good bad shitty

good: road trips with M… i love being able to split the driving and actually take a nap late at night before it’s my shift

bad: when i wake up from said nap to find we’re 30 minutes past our exit

shitty: when my tired and cranky self blows up and tells him PULL OVER!  I’m driving!

good: the weather holding out so we could go to Six Flags NE… and the fact that no one was there so we never had to wait in any lines… roller coasters over and over and over (i love those days!)

bad:the rest of the days were mainly rainy so i did not get to go to the apple harvest festival OR durham fair.  boo!

good: i did still get some fried dough at SF though

good:going dress shopping with my mom, sister, S, and my nieces.  i may have found a dress… at least i’ve narrowed it to 2 anyway.

bad:not buying the one that’s half the price of my other choice because i’m not engaged and still can’t bring myself to put that kinda money down yet

good:getting my mother’s veil & headpiece which i’d already said i wanted.  even better was the dress my grandmother wore to my mom’s wedding which doesn’t fit my mom… i think i’m going to wear it as my going away dress at the end of the reception.

shitty: i really thought he was going to propose over this trip.  i was a little bummed about it yesterday

good:M did spend alot of time with my family and friends, even without me.  which i love. 

good:  watching NKOTB perform after drinks and dinner with my girls at the casino.  it was as great as i’d hoped… if i can ever learn how to upload video i’ll put some up.

bad: no time to actually sit down at a blackjack table and win some money (or go broke)

super shitty: not getting to do our meet & greet with the fab 5 because M and S’s husband totally botched our day by being over 30 minutes late with our cars… we’re both pissed… really pissed

bad: i can’t even talk about how upset i am that i missed that opportunity because M already feels awful and i don’t want to make him feel worse

good:M did pick me up some macintosh apples while i was at the concert (nothing says autumn like a crisp macintosh!)

good: getting my birthday gifts from S and my sister on this trip

bad:it appears that my mom didn’t even think about my birthday yet… umm, it’s about a week away.  feelin’ the love.

shitty:my sister gave me my birthday gifts at breakfast yesterday and they were obviously last minute things she bought on tuesday.  and apparently i’m no longer getting a gift from her and my bro-in-law and another from just the girls.  now it’s all one gift.  and i know it’s bratty and selfish and material but it upset me.  we usually do big gifts, especially for birthdays.  what i got from her entire family was less than $40… i just wish i’d known before i spent over $80 on my niece and about $50 on my bro-in-law which i brought up for this trip, i’m not rich and i would have loved to save some money.  we’ve talked in the past about spending less but said we’d decide some day in the future… i guess she decided and didn’t tell me.  i’m a little upset about it.

shitty:we talked about doing a birthday celebration to celebrate for my BIL, my niece, and me all at once.  but we didn’t.  it seemed like no one had any interest in celebrating my birthday at all on this trip.  either that or no one even thought about it.  birthdays are very important to me, and it really hurt my feelings that no one seems to care that they can’t spend my birthday with me and i was up there and hoped to celebrate early.  i guess everyone has finally settled into life without me… and it blows.  it’s been a big deal every year until now.   i don’t care if i’m acting like a spoiled brat either.

good: being home and getting ready to have an apple at lunch

  

  

~ today i learned… Mr. Rogers is an ordainder minister ~

what a weekend

it was a great weekend overall.  over the course of the last few years my weekends have become fairly predictable.  M and i meet up after work on friday and then we split for work on monday morning.  i do love this, spending so much time with someone you love never feels like a hassle or gets on your nerves.  then every once in a while we’ll spend a weekend apart, he’ll go away on a trip, i’ll go away, or one of us will have company in town.  this weekend was the latter.  i got to spend time with someone i’ve been very glad to have met and made such good friends with.  and while i always miss M when we’re apart it’s nice to sometimes just pull yourself away from each other for a little bit.  i’m not trying to make anyone roll their eyes, because i know when i was not part of a couple like this i sat back and bitched about the friends i lost to their new relationships.  you know those girls who suddenly spent all their time with their beau and you never heard from them anymore?  yah, i didn’t want to be that.  but there’s a reason for it.  and i haven’t sacrificed my life for him, i still have friends and i make alot of effort to never lose them, i just prefer being with him and we like spending so much of our time together. 

