Life Lately

So, I've been writing posts in my head the last few weeks, but just haven't had the motivation to write them out when I've been at my computer! I'll try and get there tonight, I promise.

I'm still in settling mode that's for sure {I know Eric could kind of care less about that stuff ;)}. And that's a project, let me tell you...well, at least when you're OCD like me. I'm trying to still get things organized and put away, purge, decorate, etc. It's amazing how much stuff we still have after 6+ trips to Goodwill since packing to move...ok, so maybe my house purchases aren't helping the matter, but I still feel like we need to purge! purge! purge! Our guest room has become the overflow room for stuff that maybe I'll muster up the motivation to organize for a garage sale.

I've always looked forward to "back to school time" since it was always a fresh slate to get organized with everything. I still feel the need to do so every August now even being out of school. This year I kicked off the "school year" with a new planner in hopes to tackle some goals a little better (this week isn't proving to be working well though because I'm just so tired and worn out after work!). I've heard a lot of talk about these Erin Condren Life Planners, so I ordered one for myself a few weeks ago. I've only had it a few days, so I'll have to get back to you on how I end up liking it.

I've also been trying to organize household stuff a little more, too. (This is where my OCD mentality REALLY comes out) I've started on a home management binder (goal is to have it complete by the end of the week) with everything from general information/emergency info, Lily's information, chore and cleaning schedules, meal planning (something we've been TERRIBLE at lately) budget and bills, shopping lists, you name it. I'll share some more of that soon. We've also been really bad about sticking with a good budget since we've moved in (hello, furniture purchases!), so our goal for September is to get back on the Dave Ramsey plan, complete with our cash envelopes again. And, to encourage that a little more, I even sewed these cute little fabric envelopes -

Trying to get a little ahead on toiletry purchases and certain foods has also been a goal, too (Eric sure goes through cereal and deodorant like lightning!) I'm learning a little more here and there about couponing, and taking advantage of sales with coupon matches as much as possible. (No, you don't need to turn me into TLC...I'm not that bad and crazy!) I haven't been too great about keeping track of all the numbers, but I know we're saving a little more here and there by stocking up on sales. We're in fairly good shape now - enough shampoo and body wash to last us awhile!

And speaking of small stockpiles, I've also been making sure our emergency kits are updated. All the crazy natural disasters that have happened this year scare the bageebies out of me (A friend who is now in NC texted me today saying "I just lived through your worst nightmare!" Ha! - Yeah, I'm paranoid about earthquakes, and I was definitely curled up in the closet several nights this year because of storms and torrential rains pounding on our bedroom windows). I ordered some emergency kits off of Amazon back in the spring, and then made a few of our own to fill in some of the gaps. (Yeah, I think my mom thought I was a little crazy when I shipped them a large box full during tornado season!) I pray we never have to use them, but it doesn't hurt to have them around.
We've done a few little projects here and there around the house. We cleaned out the entire garage a few weekends ago and Eric re-hung our pegboard.

I'm also attempting round 2 of container gardening this year. I doubt I'll have much luck, but we'll see.

Lily has also been her usual energetic self. I've been getting up at 5:30 AM three days a week to go walk/jog around the neighborhood, and she's always up and pulling me the entire way. I wish I were that much of a morning person. Here are a few cute photos from her recently:

Spoiled dog, let me tell you.

And, lastly for tonight (but not least!) this girl {my sister} is away in Ireland right now. Off to Austria on Sunday to spend the rest of the semester! It was a bittersweet goodbye when I left Arkansas a few weeks ago, but I know she's going to have a blast.

More updates soon!

Snow Days

We've gone from this much snow.... (around 8")

To the blizzard that brought 18"!

Anyone else ready for spring yet?!

Weekend Wrap-up

I think I made the right decision on not going home last weekend considering this was the scene at our house...

