Good morning Monday...

I love sleeping in on the weekends.

My favorite are those mornings when I have no where to be, and really nothing pressing to do. I lay in bed, going in and out of sleep, curled up in my big, soft comforter.

And sleeping in on the weekends means extra cuddle time with the hubby (if he is not working), and my little kitty girl! Faith loves jumping up on the bed (Kea can't get on the bed so I just have her bed next to ours-easy access for pets!), curling up on my head, and getting a good rub down. She is so soft and cuddly in the morning...she practically melts into the comforter with me.

I make sure to always enjoy these moments, these lazy mornings, cuddled up with my loves. Remembering those moments of peace and comfort are what get me through some of the craziest days.

Happy Monday!

Happy February...

Welcome February! I don't know about you but so far we have had a mild winter and even if we get dumped on from here on out, January rocked, and usually it doesn't, so I am good! We are one month closer to summer and that is what keeps my chugging along!

And since it is February, we are only 14 days away from Valentine's day! While this holiday has had every reputation under the sun: some like, some hate it, some are depressed by it, some don't care about it, some wish it was every day. I say, why not take the opportunity to celebrate each and every holiday you can! They are few and far between so let's have a good time!

You don't need a significant other to celebrate...you can celebrate with anyone you love! Parents, siblings, friends, whoever you want! Scratching your brain for what to do?

• Homemade dinner and dessert at home
• Dinner and a movie
• Heart shaped pizza from a local pizza joint
• Watch a scary movie
• Watch a romantic movie
• Have a group of girlfriends over and give each other manicures
• Wine and appetizer party
• An evening of watching your favorite tv show on Netflix or on Demand.
• Making homemade shakes and malts and buying crazy straws to drink them with
• Take a fun workout class...Yoga anyone?!
• An indoor, or if you are lucky, and outdoor, picnic
• A random week night shopping trip

Stuck on what to get those special people in your lives?

• Those cute little Valentine's from grade school, they can still bring a smile to an adults face
• Mani/pedi at a local salon
• Homemade cookies
• A gerber daisy in a simple vase with some greenery
• homemade chocolates....check this fun recipe out!
• homemade coupons...think "One Homemade Dinner" for a friend or family member or "One night of babysitting" for a couple that could use a night out!
• Bottle of wine or a case of beer with a fun glass to drink it in

And if you really want to have a good time, break out a good old paper lunch sack and get your household in the spirit! Set them out the week prior and during the week, family and friends can place little trinkets in the bag and everyone gets to go through them on Valentine's day!

Eeek!

The Durgins are headed to Alaska May 25th! CAN NOT WAIT!

We are blessed and lucky enough to be making the trip to Alaska with Chaz's parents to visit his sister...I might start packing tonight!

This may be a cheesy post...

Last night I hauled ass and tried my hardest to get everything put away in the apartment. I have to say, I am pretty darn proud of myself! Chaz is going to hang pictures, and then I can put the hutch items away and then.....we are done! All moved in! It feels really nice and the more I put stuff away and get acclimated, the more I am really enjoying it! I will post some updated pictures Sunday after we get everything hung!

Tonight I plan on relaxing in my nice, clean apartment with one of my girlfriends, making cookies, enjoying a delicious homemade dinner, and watching a movie. Sounds delightful and I can't wait for work to be over!

Mikey is also home so tomorrow I will venture out to B-town and enjoy his company! And aside from homework, I have nothing else planned...I think it will be a great weekend!

Next weekend we are having a big girl's weekend to celebrate my friend Emma's birthday so it will be nice to get some relaxing in this weekend!

And next weekend is the big game. Even though the Pack didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year, I still like to watch commercials...so that is my plan! I also found this great WW recipe that I may have to make for the game!

Queso Dip!

Happy Friday!

So here it is...

Our apartment is still a mess, and pictures still need to be hung, but I thought I would give you a sneak peak!

