Thursday randoms

Here are some of the things going on this week in my life

- last night Michael and I purchased my wedding shoes. I found the beauties on Davids Bridal.com you can view them here (since they wont let me save the photo!) Mine are in cornflower, its my something blue!

- part one of the bridesmaids gifts arrived today! I even ordered one for me. I don't want to share on here what it is since a bridesmaid or two may read this!

- I menu planned today for the next two weeks, I will post about my adventures in cooking later.

- I have been thinking of getting a summer weekend job to help pay for the wedding even though Michael swears were doing great. (I am a worry wort!)

- I still have some DVR catching up to do, so far I still need to watch Secret Life of the American Teenager, Biggest Loser and Criminal Minds (the spin off one).

- Malibu didnt wake up scratching last night! I am sure his allergies will kick back in once the warm weather comes back

say buh bye

Is your favorite show going to be cancelled?

- poor FX has not been able to create a decent show in a long time. The only thing they have still going for them is Rescue Me and this coming season is rumored to be the last (tear!) Lights Out has officially gotten the ax.

- Have you seen or even heard of Perfect Couples? Yeah, exactly why it was pulled almost right away. I saw a handful of commercials, but that was it.  It has already been pulled. A new sitcom reminding me of the ones from the 80's and 90's is going to take its place starting in April. The Paul Resier Show. Remember the husband from Mad About You (who didnt love that show!) thats him! From the commercials it looks pretty funny. I will give it a shot, but then again I will give almost any show a shot. I want this show to work, but not a lot of sitcoms last nowadays.

- Do you also loving cooking shows like me? I started watching Americas Next Great Restaurant, kinda boring. I am not surprised this is falling in the ratings.

I always end up getting sucked into shows that get pulled. Anyone remember October Road or the Brittany Snow show set in the 60's? Yeah, I was sucked in when they were pulled mid season. Now all my favorite shows are ending, Rescue Me, Big Love and Friday Night Lights.

What are your favorite TV shows? Any been pulled you feel unfairly?

Old Hollywood

I love old Hollywood. One of my favorite movies ever is Casablanca, Judy Garland is one of my favorite performers of all time and well the late Elizabeth Taylor was always stunning.

I saw an article today that letters Elizabeth Taylor wrote to her first fiance (as you know there were many) are going up for auction. The letters were written by 17 year-old Taylor to William Pawley. I dont know why but I have always looked to Elizabeth Taylor and her scandalous love life as intriguing. She was breaking the mold the best she could for the time. Why has this kind of beauty gone out the window?

I love old movies and old Hollywood glamour.

top Chef finale tonight!

I LOVE Top Chef. I have been sucked in for a couple seasons now. Tonight is the finale of Top Chef All Stars. If you have not seen it, they brought back contestants that got close but did not win their seasons. It has come down to Richard Blaise (gooo Richard!) and Mike Isabella.

Richard is from Atlanta and is a cooking genius. He uses a lot of dry ice and different odd methods of cooking. He is who I am rooting for now that Carla is gone (so sad!). Richard got 2nd place on his season and is looking for redemption and has been kicking ass and taking names this season.

Mike Isabella is up the northeast and kind of an arrogant guy. He is doing MUCH better then and would deserve to win.

Don't miss it tonight, 10 PM on Bravo! I know I will be watching and rooting on Richard!

So What Wednesday...

Join In!!

This week I am saying so what to....

• If my wedding is still 6 months away, but we are done planning
• I have become a VERY relaxed bride and not really caring about the details, as long as we get married :)
• I hope it rains all day today so my softball game is cancelled, not in the mood to play
• I am starting to feel domesticated and loving it (when did I turn into the cooking and cleaning kinda person!)
• I have decided to use an at home hair dye (hey I have a wedding to pay for!) 

would you change your name?

