FRIDAY!!! Oh how I've missed thee!

It's time for...

Go link up!

1. Do you and your spouse go to bed at the same time?

Yes, although we don't go to sleep at the same time.  I'm lucky if John makes it upstairs without me having to drag him up there, but if we get to bed, 99.9% of the time, he's sleeping within minutes...I don't stand a chance.

2. A question for the ladies...What kind of facial hair do you like on your man?

I love the scruffy look with 2-3 day old stubble...so hot.  But it hurts to kiss, so there's that down side...but sometimes, it's worth it!

3. What's the worst vacation you've ever taken?

Maybe I'm just having a blank, but no horrible vacation stands out ever.  Thankfully.  I guess I always figure vacation is better than work?

4. What's the first-ever blog you followed?

The very first was Ashley@Life After the Aisle, but we're friends in real life.  The first non-in-real-life-friend that turned bloggy-friend was Amber@Young Fabulous and Newlywed

5. Do you enjoy amusement parks?

I love amusement parks.  I grew up in Central Florida, so we went to all the theme parks growing up.  One of my bucket list items is to go to Cedar Point in Ohio some day to ride all of their wooden coasters.  One day...

I'm off!  Have a happy weekend friends!!!

5 Question Friday

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would have participated more in high school and college.  I let what "authority figures" tell me stand true and missed out on certain experiences that I wanted to do...like join the swim team.  If I hadn't listened to a teacher I had at the time, I would have found a way, but at 14, you think they know what they're talking about, but surprise surprise, sometimes they have their own agenda too.  I mean, I could have been an Olympic swimmer or something, but the world will never know.

2. Write about a time when you got lost.

Not to brag or anything, but I have a gift.  It is with direction.  I really don't get lost.  I feel very fortunate.  I once met the girl I stole my directional sense from to get my extra amazing talent and felt bad for her because she couldn't even follow directions...she'd still get lost.  No joke.  

One time though, I did get lost in the car when my dad was driving.  We were driving around downtown Flint, MI in some pretty shady areas.  I kept telling him to get on this other road and he wouldn't listen.  Once he did, we were on the right road and out of the scary area.  And that was at age 9.  Just think of how my skill has developed since then :)

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?

I like variety in life, and this area is no exception.  I love to camp, but I also love staying in a fancy hotel where everything is taken care of.  I've been dying to go camping lately though.  Thankfully, I think we have a trip planned soon!!

4. Have you donated blood?

No.  I never weighed enough in high school and most of the way through college to donate.  The only reason I would have thought about it back then was to get out of class.  I am terrified of needles and pretty much my own blood coming out of my body in that capacity.  If I cut myself doing something fun...I don't really give a second thought to the blood, unless it's a lot.  I have made it my goal to give blood once in the next year because I am O+ and can help people, so I'm working on getting over my fear...I just have made John promise to come and hold my hand.  Plus, he's experienced and gives blood all the time, so he can walk me through it.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?

I have a budget to an extent, but I do not stop myself from spending a little extra one month if a lot has gone on or if I find something I really want.  I know what my bills are, how much I make and what I would like to save and have a little balance in there.  If I overspend one month, I try to make up for it the next month.  I have a loose budget...I suppose is the best way to describe it.

Five Question Friday + Friday Confessional

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home MakeOver or TLC's What not to Wear?

Hmm...that is tough.  I wouldn't mind a home from Extreme Home MakeOver just because they always turn out beautifully and are finished quickly (and free!) but I think I'd probably have to choose the what not to wear.  I don't think my fashion sense is horrible, but I could use the help with new ideas.

2. Do you have any tattoos?

I have one tattoo.  It was during my "rebellion" stage...as much of one as I had.  (I was a good kid)  It's of a pink hibiscus and is about the size of a quarter in a place that's super easy to hide, except in bathing suit.  I was 18 when I got it.  I would never have gotten one now, but what's done is done.  I don't hate it, but it will be interesting to see what it looks like when I'm 60 haha.

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?

