makes me smile

Today was gravel spreading day by my house.

While that may mean nothing to some people, it means a lot to me.

Normally when I drive down the roads nearest to my house, I have to drive 2mph due to the numerous pot holes, and the very real possibility that something, anything may fall off of my car at any time.

That's what normally happens, but not on gravel spreading day.

On gravel spreading day it's a smooth ride.

No pot holes.

No worrying about parts falling off of my car.

Just smooth sailing.

Gravel spreading day makes me smile every time!

I'm quitting.

This is how I think that I look most of the time.
But it's fake.
I'm sticking my neck out.
I'm straining to make sure my neck doesn't show any rolls.

This is what I really look like.

These pictures were taken about 18 hours apart.
The one below is the real me.
Not trying to hide anything.
Not sucking in anything.
So.....

On Monday I quit.

I'm quitting everything.

I'm quitting:
smoking
coffee
alcohol
pop
fast food
bad food
big food portions
milk
cheese
icecream
pizza
fiction books
procrastinating
laziness

I am quitting for a month.

The picture below is what is up on the desktop of my computer, and I also have it printed out.
It is to remind me why I am doing this, and what I want to achieve, a credo of sorts.

I posted this on my blog not for affirmation, not for encouragement, but to make it real.
I am doing this for me.
I am going to change everything.

a busy weekend

This weekend our friend Jen came to town, and that means a really busy, but fun weekend.
On Saturday morning Jason and I got up early, and Jen picked us up.
We headed out to Little Presque Isle, so Jen and Jason could run in the Lakeshore 5K they had signed up for.
It was a beautiful morning, and their race was through the woods and next to the lake (not bad if you ask me)
After I worked for a few hours, we met up to play some pool and darts.
On Sunday we got up early, drank some coffee and got the house ready for our cookout.
We had no idea how many people would be coming, or really if anyone would come.
I had bought burgers and all the fixings, so anyone could come and eat and just enjoy the beautiful day.
For a while it was just Jason and I, and then our friend Ajani came with his mom, and his mom's friend that was visiting her from Germany.
He was so funny.
He kept taking pictures of everything.
The street, our cars, our apartment.
He enjoyed playing the bean bag game that Jen had brought over.
The pictures below are from the weekend.

OK, I lied.

It was 70 degrees and sunny today.

an update of sorts

It is Monday morning, and it is my first day that I don't have to be anywhere until 6:30pm.
The cute little girl that I nanny for has grandparents visiting, so I have been given the day off.
It rained all weekend.
Very cozy, but very wet and chilly.
It's very fall-ish up here.
The leaves are already turning, and I believe that there aren't going to be any over 60 degree days left in this calendar year.
I'm frustrated with school already.
I know that won't surprise anyone, but why take classes that aren't challenging?
Oh yeah, I have no choice.
Sorry, just a little annoyed.
Other than school, it seems like my life revolves around nanny-ing, and pizza making/delivering.
I like both of them, but something is got to give sooner or later.

just a little mess

I had a couple of technical issues while making popcorn on Sunday.
Jason happened to catch it on video.
While it's not the best of me....it's still hilarious, at least I think so.

labor day weekend

Like I said, last Saturday my parents came to visit.
In honor of their trip to the UP wilderness, they both bought KEENS.
And...they wore them with socks. Ohmygoodness.
They only did it to bug me.
Such creepy parents.
I love them.

On Thursday night Jason went down to Thompson to see his parents, who were staying at his Uncle's.
I wasn't able to go on Thursday, so after work on Saturday I drove down there.
It's always a good time.
Their property is very secluded and right on Lake MI.
I got there at 10pm and we probably didn't eat until at least 11:30.
Eating there is always an event and it is always done very, very late.
We had thick juicy steaks, crab legs steamed to perfection, garlic potatoes, blue cheese bread, greek salad, and plenty of wine.
In the morning I woke up before everyone else, and took my coffee and my book down to the lake and sat there until by butt was numb and then decided to take a kayak ride.
Later, steak for breakfast, and then to the beach for hours.
It was a great time.
Thank you for sharing Gene and Kim.

We decided that we needed to break in the new apartment, and Monday seemed like the perfect day.
We went to an early movie, and then Jason and Ajani jumped off black rocks, and afterward everyone trickled in.
We played music, grilled, made margaritas, and enjoyed each others company on our very crowded deck.
I couldn't have been happier.

The video below was meant to be a picture, but it was on the wrong setting.
A little back ground information first:
My mom LOVES the fall, and she LOVES when school starts.
Even though we are all grown up, my mom still wants to buy us school supplies, but mostly she loves to buy us glue.
While we were in Wal-mart shopping while my parents were here, we found the mecca of glue, a whole end cap full of it, and my mom couldn't help herself.
Here she is the glue queen.

wednesday humor

Hopefully this picture made you laugh, because I know I laughed when I looked in the mirror this morning.
It was too good not to share.
Happy Wednesday!