I've been casually looking for a new black handbag for a while now. You know, clicking on the "handbags" link on shopping sites as I browse. As I was catching up on my blog reading and facebook updates, I stumbled upon a sorority sisters posting of a blog she follows - The Daybook
And...through her blog, I stumbled upon this handbag...
Love it. Pretty sure it's sold out at the moment, but a girl can dream, right?! :)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Domestic Disturbance
This is completely random but, I suppose, blog-worthy.
Right now, I'm sitting with Matt watching the OSU/A&M basketball game and Matt is - how can I say this - passionately commentating on the game from time to time. If you know my husband, he is just not a soft spoken guy in general, especially when it comes to Oklahoma State Athletics. Even his whisper in a movie theater would be enough to cause a "SHHH" from someone a few rows away. :) Living in an apartment with 7 other units on our floor, you can hear your neighbors. Our neighbors directly across from us have 2 little ones and I can sometimes hear the 3 year old laughing or the baby fussing. Then, there are the other neighbors that fight like cats and dogs and scream at each other. I mean, it's awkward and everyone from us to the doormen know about them. I've been told the police have even been called in the past, but then they straighten up and say everything is fine. I tell this because as Matt screams at the refs, I think to myself, "gosh I really hope our nice neighbors don't think we're fighting like the crazies across the hall!" :)
Right now, I'm sitting with Matt watching the OSU/A&M basketball game and Matt is - how can I say this - passionately commentating on the game from time to time. If you know my husband, he is just not a soft spoken guy in general, especially when it comes to Oklahoma State Athletics. Even his whisper in a movie theater would be enough to cause a "SHHH" from someone a few rows away. :) Living in an apartment with 7 other units on our floor, you can hear your neighbors. Our neighbors directly across from us have 2 little ones and I can sometimes hear the 3 year old laughing or the baby fussing. Then, there are the other neighbors that fight like cats and dogs and scream at each other. I mean, it's awkward and everyone from us to the doormen know about them. I've been told the police have even been called in the past, but then they straighten up and say everything is fine. I tell this because as Matt screams at the refs, I think to myself, "gosh I really hope our nice neighbors don't think we're fighting like the crazies across the hall!" :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
My Valentine!
Spoiler Alert: This is a Mushy Post About My Boo
Now, to brag on my loving husband! He is exceptional. No he did not send me flowers today, but that was by request. As the person who "balances the checkbook", I would rather the money be spent elsewhere - like the occasional manicure or scarf on sale. :) He shows his love in a range of rays - from unloading the dishwasher to giving me a pretty little blue box with a white ribbon wrapped around it! I can't say enough about the man that asked me to marry him. I never doubt his faithfulness or his feelings about me. He loves me unconditionally and has seen me at my best, and sadly, at my worst moments. I know he wants to give me the world. I know he loves me more than when we first started dating and were all googly eyed with each other. I know how blessed I am to have snagged him, and I can only hope that he feels a fraction of that way towards me. He encourages me, makes me laugh, supports me, knows me sometimes better than I know myself, forgives me and never judges me. In a lot of ways, he shows me Christ's love through his love for me.
Here's a throw-back of some of our most memorable Love Days:
A few years ago, when I was living with 2 other girls in a cute little house in Stillwater, he conspired with them and they helped him sneak into my room while I was sleeping. I woke up with pink/red construction paper hearts in varying sizes with sweet words written in crayon taped all over my room! Awwww!
Another year, he somehow stole the spare key to my car and filled every last inch of it with pink, red, white balloons and wrote Valentine's type things in red polish on my windows while I was at work! It was hysterical, sweet and a little embarrassing! I had to pop all of those balloons before I could safely drive home! :)
More recently, craft time is few and far between for my working man and he doesn't have the same free time to smuggle dozens of balloons into a car. Ah, college. haha! These days, our Christmases have been more about the nice gifts and we usually treat ourselves to a nice steak dinner for Valentine's Day. I love it! We celebrated this weekend, since his work schedule can be demanding during the week. I made a delicious dinner Friday - chicken breasts, roasted red garlic potatoes, and asparagus. We mostly stayed in our pjs Sat/Sun - he miraculously didn't have to go into the office at all! Sunday night, we went to a "new to us" restaurant and had steaks and lobster and then came home to some chocolate covered strawberries that I had made earlier in the day. Let's face it, I made them more for me, but I shared them with my beloved.
