So....what now?

Life seems to be a lot of hurry up and wait.

I try to be thankful for my blessed life. I AM blessed. And I AM happy. But sometimes I wonder if this is it.

I think I feel this way because Jeremy and I got started on our adult life when we were very young. We've been living the "grown up" life for a long time now. So...I'm done with school. I'm not going to be raising any kids. I have solid employment. We have a solid home base.

And....

And nothing. That's it. That's been it for a while now.

So I guess I'm just antsy for the 'next big thing', the next phase, a new adventure...something..anything.

Call me Miss Fix It

I'm a fixer.

I've gotten better at simply listening without blurting out my opinion. And I've tried hard to just work through things without automatically coming up with a way everyone could be doing it better.

But, deep down, I'm a fixer.
And fixers love to feel helpful.

A lot of my frustrations in life come from not feeling helpful or useful or needed or like I'm FIXING THINGS.

This is with my job.

This is with my family and friends.

This is with my marriage.

This is with anything I do.ever.period.

And nothing irks me more than to offer my help or advice and be ignored or brushed off. Because then I am not being helpful or useful or needed or FIXING anything...PLUS, wasting my time.

Any other fixers out there? How do you deal with keeping your mouth closed? Or when your help gets shrugged off?

For my Friends that are Struggling

Sometimes its ok to fight your way through the storm, walk into the wind, scream through the darkness.

 

But that takes a lot of energy and strength.

 

And when weathering a storm we don't always have the energy to keep fighting.

 

That's ok. I want you to know that.

 

Sometimes it's also ok to just hunker down and protect your light until the storm passes.

 



Blog Shout Outs

1. At the beginning of this week, I made Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp for dinner. I found the recipe on Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I'm used to drowning the pasta in marinara sauce and this has a much lighter 'sauce' to it. But y'all, it was delicious! So, so good. Go and try it...NOW, right NOW!

2. I decided to copy cat Michelle from You're My Favorite Today and show y'all what is in my purse. Once I pulled everything out and set up the shot I realized that I don't carry much.

 

There's my sunglasses, my wallet, my old lady reading glasses, my ipod, a pen, my work badge, keys, and ELF bloating sheets. That's it. That's the list.

Tuesday Randoms

BBBllllaaaarrrggggg!

Sorry for the lack of actual posting lately. The days and weeks are just rushing by. I get off work and then blink and then it's bedtime. I feel like I have a lot going on but nothing going on all at the same time. Ugh..that doesn't even make sense. There is a lot going on in my head {a running to-do list}, lots of stuff on the agenda. So, maybe I can do a quick brain dump...bullet style.

1. I am so..so..sssooo very glad that I am not going to the gym tomorrow. Tired. Sore.

2. I read the Hunger Games last weekend. I didn't know if I wanted to continue with the series because I'm a sucker for a happy ending and I wasn't thinking there was going to be one. But the second book fell into my lap unexpectedly in the form of an audio book. So...I'm continuing with the series.

3. My feet hurt, are rough, and my nail polish is chipping. Who needs a pedicure? This girl.

4. I need to clean out my closet. I haven't taken an outfit photo in months because I've been feeling a little uninspired with my fashion.

5. I wonder if I take enough pictures of Otto taking over my lap and turn them into a book if anyone would actually buy it {yes, he is in my lap at this very moment}.

6. I have the itch to chop all my hair off.

7. Someone argued with me at work today. I refrained from asking them 'Do you know who I am?' and just smiled instead. It doesn't really matter because I know I'm right and they are wrong.

If you were to take me out on a date..

you might take me...

* to paint pottery

* to a cupcakery

* out bowling

* to a wine bar

* to a restaurant we've never been to before

* out for a picnic

* to my favorite yogurt place

* out for my favorite beignets

Welcome to 2012!!

*deep breath in, deep breath out*

2011 is now officially over. Time to take all the crazy, stressful, depressing things that have happened over the last 12 months and put them behind you. The page has been turned, it's a brand new day..a brand new year. Time to start fresh. So, I am sending you my love. That's right....straight from my heart to yours. I want to start this year off with LOVE.

This year I hope you laugh until you are breathless. I hope you have time to gaze at the stars. I hope you spend a wonderful afternoon on a quilt in a park on a perfectly sunny day. I hope you get your toes in the sand. This year I hope that you can sleep that perfect sleep that comes with being utterly content. I hope you give and get a gazillion and one bear hugs. I hope you enjoy puppy kisses and kitten purrs. I hope you smile at strangers, and I hope they smile back. This year I hope you travel every where you are meant to travel. I hope you make memories that will last. I hope you don't have to go to the doctor, not once. I hope you get to enjoy a child's spectacular imagination. I hope you read every book and see every movie that is on your list, and a few that aren't on your list. I hope you get to see family and enjoy your friends. I hope you get to buy a cute pair of shoes...or two..or three. I hope you are able to shrug off the bad. I hope your dream job lands in your lap. This year I hope that the money you need finds its way into your wallet.

