Bringin' the Gym Home

It's time...for a Gym Update. I know, I know it has been for-EVER, right? One of the perks (I can't believe I'm about to say this) of living in the RV was our FREE access to the local Gym. Now, that we are living in the Apartment, those Gym-access days are no more. We have been trying to figure out a new schedule for going to the gym or when we were going to pick up our daily exercise plan. Pre-work? After work? It's been difficult. And, if I were to be honest, (note: another 'I can't believe I'm going to say this') I've missed the gym.

No longer attending the local Gym has it disadvantages. We no longer can keep up with the Mr. & Mrs. Ironman couple. Which, is a shame, really. We will never know if they actually compete in the IRONMAN competition. And, I will never be able to collect flies in my mouth as I watch her read and run simultaneously. I will miss those days.

 Our obsession with the show Biggest Loser has taken on a whole new level. You know we bought the cookbook. But our obsession has taken a whole new level, Ben and I have taken on Jillian Michaels. We are doing her "SHRED" DVD. The good news: Ben and I might just look like Mr. and Mrs. Ironman in 30 days. Most people would assume that Jillian's usage of the word 'shred' is to lose weight. I beg to differ. It definitely stands for:
S- Single-handedly (creating)
H - Havoc
R- wRetchedly
E - (on) Everyone
D - Determined (to succeed)

I hate it. And her, too. I'm sore. I'm grouchy. And, her promise of 20 pounds in 30 days better come to pass. And, despire my (current) hatred...this too shall pass, right? RIGHT? And I will soon forget all my pain and agony each and everytime I climb all 3 flights of stairs to our Apartment return to being Jillian's biggest fan?! RIGHT?

One can only hope.

Nerf Guns: Round 2

(If you missed out on the original post about Nerf Guns, you may want to skip over here to get caught up.)

Thankfully for me, Ben did not get a blackeye. What a relief. I suppose, it should be thankfuly for Ben...but, really I am the most thankful one. What 2 and 1/2 month old wife wants to be turned in for domestic abuse?? Not me. Not me.

Much to Ben's dismay, I've hidden my nerf gun. I couldn't take the risk of putting it back in the original spot, and then getting stuck with the malfunctioned one.

The next nerf gun game has been delayed until we purchase...goggles. Yes, I said goggles. After Ben's encounter with my precise (though ironic) aim, we can't take the risk of someone else (ME) getting a blackeye.

Stay tuned...

Photo/Blog Monday

After hearing feedback on doing possible theme days  on the blog, I received this comment:

"theme days, awesome idea. i know you totally stalk blogs, and have access to photos. so you could totally do like photo monday, and just post a pic that you really like and maybe even a link to a photo blog or something cool. just saying"

Well, its true! I am a complete and total blog stalker. So, every Monday, I will be showing off my favorite photo from over the week and ALSO one - of many - blogs that I love to follow.

Favorite picture of the week is from the people at the Image is Found Photography. Check out their blog: http://www.theblogisfound.com/. They are such cutting-edge photographers. I don't follow them as closely as I once did, but this picture is incredible!

http://theblogisfound.com/

My favorite blog of the week is a new favorite of mine, but I'm totally hooked. Its written by this girl named Morgan and it didn't take long before I was wishing we were real-life friends. There is such a wealth of fun information...you can go there multiple times during the day and never, ever get bored. Go to Morgan's blog: http://mrspriss.com/.

I'm already excited for next Monday!!

The Day of the Telescope

I never thought I would be that person. You know, the person who snoops and peers out the window at her neighbors. Or, the person who drives by all the other apartment buildings within our complex, trying to look in the windows to see other's decor.

Yes, I'm that person. I'm a snoop. Borderline stalker, maybe. Borderline.

For a while, I was trying to figure out when it all began. Like, did it begin when I became obsessed with Domino Magazine (may it rest in peace), or with Ikea? I realized it went much further back than that.

My first snooping memory was when I was between the ages of 8-12. Large age group, I know, but I can't remember my exact age. My mom was a big fan of educational games and toys and anything else that might stimulate our minds. Mom had no idea.

So, in light of our mother's preference, my uncle bought my siblings and I a telescope. To look at the stars, of course.

One night, we convinced our parents to let us go outside, after dark, to look at the stars. My parents agreed. I'm sure they thought we had become intrigued by the Milky Way and how the stars were aligned in the sky and whatnot. We weren't. Instead, we steadied our telescope eye to the homes of our many neighbors who had ALL their blinds and curtains wide open. It was paradise. We peered into livings rooms and dining rooms watching our neighbors who had no idea they were under intense multi-sibling-surveillance.