anyway, a weekend like this past one was definitely needed.  once she arrived we went out for beers at the local smokey bars, took a rickshaw home, did some damage to bank accounts and lines of credit at the outlets, had a fantastically romantic dinner for two with a bottle of wine in a dimly lit restaurant, drank white russians while cookies baked, and caught an early brunch.  and she liked scungili!!  it was nice to get out of the apt, to spend some time with someone i don’t get to hang out with on a regular basis, to be able to talk about relationships and problems, and families, and whatever we wanted to talk about.  i know i have a tendency to drop the ‘ol “M this” and “M that” into conversations but i can’t help it.  it’s one of those subconscious things that i hear once it’s left my mouth and i cringe a little telling myself “shut up notsojenny.  there’s more to life than your man”  but at the same time i can justify it because he’s such an important part of my life, i just can’t help bringing him up sometimes.

all in all, it was a successful weekend on many levels.  the weather was gorgeous!  i finished up birthday gifts for everyone that i need to drop off when i head to CT this week.  i showed M the shoes i bought my brother in law and he really liked them, he loved them when i told him the price.  so we hopped in the car and headed back to the outlets, he now has them in black & brown and i returned a pair of pants that were too short (story of my life).  we ate leftover lamb sausage for dinner with some extra fixins, i knew he’d be excited that i had leftovers… he was curious why i didn’t bring home any scungili though… oh well, it was too good and we finished it all off : )
then we ate cookies and snuggled up in front of football where i began my napping.

it was a good weekend.

and my place is SO clean!!

  

  

~ today i learned… more males are killed by lightening than females.~

music to my ears

last night we went to the Aimee Mann concert.  i do like me some Aimee Mann and she seemed a little less bitter about being in VA for some reason (maybe because it was her birthday and her parents were there?, i dunno) so that was nice.  what i do know is that we caught the opening act.  and i’m officially smitten!

the submarines

if i had just heard them on the radio i may have thought “eh, they’re alright, like alot of other sounds out right now” but sometimes it takes seeing a group in person to really appreciate them.  it was funny because after a few songs M and i were both saying “i like this group!” the funny part was that he was saying it because he was watching the guitarist and the drummer and he said they were technically very good (for him it’s all about this kind of stuff, even when we go to see something like The Police he’s all about how technically difficult their songs are and i’m all “oh i like that bluh bluh noise”).  so anyway i obviously liked this band for different reasons than M.  not only did i just like the sound but i think i developed an instant crush on the lead singer (Blake Hazard… umm, she even has an AWESOME name!)  the girl is awesome.  not only do i love her voice but she made it look so easily.  she looked like she was talking, not taking any effort to project such a wonderful sound.  and her personality, that’s where she really got me (okay, it may have been partially my ‘thing’ for a tambourine too).  i don’t know about any of you but sometimes i see someone on tv, in a crowd, or in this case on stage and i just think “god i wish i was friends with them”.  their personality just seems so magnetic, so enormous!  the first time i ever felt this it was for Dolly Parton, and it’s not much different with this girl.  her energy was contagious, her smile beamed, her giggly demeanor… she just made you smile.  and she just looked like she was having such a great time, like she has a great time no matter what she does.  and i so want to have more of those people in my life, those people who make me feel like a better person just because they’re friends with me.  i don’t really know how else to explain it and sound less creepy/stalker but she was just so joyful!  the smile, the voice, the bopping around on stage… i want to be friends with her.  her rousing rendition of You Say It’s Your Birthday to Aimee also sealed the deal with me… that girl can rock a tambo’!

anyway, if you like this kinda music (not sure how to describe it but they’ve been in an iPod commercial if that helps) definitely check them out.  i’m buying their CD(s) today (because unlike the rest of america i don’t have an iPod).
and to make you love them even more, they have a great little story you can read in the into here… awww! how can you not LOVE that?!?