I hope you smile.

I hope you have so many blessings that its impossible to count them all.

Friday Funny

I love these commercials. So funny.

Lately....

*  The guestroom makeover commenced about three weekends ago. First thing on the agenda, new door trim and doors. I don't want to go into details..but let me just say this..Jeremy finally hung one of the doors this evening (and it was the fourth door we bought). It's been....a lot of trail and error.

*  Bad News: Lil'Mama is not living with us anymore. Good News: She went to live with my in-laws. I'm fairly certain that my Mother-in-law is completely smitten already.

*  Our neighbors from down the street are handing out Christmas cards door to door. That makes my heart feel all melty. We don't really know them...beyond the friendly wave when driving by..so it was a super sweet gesture.

* We are taking Mack and Dolly to the movies this weekend. It will be Dolly's first time ever...I'm sure she will whisper talk her way right through it. I am ok with that.


* Saturday outfit:

 

 

 

Thursday Funnies

**WARNING: THERE IS ADULT LANGUAGE IN BOTH OF THESE VIDEOS. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.**

Today's Mantra

I might.

I might be opinionated, loud-mouthed, self-righteous.

I might expect too much, demand too much, care too much.

I might be a know-it-all.

I might be overly passionate, overly involved, overly judgemental.

I might not agree, or go with the flow.

I might have unusual ideals.

I might be a bit rude.

I might take things too personal, walk away rather than fight, talk shit.

But.

I might be fiercely loyal.

I might understand better than the next person, give sage advice

I might protect myself from being hurt.

I might feel deeply.

I might be a good ear for venting, the voice of reason.

I might be easy going.

I might see the bigger picture.

I might be a bit insecure.

I might love with my whole heart.

It's Thursday

I am brain dead (brain dead. brain dead. ~ Just a little inside work joke) If you've been reading my blog for a long time you've probably noticed that the overtime at work comes and goes in cycles. There will be none..and then there will be LOTS. During the LOTS times..I can't usually find the energy to put two words together, never mind being fabulous, witty, and funny. Sorry about that.

So instead of me using my mushy gray (grey?) matter I am sharing some youtube links with you. My two co-workers and I were discussing funny youtube videos and we all had a really good laugh about some of our favorites. Sometimes, when you've been grinding away at work..a little laughter goes a long way to make a day bareable.

Things That Annoy Me

Overly edited photos.

Everyone knows you aren't really that smooth and glowy in person.

Mini-blogging break...I shall return!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Thursday Randoms

1. Y'all..it is really hard to get back into the swing of things after a week vacation. Work is super boring, I am super tired, the gym is super gym-ee. UGH! Just one rough week and I am working for the weekend!!

2. I went to see a new hair stylist today. That's always a little nerve-racking. You just never know if you are going to..get along. I know that sounds strange..maybe. But I feel that its important to have some chemistry with your hair person. You should be comfortable enough to tell them exactly what you want and if they aren't giving it to you. The appointment went very well. I'm looking forward to seeing her again.

3. BANGS!

This is another reason to have a good relationship with your hair person. Good bangs take some finesse and quite a bit of up-keep. You don't want to be in a place of needing a bang trim and not being able to get into to see your normal hair person. Going to a walk in place is NOT an option for good bang maintenance. Trust me.

4. I've been obsessively checking the Fedex tracker to watch my weekend purchases. I want them to be here RIGHT NOW!

5. We've been going to the gym for two months now. The scale hasn't budged and my measurements have also not changed by much. But..I can still see and feel the difference. I have muscles! Just goes to show you that you can't always measure your success by the numbers.

6. I have to come to terms with the fact that not everyone is going to like me. Sometimes..I get lonely. My girlfriends live out of town. So, every now and again, I try to stick my toe in the water and make some new friends..or get to know someone better..and it doesn't always work out. Or it just never really goes further than a casual acquaintance.

7. Movies are on the agenda this weekend. Harry Potter? Or Conan the Barbarian? Shirtless Muscle Man might bet out Wizard Boy.

Oh hai!

Sorry for my lack of posting this last week. I did manage to at least post SOMETHING, but I feel like my usual enthusiasm was missing. Getting my new purse was truly the highlight of my week. Other than that it was not so bueno.

1. We had overtime at work. Not much, thank goodness, but enough to slightly throw off the rest of my day and make me feel all discombobulated.

