Wedding Wednesday

Can I say, it is a relief to see my wedding day ticker and see 4 months on it.  Nevermind the 3 weeks and 6 days that follow.  It says 4 short months!  And today is more about cakes!  Then I'm done with them, I promise!  We found three flavors we like a lot.  So, three flavors we will choose!

Here are the little beauties of yummy deliciousness...and Lily, waiting for her share...

John's serving it up!

Cake!  I think the heart plate is perfect for wedding cake tasting :)

We are picking chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream, and lemon!  I honestly think I liked the lemon best which is quite unexpected to me.  I'm not huge on chocolate, but the combinations with it are awesome!

Friday, I am going to meet up with our caterer and finalize everything.  I'm excited and ready for this planning to be complete!  Just a few more steps...

All this cake is making me hungry...is it lunchtime yet?!

Ramblings...

First and foremost...

TODAY IS FIVE MONTHS UNTIL OUR WEDDING!!!  

I'm so excited!  It feels like this time if creeping by...almost, but I know it's just because I can't wait!!!

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Lunchtime favorites...
So, recently, I've decided to limit my eating out, especially during lunchtime.  I've been looking for different alternatives, so I thought I'd share some quick, easy, and tasty (and usually healthy) lunch ideas I've found.  I just add a piece of fruit, some carrots and one of these:

Most I have found are between 200-400 calories per serving.  All you do is follow the microwave directions and eat.  Can't get much easier than that at the office.  They cost $1.95 at Publix and they taste pretty good.  I wouldn't say they are quite as good a home cooked or anything, but they are a lot better than I expected.  Just watch out for the sodium counts in those things...sometimes they can get a little high.  There are TONS of variety with these.  I've had my best luck with the pasta and red sauce meals so far.

If you're a fan of soup, these little gems are pretty good.  I haven't tried the soup in the picture, but the Mexican-Style Chicken Tortilla and the Southwest Style Vegetarian are pretty yummy.  Best of all, they are low in calories and easy to prepare.  Plus, it's the perfect time of year for soup.

I love these little guys.  Sometimes, you just feel like Mac & Cheese.  Just add water and heat.  They have 220 calories and are around $4.00 for a 4 pack.  They also have ones with broccoli added if you're feeling feisty.  

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Lastly...

When I was buying some of the above at the grocery store yesterday, there was this woman in the store that made my blood boil.  She was checking out with her husband and three daughters in tow.  The oldest had to be maybe 7.  She was helping her mom by putting bananas on the conveyor belt.  Not sure what happened prior to this, but she yelled "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!  I CAN'T STAAAANNNNNDDDD THIS ANYMORE!" to her daughter...like a violent, hateful, ugh, I can't even believe she'd ever yell at anyone, much less a child like that...it was that bad.  In fact, it was so loud and scary sounding, that managers were running from all over the store to the front to see what was going on.  Pathetic.  I felt so sorry for those little girls.  I understand at times it must be frustrating to be a parent.  Much more frustrating, than my non child-having self can imagine, but when does it seem right to yell like that at anyone...especially a child?  And for the father to allow this and for this display to go on in a public place is unimaginable to me.  What happens at home?  From her outburst, it leads me to believe she can't control her temper...at. all.

When I was checking out, I asked the cashier what had happened, and she explained to me exactly what I saw.  She had no idea where it came from. Usually I'm the one saying that kids don't have enough discipline in their lives anymore, but that is definitely not the right way to instill this into children.

Would you have said something?  Or done anything?  What can be done to people like that?  You can't treat a child like that.  They're going to grow up treating others the same way, or scared and scarred.  WTF?!

Weekend Recap

Friday, I happily picked up our yummy cakes.  More on that Wednesday!  While eating dinner and cake, I watched

while John worked a little.  He thought it was a horrible movie, but I liked it.  It was the first time I'd seen it, but it had been on our Netflix list for a while, which kept getting pushed down.  I put it at the top last week after I had finalized our NYC plans...just because :)

Saturday morning, we got up and ran 5 miles + the Harvest Hustle 5K which took us to 8.13 miles.  It was a pretty early morning. We got done running, met one of my friends and her hubby for breakfast and then headed home.  I wanted to squeeze in a nap before my awards program that night, but it was a failed attempt.  I blame Lily.  Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the awards ceremony.  I can now cross off two things from my 101 in 1001 after this evening!  

