Sunday, December 02, 2007
My Puppies
i seriously miss having pets. I think animals can make you feel better when you are sick and make you more comfortable when you are alone. I miss have a dog around. While i was back home I had the joy of having two dogs around. My parents' new puppy, Nilla is a littler terror. She's getting so big! She still believes she's a lap dog and wants to be close to you at all times. She loves to snuggle. If you are sitting down she'll try and get right up beside you and give you kisses. It doesn't matter if you are in a chair that has very little room, Nilla needs to be right beside you.
Poor Chloe. Chloe just puts up with the little one. She gets so tired sometimes she'll just lay down while Nilla keeps attacking her. They are really cute together. I took some new pictures of the two of them while I was home. They are adorable.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Holiday Baking
While I was home for Thanksgiving I really got into the holiday spirit. There was so much shopping, cooking and holiday decorating I couldn't help but enjoy myself. I love baking. I love making cookies, cakes and pies. My family has a love for these little green tree holiday cookies. They are just spritz cookies dies green and pushed through a cookie press to look like trees. We like to decorate them with lots of the Red Hot candies because they taste delicious! Here are some pictures of my first batch.
The Sweetest Baby
After all the food and the playing Luca was getting pretty sleepy. The video below is right before he and his parents left. He was mimicking the sounds that I was making and it sounded like singing. He is the sweetest!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Elf Yourself
Emily's Elves
Monday, November 19, 2007
Bittie Bites
And look at this tiny pies made in a small cupcake pan! The cute factor is off the scale with this one:
Click the link above to see how she makes these wonderful treats and make your own.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
d*s
There are great resources for DIY fans as well as guides to find some of the most creative and beautiful gifts out there. I found myself searches this page for great card ideas and projects that I can do at home and give as gifts to friends and families. I also love the Washington D.C. Guide to design. It lets you know some of the hottest shops in town.
Please, click on the picture of the page above and you'll be directed to the Design Sponge homepage. enjoy :)
Arlington Cinema and Draft House
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Identity Theft and Glamour Magazine
I came across an article titled, "I chased down my identity thief," and was immediately sucked in. I'm very worry about my credit and finances. I frequently change my passwords and shred most every piece of junk mail I receive. I have heard horror stories about unsuspecting people that have their credit completely disparaged and have no way of clearing it. I am a definite believer that there aren't systems enough in place to help people stay financially safe. This article only scared me silly. The story is about Karen Lodrick. Karen lost thousands of dollars to a criminal fraudster. The police couldn't catch her and in the end, Karen ended up chasing down the girl who stole her identity. The story is eye opening and amazing to say the least.
Lodrick has started a website http://www.fightingbacknow.com/ to help people prevent fraud as well as gain back what has been lost to them. Her website details her terrifying ordeal as well as the court cases that ensued to gain some form of restitution. I think the information in her story is important for everyone to hear because of the impact it could have on the rest of your life.
Please take the time to check out her website or read the article in Glamour. The information on prevention is relevant and easy to do. It may take some time out of your day, but it could save you from a lifetime of regret.
Long Distance is Difficult
We have roughly 145 days until he is back in the states. Although that's just a few months...it's dragging on like an eternity! There is a lot going on in my world too. The wedding plans are picking up and so is my job. Pat isn't here for any of it and that's difficult. I just don't like him feeling so left out of everything that's going on.
When I have a bad day or something goes wrong, it would just be so nice to come home and have him there to make me feel better. It would be great just to head to lunch together and forget about everything else. I miss him more than I let on. I keep trying to look at this as a learning experience. I know that God has a plan for both of us and that this seperationg will teach us something in the end. However, its hard to keep reminding yourself of that daily. It's really hard not to feel angry sometimes at the cards that have been dealt in your hand.
I try every morning to thank God for what we have been given. We have each other, Patrick is safe, we get to talk every day, and he will be coming home soon. All of these things are blessings and I need to continue to focus on the good things God has given us and then the hard things just don't matter anymore.
I'm reminded every day of what an amazing person Pat is and how lucky I am that we found each other. In our phone conversations we constantly remind each other all the things we miss and love about each other. It's like a personal love pep talk every day :) So if you think about it, the saying (cheesy as it may be) is true: Distance makes the heart grow fonder (and more loving too).