13 inches - C-R-A-Z-Y!! Fayetteville has gotten more snow this year than Columbia, AND more snow than I can ever remember! I think I need to move back to stop these crazy weather patterns. It must all be because I moved away. ;)

I had a nice little weekend to myself while Eric was in Memphis. I battled some snow flurries and rain on Saturday to travel down to the Lake of the Ozarks to do some shopping. It ended quite quickly though after I fell in love with Marshall's/HomeGoods and had a whole cart full and more...so much for making some other stops at antique stores. ;)

These pictures aren't great (I just snapped them running out the door this morning), so please excuse the lack of fabulous photos. I think I'm going to have to have Aunt Cindy teach me more about using my camera at the wedding in a few months!

I picked up a couple of pillows for the couch (gold and blue shown)...

This awesome chair and table set (only $99 and exactly what I've been looking for!). It looks a little "blah", but trust me, I have big plans for our little porch! More photos on that soon.

A couple of framed flowers...

And this little cute sign for the kitchen.

PLUS - 5 new spring blouses! It was amazing - I may just have to make another trip soon. And very affordable, too!! If you have one near you, you're lucky! (Although I'm a little glad I don't have one too close because I'd spend way too much)

I've got a new recipe to share, too...I tested this out over the weekend and it didn't turn out as pretty as that picture, but it's really good. Just make sure to put it back in the freezer if you don't eat it all, otherwise it'll melt a bit. :)

Strawberry Whipped Sensation
4 cups fresh strawberries
1 - 14oz. can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 - 8oz. Cool Whip (thawed)
8 Oreo cookies
1 TBSP butter (melted)

Line a bread loaf pan with foil. In a large bowl mash 2 cups of the strawberries with a potato masher. Add the Eagle brand milk to the strawberries--stir. Add lemon juice--stir. Add 2 cups of the Cool Whip--stir. Pour the strawberry mixture into the foil lined bread loaf pan. Crush the Oreo cookies finely into a small bowl--add the melted butter--stir. Spread the cookie mixture evenly over the top of the strawberry mixture. Use the back of a spoon to lightly press the Oreo cookie mixture into the strawberry mixture. Cover the top of the loaf pan with foil. Freeze the entire thing overnight. The next day remove it from the freezer, remove the foil from the top, and invert it onto a plate--if any of the foil sticks to it, peel it off. Frost the loaf with the other 2 cups of Cool Whip. Slice the remaining 2 cups of strawberries and arrange them on top of the Cool Whip frosting. Slice like bread to serve.

P.S. - Eric has an internship interview tomorrow! Cross your fingers and say a prayer! :)

Bummer.

Just when spring was a day a way and you thought you were done with snow for a good 250 days or so... the weather decides it's going to snow again.
Really?! Come on. :(

Eric and I had plans to split paths this weekend and go each home, but after getting new tires this week, packing the car all up and planning on leaving after work, I'm actually staying in Columbia now because of the 1-3+ inches that's supposed to hit NWA. Frustrating. Especially in mid-March. With my luck now, it probably won't even do anything to the roads down there and it will be fine. But, we can't afford more car repairs right now so I'd better not take a chance - I think my 2 week trip to the service center, Eric's new brake pads, my new tires, and the small windshield cracks that we need to get fixed ASAP are enough for the this month. I'm surprised we still have some savings left after all of that.

So, with Eric on his way to Memphis right now, what's a girl to do with a whole weekend to herself?
Looks like I'll be catching up on some painting, working out (I've slacked on The Shred all week!) maybe doing some cooking, getting groceries, and hopefully some shopping...hopefully I don't break the bank with that. ;) Maybe it won't be so bad.

This week was pretty uneventful. Here are the recipes we tried this week from e-Mealz...

Meat and Three
1/2 to 1 lb top round steak, trim & cut in chunks
1 can French-style green beans, drain
1 large potato, slice thin with skin on
1 small onion, slice thin


In crock pot, layer 1/2 cup water, then all of the steak. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 can green beans, 1/2 of onions, 1/2 of potatoes. Repeat onions and potatoes. Cook on low for 6 hours.


Chicken and Brocolli Stir Fry
1/2 lb boneless chicken breasts
1/2 bunch of brocolli
8 oz can sliced water chesnuts


Stir Fry Mixture:
1 can chicken broth
3 T corn starch, 1/4 c orange juice, 3 T sugar, 3 T soy sauce, 1 t ginger, 1/2 t garlic powder, 1/2 t salt)


Slice chicken and broccoli florets in bite size pieces. In large non-stick skillet, saute broccoli and chicken on med-high for 2 minutes. Cover and let steam on low for 5 minutes. Pour stir fry mixture over chicken and broccoli and stir constantly until thickened. Serve over steamed rice.

