How sweet is this....

Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver gives the touchdown football to his Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Girlfriend... It's stuff like this that makes me smile...

November 13, 2011

I am now 30 years old.  Many days I feel 30 and many days I feel 21 (some days I feel 40)... I have decided to pick up my Love Paper business and start creating invites, business cards, moving announcements, menus, Christmas tags, Christmas cards, and anything else that is made on great paper and has a fabulous look. 

My parents came up for my birthday which was such a blessing!  It was their second time to come to Syracuse to see us but the first time to see our new house!  We had a great time and the weather cooperated, for the most part.

Busy as a Bee...

So I am in the process of reproducing a piece of furniture that i bought at a flea market up near Grand Lake.  I really like the chicken wire front, so I bought a piece knowing that would be the end result!  So far, this is what I have....It is MUCH harder than I thought it would be!  c h e c k   i t   o u t   and let me know what you think!

Its Freezing Here!

Guess what?  We had to turn our heater on for the first time...it dropped to 39 degrees!  REALLY?! Wow, I wonder what our neighbors here would do if the temperature hit 115 degrees?!?!?  I think we would have a big problem...I am unpacking like crazy and will post the pics soon!! Peace, Love and Heat!

Its Fall Here (almost winter)

Hello Friends!  I would like to announce that it is officially winter (in my book) in Central New York...People have wondered why I would ever live in Oklahoma, I tell them that they should leave this place every once in a while but I am quickly reminded that the snow is so deep they arent able to find their car and when they do the weather in the summer is very pleasant.
The high yesterday afternoon was 46 when I went running at around 4 pm.  Did I mention that it was sunny AND pouring down rain? It was.  I will never again say Oklahoma has crazy weather.  I still think Jim Giles is nothing short of a hero in the weather world, but some of these meterologists here have to be pretty good to keep up with the goings on up in the sky!  I am learning new things everyday and I am starting to embrace the fact that, no, in fact I am not leaving Brett, I will be living here with him for five years.  I better get to enjoying my life...here it goes...

I'm alive!

Sorry to the 5 people that read my blog...I have been consumed with the purchase (or lack thereof) of the property we are attempting to buy!  Boy, no one said that buying a house in New York is more complicated than buying a house in Oklahoma...so I am telling you guys now.  It is harder and more complex to purchase a home in New York than in Oklahoma.  Now, you can't say no one told you. 

To make a two month story short (if that's possible for me), we were supposed to close on August 1st.  That was postponed to August 5th.  Today is August 10th and no one can tell me when we will close.  Really, its not a big deal, right?  Uh, Wrong!  We are living from 3 boxes (out of 150 or more that we have in storage).  Brett and I have worn the same three outfits every which way but inside out, which may in fact be next!  We are sick and tired of living in a 500 sqft townhome with a dog that is galloping around like a horse because there just isn't enough room to run.  I tell him inside behavior and he looks at me like he has no idea, because he in fact doesn't. 

We are all ready to settle in and start living our lives here but we really cant do that until we have a place to call home.  Phone is ringing, hopefully it is our lawyer saying that he has FINALLY received the missing documents....

Piles of Pillows

Well, here we are in ten buck two and we are now sleeping on the floor!  Yes, the "heat wave" in the northeast has everyone up in arms, or should I say, on the floor....Anyhoot, the townhouse we are staying has only a window unit size air conditioner which is downstairs in the living room.  As far as I remember back to science 101, heat rises....Yes, to those of you back home, I have no room to talk, but hear me out....the temps here are reaching up to 96 (yes, i know, nothing compared to 115, heat index 130) but sleep in 96 degrees with no air conditioner...So we did what any crazed couple from Oklahoma that just moved to New York would do, moved the guest room matress down the stairs and into our 300 square foot living room.  This is where we have been sleeping since July 1st.  I will say watching TV on a 50" screen only 3 feet away is like going to the movies (positive thoughts people, positive thoughts).  Just wanted to enlighten everyone with our townhouse updates.  Peace, love and sweet air conditioned dreams to all....