An article on OMG today was about celebrities real names. Here is some of the list:

Martin Sheen real name (Ramon Estevez)

Lady Gaga real name (Stefani Germanotta)

Meat Loaf real name (Marvin Lee Aday)

Charlie Sheen real name (Carlos Estevez)

Pink real name (Alecia Moore)

Judy Garland real name (Frances Ethel Gumm)

Miley Cyrus birth name (Destiny Hope Cyrus)

Katy Perry real name (Katheryn Hudson)

John Wayne real name (Marion Morrison)

Fergie real name (Stacy Ann Ferguson)

Gene Simmons real name (Chaim Witz)

Mark Twain real name (Samuel Clemens)

Would you create a stage name? In some cases I am glad they did. Poor Judy Garland being born with the names Frances Gumm and well Katy Perry would of been confused with Kate Hudson all the time. And  John Wayne sounds so much cooler then Marion Morrison.  I know there are MANY more celebrities who use stage names instead of their real ones. 

Would you change your name?

heated debate

I sparked a heated debate on my Facebook page today. While I eat lunch I like to read some of the headlines on Yahoo.com and if they are interesting I will post them on my Facebook. Well, today I posted this article about the Barefoot Contessa from The Food Network.

To recap the article is about the Barefoot Contessa turning down a child's Make-A-Wish two years in a row. The kid wanted to meet her and she said no. Since I studied news reporting/media in college I understand that not all articles are created equal. This article sparked a heated debate on my Facebook page. One friend said she wouldn't her stuff anymore, another friend agreed and another took her side. Of all the articles I post on my page, this one sparked the debate.

The two ladies who were against her also happen to be moms and the guy who stood up for her is a single man. Does this have to do with their arguments? I would think it does.

What are your thoughts?

What do you watch?

Does anyone else live off their DVR? What did we do before DVR? If you are like my stepdad you tape shows on a VHS tape (yes, he STILL does!) My fiance and I have several (and i do mean several) shows that we have scheduled for taping during the week. Here is my break down of what I watch.

Monday - We use to watch the whole CBS line up, but they are not that funny anymore so we don't record them. If we are home, we will watch them, if not no big deal.

Tuesday - I LOOOVE One Tree Hill (even though they are now stretching), I got sucked into The Biggest Loser this season and yes I teared up this week. And I have been sucked into Teen Mom since the beginning.

Wednesday - Its all about Top Chef! 

Sunday - We both like Celebrity Apprentice and I am hooked on Army Wives. 

I am excited for these shows to come back - 

What do you watch???

my favorite show has ended

Its official...Big Love is off the air. And it breaks my heart, the show could of kept going. I only have a handful of friends who watched it, but I thought it was amazing and ground breaking! I know the show hit on a touchy subject, but I think it did a good job.

In case you have not seen the show it is about the Hendrickson family who included husband Bill and his wives Barbara, Nicki, and Margene. Bill owns a chain of Home Depotish stores, he grew up on a polygamist compound and was kicked out as a teenager. Barbara is Bill's first wife. They were not always polygamists. Barb is the kind, mothering wife. When they agreed to become polygamists Bill married Nicki, the daughter of the "prophet" from the compound they grew up on. Nicki has a hard time letting go of the compound she grew up on and her dangerous family. Margene is the third wife. She was the family baby-sitter. She is younger, but more fun and relaxed then the other two wives.

Yes, it was about a polygamist family living in the suburbs. The show followed the family and how they tried to live normal suburban lives while dealing with hiding themselves and dealing with their extended families. I recommend renting them on Netflix. There were MANY twists and turns in the 5 seasons the show was on the air.

Yes, it does cover the touchy subject of polygamy and the Mormon religion. I personally think the show did a good job not stepping on toes. The show was not glorifying plural marriage or close minded. They were not saying all Mormon's are polygamists. Instead I feel like it opened my mind. I would not want to be in a plural marriage, but if other people willing do, who cares! Who are they hurting?

Again, I HIGHLY recommend the show.

exhausted...

