Photographic Evidence

Last night Ross and I planned to Skype with my parents during halftime of the Purdue basketball game. (It's still too soon to talk about.)  Our internet was slow, so I decided to talk to them the old fashioned way - on my cell phone. Below is an excerpt from the middle of our conversation.

Mom: "Did you end up getting that sweater that you wanted?" (see previous post)
Me: "I did!"
Mom: "Oh! I wanted to get that for you whether or not it was on sale."
Me: "Thanks, but I already have it."
Mom: "Do you really? Or are you just saying that so I don't buy it for you."
Me: "No. I'm wearing it right now! I really own it!"

See folks, this is why cell phones are outdated. If we had been using Skype or on phones with video chat, this would never have happened. Now, this is the best way for me to prove to my mother that I actually did order the sweater I had my eye on.

Thankfully I asked Ross to snap a quick picture of me when I wore my new sweater for the first time on Thursday. There you go mom, proof that I truly own this sweater.

Footnote: I was so proud of myself for waiting for a coupon since they are always flooding my inbox. But after paying for shipping I only saved $3.50. Ugh. At least I knew I really really liked it since I had to wait. And yes, I wore it to work on Thursday and then again for part of the day again on Sunday. Again, I really really like it.

A Few Of My Favorite Things (Right Now)

Today I thought of some things that are making me happy...

Greek yogurt for breakfast. Chobani or Fage, non-fat or low-fat, it doesn't matter. What matters is which is on sale.

Source

Having a copy of a friend's passport. I know this is random, but it makes me happy that a friend would trust me with this.

Source

The hope of seeing daffodils soon. That's right, they don't even need to be blooming. I love seeing them start to grow out of the ground. Spring is coming!

Ross took this back in 2003. Thanks for sharing hubs!

This picture keeps making me smile.

Terra Dawn Photography

Every morning I hope I get an email saying this sweater is on sale. Why is it that once I find something I really want, they stop sending me "everything 25% off" emails?

Source

Michael and Holly have become my new Jim and Pam. I saw this video at the gym, and even without sound it made me oh so happy.

Source 

Being honorary Aunt Kari. My best friend from college had a beautiful baby boy last week. She also happens to be my brother-in-law's sister, aka my sister at heart.

Sweet baby Elliot

Firework Update

I don't have too much I want to say other than I didn't get the job rotation. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement. Ross is in Colorado skiing and I could barely keep my voice steady while leaving him a message. Now I know it's not the end of the world, but I was hoping to get some career guidance out of this experience. I guess I still will, but not from actually getting the rotation.

I guess I should have listened more to this section of the song:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

I've allowed myself to be upset today, but now I'm going to start focusing on the fact that I'm a firework. I would have rocked that job. Their loss. Moving on. Any suggestions on what I should grow up to be?

Adventures in Cooking

Normally on my day off I like to cook a real meal because I have enough time to not feel rushed. For some reason a few weeks ago I decided I wanted to do a cooking extravaganza. I had recently found a menu in Self magazine called Cook once, eat healthy all week and thought it would be a good time to try it out. First I checked the cabinets for items on the shopping list, and then found the list to be very helpful at the store. Ross is an expert chopper so he helped me with the prep work. I got started later than I hoped, so I only got about half of the cooking done. I made three of the building blocks, the mini turkey loaves, and the shrimp enchilada bake.

Starting the next thing as the Adobe-Glazed Mini Turkey Loaves cool.

Layering the Cheesy Shrimp Enchilada Bake.

At this point it was now after 10 and we were tired and ready to eat. I used left over ingredients as a side and just dished out one loaf even though two are a serving. It worked for our late night meal since we had been snacking.

I promise I don't starve my husband.

As soon as we got home from work the next day I changed into my pjs and started cooking. I had to cook the sweet potatoes and make the ragout, thai soup, and shepherd's pie. It didn't take as long since most of the prep work was done the night before. However, I still felt buried under dishes.

We ended up eating the Spicy Thai Soup with Lime Shrimp since it seemed the least appetizing to reheat. I was so concerned about making sure the shrimp cooked that I over cooked them. Ross was glad there ended up being only one in his bowl.

Lessons Learned:

• Don't start this in the late afternoon. Especially if you plan on doing other things around the house that night too.
• Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are stinkin' hot. Either make sure there are absolutely no seeds or just half what it calls for in the recipe.
• Almond milk is not needed since it's just used to soak bread. (Although it's super yummy in coffee.)
• Don't buy the chives until you're ready to eat the shepherd's pie since they aren't in any other recipes and are a garnish.
• Only cook shrimp the recommended time.
• Keep trying and HAVE FUN!

Have you ever tried a week long meal plan? Do you have any recommendations?

"The Theme of Life"

The episode aired March 9, 1998 and I'm just now getting my answer. I don't expect you to know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't even know that information if it wasn't for Google. All I remember is that during an episode of Ally McBeal she was charged with the task of finding a theme song for herself. (I think my love for that show as a 14 year old could be it's own post.) It's supposed to be song that you play in your head to make you feel better. When she picks her song, she starts dancing down the street. I thought it was the best idea ever and wanted a theme song of my own.

