Checking In

It has really not my intention to be so far away from this little place of the internet that I do really like  -- but it's kind of the busiest time of year other than December at the office.  I worked just about 50 hours this past week.  It doesn't seem like that much more than a regular 40 hour work week but trust me when I say that it's really kind of crazy.  I almost logged in today but I decided that all can wait until Monday -- I am working towards not overdoing it with ALL THE THINGS since my husband will tell you I cried ALL THE TEARS the weekend before this one.  I'm not a machine.  So I'm doing ALL THE THINGS I LIKE this weekend and also checking in here. 

• I am still really into barre workouts lately - this video is a killer for your legs and I've also had a lot of fun with Jessica Smith TV on You Tube.  Are we not all thankful for free things like this on the internet? It's amazing to me. 
• Ever since starting to eat according to Macros I've become addicted to finding protein sources -- Quest Bars are my jam forever. Thanks Amazon Prime for mailing them all so quickly! 
• The Housewife has been feeding me books lately and we really loved this one from Melanie Shankle who write the Big Mama blog. Great book about friendship and I think you would all love it. Ok, Ok -- the dudes may not be up for this one but STILL. 

• I also need to let you know that I'm like one summer away from being a master gardener because I have managed to keep a ton of plants alive so far this year on my porch and back patio -- aka rosebushes and ferns aka things that are pretty much impossible to kill if you just keep watering them. (We won't talk about my little lavender plant that is struggling and the shrub by the front door that has been here since I moved in and is suddenly dead all over in a matter of one day...)
• JCrew is having a sale so awesome I actually strayed from eBay.  Super surprised at how far my $57 took me! I got a bathing suit for $12! It's bright orange but I thought it would be fun when we go to Vegas.  
• The first half of this year I have been working to better my soul and give it more Jesus -- I have been going to Revolution Church  (ok I was streaming the service a lot but now I really do get up and get my behind out there Sunday mornings) with The Housewife and I have found such a good home there. 

Ok...I swore I was going to work out now. Hope we haven't dissolved our lovely little following with lack of posts! 

~the married gal~

Checking In

It's been a really hard, transitional, busy, and emotional last few weeks.   We continue to completely pass middle ground this year -- everything is either really great and awesome or pretty darn craptastic as we have gone through 2014.  I know The Housewife informed you that we lost sweet Hogan about a week ago.  I'm not quite ready to write a lot about it but I will and I'm sure it will help the healing process.  He was 11 and I'd like to think we gave him a really great life and the best care he could have while he was on earth.  I'm trying not to be a 3 year old about the whole thing but my general view lately is "I want my dog back."  But I also know human nature is to always want more time than we have and I'm working really hard at being incredibly grateful for the time that we did have together. 

We have truly had all the emotions lately though.  The new job is going really, really well.  If I could have just picked the most ideal situation/result to come out of my unemployment it would have been to land in the exact place that I am now.  Truly.  Obviously life isn't perfect.  I've got a bit of a commute and different hours but we have banded together on the home front and we have a dog walking service that comes several times a week when we need them and hopefully soon I'll be making a few dinners, making time for more workouts and feeling more comfortable with my completely new job scene.  Change is hard.  I keep telling myself that if I spouted gospel in my interview trying to win my position about wanting to push my boundaries I better grab hold of the opportunity and dig in to get exactly what I want out of this incredible job opportunity.  I do feel like I will be really happy there.  But at the same time even though I am still in insurance I am completely out of my comfort zone so I need to take a deep breath and relax.  I need to keep telling myself "I will get there". 

This has been a better weekend than the last.  We stuck pretty close to home again and with the rain and cloudy weather I have been able to catch up on all the chores and house stuff that were completely ignored last weekend.  It's definitely the little things -- wandering the mall with Emily, looking at my little patio plants that are still alive, fresh flowers, fresh manicure, and home cooked meals.  Now I'm trying to regroup on some wedding items like flowers, what the groom should wear, hotel room blocks, and a hair/makeup girl. 

I've missed you guys! Working to get back on track with regular posts! 

~the single gal~

Weekend Round Up

Hello! Happy Weekend! Just wanted to check in and round out (up?) this week and see what we have going for this last full week in March.  How is it the end of March already? Was it not just time to ring in the new year?! Where is the time going? Seriously. 

Last week was really nice! We marked some items off the wedding list.  I guess that big stuff most people nail down in the first month. It took us about two.  Whoops. We have a signed contract with our wedding/reception venue! It took some back and forth but I appreciate the restaurant we chose working with us for the ceremony.  Made my life so much easier (well, 3 Putt's too because WOW all the arguments) and I feel like we are super on track with our budget.  We also know from Wednesday's post I got the dress jitters out last Monday.  And now since the ceremony/dinner is finalized I can email the photographer this week and finalize our contract with her.  Once I order my dress I think I can relax until June.  