I am dragging today....my poor Westie, Malibu, has really bad skin allergies. Now that spring is in full spring, his scratching has begun. Poor guy was up all night scratching. We have tried everything, nothing seems to work :( Now, being the very light sleeper that I am, I was up with him all night trying to get him to stop.

Today is not one of my favorite days....

So What Wednesday...

Join In! 

So What if...

• I messed up trying to make chicken and dumplings last night
• i am too lazy to straighten my hair lately
• I am slightly in love w/ The Biggest Loser and teared up last night
• I have become a very relaxed bride
• I do not have internet or email on my phone

Niki Taylor got fired while keeping her reputation

I have mentioned before my love for "reality tv" well right now one of my favorite shows is "Celebrity Apprentice" (who doesn't love the Donald!).

Last nights episode Gary Busey was the mens project manger and they won! (say what?! yup i know!) I can see why they did (Gary needs to thank everyone but Jose). Since the women lost (because they are quite stupid this year) Niki Taylor took the blame (she was the project manager), she wouldn't bring back anyone to the boardroom and was fired. BUT I think she handled herself with class. She lost, but not for lack of trying. She refused to cat fight, argue or look stupid (like Star Jones or Dionne Warwick). She may not have won the show, but she has kept her reputation. And I say GOOD FOR HER!

I am excited for next week! Go Meat Loaf and Jon Rich!

50 in 5 months

I have mentioned before about my upcoming wedding in October. This date is hanging over my head for weight loss. I do not want to be fat in my wedding pictures. I am currently at my heaviest (175 - YIKES!) My goal is to loose 50 lbs in the next 5 months.

I HATED the way I looked in our engagement photos

Looking back I looked great my senior year of high school/freshman year of college

My goal is to be like that again...I need to loose 50 lbs. I am 5'3 and a healthy weight for me should be around 125, thats the goal! 

Now how am I going to do this? I invested the best $10 of my life in the "Eat This Not That" book. Its great! I am a bad dieter, I cant do it. I have started cooking more at home, eating less junk food and I have started working out more. I joined two softball teams this year and will try and do something almost everyday. I will post my little successes here.

I am not doing this only for vanity (but it is a great motivator isnt it!) but I am also doing it for my health. Heart disease runs in my family. If I do not take care of myself it is pretty much guaranteed that I will have to have heart surgery. My dad passed away from heart complications, my mom has had a triple bypass and a couple scares. I do not want to be like this....

Lets hear it for no double chin on my wedding day and being able to look good in a bathing suit on my honeymoon! 

My ABC's

A. Age: 24

B. Bed size: King...much needed

C. Chore you dislike: laundry...hate folding and putting it away

D. Dogs: my two pup babies are Malibu and Bailey

E. Essential start to your day: some snuggle time with my pups

F. Favorite color: i really dont have one

G. Gold or silver: Silver.

H. Height: 5'3"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I "played" the violin in elementary school...my mom said I was TERRIBLE

J. Job title: Account Services Coordinator (and I love it :) )

K. Kids: none of my own - I have a BEAUTIFUL goddaughter

L. Live: in the south

M. Mom’s name: Sheila

N. Nicknames: umm "i" and michael calls me babe

O. Overnight hospital stays: one for a stomach thing, sucked!

P. Pet peeves: gum chewing (well the sound of chewing in general)

Q. Quote from a movie: "Here's to looking at you kid" Casablanca (love it!)

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: 2 younger brothers

T. Time you wake up: either 7 or 7:30 am during the week (depending on the hair day)

U. Underwear:  cute ones

V. Vegetables you don’t like: lima beans

W.What makes you run late: my pups

X. X-rays you’ve had: teeth, I've had a handful of different ultrasounds

Y. Yummy food you make: im dabbling right now

Z. Zoo animal favorites: humm...I dont know!

menu planning

This week I have actually menu planned our meals. I am not the biggest cook, I am still learning. I usually consider cooking unfreezing something, or mixing something out of a box. I personally want to be a better provider for my family when it comes to cooking and cleaning (where is this coming from!)

