Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Monday, December 14, 2009

Giveaway

Thanks for the tip Leighanne...
Go here for a great giveaway - $100 to the store of your choice!!! :)
What a fantastic giveaway!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Catching up with the Erdmans

* Best friends*



So I know I haven't blogged in a while...I just really haven't had anything to say. I will just update you on whats been happening in our neck of the woods:
  • Clint is now working for Charter Communications as a salesman. If any of you are interested in switching to Charter or upgrading in any way, let me know and I'll get him down to you as soon as he can. He just started last week and is enjoying it a lot. He also just finished a season of Men's Softball up here in Atascadero. He really likes getting out there and getting some exercise. Clint is a really good ball player and I loved when I was able to get out there and watch him play!
  • I am still working as hard as ever at Bed Bath and Beyond. Like I mentioned in the last post, my direct superior is out on medical leave for an undetermined amount of time. I have heard she is trying to get back as soon as possible but I can't see that happening any time soon. So, in her absence, the responsibilities of the department have fallen on me, as the full time lead. Last week I was able to sit down with our district manager Dennis and discuss my options and future with the company. I left the meeting with no exactness as to what will happen, but a definite feeling of hope that things in the store will be changing for the better, and that I am not being overlooked as far as promotions go. The district staff is well aware of all my hard work and accomplishments and that's basically all I need at this point. I am still team teaching with my mom in Primary at church - we love it so much! We started out the year with 7 or 8 kids (I really have lost track!) and we are now down to 5. But they are such lively and crazy kids - I LOVE them all so much! They make teaching so much fun with all their little comments and questions and ideas!
  • Chase is...well, still the same! He seems to be getting bigger, but I really think its just the fur. He spends his days being lazy around the house and his nights trying to get either Clint or myself to wrestle around with him (after we get home from work and just want to be lazy).

Clint and I were able to get down to Ventura at the beginning of October to visit with some friends of ours. It is a tradition for us to go to Universal Studios and do their "Halloween Horror Nights": it is AMAZING! Think about it - a movie studio putting on a Halloween party, complete with costumes and all kinds of great special effects. It is absolutely insane! This was the first year that Clint could come with us, so that was really neat! They have a couple mazes that are built after some of the classic scary movies (Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, etc) and everything is SO real! They also have scare zones, where you just walk through and people jump out at you and scare the crap out of you!!! Its so much fun!

Other than that, everything is pretty boring. :) Just the way I like it - drama free!

And to leave you with a treat (since you read SO much already!!!), here's a picture of Chase dressed up for Halloween:

I thought he was cute...he didn't like us too much after the photo shoot was done. ;)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

The other day I was getting ready to do the dishes, so I take off my rings and watch and turn on the water. I let it run for a few seconds to warm up while I arrange the dishes for easier washing and check back on the water - still cold. Move some more things around, open up the dishwasher, check back with the water - still cold, and it feels like its getting colder. This goes on for a little bit and I cannot for the life of me figure out what the heck is going on. Why won't my water heat up?!?!



I forgot to turn on the HOT water...that's what I call an epic fail.



On a brighter note, my manager at work is taking a leave of absence for illness. No one is sure exactly when she will be back, we just know it will be at least a month or longer. So this basically means...I am in charge of the front end at work! Yahoo! It's finally mine again!! :) I have two other leads that are fantastic; very hard workers and lovely girls to be around, so we are going to have a blast without Pauline (who everyone seems to greatly dislike...hopefully this will bring about a change in attitudes along the whole front end!) So yay, its been a pretty good week, despite the crazy weather and long hours I had to put in. Good karma is finally catching up to me! :)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Yummy Pumpkin Shaped Bread Bowls

The finished product...mmm



I've been totally loving checking out so many blogs because they give me so many ideas about fun things to do around the house and fun things to cook as well. I tried a great one from The Idea Room blog, it was for Pumpkin Shaped Bread Bowls for soup to go inside. If you click here, you will get the posting.


It was super simple and they came out really, really cute! They only thing I'd do differently (and this was my own fault) would be to before baking, make the balls flatter, like in the picture on the blog. That seemed to be the reason why mine came out so round and ball like...I think if they were flatter going into the oven, they would have been more like an actual bread bowl, more oval in shape. Next time, I'll try that.

Fresh out of the oven

They were super easy to make and totally delicious!

Friday, September 11, 2009

This weekend...

So Clint is gone this weekend in Tahoe with some friends (LUCKY!!!! This is the reason I hate WOW week at work/Poly sometimes...I never get to go with them) so I decided to have a sleepover (yes, a sleepover...be jealous!) with my best friend up here Michelle. Her boyfriend is leaving on Sunday to go to Ireland for at least 6 months to try it out. He's hoping he'll find a good job and stay, but I'm hoping he'll come back. Mostly because regardless of where he is, Michelle will end up with him there, and I want her to stay here! So anyway, we're doing it up right: girly movies, cookies, brownies, ice cream, and the inevitable sob fest I'm sure. She's supposed to be out of work RIGHT NOW, so I'm just getting the apartment ready for this awesome slumber party! I love being a girl at times like these - boys wouldn't do this. But we're gonna have the best time! I sure do wish all my girls could be here though...I miss our sleepovers sometimes. I wish we weren't so spread out and this could be a regular thing. Miss you ladies, love you!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Etching

I just found a fun blog that I am totally loving on right now. It's called theidearoom.blogspot.com and it has such fun ideas for almost everything. I found this one and just fell in love, so I decided to try. It sounds so easy (and it is, once you get the hang of it...)
I got all the materials at Michaels (except the contact paper...that was from the Dollar Tree). I got the idea because Becca is leaving to go back to Idaho and I wanted to make her a going away present. I thought she could put this on her desk and think of home sometimes. I forgot to take pictures while I was doing it, AND I didn't get pictures of Becca's finished present. So you'll have to make due with pictures of my practicing...I made Becca's on a similar jar as this one, except smaller. And the final product on this one is one letter on each side (C, &, G, E to make like "Clint and Gillian Erdman) and I just put a "B" on one side for Becca.
This has proven to be a pretty fun and fairly easy project, one that I want to continue to do. I didn't think I had this creative streak in me...

