I interrupt your regularly scheduled post...

Not that I post regularly. Bad blogger. But for the rest of this week, I will be taking a break from posting to enjoy time with my sisters. We have lots of fun planned, so stay tuned for the recap next week!

We've already spent lots of time at the pool with family, ran around town, had yummy food, and spent some QT with my dog children. Having them here AND being off work is such a treat, especially with this weather!

See ya next week blogging world.

5 for Friday, what's got me through the week!

One. Staycation.

The absolute number one thing I'm loving this week is that next week, I only work one day. One measly day! Thank God for the soul who invented paid time off. Even better, the one day I do work, I'll be spending most of it at a YP networking event at the new casino Downtown. Don't mind if I do. Networking+gambling+getting paid for it=win.

Two. The weather.

I'm not sure if the weather we're experiencing here in Cincinnati is so awesome because it's perfect, or because all summer long we've been alternating between heat waves and monsoons. Topped with a hellacious amount of humidity. Either way, I'm loving it. Cool enough to drive to work with the windows down, put warm enough to really feel the sun. Low humidity, clear skies, cool breeze. Basically the weather jackpot. Hopefully it stays this way for my week off!

I live for open windows. Fresh air. Sun pouring through our home. Dogs running and lounging in the yard, because the weather is just that perfect. The outside even smells better. Keep it up mother nature.

Three. This post.

It speaks for itself. Just check it out. Beautifully written, and spot on!

Four. My brain.

I've discovered a phenomenon lately. A lot of people are morons. Now I've suspected this was true for a long time, but I've been giving a lot of people the benefit of the doubt. Lately it's been made clear to me that most people have no CLUE what they are talking about and lack common sense. I'm no rocket scientist, but I thank The Lord that I have a mind strong enough to think for itself, communicate effectively, and achieve critical thinking. Speaking of communicating, I need to devote an entire post on how people should learn how to do that.

Now I'm really wondering if the "The" in "The Lord" is supposed to be capitalized? Isn't it like "The Ohio State University"? Is it sad that's my comparison? Ohio problems.

Five. My sweet husband.

I am always loving him, but this new house and of course being married, is making it more and more apparent how wonderful he is. He is always the silly to my serious, which I desperately need sometimes. Even if other times it drives me nuts. I feel your pain Heather Dubrow. He has been working countless hours lately helping with some major changes at his company, and I know he puts in all of that hard work for me. For our future family. He lets me rule the remote (most of the time) and choose what we have for dinner. Basically, he's perfect :)

And he's serious about his margarita making. Happy Friday people!

Linking up with Natasha.

right now

I think I've mentioned a few times here on le blog lately, that I've been having a bit of a struggle with appreciation. Not really being appreciative, because I absolutely am. More like appreciating the moment. Accepting that whatever is right now is enough.

Usually my gratitude is quickly followed up by feelings of "how can I make this even better" or "what do I have to accomplish next". I've thought to myself lately that now that all my time isn't devoted to wedding planning, that I need to find a new hobby. Then it finally hit me today. "Hey dumb dumb- why don't you make your marriage your new hobby. Focus on that." Duh.

I love the bald look the night sky is giving me in this one. Such a great look, right ;)

Anyhow. I spend all kinds of time doing (or trying to do at least) little nice things for Will. We have tons of fun together, and he really is my best friend. But we are both SWAMPED at work. We both have personal lives. I am not the person that spends 24/7 with their partner. I appreciate my "alone" time, and I am sure he does too! I know as time goes on and kids enter the picture, we will have less and less of this special time together just to have fun, or any alone time, which makes it that much important to really build a strong foundation now.

When you're always in a "what's next" state of mind, like I usually am, it's hard to really focus on the present

The moral of the story. I'm going to appreciate right now, more.

Wish me luck!

quickly...

Have I mentioned how excited I am to be on vacation next week? It kind of just hit me. Lazy mornings. QT with my sisters. It really doesn't get any better!

I am pretty sure I still have a serious case of baby fever. I also have a serious case of baby fear. I suppose we will see which one wins out???

Things that are annoying me lately: student loans, traffic, and rain/humidity. If anyone can toss me a small fortune, teach the public how to drive, and control the weather, I'd really appreciate it.

My next projects will be making curtains for our great room (I think that's what you call it?) and planting flowers! I've never done either, so wish me luck.

That's all for now! I am working on planning out some more well thought out and picture included posts in the near future. I want this blog to be more than my occasional ramblings. Can't there just be one more day in the week? Is that too much to ask?

