Show us Your Life...How I Met My Hubby

Picture it, Memphis, 2007, (I'm hearing this in Sophia's voice from the Golden Girls)....anywho, I had just broken up with my longterm boyfriend for like, the 19th time. It was my birthday and I had received a dozen roses at work from a "secret admirer" who I knew to be a guy friend that was trying to be more than a friend. A woman that worked downstairs at my office, came by and noted "Oh, your boyfriend is so sweet." Well, I had to correct her. Actually from a secret admirer, yada, yada, yada. I guess all she heard was I was single again. She states that I would be perfect for her son's best friend (here we go)...that works here....Ok, first, if he works here and I don't know who he is, can't be very attractive. Harsh? Yes. True? Yes.

Well she says his name and we go about our business. Of course, at this point I have to check out who I would be "perfect" for. I "casually" walk by his office (I had investigated where he sat). What??? Who is this guy?? He seems cute. I couldn't get a GOOD look but from what I saw, wowsers. Found out that he had just transferred back here from St. Louis.

Fast forward a week, cute mystery guy calls and asks me out for a happy hour. I immediately call Melody and inform her we were going to a happy hour! Long story, REALLY abbreviated, we actually were both beginning to date other people at the time so nothing really ever came of it. Then the other relationships fizzed out and here we are....married 8 months!

I love you Tom!

Favorite Fridays....all around!

Happy Friday!



Favorite Fridays with A Girl in Pearls is favorite home decor blog. Now I know alot of people are going to choose this blog but I had to put it because it really is my favorite!! The Nester, of course!!

http://www.thenester.com/

Since we have bought the house, I have been on there non stop thinking about mistreatments and fabric covered tables. I can't wait!! As most of you know, her advice is for the lazy and budget conscious! Perfect for me! :)

Go check her out!

Me and my life's favorite fives is on favorite five restaurants this week....since I already did a post on most of my local favorites I decided to devote this one to purely chain restaurants. These are in no particular order, basically just what popped in my head first!

First, who doesn't love some "boc boc" as my niece calls it?? I love the chicken nuggets. When we are at a party with the chicken nugget tray, I swear I don't leave the vicinity!

Second, we all know my ALL TIME favorite restaurant is On the Border!! I could literally drink their sour cream sauce. Too much information?? :) I always get the chicken burrito, ALWAYS.

Third, I'm going to have to go with Lenny's...this may only be in the South right now but their ingredients really are soo fresh. I always get either a #5, club or a chicken philly.

Fourth, I'm going to go with an oldie but a goodie. Chili's! I love their queso and their chicken tacos. Yum, yum!

Finally, let's step out of the comfortable price range and go with Ruth Chris. Seriously, who doesn't love a Ruth Chris steak?

Thoughtless Thursday....Oh to be here again....

Mellow Wednesday

Friday I am going to

with my besties

for lunch!

I'm super excited. I met each one of them when I started my career as an intern at an accounting firm in 2001. We quickly became "lunch buddies" that turned into best friends. Melody and Julie were my matrons of honor in my wedding. I've gone through quite a lot with these three and likewise. While looking for this pic, I found one from a while back I just have to post.

Ha! What a difference a couple of years make!

Can't wait to see them!

Top Two Tuesday...things under $15

Flower necklaces on Etsy!!!

1. This necklace. So, ok, its $16, not $15 but seriously, how cute??!!!??

Etsy: NoPlainT's

2. This one is only $13!!

Etsy: tootsiewootsie

No, I am in no way compensated or know these people, but what a great deal!

Happy Monday!

We bought a house! Well, we have a contract on one and the inspection is scheduled for tomorrow. I'm super excited! It needs a lot of updating but it is on a street (cove actually) that I can see us on for a long time to come. We are the smallest house on the cove so we can always add on.

