Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What I'm loving Wednesday

It's that time again :)  Happy Wednesday to you!

1.) Water, yes, yes the good ole' H2O. I drink so much while I'm at work, thanks to my handy dandy Yodle water bottle they give us, I have to use the bathroom every hour on the hour it seems.
2.) The Banana Bread Cupcakes I made last night. Sadly no pictures but they are going to be excellent for breakfast for the next week. I had some banana's going bad so I bought some mix (yes took the easy way out) and nuts and made a batch. They're fantastic! J didn't try them, he's not the biggest fan of my sweet treats it seems.
3.) Jacket Sale Forever 21 is having this week.... Love the Bomber one in gray!
4.) My Almay Eyeliner for Blue Eyes... LOVE it! Really makes blue eye pop and goes on smooth.  

5.) Opening weekend of College Football starts on Friday! Which reminds me, I need an orange scarf for this season hmmmm..........


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

1/3 of a year

 Can't believe we've been married for 4 months today!

Look at that stud of a husband :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

Flippity FLOP

So I tried another Pinterest recipe this weekend which was a total flop, Strawberry Angel Cookies

While they looked divine on the website...

They did not look so divine when I tried to make them.
The recipe says to not add milk or water, well none of my mixture was congealing what-so-ever so I added a little bit of milk. Apparently that was a bad idea and they turned out more like pancakes and I honestly didn't like the taste either. J said well, this is your first cooking flop since we've been together. I guess that's not too shabby huh? Have any of you have any Food Flops lately? Share them, won't you?

We had a fun laid back weekend again and for those I'm so thankful! We started our subscription to Netflix too, you can't beat $7.99 a month. I know that we spent more on RedBox so I think this is a good move for us.

J got his man cave all set up, Football season here we come. Our Friday and Saturday will be filled with football, purple, orange and nothing else this weekend and being the good wife I am, I can't wait :) I think I'm going to make BBQ for Friday night--- crock pot it up a bit and then on Saturday I'm thinking finger food goodness all day! I'll keep you posted on the status of my menu for the weekend, I'm pretty excited about cooking! Which teams are you pulling for this weekend?

Friday, August 26, 2011

Another one bites the dust...

Another week that is, hello Friday and the weekend!

We're heading to dinner tonight with my sister, brother in law and mother in law. Pretty psyched to see them all, it's been a few weeks since I've seen any of them, no idea where we're headed fun dinner but I really want a grilled chicken salad at dinner tonight. I've been craving greens lately, this is a good thing my friends.

I went to the doctor yesterday and the good news is that I got a good report, he says I'm very healthy although I'm going to have to go in for a few therapy treatments to help with some pain I've been having. The bad news (sorta) I got so sick while talking to the doctor about my body that I didn't go in to work yesterday. I felt like a pansy, but this isn't the first time something like this has happened. I can remember the first time it did, 6th Health Class. I walked out and threw up, and last year it happened too and the year before, etc. Maybe I'll grow out of it one day. BUT J and I were so very thankful for the good report :) I've been stressing about it and my face is definitely showing that aka the break out from hell.

J bought me a paddle finally for the kayak, it'll be our first kayak adventure together tomorrow morning! I'm stoked :)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Had lunch with my Grandma today :) It made me day! Love her so much 

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Steak and Potatoes

The Reynolds grilled out last night :) We had marinated some steak on Saturday to eat on Sunday night but ended up waiting til last night. I found a new potato recipe yesterday on Pinterest, decided to try it and while it wasn't the biggest hit with J, I really liked them!



Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes

2 large potatoes, scrubbed
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Slice potatoes into very thin slices (1/4 inch). big ziploc bag to coat the potatoes. Toss potatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt in a ziplock bag to coat.  Place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 450 for 15 -20 minutes, until lightly brown.  Top with Parmesan cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Why can't we do this every weekend?

This past weekend was so much fun, I wish every weekend could be like it!

Friday night I had dinner with Rachel and Joanna at Mac's in Charlotte. I had the 1/2 order of wings with fries and two beers for $13 with tax and tip. Not too shabby if you ask me :) It was so much fun to catch up and hear all about Rachel's wedding coming up in September. She's very much ready to just 'BE' with Brandon, you see he's in the army and has been stationed in Seattle for the past few months. I have the honor of being a part  of her special day and I couldn't be happier for them!


