TGIF!

Last weekend, we were finally able to get together with Andy's Uncle Steve and Aunt Amy for a late Christmas celebration and they spoiled us with a gift certificate from TGI Friday's! Since Andy and I have been on financial lock down, it's been a few months since we've been out to eat together at a restaurant- so this was definitely a nice treat for us!

We had a fabulous waiter, Chris, who was attentive to our every beck-and-call. Not to mention, the food was scrumptious! Here are some pics and many thanks to Uncle Steve and Aunt Amy for helping us break up the mac-n-cheese monotony!

Hmmm...I think there was a triple stack burger on this plate?! They have THE best fish tacos in town!

Saving the best for last- Brownie Obsession!

Friday Poll

Raise your hand if:
You're tired of hearing about Oprah's daily visits to the White House?
You're tired of hearing about Oprah's daily hugs from Obama?
You're tired of hearing about Oprah talking about Obama's girls and the fact that they go to a school near you, and if you had kids they would go to school together, and on and on and on...

*Raising hand*

We. get. it. You and Obama are besties. We know- and I'm done. tired. of. hearing. about. it.

Okay, turning the channel now-

Buzzkill

Just when I'm coming to terms with my impending doom (er I mean, job loss), thinking those warm fuzzy thoughts that everything will work out, everything happens for a reason... we get shuffled into a stark-white conference room and informed of the horrors- I mean, joys- of filing for unemployment.

So... I think I got the gist of it after 2 hours of the facilitator shouting at me "UNEMPLOYMENT SHOULD NOT BE YOUR CRUTCH. USE IT AS A LAST RESORT. GO OUT AND GET A JOB NOW BEFORE I GET TO SCREAM AT YOU EVERY DAY WHEN YOU COME TO PICK UP YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK." Okay- that's not true. If I've learned one thing today, it's that the money is direct deposited.

I need a shoulder massage and glass of wine. Stat.

PSA: My car is not an ashtray!

So I'm headed to work this morning at that unheard of hour before the sun comes up, driving along on the freeway in my pre-coffee grogginess, minding my own lane, when out of the blue- a *flash of fire* appears on my windshield!

A cigarette butt was stuck on my left wiper blade! The car in front of me evidently did not want their car to smell like smoke (I can't think of any other reason why they wouldn't have used their OWN ashtray) and the driver had thrown their cigarette butt out the window.

Now I certainly believe in smoker's rights- if you want to smoke in your own car, great! No problem- but don't make it my problem when you toss your butt and it lands on my car- okay not only lands, but gets stuck! That's all I ask.... In the name of safety (you know who you are red Ford Taurus).

So this morning, I can safely say, 99 cent wiper fluid saved my car from burning. Okay, stepping off my soap box now.

Queen for a day!

Move over Queen Elizabeth~ There's a new Queen in town!

My grandma was voted 'Valentine Queen' at her assisted living center today and they are hosting a lunch in her honor. What a cute idea! She always was a social butterfly and I couldn't think of a more fitting title for her.

Love you grams! xo

Why is my eye twitching?!

Why is my leg shaking?

Why is my heart racing?

Well kids- it's that time of year. The time of year that I purposefully get an incredible sugar high. It's: 'Conversation Hearts' time of year!

(My boss decided to surprise us with a bowl full of Conversation Hearts and I may or may not have pushed my coworkers out of the way and proceeded to eat the entire bowl. However, I digress....)

For all of you who are just as addicted to the little suckers as I am...rumor has it that these little candies are going to become available for future holidays (not just Valentine's day!). Personally I think they should be made for every single holiday, including my birthday, but who am I to demand such things.

So step away from the computer and step into a sugar high with your own box of deliciousness!

Happy Valentine's day! xo

Diet Trivia

Question: What do you call a girl who skips her daily workout and eats a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for supper?

Answer: ME! (And yes, I'm fully aware that this confession warrants an intervention from my trusty WW leader).

But for now- pass me the fork, I'm diggin in!

In case you had any doubts, it's official

"Ceeeeelebrate good times, Come on!" (clap your hands here)

It's official- hands down, I have THE best family and friends a girl could ever ask for. I'm so grateful and so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. I felt like a celebrity this weekend having not one but three birthday parties! (Isn't Brit-Brit Spears the only one that can pull that off? Too bad I don't have her abs too.)

Anyway- this past weekend was full of good times, good laughs, and good eats. Friday night Andy's family came over and we feasted on Pizza Hut and HyVee cake- the 2 major food groups. Jack and Evie kept us entertained and even managed to fit into this tiny little cube- what a great time we had!

Then Saturday night my girls took me out and did it up right! First, we gathered at Wig and Pen for some amazing pizza (bartender wasn't too bad either!) and Annette spoiled us with tiny cakes from Let Them Eat Cake- as you all know, my cake obsession.

After gifts, we headed to 'He's Just Not That Into You' and loved the movie!! Now I know I'm old- but I still have a few more miles in me- so.... we took ourselves downtown to catch a show at People's. Of course, that only made us thirsty and to quench our thirst we headed over to Fong's Pizza for some classic 70's tiki drinks complete with a glowing flame! Here are some pics from the night:

Group shot~

Hmmm...2 scoops of ice cream?

At the movie~

Court Avenue~

Tiki anyone?!

On Sunday I got another wonderful surprise! My parents came down with my Gma toting lunch and (I kid you not) a homemade chocolate cake that weighed 15 lbs. It was over-the-top goodness! My mom needs to start her career on the Food Network. :)

So as you can see, this post is dedicated to my family and my girls- all of which keep me going day in and day out. Turns out, turning 33 wasn't so bad after all. xo

Solution to all the world's problems

I have found the answer, the solution, the end-all-be-all, for solving all of the world's problems. There would be no war, no fighting, no arguing....

If EVERY single person, everyone, would just head down to the YMCA on Monday nights for the hour long torture, er- I mean, 'Body Jam' class, I can personally guarantee that there would be no more fighting in this world. And why is that?

Because no one would be ABLE. TO. MOVE. Not one finger lifted, not one leg walked...everyone would be in too much agony, too much pain to even give someone the 'ol stink-eye. Everyone would be begging and pleading with each other for massages, who would have the time to fight?

Yes, the solution to all the world's problems lies in a simple little exercise class. I endured the torture last night- and if I can do it, anyone can! Now would someone please massage my calf muscles?