Friday, August 28, 2009

Marriage Quiz

Here's a silly thing that Lindy tagged me for on Facebook. It was fun to fill these answers in there, so I figured I'd put it up on here too!

1. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time?
Softball field

2. What is your spouse's full name?
Clint Antony Erdman

3. Do you have any house pets?
Yeah, our pup Chase (cockerspaniel...amazing!)

4. Do you own a house or rent?
Rent

5. Do you live in the country or city?
Small City - Atascadero

6. What is one of your favorite activities together?
Take drives, watch movies, play games

7. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
Not really...we go to see our friends in Ventura sometimes, we always enjoy that.

8. When did you first kiss?
Mmmm...like a week after meeting...something like October of 2007.

9. What church do you attend?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

10. Where were you married?
SLO...February 6, 2009.

11. What town is your current address at?
Atascadero, CA.

12. Do you work or stay at home:
We both work full time.

13. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Night of our wedding was spent in a hotel in Pismo...we took a trip to Disneyland a couple months later when we both could get some adequate time off!

14.What was the funniest gift you gave when dating?
I don't even know...

15. Who asked who out?
I think he asked me out on our first official date - sushi and a movie! :)

16. How old are each of you?
Clint is 28 and I am 23

17.Where do you each work or go to school?
I work at Bed Bath and Beyond and he works for Mega Door Management

18. Do you go to the same school?
No school for either of us.

19. Are you from the same home town?
Nope, I am from SLO and he is from Atascadero/Yerrington, NV

20. Who is smarter?
Me duh...on some things. We kinda balance each other out I think.

30. Who is more sensitive?
Definitely me...he's getting better though.

31.Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Depends on our mood and budget. We love sushi, especially Yanagis. And for a relaxed meal we'll go to Woodstocks for pizza!!

32. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Not far...we've gone to like LA area. Hopefully we'll be able to travel more together soon!

33.Who has the craziest exes?
Me for sure.

34. Who has the worse temper?
We both have bad tempers but we're pretty good about not letting them get too out of hand especially at each other.

35. Who does the cooking?
Me

36. Who is more social?
Probably him...I have my core group of friends and tend not to stray too much from them.

37. Who is the neat-freak?
Neither of us...we like things cleaned and orderly, but we're definitely not obsessive.

38. Who is more stubborn?
Both of us...mostly Clint though ;)

39. Who hogs the bed?
DEFINITELY CLINT!!!

40. Who wakes up earlier?
Depends on the day, usually him though

41. Where was your first date?
Yanagi's for sushi, then a movie.

42.Who had more boyfriends/girlfriends?
I think me.

43. Do you get flowers often?
not often, but sometimes.

44. How do you spend the holidays?
With my family...his doesn't celebrate.

45. How long did it take to get serious?
Not too long...a couple weeks I think.

47. Who eats more?
I think me for the most part...

48. Who does the laundry?
All me.

49. Who’s better with the computer?
Clint for sure. I'm stupid when it comes to computers haha!

50. Leave a piece of advice for the other couples.
You're spouse is going to be there through the good times and the bad, so rely on him/her. Let him/her be your best friend. It's the most amazing friendship you will ever have.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Just finished reading Harry Potter #7 last night...I wish that the story just kept going. But, it has freed me up to begin reading Twilight all over again.

I love to read!

I don't think that Clint really likes that I read all this much...I was trying to finish the book last night and he kept trying to talk to me and I think just all around annoy me. It worked - I ended up just getting up and walking into the other room to get away from him so I could finish. He wasn't too happy that his plan was foiled! :)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Twilight obsession

Well, its more like a reading obsession as a whole right now. I'm trying to get through the Harry Potter books again. Yes, I have read them each at least once before, but I wanted to try them again. I was told that because I enjoyed the last movie I am not a true Harry Potter fan. I was actually told this by a few people. Seriously though, entertainment value only...they are fantastic movies! Anyway...
So Clint and I were down south visiting friends this last weekend, and while the boys were out golfing, my best friend Teresa and I decided to hit up the local Barnes and Noble. Yes, we are cool. I was planning on starting to collect the Twilight series one at a time because lets face it, it can get expensive! So while they, I stumbled across an employee who informed me that I could order the whole series together, in HARD BACK no less, for cheaper than if I were to buy it in the store that day. And free shipping. Okay, I'm there. In store, it would have cost me over $80, and I got them delivered to my door within three days for under $60. I've found a new favorite store...So I get the package today and basically it has made my whole life. The smell, I think, is what has gotten me so far. I love the smell of new books! So now I am frantically trying to finish the Harry Potter series (I'm part way through 6 now, shouldn't be too much longer now!) so I can start on this one.

My next thing is to collect the Harry Potter books (I've been borrowing them from my mom). I want them in hard back too...we'll see how far this goes with Clint. :)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Ticket...

I just got pulled over in good ol' SLO for talking on my cell phone.

My question is...how does EVERYONE ELSE in the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD (total exaggeration...but still, it sure seems like it) get out of tickets every single day, and I always get one? I just don't get it.

My sister thinks it because I need a boob job and some low cut shirts...any other thoughts?

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Great Deal!!!!