I don't have kids.  And Lily...she doesn't care.  Like I mentioned before, I was a pretty good kid.  If I ever happen to have a child and they have the same experiences I have, I'll be pretty happy.  And that's not to toot my own horn, I really just stayed out of trouble.

4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?

It really depends.

Am I far away?  I'll probably stop.

Am I running late?  I'll probably speed up.

I really hate red light runners, and we have a lot down here so I try to not be that person.  Who wants to get in an accident and hurt someone else or myself because I couldn't stand to wait 2 minutes to get through the light?

5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips?

I'm not a huge chocolate fan, I'm more of a chocolate + something else kind of gal.  Give me chocolate covered pretzels  or trail mix so I get my salty and sweet and I'm a happy kid!  Flipz=Amazing!  I think that's why I love peanut butter cups so much too...yum.  You should check these little guys out:

They're better than the big ones my my lowly opinion!

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I confess that I can be a brat sometimes.  Not too often, but if I feel strongly enough about something and someone is fighting me, I put my heels in the ground and dig in...hard.  Normally, I'm pretty just go with it.  But, I had a moment like that recently.  Sometimes, I need my little bratty vent time and then I can deal like a mature adult.  I apologized to the one who got to witness this, but some days...it happens.

I confess that as much as I love fruits and veggies, there's nothing more satisfying than a cookie/cupcake/ice cream sometimes.  I've gone a little overboard with the sweets lately, so I'm trying to bring myself back down to moderation.  The only way to break myself is to stop for a while and then slowly allow myself to come back around to moderation.  I have to stop eating sweets?! For this nonsense, I blame Christmastime (even though I love it..don't be mad Christmas).  It was a friend's birthday last night so I did have a little piece of cake.  I will not, however, bake any wonderful goodness in the form of cakes/cookies/cupcakes until I've broken my sugary spirit so I can go back to normal.  Oh for that day to come!  Hurry!  Cadbury Eggs and Girl Scout Cookies are out and I want them so bad, but I need control back first!

I confess that I haven't been on my game this week.  I don't know what it is about travelling, but it seems to beat you down.  Maybe it's the flight...maybe it's the energy exerted snowboarding...maybe my body is exhausted from keeping myself warm in sub-zero temperatures.  I don't know.  All I know is I have been struggling this week.  All I know is, today, after work, I'm running 10 miles and my body is so excited and can't wait.  Seriously.  I'm happy..on the inside!  My first run this week...holy cow.

I confess that I brought up Lily being in a couple of our wedding photos.  John got mad at me and said no.  Why not?  She's part of the family.  I feel a little guilty about wanting it so bad since I know it's a huge deal and a covenant made before God and I wouldn't bring Lily to church...but I can't help it. I'll just put the dress on for our girls wedding dress dinner and have someone else take a picture of me later with her...mwahahaha.

I confess I've been a little dry this week.  Probably goes back to that lack of sleep.  I just couldn't resist my snarky comments at John's softball game Tuesday.  Tonight there's another game...will I feel the need to laugh when someone almost gets hit by the ball or loudly cheer for the other team to trip?  Only time will tell.

I confess if you couldn't already tell, I need sleep to be nice and function, and, as you've probably read before and can see from some of the other confessions today.  If I do not catch up this weekend, I might be in trouble.  Just sayin...

What are your confessions?

Five Question Friday

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

I met John (who's not quite my spouse yet, but will be in a couple months!) at church probably late elementary school.  No, it was not instantly love...not even close.  We were friends to a point, but we usually just saw each other at church stuff.  This went all the way through high school.  We both dated other people in the church group and at school.  I think I had a crush on him for a little in middle school and one of the other girls said it wasn't fair because she knew him longer, so I said fine...I just thought he was cute anyway and dated someone else.

Moving on down the road through college, I was about to go back for my last semester when John started asking me to hang out every once in a while.  It never happened.  Then over summer, he asked again a few times.  I went once in a group, then one night he called to see if I wanted to go out.  I had my little cousin's birthday party, but I agreed to meet up with him later and we went to the movies.  We both talked about how we didn't want a relationship but ended up starting to date anyway...it was a natural progression...with a few rough patches thrown in since we are both oh so stubborn and strong willed.  But...I guess it all worked out :)  If we had tried to date before we did, we would have killed each other and never spoke again...I do know that for a fact...we joke about it pretty regularly.  We had some growing up to do before we worked. 