After a while, we tripped back inside. Mom had no idea. Dad had no idea. And, I don't remember using that telescope ever again. It had been put to much use already, no reason to over-extend it, right?

(Disclaimer: I'm not a stalker. This is all drive-by...And, my sincere apologies to any of our past neighbors)

Saturday Mornings

I really love Saturday mornings. Its a morning with no obligations - I don't have to get up early and there is no rush. It makes "lazy" seem productive.

Ben could sleep in 'til noon. I can't. 7am and I'm wide-awake. To say that is annoying would be an understatement.

Usually around 9, I can nudge Ben awake. That's after two hours of me laying in bed, reading, or perusing the Internet.

Then, we mosey into the kitchen...Saturday mornings we make breakfast. A real, big breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, muffins, coffee, orange juice or whatever we like. But, its never cereal or something that we can just whip up... We feast liesurely, then watch VH1's top 20 Music Videos.

I love Saturday mornings. Between the blueberry pancakes, the most popular pop-culture music, and watching Ben keep a running commentary (whether by song or dance) during the top 20...I feel full and satisfied and laughter.

How else are you suppose to feel on a Saturday morning?

5 Things I Can't Live Without

Alrighty, folks, because it is raining and I abhor rain, I decided that I would talk about things I love. Things I can't live without.  I've been wanting to share my absolute must-haves for a while now, but important things have gotten in the way (soup, nerf guns...you know, life). I don't know about you, but I love a good "tell-me-what-you-use" session. So, because I LOVE IT, I just knew you've been dying to hear the same from me, too. Right, right?

1. Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss (color: Sweet Pink). I love this product for some many reasons and kinda panic if it isn't with me. A) I can easily read the ingredients list. B) It is SO shiny and smooth, you just feel pretty wearing it. C) It lasts FOREVER.

2. Ulta's "Twilight" Eyeshadow. Because of a certain teenager phenomenon series, I started laughing when I figured out the name of this eyeshadow. Why do I love it? It gives me that smoky, mysterious, intriguing look. It does, I promise.

3. Clearsil Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream. Okay, when my friend recommended this to me, I was SO skeptical. I mean, who can trust a cream with the words "vanishing" and "acne" in one name? But, I was a desperate acne-attacked bride, so I gave it a try. L-O-V-E  IT! It really, REALLY works and I will always use it. It takes away the swelling and often times, if you "feel" a pimple coming on, just put the cream on multiple times during the day and JUST.LIKE.THAT! Gone.

4. Lodge Enamel Dutch Oven. Okay, so I know, after the first 3, you were probably expecting another beauty supply, right? Well, this has become an asset to my cooking and I couldn't leave it out. My dad gave it to Ben and I for Christmas. And, if I were to be honest, I thought it was one of the weirdest gifts - ever. But, I've since changed my mind. It is definitely the BEST thing ever and I use it ALL the time. It is far better than any other pot or pan I own. Truly, it is. And, after looking at the website and seeing all the vibrant colors, I want one in each color!

5. Ugly Mug Coffee, flavor - Southern Pecan. I love this coffee. It's like drinking heaven. Ben gave me two bags of it for Christmas and this week, we discovered we are about to run out of the second bag. Eeeeckk! So, we are drinking it very....very....s-l-o-w-l-y. Ugly Mug has turned me into SUCH a coffee snob. I adore the flavor of that coffee so much...it leaves feeling more southern and more coffee-happy than ever.

Nerf Guns: Round 1

Its my Dad's fault.

For Christmas, Dad got Ben and I nerf guns. To shoot at each other. For fun.

After Christmas, we moved into the RV, so the nerf guns couldn't be used. Lack of room to run and hide.

Then we moved into the Apartment and everything changed. Plenty of room to run and hide.

Tonight, I grabbed one of the guns out of the closet and quietly stalked Ben. He grabbed his and "WAR" was declared.

Like two shrieking kids, we chased and hid and tried to shoot each other with our nerf guns.

In the middle of our fun, Ben's gun malfunctioned. I promise I had nothing to do with that.

Then, because all is fair in love and war, I shot Ben, while he tried to fix his gun. He fell to the ground. I had shot him in the eye. Directly in the eyeball.

 I threw myself on top of him like one of those dramatic romantic comedy scenes where the girl accidently injuries the guy. It was mistake, a misfire, and Ben will probably have a blackeye.

Thanks, Dad.