Currently if I cook anything besides spaghetti or tacos Michael is impressed :) This week my goal was to menu plan and actually stick to it and not just go out to eat (we have to start saving some $$)

Here is my week of meals! All recipes found randomly online.

Mon - BBQ mac and cheese (first time making this, if its good I will post the recipe)

Tues - chili and cornbread (Tuesday are crazy for us, Michael has grad school classes and usually is not home until late so I have decided Tuesdays are slow cooker days so he can have a warm meal!)

Wed - slow cooker chicken and dumplings (we both have softball and church so another crazy busy night)

Thur - stuffed peppers

Fri - nothing planned, I am hanging with a good friend and well Michael is on his own :)

Sat/Sun - our weekends are usually planned on a whim, especially saturdays so one of these days I am going to make tortellini and sausage

I know, I am doing a bad job at the whole no meat during lent thing

I will let you know how this whole cooking thing goes and post recipes. Apparently this engagement ring I am wearing has magical domestic powers

Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was nice and relaxing.

Friday night I went to dinner with my mom and then we went and say A Chorus Line (free tickets are a great perk of my job!)

Saturday Michael and I headed to the outlets since the weather was BEAUTIFUL. We then met my mom for a late lunch/early dinner. We then headed home, Michael watched basketball, we designed our table numbers (I will have to post a photo soon) and went to Chili's for a late dinner. We then stayed up late catching up on our shows on the DVR. We are wild and crazy kids I know!

Sunday we slept in and missed church (oops!) watched more basketball, did some more designing of the table numbers, watched more of our DVR shows, then watched Celebrity Apprentice.

That was our weekend in a nutshell!

So What Wednesday...

Go to Life After I "Dew" to jump in!

• I watch WAY to much TV at least I admit it
• if I picked a fight with Michael last night about him not giving my TV shows a chance...yup I did that
•  I could wear jeans to work everyday if I wanted...yeah its pretty awesome!
• If I hit the snooze button twice this morning
• If I talk to my dogs like they are people
• if I dont have email or internet access on my phone and have no issues with it
• If I listen to Dave Ramsey and The Bert Show everyday on the radio

Oct seems sooo far away!

In case you were not aware I am getting married in October and it seems soooo far away! Everyone keeps saying it will be here before you know it. Well to me time is moving at a snails pace. This weekend we were pretty productive when the wedding planning. (Not that we havnt been, everything is pretty much done). This weekend we booked our honeymoon (cruise around the Caribbean!), Michael got his wedding band in the mail, I got my backup wedding band (I have a band that goes with my engagement ring, we also ordered a plain silver band for me just in case anything were to happen to mine), we ordered our favors (stemless wine glasses monogrammed), and we have our plan of paying everything off. We are almost there and have paid for pretty much everything in cash. Dave Ramsey would be so proud.

Next weekend I have my appointment to find a vail for my dress. I LOVE my dress and cannot wait to share pictures! Last weekend we got my wedding band, our champagne glasses and our gifts to our matron of honor and best man.

Only things left on the list is paying everything off, purchasing the bridesmaids gifts (I cant decide on what I want!), creating the invitations (we bought kits from Michaels), making the seating cards and the tabel number cards.

Can we fast forward to the bridal showers in the summer then go straight to the wedding?

keep adding to the list

Michael and I went to see the Harlem Globe Trotters today...we decided to add that to the list of things that are fun pretty much only if you have kids. It was cute, great for kids. We only stayed for the first half.