So Clint's birthday is on Friday (the big 28!!!) and so we decided that it was time for a little investment for our personal entertainment. We've been wanting (well, he's been wanting, I don't really care too much) a Wii for a while now. We had visited some friends of ours in Ventura a couple months ago and they have a Wii and Clint fell in love. He's been bugging me since then that we NEED to get one. So I obliged and starting looking around to find prices. Man are they expensive! I was going to just bite the bullet and shell out the money for it when he mentioned it again yesterday. So I told him my plan and he told me what he had been doing. Looking on craigslist for a cheap and slightly used one. Well folks...we found one. We found a barely used one from a guy in Atascadero. Apparently, he had just lost his job and was selling off a lot of his unnecessary items and a Wii was part of it. We got the system, two controllers, the sports pack, and a Mario racing game for $140 dollars! Everything without the Mario game at a store is priced at about $250! We are so excited! I love great deals!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Update...

I almost forgot to update about my bee sting drama..lame.

I was able to work on Saturday, taking many opportunites to sit and rest and put my foot up though. That night was one of the most uncomfortable ever - I had to have my foot elevated up, with ice on it and try to sleep. Try it...not easy.
When I woke up Sunday morning, I could hardly walk at all. I called my mom who told me to go immediately to a doctor because the swelling had increased and it was still completely red with no signs of it going down regardless of all the Benedryl I was taking. So we go to the doctor only to have him tell me there was nothing he could do...this is just how I "react to foreign matter" in my body...Thanks....for taking my money and telling me nothing. I really appreciate it.
I spent all day Monday resting it and what formed was a dark red, almost purple splotch on the top of foot. A bruise. Fabulous. So I am currently limping only when I have been on my feet for a very long time, and taking Benedryl/IBprofun on when needed.

Again...I hate bees.

Oh the movies we enjoy

I got to go see the newest Harry Potter movie on opening night at midnight...it was amazing!!! The energy and enthusiam in that theater was so awesome! I always forget how crazy some fans can get (there was one girl dressed up as Hedwig, Harry's owl, and apparently someone else was dressed up as the Snitch...awesome!) but thats what makes it so much fun!
*Special thank you to my lovely sisters Megan and Becca...they sat out in front of the theater from about 5:30 pm on holding out spot in line. I arrived a little before 11 pm (hey, I had to work that night!!) and only had to wait about 20 minutes. I love my sisters!*


The previews were great too...I so want to see all the new movies out. Can you believe they are making a movie based on the children's book "Where the Wild Things Are"? WHAT!?!?! I LOVE that book!

ALSO...New Moon preview. I am SUCH a fan, I cannot wait for this movie to come out! It looks sooo good...HOT is all I can really say about this movie. I'm so friggin' excited. :

Friday, July 10, 2009

What a day!

So Becca and I were hanging out today in SLO, and we decided we wanted to go to a park and play around for a bit before she had to go to work. We go to Santa Rosa park and start walking towards the play stuff when all of a sudden, a bee stings me on my toe. Seriously. I hate bees, especially now. I, of course, fall to my knee and start freaking out a bit and Becca's telling me to get it out now! Also, the bee was STUCK on my toe, so I flicked it off, then made her get the stinger out. Now, the last time I got stung, my whole foot swelled up to at least twice the size and I had to go to the doctor to get it taken care of. I was off my feet (on crutches) for two or so days after that, so I got incredibly nervous today. I immediately called my mom and asked her what to do. Becca and I went back to her house, I took some Benedryl and just rested until Clint came down. When he looked at it, he informed me that there was still a little bit of the stinger in there and we went to work to get it out. What a day! Needless to say, I am watching my toe to make sure it doesn't swell up too much more so I won't have to go to the doctor this time. STAY AWAY FROM SANTA ROSA PARK!!!! Dumb bees will sting you for no reason. But basically I am glad that the bee died...

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New Place?

We went and looked at another condo in our complex last night. Two, actually. I want a bigger place, we are too cramped in this one. The two we went to look at were two bedrooms. They are not necessarily huge or anything, but they are nice. Its like a mini house. Totally cute! I hope we decide to get into the bigger place (it has a garage...that would be absolutely amazing!). I want more space!

I had a nice time last night with my sisters! Hannah and Becca (and Hannah's boyfriend Danny) came up to see the apartment and Chase and hang out for a couple hours after I got off work. It was so much fun. I took them on a tour (lasting all of about 2 minutes...yes, my apartment is small...) and then we sat and talked for a looong time waiting for Clint to get back from the gym. When we realized he wasn't coming home for a while we decided to go get some dinner. Hannah treated us all to In N Out. I think thats the main reason they came up here was for the In N Out. No judgment, I would have done the same! Hahah :) We had so much fun, I wish we could all get together more! Love you sisters!!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

...and now...

Billy Mays too?! What is happening with all these celebs, huh? Seriously, you if you've bumped your head - GET IT CHECKED OUT!!! That's two celebrities within about 2 or so months of each other to die because of a head injury that they didn't think was serious. It's serious!

On a lighter note...there are officially pictures hanging in my house now. Yay!!!! My mom gave Clint and I a "C" and a "G" lettering wall hanging thing when we got married and I finally got it up...just shy of 5 months of having it sit on the ground in our bedroom. Now its up! Along with a ton of other pictures, mostly from our w
edding. I do have two collage frames with 7 spots for pictures in each. One of them has some of our engagement pictures and some cute ones of us when we were dating. And the other is a tribute to our trip to Disneyland last month! I just got those up tonight, and man were they hard to get up! I have never had so much trouble with something like this. First of all, I suck at hammering. Yeah, I know...it's not THAT hard, but I somehow make it completely difficult. And then I didn't measure properly. Again, I suck. But I finally got them up, they are *somewhat* straight. But somewhat is good enough for me. Especially in this heat. I think it hit in the high 90's up here, if not higher than that. AND yesterday my mom, Hannah, Becca, Clint and I went olallieberry picking! Clint and I came out with a flat of these delicious berries. We froze four baskets and kept 2 out for our general grazing. So I decided to make a mini cobbler today (I think the heat really got to me...because seriously, baking? In this heat? I must have been dehydrated or SOMETHING...I don't even know). It turned out AMAZING! Clint and I downed the whole thing in about 5 minutes (seriously). It was pretty tiny though, about the size of a loaf pan, and maybe about 2-4 inches high. It was so good. I wish I had taken a picture of it. It was that beautiful. Side note...GOOD LUCK TO LEIGHANNE! The doctors should be inducing her (or should have already) she is getting ready to have her first baby! Love you Leighanne and David and baby Maggie! :)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Today has been a weird day...