In preparation for this move, we have been cutting back our expenses. Especially since the second we move I know I am going to want the house "updated", like, immediately. :) I know this isn't possible but just keeping it real. Anyway, so I was going to cancel my gym membership that I DON'T use. The owner comes back with an offer to personal train me for two months FOR FREE. He is getting his license and wants a guinea pig. I thought about it and why not? I went to get measured today. My body fat percentage was at 29% and he said he wants to get it below 25%. He wants me to aim for only a ten pound weight loss in these two months...I told him ONLY?? It took me 7 months to lose 20. I'm all for 10 in 2! So tomorrow begins my journey....I will let you know if I can still walk.

I'm going to post a pic of the outside of the house but remember...it needs updating! We are going to remove the rodiron and put a wooden post. The second pic is of the exact same house floor plan but updated. We're not going to use the same color scheme though. I want to paint the brick a light brown, shutters a dark brown and trim an off white. See the last picture for the color scheme I'm talking about...and if its your house...sorry, take it as a compliment! ha!

Have a great week!

Friday Fun

Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life is on best teacher gifts today. Since number 1, I'm not a teacher and number 2, I don't have any kids...I decided to contact an expert. Meet Teacher Emily (well now technically a technology mentor type person for the school system but was a teacher for a long time..and my sister in law). Say Hi Emily. She's the one in the pink, you  know, in case you were wondering. ha!

So Emily's picks are great.

1. Lunch brought to school

I'm not sure if every school can have this but I can see the plus in having some Chickfila instead of cafeteria mystery meat!

2. Gift cards to favorite restaurants

Emily, I'm seeing a theme here...I knew you fit into our family well! ha! I know one of her favorites is Carrabbas's!

3. Gift cards to favorite stores

Ann Taylor Loft anyone?

4. Gift cards for spa services

I'm sure every teacher could use a massage!! I'm sure everyone I know could use a massage!

5. Finally, personalized notepads and stationery

Speaking of notepads, did you guys hear Swoozie's is closing???

Bet you could get some great deals right now!!

Thanks Emily for the great tips! Head over to Kelly's Korner if you wanna see more!

All over the place

First Top Three Thursday is on the top three restaurants you like to eat....can I only pick three???

I'm going to have to do four. Cheater. I know. My all time favorite chain restaurant, On the Border, I'm not going to really count. I love to try local restaurants but this chain brings me in again and again and I don't understand why!!!! Could it be the cheese, chips and more cheese??

So, on to my top three...if you aren't from Memphis, this may not be much fun.

1. High Point Pizza

There is a small neighborhood in Memphis called High Point. It is actually where my husband grew up his whole life and where we are looking to move to. Within high point there is a small old strip center that holds a grocery store, cleaner, a cute gift shop, etc. It also holds High Point Pizza. I LOVE it. I love the atmosphere, the ranch dressing, the BBQ pizza, the chef salad, did I mention the ranch dressing? I can't wait to one day walk our children up there to enjoy.

2. Swanky's Taco Shop

Back to mexican, I know. Its my weakness. That and homemade ranch dressing, that is. I'm not sure if this is a national chain or not but I really don't care! You stand in line and order what you want fresh. Kinda a Mexican Subway, if you will. The salads are the best but everything I have had there has been good.

3. Buckley's

You may remember this is who catered our rehearsal dinner. It is a locally owned steak house. They also have a small lunch location for the "work" crowd. I love the steaks, the creamed spinach, the stuffed mushrooms...man, this post is making me hungry!!! The wife of one of the owner's also is the one that does the paint parties that are sooo much fun.

Lots of stress in our world right now trying to find a house...to buy smaller on a GREAT street or a little bigger on an OK street? Everyone always says location, location, location but I just don't know. What are ya'lls thoughts?

 

For Thoughtless Thursday, I decided to throw in an engagement picture from last year...just cause I like it :).

Wednesday Quiz on LOVE!

First picture ever taken together, October 2007

Who is your man? Tom

How long have you been together? Together since October 2007, married since August 2009

How long did you date? Oops, guess I jumped the gun on that one above
How old is your man? 37!!! :)

Who eats more? sadly, its probably a tie!

Who said "I love you" first? I really don't know....I think I loved first though.

Who is taller? He is...6'1 versus 5'7

Who sings better? I really don't think he can sing but since I KNOW how bad I am, I'm going with him!

Who is smarter? Me :) at least, that's what I am going to keep telling myself!

