Battle of the weekends

Last weekend vs. This weekend

Last weekend was a great and much needed long weekend spent with family and friends.  I am so thankful to have the greatest family and to date a guy that also has a great family.  It makes holidays that much better.  Here is look back at last weekend/thanksgiving

Wednesday was my birthday so when we arrived in Chicago Jeff's family had a delicious tort cake for me! I have never had a tort cake before and I must say this is life changing!
I am bummed though because after two days in Chicago, I didn't take another picture!  We went out for my birthday night and for the big night before celebration and that was a blast, but like usual I did't snap a single picture!  And again of course, I didn't take any pictures of my Thanksgiving feast!  Ugh!
Friday we hit the open road again and headed to my home to see my family and celebrate my birthday once again, what girl doesn't love that? The first thing we did, open presents!

EEPS!! I was so excited to open this beautiful package.  A gorgeous new purse.
 Coach = love

Then we went for drinks with my family and some friends. I of course love to be with my favorite boys,  My brother and Jeff!

And Sunday marked the last day of my golden birthday celebration...Jeff got me tickets to the Colts vs. Panthers game!!!  Being a huge Indy fan I was super pumped, but also being a North Carolina baby and a Cam Newton fan I was double pumped!  It was a great game, the Colts were so close to winning but unfortunately they continue on their Suck for Luck campaign.

Now for this weekend.....another great weekend coming our way.

We are headed to Louisville for the Louisville vs. Vanderbilt game
Then going to Lexington for the UK vs. NC game!!!
It's a shame NC had to lose a game or else we would be seeing the #1 and #2 teams in the country.
And then.....back to Indy for the Big 10 Championship game!
So go Louisville, TAR HEELS and Wisconsin!!!
It's going to be a crazy and long weekend, but also one of the best ones yet.
3 games in two different states, three different cities and tipoff/kickoff all withing 24 hours. I will be consuming a lot of coffee and maybe even more beer.
Wish us luck, oh and please pray for our bank accounts!
 This weekend is not coming cheap.


Cheers, love and NCAA ball games.

Last week Jeff and I celebrated our (official) one year anniversary.
I have to say the year flew by.  Jeff and I have already been through so much together; college graduation, both living with my parents, a big move to a new city, our first full time jobs, managing money and learning how to live together. I have to say though - there is no one I would rather spend my time with.

There is so much that I love about Jeff but what I love the most is his romantic side.  On the outside he may be rugged and masculine.  He tells good jokes and could talk sports all day long - but what he is best at is loving.  He is the sweetest guy I know and I am truly lucky.

Our actual anniversary was Sunday (the 13th) but Jeff was going to be out of town, so we celebrated Thursday.  I had no idea what he was planning.  I came home from work, walked through the door like any other day and what did I see?  My handsome hunny dressed in slacks, a dress shirt and a tie!  Yes, he was wearing a tie and he was holding a dozen roses.  He had a fire going in our fire place and had the table set for two, with candles <3 

Jeff is a wonderful cook, he can whip up a mean dinner and this was no exception.  He made a wonderful steak and pretty fancy potatoes.  He also bought me my favorite beer, am I lucky or what?
He did it all without me having any idea!  We were even texting earlier in the day about what to have for dinner...I thought we were going to have chicken and noodles! HA!

Our delicious dinner - check that steak. It was so good.

Our glowing fire place. 

Thursday is also our favorite day of the week because it's the day we go to our favorite custard place and get a little sweet treat and we watch our favorite show, Revenge!

Jeff went to Ritters after he got off work and picked up our custard - put it in the freezer and had it ready for us after dinner so we wouldn't have to leave the house, Thursday was cold!

We snuggled up on the couch watched Revenge and a good movie and called it a night.

Is he good or what? 

I would say I'm pretty lucky lady.

Jeff - thank you so much for the past year.  You mean the entire world to me. 

I love you.

10 Things

That make me incredibly happy...

1. Spending lazy Sundays all snugged up with Jeff

2. Fresh flowers

3. Slipping into a perfectly made bed at the end of a long day

4. Making new friends

5. Feeling the warm sun even if the air is chilly

6. Kisses on my nose from the worlds cutest bunny

7. Living with my man

8. Candle sales at Bath & Body Works

9. Watching the Today Show before work

10. Planning future vacations and trips

Friends, what makes you incredibly happy? Share with me.

