Currently

Watching: World Cup soccer in the corner of my computer screen at work. I feel simultaneously guilty and VERY American when I do it. I don't know what I'll watch between soccer and football season. Baseball?! *scoff*

Reading: The Kite Runner - so far it's a REAL downer. I also read Wild by Cheryl Strayed (wouldn't recommend it) and A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby which was pretty decent but nothing to write home about. I'm not having the best book luck lately. Any recommendations?

Planning: *shame face* Christmas gifts. I mean, 4th of July has passed. What else is a girl supposed to do but create a secret Pinterest board of great gift ideas for the holidays?! It allows me to see Christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby and not feel panic.

Mad About: Forgetting about this brilliant pin over the weekend. Kim made ranch dip and we had ruffles and it was the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY and everyone would have been like, "omg, you're SO CLEVER ARICA"! Curses!!!!

Happy About: The new piece of art I bought. I saw it and instantly fell in love; it reminded me of my dad so much. I bought one for each of us. It's Minted by West Elm and I have NO idea where I'll hang it, but I know I'll just love seeing it in my home! And, bonus, Daryl liked it too! We don't always share the same taste in art but this one makes us both happy.

Craving: My peach wine creation from this weekend! I put that peach sparkling water from HEB I used to drink as a kid in my wine while we were laying out this weekend and YUUUUUUM! I could go for a glass on my lunch break, ya know?

Creating: Our living room entertainment center situation. I get it from my mama. I keep asking Daryl, "oh, don't you like our entertainment center?! I think it looks really really good. The size is perfect and just blah blah blah" and he's like "...it's tape on a wall..."

But holy Ikea shipping costs! Ouch-ee-wa-wa! Significantly higher than the product you're actually purchasing. So Daryl has offered to be my Ikea delivery man this weekend. He offered to make a trip up to Dallas to haul home an entertainment center for the living room (and also hang out with the guys). I love that man to death but the idea of an unsupervised weekend sounds kind of fun! I'm going to get wild or paint the guest bathroom a nice shade of taupe. One of the two.

Celebrating: Being an American! Our 4th of July was really, really lovely. We had friends in town for the weekend and we did a whole lot of floating in our above ground pool, chatting and eating. We went to a play downtown on the 4th and as we walked out of the building, we looked straight up on the firework show! It was SUCH perfect timing. One of the guys ran off and got a funnel cake from a street vendor and we all sat on the curb taking bites off of it and watching the show. Seriously, one of my favorite adult 4th of July's ever.

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Baby got back... problems

I have direct orders from my chiropractor to not work out. :D I seriously LOVE doctor's notes. I guess I kinda beat myself up if I don't work out daily, so OMG the glory of the doctor's note, instructing you to take the weekend off, *angels singing*

I have had intermittent back pain for about 7 months now. It got pretty bad a couple weeks ago so I finally decided to go to the chiropractor. I went in for my first treatment and this dude was totally out of breath by the end of my appointment and not one. single. pop. My back is so tense, it's crazy. He said "your back muscles are as hard as rocks!" and I was like, "It's because I'm VERY VERY strong and can almost do a pull up". He shot some Xrays to see what he could see... so here! Ignore the underwire of my bra.

He asked me if I could see anything wrong with this picture of my back and I said "Not at all! It looks so great! I have a really great spine, don't you think?!" (#delusional) Apparently not. That last vertebra and my tail bone aren't supposed to look like that. 

Anyway, this one was my favorite! Doesn't it look like my right hip bone (the one on the right in this pictures) is much bigger than my left one?! It really is, he measured them and the one on the left is 107mm and the one on the right was 122mm. I could even point that out to him. Well, it turns out, I'm twisted! haha I mean, we've always known that, right? Little cousins I've tortured their entire lives? This isn't news, is it? :)

But really, he's saying it could very well be due to a childhood of soccer or possibly something that happened from a major fall (hello horrible terrible skiing experience). With that little nugget of info, I've been instructed to not work out at all for the entire holiday weekend. My next appointment is Tuesday and he's hoping a weekend of rest will allow my muscles to relax a little and he'll be able to make some progress. What timing, right?!

We have company coming in Thursday evening and I intend to do a lot of pool floating, marshmallow toasting and wine drinking! I mean, WHAT a sacrifice! :D Bonus: The wine will double as a muscle relaxer!

Hope you have a great 4th of July and turn your lemons in to lemonade!

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Delusional

I blame my parents for it, but I am completely delusional.  Anyone who has been around when my thoughts stream out my mouth unfiltered will know how out of touch I can be. I figured I'd share a few because, in retrospect, they're pretty hilarious.

