Thank God for Weekends

It's been one of those weeks where I am drowning in work and cannot see the end (even though I know there will be a reprieve), I haven't made it to the gym at all, it's been raining all week, traffic has been utter hell, I haven't been able to find the energy to read a single page in the book I wanted to start this week...I could go on.  But on the week of my 1 year work anniversary I cannot help but remember how lucky I am to be employed and for this lovely reminder of how freaking great weekends (and wine) are.  Even though I'm sad that Matt and I have been passing like ships in the night and will continue to do so this weekend I think I needed to come home Friday night to an empty and quiet house. 

• I spent Friday doing a few chores to get ahead of the weekend and catching up on some internet reading.  Jaclyn Day's blog is by far one of my very favorites -- she posts really good shopping finds, links great articles and generally never runs out of interesting things to put forth into my world. 
• I am really taking advantage of Spotify lately.  This playlist was pretty neat.  I like that I usually listen to something random that I never would normally listen to when I'm on the site. 
• One of the highlights of my week was getting my hair colored.  I ventured out to the Aveda School because we have one here in Atlanta and the prices are insanely good for the students. I have not had my hair really highlighted since I was in college other than  my dabble in ombre the last year or so.  It feels crazy but at the same time I'm strangely wanting more blonde already. I got a cut and full foil for $90. 
• I joined a Pug Playgroup that meets once a month.  I missed April's meeting up but May is Pug Prom.  My heart may explode.  (Did I mention this already? I am so tired I can't even remember!)

Tonight Matt and I are spending the night at the Housewife's place and watching all the little ones until tomorrow morning so she can have a fancy date night in the city.  Other than that I'm grabbing a few plants at Home Depot and doing some more work to hopefully get caught up for the upcoming week -- apologies to everyone that comes in on Monday to emails from me on Saturday. I'm sorry that I have to be that person. 

Happy weekend! 

~the married gal~

Edging Closer to The Big Day of Happiness....

Holy Moly! Excitement! We are less than 30 days from our wedding.  I had to kick it into high gear this weekend for some tasks that we really need to complete before Thanksgiving -- because really I don't want to leave it all until the last minute. 

First and foremost -- I'm really glad The Housewife and I have been training for the half-marathon.  I have been pretty good and really trying to watch what I eat (some days are better than others) and my goal is to throw in some yoga whenever I can and get in my Fly Barre classes until the big day.  My favorite at home yoga is Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown.  Seriously try it -- it's hard and it's only 35 minutes (just Google it to find it on YouTube).  But really I feel like I'm in better shape than I have been in the last year or so and it feels SO good! 

It's been super cold lately -- I'm praying for a teeny warm front.  Just a little one.  And some good sunshine for pictures. 

I'm really happy that with a little help along the way from my parents and a lot of saving on our part we are very on track with our wedding budget.  We have not gone above and beyond or into an uncomfortable zone for any item or need for our wedding -- I'm talking rings, reception dinner costs, flowers, dress alterations, bridal accessories, etc.  I may try to do a small post on some of my budget items.  Matt has been super helpful and I have put a good deal of things on his plate to take care of like finalizing items with the restaurant regarding food, wine, & cake, purchasing our wedding favors, taking care of all our hotel arrangements, and he even wrote a big pile of thank you notes last week for some gifts.  

We really don't have much left to do -- marriage license, finalize my itinerary, finalize ceremony details, final fitting for my dress, put together wedding favors, and find Matt's tux.    Ideally I will have this all done before Thanksgiving.  Then maybe we can focus on Christmas and planning our trip to London/Scotland (more excitement)!! 

~happy hump day everyone~

the engaged gal

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Right?

I'm back and interrupting regularly scheduled programming -- oh wait -- that would mean we have been blogging regularly.  (Jokes. I got 'em.)  Lucky for y'all I'm nursing a weird summer cold and decided to skip the gym since I sat at my desk with a hacking cough all day.  Clearly, the main reason for our scheduled interruption is to introduce you to our new family member and get you up to speed on my ever dwindling last year officially filing taxes as "single".  How is it that we are 5 months away from wedding day?! I need to register!!! 

