Pardon My Absence...

Clutter and disorganization hinders my ability to be motivated and get anything done. So moving this week = absolutely zero productivity. Hence the lack of blog posts. Hopefully after this weekend I will have fun new pictures for you all :)

In the meantime, forgive me as I try to make sense of the mess of cardboard and empty shelves that surround me!

Simply,
MJ

Retail Therapy

It's raining. Again. I love when the 10 day forecast calls for rain everyday. {Not.} I'm beginning to feel like I live in Seattle. Last Sunday was rainy, and I was home alone, so of course decided that a little retail therapy was in order. {Like I needed to spend the money.} So a little recap:

- I bought 2 dresses from Macy's -- one for work, one for play. Justifiable (?) -- one was 65% off, the other was like 70% off.

- I bought new black work pants from the Loft -- they were on sale, too. (This one really is justifiable. My current black pants required that I wear heels, which I just can't do everyday. I need to invest in some of MIML's "training heels" for daily wear. Not to mention the pair of short black pants I had were linen and made not one, but TWO cycles in the dryer before I realized my mistake. The pants were quite literally 4 inches shorter than the lining. Ooops.)

- I bought a new short sleeve sweater from the Loft. Not only was it on the clearance rack, but I got like 4 compliments on it yesterday. Totally justifiable. (On that note...is XXSP a real size?!?!? Guess so, because I bought it.)

- I bought new jeans. Skinny jeans. They were on sale for $29.50 at the Loft (if that makes it justifiable) and I had been wanting straight leg jeans after seeing how adorable MIML's and KB's were. They didn't have a straight leg pair, but had a "modern slim" style. Close enough, right?

- Have yet to remove tags from said skinny jeans. They intimidate me. Although I really, really think I like them. I think. Maybe. I need a little reassurance.

Where are my stylish friends when I need them?

Simply,
MJ

More Milestones

Today is officially my one-year anniversary of being a full-time employee. Yikes! Only about 40+ years to go until I can retire. {When did we get so grown up and starting talking about retirement savings and Roth IRA's instead of fun, college stuff?} In order to make it through the next 40 years of work, I might have to try Jessica's tactic of a "Daily Affirmation":




It's also the one-year anniversary of the passing of my maternal grandfather. He is still loved and missed! Here is a picture of my mom and her sisters at Grandpa Joe's funeral last year:

(Too bad I didn't get my height gene from this side of the family.)

Can you all believe how quickly a year flies by?

Simply,
MJ

Things I Love About Home...

Just a few of the things I love about home....

1. These wonderful people are there (although they didn't want to have a picture taken):
2. Dad will still pay for things, like car repairs!

3. We always have breakfast on the weekends. As much as I LOVE to sleep in, I will always get up when I know breakfast is waiting.

4. You all know my theory on how every small town has it's own Mexican restaurant that is "the best Mexican ever." And the local pizza place. When I was home for the weekend we went out to our local Mexican restaurant that seriously has the most authentic, delicious food, amazing chips and salsa, and margaritas. Now this is what I call a margarita:

5. Mom always has real butter. I don't know why, but there is no spray butter, no margarine...just real butter. For some reason it almost seems like a luxury or treat.

6. There is a slower pace. Mom says when they first moved to my hometown she felt like she had stepped back in time because there were still 5 and dime stores. But I love how everything slows down and is more laidback when I go home.

7. Beautiful flowers like this on the table, from our own yard...and some for the road to make my home-away-from-home more cozy. This weekend was peonies:

8. Old friends, who are still good friends. You know the type -- you haven't seen each other or talked in a while, but you pick up right where you left off.

9. Shopping! It's fun to mix it up and go to different stores or go to yard sales and thrift shops and come back with things you wouldn't have found otherwise.

10. For some reason, Mom always feels the need to bake or cook when I come home. So I end up eating cookies, ice cream sandwiches, smoothies, frappes, or whatever the craving of the month is. And I usually get to take some of those with me too :)

11. The stars in the night sky are brighter and clearer. You don't appreciate that until you don't see it on a regular basis.

12. Being right next to the river. My hometown was cleverly coined as "The city on the river but never in it." This past weekend the river was at 41.7' and the flood level is 42' - you can tell the river is up, but still no reports of flood damage to homes and property! River cities seem to thrive around the river -- festivals, fairs, summer concert series, boating...and I love it!