I still can't believe that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett both died today. It's so odd. And as weird as this may sound, I think that I will always remember exactly what I was doing when I heard about them. Both were when I was at work today. (As I'm sitting here, I'm thinking that I can probably remember the time too!) I was in my car with a co worker on the last little bit of our lunch and she was checking the Internet on her phone for news...well, Farrah Fawcett dying surely is news. I would say this is about at 12:47 (ish). And then around 3:22, I took my last break and had a text from Clint (sent at 3:15) telling me that Michael Jackson died. I looked on my Facebook today, and so many people had something about one or the other or both as their status. As one person put it, "I thought he was immortal." Seriously. You don't think that celebrities are going to die. This has been a weird day.
RIP Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson

Thursday, June 18, 2009

New stuff



We're getting a new TV! Oh, I am so excited! Not that I watch a ton of TV, but mostly just because we are getting an amazing deal. Our friends' parents got this one about a year ago, and decided that they didn't want it anymore...I think they may have upgraded even (must be nice to be able to do that at the spur of the moment...), so they had this one and offered it to us for $350, which they said we can pay them a little each month for. So awesome! Its a 42" flat screen LCD, HD, every kind of "D" you can think of (haha just kidding)! Its a beauty...we're getting it on Saturday and my wonderful husband said he's going to have it all hooked up by the time I get home from work that night. YAHOO!!!! :) Which means two things: 1) I have a lot of rearranging to do (we're moving the TV from the living room into the bedroom, and the TV in the bedroom has to find a new place to live) and 2) I have to find that place for my poor old TV to live. Its about 6 or 7 years old, a 19" TV/VCR combo, and I don't think the VCR really works anymore...but who has VHS tapes anymore? I think I'm mostly excited about the rearranging part. I LOVE redecorating, however small a project it may be. I'm so happy to have a project!!! :)




In other news...we finally gave our poor pup a haircut. It's getting way too hot during the days, so we got him shaved down completely to tackle the heat. He looks so silly without all his fur and curls! He looks so little now!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I'm really hating...

all this lame construction on the freeways. Unnecessary, in my opinion. Well, not entirely. It's unnecessary that it's taking THIS LONG TO COMPLETE. Last night, I got off work around 10:15 pm. It usually takes 20 minutes TOPS to get home, and thats if I am driving the speed limit the WHOLE time. Now, that NEVER happens, so I'm home within about 15 minutes. It took me over 35 minutes to get from BBB to home last night because of TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY ON A TUESDAY NIGHT!!!!! It was lame. I hope they stop soon.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

What a day today is going to be. First of all, it is my first day off since last Tuesday...yes, I worked 8 stinkin' days in a row. My feet hurt, my legs ache, my back is absolutely killing me. So I finally get a day off. Here was my plan for the day:
-Sleep in
-Clean the house
-Get a few things at the grocery store
-Take Chase to dog park
-RELAX

Here's my NEW plan for the day:
-Sleep until 730 and get woken up by a crazy dog scratching at the door
-Open the door to have him jump on my face
-Try to get more sleep, but are denied this because of said dog
-Get trapped in my own home...

So I have a crazy dog, and thats all there really is to it.

As far as me getting trapped in my home...here's the deal. My apartment complex is getting repainted or touched up or something. For the past three or four days they have been working on MY building, which is like four apartments. Chase is absolutely TERRIFIED of these guys for whatever reason. Okay, they are making quite a bit of noise (normal, I suppose) as they are literally right outside our windows and on our roof (we are on the 2nd and top floor). So I try to lay in bed as long as I can to get the most out of my relaxing time. Chase is laying on a pillow, which has been made into a time out pillow for all the barking he is doing at these painters. At about 10:15 there is a knock at my door. I go to answer it and there is one of the painters there, who informs me that they will be spraying now, which means they will be closing off my door...my only exit to the outside world.
"How long is this going to be? When will I be able to leave?"
"It's going to be all day, ma'am. I'd say around 4 or so."

..................what?

So now I am here...trying to figure out how to do anything now that all my motivation for a good day is gone. Chase is locked in the bedroom because he kept barking and now thats all he is doing. He's really into the howling bark...its quite lovely. So I guess its MOVIES all day long...I'm already looking forward to work tomorrow.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Quick Update

Nothing super new to post lately...except...we finally set up my computer! Yay! I've been fighting with Clint for the last, oh four months (since we got married lol) to get it set up. It's been sitting in our living room for that long. We finally got a desk at WalMart about 2 or so months ago, and that sat as well in our living room up until last Sunday, when my wonderful husband surprised me when I got home from work. Then it took me another two days to move it into the bedroom and get it set up enough for him to get the Internet into the room. We are lazy people...just kidding! We've been SO busy with so much these last four months, I'm surprised we have time to be together sometimes, let alone set up a computer! But I am so excited because now I can go onto and do my thing while he is doing his homework and hogging the laptop out in the living room. It gives me more of an excuse now to leave him alone while he's doing his homework as well. I used to sit out in the living room and watch TV or read or something, but now that I have this, I feel free! Hahah :)
Things are still going very well for us. Clint has started his 3rd term of school and is liking it so far. He started with four classes and realized it was going to be wayyyy too much work, so he dropped one and is enjoying it so far (it's only been a week, so we'll see!). Work is still going good as well for him...I am so grateful that even in this recession, his company is still able to find work. As for me...well, my job is still there. I am quickly approaching a milestone there. On Tuesday, June 2 it will be 5 years since I started. Appparently I got a pin to wear on my name tag that says "5 Years." We'll see if I actually wear that... :) I am eagerly awaiting the Paso Robles store opening in hopes I can transfer up there. That would be an incredibly exciting possibility for me! AND there's a really good chance that I won't have to be involved in this year's Back to College mayhem because the store is opening right around the same time. HOPEFULLY!!!! :)
Thats all the news from the Erdman front. We hope everyone is having wonderfully magical days! :)

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Ugh!