I am really seeing the potential, and having fun putting things away. The silver shelf above will be getting a makeover with matching crates, and once the walls are adorned, I think the dining room will be a great segway into the living room.

The living room is ridiculously huge. There's still a walking path and hutch off to the right that didn't make it into the picture!
The messy room, but you can tell we are all starting to feel a bit more at home! (see cat laying on bed).

So while this is a work in progress, it has already come together so well and I can't wait to see the finished project! And of course have you all over for dinner!

And on the subject of food, I will leave you with my fat kid moment of the night...(and I was a fat kid so I can say that!) I was able to use my newly put away kitchen to whip up a late night craving! Luckily, they are only 4p+ a piece! (I swear this doesn't happen often but sometimes you just have to indulge!)
mmmmmmmmmm!

and there goes the day...

I have become a bit more of a homebody this fall. I think it might be the homework, or the crazy work schedule, but I have spent more nights at home, more nights making dinner, more nights relaxing and watching tv. But when I get the call, I most certainly still enjoy a good party! I mean, how could you say no to these faces! I enjoyed a wonderful day on Saturday, having lunch with some of my besties, and following it up with a few drinks that evening! I must have really been sleep deprived from my cold because the alcohol went down a bit too smoothly, and while I didn't drink a lot, it seemed to soak in a bit better then usual. Hence, I don't remember much of the car ride home, I left my phone in my friends car, had to leave my car at my grandma's, and woke up at 4pm the next day because I had no phone or husband to wake me up (he was at work). WHAT?!?! You slept till 4pm? Yes...yes I did. And after a few moments of freaking out, and feeling like a loser for wasting the day, I slowly came to the realization that I needed the sleep, I didn't have much to do anyways, and I had one of the best nights in a while with some of the best people in the world.

So in some aspects of my life, I am turning into a bit of an old lady. But in other areas, I am the young whipper snapper I was my senior year of college!

Cheers!

P.S. And seriously, a break down of my alcohol intake so you can see that I really did not drink THAT much, and please keep in mind, this was over the course of 4 hours:

1 22 oz crispin (yum:)
1 ltr hard cider
1 lemon drop shot

P.P.S.
I have no shame!

One hell of a weekend...

This weekend was ridiculously busy, on top of which, I was ridiculously sick.

Last week I started to get back into the post holiday health kick. I took my new Garmin watch out for a run last Sunday and logged over 2 miles. I also did Body Pump last Wednesday at the Y...that class rocked! And I ate decent, up until this weekend. I didn't really get off track, but I also didn't track which I have learned can add to sneaky little points adding up real fast. I spent yesterday with my head on a pillow since it hurt to hold upright, but even a headache did not stop me from munching...ah the downfalls of a perpetual muncher. Such is life.

We got almost everything moved into our new apartment this weekend. Again, I was little help as I was dying from the inside out, but I did my best and with the help of some strong young men, we got so much done! There is literally maybe one car load left at D. Lo's...it feels wonderful to not have to do anymore heavy lifting mixed with stairs...although I am sure it is a great workout! Now all we have to do is turn on the tv and pound out unpacking boxes...this part is less stressful for me then the moving although I will get to the point where I just want everything unpacked! And since I was sick yesterday, I got ahead on some homework so now I can just go home, have dinner, and work on unpacking...slowly! I am even going to try to hit up body pump tomorrow after work! Can't lose site of my health!

And this brings me to my last thought for the day...I have my membership till the end of the month...since I am a student, I am able to do a three month discounted membership. I am mixed on signing up for another 3 months. It is costly, no matter the discount, and I am trying to get more running in (when I start running, I maybe see the gym once or twice a week-not worth the money). But on the other hand, I know I will not want to be running on freezing cold days. For sure this summer I will be great with my dvd's and the pavement...I am just up in the air about the next three months...feel free to let me know your thoughts!

P.S. I am going to make the 100% Irish for a Day 5k for my birthday a tradition and do it again this year...let me know if you are interested!!! I have some new running shoes that are ready for me to beat them up!