2. What is your favorite room in your house?

My room when it's clean :)  I have the most comfy bed in the world!  If my room isn't clean...the kitchen...so I can bake!  The kitchen is pretty much always clean because my OCD comes out there...kind of nice that it's all focused in one area :)

3. Can you wiggle your ears?

I feel like I can...but who knows if it looks like they're wiggling.

4. What is your evening ritual?

It depends on the night...we'll just assume for this that I don't have something going on.  Stop by Publix (our grocery store) to get something to make for dinner.  I get home and change into something that isn't work clothes.  Start cooking dinner, or John does...it depends on what's for dinner.  Watch some shows on the DVR or netflix.  Wash face and brush teeth.  Go to sleep.  Ahh sleep!

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

Eight.  If I don't get a full night's sleep for a few days in a row, I'm not nice.  I can't function.  I want to cry.  Seriously.  It's a big deal.

Five Question Friday!

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?

My current favorite book... I really don't know.  I don't have a book that's my favorite to read.  I usually never re-read books.  I'm reading 'Decision Points' by George W. Bush right now...it's pretty good so far.  I'm enjoying seeing his perspective on why he chose to go certain directions. 

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?

Every 6 months without fail.  My granddaddy was a dentist, my mom is a dental hygentist, so I've always been right on top of that.  I rather enjoy going...I love the way my teeth feel aftewards.  Plus, I have a thing about teeth...I NEVER miss the dentist.

3. What is your worst memory from High School?

My worst high school memory involved "friends" and how mean girls could be.  It wasn't really just one time, but in high school, I think at one point, every girl is stabbed in the back by someone.  It was a good lesson learned I suppose, that you can't trust everyone, but at the same time, it tainted my view of female relationships for a long time.  I held onto one of two close girls, but the rest, I kept at arms length.  I've since gotten over that after finding non-drama seeking friends, but it took a while.  Now, I'm just smarter when it comes to picking those I let in close.

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?

I want to be remembered for being awesome.  Ha.  No, no.  Seriously, I want to be remembered for being a kind person, who was loving to those she came in contact with.  I hope to grow a business one day to be a successful one.  I want to be known for giving back and investing in people.  I want to be known for being a wonderful wife.  Oh, and I'd like to be remembered for being fun and laughing a lot!

5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

Only during Gator games.  If anyone "predicts" anything for the Gators, I make them knock on wood.  That's pretty much all I've got in the superstitions area :)

Finally Friday!!

Happy Friday my bloggy friends!  Is it just me, or has this felt like the looongest week ever?!

1. Do you regift...and if so, do you have a regifting horror story?

I can't remember a time that I have regifted, but I've been at parties where I've noticed that things have been regifted from others from the year before.  It's a funny thing to notice, and I always hope the person I knew brought it doesn't notice, but then again, how could you not?!  

2. Do you know what you are getting for Christmas this year?

No, I really don't.  Sometimes I can figure out something, but this year, not so much.  I guess I'll be surprised!

3. Who brings the most gifts in your family, you or Santa?

It's a joint effort really.  I mean, who doesn't love getting gifts from Santa?!  "SANTAAAAAA!!! OMG! Santa, here?!...I know him! I know him!"-One of my favorite clips from Elf.  I tried to embed it, but it's disabled, so here's a link for those of you who would like to enjoy! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyCfRHumHU

4. What store do you love to by jeans from?

I love, love, LOVE, my Buckle jeans!  Last year, John and I had gone out of town and we needed to grab some clothes, and we found Buckle...and ever since then, my life hasn't been quite the same.  I mean, I just didn't know jeans could make your butt look that good.  Haha, jk jk, but I do love them.  I got 2 pairs that day and they're definitely my go-to pairs.  They always look good and they're comfy.  I also have an 8 year old pair of Abercrombie jeans that I like a lot...they've withstood the sands of time...