Saturday I went grocery shopping and then asked J if he would go to Big Lots with me to pick up some of the Febreeze air freshener refills. Well, we only went for the air fresheners but ended up coming home with new curtains and curtain rods too--- we were sadly disappointed at how much we spent on curtains the weekend before at Target for J's man cave and we couldn't take them back :( Look at the beauties we found for the dinning room! Yes, I know I had originally wanted Roman Shades but I love these just as much and at a fraction of the cost of Roman Shades, $36 for the RED curtains and the rods.... please and thank you Big Lots!

Don't judge the camera phone pictures :)

Saturday night I made BBQ ham sandwiches and apple sauce for dinner. Super easy recipe that J loves! Then we headed over to Dana and Patricks and let me tell you, the best time was had by all! Over drinks and cigars on their back deck I feel like we became even closer. I treasure the friendship we have with them and I hope we can make this a monthly occurrence! We got there right after 7 and didn't leave til almost 1 and I swear there was not an awkward moment of silence to be had. We laughed, shared stories, encouragement etc. I'm so thankful for nights like these! It's not like we're in college anymore, where you blare loud music, play beer pong and do drinking games. I'm not really into the big groups of people thing anymore it seems, actually I never really was to begin with. Just sitting outside with a drink in hand, laughing and carrying on is my favorite! I think we're out growing it, which sad and exciting all at once. I feel like we're outgrowing a lot of things, things really do change when you get married. 

Me and Dana, again camera phone pic :) but isn't she the cutest Mom you've ever seen? 

Although I did yet again learn, liquor is not my friend. My poor husband, he's the best honestly for putting up with  my crazy self. I cried about being a hot mess on liquor when we got home, so I've decided no more liquor for me and that Buddy ate the Bread gave me to eat.Which made me laugh hard on Sunday when J told me about that. I'm sticking to wine or beer when we go out! 

Since we worked on our budget last weekend, we have officially paid off my Honda :)  Makes me so proud! We're working on becoming debt free, I honestly want to try to have no debt except the mortgage before we have kids and I think we can really do it! Yes I have huge student loans but we've been listening to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and we're following his advice and I'm praying that God will help us to be wise with money. 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Twinning!

I stayed up last night and watched Jersey Shore and learned a new word, "Twinning!" (I'm sure it's on Urban Dictionary already) I'm so not jealous of their lives, they're all ridiculously messed up but entertaining none the less.I got sucked into Jersery Shore in the first season, it's my weakness on Thursday's honestly but once Grey's returns I'll be set straight!

I can't believe that this work week is pretty much done already. I'm headed to dinner with some girlfriends tonight, can't wait!We're going to Mac's on Tryon, I'm hoping it's got good food and GREAT Happy Hour specials.


I'm hoping SteffieFresh joins us, I think she's sleeping right now!

J and I are hanging out with Dana and Patrick tomorrow, so excited to finally see them... I'm hoping we can get a glimpse of Whit before he goes to bed :) It's been about a month since I've seen him!


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fly by...

Holy cow. It's 4:30 already, my day has literally flown by and my head is kind of spinning.

My morning started out with two huge meetings at work, then all the girls at work had asked to see our wedding photos so I emailed out a PowerPoint of pictures and they all seemed to really like the pictures and how much DIY stuff we did :) As you know this basically made my day by like 11.


Then my day got even better when my sweet husband asked me to lunch and I got to meet his friend Chad from work. We went to eat at Sauceman's in Charlotte. We were recommended the Sauceman Original with Turkey since they were out of Pork for the day. (Side note: It was a BBQ place, how in the world were they out of Pork?) Superb choice! The Sauceman Original was a sandwich on Texas Toast with 3 very thick pieces of smoked Turkey (J raved about how good the meat smelled and tasted) tomato and onion rings AND we dipped it in their amazing ranch as we opted out of the recommended Cranberry Honey dip. FYI: I am a ranch junkie, I like to think of myself as a ranch connoisseur. The sandwich was huge, I ate a half and then half of a half and I was completely full. You don't need sides at this place otherwise you'll feel like a 'fatty.' I highly recommend Sauceman's! J and Chad are going to take me back there when they actually have pork available, they say it's amazing. I'll let you know!

I described my lunch to Sarah who said I was 'Talking dirty' to her about food. She's getting married in October and as you know with all brides not gaining weight before the wedding is imperative, I was there a few short months ago so I can totally relate.

