I'm Turning 30 Soon

and up until last night I was truly feeling sorry for myself.  I don't know why this number (age) bothers me so much, but it does.  I find that I'm being entirely too nostalgic for my own good.  It's honestly just depressing.  And then I read this book.  A blind read (as I call it) when I just jump in and have no idea what it's even about.  I got it from the library, thought the title was different? and simply took a chance.

“What a slut time is. She screws everybody.” 
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

I never want this for my life or anyone else.  This is a story about two young people who are plagued with cancer and quite simply, one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read.  I cried.  Hard.  Really Hard.  And then I stopped feeling sorry for myself.

Thank you John Green for your beautiful story and for putting me in my place.  I needed it.

“But it is the nature of stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he has Cassius note, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves.” 

― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

XX 

the almost 30 year old ~ W

Smutty Smut Book Club

I mentioned in my last post that I have been reading...alot... lately.  The term "alot" seems like an understatement.  I'm about to drive my husband insane in all actuality.  :)   

This post is for my girls who want to know what I'm reading and it just seems easier to put it here than trying to let you each know what I do/do not recommend.  Our attempts at forming a true book club have failed, but maybe we can make something cyber work?

To your top right --------->>>  is my GoodReads page where I list, rate, and sometimes review what I've read.  Feel free to peruse and make your own pages for me to follow!!

Oh, and I'm tad bit obsessed with Romance at the moment so my tastes seem slightly singular.  This isn't truly the case, but I can get a helluvalota Kindle books in this department for under $4.  Win. Win.

XX ~W

Lately I've Been Reading

And reading and reading and reading.  I can't seem to get enough of these hot bad boys---we (girls) are just hard-wired for this stuff and I'm a total sucker.  So, if you're wanting to escape from reality into the oh-so-perfect life of Christian Grey and the likes...here are a few suggestions.

3 Part Trilogy with the sexy and insatiable Gideon Cross.  Book 2 comes out in October!















                                                                                           3 Part Trilogy with God's Gift to Women,
the Christian Grey!

2 Part Series with the hunky, savage Travis Maddox.  The 2nd book which is out sometime this Fall is the same book, but from Travis's POV.  LOVE when authors do that!

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Excuse my french, but this story is a complete and utter MindF*CK.  A wickedly good page turner and a definite read!

Our 1st Anniversary

Our 1st anniversary was Sunday but due to to a minor cake ordering mishap made by me, we got to celebrate twice!  You see....I've been planning for an entire YEAR to order one of the many layers of cake from our wedding because we didn't really get to enjoy our cake(s) on the day of our wedding.  So, what happens??...I forget to order it in time for our anniversary, of course.  Oh well, so we celebrated twice! 2 yummy meals, 2 dates, and 1 wedding cake.... not too shabby.

We also thought it was HIGHlarious that our 1st anniversary cake was. so. ugly.  I suppose that's what you get when you relinquish creative control to the bakers.  Consequently, this unsavory sight gave us an idea our first anniversary tradition and we can't wait to see the beauty we get next year. Haha!  And in case you are wondering, Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" was our first dance.  

Happy Anniversary Biscuit! 

XX~Wife

I can wait 3 months to get an iphone, I can wait 3 months to get an iphone, I can............NooooICan't!!

Why must I be such a product of the instant gratification generation? Why?!*?..... because of the "cloud", the icloud that is. I MUST have it so that my life (in photographs) are everywhere I am and...oh yeah my calendar and junk too:). My contract is up in October and I just don't think I'm going to make it. Even my husband (who just got an iphone a few weeks ago) offered to give me his and he'd wait another 3 months. Can you believe that!!?? Is that a good husband or what? No No, I'm going to wait, but in the meantime I shall dream about having this perfect perfect little bitty perfect case.

"That's What She Said" Dominican Fun

We just got back from our week at the Riu Palace Bavaro in the Dominican Republic and had a fabulous time!  The resort was modernly beautiful and packed with fun "one liners" with two of our closest friends.    Here is a short review of our trip.

