Mexico 2K12!

It finally happened.

Joe and I booked a trip to celebrate my graduation!

May 12th we will be heading out bright and early to catch our flight to MEXICO!

I don't think I could be any more excited than I am right this second.

Okay, maybe when it's May 11th I'll be more excited than I am now.

But still.

SO PUMPED!

We will be staying at the Hotel Marina El Cid in Puerto Moreles, which just happens to be an all-inclusive resort.

I've done the all-inclusive thing twice with my family when I was too young to reap all the benefits {free alcohol for a week, WHAT?!} so I am pretty excited to finally go back as a semi-adult and take advantage of everything offered.

Also, it will be Joe and I's first time out of the country together.

It's just all around exciting!

That said, I have already had one breakdown about school.

19 hours of class is no joke at UGA.

And, now that my cap and gown is purchased and my trip to paradise is booked, I am starting to panic.

What if something happens and I don't graduate!?

{knock on wood 50,000 times that this doesn't happen}

I'm probably just being silly...but still, it's sort of terrifying.

I just can't believe this day is actually here.

Almost to the point that I feel like it's NOT here...like something will definitely go wrong.

I don't know.

Let's hope that's not the case.

Enough of that.

Have you all celebrated Valentine's Day yet?!

Let me preface this by saying that Valentine's Day is in my top three holidays of the year.

I just love everything about it.

Joe and I went to dinner last night at J.Alexander's, this really fancy place near our apartment.

My dinner of grilled pork tenderloin and 'smashed' potatoes.

Absolutely delicious.

Then we had lots of wine and caught up on all our favorite TV shows.

Overall, it was just a great night.

We're also celebrating Tuesday a little bit.

Joe is going to cook me dinner {which if you know us, you know this has happened maybe once over the course of our three years together}, so I'm pretty excited!

It will be fun to not be in charge of dinner, that's for sure!

Oh, on a side note, I saw The Vow yesterday.

Stop reading my blog right this second and go see it.

Just do it.

Trust me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

:)

home alone

Hi ladies!

Hope you're all having a great week.

This week {and next week} Joe is working in Peachtree City for a client he was assigned to, which means he'll be staying with his parents...which means I have the apartment all to my lonesome!

Even AJ is gone!

It's relaxing, but quite lonely at the same time.

I guess I've grown used to the hectic life of living with my boyfriend and puppy.

While I'm here alone, I'll be cleaning {in theory} and studying for all the tests and papers I have due this week.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the weekend!

Are you guys doing anything fun?

I don't really know our plan yet, but it's looking like this year is going to be pretty tame.

I'm sure I'll be coming up with something yummy to cook though.

Let's face it...I may not care about the NFL, but it's the last football weekend for a long time!

Gotta break out the tailgating snacks one more time for good measure, am I right?

I know I probably sound like a nutcase, but I also wanted to share with you guys some exciting news.

AJ lost his first tooth!

Well, first that we've seen.

Isn't that so crazy?  Who knew dogs lost their baby teeth just like toddlers?!
Whatever.  Judge me as you will, I'm a proud mama!

He's also gotten back almost all of his hair.

{For those of you who don't know, he was suffering from demadex, a genetic version of the mange that causes cute little pups like mine to lose their hair due to stress.}

He's recovering like a champ though!

Hope ya'll have a great rest of the week!

I'm counting on you guys to keep me company while my boys are away.

:)

new blog obsession

Hey gals!

Hope you all had a great week.

This week, for me, entailed getting back to a normal schedule and embarking on my final semester of school.

{insert giddy excitement here}

My class schedule is shaping up to be a tough one, but I am in such disbelief that the end is so near I'm just feeling inspired and ready to get all my work done.

I've also started thinking about jobs in the real world.

I've been looking in Atlanta for awhile now, but a few days ago Joe and I started throwing around the idea of me looking in other places {aka different states}.

I've never lived more than an hour away from Atlanta, so the idea mostly just scares me.

However, it also is pretty exciting to think about.

So, we'll see where that goes!  I'll definitely be keeping you guys posted on that.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share something that I came across this week and have officially become obsessed with.

The other day, this little blog was brought to my attention:

Can You Stay For Dinner?

I don't know about you guys, but my weight has always fluctuated.

Always between 120 and 150. Never fails.

The same 30 pounds has come on and off over the last few years more than I can count, and I'm at a point now where I'm trying to get it under control and lose it all for good.

Enter "Can You Stay For Dinner?".

I came across this blog the other day, and it really inspired me to stop making excuses to be lazy.

Reading about Andie Mitchell's 135 pound weight loss journey is nothing short of amazing.

What I love most about it is that she is so realistic.

What I mean by realistic is that - unlike many fad diets and dieting info you might find on the internet - she doesn't focus on all of the bad foods out there and how they must be completely cut out of your life.

She talks about calorie counting and portion sizes and being mindful of your choices.

And walking.