I'm so done with all the stuff going on with my work...SO done! I can't wait for the Paso store to open, I want to go there! I know, I know, Bed Bath and Beyond is the same everywhere...but geez. How much more can I take of that store?! All the dumb politics and jumping through hoops just to get nowhere! So frustrating! I've been having a really hard last couple of days, all dealing with work. Clint doesn't quite get why I get so upset...mostly its because I put so much of myself into that job and get VERY little out of it, and that's very frustrating and upsetting to me. I have to remind myself all the time to just breathe, the day is almost over, it's not THAT big of a deal. Am I just acting too crazy? Sometimes I really think I am...that place drives me bonkers!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Our Weekend

We had the best weekend ever! And I call it a weekend because it was continuous days off, which I NEVER get off from work, so thats a weekend for me. Clint has this whole week off from school, so we decided to get some days off of both of our works and go to Disneyland for a couple days!! Oh it was amazing...well, for the most part!

We left on Sunday after church and drove down to Ventura. My best friends live down there, so we stayed the night with them. Elvin barbequed up some tri-tip, made corn on the cob, salad, potatoes, the whole nine yards for dinner. It was absolutely DELICIOUS! Then, we spent the rest of the night watching movies and playing Wii. SO MUCH FUN! I have heard from just about EVERYONE that playing Wii makes your muscles and arms and legs and everything so sore and tired, and all I would think is, "Yeah, right! You guys are just out of shape, this would never happen me." Boy, was I wrong. I'm still hurting, and its 2 solid days later!

Anyway, we wake up early the next morning and leave their house by about 8 to make the rest of the drive down to Anaheim. We get to about Camarillo, right before the grade up to Thousand Oaks, when it hits me. And I mean it HITS me hard! Yes, ladies, I got that wonderful thing that Mother Nature likes to torture us with. HOWEVER, I didn't start THAT quite yet. Nope, I got the cramps. Now if anyone REALLY knows me, you'll know just how bad they are. On a good month, I will be knocked out for a couple hours, just curled up in a ball wishing I could die. Yes, I did say a GOOD month. This was an okay month. I think the vibrations of the car and my sweet husband holding my hand and rubbing what he could of my shoulders helped me to deal as best as I could.

So we arrive in Anaheim and get off at whatever exit you take that basically puts you at Disneyland's front door. To our right is a gas station. We are in the far left lane that you can only turn left in. Clint is furiously trying to figure out a way to get over to that gas station because my face is rapidly turning green and there is no where to throw up! Except...in the Jack In The Box bag from our "breakfast" that morning. Which I did...over and over again while that BLASTED light never changed. We are finally able to make it to the gas station a few minutes later (gross part: bag is completely soaked through, seeping down my hands onto my pants...yuck!), go to the outside bathroom, wait for what seemed like an eternity while lame people were in front of me taking their sweet time, during which I threw up again in the bushes. Nice. We leave there and drive around trying to find a store to buy Midol and tampons (yes, forgot both. I am a genius). While I am changing my pants in the store, Clint is calling our hotel for directions and the possibility of checking in early, which they did let us do.

We get to the hotel and Clint goes in to check in, while I am still in the car crying from the pain. He comes out and helps me inside the lobby to the elevator, which of course, takes about 5 million hours to open up, and I have to throw up again in the lobby trash can. I am a mess at this point and don't care who sees me. (The only other person was the receptionist guy, who tells me he'll send up some trash cans to my room. Thanks.)

Anyway, long story short, I start to feel better (few more rounds of hugging the porcelain god, a relaxing - somewhat - bath, and a nap) around 4. I literally jump up and say to my wonderful husband, "Can we go to Disneyland now?" My only thoughts the entire day (besides, "Oh crap, where's the toilet?!") were that I couldn't believe I was ruining this for us! We had planned on spending two solid days at Disneyland/CA Adventure, and look what I was doing? So we get ready to go and get over to Disneyland (about a 10 minute walk from our hotel) at aobut 430. We started out with The Haunted Mansion (my favorite!), then Tom Sawyer's Island, and Pirates. We did a couple more little rides, wandered around a bit, and basically just had a good day. Our friends, the Hickman's, were there too, so we met up with them and hung out for a few minutes. We called it a day at around 830, and just went back to the hotel.

The next morning we were up and ready to go super early. We got to the park at about 830 and waited in line for them to open up. As soon as we got in, we booked it to Finding Nemo's Submarine thing. That was so much fun! I'd been on the old Submarine ride years ago, but this one exceeded both our expectations! It was a total blast! After Space Mountain (by myself, Clint's not big on rollercoasters), we decided to head over to CA Adventure. I'd been there once myself a couple years ago, but Clint has never been. I had forgotten how cool it was! We hit Soarin' Over California first, which Clint LOVED! And then we went on the River Rafting ride. It was about 11 or so at this point, so it was nice and hot. We got soaked on this ride, which was awesome because it was cold water, and it felt GREAT!

We only stayed until about 230 this afternoon, then headed for home. We wanted to miss the traffic and since both of us have to work tomorrow, we wanted to be well rested and back in our own bed. Pictures will be coming soon; we didn't take many but we got some cool ones! All in all, it was a successful and super fun weekend for us! And Clint even wants to go back for more! Who can blame him, its the Happiest Place On Earth!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Can anyone tell me...