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Neato Bandito
Smiley Mugs
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Day in the Graveyard
This past weekend I decided to start on something so I picked up my camera and headed out to the graveyard. Ok, I know that sounds silly. But graveyards are peaceful, full of intersting shapes, and trees. Plus, it's one of the only places you can walk around and people don't get in your way when you are trying to take pictures.
I'm always surprised what great shots you can get from walking around such a place. It was such a beautiful day! I love fall. It's the best time of year. You can be outside and be comfortable in a sweatshirt and jeans and scarf. It isn't so cold that you have to wear a jacket, but if you had a cute one you wanted to wear you could :)
Here are a few pictures from my day in the graveyard:
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Waiting for Patrick
Myspace Countdown or Myspace Layouts
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Zombie Survival
52%
Monday, October 15, 2007
Life Soundtrack
I love music.
I feel like music is a soundtrack to everything you do. I need music to listen to all the time. If it wasn't so rude, and people wouldn't think I had a problem, I'd have headphones all the time blasting my favorite melodies as my own personal soundtrack.
Ok, so I download music probably more than I brush my teeth (for the record I brush at least twice a day!). I just want to alert you of some of my favorite bands, artisits, and tunes so if you life soundtrack is lacking you can steal from my soundtrack.
Page France
A friend of mine just passed me a long PF's "Hello, Dear Wind" to download. The song, Junkyard, will please you, I'm sure. The song motivates me to finish whatever project it is that I'm working on, not sure why. Page France is an indie folk-pop music band thats songs are simple, yet very melodic and emotional. Often referred to as a Christian band, the songs have many religious undertones.
Ray LaMontagne
Probably one of my most favorite artists. I would reccomend every single one of his songs. I think he is a perfect Life soundtrack candidate. His songs make me think of flowerful parks and sunny days. Every time I'm in the car on a beautiful fall day, such as today, I hear his music in my head. Perfect for long walks and calming drives, his music is colorful. If you haven't listened, please check out "Hold You in My Arms," from the album Trouble as well as "Can I Stay," from Until the Sun Turns Black. You'll be hard pressed to find a bad song on either album.
The New Pornographers
I know, you are turned off by the name. If you dismiss this band for that reason it would be a grave mistake. Their most recent album, Challengers boasts some amazing talent as well as some note-worthy songs. "My Rights Versus Yours," and "Challengers," are both meloncholy and thought provoking. I find myself craving the latter tune when I'm just walking around the city.
Feist
If you haven't heard of Feist, you may live under a rock. Her songs have recently been featured in a number of cell phone commericals and her song, "1234," plays all over MTV. Although I don't like many of the songs or groups that play on television, Feist was great fromt he beginning and will remain great no matter how many times her songs are exploited to sell mainstream media gadgets. Her most recent album, The Reminder, will break you heart in a good way. I love her. Her voice is clear yet sultry. Her albums have folk influences with undertones of pop and electronica. The beats often make you want to dance, or at the very least, tap you toes. Listen to "So Sorry," and "My Moon Man." Her song "1234," while grossly overplayed, makes you smile without you even knowing it.
Carla Bruni
Carla, arguably the most famous model in France, has also been linked to such celebrities as Eric Clapton, has recently released an English version of her french album, No Promises. While her raspy voice sounds just as tempting in English, I reccomend you listen to the french album, Quelqu'un m'a dit. Her songs are sung softly and are very thoughtful. Look up the song, "Le plus beau du quartier," by listening to it in French you forget to pay attention to words and you are forced the recognize the song for its beauty as opposed to composition.
192 Days....Oh yeah, Did I say I am Moving to Italy???
Pat and I have been talking details and I feel like we're making some great progress. We now know where Pat is going to be stationed after we get married so that's a little less stress. Well, less and a little more. We just found out that we will be moving to Rome, Italy!!! I'm excited to be moving to another country and a little nervous. There is a lot to prepare for and we can't prepare for anything until Pat get's his official orders. There's no use in worrying over it. We'll have details when we need it and I'm just learning that God will take care of us no matter what. Needless to say I'm researching how best to learn Italian! I have some time so hopefully I can get a good foundation. I keep talking about going back to school so this is my chance. I probably won't be able to get a job while we're in Italy so I think I'm going to go back to school. I haven't decided what I want to study yet, but art history, literature and photography sound like great areas of study for Rome. I think I will have fun with this and hopefully be able to learn a lot!