• I shouldn't be embarrassed by how slow I jog at the park because maybe it'll encourage some of the folks out here walking. Like... you don't have to be FAST, just go as fast as you can. I'm an inspiration! *fist pump*
• If you gave me 1 year to train, like training was my full time job, I could definitely qualify for the Olympics in SOMETHING. Probably something on the trampoline.
  
  
                           
                           
• "False. I'm great at lots of things I don't love. And I can be great at anything I want." - Literally my immediate reaction to reading this quote on Pinterest this morning.
• "I don't think being hit in the head with a beer bottle would hurt THAT bad. The guy on this show is a wimp. Daryl, hit me in the head with this bottle, I'll prove it to you."
  
                         
• $59?! You're trippin', Bed Bath and Beyond. I could draw that guitar art on a sheet of craft paper while watching one episode of Fashion Police fo' free! It's just LINES! (I think this is a common one, assuming you could recreate art for cheaper than the price the artist is selling it for).
• I really and truly think I could out-eat Daryl in a pizza eating contest. I told him so last night, in fact.
• While doing sassy, viral YouTube Beyonce choreography, I'm fairly certain I'm NAILING it and look exactly like those incredibly in-shape men in 6" heels.
• Got out of the swimming pool and wanted to go to Outback with slightly damp, ratty hair and I ran my fingers through the top part of my hair until my fingers snagged while looking in the mirror and I told Daryl, "It's like... cool California beach hair!" 

And I honestly believe this stuff at the time. Obviously, I'm pretty pleased Daryl refused to hit me over the head with a beer bottle... but sometimes I have to take a step back and say, "woah, self. You are not invincible/exceedingly athletic/a supermodel/ect" because I think I forget sometimes.

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Favorite Things

The blog La Dolce Vita has a regular piece called 'Style Files' where they interview someone who has undeniably wonderful style to give you a peek inside their head. This is my second favorite regular on the blog (Jet Setter's review of the world's most unreal hotels makes me just DROOL every time) and I took the time to fill out the typical questions myself, because I thought it could be interesting. Really, all it did was prove how very 26 I am. The typical subjects of LDV's interviews are established, successful women in their 40s who have refined taste and distinct style. It'd be interesting to do this same 'interview' again in 10 years. Remind me, k?

How would you describe your style? Pretty understated. I like to play with trends but I'm not investing in anything very distinct just yet, for my home or my closet. I'm still trying to figure out my style so I only invest in classics. A sturdy leather couch, a Louis Vuitton bag, diamond stud earrings. Those sorts of things. Everything else I own comes from TJ Maxx and usually has fringe.
Where do you turn to for inspirations? Pinterest and blogs. What can I say, I'm a girl of that generation.
Who are your personal style icons? I'd go with Kate Hudson, Diane Kruger, Kate Bosworth - gosh, I have a thing for blondes!
Before I die, I'd like to... be well-traveled.
Guilty Pleasure - The Kardashians. I think they're absolute dolls and I love them. Can't stop, won't stop.
Greatest achievement - landing Daryl! That may sound like a corny, engaged-girl answer but I mean it. I admire him so much.
Go-To Outfit - Really tight skinny jeans, chunky footwear (think moto boots or wedge heels), and a floaty top. Or a maxi dress. 1970s couture, really. :)

Style Mantra - Never compare yourself to others.
Scent - Chanel Chance (the gold one, not the pink one) and I just picked up Dolce by Dolce and Gabbana for summer. I needed a change; I've worn Chanel since high school.
Piece of Jewelry - My engagement ring.
Color I Never Tire Of - Gold

Flower - Tulips; they remind me of Texas Tech's campus
Design Element - paint
Era - Art Deco/1920s
Pattern/Textile - I figured I'd have grown out of my love for leopard print by now but I just haven't.

Book - Ender's Game, Chocolat, Brave New World
Hostess Gift - Does BYOBing my own champagne and conceding others a glass or two count as a hostess gift?
Meal - A really ooey gooey quesadilla with tons of guacamole, and OF COURSE tequila and soda with lime (because a margarita is too many calories, says the girl with cheese hanging from her chin).
Drink - Pinot Noir for at home, watching TV, Champagne for by the pool and Don Julio tequila with soda and lime juice at restaurants. That makes sense, right? Pairing your drinks with your location rather than you meal? I think so.
Way to Unwind after a Long Day at Work - Stretching! I would call it yoga but there's no flow to it and I move myself around so I can always see the TV.
Weekend Destination - Houston, Texas
Song that Always Puts Me in a Great Mood - Rumor Has It by Adele
Actor/Actress - I can't get enough Kevin Spacey, Robert Downey Jr., Philip Seymour Hoffman (RIP), Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana and Jennifer Lawrence

City - Seattle, Washington
Museum - Houston Museum of Natural Science (I'm not awfully cultured when it comes to museums... so out of the handful I've been to, the dinosaurs win).
Risk Worth Taking - Telling people about your goals
Greatest Extravagance - Travel

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Guest Bath Planning

A picture really is worth a thousand words, isn't it? I had intended to explain how excited I was to be updating our guest bathroom... but does it really need explaining?

