Sunday Edition II

THINKING ABOUT:

Mike. It's funny because actually stopping to write that I am indeed sitting here thinking about Mike seems a bit absurd.  I still sit around and daydream about him, after all these years.  We met so young, I would never have guessed he would be the man I spend the rest of my life with.  We have shared some really dark times, but came out of it with nothing but love for one another.  Maybe I should do a post about how him and I met sometime. He just makes me blissfully happy.

LOOKING FORWARD TO:

I feel like I always have so much to look forward to, lucky me!  I'm looking forward to today being over so that I can get back into the groove of things at home.  I'm looking forward to the 4th of July!  I'm still looking forward to my mom visiting with the kids and our annual camping trip.

WATCHING:

I am so out of the loop from TV this week, but it was nice to take a break.  I cannot wait to watch the shows I'm recording tonight; Trueblood and Oprah's next chapter with the Kardashians.

WORKING ON:

My health.  I am a foodie through and through.  I like to try everything, and I love to cook!  But recently I have just been working on paying attention to what I am cooking with and what I am putting into my body and encouraging Mike to put into his body.  One of my dearest friends Sami told me about a site she has been using to track her food and exercise called myfitnesspal.com and it is fab!  Seriously, it has been extremely helpful.

WISHING:

I thought really hard about what to write for my wishing and I had a very hard time coming up with something.  I truly want for nothing, and I have never been more content in my life.  I suppose I wish I was able to travel a bit this summer and spend time with my girlfriends.  A few of my best friends have been out of state for most of the summer and I miss them terribly.

The Perfect Visit Home.

I decided, almost last minute, to go home and spend a few days with my family for a few days this past week.  I had a test Tuesday night and promptly drove home immediately after class.
I was so jazzed to be with my family.  I hadn't made a trip like this in such a long time.
No holiday plans. Alone, no Mike. Best friends were not in town.
Basically, I had no agenda.
Which is amazing, and it never happens!

Favorite Moments From My Time Home

• My Mema giving me the most thoughtful birthday presents-A train case that belonged to my great grandma and 2 beautiful aprons from an antique shop.
• Thinking I was going to be able to sleep in, but my mom waking me up bright and early everyday so as not to waste our time together.
• Being seriously the clumsiest person ever and falling into the tub, bringing the shower curtain down with me and getting it wrapped around me.
• My youngest sister begging to give me a pedicure, and it turning out gorgeous!
• My dad cooking entirely too much food every time I see him. Seriously! Friday night-4 feet of sausage (I am not kidding, it was 4 ft.) hamburgers, hotdogs, fried potatoes, broccoli & cauliflower salad, cottage cheese, coleslaw, grilled veggies. See, I told you I wasn't kidding.
• Hearing the funny things little kids say. "This commercial has been on so long." Referring to an infomercial. "Untie this balloon, I want to put the air back in my belly and float around." You get the picture.
• Birch Run Outlets.  Somehow I had taken them for granted, having grown up right next to them, and have not made a good trip there in years.  It was my time.
• Swimming pools.
• My mom seeing a "Kitty Purry" shirt in a store (it has a cat on the front wearing braces, glasses, etc.) and trying to buy it for me, telling my brother, and I quote, "Shouldn't Rand wear this? It's her..a nerd cat!"

My Father.

I saw my dad a few weeks ago.
He was just in town for a few hours to fix my sisters car. My brother came to help.
I worked in the afternoon, but I was determined to steal them away for a few hours because the two of them rarely make it out this way.
It was a Saturday, and every Saturday morning Mike and I grocery shop, so along they came.
My time with my dad started with me teasing him for going to the store in his 'jorts' and him giving me a hard time for getting Starbucks.
While I waited for my drink to be made I see my dad and brother shoot from the bathroom, my dad chasing my brother around the produce section.  He had water cupped in his hands, apparently seeking revenge on my brother for getting him wet in the bathroom.
He ate fruit as we walked around the store.
My dad let me buy my own groceries, but he treated me to some almond milk and a jar of Tajin because "I just had to try them."


These sorts of things are typical of time spent with my dad.
He can be incredibly serious, spiritual, and intimidating at times.
But more often than not he is the silliest man I have ever met.
I'm proud that I learned how to be silly from my dad.

I admit...