I found a pair of heels I LOVE to wear

And...

Practice curling my hair and actually did it myself for an event!  I ended up actually pulling it up in a ponytail and putting a flower in it one of the ladies had made for all the presenting ladies, and it turned out pretty cute.  No pictures though, it was a little busy!

After the awards ceremony, we were exhausted but had one more stop to make on our way home...our friend Marc's birthday party! which was a good time.  It's always fun with our group :-)

Sunday, we took the boat out.  It was a nice day.  We had bagels on the boat, cruised around looking for houses that might be for sale...that we can afford...canal lot at least...pleaseeeee!!  The boys did a little wake boarding/surfing, and pizza from Mama Mia's!  It was a great day!  Plus, my love is happy since he's been dying to go out on the lake lately.

Busy and fun weekend!  Back to the work week now!  Happy Monday my bloggy friends, hope it's a good one for you!

Help!

So...I have this awards banquet this weekend for work.  It's pretty fancy.  I'm actually a presenter, so I will be seen...by like, 1000 people...on stage.  I need an easy hairstyle to go with a semi-formal strapless dress.  My hair is straight as hair can get.  Fine.  Thin.  Nothing desirable for any type of up-do.  I've decided to forgo the whole hairdresser doing my hair this year and am going to attempt it on my own.  Any easy styles and recommendations on how to do it?  

Wedding Wednesday

I went and looked at invitations today!  John and I decided on one...I think!  If that's the case, I will order them tomorrow and have one more thing checked off our list!  Yay!  


We will also be getting three delicious 6" round cakes on Friday to sample our remaining flavors in debate for the wedding cake!  I'm too excited!  I love, love cake!  John's excited too.  It's one of his things on his list for the wedding planning-"Eat cake".  It was his top priority :)


All we really have remaining are:

• Finalize linens and table set up
• Finalize remaining details with caterer
• Cake
• Tuxedos
• Favors
• John's wedding band
• Mock up centerpieces
• Dress fitting(s)
• Oh, yea, and addressing and sending out invitations.  Ugh.

It's all coming together!  Only 5 months and 6 days to go according to my wedding tracker!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was busy, successful and fun!  

Friday, John and I went over to Cocoa Beach to spend some time with my parents.  We went to my favorite restaurant...TACO CITY!!!  Yum!  

We also had wedding missions while over on that side of the state, so Saturday, my mom and I went to meet with the florist.  You remember here when I mentioned our little florist debacle.  Well, we ended up meeting with the less expensive one to see what she could do with the pictures I had.  She did raise her price a little to meet exactly what I wanted, but she is still far less expensive than the other florist.  She's been doing this for 20+ years and explained exactly how she would put things together, so now I feel much better going with her.  Plus, the other florist was too busy to meet with us.  Deposit down.  Florist: CHECK!  Yay! 

 

I also stopped by to pick up more samples of cake.  This weekend, we tried lemon and red velvet.  The lemon was awesome and would be pretty as a wedding cake.  I have ordered chocolate peanut butter, almond, and cookies and cream that I am picking up this week to sample.  Then, the cake will be picked as well!  All we have left is to finalize the caterer, linens and invitations!  I'm so excited almost everything is done!!

Saturday night, I went over to my friends A & J's house to watch the Florida game and enjoy a Mexican Fiesta!  The food and company were awesome.  The game.  Not so much.  Gators...you gotta pull yourselves together!  Ahh!  Hopefully this bye-week does us some good and we're ready for Georgia in Jacksonville in two weeks.  On a happy note: Ohio State and Nebraska lost!  They shouldn't have been in the top 5 anyway in my lowly opinion. :-)

Sunday, we went for a training run.  We did 7 miles and it went awesome.  I think our training gets better every week, as does our pace!  Only 4 weeks left until the race...I'm pumped!  