This is when he was littler...he's probably double in size now, and doesn't fit in the sink anymore!

...why when after a bath, the dog must run around at lightening speed, then rub his face all over the carpet, the couch, basically anything around? It's so weird, but every time I give Chase a bath, this is what happens. First of all, he hates bath time. Absolutely hates it with a passion. It's completely an uphill battle that I regret doing as soon as I start it. He is so ornery about it that I have to actually get INTO the tub with him so that he will feel a bit more comfortable. If I am outside the tub, he will run to the opposite side of the faucet and growl at me if I try to get near. But if I'm IN the tub, it's a little better. He still thrashes around (today he was trying so hard to get away that the poor little guy slipped and went sliding around...I laughed...good mom, I know.) but I finally get him all cleaned up and rinsed off and partially dry, and he just takes off out of the bathroom and whips around the apartment like a madman. Its so funny!
On a lighter note, Clint and I let him attack his next challenge...a giant rawhide. This thing is MASSIVE. Thanks to Megan and Drew for that Christmas present. The funny thing about that is Megan and Drew bought rawhides for all of the dogs in the family (Chase, Buddy - Mom's dog, and Kelsey - Ben and Caitlin's dog), and Chase ended up with all of them. Both Buddy and Kelsey get a real mean streak in them when they get rawhides, and Chase doesn't, so he got all of them. So we are slowly making out way through the teeny ones from Buddy, the regular size ones that were his, and finally the ginormous one from Kelsey.

Its almost as long as his whole body. He'll just sit on his bed at night while we're watching TV and chew. It's so funny...it's been about 2 weeks or so since we gave it to him (this picture was a day or so after we gave it to him) and he still has sooo much left. Dogs are so silly.

Just one more picture...how can you not love this little bug???

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day today! I had a good day! I spent the morning with my mom at church, which is always the funnest time for me. It's just us that go to our ward, so we get to spend some good quality time together. We team teach one of the Primary classes together - the 6 and 7 year old kids. And let me tell you, if it wasn't for that wonderful woman I am so lucky to call my momma, I would be such a mess in that class! :) We get to spend all three hours together at church, and I am so happy every Sunday to be able to do that! If you don't know my mom, you are totally missing out! That woman is the most incredible person I have met in my entire life. She raised her five kids all alone from the time the youngest was 3, and Becca just turned 19! We all graduated high school, Hannah has graduated college with a nursing degree, Ben will be graduating from the Police Academy in a few weeks, I am married, and three others are in serious relationships, all of whom my mom loves and they all absolutely adore her too. Who wouldn't though, honestly?! She is amazing. The best part about her is that she doesn't know it. She is so incredibly humble and completely loving, I can't believe that I am so lucky to have her as my mom. Here's to you Mommy! I love you so much!

My mom and I on my wedding day

All my sisters and brothers...we're all happy and healthy and successful because of our beautiful and wonderful mother!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Epic Fail

Yes Becca, I am copying your title...because I had an epic fail the other day. And now that I have gotten over the whole embarrassment thing, I am able to tell the world...I failed.

I was going to my car on Tuesday evening around 6 pm (at work). It was nearing the end of my lunch break. I am minding my own business (okay, no one else was around, but still!) walking down the stairs with my keys, phone, and a soda in my hands. Well, here comes the epic fail part: I totally fell. I am usually incredibly amazing at NOT falling. I am an artist at stumbling and catching myself, and I almost never fall. Except for then. And fall did I! If I remember correctly (which, I don't really...but we'll try!) I stumbled, over myself of course, and missed the last 3 or 4 steps. I go crashing head first toward the wall and the shopping cart that was right there and hit the cart with my head and right arm. I landed hard on my knees, which is where I sustained the majority of my injuries. I had my keys and phone in one hand and the soda in another...Next thing I know, keys and phone are across the hallway, soda can in crumbled in my hand and soda is EVERYWHERE: in my hair, on the ground, everywhere. And whats my first reaction? "Oh good, no one saw! If I can clean this up quickly, no one will ever know!"

SO I hurry and clean everything up as best as I could (literally had no idea if I was hurt or not, my adrenaline was SO high!) and went out to my car...I sit down...and feel the full weight of my injuries. I slowly pull up my pant legs and what do I see? An incredibly large bruise ALREADY forming on my right knee, and my left knee has swollen to almost twice its normal size.

Crap...what do I do now? I get out of my car and realize that I can't walk normally now. There is no hiding that I am hurt. It takes probably 20 or so minutes to actually admit to myself that I need to tell someone, at which point I completely lose it. I am bawling as I'm trying to tell my store manager what happened, partly because it hurts so much and mostly because I feel so dumb. I was closing the front end, which means I am up and down the stairs all night long counting the registers out and getting all that paperwork done. Does this sound like something I can really do? Yeah, I didn't think so. So instead of sending me home (I didn't want to go to the doctor), I was banished to "my office" (or my hole, as I so affectionately call it. Its a room thats like 6'x6' MAYBE, with no windows and its always locked...it's a hole) while my manager brings up the drawers a few at a time so I can count them. For 2 straight hours, there I sat. When I did try to get up, I opened the door, which looks in our break room, and was promptly yelled at by an employee to get off my feet! How rude!! :)


I do manage to venture out and grab my cell phone, on which I played Tetris for about a half hour (there was nothing more I could do at this point, and we still weren't closed!) I was so bored. I called Clint, who freaked out a little bit, and he promised me a bowl of ice cream when I got home, so that was awesome! Needless to say, I am swollen, bruised, and mostly embarrassed. And no, I did NOT take any pictures; I definitely didn't want to document my epic fail!

So three days later, I am walking more uprightly (which is a total plus!). Thats about all I can say. My lower back and my tail bone are in a lot of pain because of the way I've been standing (leaning most of my weight primarily on my right side). Which ALSO means that my hips and alignment are completely whacked out. I will be needing a good chiropractor in the near future to fix this problem.