Ok. Without further adieu I give you Arnold "Arnie" Palmer.  

Matt and I had a lot of discussions about another dog.  How long we should wait, what kind; etc.  Long talks at night.  Sometimes hard talks.  Clearly we can't bring back our beloved Hogan.  But after a lot of discussion and looking around we did decide that when we got another dog we would be adopting another boxer.  We have just had such a wonderful, wonderful experience with the breed.  We did go through Atlanta Boxer Rescue and we were really pleased with their organization and happy to contribute our adoption fee.  Many thanks to Arnie's foster mom -- she was completely amazing.  Note if you are interested in a boxer also check out their facebook page - it gets updated much more often and has lots of great info! 

I'm not going to mention any names...but someone has been a little bit sad about not being an only dog child anymore.  But it's only been a week and we have high hopes for our boys.  Arnie is incredibly sweet and well mannered.  Always a nice contrast to our loving yet sometimes high strung Rocky. 

In case you miss all my instagrams.  Trying to spice up office wear.  Mainly wondering if I could pass for a carnival worker or make it into an office meeting with this one? We have all the colors. 

We had a lovely 4th of July weekend and spent Sunday morning at E's house with babies for champagne and Wimbledon.  Housewife is the ultimate multi-tasker, no? 

Who can resist a baby in a bubble dress with a stuffed animal? 

After a super serious nap 4th of July weekend Matt and I managed to rouse ourselves, shower and get our asses out for dinner.  We had a fabulous dinner at our fave Vin 25 and the weather was just so perfect we walked down to Roswell Provisions for a tiny dessert. 

I've also been working super hard to make a neighborhood friend! The sweet girl down the street also has a pug -- Gizmo and we went on a double date to the food truck alley in Alpharetta last Thursday! 

Sad face because I vacuumed a lot on Saturday.  Apparently someone does not appreciate that since he got scared and had his first accident in the house on my watch.  

Made my first quiche this weekend! I loved it. I had 3 pieces today. 

We ended Sunday with a lot of patio hanging and grilling up some chicken as weekday dinner prep. 

I know that was a lot.  I'll try not to be gone so long. I think I'm finally getting a bit used to my new schedule, am a full-fledged audio book addict, got my last few save the date cards mailed and I've managed to get the house back under control and cleaned up.  July has been a success so far.  

Love you. Mean it! 

the engaged gal

Catching Up

Well, I'm not sure what happened last week but sorry for the disappearing act. Things were a little busy with the bathroom project (more on this later) and spending Thursday and Friday at The Mart helping with Fall market for some extra bones.  I have to say I had a nice time at the Mart.  I managed to score some cheap parking both days downtown and since I had actually never been allowed entry into the Mart before it was really neat to go to our big one in Atlanta.  I even got a nifty black utility coat out of the deal.  Can't wait for it to come in. I also perused the wedding dress boutiques.  Note that Sherri Hill reps were SUPER rude and ridiculous.  Never send your money there. 

I was trying to think of what to write about and realized that I could still gush about my little black dress from H&M that I sported at my cousin's wedding this weekend or Flash Bronzer but we have already done that. I'm winding down unemployment and trying to fit as many things as possible into my last week while also spending time with 3 Putt's mom while she is in town.   It's going to be hectic but I guess that's a good warm up for being gainfully employed again.  I'm super scared to start something SO new but also super excited.  Lots of "super" in there, I know.  

This is actually a huge week so I'm going to try my best to keep us all updated.  First, it's Christmas.  And when I say Christmas I mean it's MASTERS WEEK.  We had tickets this year but ended up selling them because I didn't have a job.  I knew that would mean I would have a job by the time the tournament got here but we decided that the money would be better spent paying bills.  So, hopefully I will win the ticket lottery again and we can go next year!  