For lunch, we went to this little Italian restaurant down the street.  It's a neat place with outdoor seating and a live band Friday and Saturday nights.  It's always good, but this time, I tried the Alfredo sauce and penne pasta and it was the best I've ever had.  No exaggeration.  The rest of the day was spend doing some things around the house and watching A History of Violence.  I'd always wanted to see that movie, but never had.  It was good, but a little violent.  I had a nightmare last night about the guy with one eye...ha.  That's what I get for watching something like that before bed!

Good weekend all-in-all.  I hate when they end.  Happy Monday!

Chocolate Chip Cake

Last weekend, I made a chocolate chip cake for dessert for one of our football parties.  It came out rather delicious.  

Here's the easy recipe:

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

1 pkg. chocolate instant pudding (small)

8 oz. sour cream

4 eggs

1/2 cup Wesson canola oil

6 oz. chocolate chips

Mix, beat 2 minutes.  Stir in choc chips. 350 degrees @ 45 minutes

It's easy, moist and tasty.  Enjoy!

Tasteless

So, I'm sure most of you have seen this footage from 'The View' by now:



I just can't get over how incredibly rude and disrespectful Whoopi Goldberg and  Joy Behar were.  Not to mention unprofessional, hypocritical, need I go on?  I cannot stand 'The View' because of those two ladies.  They talk over anyone with a differing opinion any time they want to on the show.  This type of scene isn't the first, they just decided to end it with a bang (you know, for Bill O'Reilly's sake) and walk off.  Why don't you ladies take a little bit of Barbara Walters class and respectfully disagree and make your point without yelling and storming out?  Goldberg and Behar pride themselves on being open-minded, but they aren't even close.  Open-mindedness does not just apply to opinions you agree with that may be controversial.  If one is truly open-minded, then you should believe everyone has a right to their own thoughts and opinions and be able to take their points and disagree in a respectful manner.  I do not agree with O'Reilly on all topics, but I do believe that he has a right to his opinion and that he does present some valid points from time to time.  Isn't that why you brought him on your show in the first place?  To get his view?

Unbelievable.  Tasteless.  Unclassy.  I hope you're proud of yourselves ladies.

Fall Fashion

I've been dying to wear fall clothing.  Since I live in Florida, even with our wonderful week last week weather-wise, the temperature wasn't quite conducive for fall fashion.  I've still been in the spirit though and today I found some good deals at Old Navy...especially if you use the onbday20 coupon (20%off) I found, valid through today.  There was also a shipping one through 11/8, onship50 for free shipping over $50.  Just FYI :)

I usually don't have luck at Old Navy, but I figured I'd give it a try again.  Here are a few things I found:

Not normally one for tunics with leggings, but I thought I'd give it a try!

They look cute online, let's see how they look on me!  Yay for fall and sales!

Wedding Wednesday

The Father-Daughter Dance

My dad and I are close.  We work together, we have a similar sense of humor, and are not usually serious.  We're definitely not sappy.  At all.  I love my dad more than words can say though, and I want a song that will be a good representation of us.  I've picked five songs, my mom has suggested one she wants me to seriously consider, but I'm torn.  Also, John and I are dancing to a very classic rat pack guy, so we have an oldie in there, so should I pick a different type of song for my dad??  Here they are below...you'll need to turn off my music at the bottom first.

{one}

"Gracie" by Ben Folds
I like the lyrics, especially about having your father's mouth, because I do...I've been known to get lippy :)  I just think it's a sweet song.



{two}
"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman
I think it shows a great relationship between father and daughter.  It goes through the progression of their relationship in life.

{three}
"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole, featured Natalie Cole
Classic.

{four}

"I'll Always Be Your Baby" by Natalie Grant

Great lyrics.  Not sure if she's my favorite artist though.

{five}

"My Girl" by The Temptations

Upbeat.  I am afraid I might cry during this dance, so this might help :)

"Sunrise, Sunset" Fiddler on the Roof

This is the one my mom likes.  I don't mind the song so much, but the singing isn't exactly what I'd pictured for that dance.

Let me know your opinions!  If you have any other suggestions, I welcome them!

Day 10: Mission Complete!

