fantastically fabulous friday

Well hello lovelies.

First week back at work = crazy.

But a good crazy. 

I've hit another one of my "low times"

so I've decided that every once while awhile, especially during my "low times,"

I need to refocus on all the fantastically fabulous things in life.

Hence,

fantastically fabulous fridays.

 Enjoy.

1. Fashion shows.

I'm not talking about watching the runway models on tv.

I'm talking about little kid style fashion shows.

Tuesday afternoon we got the dress-up clothes out and had our own fashion show.

I was the "paparazzi."

How adorable is this little Snow White?!

They even had a little parade going through the room.

When's the last time you had that much fun??

2. Naps.

Plain. and. simple.

3. I tried a new recipe this week.

And I totally succeeded.

BAM!

Have a little looksie at this beauty:

 

Looks delish doesn't it?!

Well I'll let you in on the secret recipe.

Here's what you'll need:

3 tbsp butter, melted

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 cup 2% milk (I used skim)

2.5 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)

1 8-oz slice deli ham (1/2 in. thick)

1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1 bag (16 oz) frozen cheese-filled tortellini

1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth

1 bag (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves

Now here's what you do:

(to cook on the stovetop)

Melt butter over medium heat in (2 qt) saucepan. Stir in flour. Add garlic and milk.  Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly; cook 1-2 minutes or until thickened.  Add cheese, ham and black pepper.  Combine tortellini and broth in (12 in) skillet.  Cover; bring to a simmer over high heat and cook 3 minutes.  Add ham mixture; mix well.  Stir in spinach; cover and let stand 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

((You can also make this in the microwave with the Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker)).

4. Daytime TV.

Ya know.. I had 2 whole weeks off and never watching TV.

Then I go back to work and that's all I do in my free time at home.

For reals.

I just fell in love with a new daytime talk show.

The Talk.

The combination of women on that show crack me up.

Checks it out.

Another personal favorite: Ellen DeGeneres.

Loves it. 

5. Wearing a sweatshirt in the middle of June.

I miss the 90 degree temps and sunshine, don't get me wrong.

I miss them terribly.

However, I'm one of those people that really starts missing wearing my hoodies by the end of July.

So I can't lie.

I'm sorta enjoying these few days of 60 degree temps.

It gives me a reason to hold on to those hoodies for a few more days.

However, during my days off next week I would prefer some pool worthy weather.

Please.

6. I have decided on my next tattoo.

I've only told 2 people what it is.

But guess what...

I've changed it since I've told those 2 people!!

Bahahaha!!

((that's an evil laugh))

So no one knows what my tattoo will be.

But I can tell you that I will be getting it soon.

I'm super stoked about it.

It's definitely something that is very personal to me.

I got the tattoo on my foot as a sort of reminder to have faith through everything.

Good times and bad.

But after this past year I have also learned how important it is to stay strong and beautiful.

And this past year has definitely made me stronger and more beautiful.

...regardless of what everyone else may think. 

  I'm hoping to get it within the next few weeks...

so I will post pictures then.

What are some of the fantastically fabulous things in your life right now?

miscellany monday

Yo.

Life got crazy. Again.

For reals.

Cue: a miscellany monday.

1. I've gone on my first two bike rides for the year!!

((Thats on a motorcycle... not a bicycle folks.))

I think I've been on like 2 rides my entire life so this was a step for me.

It was even a crotchrocket... not a cruiser.

Yea... I'm brave.

Went with the ex-hubs.

Cause he's still sorta super awesome.

2. Sunday = Daddy's Day.

So what did I do for my daddy-o?

I took him to church and made him pay $7 for our delish lunch.

Whatev.

He knows I love him dearly.

So don't judge.

Anyways... 

Our church celebrated all those amazing fathers out there (but obviously not at amazing as my very own daddy) with the Dadfest Swamp Stomp.

Cause we're just that cool.

Service was outside around the pond swamp.

Fathers of all sorts jumped into the pond and literally fought to win a $200 Cabela's gift card.

Pastor Jim preached from a pontoon.

 Then we had pulled pork sandwiches for lunch.

They were amazing.

Check out this video to see just how awesome our church is:

3. I got me some new specs.

As in glasses.

I need to should wear glasses for reading but the pair I had broke awhile ago.

But since it's FINALLY summer and I'm reading more (yay!!)

I figured it was time for me to get some more specs.

Save me from some of those awesome headaches.

