have the money in savings right now, but I don’t want to tap into that so I pined for more baggies and used lots of aluminum foil and Tupperware until today—sweet, glorious, much-longed-for pay day!

Earlier this week I decided that I’m never giving Ginny a bath every again. I had planned to go to the gym on money but there was a little nagging voice in my head telling me to go on home and just walk the dog. So go home I did. And what did I find there? I found a crate, carpet and a dog that were all covered in dog poo. For the first time since we’ve had her, Miss Ginny decided to soil herself and her cage at some point during my work day and it was everywhere in the cage vicinity. After putting the crate liner in the bathtub and hosing it down and sanitizing/odor eliminating/vacuuming the offended area, I hooked Ginny to her leash and took her for a long walk around the neighborhood with the intention of wearing her out so that bathing her might be incident free. Well you know how they say the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry? Tis true my friends, tis true.

I should preface this by saying that I didn’t grow up with a dog and I have never bathed an animal. I placed Ginny in the tub and turned on the water. I made sure the water was not too hot and not too cold, but it didn’t matter because apparently Ginny hates water You know what’s difficult? Washing a dog when you don’t have a detachable shower head. So I finagled the water to fall at just the right place in the tube to where I could hold Ginny and the water would prince her off, but she was not happy. She kept try to hide in the back of the tube so I would scoot her forward and she would tremble and look at me and the showerhead in fear. Eventually she was clean and shook herself clean in every room in the house, but I’m pretty sure she still hasn’t forgiven me. But that’s okay, because I haven’t really forgiven Miss Poopy Pants either.

George Clooney Wins Again

Paul and I rented "Up In The Air" this past weekend and I watched it soonafter. I liked it but I didn't really understand why it was considered for an Oscar. It seemed a little too light and airy for an Oscar nomination. Since I've spent my daydoing laundry, I thought I'd watch it again and try to find a deeper meaning. And I found it!

Somehow I missed everything that happened between Natalie, Alex and Ryan crashing the Alphatech party, and Natalie's getting her new job. I don't think I fell asleep, so what happened to the last 45 minutes-hour of the movie? I have absolutely no idea. But I'm glad I decided to give the movie another go because it was really good. It was a combination of funny and heartbreaking with a touch of inspiration thrown in.

Also, on a completely unrelated note,you know what's weird? When your dog smells your mouth every time she sees you eat something.

Wedding Shoe Lust

Can we take a moment out of our day to take a look at these super-fabulous pictures?! Specifically, I'd like everyone to pay attention to those super-fabulous white chuck taylors that those bridesmaids are rocking. TOO CUTE!!! I'd LOVE for my ladies to rock that look on October 2.

Since I know some of you (and by "you" I mean bridesmaids) read this, as all of SHOULD, obviously, what do you think of this? How would you feel about strutting your stuff in a pair of white chuck taylors? You'd match me! And it would be so much better than the sub-par silver flats that I've been able to come up with! Genius idea, right? Right! (Photos courtesy of Tim Will Photography)

Can we check out that adorable chuck-clad foot pop?! In the word of Megan, Presh!!

How adorable would those be with the dresses (only in blue and green, obviously)? So adorable!!

We could do the original:

Or the even more affordable version from Target:
I want it. I need it. Please bridesmaids, make it happen for me!

Here's links to the blog and website where you can find more pictures:

http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2010/2/2/real-south-carolina-wedding-grace-jamie-part-i.html

http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2010/2/2/real-south-carolina-wedding-grace-jamie-part-ii.html

http://www.timwill.com/blog/2009/12/02/jamie-grace/

Making a Run For It

I've been a bit of a sad blogger recently because Paul told me he has to go to Tupelo, Mississippi next weekend. He'll be there for two weeks, then come back for a week, and then go back to spend another two weeks. But I decided I'm not going to let my honey's impromptu "vacation" get me down. Instead, I'm going to use that time to better myself.

As it is, I find myself going to the gym 2-3 days per week because Paul has Monday and Tuesday off and he gets off early on Wednesday and I'd preffer to spend time with him than on a treadmill. I should go on Saturday and Sunday but I usually just can't bring myself to it. While he's gone I'm going to devote myself to going to the gym 5 days a week. And I'm going to run. He'll get back the beginning of May and we're taking engagement pictures later that month. I'm going to look the best I can for those pictures and not feel as uncomfortable in my clothes as I do right now.

I ran Friday and it was hard. I ran again today and it was a little bit easier. I wasn't praying for my mile to come to an end and I didn't think my legs were going to fall off my body. I know that I have a lot of work to do, but I always feel a lot better after I work out. I've considered doing the Couch to 5K progra, but I hear the podcast music isn't that great. I think I'll make a new running playlist (I've been using the same one for over a year) and just push myself to keep running. And by the time those engagement pictures roll around I'll feel a lot better. And hopefully I'll look better too. And when it comes time to tie the knot with the man of my dreams, I'll be hot!