Friday, July 29, 2011

IT'S FRIDAY!  It is quite interesting to me that Friday will always be such a fabulous day even if it doesn't mean the end of the week, yet it is still "Friday".  I am now employed, yes, employed.  A shoe store here in a cute little village town with an adorable boss.  I think it will be fabulous!  I do love what I am selling and isn't that what they say is the key to success behind sales? 
Also, I have decided to put workouts on the blog along with food and recipes!  I think this will be an exciting step for the blog.  I know my clients will be pumped!  It will also be a great way to interact with clients and friends!  Take care and have a fabulous Friday!!!

On a Lighter Note. Shoes.

These are some shoes I am totally loving right now!  Beauties, I tell you!  (who said that all the time?? give up?  the crocodile hunter, Steve Erwin!)  Anyway, back to shoes...

Pictures for thought

Have you stopped to think about the impact pictures have on us.  They are the eye around the world that share with all of us what goes on....big news stories or a small child just hanging out.  I truly love what pictures do for the world.  The world this week in pictures, thanks to msnbc.com.



What will our children's children think about when we explain to them what NASA did for space discovery.  NASA will always be an amazing piece of history.




I love this picture!



 

The heat is taking its toll all over the world.  Record breaking temperatures!




Outside a village in Siliguri, India.  This man lived but mulled badly, obviously.  This leopard wondered to close to the village and attacked.  This should remind us all of the potential in wild animals.  Man, leopards are truly beautiful animals to look at, but not very attractive in this situation.



Whats for dinner?

I dont really know where this question stems from...maybe our childhood, maybe our rumbling bellies, maybe we are just bored during the day and we wonder what, in fact, will be served for dinner...What I would like to know is who do I get to ask, "what's for dinner?"....check out the

YUM YUM page tab

(below the title picture at the top)

Getting Here...Part 2...

Knowing that Brett had worked his entire eduational career to make it to this point was the only thing that kept my car headed northeast, well, that and the fact that everything I owned was loaded (packed to the MAX) in 3 vehicles in front of me.  I could have turned around, I had many places to stay but I knew that these really werent an option. On April 16th when I walked down the aisle and made my commitment to God and to Brett, I knew the decision I had made was protected by God, and I would be okay.  I still continue to question my decision every single day, but I think this is common for a newlywed.  Forever is a long time and all of us are in fact, only human. 
Headed to the far corner of the United States, in unknown territory of everything I knew, we were on our way.  The first day we planned to drive just east of St. Louis.  I didnt think that would be too awful, but boy was I wrong.  See there was not just one car, or two for that matter.  There were four cars.  Four drivers.  Four different schedules of hunger, bordom, bladders, gas tanks and everything else that can engage people into stopping at every single gas station on our way.

Swimming Pools are cool!

These awesome photos and pools are compliments of http://realestate.msn.com/.

These are beyond cool!

The New Dance I'm Dancing!

Check this out!  This is the certification I am receiving!  Can't wait to start! Click on the view video link!CHECK IT OUT

The designing has started....what to do with this house!

I am starting all the inspiration boards and ideas for designing and decorating our new house.  I have so many to make and Brett really doesn't have time to help make the decisions and when he gets home some mornings he can hardly keep his eyes open to see the options (okay, and he really has bigger fish to fry these days but that doesnt mean these decisions aren't important).  THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN, I need all the opinions I can get from you guys because, well because I just do.  Thats all I have to say about that.  CLICK ON THE PAGE TABS BELOW THE HEADER that reads "Our new home away from home"!  See you there!

Hottest Day in Syracuse...90 degrees!