  

  

~ today i learned… only 38% of people in the USA eat breakfast on a daily basis… and one of those is me! ~

the haul

that’s what M calls it when i have a backseat full of shopping bags.  that’s one of the great things about him, he likes to go shopping with me.  standing around while i’m trying things on may not be his favorite time of day but he does like to help me.  whenever he can come into the fitting room with me, he does.  and he’ll be the first one to say that he doesn’t like it.  that it hits me in the wrong places.  that if it was a half inch longer it’d be better.  i love that because i need opinions… or validation, whatever.  i like to take credit for M being like that too, as i’ve said before he sits patiently through WNTW and ‘how do i look’ all the time and he learns something.  plus he’s got a good style.  he’s not metro or trendy but he always looks nice.  except for his beloved camp shirts… ugh, i despise those things.

anyway, for the past two weekends we’ve done A TON of shopping.  i got the shopping bug when my sister was here and we were out shopping for her.  i had been looking for me but just wasn’t finding anything so the following weekend M and i hit marshall’s and macy*s.  macy*s was having a sale which sucked me right in, but i was trying to be good and not spend too much so i did put certain things back on their racks at both stores.  well, as it always happens, i thought about those items all week.  so the following weekend i knew i had to have them so we began the hunt, going to every marshall’s within driving distance to find them.  we also stopped at stores for M since he was looking for a few things too.  and as my poor savings habits can account for, i bought things at those places too.

so here’s what i got…
these awesome d’orsay pumps!  from the clearance rack thank you, saved 73% from the original.  sure i’ll only get one wear out of them this year, but next year i’ll be rockin’ em. (you can’t tell in the picture but they’re more cream than white)

i also got a great pair of KC jeans (that don’t photograph well) and a bunch of tops that i’ve since returned.  it turns out, i don’t think silk looks good on me.  i also bought a few really nice work dresses at macy*s because the sale was too good to pass up.  but when i found out that i didn’t get the job i returned all but one.  it’s SO comfortable! (ignore the fact that i’m too lazy to button it up for a picture)

the sweater i was coveting, that i looked at every marshall’s for was this one (in a khaki/gold).  my favorite detail?  the little buttons on the belt loops, the one in the back is my favorite!  i did finally find it and i can’t wait to wear it!

so i got a bunch of other things that were great deals, sweaters, tops, sundresses at various stores…

i’m really excited about the black CK dress above … my sister got one when she was here but i just couldn’t find one in my size, until now.  and the little polkadot sundress from Loft?  can’t wait to wear it to the beach next year. 

oh yah, i also got some stuff for my home…

i’m really excited about the teapot.  my mom brought back teaballs from china and i can’t wait to use them (they open into lotus flowers).

but even though i bought all this stuff, and got great deals.  and even though i actually think i might trade the black CK dress in if i can find another style i like better i’m really excited about my haul.  but i haven’t even mentioned the best part.  and it’s these shoes… they were bought on the last stop of the day because M wanted to go into the store.  i didn’t even bring my purse in because i refused to buy something, so i guess technically M bought them.  but i just couldn’t pass them up.  they were $7!  seven freakin dollars, they were 80% off the markdown!!  i love the super sale racks!!  i’ve already worn them and they’re super cute with jeans and very comfortable.  i’m awesome!

that’s almost everything.  there was another top or two but i’m returning them… i’m not made of money afterall.  but after listing this out, all this does is make me wanna’ shop some more.  which i just may considering it’s a craptastically rainy day here and will be like this until next week.  what else are you supposed to do when it rains??

  

  

~ today i learned… Kermit D Frog is left handed (i LOVE that guy!) ~

girl time

last week my girls came to visit.  my mom, sister, and two nieces.  it’s was, well, in a word… AWESOME!  i’ve been wanting a girls trip for a long time but it’s been an issue because of my brother in law.  he’s got some lame issues that really bother me and my mom but that’s another post for another day.  so without that background info right now all you need to know is that my sister finally caved to the pressure and brought her girls down here with just my mom.  we had such a good time.  it was a quick trip but it was so nice to just be able to spend time with them all.  i love my mom and sister but my nieces are always the highlight.  i love those girls so much.  i have a great video clip on my camera of my youngest niece running around my living room in the morning laughing her head off and if i knew how to separate the sound from the image i would have it on loop for this post.  it’s the cutest thing in the world.  seriously, if you have never heard a 2yr old little girl giggle like crazy go find one and tickle her, it’s the most contagious sound in the world!