I was SO excited by my plan for this bathroom until D unceremoniously shot it down. I should have just painted the bathroom without asking him. I feel as though if I'm the one putting in the elbow grease, I can paint the bathroom any shade of pink I darn well please. That's right. I wanted a pink bathroom so bad. A french pink with just the right amount of beige to keep it classy but not so much it read peach. With dark wood cabinets and gold accents? I mean, COME ON! It would have been gorgeous!

Yea, well, even sending him this picture of kinda-sorta my vision did not do sell him. His response: "I love you to the moon and back but I really really don't want a pink bathroom".

And that was that.

Such a shame, it would have been so lovely.

Aaaaaaaaaaaanyway. I've got a backup plan, and it involves that wheat-ish color of the stone in my inspiration image on the walls and pink accents, instead. Not NEARLY as cool, but this is what marriage is, right?

Tonight I'm going to get some paint samples on the walls and crawl up in the attic and see if there's anything to that soffit where the can lights are installed. Surely there can't be, and if there isn't, I want it gone! Make some room for some fabulous light fixtures, obviously. Light fixtures are my new thing. It's my favorite section of Lowe's these days.

I've had my eye out for an affordable version of this for the dining area for a while and I'm always on the look out for a timeless show-stopper for the vaulted ceilings in the living room. I refuse to settle for anything less than perfect, so until I find perfect, we're going with 'dated brass ceiling fan'.

So, yea, I've got my eye on the weekend, excited to get rid of the paisley-chic in the guest bath! Hope your weekend planning is going well on this hump day!

xo

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5 Things

1. The Collect App! I seriously got on my blogger account today so that I could write a '5 Things' blog JUST so I can share this app. Now I'm going to have to think of 4 other things... ANYWAY, yes. So the app is free and it completely plays to my love for documenting things. It's a photo-a-day journal app that is so simple and sweet. It's not a social app, shockingly, but I'm obsessed with taking the time to notice something each day that I'm grateful for or makes me happy, capturing a photo of it and then looking back at the blessings that month! You can print out the calendar at the end of the month and have a physical journal to browse through... but I probably won't. Although since you don't have to create an account to use the app, if your phone goes south, your journal will be lost with the phone.

2. My homemade iced coffee! I made my very own batch of Pioneer Woman iced coffee Saturday night (I know, I'm such a wild child) and it turned out really stinking good! I put a splash of milk in it and since the fridge door was already open and everything, I poured some maple syrup in it, Buddy the elf style. Yummm. It was my picture for Collect on Saturday and everything.  It was the most exciting thing I did Saturday. Couldn't really take a picture of me sitting on the couch watching Sister Act II, now could I? I don't think I need to even mention that D went out of town Saturday to see his mom... based on my activities, I think it's pretty clear I was unsupervised.

Letting it... brew? steep? Not sure what the terminology is for iced coffee.

This isn't a picture of myyyy coffee... it's the picture Pioneer Woman put on her recipe... 

but mine looked very similar

3. Irene Suchoki. She's a Canadian photographer after my heart. D mentioned a while back that he doesn't want "any abstract art in the house" which I thought meant no Cubism-era Picaso or anything, which is fair; that stuff is trippy. But come to find out, he means he wants exclusively literal art. Photography, really. So when I happened upon Irene's Etsy shop, I knew it would be the ideal compromise. I see a bulk order being placed in the near future. And for the record, she does photograph colorful stuff, too. I just happened to pick a couple colorless examples.

Icebergs reflected off still water

The black sand beaches of Ireland

Zebra stripe without being all up in your face about zebra stripes.

4. Monistat Anti-Chaffing Gel. Yum, right? But it's not quite what you think. I saw on Pinterest that people are claiming it's the dupe for Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and it sparked my memory. I used to use it, mixed with my foundation in the summers, to keep from sweating all my makeup off. So I've brought it back in to the rotation now that the weather is heating back up and I forgot what a little miracle worker this stuff is. I got it at Target.