5. Christmas meal: Big, All Out Meal or Snacks and Apps?

Ha!  Over the holidays, all we do is eat!  Starting with Thanksgiving and rolling (literally) on through the month of December, we eat...LOTS of big meals.  But today, let's just take a snapshot of Christmas:

Christmas Eve: Candlelight service, then, Christmas Eve dinner.with a spread of ham, rolls, potatoes, potato salad, pasta salad, veggies, desserts galore + much more that I probably don't remember.

Christmas Day: We start the day out with breakfast at my parent's house.  When I say breakfast, I mean a big, full, southern-style breakfast.  You name it, we most likely have it. Then, roll on over to lunch where we have a huge spread at John's grandparents.  Then, we end the day by snacking a little more and falling into a sugar coma for the next few days.  Oh the glory of Christmas eating...

That about wraps it up for today, folks!  Only one week left to finish up that Christmas shopping!  I have almost finished!  We will have completed everything for J's parents this weekend (I hope) as well as a couple other family members...we're getting there!!  I hope you can all enjoy this next week, even though it's going to be super busy for us all I'm sure.  Take time to remember what Christmas is all about!  

Spending time with Family...

& Friends!

& JESUS!!!

Five Question Friday + Major Score!

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?

Hands down...sideline sports reporter.  Only for college football though.  I have a pretty good knowledge of football.  It's my favorite thing to watch on a Saturday!  As I've stated before...the Erin Andrews, without the controversy would be fine and dandy with me!

2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

Fortunately, I have the luxury of both...thanks to my parents :)  We have a condo at the beach which is only 30 minutes from our side of town and we love it!  Both John and I grew up beach kids, so beach kids we will stay!  

Can you really get tired of this?  I don't think so....

My parents also have recently acquired a cabin in Tennessee, mostly for rentals, but if it's not being rented, we are allowed to go up there!  I love it up there!  I might want to move up there one day.  Just sayin'...

3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

I don't have people children, but I do have a fur-baby and her name was  picked for a reason. The story: My dad and I decided to get my grandma a Shih Tzu for mother's day one year after meeting a lady in Cracker Barrel that had just had puppies that morning.  After a few minutes, I decided I wanted one too!  The only problem was I had just graduated and was living at home with my parents while saving for a house.  My dad and I decided it best to not tell my mom right away, although he was ok with the idea.  Weeks went on and it was almost time to get her and my mom still didn't know.  I decided to name her Lily because that was the nickname my mom had for me, so I figured it would soften the blow a little.  It did, after her initial anger shock.  She now loves Lily and so do I :)

4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)

Right now...baking.  I'm obsessed with baking.  Every Friday, I feel like I. Must. Bake.  It's been going on since our first cold snap and I feel like it's out of control a little.  Oh well...it's kept me happy.  And I have people over to eat the baked goods so it's not just on John and I.  Yay!  So far in the past month, I've made sugar cookies, chocolate chip cake, countless chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin cookies, cup cakes x 2, muffins x 2...and I'm honestly sure there's more, but that was just off the top of my head.  Hey, at least I have skillz....ha.

5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?

Uh...well, we deep clean the carpets from time to time if that's what you mean?  Then there's the cleaning of the kitchen pretty much daily and the weekly's of other places.  There's also the cleaning to the fridge every couple of weeks to get out the old and spray it down with some good ole bleach...yea.  I love clean.

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MAJOR SCORE!!!

...on what might you ask?

Laser Hair Removal.

Thanks to

That's right...$1,800 worth for $188.00!  I bought 2...they were $99 for $900, but since I recommended a friend, I got $10 off!  That gives me 12 sessions!  We'll see how this whole deal goes!  I'm going to start ASAP...hopefully I'll be mostly done before the wedding! Woot!

Five Question Friday!

1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)?

I kind of like my lack of accent...although, if I go somewhere else in the US, I'm told I have an accent.  Ha!  Gotta love perception!  But I would choose none.

2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck)

Depending on how tired I am, yes.  I'm not quite as skilled at my love though...he falls asleep anywhere...all the time!  Seriously, all of our friends have pictures of him sleeping at almost every get together by the end of the night!