4. Oh. I'm in love with this guy:

Feel free to purchase one and let me ride on it fellas.
((I know better than to attempt to maneuver that thing myself.))
I promise to hold on tight.


5. Today was my first day back from my two week stay-cation.
I didn't get enough sleep for this!!
But I have missed these crazy faces dearly.

6. I got most of the rest of my curriculum for next year.
I felt like Christmas when I got to work today!!
Now I get to sort through it all.
Woop woop.


7. I talked on the phone for an hour and a half last night.
Straight.
With one person.
I haven't done that since high school.
And it just reminded me of why I prefer texts.
HA.
But it was fun to talk to this friend for so long....
I learned a lot more about him.
Like the fact that he can't even remember what color my hair is.
Even tho he just saw me YESTERDAY MORNING.
As in... that same day.
Yea... he's observant.
((P.S. you remember that Dadfest Swamp Stomp I mentioned earlier? Yea.. this guys brother won that competition. He won the $200 Cabela's gift card, a deer head to display in his home for a year, and a black eye. For reals. It got intense.))

Hope ya'll have a happily random Monday!

It's how we roll.

dear loves...

Dear all the loves of my life,

WOWZA.

These past two months have been an eye opener for me.

I thought I was finally getting to a point where I had figured my life out.

Life just pulled a jk on me.

But it's all good.

:)

I have been able to see the areas that I'm the strongest in,

the areas that I'm the weakest,

some things I still need to work on,

and some of my craziness that I still need to embrace.

(source)

I have learned:

*that I am not ready for a serious relationship yet

*that true friends will always be there for you

*that people aren't always who they seem to be

*but you still need to open your heart and trust

*because if you don't, you may end up regretting it

*you choose the path of your life

*life's gonna throw you curve balls just to make sure you're payin attention

*your life is what YOU make it.

This may not be how I wanted my life to turn out,

but I couldn't be happier.

Because I have my amazing friends,

absolutely wonderful family,

and a God that loves me unconditionally.

(source)

So thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 2 years.

I couldn't have made it here without you.

Love,

me.

holy bananas

Well crap on a cracker.

It's been over a month since I've updated this little bloggity blog.

I'm not ok with this.

However, life got uber crazy.

Bare with me while I catch all ya'lls up on my little slice of heaven known as life.

(this WILL be a long one...)

But first, before I get started, I just wanted to shout out to ANGELA.  I've never met you but I was just informed yesterday that you think my bloggity blog is hilarious.  So thank you.  :)  And if he ever gets his butt movin'... take care of him for me while he's out there.

((Don't you worry folks... she'll know what I'm talkin about.)) 

Now let us begin.... 

1.  May 20.

End of the year field trip with 23 of the most amazing, yet most energetic preschoolers ever.

(I've trained them well.)

We visited the animals..... at the zoo.

It was the one perfect, non-rainy day that we had here in good ol' Indiana that week month.

Also, I had 12ish AMAZING parents who stepped up to help.

I'm so thankful for them.

They kept me sane.

I'm the best preschool teacher ever.

Hands down.
Pictures from our trip:

2.  May 21.

Melissa's 26th birthday = Cowboy Up.

Now, this is obviously a country line-dancing club thingy.

And I don't line dance.

I'm NOT that coordinated.

However, I had a blast with my amazing friends.

And I actually managed to do 2 dances.

One of those being the cupid shuffle.

....What?!?! It counts.

Amanda!! Loves her.

 Loves.

 Me and the birthday girl!!

 Me and Alex.

3. May 27-30.

Otherwise known as Memorial Day Weekend.  And camping.

This is how our camping weekend went:

huge fifth wheel camper

smallest lot ever

uneven ground

rain. every. day.

MUD

cards

drinks

campfires

and big, huge scary spiders in the shower.

((seriously. it was HUGE.)) 

Yes, it rained every day... except for Monday.

I left Sunday... after our last bout of rain.

I was crazy muddy dirty and ready for a clean shower WITHOUT crazy big huge scary spiders.

However, we did have fun.

And Sunday morning/early afternoon the sun did try to peak through for a bit so we were able to go out in the row boats.

I got fried.

I loved it.

4. May 31-June 3.

Longest. Week. Of. My. Life.

I did daycare one day while packing up my room.

Then we had our end of the year staff meeting.

Then I packed some more.

And moved some stuff.

And took some stuff home.

And we had our end of the year cookout.

Then throw in an unexpected root canal in the middle of that mess.

That. Week. Sucked.

5.  This then leads me to this past week and this current week.

TWO weeks off work.