I'm ready to head home to my little family :)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What I'm loving Wednesday

To follow suite with some of the blogs I follow, enjoy What I'm Loving Wednesday :) 

1.) My John Mayer Pandora Station

2.) My new clothes from Forever 21 too man to even show pictures of. 
J: "So when did you decide to order clothes?"
Me: "Remember over a month ago when you told me I could? I just waited a month."

3.) The fact that today is HUMP DAY!

4.) My sister started her senior year of High School and my brother started 6th grade!
Then in 2006/2007.... things have changed a lot since then.
And now 2011, man time flies and her graduating next year really makes me pretty old.

5.) I got to meet with the director oh my department today. She's fabulous :)

6.) Paying Bills Online, they make is oh so easy.

7.) The Facebook messages that have been going back and forth between my college roomies...reminds me of old times!

8.) Planning out our meals on Sunday night, makes for an easier week once I get home. 

9.) Amazon.com and their amazing deals--- hello new router and camera cords for well under $100! 

10.) Hayden Panettiere's updo that I'm probably going to try for Rachel's wedding in September.
 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Terrific Tuesday

Fun things are in store for the Reynolds today.

1.) We're having the internet installed at the house! (As I typed that I realized it sounded like we were in the middle ages without it, huh?)
2.) My Forever 21 Order should be delivered today and it includes the shoes I bought for Rachel's wedding :)
 
I made some Crock Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken yesterday while we were working. It was pretty good if I do say so myself, although next time I'll use a sweeter BBQ sauce to enhance the Pineapples. J rented Jackass 3.5 last night... he really needed to laugh after his hard day at work and man was it funny! My MIL stopped by too, I think the movie scarred her...
Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken
3 Pieces of defrosted Chicken
2 Cups BBQ sauce
1 half can Pineapple chunks
Leave on low for up to 8 hours. It will fall apart, so it's easier just to shred it.  
Here's J painting the Man Cave, it looks awesome doesn't it? He's so talented :) 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Home.

This weekend was pleasantly not planned and I loved every minute of it!

Friday night, Sarah's husband picked us up from downtown where we were dropped off after the Yodle Boat Trip. He took our drunk asses drove us to Steve's Bar & Grille per my directions, and Sarah and I split their lovely Chicken Nacho's. They drove me home since J was a church auction thing with his Dad and they got to meet Buddy Dog :) After they left, I found myself at a loss for what to do a on Friday night at 9 with no husband around? I went to bed, I'm so lame. J got home around 10:30, cuddled me and told me I smelled like alcohol--awesome.

Saturday, me and the Budster got up and cleaned up the kitchen and watched TV til J got up. Then we made a list of what we wanted to accomplish this weekend around the house: 
  • Vacuum and mop downstairs
  • Reorganize Kitchen
  • Vacuum stairs, landing and master bedroom
  • Clean ALL bathrooms (Master complete)
  • Move extra TV's
  • Clean Master Bedroom
  • Exchange/Hang Curtains up in Master
  • Start Excel Budget
We ended up shopping for two hours for curtains, we went to like four places and finally settled on some at Target, they're two different shades of green and J hates them. Says they let in too much light into our room in the mornings, oh well. In our search for curtains, we found some great work slacks for J for $10 and J bought me some banging red T-strap shoes from Ross in our, pictures to come later. Once we got back, J started to tackle cleaning up the master bedroom while I cleaned the bathroom. My loving husband even organized our linen closet, who has the best husband in the world? That's right, you guessed it.... ME!

For the second night in a row, I ended up at Steve's Bar & Grille and for the second night in a row I split the Chicken Nacho's only this time it was with J. We caught the Panther's Game with 3 of J's guys friends. I wore my new shoes :)

Sunday I set my alarm for the wrong time and we missed church. So we decided to tackle the rest of project list, J vacuumed and I reorganized/cleaned up the kitchen, then mopped the entire downstairs. J decided to paint a Clemson Tiger Paw in the man cave and while he was being artsy, we discussed the budget and what our goals are for paying off bills for the next few months. We made some really great progress I feel like and a few decisions were made that we feel like are going to be put us in the right direction monetarily. We ended the night with Tuna & Egg Pasta Salad (recipe from the MIL to come soon) watching Season of the Witch with Nicolas Cage, J went to bed and I stayed up and watched Soul Surfer.