Back!!

Woohoo finally got internet up and rolling at the apartment! Speaking of the apartment, Jeff and I are in love with it.  The management company totally blows, but that's for another day.  We are head over heels in love with out super cute and grown up apartment.

Here is just a little bit of what I have been up to lately...

Us with our front door!  :) 

At the Colts and Packers pre season game.  

We had super awesome seats and had a blast at the game! 

I even did Tuesday outfit post....and yeah, check out my back yard! 

We went to the first Butler game of the season and nearly melted to death.  The heat index was 130 degrees. So hot, but a fun time! 

We went out and had a good time and a silly bar.  The Wild Beaver.  Yeah...if that doesn't mean a good time, I don't know what does. 

There is just a little update.  Looking forward to getting back in the swing of blogging 

Happy Thursday and an even happier Football Night in America! Wooohoooo 

Paint!

Jeff got the paint for our apartment! I am so excited to see how it turns out, he is going Thursday to get it done, so everything will be ready to go on friday!  We are only doing accent walls.  Since it's just an apartment no need to overhaul the whole place, it just needs some POP!

I am sad to say the colors look dull from the website, but I promise they are fun...but a little nuetral at the same time.  The living room has to coordinate with a green couch and black furniture.  The wall we are painting is a big wall, the main wall.  So I think this will really look great! 

And for the bedroom...  I really love grey and dark blue right now, and duhh I always love green.  So this is a perfect combination of all three and I feel like it will really make my *OUR white down comfortor stand out! And since we will have tons of natural light pouring in from the patio windows and door I think it will look really great!

YIPPIE!! It's all coming so soon!  Hard to believe that it will be here in three days! Got an outfit post coming today.  Missed it the past two weeks...eep! 

Welcome Back!

via

Whew—it has been a long week.  Last week I was MIA because I was in Indy taking a class on life and health insurance.  The class was long and at points boring, but I learned a lot.  After the class (M-Th 8-5, yeah long!) I had to take the life and health insurance exam, I was so nervous but I only had to pass…and I DID!! I was so happy and relieved!  I tend to be an anxious test taker, I over think and get worried so I just hurry myself along and forget to READ the questions!  But I went into this test confident.  I actually ended up really enjoying the material I learned.  Yes life and health insurance is a boring topic, but it is all very applicable and useful in everyday life!  If you need life insurance let me know! J 

When I got home Friday, I was exhausted.  I took a short nap with Jeff and then he made a delicious dinner for my parents and I as a “thank you” for having him all summer.  He made delicious beer can chicken, grilled corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.  YUM!  After dinner my momma rewarded me for my hard work all week with frozen custard…MY FAVORITE!  Chocolate with peanut butter cups…hello wonderful.  Then Jeff and I sat on the patio enjoying a few beers and talking about all that is to come in the next few weeks!  Unfortunately some things are not going as planned, but whatever does right?  I am just incredibly excited to be moving into a wonderful apartment in one of my favorite cities with my favorite person.

 I am also super excited to be closer to family.  Since I have always lived far from family I took them for granted.  I never realized how wonderful it is to be close to family. Jeff lives within 45 minutes of most of his family.  He grew up seeing his grandparents every weekend and having close relationships with is aunts and uncles and cousins.  I never really had that. But after having dinner with my uncle and his family last week I am sssssoooo excited to be close to them.  I can watch my younger cousin grow up; see her play sports and become a beautiful young lady.  I can watch my older cousin, who I have always adored, and her little family grow.  I am also excited to be closer to my grandma. I love my grandma more than words can describe, I look forward to seeing her as often as I can. 

The countdown is coming to an end and will be here before I know it….4 days!  I can hardly wait! 

Happy Monday! 

