This is me, frustrated.

I'm so sorry I didn't post yesterday; I've just been soooo ... off lately. Yesterday was actually UFs date night, but I decided that I wanted Houston's (the restaurant) to celebrate another year down. So UF lovingly gave up his date night and let me have it! 

Let me tell you, best meal EVER. If you live in an area that has a Houston's go try it, NOW. I mean... stop what you are doing... and go! Yum. I feel like I've been craving it for weeks and was going mad waiting... so he let me have his date night pick... sweet huh?

Can I mention that allll day today (Thursday) it felt like Friday. It's pretty disappointing when you realize it's NOT actually Friday. The weather is supposed to be beautiful tomorrow and I was kinda debating using a PTO (personal) day, but I'm pretty sure I've decided against it. Just because I don't "wanna" work, doesn't mean it's worth a PTO day... those things are coveted after all. 

So I'm hoping that Friday goes by swiftly (as I know it won’t), and that I get to spend some time in the sun... we shall see eh? Happy Friday!  

Wait, it's Tuesday?

For some reason I was thinking it was Wednesday?? Oh my goodness, this week is moving slowly. It seems like I have been really behind all week. It's just dragging by. 

Today was my first day back at the gym since April 8th, and I would call it a success. When I first got to the gym I did some leg weights... I read an article today about how it's much better to start with weights.

Starting with weights first means your body goes for the sugar first, and then when you move on to cardio your body has moved on to burning fat... and who doesn't want to burn fat?!

So then I did 30 minutes on the bicycle, which resulted in 10 miles. That seems like a lot, right? I don't know what's normal though, so it could be slow for all I know! :) It's my first time on a stationary bike actually. Not a bad experience, if you have weak knees, this may be a great option.

Then I moved on to the treadmill. Well, it looked like a treadmill, but different. I think it's made for really high inclines. It was hiked up to an incline of 13.5 for me and I walked about a mile, or 15 minutes. Actually, I basically just hung off the machine... that's how crazy the incline was. 

I am worn out though, I feel it already. UF made the best meal for dinner tonight though... steak and broccoli... YUM... I am stuffed; I will definitely sleep so well tonight! 

Oops.

I am so sorry I have been MIA the past couple of days. It seems like everything has been fast and furious lately. 

Friday I had a pretty rough day at work and was ready for the weekend. I'm at least glad I got out of that place when I did, because I will admit I was close enough to snapping. It was a beautiful day outside though, so when I got home UF and I went on the patio and had a beer. It was just what the doctor ordered. Feeling better already we grilled some fajita meat and had some fajitas. Then a little later in the evening we grabbed a beer with some friends on an outdoor patio. It was very relaxing. 

Saturday UF and I had lots of wedding things to accomplish. We stopped by Men's Warehouse to check out tuxes then went to Al's Formal Wear to compare. The quality between the two seemed pretty noticeable to me and UF. If UF notices a quality difference in tux's you can be sure there is one. Men's Warehouse also offers a free suit up to $400 if you pay for your rental, and UF thought that idea was pretty neat, since he needs a new suit anyways. The only problem is Men's Warehouse doesn't have the right shade of green for UF's suit. The groomsmen will all wear brown vests (which look great) to match the bridesmaids, but we wanted UF in our green color. They suggested he wear ivory/white to match my dress instead. Still a little confused about what to do. We could always find our own vest, but I don't know if that would be expensive. We are trying to save money wherever we can... so I think that's out. I may check it out just in case.

Sunday UF and I had the most wonderful day. We just relaxed and cuddled and spent some time together. It seems like a while since we just watched movies on the couch and enjoyed each other’s company. I wouldn't have spent the day any other way, except maybe the end. See, UF and I decided to go grab some dinner at about 7:30 pm. On our way we heard tornado sirens and "please take shelter" being repeated over an intercom!! I was soo scared that I made UF turn straight around and head right back home... no food. And guess what, it didn't even rain! Ahh, Texas! Better safe than sorry though, right?

As for today, not too bad for a Monday. Not bad at all. One day down in the work week too. I've got some more laundry to catch up on tonight, but nothing I can't handle. This Friday I turn one year older... eek. It goes by sluggishly slow when you're younger and then WAY to quickly as you get older!!

Awesome Thursday?

I'm thinking I am going to drop the "awkward" from "Awkward and Awesome Thursday" and just make it, "awesome Thursday". You agree don't you?!

AWESOME

- I got my hair cut. This is purely awesome. I needed a haircut desperately. The end of my hair were screaming for help. I could hardly get a brush through this mane. Now I have happy hair though. Shiny, happy, hair! Woot! 

- I had Lobster for dinner. It was delish. YUM.

If you are easily offended by the murder of crustaceans, I apologize for being insensitive, but Ramona and Frank were the best lobsters I've ever eaten. 