Other stuff...I do want to get up an interview post this week.  Not that I know everything but I do want to recap and link some things I found helpful (yay internet) and awkward.  I closed out the week strong in stress, hope, and perspiration.  And now we have the waiting game! Enter me starting a bonkers home project because I need something to occupy my mind and the best way to do that is keep my hands busy.  Legit taking a trip to Home Depot today. 

This week is about trusting and breathing.  I've done all I can for the job stuff that was on the horizon.  Let's keep our heads down and our eyes on the prize for the last week of March.  

~the single gal~

Checking In

I find 4 day work weeks super hectic and I don't know about you guys but I am straight exhausted from Labor Day.  I kinda felt like it was the perfect amount of busy paired with the perfect amount of relaxation and that small portion of work I had to do on Saturday.  But for some reason I am SO tired.  The bright side -- tomorrow is already hump day.  Boom. 

I grabbed a few Instagrams from this weekend -- none of which are probably very good or adorable, but here you go. 

Don't worry, we had lots of beers as well as the opportunity to drink water from this
cute jug for Friday happy hour in Roswell.
Don't even play. 

Hai there. Busted out the monogrammed koozie for a fun day on the lake. 

#1 wanted to help walk Hogie so we went up to see the horses and cows
at the front of the 'Hood.

I also reunited with Elise {post-beautiful baby C!} and we had a fabulous brunch at The Tavern and perused lots of great sales at Phipps Plaza.  I resisted a lot of stuff but did grab another Elsa blouse {see prior Monday Obsessions}. Its green and oh so beautiful.  If only someone would drop a new pair of Kendra Scott earrings in my lap. Preferably these -- 

Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings in Blue Goldstone

Thank goodness for resisting sales because my car saga continues! Ugh.  Had a couple cranking/starting issues so I had the battery tested on the way home from work today and yep -- it was done for.  Goodbye to $130.  Guess it's a good thing I have no appetite these days. 

{A few other things}

Adoring my Essie Watermelon for my manicure this week.  Hard times call for pretty, colored nails. 

I may have some overrated anxiety about running into 3 Putt.  Maybe warranted. Maybe not.  But it's there.  I am not sure why.  

I am reading {Outlander by Diana Gabaldon} and I am three-hundred-thousand-percent obsessed, y'all.  I have many sleepless nights ahead this week. It's good.  It has men with red hair.  Humor me. 

I don't want to read any more tweets ever about another fashion week ever. Sars. 

Only 2 weeks until vacay!!!

*******

Hope you are all enjoying the short week! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Party of One. (Emphasis on the word "party".)

Single Gal here! Just checking in--The Housewife has done a great job keeping up with posting responsibilities of late.  Life has been busy--work has been insane the last few weeks.  I have had some time off but we are down a rep and lots of people take well deserved vacay days in the summer so we are really feeling the brunt of heavy claims volume.  #killingme

But...last week The Housewife and I took some well deserved time off of our own and had our big night out at the NKOTBSB concert in Atlanta! It. Was. So. Much. Fun.  We drank one too many beers, ordered pizza late night, and enjoyed the next day off of work/baby duty together.  We sang really loudly in front of strangers. Note: The Housewife has all our fun photos on her camera, so let's all beg her nicely to throw some up this week.

It's been a hard last few weeks.  Marathon training is already kicking my butt and we aren't even running that far--it's seriously just the amount of training we are doing.  Of course, last week I was way too social and bagged several workouts (don't worry, I already fessed up to The Housewife) but I am back on track this week.  Balancing a serious work out plan, career, and social activities is a serious challenge.  I have been trying to get back in The Game too, but I have to find some new places to hang in the city.  Most of the VaHi neighborhood is full of 25 year olds--if that.  Most of the time guys ask me what school I go to.  As in college.  Um, hello--I'm an old lady.  Which is totally okay with me because let's face it--these guys think I should buy them a drink.  Ugh.

I was really beginning to feel sorry for myself on Sunday--especially wandering around and perusing my local grocery store for my necessary little frozen entrees when I noticed the sign for the section where I was shopping--

That's right.  Even the grocery store defines me as single.  Single meals.  Single Gals.  Not cool Target! Not cool.  Freaking "meals for one". 

Also, while we are on the topic of "confessions"...you know, since that's our blog title and all-- 

I have been seeing 3 Putt again.  It's uber-casual.  I don't even know what it is.  Really, I don't.  It almost isn't even worth mentioning.  But it nags at me a bit.  I've been thinking a lot about how we all define relationships and have pretty much given up on that in general.  They are all different from one another and people, events, and places all mean something different to each individual.  It's all too stressful if you ask me. And, I have too much work and running to do rather than spend all my time trying to figure it out. 

Disclaimer, this probably isn't going to be a large topic of discussion--so take your juicy tidbit and enjoy (Read: You really don't have to ask me about this when you see me...Mom and Dad). 

Oh, and in other news I finally got my iPhone fixed--no more broken screen.  Switched to Dad's old 3GS. Go Single Gal! Shit is getting accomplished this week--watch out world--Meals for One are the Meals of Champions!  

Love you. Mean it. 

~The Single Gal~