Five on Friday

At some point I would love to have a theme to some of these posts, but for now, I'm just thought dumping a few items that tickle my fancy. I hope you enjoy.

1. CND Vinylux

Saw this on Instagram, and when they said it lasted a whole week without chipping, I had to give it a try. It's a bonus that shipping is free on Amazon, there are tons of colors, and it's available on Amazon. I pink puffy heart Amazon. I've found this stuff dries super fast, which is great if you're of the 99.9% who don't enjoy being without your hands for 45 minutes. The top coat is vital in making it last 7-10 days. I really love the Rubble and Rock Royalty colors.

2. Old Faithful
Sometimes I am strayed from a favorite by packaging or sales. I admit, I digressed from my favorite eyeliner. I'm a sucker for marketing and went with a different brand (admitting it is the first step). I recently returned to the Almay Liquid Liner and it was a sweet reunion. The applicator is firm and makes it so.much.easier to apply.

3. Cookie Euphoria
I referenced these cookies in this post and have made it a point to not leave you hanging, because they are SO GOOD. Nestle double chocolate chip. Run, don't walk to find them in the cookie dough section. Running is also helpful, because I think I ate 6 in one sitting. It's like cookies and brownies got married, invited you to the wedding, and gave you a gift.

4. Valentine's Best
After you find the cookies, be sure to pick up some conversation hearts. They are my most favorite Valentine candy, and BREAKING NEWS - this year Brach's came to their senses and went back to the original flavors. That means BANANA instead of lemon. MS and I were seriously questioning their judgment and were overly excited to see they made the research. I'm not convinced MS didn't do some letter writing to Brach's. I would be appreciative.

5. Cha-cha-changes

We've said all along we don't think Namath will struggle with the baby, but the gear. We were recently proven correct. There's been a lot of anger towards Rock n' Plays, car seats and strollers.

But he's taken the opportunity to milk it. Note: he's not allowed on the furniture, and I'm not even sure how he achieved it, but kudos to you buddy. I was too impressed to tell him no. He thought he could and he did. A true tale of triumph over gravity.

Over Christmas Hiatus

I had very good intentions of blogging over Christmas vacation. You know what they say about good intentions.

Hanging out with this guy won over. He has relaxing down to a science, and I was happy to be his student. Only a few pouts when USPS/FedEx/UPS over promised and under delivered on his Christmas presents. You know what they say about promising and delivering.

Ironically, (most) of my presents came on time. One of my favorite: a next best thing to gel nail polish. More to come on that. The nail polish is good, but no one promised I can paint nails better than a 5 year old. Maybe a skill I will work on in the new year. With all my free time.

A sweet friend sent these, and Oh. My. Gosh. If I wasn't jealous of everyone that lived close to a Trader Joe's, I am now. They were a huge hit at our house.

We didn't let the season go by without our annual Christmas Eve Eve Chinese food and Christmas Vacation tradition. Up to bat this year: Sesame Chicken with stir fry veggies and brown rice. Topped off with eggnog and chocolate chocolate chip cookies (more on those later as well).

I had a nice view from the couch.

Just the next night we managed to find the Griswolds in our town. My camera couldn't even capture it all. I should have employed the panoramic feature, but I was too in awe, and curious as to their power bill.

Christmas morning brought gifts for everyone. Except Namath. It really was so sad. Thankfully, the grandparents came to the rescue with his very own deer antler. Yes, we live in Alabama.

I bought some more nail polish.

Namath got a closer look at the Pioneer Woman's dogs. He was not a fan. Clearly he hasn't had her cinnamon rolls.

We joined Prime and haven't looked back. I made good use of my one month free and shipped as much stuff as I could. Anything you order off Prime I'm not thinking about?

Go Grizzy, It's Your Birthday

I've taken an unintentional blog hiatus, but I'm back in time to commemorate the fur child's 8th birthday.

This dog makes me so happy. He's just funny to look at. But he's also got enough personality for every dog on our street.

A lot has changed since he waddled into my heart in Valley, Alabama 8 years ago. I'm so glad he's been along for the ride.

Sometimes even man's best friend needs to take some solace in the bottle.

So glad I've had this 55 lb shadow for eight whole years. I love that as soon as I sit down he will get up from wherever he's passed out to come sit beside me. Melt my heart.