- Someone came to look at my car today, and they seem very interested. I guess this isn't purely awesome, cause I will be saying goodbye to my first grown up car. I also don't have to sell her. There just isn't much reason not too. That would be why it's still awesome. 

Dear Car, I love you. I know I never named you, but you are awesome and I will miss you. Love forever, Rachel. 

- Tomorrow is Friday and I'm off Saturday! "That's the way uh huh uh huh I like it, uh huh uh huh"

Hope you all have a lovely Friday!

What I'm LOVEing!

I thought I would make What I'm loving Wednesday short and sweet tonight. 

I am loving J Crew. Period. I would link up some pictures, but I can't figure out how.. forgive me! 

I am loving any and all bathing suits. I have a problem. 

This bathing suit ^^ is awesome. I'm not normally a multi-colored strips kinda gal, but I like the simplicity of this swimsuit. I also adore the top, although I don't know if I can pull it off. 

I love love love this shirt. So whimsical and it looks so cool. As in, breezy. Really, adore.

No, I'm not fueling my bathing suit problem again. I love this color though. It would be coral, my absolute most favorite color... EVER. Yep, I said it.

Lastly, my other problem. Maxi dresses. I love the pattern of this dress, and again... it looks like whimsical and breezy! 

Lastly, I will leave you with a quote I'm loving. 

I think it touches on some of the most important and simplest life lessons, but some reminders that are the easiest to forget.

I'm hungry!

Today has been a pretty random day. It seems like today should be broken up into multiple days actually. 

This morning I had a post-op appointment. All went well. The trouble with it really is that I had to go from Allen to Dallas, it's a long drive, that's all. Then it was off too work. It was sunny early on, then got gloomy, then stormed, and now the sun is out. 

I almost fainted today though! Sometimes, in the mornings, I get light headed and start to see little black dots, but if I breathe deep and chill it goes away. I was in the doctors office when I started to feel light headed and see those little black dots, then my hearing started to go... ya know, when every one's voices get further and further away. I told the nurse I felt light headed and she said she noticed the color drain from my face. So she reclined me in a chair and got me a coke, and 10 minutes later all was good. I think I may have been pretty close to really going though, very strange.

Ready for the good/great news? I have been cleared to work out!! I've just got to limit my arm stuff. I can do stationary bikes, walk, and elliptical!! I am so excited. Don't get me wrong though, I have really started enjoying getting home early. It just seems like I have so much more time in a day! Still, I'm ready to get back on the horse!! :)

Feels like a long time.

It feels like it's been forever you guys! I have to say my Sunday was pretty uneventful... which is just the way I like it. 

UF and I had a movie marathon and relaxed. That is my favorite Sunday, especially without football around. I would say it was pretty close to perfect.

I would say my Monday got started off on the right foot too. I was a little grumpy this morning, but I snapped out of it... eventually. I actually had a Manager meeting to attend in Dallas today. It went surprisingly well! I left in a good mood too. The only problem was the traffic on the way home. I never have to deal with traffic from where I work to home, because I go against the traffic. However, Irving to home... mucho traffic at 5:00 PM. Bleh. I made it back to work and then home though, and kept my awesome mood. 

Then believe it or not, I vacuumed, did dishes, cleaned kitchen, and watered the yard. I must say I'm feeling like super fiance at the moment. Oh yeah, I started some laundry too, woot! I hope this means it'll be a great and productive week. 

Oh, I've been meaning to share, but we had some really nasty weather last week, I believe it was Thursday. We got some really hard rain and some hail. UF was so excited about it, he kept bugging me to take some pictures. The pictures aren't great because I didn't want my camera to get wet and messed up... so sorry, but you can still get the idea. 

 You can see all the leaves all over the place, and all the hail on the left side by the rock. Crazy huh?! I was a little worried about my car, but it was fine.

 UF picked up some hail so we could get a close up. It wasn't too big, so it didn't cause too much damage. It was loud though! Jake, our lab, isn't a fan of thunderstorms and flips out. He follows me around the house basically walking on my feet. He hasn't always been afraid of thunderstorms, but we had a pretty nasty one about a year ago, and it's been down hill ever since. Hope yall had a great weekend and decent Monday! Don't forget to live in the now and live for today!! :)

Mischief Managed

I should have guessed today was going to be a weird day when I microwaved my eggs for 60 minutes instead of 60 seconds. Oops. Let me explain. I get to work really early in the morning, so I eat breakfast there. I try to get a good dose of protein so I buy the "Better than Egg" packages individual size and then microwave them (I have no other option) for breakfast. If you have ever tried microwaved eggs then you know, they don't taste great cooked that way. I had some salt and suck it up though. Well, I microwave them for 60 seconds, scramble, then put them in for 60 seconds longer... well today it was 60 minutes! I caught it early, nothing blew up, but they were uneatable! haha 

I also got our estimated wedding bill from the venue today. I can't decide if it's what I expected or not! haha I'm not losing it though, so I guess it's not unmanageable. I was so busy I haven't had much of a chance to look at it, exciting though! 