In this season we're currently in, spending time with Matt was the best Valentine I could ask for from him! I love you, Matt! More and more each day!
*Side note - is a card considered a gift? Boys/Girls minds work so differently! We said no gifts this year, but I still got him a card. When I gave it to him this morning, he replied with "I thought we said no gifts?" haha! It's not a gift, right?!?
My First Valentine (but not my only Valentine) !!!
I can't remember a Valentine's Day that I didn't get flowers from my Daddy. He always gave my mom a big bouquet and then I would get either one or a group of 3 roses. When we moved into the house my parents live in now, I would wake up and they would be in my bathroom with a card titled "Beffidoose" or "Fred" - nicknames he has always called me.
The first year I was in college, Valentine's Day came and I suddenly realized I wouldn't wake up to flowers in my bathroom! Daddy delivered though and had a flower shop in Stillwater deliver me one rose! Sometimes they were yellow, just so I wouldn't forget I was from Texas {the yellow rose of Texas :) we're crazy, I know}.
When I was working at the bank in Oklahoma, he had them delivered there. Everyone would assume they were from Matt, but I would boast they were from my Daddy instead. Before you judge me - or Matt - he has given me flowers in the past, but I usually tell him not to worry about it. He's always done really thoughtful things - but that's another post. :)
It's really not even about the flowers. It's become more of a tradition now and it melts my heart every year. It's just something that my Daddy and I share.
So this year, Daddy has NO idea where my office is in Chicago, but he's mailed many a care package to our apartment. I went home at lunch and sure enough, Danny our doorman had some flowers at his desk waiting for me!
Aren't they gorgeous?!?!
Without fail, Daddy has come through and has been my Valentine for the last 26 years! I love you Daddy. Thank you for creating so many wonderful memories over the years and I love our little traditions and inside jokes {TOE PICK}. I'll always be your baby girl and you'll always be my first Valentine!
xoxo,
Beffidoose/Fred
The first year I was in college, Valentine's Day came and I suddenly realized I wouldn't wake up to flowers in my bathroom! Daddy delivered though and had a flower shop in Stillwater deliver me one rose! Sometimes they were yellow, just so I wouldn't forget I was from Texas {the yellow rose of Texas :) we're crazy, I know}.
When I was working at the bank in Oklahoma, he had them delivered there. Everyone would assume they were from Matt, but I would boast they were from my Daddy instead. Before you judge me - or Matt - he has given me flowers in the past, but I usually tell him not to worry about it. He's always done really thoughtful things - but that's another post. :)
It's really not even about the flowers. It's become more of a tradition now and it melts my heart every year. It's just something that my Daddy and I share.
So this year, Daddy has NO idea where my office is in Chicago, but he's mailed many a care package to our apartment. I went home at lunch and sure enough, Danny our doorman had some flowers at his desk waiting for me!
Aren't they gorgeous?!?!
Without fail, Daddy has come through and has been my Valentine for the last 26 years! I love you Daddy. Thank you for creating so many wonderful memories over the years and I love our little traditions and inside jokes {TOE PICK}. I'll always be your baby girl and you'll always be my first Valentine!
xoxo,
Beffidoose/Fred
Sunday, February 6, 2011
SAD
I am becoming a believer in SAD - also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder! A girlfriend at work told me she thinks she developed it when they moved here and I'm totally blaming my winter blues on it. :) I googled it this weekend and here's the definition -
Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Seasonal affective disorder is a cyclic, seasonal condition. This means that signs and symptoms come back and go away at the same time every year. Usually, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer.
And here are the symptoms. I've commented on the ones that have affected me -
- Depression - I am not a depressed person but I've been throwing pity parties a little more often lately.
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Loss of energy - My workout routine is a little harder to stick with right now.
- Social withdrawal - We try to make plans to keep from becoming hermits, but it takes a little more work during the winter. :)
- Oversleeping - Two nights last week I fell asleep on the couch watching TV after work and my bed has been so warm and comfy in the mornings, it's hard to drag myself out of bed.