That's right ya'll.  I got 2 weeks off.

It has been WONDERFUL to say the least.

DEFINITELY much needed.

So what have I done with myself during this time of bliss?

Well let us see.....

I have filled my time with:

Insanity.

Swimming.

Sleeping.

Girls night.

Dinner with the SIL.

Babysitting.

A wedding.

Friend-date nights.

Movies.

Catching up with an old friend.

Catching up with the ex-hubs.

Reading. 

and....... 

Lil' bit o' drama.

Now for some explanations... because I know you're just all dying to know.

List numero dos:

1. Insanity.

BAM it's killer.

And I love every second of it.

This is the first week that I'm actually doing it every. single. day. tho...

I'm scared for how I'll be feeling by the end of the week.
But I love spending that time with Amanda and she's whippin my booty into shape!!

2. Swimming.

3 1/2 hours in a pool.

With a bestie and her two crazy children.

I got fried... again.

And I loved it.... again.

3. Sleeping.

'nuff said.

I've been doing a lot of it.

4. Girl's night.

I went to the Frog Tavern with Amanda and Tanya.

Holy fun-ness.

((Yes, that's a word.))

Drinks, laughs, dancing, and crazy girl talk.

There's nothing better.

5. Dinner with the SIL.

Shout out to Ashley!!

She's pretty cool.

And shes leaving for Paris this weekend with her hubs.

I'm slightly totally jealous.

But it was totally fun to catch up with her again.

6. Babysitting.

My little tornado, Adrianna.

She's flippin adorable.

Who can resist this face??

All tuckered out after dinner at Haci with me and Ashley.

7. A wedding.

Holy gorgeousness.

Alex went with me as my date... to simmer down the awkwardness.

Yes there was slight awkwardness because this was a mutual friend of mine and the ex-hubs. 

He was a hott date (HA).

 But the REAL gorgeousness came when Ty and Tori tied the knot.

Seriously.

They are the most beautiful couple I've ever seen in my life.

And I'm so incredibly happy for them!!

Mr. and Mrs. Konopinski!!
Absolutely beautiful.

Kyle, Hannah, me, and Alex.
The cool table.

8. Friend-date nights.

With Alex.

Chili's a lots and lots of movies and TV.

We're loads of fun.

9. Movies.

Pirates of the Caribbean.

Hangover 2

Bridesmaids

Thor

Fast Five

I've been a busy busy girl.

10. Catching up with an old friend.

Haven't seen this guy in like 8 years.

Super crazy.

((Sorry.. that's all you get on this topic. Bahaha.)) 

11. Catching up with the ex-hubs.

Since he is still sorta super awesome he changed the oil in my car for me.

((I won't tell you how far over the 3000 mile/3 month mark I was....))

Then we spent some time talking.

About misters and misses.

Slightly awkward but ehh... I'm over it.

Apparently we're just meant to be friends.

And I'm ok with that.

He also gave me two more movies to watch... cause again, he's still sorta super awesome.

And we might be going running together tonight.

Depends how I feel after Insanity with Amanda.

And if I'm ready to get my butt kicked.  Hard.

Ugh.

But he'll push me.

So I may not be able to walk tomorrow.

12. Reading.

Oh how I've missed reading.

This coming school year I'm NOT doing aftercare so I will hopefully have more time to read again.

So what am I currently reading you may ask???

Twilight.

Obviously.

Because if you think back to the MTV music awards... you'll remember that there was a trailer that was released.  What trailer was that again??

Oh yea... that's right.

FLIPPING BREAKING DAWN.

Raise your hand if you definitely almost peed your pants the first time you watched that trailer.

Yup... I got my hand raised fo' sho'.

I'm so flipping excited.

So the obvious next step would be to reread the whole series again.

DUH.

13. And my lil' bit o' drama?

There's no more mister.

I dumped him.

I won't go into details because it was all totally my choice.

But it's a good thing for me.

So no pity parties for me.

I'm a happy happy girl ready to move forward.

------------------------------------------------------------ 

Oooohhh how I've missed all you lovelies.

Seriously.

All ya'lls have no idea how much I have missed sitting here talking to you.

And apparently I don't even know half of whos reading this.

But apparently I'm funny??

I'll accept that.

But I'm back!

I don't have internet at my house because I'm flat broke.

BOOOOO.

But I will however be making time to visit my gpas store and my school to bum off some free wireless.

Just because I love you all that much.

So until tomorrow.........

(Which I promise won't be THIS long...)

Peace out yo.