My hunnybee

As Jeff and I approach our nine month anniversary I want to take just a second to put a few thoughts in writing about how lucky I am to be in love with the world's greatest hunny. 
These past nine months have been a whirlwind. They have been filled with ups, downs, tears, fears, laughs and smiles; but they have been an incredible nine months.
It all began in a classroom...
I never thought this "frat" guy wearing gym shorts, a party t-shirt and a baseball hat in my COM 393 class would be the guy to sweep me off my feet and whisk me away to a place where I felt safe, comfortable, relaxed and beyond happy.  But he did.  In a matter of weeks I was so deeply in love with him it kind of made me want to barf...and I know it really made him want to barf.  I couldn't believe that we would stay up all night talking and laughing...this boy makes me laugh unlike anyone I have ever met.  But let me tell you, I can get a good chuckle out of him every now and then too. 

I am so lucky to have this man in my life.  He is supportive, understanding and always makes me feel better when I am being an insecure idiot or a nervous wreck.  He lets me pinterest all day long and dance like a goon in the car, even when stopped at red lights. He lets me eat pizza all the time and picks me up and gives me a twirl when he hugs me in the morning.  He tells me every single day that I am gorgeous and kisses me on the forehead and cheek after kissing my lips.  He puts up with my family and our incredibly bizarre dinner table conversations. He even pretends to love Cooper for me.

He is packing up his life and moving for me us. He is leaving the comfortable confines of Chicago and of Peoria.  Leaving friends and family to venture into the unknown withh me. He has been working a shitty job so just he can be in Champaign to be with me. I appreciate that more than anything.

It is hard to believe that a year ago I didn't even know this guy exsisted. I had no clue I would be here with him.  These past nine months have been the happiest of my life, because of him. 

So Jeffrey Michael, Hunny Bee....Thank you.  Thank you for putting up with my bullshit antics (well, I do put up with yours too... :D) thank you for putting on a brave face and for being so willing to move away with me.  Seventeen days until it's just the two of us (and Coop) in our fabulous apartment in fabulous Indy.  I can not wait to be with you everyday for the rest of my life.  I love you more than words or a silly little blog post could ever describe.

Forever and ever.

Date Night!

Jeff and I had a casual date night last Friday & here is what we wore... (yes, I got Jeff to participate, he is such a good sport!) what do you wear to the movies?  I always have to dress a little warmer because it is usually ice cold in movie theatres. 

What I wore, 

Top-Old Navy

Scarf- NY&Co

Shorts- Tommy Hilfiger

Shoes-Bass

What Jeff Wore...

Top-Tommy Hilfiger

Shorts- From Kohls

Shoes-Nikes

So for our date we went to see Friends with Benefits

It was hilarious; I was roaring with laughter most of the time.  But it was also very sweet, with a great plot and magnetic characters that I found myself "rooting" for. I thought JT and Mila were fantastically cast.  I am not the biggest Mila fan, I think she comes off as bitchy and stuck-up but after this role I love her. I thought she was beautiful through the whole movie.  And Justin...well I mean it's Justin, so c'mon.

I was a little apprehensive to see this, I thought it was going to be the same as No Strings Attached but that was not the case at all.  I would for sure go see this movie again and will 100% be buying it when it comes out.  It's a good one to watch over and over (and over) again.  And if you are a Woody Harrelson fan...FOR SURE SEE THIS MOVIE.  He steals the show.

The ball is rolling

WOOT!

It's official, Jeff and I have a place to live in Indianapolis.  After a great weekend apartment hunting we found one that just stole our hearts and we knew it was meant to be ours! The price was right, the floor plan was perfect and the actual complex itself is wonderful!

It's 1,045 square feet. Has a h.u.g.e. patio that opens up to a grassy area and a stocked lake, a private entrance, an open floor plan, a wood burning fire place, access to the patio from the master, large closets...I mean it is just wonderful. Oh...and to boot, it's only 0.9 miles away from my office, within walking distance to bars and restaurants. Talk about dream location. I know Jeff and I are going to be very happy here!

August 25th can not come soon enough!

Happy Monday & Happy August friends

A weekend in Indy...

Our future home.

Our  Future  Home

It is now starting to get incredibly real that Jeff and I will be moving in together in the next month.  We will be leaving the comforts of our parents, of school, of Illinois.  