5. Toe touches - I get in to a rut when it comes to abs but this one is new in my rotation and it's a keeper. I thought doing V-ups WAS doing toe touches. Unbeknownst to me, those are different exercises. Gawd, Karen, you're so STUPID! These you keep your feet right where they are in the picture below, no up and down with your legs. Only your upper body moves. Burn baby burn!

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Wedding Planning Part II

Yea... I'm not doing so good at blogging my wedding planning. In my defense, it's because I haven't done a ton of wedding planning worth blogging about?? I think when I'm in the throws of decorating, it'll make for better blogs (and pictures).

But for propriety sake, here's a little peek in to what we've got nailed down so far.

1. The dress!!! That was harder and then easier than I thought it would be. My first outing turned out pretty miserable, tears in the dressing room and everything. However, it turned out that I was just at the wrong store. After my first trip, I was sure I was going to be the bride that hated everything. I tried on dress after dress and my sister, mom and Ashley would oooo and ahhh but I just rolled my eyes. I hated all of them.

BUT THEN! I picked out another store and did a little research. I found out what designers they carried and scoped out the selection online before heading in. I had a list of style numbers I would be interested in trying on and just handed the list to the consultant. She pulled what they had in stock, about 5 of the dresses I had picked out, and I fell in love with all of them. Don't worry, I won't be the bride with the wardrobe changes. I narrowed it down. Luckily, I'm super decisive and picked which one I wanted, bought it, and since the sample they had fit me like a glove, took it home with me. Boom. Done. Dress.

So yea, my recommendation would be to look up the designers the store carries online and come in with an idea. Also, I forced myself to try on silhouettes I didn't think I'd like on my body type... and I didn't like them. So, I mean, that's still probably good advice but if you already know what you want and you try it on and it looks totally fly, don't second guess it. You're a grown up who knows what she likes. Embrace it.

2. I found a photographer that isn't going to just rob us blind! She's PERFECT, too. I insisted on going to coffee with her before hiring her and she came in SO prepared. She bought my coffee (nice touch), she had a ton of samples to show me, answered ALL my questions, and laughed at my jokes! What more could a girl want?! No really, we clicked and I was so thankful. I think I'll have a lot of fun with Megan on the big day!

This is the list I found on Pinterest of questions to ask your photographer. 

I printed it and carried it in with me like a total dork but no regrets. It was really helpful.

3. We picked a DJ! And get this... he's the cleaning guy at my office! No. I'm not kidding. He has a couple jobs and one of them is DJ! He does our company picnics and events around Seminole and he did a party we went to the other night. I told D to scope him out and D took it very seriously. He liked the way he transitioned between songs (I would have never noticed), he liked that he rolled with the punches (one of those being that D requested the end of the party turn in to karaoke night) and he had a great selection! His set up is legit... so yea! Serious budget saver there! Also, he's really just the nicest guy.

4. We picked out Save the Dates! I know, we're getting ahead of ourselves a little here. But, hey, anything to get a check mark on my to do list, I'm game. What actually happened was that HE really liked them. He hasn't really had an opinion about much yet, so when he was psyched about these engraved wood Save the Dates, I was sold. They met my two requirements: they had the date on them and they weren't very expensive. Done. And. Done. Well... we've requested some font changes (a few too many hearts for us, personally) and need to approve the proofs... but otherwise, totally Done and Done.

Oh, and we don't have to stress about getting our engagement pictures done to include on the Save the Date, which is an added bonus. We have been meaning to get those done but finding a time that the photographer is free, my highlights aren't totally grown out and we don't have something we'd rather be doing... practically impossible. But we'll buckle down and get it done soon. Maybe.

Etsy, if you're curious.

That pretty much covers our progress as of yet. Our top priorities coming up are:

1. Sampling whiskey cocktails in an effort to pick a signature drink for that night (it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it!) So far, our favorite is really just whiskey and soda water with a bunch of fresh lemon juice. But don't worry, we realize that's a pretty lame signature drink. We'll keep at it.

2. Making up a hashtag for the festivities!!! I delegated this to D; he's pretty clever. It'll probably be some engineering joke. :)

3. And, oh yea, we should probably finish asking our bridal party to participate. I just have one more little lady to ask but D still has to ask ALL of his guys! We wanted to do as many face to face as possible but some plans have changed and its looking like we're just gonna have to suck it up and make some phone calls.

So there's my short and sweet update on wedding planning for ya! Afterward, I'll definitely share my master wedding spreadsheet, lessons learned, maybe even budget because, honestly, that's a big part of wedding planning!

Thanks for caring, bloggies! Love you!