Buddy Dog was a trooper with all the cleaning and projects going on. We realized he's been in a cone for 1/3 of his life already... poor guy. We're hoping his hot spot gets better over the next few days so we can take the cone off asap! Isn't he a sweetie? :) 


Friday, August 12, 2011

Fine Friday

I'm beyond thrilled that today is Friday even though this week has flown by...

Today is my first Yodle Boat Trip and from the stories I've heard it's going to be a blast! Our Charlotte team won the summer contest between offices (Scottsdale and NY, although I think they pulled out a trip for themselves in the end too) and we are headed to Lake Norman in about 30 minutes for the rest of the afternoon to romp around the lake eating free food and drinking free beer and wine all afternoon. J said to make sure I don't go overboard with the drinks... haha get it? I'm such a geek.

Our new night stands look FANTASTIC, I'm sad I didn't take a picture to show you but honestly our room needs a good cleaning before any Internet worthy pictures can be taken. I'm excited for a weekend of cleaning, downtime aka QT with the husband and Buddy Dog, church and home projects!

I forgot to tell you, we're FINALLY getting the Internet at our house! This means more blog posts and more DIY projects to be posted... just need to get the camera battery charger ordered from Amazon.

Have a good weekend!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Yet another great Craigslist purchase...

J went and picked up my latest find on Craigslist.... our new Master Bedroom Nightstands! I've been searching for MONTHS and of course this whole time J has been saying, "Be patient, something will come along." Sure enough, as per normal he was right on the money!


$100 for the matching pair! Pictures to come in our house tonight :)
I love my husband and the savvy shopping we've done on Craigslist.

Review Time

The Help Review

Book: You’re immediately involved in the story from the first few pages. Loved how it went from 3 different points of views and was very interchangeable and so easy to follow along with where each character was. Many of the little details of the differences in the lives of the 3 women were incredible; from Minny being so sassy to Skeeter’s crazy mother harasses her about being single you honestly feel like you’re in the Mississippi humidity. The only change I would have made is to have a fourth point of from Celia Foote, she was so cute and spunky it seemed. The end of the book leaves you feeling hopeful that change is on the horizon for these women, especially Abileen. 

Movie: Most books that are made into movies most of the time leave something to be desired, this however did not and I was pleasantly surprised. All of the big details were incorporated into the movie, but in different ways than in the book which was expected especially since the book takes place over 1 ½ year period and you can’t fit it all into a 2 hour movie. I loved Emma Stone as Skeeter, I’m sad they didn’t make her freakishly tall like they depicted her in the book but I think her crazy kinky hair made up for it. Both of the women who played Abileen and Minny were perfect although I was hoping Minny would have been a bit sassier. The little girl who played Mae Mobley was perfect, pudgy little goodness. The whole movie I couldn’t figure out who Stuart was, then it dawned on me it’s Dale from Private Practice. They completely left out the part about Stuart’s dad being a Politician which made him seem more like a racist for breaking up with her than anything. I loved the woman who played Celia Foote! She was exactly like I imagined her in the book but with shorter hair. I’m sad that the whole miscarriage thing wasn’t a bigger part of the movie, very short scene. I wish they had Minny and Mr. Johnny meet earlier in the movie, that was one of my favorite parts in the book but I LOVED how they thanked Minny with a huge meal at the end. Mr. Johnny was super cute, can’t figure out what else he’s been in.  I was sad they didn’t make Hilly pudgy like the book said she was, but the actress playing Hilly was phenomenal. They made is to Yule May did steal the ring even though in the book she actually didn’t, and man was it a sight to see the police hit her--- the whole theater gasped at that. I loved when Skeeter’s mother stood up to Hilly, also not in the book but a great scene that added a lot to the movie. The end of the movie was good when Abileen made Hilly cry, but I didn’t like how they didn’t show Abileen taking over the Miss Myrna columns

Anyways, that's my review--- take it for what it's worth :) I'm thinking the next book is going to be The Vow





Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Dinner & Movie

Happy Wednesday to you!

It's been a slow few days, praise the Lord. Last night, I pulled together Chicken Fried Race from scratch, J seemed pleased. I'm loving cooking more and more these days, seriously is like my hobby.

Don't take this as being a stalker but I caught up on Rachel Batson's blog today--- Check it out--- it's a great read about being healthy and life in general and I can totally relate to her about where you thought you'd be in life by now versus where you actually are. I'm happy to say that I'm pretty much where I always thought I'd be minus a few things: 1.) Not going to Grad School or ending up in the field I always wanted to (Graphic Designer) 2.) I never thought I'd be living anywhere near Rock Hill. Oh well, things change and God is in charge and I'm learning more and more not to plan so much and to just.......... GO WITH IT APRIL.