Those of you back home in Tulsa are sweating inside your cool air conditioned houses being that it is 112 degrees outside.  I am not complaining about the high today of 90, but people here are definitely not used to these hot temperatures, I tell them they should travel south to Oklahoma for a fun in the sun summer!!  My cousin Rachel sent me the sweetest pictures of her kids, Mason and Taylor, as they enjoyed the fourth of July festivities. I love this picture!  If you have ever met them, you know that this is extremely rare!  I guess Rach thought she should grab this moment in time and have a memory!!

They are such fun kids and so smart!  I know I have promised recipes and pictures so I will get on that today...I am getting behind already!  Stay tuned...

And we finally found the Perfect Home for us!

House Hunting in Syracuse...

The house my dad liked for us, but there was no backyard...

We had fabulous weather to look around the houses....

Finding 15 houses in 5 hours was quite difficult for both Brett and I, as well as our realtor...

(We heart Samantha Lee)

Some of the homes weren't quite, how could I put this nicely, as cleaned up as others....

No need to clear off your table, we are just hear to see if we would like to have this home as one of the largest investments we are looking to make, don't mind us....

It cleared up for some of the times we went looking...

....when we could figure out how to get into them!

Saturday...who knew?

I can honestly say that I had no idea it was Saturday!  It's quite embarrassing but it is true.  When there is no particularly set schedule in either one of our lives, I am pretty sure there is nothing to indicate the day of the week.  This is going to change!  As of today, I will write the day of the week it is on the top of my hand, this way there is no way of forgetting. 
Anyway, yes, it is Saturday, Brett is home until 5 pm this afternoon.  There is a Blues Music Fest going on in the Inner Harbor (that is what they call the area that most large events occur here).  Its near water, hence the harbor.  Also, today i will be adding the pictures and recipes that I have been preparing and can't wait to share them with ya'll.  So far there are 3 and after tonight there will be 4!  I have taken pictures throughout the preparation, mainly to entice you to make them (they aren't very helpful if you are looking for instruction).  Also, thanks to everyone for all the awesome wedding gifts, we are using so many of them and cant wait to use the rest of them....which brings me to our BIG announcement!!!

Sinking In...

I think that everything hit me like a ton of bricks YESTERDAY!  It occured to me that my husband is taking care of people without help!  He has worked 5 shifts, 6 at 730pm tonight, and I am finally realizing everything...it is so crazy how we can live daily without realizing the reality of where we actually are. 
I am in New York, Brett will soon be a surgeon, saving peoples lives, one bone/tendon/ligament, at a time, and I am rediscovering myself. 
I have been to the grocery store and prepared more meals at home in the last 10 days of being here than I did the entire year we were engaged!  Brett is loving it and therefore so am I.  It's even more rewarding when he likes it (Im kidding, he likes it all)!  I am still looking for a job or a place to make my mark here, no activity in that department but I am fully convinced that God has an awesome plan for me and He is still preparing me.  The truth is that although I am not working outside the home, I am fully consumed inside the home!  Bewlay is a big responsibility right now considering we have no back yard, he must be on a leash at all times on the grounds, and he lives in a 200 square foot downstairs.  Needless to say, he is a big part of my day.  I am selling invitations, gift tags, wedding menus, wedding programs, and a huge array of other items on etsy.  I truly enjoy paper goods and am really enjoying the time to be creative again.  You'll have to check it out on http://purelysouthern.etsy.com/. 
Right now I am working on christmas gift tags that are already personalized and ready to go.  All you have to do is write the person's name that is receiving the gift and put it on the present!  Super cute and huge time saver!  Totally makes the apparence of the gift look put together and planned (which we know the truth is we whipped it into a bag and threw a bow on it 5 minutes before rushing out the door to barely make it to the party, at least that's my normal MO). 
I am still working on finding a place to teach and/or train but as I well know, this is the worst time of the year to be hired.  Gyms and clubs are normally already set in their summer schedule and are settled into a summer routine.  Pretty sure that in a few weeks, as they start preparing for fall and school schedules, they will be hiring and developing new class schedules!  Lets look forward to that! 
We have an big announcement that we will be making this afternoon, stayed tuned...