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Currently

How is it already May, ya'll? I think it's science that while you are engaged, time moves at warp speed. I'm loving it though because we have so much coming up this fall/winter that the anticipation is killing me! Here's what I've been up to for the last month, though.

Watching: NBA Playoffs, obviously. It's unhealthy. D had to give me a walkie talkie last night because I didn't want to stand in the garage and hand him things while he was working in the attic on the AC because the Thunder game was on.

Reading: Game of Thrones - Dance with Dragons (the last published book) and I'm about half way done.

Planning: My girls weekend with Mel in Chicago!!! We're both tres bummed that the weather is going to be dreary and lame but that just means more indoor activities (my favorite). We're planning on delicious brunches (with AMERICAN BACON, per Mel's request. Apparently bacon in Belgium isn't the same), shopping, hitting up some cool jazz clubs, and just soaking up some quality time being tourists! It's been almost 9 months since I've seen her? If I did that math right. So yea, next weekend is just what the doctor ordered.

Mad About: The Met Gala fashion. *rolls eyes* What a let down. The best dressed girls could have worn the exact dresses to the Oscars (looking at you, Blake Lively) and all the risk-takers missed the mark like woah (Lupita Nyong'o... uhm... huh?). Let's hope music festival season gives us more to talk about.

*yawn*

Easy, killer.

Happy About: OMG, did you catch Kevin Durant's MVP acceptance speech?! (I know, I forget my audience isn't nearly as basketball crazed as me). So pleased with the selection this year.

Craving: Rosa's bean and cheese burritos. Like 5 of them, covered in queso, all in one sitting. Daryl has all of a sudden sworn them off in our household; I think he attributes my Rosa's obsession with the weight I gained last year but he's too kind to say it. No, I get it. I don't blame him. But I really really really really really want one five. I'm glad I have him around to Slap Chef me. (<<No seriously, click that link, it's so funny)

Creating: A spring/summer wardrobe! I think this is the year I'm branching in to the classy crop top scene. Watch out, world.

Celebrating: Doubling my leg press weight, decreasing the assist setting by THREE notches on the pull-up assist machine, and just overall getting a ton stronger at the gym!

I won't lie. I'm super frustrated with what the scale is showing me these days; I feel like I'm busting my butt (literally, my butt is so sore) but no movement on the scale. I get it, muscle is heavier than fat... but c'mon! I may have to retire that jerk of a scale for a little while.

Oh, and I completed my first 5k! I can't really chalk it up to a huge accomplishment; I walked a ton. But now I'm ready for my next one - I can only get better!

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Candy Girl

I decided, like a FOOL, on Wednesday that I'm giving up sugar. Again. I've cut it before during my Whole30 and felt like I could take on the world... but then I had just one little Twix bar and I fell so hard off that wagon. SUGAR IN EVERYTHING! And then I gained like... 15 lbs.

Honest Abe, I eat 8-10 mini candy bars a day. Every day. Not on cheat days. EVERY. DAY. And I crave them. ESPECIALLY after I eat lunch. I sometimes am STILL CHEWING my last bite of lunch as I walk to the candy bowl for my post-lunch candy. I'm like a zombie and sugar is controlling my life. I am 100% addicted to sugar. It's my little demon.

Totally looks like a drug up close.

So I gave it up. I got stuff I want to be skinny for so out you go, sugar. I thought about quitting after my 5k tomorrow but I wasn't sure I'd have the same umph if I waited so I put my foot down and said NO MORE. This may be my biggest blunder right before my first running event, but worst case, I fail miserably at the 5k but I still haven't eaten sugar. That's something I can deal with.

It's hard and it's making me grumpy and tired and I have headaches and I can't concentrate. I absentmindedly carried a 10lb dumbbell back to the locker room with me yesterday after my workout. It's affecting my life so I feel like I need to explain to people "I'm sorry for saying that mean thing, I decided to give up sugar and I'm just really upset" but at the same time, I don't want people asking me a million questions about giving up sugar so I'm just going to let them think I'm PMSing or something. I am so over explaining why I eat the way I eat.

I really try not to talk about my diet. I was that girl for a while but I've mostly figured out a good enough way to eat and... well, I'm not on a diet anymore. I just know what foods I like to choose, what foods are only for special occasions and what foods make me feel miserable and I should avoid all together. It's not something I consciously think much about anymore. HOWEVER, this sugar thing is at the forefront of my mind and ALL I want to talk about so you're catching the brunt of it, bloggies.

I have read articles and can speak from experience, it really does take 21 days to form a habit. During my whole30, the last week was pretty easy, actually. So I followed a Pin-tip and did this in my office:

21 sticky flags along the inside of my cabinet as a countdown visual

I already ripped two off for Wednesday and Thursday. It felt really good. Not as good as eating a Subway chocolate chip cookie or anything... but pretty good.