I am okay though, I will live. Life is interesting sometimes...if it wasn't for my husband's constant nagging to eat healthier foods and drink more milk, I probably could have SERIOUSLY hurt myself. I definitely fell hard enough to warrant something like that, but I was extremely lucky. I guess I can't call it nagging anymore; its helpful advice that I will continue to follow!!! :)

I need a "pick-me-up"

I am grateful for *these things* even though *these things* happen:

1. Even though I fell the other day (more on that later), I didn't have to go to the doctor for it!
2. Even though I have to pay for insurance, we are stable enough that we can afford insurance.
3. Even though I could barely manage to hobble my way up the walk way to the mailbox today I got the cutest Mother's Day card from Chase (courtesy of my mom...love you!!)
4. Even though its after midnight right now and its still boiling hot, at least I'm not somewhere where its snowing!
5. Even though I am so tired of working and stressed out from it too, I am grateful that I have a job.

5 things that I am just plain grateful for:

1. My husband and family.
2. That my car is still working!
3. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
4. Chase still sneaks over to me and snuggles, even just for a minute.
5. My health.

5 things to look forward to:

1. Waking up in the morning next to my favorite person, with my favorite dog laying nearby.
2. Disneyland in about 2 weeks!
3. Going to work and showing up my manager (thats so fun!).
4. Getting my mom's Mother's day present situated.
5. Knowing that tomorrow can only big forth good things IF I let them - and that's what I'm going to do!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Yay, I have insurance again!!!! Just thought I'd share with everyone...I'm legally safe to drive (again). I know, I'm bad - I should have gotten it ages ago. But now its done, another to check off of my list. I like checking things off of lists! :)

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Happy Birthday to Becca!

Yay its Becca's birthday today!!! She is........still a teenager... :) BUT its her last year until what I like to refer to it as...REAL ADULTHOOD!

Isn't she cute?
I have a lot more incredibly embarrassing pictures...maybe I'll save that for when we meet the future husband. I'm gonna be such a good mom...
LOVE YOU BECCA!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Just for laughs

I absolutely LOVE this...anyone in need of a good laugh (one that will KEEP you laughing for a loooong time) should try this:
Open Google.com and type in "where is chuck norris" and then click the "I'm feeling lucky" button instead of the regular one. Read the whole page that comes up, you will just love it. I showed it to Clint on night when he was having a not so good day, and he couldn't stop laughing for probably over an hour. That turned into, "Lets find more jokes about Chuck Norris" (and trust me, there are THOUSANDS upon thousands out there...all hilarious). It's just too funny!

Book Review

I just finished a great book...actually, I've been done with it for a while, but I've been busy searching for a new book to read, and having little luck. Anyway...book review:
The book is called "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella, and it was wonderful!
I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it, but it was such an easy read. Thats the kind of book that I truly enjoy. Something that I can sit and read and not want to put it down. It was a completely honest look at a normal girl, and I really liked that. I would recommend it to a friend for a lazy day read.
This is the first book in a series that follows the life of Becky Bloomwood. It showcases her work troubles, men troubles, and credit troubles. I've read the first two in the series (the second is called "Shopaholic Takes Manhatten," and follows Becky and her boyfriend to Manhatten and the troubles that arise with that wonderful city!) and I can't wait to get the next one!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

I hate...I love...

I got this from my super sister's blog...she's so amazing! I loved this, so I thought I'd try it.

I hate...I love... (in no particular order, for no particular rhyme or reason)

1. driving in the rain dancing in the rain
2. random bruises my husband
3. dumb drama my family
4. headaches smiling
5. long, drawn out voicemails cute text messages
6. funny emails spam mail
7. cooking pen explosions
8. commercials showing up my manager at work
9. chapped lips music
10. B.O. scented candles
11. cleaning the bathroom vacuuming
12. getting up early kisses from my sweet husband
13. cold feet my puppy
14. when I burn my tongue watching F*R*I*E*N*D*S
15. flat pillows Sex and the City
16. my white, bare walls reading great books (I NEED MORE!!!)
17. paper cuts holding hands
18. spelling errors hugs
19. being lonely lotion
20. stupid questions water
21. crying laughing
22. racism love
23. bigotry being in love
24. drawing Dr. Pepper
25. unpredictability dressing up
26. pennies wearing heels
27. tap water the color green
28. interruptions cuddling
29. people judging me before they know me the smell of lavender
30. buying computer ink the color blue
31. shaving my legs pajamas
32. changing lightbulbs conditioner
33. bills taking pictures
34. writing checks kids giggling
35. getting my oil changed sunglasses
36. bandaids salt
37. too small rubber bands salads
38. headphones stroganoff
39. people "bumping" their music in the car fresh fruit
40. songs that get stuck in my head brussel sprouts
41. dead batteries spiral notebooks
42. abuse (of any kind) Staples
43. textbooks Paris
44. working for stupid people phone calls from old friends
45. people who don't have a sense of humor road trips
46. pain puppy breath
47. losing my keys jewelry
48. dropping my cell phone lillies
49. boring conversations teaching chase new tricks
50. bad drivers that LOOK from my husband...the good one.

I could go on FOREVER with this...its so much fun! I encourage ALL of you to do the same, it's awesome and completely uplifting to find things that I do love (because I definitely think about the things I hate more than the things I love)! Enjoy!!! :)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Yummy yummy muffin recipe!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins!
They are so delicious!!! :) Thanks to my sister Megan for the recipe:

3 bananas
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Beat the bananas, then add the softened butter, then sugar. Add the eggs (one at a time, mixing well in between), flour, baking soda, and salt. *Side note...I add each individually and mix well in between.* Mix all together well. Fold in half a bag of mini chocolate chips.