We also have ALL THE BIRTHDAYS this week...#3 Putt's mom, my dad, and my little sister.  Really looking forward to actually seeing everyone on their birthday and lots of celebrating on Masters Sunday with the fam per tradition.  The Housewife and I are meeting some internet twin friends for a weekend brunch and there is also wedding dress shopping this weekend.  Until then I'll be at the gym, spending time with the dogs, and taking as many long lunches as I possibly can.  

Happy Tuesday! 

Playing Catch- Up

Hello lovely readers! Sorry I totally fell off the planet. That snow/ice storm really did a number on my week.  It was basically a scheduling disaster.  It was super amazing that when I realized the roads were gridlocked and icy that I could turn around and go to Emily's house -- but I had to stay for 2 days.  I had no toothbrush, no other clothes, nothing.   It was a real blessing that Emily was able to provide me with almost everything I could possibly want or need -- you know, like a pair of boots to wear instead of heels.  I probably could have made it home sometime on Wednesday but I was scared to drive all the way back to the office from my house and was already very close at my friend's house.  3 Putt was home with the dogs so there was really no reason to take unnecessary risks. 

So, clearly I only made the gym on Monday.  I ate all the bad things.  Drank all the wine due to being stranded.  Had to help move my office Thursday and Friday.  Couldn't get into work until much later in the morning.   Had to get set up to work from home.  I had no recovery time because Friday I turned around and went back to Emily's for our girls weekend that we had already planned.   We had a lot of fun but I have been rushing around since Sunday night trying to play catch-up.  And come to terms with the fact that I cannot eat bread and cheese all day every day sans gym time. Sads. 

Working from home has gone pretty well today! I will be here 2-3 days a week! Crazy! But really nice to be here with the dogs and then be able to leave and go do stuff without feeling all the mom guilt for keeping them cooped up all day.  We had a few kinks that had to be ironed out but I was pretty much full steam ahead around lunchtime.  

I'd like to get back into my grove because hello -- I am leaving for Europe in 15 days.   And I would like to finalize one or two wedding items before we leave.  I'm basically trying to sell my whole closet on Poshmark also.  We will see what happens.  Sometimes clothes are hard to sell.  Any tried and true tips? 

I feel like I wasted some precious blog time watching that lame Super Bowl last night. Sheesh.  No good commercials.  Not a good game.  I ended up reading in bed at half time and turning the volume down.   I promise that I will have my act together this week.  Sorry for the absence of late.  

Happy Monday! 

~the single gal~

Catching Up

Hi friends! Last week was really a whirlwind. Here are some photos and little blips about what has been going on! I was a bit absent last week but it was for a good cause -- I have a new furry friend in the house.  After I tried to rescue a pug the week before and he was found by his owner, a girl at my office said she knew someone that was giving her pug away because they could no longer afford to keep him.  I asked a lot of questions about the dog -- how is he with kids, other dogs, is he nice, etc.  At the end of the day, I couldn't have this little one go to the pound and I truly think it was a sign from Little Baby Jesus that I could finally have one after wanting one for so long.  You will find some photos of Rocky further down.  We are trying him out, and if it doesn't work out we will at least keep him here until we find the perfect home for him.  

Also, Little A came in town on Thursday for the NKOTB concert and we had a super long girls weekend with her and E {plus a bridal shower Saturday that I had to go to} so I have barely looked up since last week.  You know you have a really decent and loving boyfriend on your hands when you drop not one, but two dogs off at his place for the weekend and he doesn't complain at all. 

Breakfast Date at Buttermilk Kitchen with my favorite!

Lunchtime Pinkberry.

Lately I have needed a lot of Pinkberry in my life. Judge if you want.  I got a giant one for lunch the other day and it can truly heal almost any bad day. 

Sweet Rocky! 

Perching at 3 Putt's place.

blurry photos at New Kids.

I got like one blurry photo of me and Little A at the concert. Guess we were having too much fun to take a lot of pictures! Excuse my hair.  I have a new baby at home. There's not time to do it right now. 

Late night stop at The Sky Lounge at the Glen Hotel in Atlanta. 

"Who are these people and when can I go home?!"