Whose temper is worse? His, but only on very rare occasions

Who does the laundry? He does it all. Yes, I am quite aware how lucky I am!

Who takes out the garbage? he does

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? me

Who pays the bills? Me

Who is better with the computer? Me

Who mows the lawn? definitely him, however I think I shocked him when i did one day. I did live alone before him!!

Who cooks dinner? Him usually

Who drives when you are together? Usually him.

Who pays when you go out? same account, we do joke about who "pays" though

Who is most stubborn? HIM

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? neither! ha!

Whose parents do you see the most? both

Who asked who out? He asked me for a happy hour and then I stalked him, true story :)

Who proposed? him!

Who wears the pants in the family? I'd say we are equals!

Top Two Tuesday...beauty secrets

I tried to think of the first two things right off the top of my head so these might be a little random.

1. Everyone probably already knows this but I just realized how true it is! There IS a difference in cheaper drugstore mascara and the more pricey department store. I was a tried and true "there is no difference" believer UNTIL my best friend left her lancome mascara at my house...(yes, a little gross to use someone else's mascara but she is my best friend!)

Lancome was SOO much better than my normal cover girl. I wear contacts so sometimes my eyes get irritated. They were irritated MUCH less than when I wore the cover girl also! The wand was better, the quality was better, IT IS JUST BETTER. And no, I don't work for Lancome :).

2. Do you love the long wear lipsticks but hate how they dry out your lips? Just put vaseline on them everynight before bed. Common sense, but it works wonders!

Head over to the Undomestic Mama to get more tips!

Favorite Fridays...Dramatic Book

Friday Faves is on favorite book, category drama. This is right up my alley! I LOVE to read. We are getting ready to move and I never realized HOW MANY books I have but I'm still not ready to give away. So my favorite drama book that comes to mind is a pretty recent one by Wally Lamb.

Now this is a GREAT book but its not exactly a beach read. At least it wasn't for me; I think it would be better if it had your full attention and I know sometimes that isn't easy! But if you find time, it's definitely worth it.

Thoughtless Thursday...Rehearsal Dinner

Since I never posted pics of our rehearsal dinner, I thought I would post some on thoughtless thursday so I don't have to explain much! These aren't the professional ones but I thought they were pretty good (aside from my sweaty face and being 18 pounds heavier!!! :)

Wishful Wednesday...Diets

I wish' .... I had the willpower to

stay on one particular diet,

and it would be...

 

Ok, you all know I have been on Jenny Craig for about 5 months....I've done OK...I've lost 18. I wanted to lose faster than this but let's just say I definitely don't stick to the plan on the weekend.

 

For those that don't know Jenny Craig is REALLY easy but not that easy on the wallet. There are four weeks of "planned diets" that you begin with. You have a calorie level based on your current weight. My current level is 1500...although I must say I sometimes only eat based on the 1200 level...it allows for my cheat days on the weekend!

 

Each day I eat a Jenny Craig breakfast which are usually frozen meals. They really are good! I have breakfast scrambles, blueberry pancakes, etc. You can also have a yogurt and one serving of fruit at breakfast but I usually save those for the afternoon when is my "weak" time.

 

About 10 am, I eat a Jenny Craig "vitamin bar". These aren't the greatest but they FILL you up and give you all the vitamins and nutrients you need for the day.

 

For lunch, I have another Jenny meal. In the afternoon, I usually have a yogurt and a couple of servings of fruit.

 

Finally for dinner I have another Jenny meal and usually some broccoli with light cheese sauce. I also even have a Jenny snack before bed!

 

As you can see, you really get all the food you want! I'm not ever really hungry. I have moved on from the planned meals and pick my meals. Like I said, I only do it during the week and for that reason, I feel I have been really successful. I know if I stuck to it to the letter, I would have lost much more by now. However, eating out with Tom is one of our favorite things to do and I'm not going to give that up!

 

The meal plan runs about $18 a day which if you are used to eating out at lunch, regular meals are almost up there anyway!

 

So now back to wishful wednesday...I wish I could give up the weekend meals but its not going to happen!!