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed - I enjoy running but that does NOT sound as fun on a treadmill and I'm not a huge fan of running in such cold temps - not to mention, it's dark before/after work which doesn't feel as safe for me to be running alone.
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates - Dinners like baked potatoes, bowls of white rice, grilled cheese sandwiches, cereal, etc - CARBS CARBS CARBS!
- Weight gain - Obviously all the carbs...and you remember my losing battle to the batch of brownies a few blog posts ago?? yeah, packing on an lb or two! :)
- Difficulty concentrating and processing information
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Imogene Jackson
This week, Matt's grandmother passed away. It's been a tough week for everyone and tonight we're flying to OK to celebrate her life on Monday. Thankfully, we spent time with her over Thanksgiving and Christmas. When we found out she wasn't doing so well, Matt was fortunate enough to go home and spend a few days with her and say his goodbyes. I got a text from him telling me that she whispered that she loved me and I can't even tell you how much that meant to me. Grandma was an amazing lady. She treated me as one of her own grandchildren from day one and always made me feel loved and welcome. She was a stubborn, tough firecracker too! Fiercely loyal to those she loved most and she always spoke her mind. I remember going to Landon's high school basketball games and if she didn't agree with the referee, she would let him have it! For the conflict avoider {me}, I was terrified! haha! And then there was politics...whew, she could really get going! :) She would give everyone a lecture at every Christmas and birthday b/c she told us time and again not to buy her anything. Of course we never listened and she would give us that look like we were in trouble.
She loved Steve Spurrier - the South Carolina football coach. To my knowledge, there are no ties to the school, but she just liked him so we would watch and cheer for them when they were on TV. She was famous for her homemade peanut brittle, pickles, noodles and strawberry preserves. I heard rumors that her freezers were stocked full with left overs or food that she refused to waste. She knew how to do so many things and experienced so much throughout her lifetime - sadly, most of which is a lost art with each passing generation. I don't think she ever drove a car, but ironically, had a cell phone the last couple of years in case of emergency. She was her grandkids biggest fan. She was so proud of her kids and grandkids and really left an amazing legacy for all of us.
Liz, Chris, me, Matt, Beth, Grandma, Landon and Jeana - May 2008
Grandma looked so beautiful on our wedding day!
At her birthday lunch last year! 91 wonderful, love-filled years! June 2010
Grandma,
We love you and we're so thankful for all you taught us over the years. I feel so blessed that I was fortunate enough to know you for 5 years. You have raised an amazing family and I know you were so proud of us. Thanks for all your prayers over us and our lives. I know that's why we are where we are now, because you prayed for each of our dreams to come true. I'm sure you don't want us to make a fuss over you, but we're going to brag on you and celebrate you anyway because, well, we never listened to you anyway when you told us not to do something! :) You enriched so many lives and Heaven has gained an amazing lady. Thank you again for your love, encouragement, and values you have passed along to us. We love you now and forever.
She loved Steve Spurrier - the South Carolina football coach. To my knowledge, there are no ties to the school, but she just liked him so we would watch and cheer for them when they were on TV. She was famous for her homemade peanut brittle, pickles, noodles and strawberry preserves. I heard rumors that her freezers were stocked full with left overs or food that she refused to waste. She knew how to do so many things and experienced so much throughout her lifetime - sadly, most of which is a lost art with each passing generation. I don't think she ever drove a car, but ironically, had a cell phone the last couple of years in case of emergency. She was her grandkids biggest fan. She was so proud of her kids and grandkids and really left an amazing legacy for all of us.
Liz, Chris, me, Matt, Beth, Grandma, Landon and Jeana - May 2008
Grandma looked so beautiful on our wedding day!
At her birthday lunch last year! 91 wonderful, love-filled years! June 2010
Grandma,
We love you and we're so thankful for all you taught us over the years. I feel so blessed that I was fortunate enough to know you for 5 years. You have raised an amazing family and I know you were so proud of us. Thanks for all your prayers over us and our lives. I know that's why we are where we are now, because you prayed for each of our dreams to come true. I'm sure you don't want us to make a fuss over you, but we're going to brag on you and celebrate you anyway because, well, we never listened to you anyway when you told us not to do something! :) You enriched so many lives and Heaven has gained an amazing lady. Thank you again for your love, encouragement, and values you have passed along to us. We love you now and forever.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Rude.