Still experimenting with some new art for the bedroom makeover.  The Housewife got me several prints and we are leaning things on things trying to be "artsy" and "eclectic" and "stylish".  Mostly that's prob not working.  It might help if I turned the seam on that lamp shade to the back -- no? 

Rocky has jokes.  He thinks he should sleep on 3 Putt's kitchen table. 

We finally had some Sunday lounge time but I got edged off the sofa fairly quickly! 

Have any of you brought a new dog into the house before? Mostly I am feeling really overwhelmed and insane but I think that is just because Mom and Jer are still here because their condo isn't finished yet so it just seems like there are 18 people her rather than just one new dog.  Instead of 3 of us there are 5.  And when 3 Putt is here there are 6 of us.  

Where I Bitch About How Technologically Illiterate I Am and Try to Catch You Up on Life

Hello friends! I am not sure where the time has gone...I really felt like I posted "just the other day"...except that was a long time ago.  Snaps to The Housewife for her last post! Seriously though, I know she is my sister but she really makes me laugh a lot.  We are all trying to gear up for Mother's Day festivities this weekend and I think everyone here in the south was thanking Little Baby Jesus for the bit of sunshine we saw today! If I thought our winter was long it appears that spring is even longer.  It rained non stop this past weekend. Ideally, that was a lot of time for me to write but it didn't happen.  I am setting a new goal to be better with my time management -- I just have more stuff to do now it seems.  Obviously a lot of it is good stuff - family stuff, lots with 3 Putt, but it's a big schedule adjustment.  And we all know how rigid I am.  

A few big things going on...the big 3-0 is just around the corner! The Housewife and I are a mere month away from the big {but small celebrations planned} day.  

Also -- I decided that it was time to step up and just get a new phone.  I called it an early birthday present and it was kind of a "need" at this point since my other phone was really just not working very well at all.  3 Putt is a very patient man and actually took me to the store to get my phone against my wishes to order it online because he said it would be "much easier".  Consider this next sentence to be my PSA about how he was right.  Well, getting the phone was easy.  

Let's take a moment to "oooh and ahhh" since I haven't bought anything other than a refurb or a hand-me-down phone in like 5 years.  YEARS people.  Years.  Now that word looks weird. Dammit. 

Making it sync all the info from my other one -- not proving so easy.  I've had my fair share of tech woes this week and I'm about to give up.  3 Putt is more determined to see the project through, I'm about to just turn my old phone in for credit because I just want to do the fun stuff like pick out a new iPhone case.  That's way more important than trying to get all my music I paid for on the new one, right?????

I'm also in a work out funk. So someone please send their fave salad recipe and fave workout plan to me ASAP.  Something has to be done.  A diet of froyo and cheese dip does not a bathing suit body make.  If it ever gets warm enough to put on said bathing suit. 

Oh and I almost forgot - I finally jumped on the Game of Thrones bandwagon.  I demanded 3 Putt and I watch it together.  I guess we are supposed to actually like some of the same TV (even though I watch hardly anything on the tube anymore because its all crap)? I like it.  Winter. Is. Coming. 

What are you planning for Mother's Day? What did you buy for your mom? Seriously -- how have you all been?! For the love of God someone comment on how to fix my phone syncing issues so I don't go postal. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

{catching up}

Mercy.  I don't even know where to start.  I've at least survived 3 days of a new week.  But boy do I ever have my eyes set on Friday.  I think I have more than earned my 3 day weekend after so many extra shifts and extra hours put in last night.  It was another rainy, awful weather day here in Georgia yesterday and when you add a morning doctor's visit {getting that annual check up out of the way}, the blur of working so many days in a row while trying diligently to address some items at the office I have put off {and items I am also having some difficulty with} a run wasn't in the cards at the end of the day.  

I shuffled out to my car in the rain, hit the Starbucks drive through to get a nonfat chai tea latte and meandered home to get Hogan out and have some much needed quiet time.  There's a lot to be said about sitting by the fire, enjoying some magazines, and working through a bit of laundry in your own solitude.   