2. It was "hell week" so my emotions were like the worst kind of roller coaster ride. I was up and then I was down. I was laughing, and then I was crying. I was pissed off a lot. I tend to just keep to myself when I'm having all these crazy emotions and thoughts. I know it will pass, so I don't really want to concern anyone with my crazy ranting (although, thanks to my bestie Jonessa for having a three hour phone call with me earlier this week..it really helped).

3. The weather is starting to get to me, people. I feel like I am going stir crazy. I'm tired of looking at the inside of this house. I mean, I LOVE my house, but I so tired of not being able to enjoy my back patio..or take the dogs for more walks..or..or..just standing outside. It's too freakin' hot! Everything is dying, my lawn is yellow, my patio furniture is covered in a fine layer of Texas dust. The wind blows..but it's never a nice cool breeze. OH no, it's like when you open the oven..that kind of 'breeze'. I'm just so very ready for the weather to calm down a little so that I can step outside of this house.

4. Oh yeah, and I was so very tired all week long. Combine the OT, with the gym, with the 'hell week', AND Jeremy was feeling sick, PLUS I couldn't seem to make myself go to bed at a decent hour...made for one very cranky, tired, emotionally drained, stir crazy Jinny.

Hopefully things will be better this coming week. For now, I'm going to the movies..where it's dark, and cold, and not the inside of my house.

It's a Pinterest kind of Wednesday

Pugs and cupcakes? What's not to love?

Wish I looked that cute walking the dogs.

It's so true.

OMG! I love everything about this outfit..including the bangs. I need it all.

Monday Musings

1. I have decided that I need a pair of nude heels. Actually, as much as I love shoes I don't have many high heel pumps. I'm more of a wedge sandal girl. But, when the weather gets cold {cold weather? What is that?} I have a hard time dressing my feet because the wedge sandals and cute flats are put away.  So, I need to branch out and find some super cute, (relatively) comfortable pumps to get me through the winter.

2. I'm going to Austin this weekend! Can't wait. I'll get to see my SWB BFF and her lovely family. I'm going to get to see my seester. And I'm going to get to see my aunt and my cousin and the two most adorable boys around. How many more days until this week is over?!

3. I am anticipating overtime at work. They are trying to merge two of the systems we use into just one..and well..let's just say that nothing ever goes smoothly. We are working with one foot in and one foot out the door, so to speak. And I just sit back and watch the work pile up and pile up and pile up. So..I am preparing myself {OT paychecks never hurt}.

4. Have y'all ever put macadamia nuts on top of vanilla frozen yogurt? No?! You should totally try it...it's delish!

5. We are on week three of our gym membership and so far, so good. All we HAVE to do is go at least three times a week for at least an hour. That damn elliptical machine totally kicks my ass. I am a red-faced, out of breath, crazy haired, sweat drenched, wobbly legged person after 30 minutes on one of those torture devices. But, it burns a lot of calories.

6. I love that I "catch" my husband checking my blog. {Hi, babe!}

Tuesday Randoms

1. It seems that somehow I have held the PMS monster at bay. This would be 'hell week' as I affectionately call the week leading up to my period. But the usual moodiness (i.e. getting totally pissed off over everything and then crying myself into a heap on the bathroom floor in a matter of 2.5 seconds) has been wonderfully absent. I probably shouldn't question it..just roll with the happy's while I have them.

2. Lola's paw seems to be ok. The crack is still there but she hasn't been licking it or even limping. I think she will survive...I guess that means I will to (I'm a slightly over-protective Momma and will probably still bring it up to the vet on Thursday).

3. We are joining a gym this weekend! I am thrilled and intimidated all at once. I know it will be good for us. Eating right can only get you so far and both of us have been consistently sporadic with our workouts. But paying for a gym membership sort of means we HAVE to go. I can't let the money go to waste. It's like I want to do it, but I don't want to do it. You know what I mean? Hopefully it will help me lose these last few pounds that are keeping me in the 'overweight' category and get me all toned up!

4. I need a haircut in a bad way. My hair is a hot mess. I'm torn between cutting my bangs back off or just getting them trimmed so they blend better with the rest of my hair. I'd say they are about mid-cheek right now. I just know I have to do something. They get in my face, barely too short to tuck behind my ears, so I pin them back a lot of the time. I just need someone who knows what they are doing with a pair of scissors to please take pity on my poor hair and work it out!

5. Anyone ever watch 'Strange Sex' on TLC? I happened to catch about five minutes of it the other night. This man was suffering from POIS, Postorgasmic illness syndrome. Basically these poor people (a quick, very quick, google search seems to only include guys..so I'm not sure if women suffer from this or not) suffer flu like symptoms for days after they climax. Doesn't that sound so shitty? To experience something SO great, to experiencing something so crappy?! What is up with that? It's not right, I tell you, just not right.