Fast forward to this weekend, and I'm driving along in my car and Katy Perry's "Firework" comes on the radio two times in a row. Instead of being annoyed I was completely inspired. It sounds silly I know, but I really needed it. Today I have something that I've been anxious about for the past week. I'm interviewing for a job rotation that I REALLY want, but am doubting that I'm good enough. That's right, I just put something big and scary on the internet. And if I don't get it, you'll all know. Nothing like public failure. Instead of worrying about that I'm listening to "Firework" as many times as I can stand it. Read this portion of the lyrics and let me know if you can think of a better song. One that gets you inspired to tell someone why you're the best person to join their staff for a few months.

Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced

Ross and I heard the song later on Saturday and I think my enthusiasm for the song highly entertained him. Or it could have been my horribly loud and off key singing.

I think a part of me also likes this since I was almost a Fourth of July baby. I love my birthday because it's always full of fireworks. Last year I was so happy watching them with my family visiting from Indiana that I started crying. That's right, I was crying on the National Mall.

This was taken the year before when I wasn't crying

There are other songs that inspire me. Songs that make me what to live a life that matters. Songs that inspire me to love others more fully. But today I need a confidence boost, so today I'm a firework. What about you? What song inspires you no matter how silly?

Self portrait
(Actually this was taken by my skilled husband)

525,600 Moments So Dear

On this day last year I was on my way to Mary's Rock to go hiking with my super cool boyfriend.

Today I'm eating delicious waffles made by my thoughtful husband.

The difference a year makes.


If you had asked me what I thought January 30, 2011 would look like, I would not have said anything that resembles today. (Well, if I knew it was a Sunday I may have said I'd go to church.) You see, I was completely smitten with that super cool boyfriend of mine. By this point in our relationship we knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together. I just didn't know when that stage of life would begin. I had begun analyzing all of his plans and thinking, "Maybe today will be the day he proposes!" or "Does he know how much time we should have to plan our wedding?" I found myself having to try hard to just relax and enjoy the moments I had with him. Finally I decided to just confess my distractions. I asked where he saw us in a year. His answer, "I think we'd probably be engaged by then." And then one week later he proposed.

One year ago today we went on a beautiful, cold, slippery, snowy hike to the top of Mary's Rock. We had hiked a similar trail to this view at the beginning of our relationship, one of our favorite days together. When we were close to the top I thought, "This would be the perfect proposal." But immediately I decided to push that thought to the side and just enjoy the day. I liked being his girlfriend and was content. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked when he dropped to his knee and asked me to be his wife.

It's crazy to think about all that's happened in the last year. Engagement was exciting and stressful. Marriage is amazing and hard at the same time. We've seen each other at our best and at our worst. We've shared tears of laughter and heartache. We've formed our own little family and gained new family.

It's been a big year for us. One full of adventures and challenges. It will be so much fun to look back in September on our first year of marriage and see the ways we've grown and changed. But for today, I'm going to enjoy being Ross' wife.


I was inspired to write this post by one of my favorite bloggers, Hollywood Housewife. And of course, by my love for my husband. Reading her blog just made me decide to put it on the internet.

Reverb 10 - Party

What is Reverb 10? See this post.

December 9 – Party

Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

Obviously the answer is my wedding, but I'm going to go with a different party.

The plan for the day was to go boating on the Susquehanna. We were going to stop by Ross' parents' house to pick up his brother and then meet his friend at the river. There was no set time, but rather an estimated arrival, since we didn't want to end up waiting at the river. I was running a bit late that morning and recycling my computer took longer than expected. And that's the story of how I ended up being an hour late and wearing a swimsuit and cover up to my own bridal shower.

SURPRISE!

Ross' mother, Deb, planned and was hosting a party for me. And what a party it was! As I looked around the room I saw women who would be come my family, friends of Ross', and even a friend from DC made the trip! But then, wait, THAT'S MY MOM! She flew in from Indiana and was going to stay with me for a few extra days. She even moved my wedding dress fitting appointment so we could go together when she was in town. Ross went ahead and cleared the time off with my supervisor.

We got the party started by playing the toilet paper dress game. I used the time to attempt to make myself a bit more presentable, but didn't have any luck. That morning I had let my hair air dry and not put on any makeup, since I thought we were going to the nasty Susquehanna. Then we got to business making me a glamorous bride. It was so much fun to see all of us brides together. Ross' grandma even got in on the action!

I've been to quite a few showers, so I knew how excruciating the gift opening portion can be for guests. I tried to move quickly and still show appreciation for the gifts. Especially since they'd all been there an extra hour waiting on me already. And as a favor, his grandmother gave everyone a picture of Ross and I tried with a piece of ribbon left over from his mother's wedding. I adore heirlooms and was a beautiful way to tie our love story in with theirs.

Deb had made all kids of yummy snacks, gotten a chocolate and coffee cake, and served up some mojitos. What more could a bunch of women want?

It was such a fun filled afternoon. I felt like I was walking around in a daze the entire time trying to mentally catch up with what was happening. It was great to visit with friends we don't get to see often. And best of all, it showed me how I had become a part of the family. Deb put so much time and energy into making this a great day. I'm so thankful I have such a loving mother-in-law!

The only lingering question I have is this, why did Ross think 'going to the river' was a good excuse? Couldn't he have come up with something else? Like anything that would have had me show up dressed properly? He did ask if I was going to wear a dress cover-up, so that at least got me to change out of my shorts and old t-shirt. But then again, it wouldn't be as good of a story and he could have ruined the surprise. Thanks for being awesome Ross.

I hope to add pictures at some point, but I only have printed pictures from the party. Maybe someday I'll get around to scanning those...