13. Gas prices are cheaper!

14. The church I grew up in. It's a sense of community I haven't found since moving away.

15. Lots of good memories :)

I know this list could go on and on, but those are just a few of the things I thought about this weekend! Sometimes I forget how much these little things mean!

As We Go On...

Isn't it funny how quickly time flies? Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of this picture:

I can't believe that it has been a year since graduation. College was by far one the best chapters in my life. I know I'm in another exciting chapter, with much to learn and do, but I always get a little sad looking at the by-gones. KB and I were talking yesterday about how this is one of the best points we will be at and it's true -- we are making money, living independently, old enough to go out without breaking any laws, don't look like children anymore, but still not having our bodies affected by age yet, etc., but MAN, those were the days.

This year has taught me a lot and forced me to grow a lot. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster at times, from leaving work and immediately calling my parents crying to laughing and going to bachelorette parties and girls weekends. I do know this -- I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends and a great support system. My friends and family are my rock and keep me sane!

“A good friend is a connection to life—a tie to the past,
a road to the future,
the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”
―Lois Wyse

And it's funny how you can't really plan...if you had asked me 2 years ago where I would be today, my answer would have been very different. Such is life I guess. God has his own plans that we can't know or understand -- we just have to trust in Him and have a little faith.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21

So happy graduation anniversary to you all (and happy graduation this year to Alana!). I love you each dearly.

Sorry for the sappy post! I just get sentimental at times!

Simply,
MJ

Welcome to the Family!

Some exciting news today! My cousin and his wife had their baby! Little baby Nicholas was born Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Welcome to the world, Nick! You're awfully blessed to be born into such an awesome family.

{Health and Happy!}

{Charlie is a proud big brother! Actually, I don't think he has a clue what's going on.}

{Cousin Ed is a proud papa -- Round 2. And he does have a clue what's going on. Charlie, again, is like "What's that thing?"}

I can't wait to meet baby Nick -- sadly it probably won't be til like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but maybe I'll get lucky this time around and it will be sooner :)

On a semi-related note, if I had children, I would want to take on this project from bakerella.com. The'yre chocolate-peanut butter pudding cups. But be sure to scroll down far enough to see how they make the actually cups! (Hint: it involves balloons.) How fun would that be for a couple kids...and kids at heart?

New Resolutions

I know most people make their resolutions around New Year's -- work out more, eat healthier, etc. I tend to find that its springtime when I feel the need to get my act together. The weather is warmer, the sun is shining(...and I look like the next Twilight cast member), people start planning vacations, and I have to actually start thinking about getting back into an itsy, bitsy, tweeny weeny....BIKINI. Don't get me wrong, I love the pool, the sun, the lake, boating -- any summer activity -- but I dread the photographs. So here is one of my question: has anyone found never-fail tips for photographing well in bathing suits? I usually go with the "suck-the-tummy-in-turn-at-an-angle-hand-on-the-love-handle" method if I can. But I'm just curious. And while I'm late on this train, what are some things you all do to get ready for summer and bikini season?

As for me:
- I've been perusing health magazine websites -- Health, Shape, Prevention and Women's Health.
- I'm determined to use the gym once I get into my new apartment.
- I tossed all the change from my purse into my piggy bank. Saves money AND prevents me from getting Cheez Its out of the vending machine at work.
- I've tried to incorporate more vegetables, salads, etc. into my diet.
- I've also tried to drink more milk and eat more eggs.
- Sticking to my grocery list. I can plan out meals when I'm not starving, prevents impulse purchases, and saves a little money.
- Shop the perimeter of the store more (less processed foods are usually along the edges).
- Bought Kroger light ice cream to satisfy my insatiable sweet tooth. I also have some of the 150 calorie "Warm Delights" microwavable desserts.
- Eat fruit with lunch every day, and try to incorporate it as a side to other meals.

Of course, I still ate an entire frozen Totino's pizza for dinner...but I can splurge every once in a while, right? I did eat vegetables and eggs like EVERY DAY last week.

I know the big key is to WORK OUT. I'm working that out still. (Excuse the lame pun.) But how do you all get back to feeling good? I've just felt frumpy lately, so I'm trying to get out of this slump. Any tips to add?