I asked Daryl to hide the remaining Easter candy and/or take it to work and he offered to just throw it in the garbage which I think is a great solution. I hate when people pawn their junk food off on me. So in the garbage it went.

I've been drinking water like it's my job, which seems to help some. Also distractions. Big ups to my coworkers for keeping me busy and/or stopping by to chat. Staying busy is such lame advice for someone trying to quit something but it really does help me. But I have to be real busy, not fake busy (Pinteresting, watching TV, reading a book). Those things just make me want to eat MORE.

This has helped a lot... even if my heart rate isn't high, at least I'm not tempted to snack.

And as if it were meant to be, the candy bowl in the front lobby disappeared because they're repainting the lobby! I'm not sure where it is but I've vowed not to look for it. Hoping the painting takes like... 20 or so days to help me avoid the temptation.

My sis is helping out by sugar detoxing with me... but who else wants in?! C'mooooon... you know you want to! (has that ever worked in the history of ever?)

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Get Real

So I got an email today from Chase Bank saying I could get pre-sale tickets to the Beyonce/Jay-Z tour this summer, on sale TODAY! I immediately got so excited and followed the link to Ticketmaster. I typed in my code and started browsing the seating chart... thinking if I'd want to invite D or blow him off and force my friend Katie to go with me (she's already in Houston and would be way more fun to take that D). Then I remembered... Oh right. I hate concerts. And I just closed the browser window. And went back to my work.

So I thought I'd share with you my list of things everyone else seems to love and I do not love.

1. Concerts - the sound quality is poor. It's crowded and expensive. For free, I can stay home and watch Youtube music videos with much better production quality and actually see the star's face. AND I don't have to listen to songs I don't already know. AND I don't have to wear pants.

I just don't get the appeal...

2. Fresh air - I will almost always choose temperature-controlled indoor activities to fresh air.
3. Bowling - Doesn't it seem like it might give you a wrist injury? It's not very ergonomic.
4. Dodgeball - I just take it too personal.

Yea... no. I will not be purposefully signing up for this.

5. Getting spa treatments/my nails done/my hair done - it takes too damn long! Even massages, where part of me is hoping it goes on forever, another part of me is wishing I weren't laying in a dark room for 90 precious minutes of my beloved Saturday.
6. Babies - Children, yes. Babies, no.

The exception.

7. When my friends call me - Yes, even you. 99% of the time, I'd rather you had text. But everyone agrees with me on that, though, right?
8. Channing Tatum - I'm sorry. This is so mean to say and it's my worst fear that someone else might say it about me because other people HAVE said it about me before but... he's a total butter face. You know, the horrific term guys use for girls with hot bodies and not hot faces... 'everything about her is hot BUT HER FACE... BUTTER FACE'. He just does NOT do it for me. And I'm such an awful person but it's partly those EARS! And also the fact that he's hairless. Weirds me out.

And I'm a brat, but even here, his body is meh. He could use to cut body fat.

9. Moderate temperatures - If it's not 95+ degrees, it's cold and not worth leaving my house for. Stop prancing around in 75 degree weather like it's ideal. If I'm not at a pool, there is no reason for me to be outdoors (see number 2).
10. Pumpkin Spice Lattes - WHITE GIRLS! IT IS NOT WORTH THE CALORIES! And don't act like the dairy in that latte doesn't make you fart. Get real.

What about you? What awesomeness do you just not get?

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Friday Five

Well, it's MY Friday anyway! Here's my Thursday Before Good Friday Five!

1. Daryl's BIRTHDAY is this weekend! He hates his birthday. I love it. I think, honestly, I love it because it forces him to make all the decisions for a weekend? #selfishmuch But I got him a gift I KNOW he's going to love (because he makes an Amazon.com wishlist every year for me), I booked us THE hotel in Lubbock for Friday and Saturday night and I think we have plans to day drink at our favorite bar on Saturday, possibly golf on Sunday... and that's about it. If we find ourselves bored, I may try sneak off and do this to my ear. My favorite piercer is in Lubbock so every time we go I get so tempted to perforate myself.

2. The yard is so sad (said like Gretchen from Mean Girls). We poured our blood, sweat, and skin cells (I'm referring to my blisters I got from pick-axing crab grass all day) and now we have.... a yard of dirt. We're going to get the seed down and mulch to cover the seed from the predatory birds... and then it's just watering but it definitely was a little deflating to work ourselves in to sunburns and ripped hands for a yard UGLIER than what we started with! D would argue that the yard looks better as a plot of dirt than covered in weeds but I find it mighty depressing.