...I usually spell weird as wierd the first time because it doesn't follow the rule 'i before e except after c'


...I only wash my hair 3-4 times a week


...my most listened to Pandora station is Disney


...that I talk to my cat, Maggie, on the regular


...sometimes I don't put any pants on until late afternoon if I don't have anywhere to be


...my most played playlist is named 'Happy Happy Love Love'

Summer Beauty.

With a little bit of natural bronzing via the sun and a natural glow from the higher temps I am a firm believer that less is definitely more for the summer months.  Here are a few of the goodies that I have been reaching for that are doing the trick!

Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten

This is meant to be a gel eyeliner, but I use it as a cream shadow or even more often as a highlight.

bareMinerals Ready Blush in The Tease

This has been my go to blush for a month now!  The shade is matte and so unique, plus it lasts all day.

MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade

I heard so many good things about this gloss so I had to get my hands on it.  Now it lives in my purse permanently.  It looks gorgeous on its own, over a bright pink, and over nudes.

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

I have really dark eyelids and this Paint Pot is perfect to cancel out the darkness.  I have been wearing this alone most days with a little mascara for a really natural, but pretty look.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

A deep conditioner than smells soooooo good!  My hair has never been softer or smelled better.

Clarisonic Mia 2

I am a firm believer in the magic that is Clarisonic.  They are pricey (I received mine as a birthday gift) but if you have problematic skin they are the answer! 

The Little Things.

Via

• Realizing how easy and quickly you can get most things done.  Even the things you have been putting off like cleaning out your car or writing a self-stufy paper.
• Keeping the windows open and letting the glorious breeze fill the apartment with fresh air.
• Burning new candles.
• A sounds night of sleep. Where you wake up and the blankets have barely moved and you actually feel rested when you wake up.
• Fresh cut bangs.

Sunday Edition.

THINKING ABOUT:

Going home.  I opted to work an extra long shift today (16 hours) so that I could spend time with Mikes parents yesterday without a time limit.  Obviously, I made the right choice, but I am 12 hours in and itching to be home with Mike and Maggie. Especially because Mike is being so precious right now. And lets face it, Maggie is always precious!  So I am fantasizing about being home in the air, with a mug of tea, fuzzy jammies, curled up with the babes.

LOOKING FORWARD TO:

I am very much looking forward to 2 things. 1) My mom visiting with my brother and baby sister 2) Our annual camping trip with Mikes family.  Back to 1) When my baby sister's school year ends my mom is bringing them out for a few days during the week (which is when I normally spend a lot of time alone doing embarrassing nerd things)! Shes going to stay at this fun hotel for a few nights because we love their pool!  And we are going to spend plenty of time at the beach!  Basically I plan to be swimming and/or cuddling the entire time.  On to 2) Every year (with the exception of 1) since Mike and I have been dating I have had the pleasure of going on a week long camping trip with his family.  To say that I love this time would be an understatement.  I'm obsessed.  And I believe that I am even more excited this year!   A week away from the city, no internet, no work.  Just lots of long walks, reading, campfires, naps. Please hurry up camping trip!

WATCHING:

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a television junkie.  Meaning, I am never watching just one thing.  I got really hooked on some amazing shows this winter/spring and so when they were over I was devastated.  Okay not devastated, but I didn't know what to watch!  So I started re watching Dawsons Creek on Netflix.  I also found out that Girls on HBO is freaking fabulous!  And tonight my true love True Blood starts again.  So whats a girl to do? Obviously watch all 3!!

WORKING ON:

Priorities.  Reminding myself what is most important to me and what makes me happiest.  Sometimes I get into these ruts, and then I get really sad and grumpy and I can't figure out where it is coming from.  Well, I am almost positive that this happens when I get lazy and forget my priorities.  So, currently, I am working on ways to remind myself of all the things that I absolutely cannot let slip!

WISHING:

Honestly, wishing that we had a house already.  Or at least that we were closer to having one.  We were moving full force ahead at the beginning, and now it's like we're crawling along.  It breaks my heart sometimes.  We are so ready to make some sort of step in a frontward motion, and this was it.  I know, though, that God does have a master plan for us.  And that before I know it I will be in OUR cozy dream house.

America's Sweetheart.

People refer to Meg Ryan as America's sweetheart, right?

At least they used to.

I admit that I am Meg Ryan obsessed.

I've watched When Harry Met Sally at least 20 times.

Anyway, yesterday I bought You've Got Mail.

I was reminded how long it had been since I've watched it last Sunday when, it seemed, everyone and their brother watched it on Bravo!