And that's about it, really. Hope you all have a good (and hopefully snow-free!) weekend!

Gotta Love it When...

...a trip home ends up costing you an arm and a leg.

The weekend was good until I got back into town yesterday. Unfortunately, I had completed the 5-hour drive and was 2 blocks from our apartment when I slid in the snow and skidded on top of a curb/median trying to turn right. Yet another reason as to why this winter needs to END! I'm so sick of it already. Thankfully, no other cars were around in that lane and there wasn't any bumper damage, but now I'm finding out I need 2 new parts and a new set of tires (at least I already knew the tires were needing to be replaced sometime soon).

So here's the new cost of a trip to Fayetteville in the winter...
Gas: $45
Meals with Friends: $25
Car/tire repair: $(WAY TOO MUCH)
___________________
= NOT COOL!

But, that's why we listen to Mr. Dave Ramsey and have an emergency fund. I'm just bummed I have to use it...goodbye what I've been saving for several months. :( It could have been so much worse though...like this:

{Massive 40-car pile-up in Kansas City yesterday, photo from the Kansas City Star - www.kansascity.com}

Can I move back to the South yet?! (At least they don't get snow quite this often - although this year is probably an exception)

I left my camera at home, so Kim's Colors Day pics will be coming tonight or tomorrow! :)

Random Tuesday

I feel like I haven't blogged on here in forever!

Eric's been slaving away with school and I'm hoping that I'm not getting sick with this sore throat I've had for 2 days. It was definitely a "blah Monday" yesterday. The weekend went by quick as usual...I got some painting done and spent several hours ripping up the last of the antique chair. No photos yet because it's still not done, but hopefully those will be up soon!

On the more personal side of things, I had a doctor's appointment last Friday and now I have an endoscopy of my upper stomach scheduled for the end of the month for the stomach pains I get about 4-5 times a month. I've always had a sensitive stomach and have been a picky eater because of it, so it probably was about time I went to see a doctor about it. If I'm ever over at your house though and don't eat all your food, don't take it personally! ;) I wasn't expecting to have to go to the lab to get my blood drawn on Friday, so it's a good thing I was able keep from passing out so I could drive home. So, needless to say, I HATE giving blood samples. If this photo from when I got blood drawn for mono last year doesn't justify that, then I don't know what does.
(If you have a weak stomach, don't look below!)

I had that monster bruise for weeks - took the nurse 3 or 4 times to get the right vein. (*chills*)

We've had some winter weather here the past few days. Of course not as much as the weathermen predicted though (they said 5 inches, we got about 1-1.5). Columbia public schools have been out since Friday at noon though...I'm so jealous. I told Eric this morning that my next career is going to be a school teacher so I can get summers and snow days off. Maybe I should look into art education... ;)

In other news, I'm so excited to be going home in a few weeks to celebrate the birthdays of these lovely ladies!!

 

Kim is turning 18 (I think I'm going to go cry now she's getting so old!...Didn't she just start high school 2 days ago?), and Mom's birthday is on the same day, too!

And, as if if that isn't enough, Aunt Amy is turning 90 on the same day, too! :)

We've got Aunt Carolyn coming in from California and Walt, Lorraine, and Nathaniel from Prague...I can't wait!

Wedding Wednesday coming tomorrow! {Ashley - I'm going to do that post you tagged me in tomorrow!}

P.S. - and CONGRATS to Kalyn!!!!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Another weekend come and gone - I'm jealous of everyone in Arkansas that got either a 3 or 4-day weekend! Thankfully the ice storm wasn't near as bad there as it was last year. I don't think it can get much worse than this:

{Ice Storm 2009}

Let's hope not at least.

Friday night we expanded our Columbia cuisine by trying a local Chinese restaurant that was delicious! I think our count of local restaurants that we've tried is up to about 4 or 5. Pathetic considering we've been here 7 months and go out to eat at least once a week. :) We just can't get away from the Ruby Tuesday coupons, McAlisters, and Panera.

