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

Recap: The Single Gal Goes Back to Work

Well, I did it.  Monday marked my day of rejoining the working world.  Like most first days go it was very painless.  I was prepared for my decent commute with my audio book and a cup of coffee that I carefully sipped without spilling on my new office dress.  Obviously I was already off to a successful start and I hadn't even walked through the doors yet.  

Ended up in my gray office dress -- here was the pic once I got home (hence all the wrinkles). 

These people must think I am legit.  They are letting me order business cards and I have a laptop! And my boss already came up to let me know he wants me to go in and meet a client that will be in town this week on an account I will be working on with the team.  I work on the 23rd floor in a big building in Buckhead now which is such a different environment than where I was my last few claims jobs.  I think getting into the new routine is going to tire me out this week but I feel so happy and excited and blessed to have this opportunity.  Sad news -- I sat through a week long licensing class when I first started working claims and then took my adjuster's exam.  I now have to sit through the same class all next week and sit for an agent exam.  Sigh.  But very cool they are paying and letting me go during the work week -- some offices don't do that for you.  Everyone at the office was incredibly nice to me, especially my new boss.  I legit think we are going to really get along and that he will be a great mentor for me.  

Hey look it's my cube! Needs some decor. 

I am sure I will have some rough days ahead because I will be learning a lot and I am bound to make mistakes but for this week I am determined to hold on to my rosy and hopeful outlook for the future.  Thanks for all the sweet calls and emails and texts and tweets wishing me luck on my first day! Y'all really know how to make a girl smile.

I think the funniest part of the day was that the pay period ends on the 15th at my new company so I came home after one day of work and had a tiny paycheck in the mailbox already! 

~the single gal~

Gearing Up for the Week

Well, it's official the week has started.  I'm trying not to be really down about waiting for a call to interview for that great call I had last week. I know people are crazy on Mondays. I know this.  So I sent pesky follow-up-thank-you-so-much-for-talking-to-me emails today just to remind them I am here.  I really wanted to include a note about the fact that I Fed Exed that interview skirt to the tune of $35 but resisted.  Are we tired of hearing about the job hunt? Let me know if so.  Because hey we have all the time in the world to talk about anything under the sun. 

Good parts for the beginning of the week: Had another phone call with exciting company even though it ended a bit awkwardly, lots of sunshine to walk the dogs in, I have finally shed my vacation pounds, morphing the kitchen table into my new office is kind of my favorite (even though the chairs are awful on my back). 

Had a nice start to the week as I am two workouts in and managed to just have a big ol' smoothie before bed last night and no junk food.  I still love having what I call "single gal dinners" on nights that 3 Putt works late (which is all spring/summer/fall). 

OTHER BIG NEWS -- My sweet baby sister had her beautiful baby girl on Monday! Ashlyn we welcome you! You are just scrumptious.  Kind of sad that Lyns lives a few hours away but I am sure The Housewife and I are making a trip very soon to visit! Mom and baby are doing very well. Always glad for safe delivery with no complications. 

Happy happy Tuesday, everyone. Let's show this week who is boss. 

~the single gal~

{cohabitation update}

I totally have SO much to update you guys on -- seriously, I do.  But today I thought I would  donate some time to new relationshipy-stuff.  Before I continue, please forgive my sudafed-nose spray-overdosing brain today.  I have some sort of gigantic sinus flare up that I am trying to kill before my trip.  I haven't had a lot of sleep, my stomach is wrecked and I just feel plain gross.

Ok.  Back to relationshipy-stuff.  (Hopefully 3 Putt won't take the ring back after he reads this. I kid.  I hope...) 3 Putt and I both knew that we would definitely move in together once we got engaged.  Although he is not technically moved in he has really been at my house ever since.  In my defense I have lived with a boy before...but holycowitwasa reallylongtimeago. It's actually been really nice -- mainly because he is so helpful and its super nice to just open the pantry and see that the garbage has been taken out or seeing him walking in the door with a pile of mail for me (I never really check the mailbox unless I'm expecting a package.).  But wow y'all -- I just kind of assumed that we already spent a lot of time together.  But I guess we really were not all up in each other like I thought. Really and truly this isn't a bad thing -- its just REALLY different.  You just get used to having shit your way all the time when you live alone.  So, yes it's a good different; however having said that I was kind of losing my mind on our snow days/me working from home days.  I'll just give a few examples of adjustment:

a) I normally go days without ever turning on the TV.   With 3 Putt I'm pretty sure that thing is always on in the background.  I had to walk out and shovel the driveway Thursday.  And tell 3 Putt it was driving me super nuts.  Because OH MY GOD ALL THE TV.