Happy Tuesday!

1 year, 2 burgers, 3 sisters

Happy Monday people. Is there such a thing? My boss is off all week, so I have a feeling things will be crazy, and that this week will fly by. My office does a lot of business with a relatively small (and new) staff, so missing just one person makes a huge difference.

Speaking of work- a couple of weeks ago I celebrated my one year anniversary with my company. This is a huge accomplishment for me, considering how my first experience in the "real job" department went. And considering that I rarely stick with anything and get tired of most things very easily. I am happy to report I still absolutely love my job, and hope that there is room for me to grow there for many years to come.

This weekend was calm, and actually didn't fly by for once. Friday we hung around the house, and went on a late night dinner date to grab some burgers and beers. Saturday Will was gone for most of the day helping a friend move, so I did some major cleaning. We recently bought a carpet cleaner, so I tried that out on the living room carpets. It was unbelievable how gross dirty tank water was after just about two months of living here. I will be keeping up these cleanings every month. I also cut the grass for the first time in my entire life. I was hoping I'd go to my grave without ever having to complete this task, but it just needed to be done. It's not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but I got the job done!

My helper. She's not very effective.

Saturday night we went to Terry's Turf Club. It's a must go to in Cincinnati, but neither of us had ever been. We met Will's best friend and his new wife there, and all four of us loved our food. I had an egg sandwich with chorizo that was out of this world. Terry's has been featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, and I can see why. We will be back! We ended that night with drinks at a bar in our old neighborhood. I'm loving the burbs, but it was good to be back in the city for the evening.

My sisters are coming to visit next weekend, and will be staying with us for the whole week! I love those two more than words can express. Each year that they get older, the gap in our ages is less and less apparent. Mom won't be able to stay with them this time, and I love that they're old enough to visit even when she can't get off of work. I have King's Island, bowling, pool days, planting flowers, lots of baking, shopping, and church festivals on our to-do list. I can't for the life of me remember what I did for fun at 13 and 14, so hopefully I'm not too boring in my old age.

Linking up with Sami.

Here's to the week flying by! Happy Monday!

inspiring

One of my favorite things about blogging is the motivation it brings me. To get my lazy butt off of the couch. To try new recipes and cook for my family instead of ordering junk and spending extra money. To explore my city. To appreciate the beauty in so many things. Blogs to me are just truly inspiring.

I do come across blogs from time to time that are a little more on the whiny side, but who doesn't need to vent from time to time? The overwhelming majority of blogs I come across are inspiring. It is so totally motivating to me to read about other women who have ordinary lives on the outside, but work so hard to give their lives purpose or their families a happy home. It is motivating to read about stay at home Moms who wrangle kids all day or working parents who still find the time to be present in their kids lives. The tips and tricks and heartfelt experiences people share are just too much. In a good way.

here

I say this after laying on my couch all morning reading said blogs. I kind of feel guilty, but I mostly I don't. The older I get, the less selfish with my time I can really afford to be. So I will enjoy these lazy Sundays as long as possible.

Now it's time to use all this motivation to work on the house and finally get a few lingering items hung on the walls. And clean the upstairs carpets. And go to the grocery. And I will be thankful for every minute!

Happy Sunday.

Is it Wednesday already?

Nothing extremely exciting has been happening around the G household lately. 

We have my best friend visiting for a few days, which has been nice and helped the week go by a little faster.

I finally stopped at Pipkins on my lunch break, since it's right up the street from my office. Best fruit and the cutest little place! I will be back in a few weeks to pick up some flowers to plant.

Work is crazy. As always.

It's so hot the dogs can barely stand to be outside.

Isn't she cute?

I am trying to avoid as many forms as media as possible due to people's stupidity surrounding any remotely controversial happening in this country.

The most notable thing happening to me this week will be the arrival of the carpet cleaner I ordered from Macys.com. It is a must with my crazy dogs and I cannot wait to use it!

2.5 days till the weekend!

Web favorites this week. 5 for Friday

Here are a few things I've seen floating around the web lately that I want to share and remember. They've either taken my breath away, made me laugh, brought me to tears, or left a huge smile on my face. Enjoy :)

One.

For the dog lover. This will make you want to run home and kiss your puppies. Or just drive around the sketch parts of town looking for pups to rescue.

Two.

For every woman in the world.

Click here to watch the video. For whatever reason, it won't embed. Blogger fail. This was so refreshing and touching. Dustin Hoffman on his role in "Tootsie", and what it taught him about woman.