Pat is past the halfway mark for his tour of duty and I can't wait for him to come home. Something like 5.5 months and he'll be home. I thought that the last part of his tour would be the easiest but I think it's harder so far. I suppose its because there is more to do for the wedding and there is little that he can be involved in from so far away.
I'm remaining surprisingly calm with the Italy news and the impending wedding. I suppose it's because I know we'll be together and, in the end, that's what really matters. The details of the wedding don't seem that important.
Please continue to keep Pat in your prayers. Oh yeah, keep me in them as well, who knows how long I'll remain this calm :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Bargainist
You can search by store, product catagory, freebies, coupons and much more! The website searches the world wide web for all the best deals. I just found a coupon for a free, no purchase neccessary pizza from Domino's- I'd say THAT is so worth finding the website!
Neato Bandito
These LED Blow On-Off Candles are amazing! They are made from real wax but have no real flame. They give you the illusion of real candles but no fear of fire. What's even cooler is you can not only blow them out like real candles but they also blow on! (starting at $12)
Punctuation Pagemarks
I love sticky notes! These fun Pagemarks are great for the books your reading, homework or magazines. ($8)
Friday, October 05, 2007
Addiction
However, his freewheeling travels through the decades reunite him with his long-lost fiance, Livia -- which complicates his present-day life with wife and their son.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
A Delightful Blog
*the image above from the blog, "Orangette"
Friday, September 28, 2007
Let's GO Mountaineers!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Here we Go Steelers!
This Political Life
If you aren't already registered to vote, please sign up! It's so easy and it makes such a difference in a primary. Make sure that you don't just vote in the General election in 2008, vote in the primary so you're sure that the best candidate for your party is represented.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A Song of Love
Nancy's 21st Birthday
My iPhone
I just made the best decision of my life.
I purchased an iPhone.
I was hesitant at first, but everything I read about them only made me want one more. I joked that if it went down $100 I was going to purchase it. Well, my wish came true. Not only did the iPhone go down $100...it actually went down $200! I couldn't resist.
The only problem that I've heard about the iPhone is that customers aren't satisfied with the AT&T network. I was a Cingular customer and have been just fine with the service that AT&T/Cingular offer. So I decided I wouldn't be dissappointed with what the iPhone had to offer.
So far, I haven't been.
This is the top of the line in technology and worth every penny. I can surf the internet whenever, where ever and it looks like what the internet is supposed to look like. The coolest feature I've found so far ( I'm still learning everything because its so cool) is being able to automatically search for shops, bars, and restaurants based on my current location. It's amazing.
I believe I could just go on and on and on about the greatness of the iPhone.
You'll just have to check it out for yourself.
My Surgery
I would like to inform you that I am well and almost 100% recovered and I'm doing very well. The surgery was all laproscopic and left me with very little scarring. In fact, they used super glue to stitch me up!
So, despite and uncomfortable visit in to the hospital I'm fine!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Envirosax Challenge
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!
The above link is to an article talking about WVU Footballs upcoming season....MAN it gets me excited!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 03, 2007
So You Think You Can Dance
So my addiction every summer is FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance."
I love this show because deep down I think I'm a great dancer (in all honesty, I can't dance AT ALL). I love to watch the dances and the people who get paired together. I've become such a fan of contemporary dance and of Mia Michaels as a choreographer. I believe she is so in tune to dance and I love watching her dances performed on stage.
Here are a few clips of some notable performances she had a hand it creating....
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fantasy Football
Today I started my Fantasy Football League: The Year of the Mountaineer.
Pretty much all day I've been reading about players and preparing for my upcoming domination of all the poor and innocent souls who dared joined my league :) It's so exciting.....
This year is going to be great. We've got a great league set up and lots of knowledgeable entrants. I can't wait to see who might come out on top...of course I'm predicting myself as the victor!!
WVU football 2005 highlight video
Just a little video to get you pumped for the upcoming season!!!!!