Day Ten: One confession

I have not met an item on my 101 in 1001.  It's the no sweets for one week a month.  I deem this impossible while training for 1/2 marathons.  And after this one in November, John and I are signing up for another on in February.  It's not that I overindulge, sometimes that sweet tooth just gets the better of me.  If I'm not running as often, I can go literally months without eating junk, but my body just craves that sugar when I'm burning that extra energy.  Sometimes fruit can deter me from the sweets, but not for long.  I've decided it will be marked as a failed attempt.  One mini-sized candy bar during the day has become my undoing...boo.  But hey, there's no way that extra 50 calories is putting  a dent in my burn for the day...bright side?  Sure.


This is the end of my 10 day challenge!  Happy Hump Day!  

I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep...

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I'm finally going to make it to New York City!  Yay!  Something I can mark off my bucket list and my 101 in 1001 list!  My mom decided we should take a trip before the wedding, just her and I.  She wanted New York City to be the final trip we took with me as a single lady-in the legal sense anyway!  So, in a month, we're off to see the sites!  I've never been, so I need tips from all of you!  We are going to hit the obvious sites: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, 30 Rock (ah!) Ground Zero, Broadway, ect...but what else do I need to see??  Anywhere special we should eat?  Shop?  Steer clear of? Let me know! 

Day 9

Day Nine: Two words that describe your life right now.

{one}

Amazing.

Thanks to John, my family & friends (& Lily).  They all make my life better everyday.

{two}

Blessed.

Thanks to God.  I wouldn't have anything if He didn't allow it.

Day 8

Day Eight: Three turn ons.


So, I'm pretty easy to please...most of the time anyway :)  These will be more geared toward John today.  Here goes:

{one}

Doing something thoughtful, just because.  If I've been doing a lot of dishes lately, cleaning up the house a lot or just had a long day John is cleaning up or cooking me dinner when I get home...it's amazing!

{two}

Working with his hands.  In my opinion, there's nothing hotter that a guy that's good with his hands.  Any home maintenance or repair, fixing a truck, or even mowing the grass-It's nice to see a man working hard.  Thankfully it happens often in my life :)

{three}

Helping out others.  This is something that John is so good at.  He's there for his loved ones, especially when they need help with something.  It was one thing that made me impressed with him early on.

Day 7

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

I'm lumping some of this together because I have time today and may not tomorrow :)

{one}

Smelly or loud bodily functions...especially on purpose.  

Yes, it's natural, it also is not cool to do it on purpose to gross out others.  Thanks.

{two}

Being mean to others.  

I understand that as people, we may not particularly click with each personality we encounter in life.  So, understandably, you do not have to be best friends with every one you meet.  What you do need to be is polite.  Not fake nice.  Just polite.  Have some common courtesy.  I do not care if someone annoys you-it does not give you an excuse to be just plain mean to them or trash them.  Just accept that you don't mesh well and move on.  Being rude at any time to someone just because your personalities don't mesh is totally uncalled for.

{three}

Being inconsiderate.  

Just think before you do things.  If you would be annoyed if someone did something to you, try and not do it to them.  I guess it's just trying to be sensitive to what others around you may be feeling...at least sometimes.  Make an effort.

{four}

Blowing people off.  

If you say you'll be somewhere-be there.  If something comes up and you can't make it, at least call and let people know the issue so they know not to count on you.  It is the least you can do.  And making that a habit will cause people to not really want to invite you places anymore because they eventually actually do feel blown off.  It goes back to number three.

Day 6

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot to you.

I'm clumping, because...how can I just pick 5?  In no particular order...

Family Picture

Andrew Lee

Carla & Melissa

Some of our wonderfully supportive friends and family after the marathon

Grandma, Grandpa, John, Dad

Lily and sleeping John

Mom & Dad

The girls!

Yes, John again-ha!

Clint & Jody

One of my favorite Robin pictures ever!

John's mom and dad on our snowboarding trip--my future in laws :)


This is not all inclusive, but I feel like I got a good chunk of those I love :)  I've missed some aunts and cousins, but I'm close.

Day 5

Day Five: Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done.

{one}

I wish I could change my involvement in sports in high school and college.  I love to run.  I really started to enjoy swimming while training for my triathlon.  I feel like I missed out on something I would have really enjoyed.