Despite the temperatures in the upper 20's, we went out to the park Saturday afternoon for the first time in months. Thankfully the sun was out so it wasn't too unbearable. I downloaded the "Couch to 5K" iPhone app a few weeks ago so we gave it a try. It's a 3 times a week, 9 week program that trains you up to run a full 5K. (It's been YEARS since I've done that, so I'm definitely out of shape!) Our workout Saturday was a 5 minute warmup, and then 20 minutes of alternating 60 second runs with 90 second walks, followed by a 5 minute cooldown. I was able to do it, but I couldn't walk hardly at all yesterday my legs were so sore! Time to hit the gym again tomorrow I guess!

Eric and Clayton picked up the infamous chair on Friday, so I started to rip it apart on Saturday. Eric jumped in immediately and basically took over the whole project. :) After him giving me such a hard time about the thing, he was actually super excited about it.

It took us 3.5 hours with 2 tool sets to rip apart most of the upholstery.

And the smell wasn't too great once we got to the stuffing. Good thing I just got my new vacuum filters in.

Sunday we set out to town to get fabric and a staple gun. With the two of us going we were able to use double coupons so we saved about $25. It took us forever to find the upholstery fabric section at Joann, and then another 10 minutes for me just to pick something out, but I ended up going with a print of slate blues with a hint of gold. Thankfully, they had some weekly ads at the front of the store that we were able to snatch two 40% off coupons from. Then we took off to Michael's to use their weekly coupons (and Hobby Lobby will be hit tonight!).

We got the back and the sides stapled on last night, and as we were flipping the chair around, out flew 3 pens, a guitar pick, a used bandaid (eww!), and 31 cents. Who knows what else we'll find in there this week. A $100 bill would be nice. :)

I painted the legs a mustard yellow, and I'm going back to get some gray fabric to do the other parts of the chair. I need to find some trim or tubing at some point, too. But here's the progress (hopefully it'll be done next weekend!)

And as if that's not enough going on, I've got 7 canvases to do this week, too! I got a huge order over the weekend thanks to Etsy, so I'll have plenty to keep me busy for the next week and a half. Eric also got my chalkboard and antique frame hung over the weekend in our office, too!

And, as if this entry isn't long enough, I found out on Friday that I've been accepted to join the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) blogging team on Healthcare Design Magazine's website. So, beginning in March, I'll have an entry every 4-6 weeks on this website! I'm super excited!

Have a great Monday!

Can't...stay...awake...

I started a new yoga class today at lunch...it was my first time doing a yoga class since June...

It KNOCKED out all of my energy!

I'm sitting here at work trying to pump Diet Coke into my system and keep my eyes open. Let's just say I'll be lucky if I can stay up until 10 tonight {sorry for being a party pooper, Eric!}

Today is the coldest day of winter here to-date...high of 5, windchills of -20! Wahoo! (Not.)

Thankfully, Eric didn't mind braving the bad roads to take me to and from work - also meaning no walking in the cold for me! :)

I figured I'd post some pictures of the MESS that is our parking lot. The front desk has done an awesome job though trying to get as much plowed as possible.

(Emily, these are for you, too!)





2.5 more hours and then I get a hot dinner date tonight with the hubs at Ruby Tuesday! (That is, if I can stay awake until then!)

For Love of the Game...

We've been living in quite the "winter wonderland" for the past 24 hours. Snow started falling yesterday around 1pm and didn't stop until this morning. We're up to about 4-5 inches now, and I thought we were supposed to get a little more, but nothing yet.

I drove myself to work yesterday thinking the roads wouldn't be too bad by the time I got off (they originally predicted snow to start around 3), but I was wrong. It took me 3 times as long to get home, I skidded turning onto our street, and got stuck in the parking lot. Let's just say I wasn't a happy camper. :) After attempting to floor my car to overcome the slight hill in the lot and then attempting to turn right instead, it just wasn't going anywhere. I have to admit - it was my first time driving in winter weather. A kind man walked over and offered to push my car, but I was so afraid I was going to hit him by accident, so he kindly directed me while I reversed instead. {And of course, Eric got stuck in the same spot today...he just didn't listen to me ;) }

I was crossing my fingers on a snow day off from work today, and we watched the snow fall heavily last night as the school cancellations rolled in on the news. So much for me getting off though - I thought Arkansas was stingy about shutting down campus... :) All the schools around us are out today and tomorrow, but Eric got me to work this morning and probably will tomorrow. I guess that's one of the cons about growing up and entering the real world.