I'm about to be totally outnumbered by boys, and couldn't be happier about it. He brings our little family so much joy! Now if I could teach him to fetch diapers....

Cheers to another healthy year!

Notes from the Weekend

It was rainy heading home from the office Friday, but these guys were in no hurry to let me get home. They weren't budging.

The only thing that could get me off the couch Friday night. I heard carbs go directly to plumping up baby. I doubt this is backed by any scientific fact, but I'm currently participating in the 2014 research.

Exhibit A.
Buffalo chicken sandwich and onion rings on a romantic date night.

Exhibit B.
Pancakes round 2.

Exhibit C (not pictured): First round of weekend pancakes at Cracker Barrel. I'm not ashamed. Ok, maybe just a little.

I did a little retail therapy. Found these pillows, but they only had a set of 2. Sad trombone.

I made up for it with this vase. I can't decide if I'm sold.

Namath slept off his disappointment of the Georgia defeat.

MS was kind enough to join him. Twice.

Hope your weekend was restful - or more exciting. Whatever your heart desires.

Cause and Effect

MS left yesterday on a short work trip. Which meant a lazy Sunday for me and the Grizz, and way too many photos and videos of his behavior. Crazy dog lady...is that a thing. Turn the volume up and enjoy...

Happy Monday.

Catching Up

I've gotten a little behind. But with good excuse, I think.

I spent last week in the ATL for a work conference. I had a pretty, albeit scary, view of this random carousel that sits in the middle of downtown. Any locals no the purpose of this fair ride in the middle of the city? Although the view was nice, I found myself waking in the middle of the night wondering just how much I trusted the engineers that designed this round, nearly all glass hotel. What kind of grades did they make in college? And did they have a masters?

To distract myself, I conquered one of the milestones that every adult should - a quiet dinner alone. Not so quiet, because it was a blues joint, and I had this guy serenading me. The picture is a little blurry. I tried to be quick so as to not have him think I was a big fan and try to pull me up on the stage or some other sort of nonsense. It should also be noted the whole reason I picked this place was that I was dying for a spinach salad - and it was divine.

After dinner alone, I got the treat of eating with a friend I don't see nearly often enough. She was kind enough to give me door to door service and we hit up - where else - Mexican. The tacos, I still dream about them.

I arrived home for a glorious weekend in Birmingham. We did a whole lot of spending time together with nothing on the agenda. It was wonderful and I soaked in every moment - as did Namath, who got to take a field trip for a Puppy Sunday.

No time for pictures when milk-bones and ice cream are involved.

Needless to say he was a happy camper.

We also did some outdoor dining - bonus points it was Mexican outdoor dining - some clothes shopping for me, shoe shopping for MS, and pulled the trigger on some nursery bedding. I also moved offices and made my first pot of soup of the season.

I think that about brings us up to speed.

And We're Back...

It's Monday again. Some of us are more ready than others. But, hey! It feels like Fall out! And that's something to be excited about.

This is his excited face. 

I started off the weekend just like every weekend should start - with a pedicure at my favorite nail place. Color is OPI Over the Taupe - in case you were wondering.

Saturday we headed to Jasper to look for a glider. This place had awesome lamps. I'm a sucker for a lamp.

We quickly got down to business and picked this bad boy out. It's a recliner too, but I don't think you can tell. Multiple people told  me it's nice to be able to recline in case, hypothetically of course, the only way your baby will sleep is on you, then you can just recline back and catch some sleep before the alarm clock goes off. We picked a gray fabric. I'm always a little nervous to see what the tiny swatch of fabric is going to look like on an entire chair/couch/love seat. First world problems.

MS came home with a little prize for the man cave. We moved past the leather and got fabric as well. He told me it would be great for him to take Sunburst up stairs and give me some alone time. I'm writing it down here, so the masses will hear this promise.

I think he likes it.

 Sunday night we made breakfast for dinner in honor of the series finale of Dexter. I don't know how to make over easy eggs, and I hate ham, so this was as close as I got to the Dexter breakfast. I'm still deciding how I feel about the finale. Series finale's always leave me underwhelmed - maybe it's all the build up.

 

So we are back - with painted toenails, Dexter behind us, and new chairs in 4-6 weeks. I think that's a successful weekend. Happy Monday to you and yours.