My Ninja Turtle muscle tee was the only bright side to our yard work weekend

3. There was a hubub at work on Tuesday afternoon and by the time I got in on Wednesday, bippity boppity boom, my deadlines for a major project were moved forward by MONTHS, my two week training course I was supposed to leave for on Monday was un-approved and I was transformed in to a workaholic. I've already missed TWO lunchtime workouts. Seriously, the idea of having to workout in the AM infuriates me the most in this situation. Crunch time at work, a chance to show off and get all bossy up in here? That's kind of my jam. If only I could put a pause button on a construction project from 12-1pm so I could get my workout in. IF ONLY.

4. I have not had a manicure in seven weeks. I have not had my eyebrows waxed in MONTHS. And I'm not even going to estimate the pedicure timeline. Oh, and highlights. Ombre's still cool, right? We had planned to do engagement pictures a couple weeks ago but decided to put it off. And with that delay, came my justification to look completely ratchet for a month. It's getting a point of distracting me so I figure, as a very sweet girlfriend present to D, I'll go get the wax/nails thing done tonight so I am a little more presentable this weekend.

Oh the horror!

5. And lastly, I'd like to discuss my post-workout mile. I am not a runner but since I've gotten pretty deep in to Jamie Eason program, I'm feeling strong these days. I thought I'd give running another try because Jamie promised that cardio would be easier as I built up muscle. I'm proud to report that after a grueling 40 minute leg workout Monday, I hopped on the treadmill and cranked out a mile with my last 10 minutes of my lunch break WHILE chatting with the trainer who was sitting on the spin bike next to me making small talk. I mean, that would have never happened a couple months ago. :D I know I could have run further and or faster, so I'm kind of psyched to see what I can do with a Saturday morning and no time limit! Not an awful start though!

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R-e-s-p-e-c-t

So I got some really sweet feedback on my serious-ish blog last week! Which is so kind, and unexpected, since my blog was a commentary blog on someone else's blog about the Bible. That's pretty 'Seven degrees of Kevin Bacon', so I'm glad it translated!

So, I mean, why not do it again!!! I read articles all the time that I think are GREAT and speak to me personally and help me. Instead of just sharing the link, from time to time I'll actually allow myself to write my own commentary about them here on ze blog. I get a kick out of it. 

I read an article that my former pastor Brother Steve shared on his Facebook. I read the majority of it with that same look on my face that Kanye gets when I catch him eating his sister's food. #busted 

Here's the article and I can't say it better than this guy did, so I'd highly recommend reading it. The message: Your man does not have to EARN your respect.

I saw a book one time called Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desparately Needs. I have no idea if this book is good, I just read the cover and it wasn't what I thought I needed at the time, but it has always ALWAYS stuck in my head. Just the concepts behind it because it rings really true to me. And while I was reading this article, I was thinking about that relationship between thoughtfulness and respect.

Now I realize there are some exceptions, but stay with me on this... I'm going to speak in some serious generalities here. 

One thing that women crave from their man is thoughtfulness. It's not the only thing they crave, but it's something men typically aren't naturally good at so it's something they feel a deficit in. Men have to actively TRY to be thoughtful while women are naturals. I bet men wouldn't say they crave thoughtfulness because they already get it. In spades! Women notice their man's shampoo bottle is a little light, and without having to be asked, pick him up a spare. Nothing ceremonious. Nothing out of the norm. Baby, we were born this way (Lady Gaga style). Men... not so much. Could you imagine how excited you'd be if your man noticed that, remembered the exact brand of shampoo and picked you up a bottle! Your little head would explode on the spot. Right?

....Right?

Or would you think to yourself, "gah, my conditioner was running low, too. Obviously. I use both every time I'm in the shower, why didn't he think to get conditioner, too??" Thoughtfulness is something men have to be really intentional about and make a lot of effort on and still don't come close to how good we are at it.

Unfortunately, respect is the flip side of that coin but it doesn't get the news coverage that men's thoughtlessness gets. Men respect their ladies without thinking about it. It's something that comes very naturally to them and we probably take for granted. We don't sit around, chatting with our girlfriends, saying things like "man, I wish he didn't complain about my cooking so much" or "He rolls his eyes every time I tell a story". I mean... if those things are happening, you should definitely complain to your girlfriends. That's not very nice of him. With that said, yes. He's going to say things that hurt our feelings now and then... but that's generally not out of DISRESPECT, it's out of thoughtlessness. I think disrespect is a lot more intentional than thoughtlessness.