anyhow, we mostly shopped and ate.  we went to our local park and spent the entire day there for one of the days which is always fun because there’s so much to do, nature center, petting zoo, gorgeous lush gardens, it’s just fantastic!  my sister and i left the girls to nap with my mom a couple of times and did some serious shopping, mostly for her.  i bought a pair of shoes and a ton of underwear… i love marshalls!  then after the girls would go to bed the three of us “adults” would stay up late into the nights.  we were watching olympics, bullshitting around, trying on my clothes & shoes, doing girl stuff.  the best though was the last night they were here.  we somehow got on the topic of my imaginary wedding, of which my sister is well aware of the planning i’ve already done.  it was all a surprise to my mother though.  once the conversation got started we were all up past 2am discussing and planning.  it was wonderful!   well except the part where my mother already started disagreeing with my ideas and telling me they’re not good choices.  i was amazed that my mom can even find a way to disrupt my make-believe wedding with her strong opinions.  we were able to get past some things but i can already see we’re going to have some problems.  she’s very opinionated (that’s where i get it from) and we have different tastes which becomes an issue.   i already know that M and i will be fronting the $ so as far as i’m concerned her opinions are welcome but will not be the deciding factor.  i’m kinda dreading the fights that i now know will happen.  oh well.  we’ll get through it.

overall it was a great trip and i can’t wait to go home and see them all again next month!

  

  

~ today i learned… American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating 1 olive from each salad served in first-class ~

my favorite things v1.2

i realize that this has been a heavy picture filled post week so i’m going to cap it off by continuing down that road

it’s been 6mos and i’m a person with alot of favorites so here we go again, but now that i’m slightly(and i intentionally stress that word) more blog savvy we now have pictures too.  so if i were Oprah you’d all be lucky, but alas i am not, so you will just have to hope i hit the lotto last night in which case i’ll buy everyone some of each of these.

here’s what i love…

… pampered chef batter bowls.  they’re wonderful.  i really love these 4cup bowls with lids.  they have measuring marks on the side so they’re perfect for measuring out and mixing anything right in the bowl and then you just toss the lid on (so perfect for pudding!)  they also come with a recipe to make cake right in the bowl!  i’ve never tried it but it sounds FUN!  i think they come in 4c. and 8c. sizes… i have 2 of the 4c. ones.  

 

… bath & body soaps.  i like to use the foaming ones in the bathroom in sweet scents, like the cherry blossom or honey suckle and i use the regular gel style clean scent ones in the kitchen, like the citrus herb. (apparently they no longer have that one online, but the kitchen herb is really nice too)

… Hue foot care thingys.  they have all of the cushioning you could need for your shoes.  and they come in clear which is so nice.  i am typically a fan of the ball cushions but they have a full sole cushion that is heaven too.  if you’re a thong sandal wearer they even have the things that wrap around to protect that area between your big toe and next toe (whatever it’s called) and i like to use these on the top edge of some of my flats so that they don’t rub.  i also love these because i can get them at my favorite place here… which leads me to the next thing

 

… TJ Maxx gift cards.  i love this store.  anyone who’s read more than 2 of my posts would know that.  i think it’s just heaven and i spend way too much time and money there.  but i have so much great stuff because of it!  how can you beat great, comfortable, cute underwear for $1.99?!?

 

… maggy london dresses.  i’m obsessed with these.  they’re so flattering on so many bodies.  yes, they’re not the cheapest but you can find them on some super sale deals at Macy*s.  and, yah, hi, many of them have POCKETS!  freakin LOVE!  and the step down brand, London Times, can be often found at (you guessed it) TJ Maxx!

 

… yankee candles.  i’m sorry but no other candles give off the same powerful scents.  i know they’re overpriced which is why i like to use the coupons and get them at BB&B or LNT.  i light these all the time.  clean cotton is classic but i’ve really taken to the honeysuckle for the warm months.  yes, i love reed diffusers and lamp oils too but these are just awesome.

 

… bite size snickers.  i bought them once around the holidays because i wanted to put something out at my desk for others to snack on too, and i’m now addicted.  eating an entire snickers bar literally hurts my teeth, but i always want to do it anyway.  these are the perfect size!  who cares if i eat 3 or 4 at a time?  still not the equivalent of an entire bar.  plus they’re easier to share, don’t be stingy with your chocolate : )

 

… inStyle magazine.  i’ve been a subscriber for a while.  it’s the only magazine that’s lasted with me.  you know, you read Seventeen up until you’re 16 and them you move to Cosmo and Glamour.  then at some point after college you move on to Elle, InStyle, and Vogue.  sometimes you even get hooked on Harpars Bazaar.  i’ve gone through so many different subscriptions of women’s magazines and this is still my favorite.

 

have a good weekend everyone!  i’m off to the races tomorrow.

  

  

~ today i learned… Mexico and Iceland consume the most Coca-Cola per capita ~