The Weekend. She was Glorious.

Dear Lord. How is the work week upon us already? I don't know. But the weekend was just about great enough to make it ok.

The neighborhood swan slowed my start to the weekend on Friday. You just take your sweet time crossing the road, buddy.

Although it was rough opening our eyes and getting out of our respective beds this morning, it was time. I hadn't stepped foot out of the house, except for a run, since Saturday afternoon. No makeup, nothing in my weekend wardrobe buy my cozys. It was everything I hoped it would be. I am ashamed to tell you how many hours of Sister Wives and Real Housewives of Orange County I watched Monday. Cleaning off the DVR counts as cleaning, right? 

The rain cleared up by Saturday morning, so we were able to get in our respective workouts, clean, mow the grass (MS),  move the guest room furniture from the soon to be nursery to the guest room upstairs, and plant these lovely ferns.

They are Kimberly Queen ferns, if you are looking for something tall and super easy to care for. I'm a fan of this fern.

After the adult chores were done, we christened the football season as it should be. With a double pack of cream cheese and sausage. Key ingredients to a good dip. The cream cheese added to your normal rotel ingredients: MAGICAL. But, I'm sure you aren't surprised.

Just in time for kickoff. I almost went for O'Douls, but decided not to waste the calories on drink when I had a double pack of cream cheese to conquer. I was so mature this weekend. 

You know you are getting old when a great weekend means you got plenty of time to relax with friends as well as clean the floors, do some yardwork and make a run to Costco. By that standard, it was a good one!

Family Fun Weekend

After running around for wedding festivities last weekend, I declared this weekend Family Fun Weekend. Which, in so many words, meant basically we were making no plans and wearing minimal makeup.

All in all, the weekend was a total success. We ran (me), played basketball (him), cleaned, bought groceries, did some garage organization, randomly and most likely incorrectly, clipped hedges with my new hedge clippers, killed the black widow spiders in the backyard (I DIE) and cut the grass.

Lest you think we had no fun, we also watched hours of Scandal, ate Papa Johns pizza and a half gallon of cookies n' cream ice cream. Did I mention I ran?

We also had a little chore by the name of Namath's yearly vet visit to get out of the way. I've been hesitant to take him for his visit since last year's surgery. Tearing the ACL is usually a bilateral condition, which means we'll probably be in that same camp again at some point, and I couldn't bear the news. So, like an adult, I've procrastinated. Because that changes the diagnoses...I digress.

It was past time for shots, so we loaded up and headed in. This one thinks he belongs in the real chairs in the exam room, not on the table.

They took him back for his fecal sample and he came back ill as a hornet. "Well, we were going to take the fecal sample, but before we could, he pooped all over the table. And then on the floor all the way back to the exam room." Much like Frank Sinatra, Grizz does it his way.

He was very pleased with himself.

Besides the fecal incident and 'having trouble finding heartbeat because of agitation and loud breathing' he got a glowing report. Including a smiley face for his weight loss. Good work, Grizz. We are proud?

Five on Friday

 Here it is, Friday of a looong week. While productive at work, the home front has left something to be desired. I have big plans to scratch a few things off the list this weekend. In the meantime, a recap of the past week in the form of Five on Friday.

 ONE - Almay Lip Gloss. This is a balm and lip gloss in one. The color selection left something to be desired for me, and its much lighter on than it looks in the tube, so keep that in mind. But, it smells wonderful and is not at all sticky. It does work like a balm, just like it says. Imagine that. I purchased "Blooming" and I've really liked it.

 TWO - Milo's French Fries. It's the only thing that has sounded good for dinner the past two nights. This train is going off the rails. The cheese salt. The Milo's sauce for dipping. Everybody goes to Milo's! Yes, I got mega size. It was my whole dinner.

 THREE - Ridiculous pregnancy reminder #48. No, I wasn't thinking of doing that. Other reminders I don't need - to eat, not to take LSD.

FOUR - DogTV. I'm not sure who was more entertained with the free trial of DogTV - us or Namath. The stimulation program was hours of fun. 

FIVE - They came to measure for hardwoods in Namath's room last night. He was none too happy. Not sure if he was mad at the tape measure (likely) or if he knows he's getting evicted.