My on going list of things only fun if you have kids:
Going to the fair or carnival
the zoo
Harlem Globe Trotters
animated movies

My first lent

Growing up we never celebrated Easter or went to church, I was never even baptized. Now don't go putting any fault or blame on my parents, they wanted us to make our own decisions about our faith. I respect that. I was never much into church or faith or really even cared until I met Michael. I really didnt care much until the talks about family and marriage came up. Michael was raised in an Orthodox Christian church. I had never even heard of it until I met him. The Orthodox church is the original Christian church. All other denominations sprung off from the Orthodox church. The basic beliefs and doings of the church has never changed. My biggest problem with church growing up was the hypocrites.  I always had a issue with it and thats why I never found a church I felt I belonged to.

Well, to get married in the Orthodox church both parties have to have been baptized in the holy trinity, seeing as I was never baptized, well that has to be fixed. We joined the local Orthodox church (not very many around us, but we LOVE the one we joined) and started going to the services and I started attending intro to Orthodoxy classes to get a feel for what I was getting myself into. I felt at home and things I am learning make sense to me. If you are interested in reading some about you can check out my churchs website.

I will be baptized into the church the week before our wedding. I am really glad to be doing so. I have decided to dive into the celebrations of lent. In the Orthodox faith lent begins earlier then most. Ours is two months long. Our church has a service everyday but Tuesdays. I wont be able to make all of them, but my goal is to attend as many Wednesday night liturgies as I can. I am excited to dive in and partake in my first Lent and Easter.

I am NOT trying to shove my religion down anyones throat in case you were thinking that. That is one of my MAJOR problems with a lot of people. This is for me and its my first Easter. I just wanted to share.

fun and random survey

Stole this from fellow blogger - Whitney at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife

A. Age: 24

B. Bed size: King

C. Chore you dislike: Laundry is the worst! Then dishes

D. Dogs: We have two wonderful Westie pups

E. Essential start to your day: snuggles from my pups

F. Favorite color: I really dont have a favorite

G. Gold or silver: Silver

H. Height: 5' 3"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I "played" violin when I was in elementary school, I just tortured my parents bc I was terrible!

J. Job title: account services coordinator (love my job!)

K. Kids: just the two pups

L. Live: The burbs.

M. Mom’s name: Sheila

N. Nicknames: I, babe...thats abou it

O. Overnight hospital stays: like 4 years ago I was having a bunch of stomach issues, so my mom had me stay for that, but thats it

P. Pet peeves: I have a bunch! Pretty much the noise of chewing is by far the worst noise on this earth

Q. Quote from a movie: "Here's looking at  you kid" Casablanca

S. Siblings:2 younger brothers

T. Time you wake up:work days either 7 or 7:30 (depending on if I need to straighten my hair or not) weekends, I usually cant sleep past 9

U. Underwear: Yes?

V. Vegetables you don’t like: lima beans, but thats about it

W. What makes you run late: the pups being butt heads

X. X-rays you’ve had: teeth...I get ultrasounds done yearly for my thyroid does that count?

Y. Yummy food you make: I can make pretty good lasagna, but I am not a big cook

Z. Zoo animal favorites: I dont know...

My Week

Happy Friday all!

This week has been pretty up and down, started really scary, but calmed down some. Let me start from the beginning, back in Jan. I went to the yearly doc visit in Jan where she found a lump (man i HATE that word) on my right breast. My doc didnt freak, she thought it was a cyst (no biggie!). I finally got around to getting the ultrasound on Monday (we were switching insurances at work, so i waited). The radiologist confirmed that it was actually not a cyst, but solid and most likely a fibroadenoma. If you don't know what that is, it is a noncancerous mass that occurs for no rhyme or reason. Mostly women under the age of 30 and pregnant women get these. (FYI I am not preggers). Anyway my brain went CRAZY I was pretty much freaking out. Did some research online and it calmed me down some.

Tuesday I went to my ob/gyn to chat with her and she confirm the same thing the radiologist said and put me at ease even more. She referred me to a breast surgeon to get it removed. Well I spoke with Michael and we both agreed I find a doc that my insurance covered more (soo many options w/ my insurance and the doc my reg doc referred me too would only be covered 60% where some other docs would be covered 90%).