b) I'm still trying to make myself realize that we have not combined household items yet.   His clothes are here.  That's it.  It's a big adjustment to make the space.  To even think of it really.

c) I know dudes think bitches be cray but we HAVE to work on pre-bedtime straightening.  Poor guy is coming into a really anal and particular (yet not hostile) location.  But in all seriousness we cannot come downstairs in the mornings with all the pillows still on the floor that were moved off the couch during evening TV time.  

d) All good times can be spoiled by The Great Wedding Ceremony Debate.  This may be a recurring 2014 theme.

Having given these examples,  I kind of want to interview 3 Putt for a pseudo-guest post about all of the adjustments that poor guy is going through.  I really kind of pity him for having to live with me. I am not the easiest roomie.  I am sure that even though he really may be the most relaxed, gentle, kind, thoughtful guy I have ever met he has had several moments of great frustration and reminders that I can be straight batshit crazy over things like vacuum lines, the exact position of a chair in a room, and any spot that ever got on my new bedding or that may be on it in the future due to humans not being observant and preventing the dogs from doing stupid shit around said bedding.  Or the fact that I try to give a grown ass man specific linen washing instructions down to the number of times the large king size blanket should be dried.  

There are good lessons to be learned here.  I need to make a special place I can go while 3 Putt watches the TV.  He is a great roomie.   He folds laundry that I leave in the dryer.  He makes a real effort at making the bed and putting the pillows the way I like them.  He thinks every dinner I make is good or at least he doesn't say otherwise.  He always makes breakfast on the weekends and doesn't turn on the TV during this time.  If anything, this should be a lesson in what I can do for 3 Putt and help make his transition better and more comfortable.

Still,  it's not always easy to live with someone.   If anything, this relationship has taught me about deep breaths and priorities.  And I want to appreciate adjustments more -- this is the first time we will move in together.   I want to live in that moment. We won't have it again.   So remind me of that when I come downstairs tomorrow morning and the pillows are off kilter.



~the single gal~

Rainy Saturday

Happy Weekend, all! So glad the polar vortex left us but with two dogs I'm a bit grumpy about the rain even though its much warmer here.  Basically the dogs dislike any inclement weather and it's a pain to try to walk them with them both tugging on their leashes to go back inside immediately.  That is if they even leave the front porch.  I managed a gym trip and two errands with The Housewife this morning but it's been hard to regroup on many other chores since I have been home.  It was a pretty long week.  Work is busy again, vet appointments, trying to make gym classes, etc was a big change since the holiday season is over!  Obviously I'd rather visit you all than complete all my laundry. 

I'm proud to say that I have really been good on shopping but I've been cyber stalking this camel cape. (Like really good -- I even completely resisted the big Lilly Pulitzer sale!) I returned the camel coat but this $179 cape was marked down to just under $56 and man my fingers are itching to order it.  There is something I really love about having my arms free. I think this is why I love vests so much in cooler weather?  

I love how the blogger from Penny Pincher Fashion styled her camel cape recently! 

//via//

I did want to give a quick update on The Flat Iron Curl debacle.  I really liked the tutorial and felt like I was getting the hang of it -- but still they weren't staying very well and I had some kinks in my hair.  I think this problem stems from the fact that I have a cheapo flat iron.  And let's face it, I am not getting an upgrade anytime soon with the fact that I'm hosting a baby shower for my little sister, going to Europe in February and pretty much waiting for my car to break any day now.   If you have success let me know! And I want a picture. 

I've been working to register little Rocky for daycare this weekend.  Poor little guy sometimes just needs another option for fun and playtime.  Especially since every time I try to take him to the dog park no little dogs are in there.  How is it that no matter how many vaccinations I get for my dogs there always seems to be another one they need? So frustrating.  

~the single gal~