So we spent the weekend in Indy and had a really great time.  I had an interview on Saturday...which will hopefully bring a big announcement later this week!  We apartment hunted, which was a HUGE bust and will lead us back to Indy this weekend for apartment hunting part 2. We had an incredibly nice dinner downtown; followed by a great evening in the city with the man of my dreams.  We went to an Indianapolis Indians game, drank a couple beers and had a great time.  Went to a couple down town bars and sat and talked for a long time about what is to come the next few months.  I am so excited to start this life of mine, to get out on my own and have a career and a future; but I mostly excited about spending that future with this guy. 

Alright but enough with the mushy. 

Guess what, I TOOK SOME PICTURES this weekend!  I mean, I only took a few and I didn't have my camera so they are phone pics.  But still, people this is progress! 

A lovely dinner at St.Elmo's! 

At the Indians game...and look what we can also see...LUCAS OIL! 

We ended up moving to that section across the field that is empty...it was much nicer than being crammed next to a family that was kind of rude. 

The view from our new seats and look that's our hotel! 

One of my drinks from the night.  A white sangria.  It was lovely and refreshing, but lacking in white wine and size.  I am for sure going to make my own sometime very soon. Recipe....White Wine (I had this one made with a sauvignon blanc.), peach juice, sprite.  I want to make it with all the same but add some pears, apples, grapes and strawberries...a sangria needs to have fruit!  And a lemon and orange wedge don't count! 

And the delicious water in the lobby...every day it is a new flavor.  The day we checked out it was honeydew and cantaloupe!  And it seriously is the most wonderful tasting thing ever!  

Happy Happy Monday to everyone. 

The night we toasted to our new beginning

For almost a week now Jeffrey and I have been talking about the future and where we are going and what we are doing.  It hurts my heart and my pride to say this...but we will not be moving to Charlotte come September.  And I think this is something we both have known for a while.  When my job fell through we both kept our hopes up...but I think it was in the back of both of our minds.  We finally had the "talk" and decided that with out jobs we can not move 700 miles from home.  Boo.  So being mature and responsible adults we went on a date, put down a couple of drinks and made a decision to move to Indianapolis. We still are jobless...but we are working on it.  And I am once again thinking about grad school.

My love

Idontknow what is up with my awk. face, but this drink is MY FAVORITE drink ever.  It is made with cucumbers and a orange infused vodka. Yum. 

My delicious Blackberry Margarita !

So the night Jeffrey and I toasted to our new beginning...and it was a good night.
We went to dinner at TGIFridays.  Our dinner was delicious and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the summer weather, then we went to my favorite bar downtown and enjoyed a couple drinks before going to see Horrible Bosses....which was hilarious! I recommend it for sure!
We handled making our grown up decision in a grown up way.  I am very proud of us.  And while I don't know what the future holds exactly I do know we are doing the right thing.  It sucks...a lot...to not be moving to Charlotte.  But I know Indy has lots in store for us. 

Happy Monday! 

Here fishie fishie...

Since I only worked a half day today...Jeffrey took me fishing!  We had a great time sitting in the sunshine and trying to catch some fishies!  Unfortunately we were not all that lucky, the fish were certainly biting at out bate, but they were not getting hooked. I only caught one, a Jeffrey caught a couple.

Off the dock

Me! 

Jeffrey and his first fish...a little blue gill

Me and my first (and only) little blue gill

Jeffrey and his second fish 

An attempt at a self timer picture of the two of us...kind of failed, but whatever.

We had a nice little afternoon fishing!  : ) Can't wait to do it a whole lot more 

Just got to admit it...

Jeff and I graduated from Bradley on Saturday and on Monday we hit the road to spend the week in Charlotte. We had meetings to attend and apartments to hunt for.  I have been waiting to write about the trip because I was not sure what was going to pan out.  I was nearly 100% certain that I was going to land a job. I had been talking to an agent since spring break, and I knew I was going to fit well with his office...well plans changed. Well the State Farm Agent that was *going* to hire me ended up deciding he did not need to add a new team member.  

Today was supposed to be the day.  All our stuff was supposed to be packed in tight in a U-hall, the gas tanks were supposed to be filled and the everyone was supposed to be ready to hit the road and move me and Jeff to Charlotte, North Carolina.  Well...it hurts my heart to say this, but the move has been put on hold. Let me repeat it has been put on HOLD not cancelled, just postponed. 