PROS :)

• Nice rooms- equipped with a Jacuzzi tub (which we totally used), large shower with waterfall showerhead, American channels on the tv (Clay watched ESPN every morning just like he does at home), Alcohol dispenser in the room (fancy lil detail), and a completely adequate porch for lounging.  We booked the cheapest rooms with no regret whatsoever, but it's always nice to have a view.  I would venture to say that it would be difficult to have a "true" ocean view without really paying top dollar.  In essence, not worth it at this resort.
• The Restaurant Row- all food was located down one long corridor, so it wasn't scattered throughout the resort like many places do.  Best part of the food was the food!  It was surprisingly delicious.  The buffet never disappointed and the restaurants were good too.  Our favorite restaurant was the Geisha which served Sushi appetizers and a Japanese main course.  Yum!
• The Desert Bar- A little sweet treat with fancy coffee.  Can't beat that!
• Drinks- Were too sweet, but you manage.  The best part of the bar scene was the beer!  This is usually never the case in foreign lands.  Brahma beer won our hearts hands down.  Would even buy this brand at home it was that good.
• Entertainment-  Clay and I have been to several places by now and this resort had the best nightly entertainment.  It just wasn't.....cheesy.  
• Shopping- Clay and I like to shop (haggle).  We were in luck b/c there were a strip of shops right down the beach (walking 5 min) with lots of junk and plenty of shop owners who "make you good deal," "almost free today," with "cheapy, cheapy" stuff.

CONS :(

• No Beach Service- for Rui to want this resort to become their "flagship" of the Dominican they are missing the ball with no beach bar service.  It's almost a given anywhere you stay and this is one place where you have to walk to get your drink.  Lame-o Blame-o
• The Variety Effect-  Clay and I appreciate resorts that try and mix it up a little each day.   So when a resort sets up the occasional food bar/cookout on the beach or kabobs/snow cones/popsicles around the pool --it makes us smile.  You will find that your days are exactly the same at this resort.  It wasn't a bad thing, just could have been better.

And as far as excursions go, we only did one = Ziplining.  It was just o.k.  Clay and I had done this once before in Puerto Vallarta and it hands down won for being a better overall experience.  I would not recommend this Dominican excursion to others.

And now for the moments captured....

What's Been Going on Lately

It all started with @KathieO's graduation party here.

Which led to Pearl's (the car) demise.  Lucky for us, the accident was not our fault nor were we injured.

And now I'm test driving fancy things like this........... with Panoramic sunroofs and Back-up cameras, finding myself asking if DVD players can be installed.  Who am I???

Moms Day

 Mom,

1. Remember that time you carried me for 9 months and then breastfed for another 9?  #rockstar 
2. Remember that time you let me pick my own outfits for school?  Yeah, I don't think I'll let my children do that.  #lessonlearned
3. Remember that time you made me wear that really ugly dress?  You spent the whole night sewing to try and make it better.  #motherslove
4. Remember that time when you were my mom making the less desirable decisions (in my mind) instead of trying to be my friend?  #thanksforthat
5. Remember that time when you wouldn't let me date boys that were too old for me, but I insisted that they weren't?  #wisemom
6. Remember that time when you made me start doing my own laundry in the 6th grade!!  #teachingresponsibility
7. Remember that time when you made me play golf when I didn't want to?  #lookingintothefuture
8. Remember that time when you stood up for me against the "mean girls?"  #canonlyimaginehowmuchyoucared
9. Remember that time when you taught me that family is the most important?  #priorities
10. Remember that time when we went walking?  #myfavoritetimes

 Love you mom!

My May Challenge

I'm challenging myself to eat one salad a day for the entire month of May.  Wowzers!  I've mentioned before that I'm not much of a cook and salad is no exception.  I am equally bad at making them!! but with the help of pinterest and the salads that I am inevitably going to order out- I hope to make it through this.  Today's salad....

May 1st :  Strawberries, Kiwi, Turkey Bacon, & Feta

For My Sister the Vegan

My sister called me up the other day to let me know she was a vegan....at least.... she was going to be for one week :)~.  She's been inspired by the book "Eat to Live" which was recommended to her (and millions of other viewers) by the Dr. Oz.  So, in honor of her one week life change I decided to try a  recipe that was posted by another blogger whom I follow.  This blogger makes lots of yummy stuff...some healthy and lots not.  Behold a healthy option that actually tastes pretty great...

Cauliflower French Fries 
1 head of cauliflower cut up into bite size pieces.
1/8-1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Bake on foil @ 400 for 1 hr.  Flip every 25mins or so.

Before baking

After

And I swear they taste just like french fries.  Enjoy....

Diet update

We are a little over a month into our weight loss regime and I have to admit I'm pretty happy with the progress so far.  There have been some successes and setbacks as with everything in life.

Successes
Even my work out pants are starting to get slightly too big!

Setbacks
Shoulder and knee injury flare ups.  Due to the increase in exercise (p90x & running) my existing conditions seem to have gotten far worse. BLAST!

