RAINY DAY

It's a rainy lazy Wednesday. I don't feel like doing anything. (It took me 2 hours to get focused at work today) I usually go to the gym every night, but right now I feel like curling up and watching a movie. (Preferably, Marley & Me). It's my most favorite movie ever. Even though I cry everytime I watch it I can't get enough.

I wish I was in Fred's basement on his comfy couch wrapped up in a blanket with him watching it right now. Not forcing myself to get to the gym.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCVmTM-WiVM

I actually just teared up watching this video

-pathetic-

COUPLES WEEKEND

Fred and I visited The Holman's this weekend in beautiful Charlottesville. We hadn't seen them since early Spring and wanted to checkout their new home. It's perfect - and everything I want one day in a starter home. We had a great time catching up, hiking, being goofy, and sleeping in. We're already planning another trip back soon. Luckily, I get to see Denise very soon when we hop on a plane to Georgia to visit another girlfriend from college.

Here's 2 pictures of the gorgeous view ontop of Humpback Gap

(amazing view)

(Fred and I on top of the mountain)

I'm glad we got to catch up with friends. I needed a weekend to be silly. Denise and Stu welcomed us into their home and we couldn't have asked for better weather or a better weekend (even though Saturday was cut short!) It was also good to be around another couple who's so in love. I always tell Fred how lucky we are to have the same group of friends who are all in great, supportive, long-lasting relationships. That's important to me. It's good to have friends to talk to, who can relate to you, and will encourage you throughout it all.

COOKING

I'm attempting to bake again this week.

If you know me, you know that I never cook or bake. My mom and dad do all the cooking in our family (I sometimes assist). I can make a mean grilled-cheese, green bean casserole,heat anything up, and bake cookies and cupcakes (while studying the directions on the box hard). I once made Fred chicken alfredo with the assistance of my Italian friend, Gina.

Fred knows that I'm lost in the kitchen. I burnt the easy package mashed potatoes. Fred said it was impossible to burn mashed potatoes - I did. Luckily, Fred is a great cook so I know we'll never starve. Actually Fred and I would never starve, we would just go broke because we'd be eating out a lot or ordering in.

I am so jealous of my friends; Marianne, Gina, and Denise. They all LOVE to cook and bake! They are going to make perfect mothers and wives one day. I promised Fred I would get into the kitchen more and learn to cook some things so I'm a pro in the kitchen like those girls.
That is whyyyy this week and weekend I'm going to try again (I'm hoping to cook a meal for the boys with Denise or at least write down some of her recipes that look easy).

Fred and I are going to visit Denise & Stu at their home in Charlottesville. Last time, I made a dessert that everyone thought was gross (except for Fred, but I'm not sure if he was lying). So this time around I'm going to bake something different.....something like,

Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Sound yummy? I'm going to the store tomorrow to get the ingredients I need and I'm going to whip up a big enough batch to take to work and to last this weekend. I hope my co-workers, boss and FRIENDS like them.

Wish me l-u-c-k

A BUSY WEEKEND

Fred and I were all over the place this weekend. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

Friday was Adam & Arieanna's wedding: Fred looked oh so handsome in his tux. It was a beautiful ceremony at the Piedmont Country Club on the 18th hole. We had a great time with great friends. Unfortunately, I did not catch the bouquet. This linebacker of a woman was infront of me and I did not want to go up against her (she ended up knocking a girl to the ground for the bouquet, and then getting kicked out later because she was so drunk)

Saturday - we slept in til noon (literally), Fred made us breakfast and we watched football until we had to leave for Leesburg for my firm's bbq. We were in Leesburg for about 3 hours and decided to make an impromptu visit to Tripp & Marianne's in Woodstock. We got back on the road (even though we had to make a few pit stops along the way - we had terrible stomach problems from all the junk we'd eaten since Friday night) for another 40 minutes or so. The sun was setting and the drive was great. I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS. We were so excited to see Marianne and Tripp. We had such a great time with them.

Sunday - we slept in again, Tripp made everyone breakfast and the boys went golfing. Marianne and I went to the Edenburg Town Festival where we ate icecream and kettle korn, walked around and finally headed back home.

Unfortunately the redksins lost yesterday. I don't know how since they had a 17/10 point lead most of the game. This put Fred in a terrible mood. His parents fixed porkchops on the grill while we watched in agony the game in overtime.

It was hard getting up this morning, but it always is for me since I never rest on the weekends. Yes, Fred and I slept in but the 1hour and 15min drive up and back, as well as the late nights really wears me out. I love the weekends where Fred and I do nothing but just lounge. I can't wait for fall so I can snuggle up with him on the couch (in my snuggie) and fall asleep while he watches football.