I have accepted a job with a State Farm agent in Champaign  (I start Monday)  I will live at home and save money.  Then in September, when our bank accounts are fuller and we are in a more stable position to move...it will happen.  But for now, it will be a summer of working, seeing Jeffrey on the weekends and waiting for September to roll around.  

Heading down to Charlotte

Happy Thursday! 

May 14, 2011

I did it.
I graduated college. I spent four years at Bradley University and I made it through.
I made it through statistics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, sociology and many many communication classes. I made it through two freshman room mates, living in a sorority house with twenty-six girls, living in my first off campus and my second off campus house.  I made it through hard times and good times, sad times and happy times. I made it through a handful of part-time jobs.  I made it through a break up and a wonderful new relationship.

But I could not have done it alone.  I have my incredible parents to thank for supporting me.  I have my mom to thank for always listening while I cried into the phone when my spirits were low and just driving up for lunch some days.  I have my dad to thank for sending me the most amazing care packages stuffed with my favorite snacks.  I have my boyfriend to thank for supporting me through the last year...which was by far the hardest on me emotionally.  And I have the Lord to thank for blessing me with so much.

College was hard.  School has never been my "thing". I am smart but I am also lazy. I get discouraged easily and  too often compare myself to others.  But I DID IT.  And now it is so weird to be a college graduate.
Do I look different? Can people tell I just graduated? It really doesn't matter because it feels really good.

WOOOHHH I AM DONE! 

Jeff and I right after we got our diplomas!

Me with my fabulous parents

After the ceremony. 

On the next chapter...we'll see where that leads us. 

I'll be your honey bee

EEP! I just love this song...it is so perfect because I am a big dork and I call jeffrey hunny bee. (yeah, I spell it hunny, I like it that way better.) So when I first heard this song it just fit.

Girl i've been thinkin 'bout us
and you know i aint good at this stuff
but these feelings pilin' up wont give me no rest
this might come out a little crazy
a little sideways yeah maybe
i dont know how long it'll take me but ill do my best

you'll be my soft and sweet i'll be your strong and steady
you'll be my glass of wine i'll be your shot of whiskey
you'll be my sunny day i'll be your shade tree
you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee

yeah that came out a little country but every word was right on the money
and i got you smiling funny right back at me
now hold on cause i aint done theres more where that came from
well you know im just havin fun but seriously

You'll be my louisianna i'll be your mississippi
you'll be my little loretta i'll be your conway twitty
you'll be my sugar baby i'll be your sweet ice tea
you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee

your kiss just said it all
i'm glad we had this talk
nothing left to do but fall in each others arms
i coulda said i love you
coulda wrote you a line or two
baby all i know to do is speak right from the heart

you'll be my soft and sweet i'll be your strong and steady
you'll be my glass of wine i'll be your shot of whiskey
you'll be my sunny day i'll be you shade tree
you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee
you'll be my louisianna i'll be your mississippi
you'll be my little loretta i'll be you conway twitty
you'll be my sugar baby i'll be your sweet ice tea
you'll be my honey suckle i'll be your honey bee

i'll be your honey bee




Happy Singing :) 

Another traveling weekend...

The weeks have just been  f l y i n g as of late.  It's work work work...school school school...sleep sleep sleep.  Then Friday comes along and I work a half day then take off to somewhere wonderful with my hunny bee.  First it was Indianapolis, then it was Galena, now its Chicago (next week its MAHOMET! woot).  I am very much looking forward to a lazy weekend with his parents and sister. 
We are in for a gloomy ride though...it's raining. 

Check out how good looking we are though...

Formal in Galena

At Butler!

I am so lucky to have an incredible guy that takes me on lots of "staycations"

Oh and one for good measure...me and my brother at the circus a few weeks back...and yes we were the oldest children there! :)

Youth is a wonderful thing.  What a crime to waste it on children. 
~George Bernard ShawStay young and have fun!
I'm taking my own advice this weekend.
Talk to ya Monday!