Three.

For ever person who needs or appreciates a reminder about the beauty of life.

Click here for article "The 45 Lessons Life Taught Me"

Some of my favorites below. I had a lot of them!

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

Get rid of anything that isn’t useful.  Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

It’s never too late to be happy.  But it’s all up to you and no one else.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Over prepare, then go with the flow.

The most important sex organ is the brain.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

Four.

25 Things You Can’t Believe Still Don’t Exist In 2013

Jetpacks. Duh. The wisdom on this site is endless. Obviously all of these things should exist by now. Add instant hangover cures and money trees to this list.

Five.

My favorite instagram pic from the week. LOVE the view from my couch :) All the more reason to sit on it instead of doing the millions of other things I should be doing! Follow along here.

Happy Friday people! Linking up with Natasha.

 

Apparently

I've lost the ability to take pictures. And the ability to drink in moderation. This weekend kicked my butt so hard I was only awake for roughly 5 hours for the entire day Sunday. It made for a rough Monday, to say the least.

I managed to redeem myself as a wife and human being last night by whipping up these yummy recipes. They were easy and delish! Cheeseburger wraps for dinner and copycat blondie for dessert. Six Sisters Stuff is my go-to for meal ideas. And I will be trying more from The Girl Who Ate Everything, since the blondie was such a hit. And because anyone who calls themselves that is OK in my book. Definitely worth checking out if you haven't already.

In less fattening news, lately I've been taking walks before work with my next door neighbor, and I'm kind of loving it. Walks are always my favorite, but agreeing to go with someone besides Will (or Holly or Sadie) really makes me stick to it. A lot of times I don't leave my office for entire 8-9 hour days, so the morning fresh air is much needed.

Sorry for the pictureless post, but I'm 99% sure my iPhone cord is on the fritz. Is it just me, or do these things only last for a few months before they need to be replaced? Suppose I will be taking a break to hi up AT&T on my lunch today. #Applefail.

Happy Tuesday!

Dedication.

Or lack there of. I am not a patient person. Never have been, probably never will be. When I want to do something, I usually act first and think second. Sometimes this is awesome. Sometimes it is not. Recently I have had my mind set on a lot of "projects" lately. Like more than usual. And it's driving me (and probably Will) crazy! It is so hard to pick what my next "to do" is going to be, when there are so many random things I want.

To paint the house. A new car. To make curtains for all our windows. To go back to school. To buy a DSLR. The list goes on. There is no way I can focus my energy (or dollars) on all of those things at once, so I guess i have some decisions to make!

I have been quiet on the blog lately because "real" life has been busy, busy, busy! It's been quite the rainy 4th of July around here so we've been doing a lot of at home hanging out, shopping, movies, that kind of deal.

We did manage to make it to a parade on the 3rd just before it started to pour.

We also have a deck! Picture taken just before completion. Add finding patio furniture to my list.

Happy long weekend and here's to some sunnier days!

weekend + rehearsal dinner pics... finally

Our weekend was jam packed as always, and a great time like almost always. Friday night we raced home from work to make a 6:30pm wedding Downtown. Of course we got stuck in traffic and had to walk in late in front of all the guests. I was mortified, as I am a HUGE stickler about being on time to things like that, but at least we got to see the ceremony I guess. After the wedding we went across the street to the new casino with some friends and actually won a little bit of money! Naturally, I have zero pictures from this night. My new personal and blogger goal is to take more pictures.

I managed to get  lousy picture. Of a sparkler as the couple walked out. Better than nothing?

Saturday we did some things around the house, then went to Quarter Bistro for my belated Birthday dinner. If you are in the Cincinnati area- GO. It is in Mariemont, which is by far the cutest town that ever existed. The service was excellent and the food was even better. Our server heard Will mention my birthday and even brought me a special birthday dessert.

Sunday morning we headed north to visit my Grandpa in the hospital and help my Grandma with some yard work. On the way home we stopped at the outlet mall and I got the most fab sunglasses. I am still torn up over losing my last pair, a modified cat eye pair by MK Will bought me for the honeymoon. I'm legit getting emotional just thinking about it. Stupid absent mindedness. But these are a great replacement.

Last but not least, for my Birthday my FIL sent me a disk of family pics from the past year or so. Such a great walk down memory lane. Here are some from the rehearsal dinner, since I was seriously slacking on pics when I posted my recap.

Happy Tuesday!