One big thing she did in her journey was walk everywhere, which sort of opened my eyes in a way because when I was at my lowest weight ever I was walking everywhere.

Reading about how walking jump started her journey made me realize how many opportunities a day I have to walk - specifically on campus - that I don't take advantage of.

After reading her story, I've started walking from class to class instead of using the infamous UGA bus system.

Also, I've been taking AJ to Chastain Park for long walks {which, honestly, I probably should have been doing more often anyway because that's what puppies need!}.

One step at a time, right?

If you guys get a chance, I'd definitely recommend checking out her blog!

Even if you're not interested in the weight loss part, she also shares a TON of delicious and healthy recipes.

If you know me at all, you know recipe blogs are what got me interested in the blogging world to begin with.

They've really transformed my cooking experience.

Okay, I'm done rambling on about it.

But seriously.

Go check Andie's blog out.

It's amazing.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

:)

2012!

Hey ya'll!

It's been awhile since I've updated, and I'm sorry about that!

Since the last time I wrote, I've been super busy with the holidays and with, let's be honest, being lazy.

This break has been amazing and was exactly what I needed to get ready for my FINAL semester of college!

For Christmas, I visited my dad for a few days, spent actual Christmas in Peachtree City with Joe's family, and then my mom came to visit {and meet Joe for the FIRST time!}!

Joe and I also celebrated three wonderful years together.  Nothing too exciting, just dinner and champage, which I was totally happy with.

Then, we rang in the new year with Kayla and her boyfriend, Mark, by making lots of good snacks, drinking lots of champage {sounds like I've had a lot of champagne over the break now that I'm recounting everything ha}, and dancing at Twisted Taco for midnight!

Overall, it's all been so great and relaxing and now I'm spoiled and don't want to start doing homework again.

Go figure.

Before I talk about the new year, I'd like to share with you some pictures of everything that's been going on:

AJ in his first sweater!

The sweet little Tiffany bracelet Joe gave me for Christmas :)

Our first "His & Hers" gift!

This is exactly as awesome as it looks...triple buffet crock pots!

Our apartment has been lacking photos and wall art for awhile now, so one of Joe's family members gave me this!

My mom gave me a new fancy coffeemaker for Christmas, that just so happens to make iced coffee too! New obsession, to say the least.

And finally, on New Years Day, Kayla and I made our first traditional New Years lunch while our lazy boyfriends watched football all morning.  Hopefully these superstitions are correct and 2012 will bring me a lot of money, luck, and happiness!

I can't tell you all how excited I am that 2012 is finally here.

This will be a big year for me, mostly because:

1. I'll graduate from UGA

2. Joe and I are planning our first real vacation - to Mexico - to celebrate my graduation!

3. I'll get a real job and start earning an actual salary (cross your fingers for this one!)

Basically, this year is going to be a year of big life changes for me, and I couldn't be more excited.

This is the first year I haven't really been able to think of a good resolution because there are just so many other things happening.  My real resolutions are really just to follow through with everything I just listed - graduate, take a nice vacation with my boyfriend, and land myself a sweet job so I can really start my life.

So, here's hoping you all have a wonderful 2012 and follow through with your resolutions, whatever they may be!

Happy New Year!

CHRISTMAS BREAK!

Hello lovelies!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.

Things around here have been SO busy.

Lots of final projects/papers/exams at school, not to mention our poor sweet pup got PNEUMONIA!

Yeah, weird right?!  Who knew animals could get pneumonia.

I'm happy to say, though, that pup is doing well and is almost back to 100% AND my final exams at school are completely finished, marking the end of fall semester!

I couldn't be happier about that.

Not only because I never have to go back to the awful sociology class I was taking, but also because now I am about to embark on my FINAL SEMESTER EVER!

Unbelievable, to say the least.

Since I've been gone awhile, I have a few pics to share with you just to keep you guys posted on what's been going on with me!

First, Thanksgiving happened.  Every year at Joe's parents' house, Ashley and I have a potato peeling contest before dinner.

Let me start off by saying this started off as a joke...and I'm not really that competitive (I get nervous under pressure!), but Ashley is super competitive...so over the past three years the contest has gotten more and more serious.

This year, however, things jumped to a whole new level.

That's right, a golden peeler plaque was awarded to the winner, which this year just so happened to NOT be me.

I have to admit though, the plaque is pretty hilarious, and at least my name is on there as the winner last year!

Next Thanksgiving it's game on, that's for sure.

Also at Thanksgiving, Ashley and I always build a gingerbread house.

After Thanksgiving was over, Joe and I decided to get a jump start on Christmas and pick out our very first Christmas tree together!

I haven't had a real Christmas tree in probably over 10 years, so I was pretty excited about this!

My family always had this beautiful, fake, pre-lit tree, so I sort of forgot how fun it is to have a real one (and how great the smell is!).

Since this picture, AJ has managed to pull all of the lower branches closest to the floor completely off in order to chew on them.  Silly pup.