But, let's not dwell on rain and work and other such things. Let's hit some high points for this week...

- I got two super sweet notes.

- Came home to find my Sephora order safely on the doorstep and not blown away by tornado-esque winds.

- I finally finished the last of that blasted cornbread. 

- I have a warm, cozy home to return to every evening. 

-It stopped raining for a bit right before bed so I could get Hogan outside. 

- I have dinner plans with some of my favorite girls after work today.  If that can't get me through a Thursday at work, nothing will. 

On another note -- where the hell did January go? How are we already one month into 2013?

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Catching Up

Just doing a Single Gal check in today! Life has been randomly busy for a January -- I usually take some time after Christmas to hibernate due to the holiday whirlwind.  I'm also doing that thing where I already have several things booked for February?!

A few things...

 - I've been pretty good about less time on my phone.  Definitely a lot better about not having it out during work and taking a night or two to leave it upstairs when I get home as well.  I am really hoping to create a habit that way it won't be so darn difficult and to not feel like I am missing anything -- because really, I'm not. 

- On the "no frivolous spending" front -- January was actually going to have a lot of expenses prior to financial focusing for 2013.  However, I have an opportunity at work to grab some extra shifts for much needed cash {which I normally don't as a salaried employee} so I worked last Sunday and plan to work all this weekend and maybe even all next weekend.  This will have me working around 21 days in a row, but they are only doing it through January and I think I may actually end up with a little extra cash.  However, with all that work things are going to continue to be busy this month. 

- Speaking of finances -- how is it already time to file taxes again? Oy. 

I know I have been MIA lately -- I am going to work hard not to be MIA the rest of the month even with the weekend shifts.  I am also going to try not to let them make me ornery and grumpy.  If I say something mean, don't take it to heart. It's probably because I'm just tired.  

Another thing - I have more to catch you up on! Really.  My cousin set me up on this blind date right after Christmas - we will call him Blind Date.  More on this experience later. 

I had a hair appointment this week so I feel like a new and better person already.  

Also - if you are in the Atlanta area - what is with all this rain? I feel like its rained so much the last 6 weeks.  I can't deal. My hair can't deal. The dog can't deal.  Enough already! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Catching Up

Hi, Everyone! Just wanted to drop some quick lines so we can all catch up since life has been so busy! 

The Housewife has been super MIA. I am sure you noticed. But, she does have a valid excuse.  She is mid-rennovation this week and has been staying with her wonderful In-Laws while all the dust settles on those gorgeous hardwoods.  They ended up starting two days later than planned when The Housewife noticed that the brought in the wrong size planks for her floors.  It's always something!

We are still in full-on Bridesmaid mode this week! Today we leave for a girls trip to Folly Beach/Charleston, South Carolina for Little A's Bachelorette Weekend.  This vacation couldn't come soon enough for me for a few reasons.  First, I have decided to take another job.  I had some interviews over the last few weeks and found a more stable company that is also closer to home.  It's been a rough week because it's hard to put in your notice at a place you loved and leave your work family.  I have so many co-workers there that I value and some incredibly close friends there as well.  More on this later! Secondly, I have had to cut some vacation time I already had planned out since I have to start my new job where I need to accrue my PTO {lame}.  So I am going to enjoy every second of my time off until I go back to work on Tuesday. 

In other random news, I was jokingly texting Little A about TDH and then I sent a second blip about wanting to beg him to be my wedding date in June. Except I sent that text to TDH. Yes -- you read that last sentence correctly.  It didn't really mention him by name, but I was mortified.  Actually, I am still mortified.  I said "beg" for goodness sake! Beg!  I was dying {why does this not look like a real word????}.  Seriously.  I am a moron. 

Thank God he is nice and understanding and wrote me back immediately that it was "no big deal".  It doesn't appear that I have sent him running back into New Jersey to disappear forever {not yet anyway}. 

Also, I hate my iPhone right now.  You know, since it's my phone's fault, not mine...

The Housewife and I wish you an early "Happy Weekend" since we are hitting the road this morning! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~