We haven't had the best of luck lately with technology. Eric has been building our new desktop computer, and for days it was just bad news after bad news. I've been working on polishing up my website for weeks and just wasn't having any luck with the HTML code even after corresponding multiple times with Emily's boyfriend Drew on how to do it. Then Saturday we were out around town looking for the new Wii Fit Plus game. The advertisement sounded pretty good so I figured I'd try it out with my Wii Fit hoping that it would help with my new year's resolution of working out more (I think everyone else in town had that same thought apparently, too). Well, Sam's was the only place in town that had it, but Eric was convinced I could get it cheaper online. So there we were, in Sam's, with me holding the game walking around, but I got talked out of it...

Well, turns out Sam's really did have the best price after we got home and looked it up on the internet. On Sunday, we go down to Wal-Mart to get it. No luck. Then GameStop. No luck. Then Eric goes back to Sam's on Monday...I was 99% sure they'd be sold out by then. Sure enough, they were. I then find a free shipping deal and order it online. Whew, problem solved...Not.

I log on last night and the order is apparently backordered after it was listed (and still is listed) as In Stock. Needless to say, I cancelled the order and called the other GameStop and WalMart in town to see if they had it - both did.

Despite the heavy snow, slick roads, and windy conditions (Dad - don't read this next part!), we got in the car last night and drove to WalMart. All of course because I was betting on a snow day today! WM was pretty dead, but we got the game!

Now I' still need to figure out if it was really worth all that trouble... :) We did have to clear off 3" of snow on the car and ended up being soaked from the snow in the end.

And next time I need to remember that the iPhone has an app where you can scan a bar code and it'll tell you other prices around town and on the internet... LOL





At least it was fun and we got a snow brush in there, too! {I think the girl parked next to me yesterday thought I was crazy by trying to brush off snow with my gloved hands! :) Oh the joys of learning to be a Midwesterner! }

Hope you're staying warm!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010!

I don't have a whole lot of interesting things to blog about - it's been a fairly uneventful weekend of staying in town and catching up on cleaning.

Clayton came over to watch the Mizzou game with us on New Year's Eve (they lost, unfortunately), and Eric and I's evening was spent making a quick trip to Wal-Mart. It was so exciting that I fell asleep on the couch at 9:00 (no joke!). Needless to say, neither one of us made it up till midnight. Friday we went to the movies and I made chicken cacciatore in the crock pot for dinner (mmmmm...!). I even tried the recipe my mom gave me for roasted broccoli. See below...

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(it's so hot in the picture you can see the steam!)

Chicken Cacciatore
{my slightly tweaked version from the original recipe which I'll post later :) }

Ingredients:
-2 chicken breasts, thawed
-1 can Hunt's diced tomatoes
-2 cans Hunt's tomato sauce
-Dashes of pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme - I don't really measure it out, I just dash it in :)

Cut chicken into small cubes. Combine above ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serve over pasta.



Roasted Broccoli
Ingredients:
-Fresh broccoli
-Parmesan cheese
-Olive oil

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Break up broccoli into small clusters on a large pan and baste with olive oil. Cook for 15 minutes. Take pan out and flip broccoli. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on each piece. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
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The rest of the weekend was just spent running errands and relaxing at home (and watching the hogs' LUCKY win). I think we're both about to freeze to death here with the below-freezing temperatures. This morning it was -3...I've never experienced so much pain from being cold in my life. My office has been heating up for 3 hours now and still isn't to 70, too. Brrrrr. Apparently my closet isn't good enough for this weather! Here's at least a pretty picture of Jesse Hall on campus in the snow... I tried to get a quick shot as we were driving to church.



And Charise, this is for you! Eric in his Christmas sweater...



Happy New Year!