{two}

Sometimes I wish I wouldn't open my big fat mouth.  I am the type of person that needs to air their grievances.  But then, I'm usually over it.  Sometimes there are issues that are better left unspoken at the time.  BUT I find instant relief in speaking it.  Then I don't hold it in and grow angry while mulling it over.  But sometimes, it's selfish to do that.  Just sometimes...

{three}

I regret allowing some things to make me angry that were never worth it.  It created problems for a while that were never worth it.  But, I feel like I've learned to let a lot of things go and my relationships are healthier because of it.

{four}

I wish I traveled after I graduated college.  Instead, I started working the next Monday.  I look back and think how perfect that time was to explore a few places before the commitment of a career.  A warning to my friends and family...I will be advising this to your kids :)

{five}

I wish I hadn't graduated college so quickly.  There is plenty of time for the 'real world'.

{six}

I wish I hadn't fought with my mom like I did in high school.  There were many reasons we didn't see eye to eye, but I could have handled it all a lot better.

Day 4

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

{one}

What's for dinner?

{two}

Where's Lily and what sort of mischief is she into this time?

{three}

Hopefully John's having a good day.  I wonder what our plans are tonight and for the weekend.

{four}

I really should have stopped with the 'Angry Birds'/reading/TV last night and gotten some sleep...I'm tired and I don't want to get up for the gym.  Maybe we could play hookie today and just spend the day doing something fun.  But I know we can't...there is work to be done.

{five}

We need to plan for the football game this weekend.  What fun food will I make?

{six}

Will the economy ever pick back up?  It seems to be staying at such a lull and being in construction, that makes business tight.  As a matter of fact, why can't I just win the lottery?

{seven}

How am I going to incorporate my training runs in this week?

Day 3 + Wedding Wednesday

Day Three: Eight things you couldn't live without.
Well, let's be honest, I could live without everything, besides food, water, and shelter.  So I changed it to what I wouldn't want to live without.

{one}

John.  I mean he's my best friend, and I'm about to commit to spending the rest of my life with him, so of course I wouldn't want to live without him.  :)

{two}

Lily.  We're tight.  Nuff said.

{three}

My family & friends.  There's a lot of us and I love it!  I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by many wonderful people from over the years and I value each and every one :)

{four}

Florida Football.  It makes me happy.

{five}

8 hours of sleep a night.  Not much more, not much less.  If less occurs over an extended period of time (2 days or more) things get ugly.

{six}

My boob pillow.  I have a squishy foam cylinder shaped pillow I sleep with every night.  I need to hold something against my chest when I sleep, hence: boob pillow.

{seven}

A toothbrush.  I can't go without brushing my teeth.  Yuck.  Really, just personal cleanliness altogether.  Teeth, hair, body, face...

{eight}

Exercise.  I'm not happy if I'm sit around too much.  Plus, then I don't sleep well, for results of this, refer to number five.

Wedding Wednesday

Flowers.  You need them, most certainly at a wedding, but what a pain!  

How do I know if I'm getting a good deal?  

Right now my predicament is cost difference between two florists.  One is telling me that my bouquet is going to cost $60 the other $285.  They claim it's for the same exact bouquet.  The more expensive one is young, has TONS of pictures from past weddings and appears to have very nice work.  The other lady is a little older, so she has much more experience, but she does not have past photos.  She does sketches.  I really do not like sketches when it comes to my wedding bouquet...because that is one thing I KNEW that I specifically wanted, and there is no substitute.

This is my bouquet:

Simple. My style. Plus, my Granddaddy had a greenhouse full of orchids, and it was always the plan for him to do my wedding.  Since he can't anymore, I'm still doing the bouquet.

I just wonder how I know I'm not getting screwed over.  The one florist sounds really high, but I worry that the less expensive florist is not going to provide what I am looking for in the end.  How can she be soooo inexpensive?  I don't know how much flowers are suppose to cost.  I'd love for it to workout with the inexpensive one, but how do I know it will what I want it to be?  This is the one thing about my wedding I've had in my head since I was younger, so I want it to be perfect... sentimental reasons more than anything else.  Is it worth the cost?  How can I make sure it turns out right?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!