Bang Trim for the Win!

At the suggestion of Jennifer and Jessica at the ol' DDS, I made an appointment with Lauren at Salon Del Sol toget my bangs trimmed. Ever since I grew out my cut-straight-across bangs that I rocked for a good 20 years (photographic proof below), I have yet to get my bangs to look just how I want them to. I'm fully aware of the size of my forehead. I know that, like the rest of me, my forehead is not whispy so my bangs shouldn't be either. So, armed with instructions written on a post-it note, I made my way into Salon Del Sol today and left with amazing bangs.

As a reminder, here's a before photo. Take noteof the significant amount of forehead hanging out below that birthday crown.

Here they are with a pony tail.

And here they are now. Take a look at those forehead-covering bad boys!

This is what it will look like when I wear it in a pony tail now!

And now, since I promised, here's proof of my longstanding rocking of the cut-straight-across bangs (not to mention those HAWT pink, rail-road-conductor striped, coveralls!)

I'm in Love...

She's so soft and pretty and roomy. Can I have her, please?

Exploring a New Frontier

I just made the most delicous shrimp quesadilla, EVER! Here's the recipe, in case you want to try 'er out:

1 pound shrimp (I used frozen, cooked shrimp)
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro
4 tablespoons chopped green onion
A few dashes chili powder
4 table spoons lemon or lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla (I used burrito size because it's what we had on hand)
1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice

1. If you're using frozen cooked shrimp, thaw shrimp by placing it in a bowl of ice water. After the shrimp has thawed, remove tails.
2. In a bowl or large Ziploc bag, combine thawed shrimp, cilantro, green onions, chili powder, lemon/lime juice, salt and pepper. Let the shrimp marinate for 10-30 minutes.
3. Strain liquid from shrimp mixture and heat at medium heat until warmed through. Remove from heat.
4. Pour a small amount of vegetable or olive oil in pan and heat to medium high.
5. Place a tortilla in the pan and heat for about a minute, flipping with a spatula every 10 seconds. The tortilla should develop air bubbles. Remove first tortilla from pan when browned to your liking.
6. Add second tortilla to pan and do the same thing you did for the first tortilla. When it has browned to your liking, reduce heat to medium and spread cheese over tortilla.
7. When cheese starts to melt, add shrimp mixture and place second tortilla on top. Let it sit for about 30 seconds.
8. Slide one spatula under the quesadilla and hold another on top to keep it together. Now flip quesadilla over to heat the other side.
9. Remove from heat and serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or Paul's favorite, Sesame Ginger Vinagerette. Apparently it's good with everything.

I meant to take a picture of the final product, but a combination of intense hunger and forgetfulness were working against me. Maybe I'll remember the next time around. But probably not.

Before I tried this recipe I was hesitant to cook anything with seafood that was more involved than dropping fish sticks onto baking sheet and popping them into the oven. Kitty never cooked with seafood when I was a kid so I don't really know how to do it. I can do chicken, beef, pork, even venison, like a pro, but seafood is beyond me. Shrimp quesadillas were my first baby step into the world of cooking with seafood. Next I'd like to attempt tilapia, tuna steaks and a salmon. Wish me luck!

Off hiatus

I've officially been HORRIBLE at updating lately. I wish I could lie and say I've been really busy, but that's not completely accurate. For the most part I've either been in pain or just plain worn out.

About three or four weeks ago I was on my way to work looking extra adorable in new purple suede loafers, when I noticed a loud grinding sound. I pulled over at the closest gas station, thinking, "I'll just put in air and be on my way." But it wasn't that easy. Instead of setting out on my way I listened as the air that I had just putin my tire seeped out of a giant gash that magically appeared. I tried to call Paul, but then I realized I hadn't taken him his phone when I left so from where he was sleeping in the bedroom, he wouldn't be able to hear me calling. Since I was in a panic and not thinking clearly I figured my only option was to start walking--in the rain. A mile later (did I mention those purple suede loafers hadn't been broken in?), I walked in the front door and burst into tears. I changed clothes and ended up taking Paul's car to work while he and Josh spent the entire day fixing my car. He also spent all of the next day getting the faulty exhaust repaired.

That Saturday I woke up to slight low back pain. But I ignored it and went to Walmart to pick up a crate for Ginny. I pulled all 40 pounds of it off the top shelf on my own, the put it in the caron my own and then carried it into the apartment on my own. Later that day I attempted to stand up off the couch and ended up falling and having to crawl back on the couch.I spent the next two days in unable-to-walk pain and didn't really recover for a week. It was a miserable week!

Evere since then I've just been trying to relax and/or catch up on errands I had put off. So that's my sad excuse for the disappearance. Hopefully I'll do better this time.