And it was in the $5 bin at Walmart!

This movie is perfection.

Perfect rom-com.  Perfect cast.  Even perfect-er music!

Oh, and the nostalgia of AOL, does it get any better?

Who wouldn't want to be Kathleen Kelly and own a quaint children's book store? Sign me up!

Obviously 2 hours of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks was not enough for me so I popped in Sleepless in Seattle.  Is it possible that Sleepless in Seattle is even gooier than You've Got Mail? I believe it may be possible.  But, without a doubt, just as precious.

Thank you Meg Ryan for starring in the most adorable movies, with the best soundtracks.

Bagger Daves.

Last night Mike and I treated ourselves to one of the most indulgent meals I have experienced in a very long time. 

Michigan craft beer, sloppy fries with the works, enormous burgers, and an incredibly rich brownie dessert.

Not to mention, the fabulous company : )

Bagger Daves is a new restaurant in Grandville with amazing food, Michigan ingredients, and a choo choo train that circles around the building.

Made for a very fun Tuesday evening.

5 Things

I have the very lovely ladies Jacqlyn & Sami to thank for this clever idea!

5 Things I Could Use More Of:

Days with my girlfriends doing 'girly' things

Time spent at the beach

Bike rides (which require me getting a new bike!)

Energy!!

Shopping

5 Things I Could Do Without:

Laundry, laundry, laundry

Homework that feels a whole lot more like busy work

Anxiety

Family on the other side of the state and friends being dispersed throughout the country/world

Shopping

Internet Addiction: What I am loving!

Since graduating I consider myself a part-time-stay-at-home-"wifey".
This has led to more time on my hands than I have ever had in my entire life.
I also work every weekend at a domestic violence shelter.
It is very hard but gratifying work.
But, sometimes it is so boring!
You see, on the weekends the ladies basically get their time off from any work with their advocates/therapy/groups/etc.  So a lot of the time they leave for the entire day running errands, doing fun things, working, whatever.  Leaving me alone, and often bored.  There is just only so much cleaning a gal can do. (Or wants to do)
I have entertained myself this week & weekend (in between chapter of 50 Shades Darker) here:

HelloGiggles.com: Seriously this site was made for me!  I knew of it before, but never really took the time to explore.  Now I am completely obsessed and can lose myself for hours on it.  Friday I had to send this text to my bestie/therapist/soul mate Ashley, "Welp I've been on hellogiggles.com for 2 hours.  I officially need to jump off my balcony." In which she lovingly replied, "I literally just laughed out loud!! What the *beep* is hellogiggles?"  Needless to say, I sent her a post about great loves that used a lot of SATC references and she is hooked!

TheWiegands.com: This blog is definitely not new to me.  I discovered Casey about 5 months ago, but I reread her posts almost daily.  We are kindred spirits in so many ways.  She is extra sensitive, marches to the beat of her own drum, and loves from the depths of her heart.  But I also feel like I can learn so much from her on her journey as a proud child of God, a young mama, and a writer.

Twitter.com: I am always on Twitter, this is not news.  But there are a few ladies I am newly following who are definitely worth mentioning. I will share them with you, along with their twitter profiles.

• @aliashbaker-  I am a student at the Roseanne Conner School of Housewifery and Etiquette and I'm writing a cookbook called 'Nacho Cheese-100 Ways.' Let's be friends!
• @shinyunicorn-  I was supposed to be a child star     p.s. I am obsessed with Sarah Heyward
• @erinmallorylong-  I write for @HelloGiggles, have an encyclopedic knowledge of The Simpsons & Friends & would like to submit my resume for curator of Law & Order: SVU Marathons.
• @carcryder-  writer. slightly erratic.

Seriously these ladies are all hilar!  Enjoy them.  I cannot resist all the retweeting I have been partaking in.

And finally Netflix.com: I am not new at this, and I realize that like Twitter, Netflix is nothing new to anyone.  Including me.  But in the spirit of sharing what I have been loving,  I will have you know that I am re-watching Dawsons Creek from the beginning!  I was pretty young when this show originally aired and I never watched it.  But I nannied one summer for some neighbor kids in high school and the little girl (who is graduating high school this year! Cray!!) and I watched Dawsons Creek religiously for 2 hours everyday.  So this experience is nostalgic because of those memories and because of the fantastic 90's music and fashion!

P.s. I promise I am a productive human being with to-do lists and goals.  I just spend part of my time surfin' the web : )