Wednesday I called my insurance company and found out I had to see one of their primary care docs first (uuuh!) then get the referral. Well Friday I went to see that doc and he was like uuh yeah I agree with your doc (DUH!) and heres your referral. Made my appointment to see the breast surgeon for the first available appointment - April 25th! Oh well....now time to wait.

That was my up and down week....and for some reason telling my family about it was one of the hardest parts. So far only Michael, my parents, my best friend and my boss (bc of having to take time off, plus they are pretty awesome bosses) and now its out there. I am trying to get over being embarrassed about this. No idea why I am embarrassed, its not a big deal. I dont have cancer (thank god!) and its really not a big deal.

But prayers my way could never hurt!

Teen Mom

Who doesn't watch the MTV sensation that has become Teen Mom. I have watch every episode of every girl on 16 and Pregnant and now crazy in love with Teen Mom, event got Michael hooked :) but shhh...

But this season the girls are driving me CRAZY! I just want to smack 3 out of 4 of them. Who would of thought that Leah would be the one with a head on her shoulders. I feel like I relate more to these girls, I see them making some of the same stupid 18 year old mistakes I made, but I didnt have a baby in tow.

Chelsea needs to get rid of that jerk Adam. I am waiting for her dad to beat the crap out of him because I know my stepdad would of. 

Jenelle just needs to get her act together. Which I know she has not really, I follow her Twitter (I know...I know...) and she chats with Dr. Drew (hero of mine, but that cannot be a good sign) and she was recently arrested on drug charges (oops).

Kailyn - poor girls needs some parents! Her mom is such a flake, I feel bad. I can see where she is coming from but she doesnt handle it well and hell she is only 18. 

Leah - love her! Love those babies of hers, soo adorable. 

I cannot wait for another season of the original girls to come back, but this is keeping me entertained for now. 

Celebrity Apprentice is back!

Michael got me HOOKED on Celebrity Apprentice last season and I rooted for Bret Michaels all the way to the end. The new season premiered last night in all its crazy Donald Trump glory.

The cast is interesting -
Gary Busey
Meatloaf
David Cassidy
Mark McGrath
Jose Canseco
Dionne Warwick
Richard Hatch
NeNe Leaks
Marlee Matlin
LaToya Jackson
Hope Dworaczyk
Lisa Rinna
Niki Taylor
Lil John
Star Jones
John Rich

I am rooting for John Rich, Meatloaf and Marlee Matlin. Watching last night I realized the big players are going to be Richard Hatch (makes sense, but he is a jerk), Jose Canseco (fyi he looks like a GIANT), and John Rich (pulled in BIG $$).

I hope Star Jones and Ne Ne Leaks go quick, they annoy me! And well its def going to be interesting with Gary Busey.

I will keep watching and I hope you get sucked into the trashyness as well!

I wanna win a giveaway!

I usually do not participate in give aways on other peoples blogs, but I am this time. 

Check out one of the blogs I LOVE to read "In This Wonderful Life"  and let her know I sent ya! 

http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/2011/03/new-giveaway.html

Her blog is great to read and she gives away awesome stuff! 

Lady Gaga is an evil genius

For those who dont know I am slightly in love with entertainment. Movies, music, tv, celebrities, you name it I know it. My celebrity knowledge surprises people. Its sad I know, but hey its my special gift. 

Lady Gaga...you know her, you either love her or hate her. I love her. I love that she likes to make people slightly uncomfortable. Her music is catchy, some songs get annoying pretty quick, but hey they are good work out music. She is an evil genius. People don't seem to like her crazy outfits, but how many paparazzi photos do you see of her? Exactly...rarely! cause no one knows what she looks like under those crazy outfits! She can live her life without the paparazzi bugging her all the time. Genius I tell you. 

She knows how to use the media and good for her!