3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet?

Yes.  But no, I never sit on the toilet...gross.

4. If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours, what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with?

Oh my goodness this is my worst nightmare.  I hate the thought of being stuck on an elevator...if the door doesn't open right away I start sweating and getting all nervous, it's ridiculous.  It would not be a time I would enjoy, so I'll just go with someone strong.  Seriously.  Pick anyone that could get me out.

5. Where did you & your significant other go on your 1st date?

Well, I'm not sure what to count.  John was home for the summer and had called and asked me to do something one evening, so we decided to see a movie.  Side note: We've known each other for probably 10 years or more at the time through church but didn't really hang out a lot, so it was a friend thing at the time I thought.  So anyway, we go see 'Click' with Adam Sandler and then walk around and talk.  Our conversation was mostly about how busy both of us were and how were didn't want to date anyone, blah blah blah.  (seriously, I laugh about it...why did we even have that conversation?! but we did!)  I think it was the truth for both of us too...he was finishing his last semester of college and I had just graduated started working and had a lot of friends getting married, so we were both just caught up in our own lives.  A few days later, we just couldn't stay apart and started dating haha.  I guess the day we count as when we started dating, we went to Chipotle for dinner.  So...one of those was our first date. :)

This is a picture from around when we first started dating.  I feel like we look so young here.  I guess it was over 4 years ago now.

See the difference 4 years makes?

Long Weekend Ahead!

Friday is here. Not just ANY Friday though, it's football Friday! That's right...college football kicked off last night, and there's a weekend of football ahead of us! Florida kicks off at noon tomorrow which I'm SO excited about! Way to represent the SEC last night South Carolina. The SEC has one win under our belt! Time to prove that once again, we are the dominating conference! Yeah! :-)

Enough football talk...now to the puppies! Last night, I ended up going to see my friend's puppies alone (John had some work stuff and couldn't get out of the office in time). The mom is pretty, and the puppies are, well, hamsters still. At least I feel like all puppies look like hamsters for the first couple weeks. There are only 6 puppies left, 1/2 of them did not survive, and there are 2 females, with one spoken for. So, she is our option for a new lil American Bulldog. Here are some photos of them:

Mom Dog

*Potential* Future Pup

All the pups-Top left would be ours

Other female...she's pretty

Anyone else see the hamster resemblance here?? So, now it's deciding time. John & I both really would like to have an American Bulldog, but when's the right time for a new pup? They take so much time at first and with the wedding coming up in March...well, it's not the easiest time I suppose. But, I'm sure we will figure it out...puppies ARE so much fun! :)

I'm also going to play along with 5 question Friday, so here goes!

1. What do you do when you have time for yourself? Sometimes I read, sleep, or watch a nice girly movie that I'm sure John wouldn't want to watch.

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see? I'm going to go ahead and consider John's house my house, since it will be soon and I use his kitchen more than mine :) There's a lake out there...sometimes with these annoying geese that poo all over the back porch. Get 'em Lily!

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as? No one. I'll go ahead & be myself in heaven :)

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids? My pet peeve is more about the parent's response. I HATE to hear kids screaming bloody murder. Not that parents like it, but I literally leave stores when I hear it. I understand sometimes kids do that and sometimes they are in a mood and the parents can't control it, but take your kid out or at the least, tell them to stop. Just because YOU are use to hearing it, does not mean anyone else cares to hear it through their whole meal. The worst I've run in to was on a plane when this kid was kicking the seats and screaming and his dad was playing a video game with headphones on and mom was looking out the window...neither said anything to their child (which I know because they were across the aisle and I was watching them the whole time). Finally the flight attendant came to them and said, "Is there anything we can do for him? He is disturbing the entire flight." Then they finally helped him calm down and he fell asleep. Really, that's what it takes for you to do something about your kid screaming in an enclosed space...how embarrassing.

5. Regular or diet soda? Not a soda drinker really, but if I do have it, I'm going all the way with regular!

Hope you all have a happy Labor Day weekend!!

GO GATORS!!!