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

I stopped into Vera Bradley the other day, but couldn't decide what I wanted. Since my day of birth is coming up here pretty soon they gave me a 20.00 gift certificate. I really really really don't need any more bags, but I would love more! :)

Honestly, I hoard bags. Do any of you do this? I mean I will buy a bag for, oh say, summer... in winter. So I put it in it's pretty little silk bad and hide it in the closet until the perfectly ripe and crisp Summer day. I'm a weirdo aren't I?! Eek. 

Today wasn't as warm as it has been, pretty cool actually. And the wind is insane. I'm trying to figure out when I need to put the winter clothes away and pull out the summer stuff. It's so hard to tell in TX. It snowed in April last year or the year before after all. Once it starts to warm up, it's usually a swift and continual race to HOT though. I should probably start that project soon. 

Lastly, I will mention that I have been searching for some volunteer work lately. I'll do anything. I just want to get out there and help. I will mow a yard, feed people, bake, read to children. If you know of someone or a great organization to get involved with, I'm welcoming any and all suggestions!!  

Go me!

Look at me posting early and on top of my stuff! Woot! Go me.

I've got to work Saturday so I'm not as excited about it being Friday as most, but I'm still getting enjoyment from it. I don't have solid plans this weekend, but I've got some tentative plans. I am determined to get outside and enjoy some of this beautiful weather. I mean, for Texas, it's especially spectacular, and it wont last long. I have a feeling it's going to be a long and dry summer. I'm ready... I think? :)

I feel like all I do is nag sometimes, I guess I kinda feel like a Debbie downer. Boo, huh? If I do, I'm sorry. Like I'm sure I've said a million times, I'm just out of my element lately. I will get back into the groove soon. 

OOOH! Guess what?!?! There is a park right by our house, pretty much one street over and defiantly walking distance... AND.... the park has TWO volleyball nets!! UF and I notice them tonight as we were driving home! There were even two different groups of adult teams out playing!! Pretty awesome right?! I'm much better at pool volleyball after a beer or two, but this will defiantly do!! Woohoo! Wanna come play?!

What day is it?!

Hello loves!

I am so out of it today. I really can't even recall what day it is. My schedule has been a disaster, and by that I mean, my normal routine is non-existent. I'm basically prohibited from working out for 4 weeks, at least all the work-outs that matter. I can walk.... what good is that going to do me?! I miss the gym. I know that sounds weird, but when you go religiously 5 times a day (sometimes 6) every week, and then you can't it's weird. I am pretty sure I've been slightly moodier since missing the gym and my body feels blah. I'm trying to hold of on walking until I am confident all is fine, so I'm thinking first thing next week, I will be at the gym attempting to walk mah buttay off! Not sure if it's possible, I'll let you know!

In other news, I can't wait to be married!! I'm so excited. We had our first "details" call with our wedding coordinator, and we're really getting pumped! It'll be here in NO time, I just know it! UF and I are ready to married. Not only are we getting married, but we also get to see so much family and friends... and all at the same time at that!

Also, I want to go on another cruise. Every time I see cruise someone else's cruise pictures, it reminds me of how much I love doing it! If you have never done it, do it. You're kinda stuck on a boat, so you really have no other option but to relax and enjoy yourself. Then a couple times a week you land on a tropical island and get to be adventurous and explore... awesome right?! I'll sum up my loves of cruises for you! 

1st cruise ever!! Out of Tampa, FL to Cozumel and Cayman Islands

We get fake tattoo's on cruises, that's just how we roll! ;)

Port in Cozumel, the sun was amazing! 

Just us, on a boat, simplest most amazing thing ever.

This is our '09 Alaskan cruise, highly recommended. This is Mendenhall Glacier. 

Jeep excursion in Skagway, really breath taking, it's just incredible. We drove into the Yukon territory of Canada and then back into Alaska. So neat!

Alaska was 7 days with 5 stops. 

Prince Rupert Island, I think we walked the entire island it's so small! 

Zip linning in Ketchikan

 

Lastly, our 2010 cruise with 2 very loved friends. We went back to the Caribbean.

I really adore towel animals, and I don't think I'm alone! 

Rented Jeeps in Cozumel and cruised the island. Our friends got a Jeep too and we all cruised around. Great getting off the beaten path!

An example of an off the beaten path local bar. It was all open and on the beach. Free Tequila shots once you pay the bill!! haha Only in Mexico.

That's my wrap up of cruising, sorry if I bored you. I just really adore cruising. More than anything it forces you to slow down, I get to be with UF for a solid 5-7 days, I don't have to cook, clean, pay for anything, it's pure and simple bliss! No cruise this year, we have a wedding to pay for after all, but I've got big BIG plans for 2012... it's a surprise though... shhh!