I cannot even begin to put into words how frustrating it is to not be able to work out like I want to or do as I always have.  I fall into a sort of self pity during these times and then immediately feel guilty for pitying myself when I'm very fortunate for alot of things.  I then take these thoughts to the extreme and end up arguing with myself  like..."at least you have legs and can run even though it hurts or you've always been healthy so start be thankful for that."  I know, I'm a total nut!!   I like to think these thoughts help keep me somewhat humble about situations.  I'm very aware that my life is NOT the most important, tragic, frustrating, picture-perfect, annoying, petty...the list goes on.  If there is one thing I have learned from Facebook it is to NOT complain, vent, or have negative thoughts at all on Facebook.   Try having an extreme (but reality for some) thought first and I guarantee that you won't hit send on that mundane complaint of yours.

So the regime continues---calorie counting, P90 daily, and running when my knee allows.  Hoping to have some reinforcing scale results at the end of May to share.  Until then....

Best Wishes on all of your goals--- whatever they may be!

Great Gifts, Great Friends, & Great Times

Today's post is about a great gift that Clay and I received for our wedding.  It was personal, heartfelt, and genuinely special.  If you are like us (upper 20 somethings or early thirties) then you probably find yourself smack dab in the middle of wedding and/or baby season right about now.  Here is a great gift idea that is sure to WOW at any occasion.

My friend Kathie over at http://chadykathie.wordpress.com/ is the ultimate party planner.  It is in this girls genes to plan and execute some of the most beautiful and heartfelt parties.  I have been privy in helping her throw some of the cutest baby showers, birthday parties, welcome home pig roasts and charity events you have ever seen.  She even threw Clay and I's engagement party with the help of a few of our closest friends (reminder to self to blog those party pics).  In addition to awesome parties, she is a fantastic gift giver b/c she really puts her heart into everything she does.  For our wedding she made Clay and I a personalized Cookbook complete with recipes from friends and family, photos from some our favorite pastimes, and a huge basket of cooking goodies (i.e. spices, the cookbook stand pictured, etc) that complimented some of the recipes inside the book.  So, if you are looking for that perfect gift and have some time (b/c I'm sure this took her forever too) then this is definitely a winner!  Enjoy...

Cookbook stand from Williams Sonoma

This was a picture from Clay's 30th birthday party at Busch stadium.  It was such an awesome day!  Really felt the love- look at all those friends and family who came.  Thank you again guys!  XO

Might be giving away trade secrets with this one.  Special recipe from our all star grilling friend Jeremy B- Sorry Jeremy :)  Photo from Clay's bachelor party at Kentucky Lake.

Brother, sister, and I at an event from my brother's wedding.

Clay and his family.  Recipe by his mom- I think she had my cooking ability in mind with this one :).  Thank you Julie for the simplicity!  I love it! 

She knows us well and knew not to leave our babies out!!

A blast from the past.  Clay and his cousins.

More baseball fun.  This is Clay's sister and she's currently living in Florida working for the Cardinal's minor league team.  Happy Birthday/Easter Kristen!  Miss you!

And the woman behind all the magic.  My beautiful friend Kathie! 

And while we're on the topic of great gifts....I thought I'd also show you what Clay and I got our groomsmen for being part of our wedding.  I also stole this idea from Kathie (of course, she has all the good ideas) and the boys loved it!

Personalized Bobbleheads for each of them.

Lucas- Best Man & my cousin

Matt

Miller- his was so good it was freaky!

Ben- his likeness was awesome too!

Nic

And the gorgeous girls!  I just couldn't leave them out.  I got them each Vera Bradley bags to carry their wedding day junk in, personalized coffee mugs for the morning of, and a wedding day emergency basket (mini hairspray, Altoids, bobby pins, Ibprofen, etc).  

I don't seem to have any great photos of those gifts but here's what I could find.

 

Backyard project *update*

*Update*

Looky what I found this morning under a few inches of weeds and dirt.

Remember how I said I would show you my project for the summer.  Welp, this is it.  Say hello to our nothing but weeds backyard that has ooodles of potential.  The previous owners actually did this area pretty well, but unfortunately we've been so busy on the inside that this area got neglected and now it looks like this.  Here's the plan.

The entire yard is framed with pavers- I just have to find them under all the weeds :)
Behind those pavers it kind of looks like grass- nope weeds.  I plan to till it all up and....rock? grass?  not sure yet.

I started clearing out this rounded area here yesterday.  I de-weeded, but need to add rock and a few plants.  

This is a pond- somewhere under there.

Remove this mini fence and replace with a real one.

Close up of the pond

Back of the house

Got my work cut out for me, haven't I?  lol

Stay tuned....