Please keep us in your prayers, there's some stuff going on that could change things for us in a very BIG way... No, it's not a baby (We're in no way, shape or form ready or wanting one for a bit. Although we do love our friends ((Dana & Patrick)) who have one).... but it's wigging me out. I know God's in control but that doesn't always mean my human nature won't get in the way. So I guess, prayers for trust and direction if you think of the Reynolds :)

Tonight, I'm going out with the girls from work to see the movie.......


It's one of the only book I've read since I started dating J over 2 1/2 years ago, I'm kind of ashamed of that. I read it in 2 days while at White Lake two week ago. J called me nerd on more than one occasion while I was reading it, he hates to read. I'm secretly hoping our children love to read as much I used to. I forgot how much I loved it, so I'm hoping to start reading on a more regular basis. Maybe a goal of a book a month or something to start out? I remember in Jr. High and High School staying up after "bedtime" to read by my closet light or putting a towel on the floor to block the light into the hall so Mom and Dad wouldn't know I was up reading. I guess I am a nerd, huh?

ANYWAYS......I'm pretty pumped about a work outing, it's my first one and I've been in the professional world for over two years now sighhhhhhhhh.... We're headed to Dean & Deluca and then onto the movies afters. I'll recap the movie vs. the book later on this week.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Life happens...

We’ve been busy is the best and easiest way to put it. 

This past weekend, J and I were in his sister’s wedding. It was a pretty wedding and my legs still ache from dancing! The sad thing is that I didn’t take any pictures--- so hopefully they’ll be posted online in the next few weeks.  Jessica was beautiful!

Last night I went to dinner with two of my favorites, Stephanie and Rachel. It’s amazing to see how much our lives have changed and are sooooo different now than they were this time last year or even a few months ago. We’re all in different places in our lives right now: I’m married, learning how to manage a home, warring off ideas of babies that people throw my way and training on a brand new job. Stephanie is in the cutest one bedroom apartment, working third shift and studying constantly for Grad School—she’ll be my rich friend in a few years :) and Rachel is wrapped up in wedding planning, selling a home and moving completely across the continental United States to be an army officer’s wife. When did all of this change? Just last year in August we were all working and watching Jersey Shore, drinking wine and discussing the future now it seems the future is upon us. Life happens when you’re making plans so they say. Things used to be so simple it seems. Now it’s like pulling teeth for us all to get together and it kind of feels like we don’t have anything in common anymore…. Sigh, being an adult sucks sometimes. 

My mom called today, my Grandma is a lot worse than she’s been letting on. It probably won’t be long now, and as sad as I am/will be when she passes, I’m almost praying that it’ll be sooner rather than later so she won’t be in so much pain. Her cancer is one of the most painful ones I think a woman can go through. Please keep her in your prayers if you think about it. I’m trying to go and visit her as much as I can, after all she helped raise me when it was just me and Mom before Dad came along. We’ve always been close but since I came home from college we’ve become even closer.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I'm still here...

Figuring out the new job and juggling the lack of Internet at the casa has been tough lately. I'm trying to get the Internet, hopefully J says OK to the prices.

Updates:
  •   New job is good, challenging and different but good nonetheless. 
  •   I get to wear jeans to work, love it.
  • Made a new co-worker friend from Denver, she’s getting married in October. I introduced her to Shea :)
  • Buddy is a rascal and chewed up his collar. Literally ate it.
  • He also has what’s called a ‘Hot Spot,’ anyone care to take a guess as to what that is?
  • White Lake was a wonderful time of relaxation and J got to come which was a HUGE bonus!We bought a computer for the house…. It’s a little HP and I imagine it’s a MAC every time I use it. 
  • J’s sister’s wedding is this weekend, then one more in September and we’re done with weddings for the year!
  • I miss my friends, seems like they’ve all fallen off the face of the planet since I got married.
  • I’ve been obsessed with Chick Fil A recently 
  • I want to start walking in the morning before work but I never want to get up in the mornings, does anyone else feel the same?
  • We officially both have kayak’s and I’m itching to go and try mine! J tried his with Jake a few weeks ago, can we say tiny bit jealous?