Thoughtfulness begets respect. Respect begets thoughtfulness. I'm going to be honest, I don't know what begets means, but I think that's how it goes.

Now to put my stuff in the streets, and hopefully y'all can't relate (no, hopefully you can't! Hopefully this is not one of your struggles!)

I can, without meaning to at all, treat D like a child. If I feel like he's talking too loud in a restaurant, I tell him "OMG, Daryl, you're yelling! Lower your voice" and he immediately gets defensive. Obviously. Because I'm treating him like a child. If he tells a story he means to be funny or entertaining and it falls flat, I'm the first one to laugh and say "cool story bro" to tease him about the story not being a hit. I could call it teasing, but it's not teasing. It's me not being on his team. Let one of his buddies be the one to crack that joke. They will! There is absolutely NO need for me to beat them to the punch. I'm guilty of telling embarrassing stories about him because they're mildly funny. If his buddies are teasing him, I've been known to join in rather than defend him or stay out of it. And my worst offense, for sure, is criticizing. He does something and I tear it apart, tell him how it could be done better, faster, easier. 

Okay, it's tougher than I thought to talk about my disrespect without mentioning things he does that provoke my disrespect. But I'm not going to put HIS business on the blog, so I'll just leave it at those vague examples and just stick with the imaginary shampoo metaphor.

I'm really, REALLY lucky because I do respect the heck out of Daryl. He's super motivated, he has a ton of talents, he's smart and makes great decisions... most of the time. Sometimes... not so much. Now, is he a master at being thoughtful? Not yet. (a girl can hope, okay!?) But he tries. His attempts don't always meet my standards. His attempts sometimes leave me thinking "if he'd just done it like this, if he'd thought to get conditioner, too, it would have been better." Or worse, I expect the infamous mind-read: "I had been working on killing that bottle of shampoo because I was wanting try that new brand, now I'm stuck with this bottle so I'm not appreciative that he thought to do this" or maybe I just plain not appreciative at all "I told him I was planning to go to Target later, it was on my list, he didn't save me any time or effort by doing this."

But in those instances, I have to remember my respect most of all. If I were to criticize his efforts (and 50% of the time, I just blurt out my disappointment, without thinking of the effects of my words), what is the outcome I expect? Him to magically think like a woman? To sit at his desk all day researching the hottest brand of shampoo for my hair type? No. He doesn't eve know I HAVE a hair type. The next time he feels my empty shampoo bottle, do you know what he's going to do? Sure as hell NOT buy me another bottle.

But what's a girl to do when, on a regular basis, the gesture just doesn't measure up to what it COULD have been? Uhm... I'm pretty sure the correct answer to that is 'realize you married a man'? And I don't mean that to be sexist at all. Shampoo/flowers/jewelry and, unfortunately, romance in general just aren't his strong suite (normally). But do you know what? When he took my car in, he got the right oil put in it. When he mowed the lawn, he edged and trimmed the hedges and put the tools away. And when he saw that weird pendant necklace that I wouldn't be caught dead wearing, he thought of his ladyfriend. I'm on his mind. He loves me and wants to make me happy. Like a dog bringing the most important person in the world to him a dead bird. The best of intentions. Instead of criticizing when he does it wrong, I need to just gush when he gets it right. Brag on him in front of him. The polar opposite of criticizing him. Positive reinforcement (which I hate to use the term, because it sounds like raising a child or training a dog) but it is what it is. To get him to narrow in on the types of thoughtfulness I love, I'm going to have to praise him when he gets it right instead of tearing him down when he misses the mark.

I expect him to be thoughtful and loving when I'm PMSing. When I am stressed and being snippy and rude. When I'm criticizing him. I expect him to love me at my worst, when I need it the most. When I'm not acting in a very lovable way, when I'm being difficult to love... THAT'S when I need his love and thoughtfulness the most.

He expects me to respect him when he's wrong. When he's had two too many beers and is acting a fool (we've all been there). When he is in front of his coworkers and when it's just the two of us, at home. When he's trying something he's not good at and feels vulnerable. He needs respect the most, not when he's just fixed my car and is puffed up with pride... he needs it during those times when, let's be honest, we're thinking in our heads, "What a bonehead". Those are the times that I have to dig deep and behave respectfully, even if I'm not feeling 100% respectful at the time. I tell myself, "You suck it up, buttercup! He's your man!" Respect is my duty to him, not a benefit that depends on if he's acting a way I like that particular day. 

Alright... this one got a little wordy, folks. I'll try to keep it more concise next time. I hope respect comes easily to you this week. I'm PMSing so I hope it comes easily to me, too! :) XO!

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