Home Sweet Temporary Home

Our Temporary Home

We found this townhouse about 7 days before leaving.  We cut it way way way to close, but here we are and they allow Bewlay (for a huge price of course).  Its about 600 square feet, maybe, and it has 2 bedrooms upstairs, the main floor with a "deluxe kitchen & living room" (that means they crammed it all in to the same space) and a huge basement.  The basement is my favorite because I was able to bring more stuff to the townhouse instead of leaving it in storage, although there was NO MORE ROOM in the unit! They have updated this unit and we decided to have it furnished so we wouldnt have to load, unload, setup house, load it back up, unload it, then set it up again.  Its all in storage and it will stay until we know where we are going! I will post pictures!  Its very nice inside, comfortable for the 3 of us for about 2 months...the perfect amount of time we needed to decide our next step of action.  Check out the pictures and tell me what you think! 

Hope everyone had a safe and fabulous 4th of July!  Happy Birthday, America!  How did you guys celebrate?

Love Love Love

Tulsa to Syracuse...Our Trip...Part 1

Monday, June 13th, 2011....The caravan left.  The caravan included Brett driving a 26 ft Uhaul truck {totally full}, my dad (Mark) driving my Tahoe with an additional trailer {totally full}, my mom (Pam) driving her car (full of all our breakable wedding gifts), and the caboose, myself driving Bretts Malibu with our awesome dog, Bewlay, a 75.8 lb German Shepherd, and totally full front passenger seat.  Needless to say, this caravan was loaded down.  The fact that if any one opened a rear door or heaven forbid a back trunk, half of the things we owned would be in a McDonald's parking lot.  We started about 3 hours behind what we originally planned, but as far as I'm concerned, we were right on schedule.  There were many friends and family helping to cram a broom or a basket into windows and rear doors as we drove away from the first home I had ever owned.  The tears started to flow.  It was Bewlay and myself and no one else.  I cried and cried and cried.  Leaving behind friends, parents, family that are like friends, friends that are like family, and everything that raised me.  The city, the parks, the homes, the grandparents that are getting older and more feeble everyday that passes.  I cried more and then I stopped.  I was so exhausted from the last 3 months of our lives that I didn't have the energy to shed one more tear.
The truth is that Brett had worked his entire life for this moment.  And  I was more upset than I could even describe.  I was supposed to be totally happy, utterly delighted, over the moon, instead I couldn't imagine anything worse.  Who was I? Was I totally heartless or just kind of?  Was I really I love with him?  I started to question everything I had been and wanted to be....

I love this Country!

Happy Independence Day, America!

Happy 4th of July!  We are already up and around...Brett has been running, Bewlay has been on his morning walk, and I am planning our day.  Tonight is Brett's first night of call and he is all by himself...please pray for all the patients that they stay alive and healthy!!  I know he is nervous, but of course would never say.  We are actually in the perfect location at the townhouse for the Manlius fireworks and festival.  It is about a 2 minute walk for us and we can see the fireworks from the front door.  We are going over this morning for a pancake breakfast and parade.
Brett just spilled all of Bewlay's water...got to run, talk to you later this afternoon!

Love Hydrangeas!

July 2nd, 2011

I'll start from the beginning, well, the beginning of this journey.  July 4th , 2011, the love of my life proposed during the grand finale of the fireworks in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  My hometown.  Born and raised.  I love that town.  After I said yes, our life was a roller coaster and hasn't slowed down for one second!  Today, 354 days later, I am in Syracuse, New York.  Currently living in a corporate, temporary housing townhouse in Manlius, New York (right outside of Syracuse).  This blog is my life.  My loves, my hates, life with a huge dog in 500 sqft, being a newly wed, trying to be domestic with living straight out of boxes, doing laundry with a washing machine that shoots water out of the bottom, looking for a job, having a husband that is virtually the property of Upstate Medical University, and trying to maintain sanity.  This is my journey.