Line muffin tin with paper cups and fill 3/4 of the way up. For for 15 to 20 minutes.

This recipe yields about 6 dozen mini muffins, and I'm not entirely sure how many regular sized muffins.

I made it for the first time yesterday (on my new BLUE KitchenAid too, I might add!), and they were so easy! Start to finish (including all the clean up) too less about an hour. Super easy and very delicious recipe. Plus, mini muffins are so cute! And I feel better about eating a bunch of little things than one or two huge muffins, don't you?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Two months

Two months ago today, Clint and I got married! What a wonderful day it was! I just wanted to take a minute to just gush about my wonderful husband. I know its only been a very short time that we've been married, but it has been such an amazing time! We fit together so well! I love him so very much. Who wouldn't love to wake up next to this every morning?

What a cutie, huh? He is the most supportive, loving man I could ever ask for. I feel so dang lucky to have found him (and kept him! Haha!) I just really feel blessed! I know that God had a definite hand in bringing the two of us together. Sure, we have our little squabbles; doesn't every couple? But like two seconds later, he'll come up to me, give me a hug and the fight has been forgotten completely. At the end of the day, he is what I look forward to coming home to. (I'm looking at the picture up there and realizing how much he's gonna hate that I put it up there...so shhhh don't tell him!)

I just can't wait for the future with him! Here's to many many more of these silly anniversaries babe!!! :)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Organization

I've been trying sooo hard for...well, as long as we've been married (2 months on Monday!!!) and even a little before then, as I was moving in, to get this place organized. I put it off with the thought of the wedding reception/open house because I knew (well, THOUGHT) that we'd be getting a ton of gifts. Thus, my mess. (No pictures...you guys REALLY don't want to see our messes!!) The past week or so, on my days off, I've been scouring online and in stores to find the best kinds of organization I can find, and also the least expensive. We haven't even decorated yet...this is getting ridiculous!

TODAY, however, I finally just did something. Something small, but something HUGE in my mind! I went to my work today (Bed Bath and Beyond) and used some of my gift card money to buy some storage cubes. They are lovely. I got two boxes of them, so I now have 8 cubes to work with. I am so loving them already!


Along with it, I got a couple of storage totes:
And so now I am so much more organized. I can actually see the floor of our bedroom, which is a major plus! We now need to focus on decorating. I got some wonderful frames from our wedding, which I've put some lovely pictures from the wedding into...they are in our hall closet right now. We have literally no table/counter space to put them on to. So that is where they will lay until I can get what I need to put them up...i.e. a HAMMER. And nails. And a husband that wants to/has time to help. (I love you Clint!) I have some ideas about what I want to do, how I want to decorate. But I just REALLY need to get my booty in gear and DO SOMETHING! I want to get some cute decorative shelfs to hang in the living room, you know to put like a candle, maybe a picture frame on. I found a couple from Bed Bath that I am interested in...here are the two choices that I have. The problem is...they don't really match as far as decor, so I don't think I can get both.


So boxes...or shelfs. I don't know. HELP ME, I'm so lame when it comes to decorating!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Super Simple Recipe

Clint and I have been on a bit of a health kick lately...mostly because we kind of examined what we eat on a daily basis and realized how much junk we do eat! SO we decided to try to eat healthy, and one of our new favorite things is to make salads. We've spent some time making up different ones, but the one that has stuck, the one that he asks me to make almost every day is my own version of a Chef's Salad. Very simple and you can add just about anything else you want to it.

Salad greens (we use a bag from the store of Spring Mix Salad Greens)
Turkey and ham, sliced up
Cheese (I like to put in two kinds, cheddar and mozzarella), cubed into tiny bite sized pieces
Tomato
--and this is where can get creative--
I sometimes will add cut up broccoli, avocado, kidney beans...pretty much anything that is in the house that sounds good. The best part about a salad is that its so easy to pick out the stuff you don't like, and just eat the stuff you do. We top it with whatever dressing we like (Ranch for me, Balsamic Vineagrette for him) and just enjoy.
I love making this because it takes so little time and tastes so good!

Friday, March 27, 2009

wedding pictures...

I've seen some slideshow things on some of your profiles...where did you go to get that? I've finally somewhat organized the pictures from the wedding and some from the open house, and I want to put them up on here. So let me know how to get that done!!! THANKS A MILLION!!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Recipe Tuesday #2



Manicotti!!

I made this for Clint and my's first Valentine's Day as a married couple. And let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! I couldn't believe how easy it was too!
*Note: It's kind of a time consuming recipe; it takes 30 or so minutes for prep, and then bakes for about 50 minutes...JUST BEWARE!!! :)

This recipe is out of the Betty Crocker Cookbook - made for 7 servings, so cut it down or add for however many you need.

14 manicotti shells
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 jar tomato pasta sauce (26-30 oz)
2 boxes (9 oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 can mushroom pieces and stems drained (I omitted this from ours...not a huge fan of mushrooms)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook and drain manicotti as per package-use MINIMUM time to prevent shells from tearing.

Cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is brown. Stir in the pasta sauce.

Squeeze thawed spinach to drain the excess juices, make sure it is pretty dry - use a paper towel to pat dry. In a medium bowl, mix spinach, cottage cheese, mushrooms, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, nutmeg and pepper.

In the baking dish: spread 1 cup of the beef mixture. Fill manicotti shells with the spinach mixture and place filled manicotti on beef mixture. Pour remaining beef mixture evenly over shells making sure to cover evenly. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and baker 20 to 25 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly.

I know, I KNOW super loooong. BUT amazing. Totally worth it! Honestly though...the spinach is a little much. It kind of overtakes the taste (not that its bad, it still tasted wonderful...I like spinach though!), so maybe one package of spinach or one and a half packages. Let me know if you try it, I love this recipe!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

I found this on a friend's MySpace page and absolutely LOVED it! It is so incredibly true:

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."