DRESS

I'm going to a wedding on Friday! I'm kind of excited because:





1. I get to skip work
2. I'm getting my haircut and styled pretty that day
3. Fred's in the wedding so that means he's going to be lookin gooooood in that tux
4. It gives me an excuse to buy a pretty dress!





Sometime between now and Thursday I need to swing by Shortpump mall and pick up something to wear. I plan on hitting White&Black, LOFT, Express, and JCREW.

Any suggestions? The weather is supposed to be in the 70's so I'll probably need to carry a sweater with me.

I love this.

BOYFRIEND

Today's my boyfriend's 25th birthday.

H-A-P-P-Y-B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y to the greatest guy I know.

I hope I'm celebrating the next 25 years with him.

Friday night we had a birthay dinner wit his parents, sister and sister's boyfriend. We ate lots of steak and crab legs and Carvel icecream cake. I even let him open his birthday presents.

Saturday we hopped on a party bus and enjoyed beautiful weather and Toby Keith.

Today we slept in, ate lunch at Foster's and now Fred is off to the Redskins game.

He even took this entire next week off. (I'm jealous).

GIRLS

Today was one of those days. My shoulder was killing me at work (probably because I used weights at the gym last night knowing that i shouldn't). Annnd on top of that, I also found myself worrying and talking about a girl.

This girl is that girl that girls with boyfriends hates. She's that girl who sleeps around and is the kind of girl you can never trust. I have tried to handle this situation with a sense of maturity. I'm 24 and she's not even 21. She likes to tag along and hangout with my boyfriend's friends. She's that girl that nobody really likes, wonders why she hangs out with us, but somehow is still invited or manages to show up. I hope if you're a girl reading this you can relate. We've all encountered them and we all tell our girlfriends how much we hate them.

I know I shouldn't worry about that girl. All of my girlfriends up in Arlington have delt with her in similar situations. They can't stand her, their boyfriends can't stand her, and now my boyfriend and I can't stand her.

I've never talked about this girl before -in fact I didn't have a problem with her until something happened. I believe I handled the situation like an adult. However, this girl felt the need to tell others about something personal to me. I was shocked and hurt. Why would she do that? Who is she to tell others about something personal to me? She wasn't even there? I kept everything bottled up inside of me. I will not waste my time on this girl. I'm better than this, I'm better than her.

I haven't seen or spoken to her in a few months. I've heard she's been mad for not being invited to certain events (which is good because she needs to hangout with her own group of friends, someone her age).

This weekend is my boyfriend's 25th birthday.

A few other couples and I have gotten a party bus to take to the Toby Keith concert for his birthday.
I just found out that girl is trying to get on the bus. She's not 21 and the bus is only for 21 and up. If she manages to get on the bus (I won't let her because I will call her out in front of everyone) I will be very angry.

I want to have a great day with my boyfriend and friends and not someone who talks about me to others. I know the other girls on the bus have my back and are my real friends, but it still makes me mad that she's trying to tag along to this too. (See in order to get on the party bus you have to go to a website, sign up, and purchase a ticket - apparently she's been asking around how to get a ticket).

I don't want to worry about this. I shouldn't have to worry about this.

I'm older than her.
I have respect for myself.
I know who my real friends are.
I have a boyfriend that loves me
&makes me feel beautiful inside out each and every single day.

FUN

[Here are a few photos from my Labor Day weekend as promised]
One more year and I can move up there...
and maybe just maybe, with my friend pictured above: Brittany







Enjoying drinks by the pool!

Becki and I

I can't believe summer is over.

I'm sure I'll look back on these pictures for warmth

when I'm complaining of the cold weather that's just around the corner.

LABOR DAY

I hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day!

My work closed early on Friday so I flew home, packed my bags, hopped in Daisy and headed to Arlington. I'm hoping this week goes by fast so I can enjoy another wonderful weekend with boyfriend & friends.

I spent the weekend:

laughing

riding with the windows down

gossiping

helped Krista & Jimmy prepare for a fabulous cookout

dancing

looking at firemen

singing

giving boyfriend lots of kisses

eating

drinking strawberry daqs

watching Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

enjoying the beautiful weather

shopping

saying so long to summer

AND

welcoming football season

{Pictures coming soon}

HOTLANTA

I just booked my plane ticket to HOTlanta!
I can't wait to get wild with these beautiful, funny, and crazy girls.

I hope Georgia is ready for us.

(from left: Emily, Gina, J-buck)(Denise)

(my long-lost friend Ashley)

(and last, but not least Erin!)