This is a random story {like most of my posts I guess} but I can't stop thinking about it.
Last night, I took the train to see my friends out in the burbs. It was a rush hour train so I knew it would be packed with commuters. I spotted an open seat and wedged myself next to the window with my purse and bag in my lap. Soon after, a man sat next to me and I said hello but it's just kind of an unspoken rule that you keep to yourself unless y'all both want to chat. Everyone's had a long day at work and you just want to relax. So I had my Kindle out and he was working on his computer when I hear, "EXCUSE ME." People are still trying to find seats and the train is about to leave so I just thought this lady needed someone to move their foot or elbow so she could get down the aisle. I kind of turn around as she says "I WANNA SIT HERE." to the guy right behind us. Her tone was just real hateful and short. The guy behind me had already put his earbuds in and his bag was sitting next to him {a no, no on a packed train}. He was automatically defensive which I could TOTALLY understand b/c she was being a real...well...you know...not nice lady. He said "You could've said excuse me" and her reply "I did!" and then she went on to lecture him about how he can't have his bag on the seat b/c it's a rush hour train. His reply "I didn't know you worked for Metra" ... it was totally awkward and my heart was pounding just being near the conflict, but I really wanted to turn around and tell her... "Look lady, maybe you had a horrible day, but you can't treat people like that. You should apologize." along with something else I'm sure would've sounded profound. But, I wanted to live to see my friends so I didn't say anything.
Really though, I was so taken aback by the way she acted. She was in her late 40's or early 50's and she just stopped next to his seat and demanded to sit next to him. It was obvious he couldn't hear her when she said excuse me and instead of catching his attention and asking again or simply saying "May I sit next to you?" or asking to move his bag, she just went off on him! Most people would become defensive and react the way he did so I can't blame him. I don't know what I would've done if I were him, but it definitely would've ruined a part of my night and there's no need for that!
So, to that rude lady, I hope you're having a better day today and I hope I am never in the path of your crazy wrath! Good grief.
Last night, I took the train to see my friends out in the burbs. It was a rush hour train so I knew it would be packed with commuters. I spotted an open seat and wedged myself next to the window with my purse and bag in my lap. Soon after, a man sat next to me and I said hello but it's just kind of an unspoken rule that you keep to yourself unless y'all both want to chat. Everyone's had a long day at work and you just want to relax. So I had my Kindle out and he was working on his computer when I hear, "EXCUSE ME." People are still trying to find seats and the train is about to leave so I just thought this lady needed someone to move their foot or elbow so she could get down the aisle. I kind of turn around as she says "I WANNA SIT HERE." to the guy right behind us. Her tone was just real hateful and short. The guy behind me had already put his earbuds in and his bag was sitting next to him {a no, no on a packed train}. He was automatically defensive which I could TOTALLY understand b/c she was being a real...well...you know...not nice lady. He said "You could've said excuse me" and her reply "I did!" and then she went on to lecture him about how he can't have his bag on the seat b/c it's a rush hour train. His reply "I didn't know you worked for Metra" ... it was totally awkward and my heart was pounding just being near the conflict, but I really wanted to turn around and tell her... "Look lady, maybe you had a horrible day, but you can't treat people like that. You should apologize." along with something else I'm sure would've sounded profound. But, I wanted to live to see my friends so I didn't say anything.
Really though, I was so taken aback by the way she acted. She was in her late 40's or early 50's and she just stopped next to his seat and demanded to sit next to him. It was obvious he couldn't hear her when she said excuse me and instead of catching his attention and asking again or simply saying "May I sit next to you?" or asking to move his bag, she just went off on him! Most people would become defensive and react the way he did so I can't blame him. I don't know what I would've done if I were him, but it definitely would've ruined a part of my night and there's no need for that!
So, to that rude lady, I hope you're having a better day today and I hope I am never in the path of your crazy wrath! Good grief.
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