Another "Vacation"

Jeffrey calls our weekend getaways "Vacation"
Last week when we were at Butler he kept saying "Just relax, we're on Vacation!" and of course little miss pessimist...I'm like "uh no, we're not! A vacation would mean an airplane ride or a super long car ride and a beach... we are just in Indiana."
But I guess I will get off my high-horse this weekend and enjoy our vacation. We are going to Galena!
Just check out how b e a u t i f u l this place is. Too bad I won't have a camera to take pictures
(not like I would anyways...but maybe?)

For this vacation there will be lots of laughing, lots of drinking, lots of snuggling, lots of dancing, a pretty girl and a super handsome boy.
We leave in just a couple of hours and I can't wait.

We are staying in a villa and sharing a car ride up with this guy though....hope I don't get myself another fist to the face.

Eeep!

Happy Friday!

HBH

So have I ever mentioned how I have the BEST boyfriend in the entire world?
Because he really is the best. By a long shot.
When he left me to go "frat" it up in Padre for a week...I was never far from his mind.
He even sent me the most beautiful tulips.

It was such a pleasant surprise.
So thanks hbh for being the best hunny on the entire planet.
i love you.

MARCH MADNESS

"My girlfriend fills out brackets"

My boyfriend shouted that while in South Padre.
He's a wacko.

I don't follow college basketball too closely, but I think I know enough to do decently well on the bracket.

So here are my picks

Elite 8 :  Ohio St.  UNC.  Duke.  UConn.  Kansas.  Purdue.  Pittsburgh.  Florida.
Final 4:  Ohio St.  Duke.  Kansas.  Florida.
Championship:  Ohio St.  Kansas.
Champion:  Kansas

And Jeffrey's picks...

Elite 8: Ohio St.  Syracuse.  Duke.  UConn. Kansas.  Georgetown.  Kansas St.  St.John's
Final 4:  Syracuse.  Duke.  Kansas.  Kansas St.
Championship:  Syracuse Kansas
Champion: Kansas

Go JAYHAWKS!

Our picks are super different...as different as different can be. Maybe we will have to place a little wager and see who comes out the victor. :]

Happy Wednesday

Thank God it' s MONDAY!

Today you are you, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is youer than you.

-Dr.Seuss

My brothers sweet sweet girlfriend sent that to me yesterday, said it reminded her of me.

I love it so much. I have never heard this quote before. It's funny how true it is, and it's going to stick with me for a long time. Thanks for the little pick-me-up my dear!

..................................................................................

So anyways....I had a terribly boring weekend. With Jeffrey on spring break with his "boys" in South Padre, this little lady is left alone. And sad :(

So believe me...I have never been more excited for a Sunday to end and a Monday to being, at least work meant I would have people to interact with! But more on that later...

One thing that got me through was movies...I watched a total of 7..yes 7...movies this weekend. Talk about cabin fever. And most all of them were "chick-flicks"

Up first...

-Leap Year. It was cute and light-hearted. I guess some would call it predictable. But it was sweet and I enjoyed it,

-When in Rome.  It too was cute and "predictable". But again it was a good movie and helped get me through my Saturday. Plus a little Josh Duhamell...don't think any girl is going to argue with that!

The third movie on my plate for the day was...

-Love & Other Drugs. My favorite of the weekend! This one really made me miss Jeffrey a lot though. But it was ssooo sweet and funny and wonderful. I am going to re-rent it when J gets back and make him watch it with me. I definitely recommend this one!

Then I took a break, and watched TV...unfortunately there is NOTHING on tv on Saturday afternoons/evenings. So I watched Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. It was on ABC Family.
Lucky me.

Then I watched the worst movie of the weekend...

-Revolutionary Road - Terrible. Slow, long, angry, bi-polar, crazy, and sad. There was nothing nice about this movie. Not one single thing.

Then I watched another Kristen Bell movie....

-You again. This one was cute, same sort of chick flick stlye movie. But sweet and ended happily.

Then the last of the weekend....

-Love Happens. Say what you want about Jennifer Aniston and her movies, but this was simply adorable. The story was sweet (I need a new adjective, eh?) and romantic...so that of course made me miss Jeffrey all over again. But I recommend this one too.

So that was my long weekend of movies. I've got one more to watch tonight.

Oh the exciting life of a girl when her boyfriend is on vacation.

Happy Monday