Then, my good friend Stephanie got engaged!!!

Look at that ROCK!

I'm a little obsessed with her ring...I mean LOOK at it.

And, I'm so excited to be a part of their big day!!

I'm gonna be a professional bridesmaid soon enough!

Lastly, finals week at school came and went.

My old roommate, Andrea, and I both had our last final in a class we had together, so afterwards it was only appropriate to celebrate!

This weekend, Joe's mom is graduating from UGA with her teaching degree!  So, we will be down in Peachtree City celebrating her accomplishments for the weekend.

Also coming up, on Monday to be exact, is Joe and I's 3 YEAR anniversary!

I'll be back after that with an update on how we celebrated.

I see a lot more Andre in my future, that's for sure.

:)

Have a great weekend ladies!

fill in the blank friday!

Hello lovelies!

Hallelujah, it's finally Friday!

And for those of you that are not currently college students, this Friday also brings along the start of one glorious week off of school!

I couldn't be more happy for this break...not because I'm feeling overwhelmed {I'm surprisingly calm right now about how the semester is going}.  I'm really just excited for all the things happening during it!

For one, my dad is coming into town so we can finally go to a UGA home game together.

In all my years at Georgia we have yet to go to a game together, which is a total shame!

But he couldn't have chosen a better one.  It will be exciting to see Georgia clinch the SEC East together and celebrate!

This game will also be my LAST home game as a student.  Where did the time go?!

I also get to spend some time with Kayla and Becca next week.  We haven't all been able to get together since...I don't know...maybe summer?  I can't wait for the much needed girl time!

And let's not forget, Thanksgiving!!

Joe and I are heading down to his parents' house in Peachtree City for some family time, and will also be dropping by my aunt's house for some of her yummy stuffing!

Lots of happenings!

What are you guys planning for Thanksgiving?  Anything fun?

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful fall weekend!

Here are some blanks!

1.   A nervous habit I have is  definitely chewing on my nails...which is really ironic, because nail-biting also happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves.  When I'm really anxious I just can't help it though!

2.   Something that makes me sad is not living near my mom or dad.  We're all currently in different states, and I've been okay with it...but you know.  Sometimes you just want to go home.

3.  Today I am thankful for my friends.  The fact that after 10 years we're still taking time out of our busy lives to have dinner together when possible makes me really happy and grateful to have them.  Also, of course, Joe and the pup.  Having the pup around has really made it feel like we've built a home here in this little apartment!

4. My favorite room in my house is the bedroom.  Lately I haven't been spending a lot of time in there because Joe moved his xbox in there {haha} but it's still my favorite.  When I moved in, I sort of made the bed my own little project/contribution to the place, so of course I made it as cozy as possible.

5.  I can't stand the theme song to Big Bang Theory...or anything about that show in general.  I know that is super random, but this week I keep hearing the song on TV before I can race to the remote and change it and it's driving me nuts!  That is a show I will never be able to get into.

6.  If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would use it to start Christmas shopping.  My list of people to buy for is growing and that is not a good thing for a broke college kid like me!

7.  The last person I hung out with was my good friend Stephanie in Athens last weekend!  We set up a makeshift tailgate at a picnic table for the UGA/Auburn game, so I hung out with more people than just her, but I did find myself spending most of my time catching up with her!

my surprise day off

Today, instead of a day full of playing with the kids I nanny and refereeing all of their fights, I was given a surprise day off!

A day that I should have spent preparing for a test I have tomorrow...but alas.

I've been really tired all day...probably having something to do with the fact that the pup woke us up around 5am with a horrible cough that scared the living daylights out of me.

So, instead of studying, me and the pup slept in until around 10:30 {glorious} and then I took him to the vet, where I was informed he has a minor respiratory infection.

:(

Poor thing.

After the visit to the vet, I journeyed down a few exits to visit Joe at work and have a lunch date!

There's this great mexican place we used to go to every weekend when he lived down that way, and we haven't been there probably since he moved around March.

It was delicious, just like I remember!

For the rest of the afternoon, the pup and I have been napping, watching tv, and being lazy, lazy bums.

However, I have been doing a little research online!

I go through these phases where I feel like being really crafty, particularly around the holidays.

Do you guys have any suggestions of fun crafts to make that are Christmas related?

Right now I don't have too many ideas...of course I will be pinteresting for the next hour on this.

But, I just wanted to ask because everyone out there seems to be so creative!

Also, on a side note, I wanted to show you guys these shoes.

They are a little uncomfortable...

...hard to walk in...

...but they are so glittery...

...and pretty!

I haven't been able to bring myself to return them...part of me wants to keep them just because every girl should have a pair of shoes this flashy.

Before I make my decision on their fate, I have to show them off to someone though.

Lucky ya'll!

Look how shiny and pretty!

*sigh*

Hope you all are having a great week.

Happy hump day!

:)