Yes. I'm here!

I wish I had a valid/exciting reason for the lack of posts, but really? I don't. Life just keeps rolling right along (too fast for my taste) and I realized it's been a few weeks since I've posted. Nothing new here, working, doing the daily grind, spending time with the husband and dog and that's about it!

New Look? You like?! I was inspired by this Ladybug's new look (and attempted it, but was reminded of my computer literacy and impatience with anything computer related). I even fooled around with Wordpress but also realized I was in way over my head. Anyway! I love the new look, it's about time!

I've enjoyed my retail job right now but have been recently hired to teach a few classes in fall - woohoo! I'm super excited/nervous. It's what I've taught before, so I actually have a teensy bit of experience under my belt. It's not exactly a high paying job (at all) but I think it is a "foot in the door job" and will hopefully be a longer term place for me. I'll still be working at my small business and teaching, aka balancing two different trays and I hope I can do it without too many "STRESSED out" melt-downs. My husband is also considering a back to school/graduate degree - not soon, but perhaps in the next few years, which I fully support. So, we've been discussing future plans and such.

Also, our obsession as of late, buying a house. We really would love to buy right now (and just know we could get a better deal in our area, in this market). We've been looking, obsessing and crunching numbers (and of course, I 've fallen in love with/imagined new furniture in/raising families in/ no less than several homes!) but realistically, we are going to wait until the winter/early spring to see what happens then. Things are so crazy now and WE are the only ones putting pressure on ourselves to buy, so. That's that. (and I obsessively check Zillow.com to see what's sold in our neighborhood) Hee.

Other than that, we'd really love to find a house, settle into jobs we are comfortable with because we DO want to start a family (not tommorrow, not next month -maybe in a year or so!). I mean, according to our ideal plan (because who knows what curveball life will throw). I love reading all you "Mamas/Mamas to be" bloggers - and I love hearing all of the stories and details. I know we will be there sooner than later, but at the same time, I'm really enjoying where we are in life - just enjoying our lives together.

Whew, now that that's done, my latest thoughts:

1. J.Crew "and I quote"NEW AND UPDATED WEBSITE. My arse! Ok for about 2 weeks, I couldn't even pull up J.Crew, then it was all "NULL/$" and "No sizes" - ARGGGHHH. Then, my hub said try viewing it through Internet Explorer (instead of Firefox, which I use) - which helped, I got to see the sizes of the clothing for sale but it was sooooo slow.

AND then, when I was alllllll set to order the Lisa dress (that fabulous knit dress you've ALL blogged about and I decided I couldn't live without for 29.99 plus 20%), the checkout page was all $&%^&%^& weird not loading. For 20 minutes, which caused me to be late to work, and BOOM I lost the dress. But according to yall, I probably would have been waiting until August to get it anyway. Anyway, J.Crew - I'm annoyed. You are a bad, horrible boyfriend because I know I'll be back (already lusting over your fall lines) but you've ditched me quite a few times lately. Not good.

2. Speaking of shopping (which, in my world is almost nil these days), I've picked up a few cheap finds -
*Seven's for $30 at TJMAXX - Score (although, I have this odd feeling they aren't REAL Sevens, but I honestly don't care because they were soooo comfortable when I tried them on)
*I hit up the J.Crew outlet for a super sale (and wishing I could've bought more) but I picked up 2 of those adorable "Frenchie nonsensical saying" graphic tees for like $6.00 each. And a little rope/nautical key fob for $4.00. Good Lord, I love a deal!
*Randomly thought I would try out the Generic "Cosmetic/Perfume" outlet for kicks - ermm, jack pot! Bobbie Brown, MAC, Prescriptives and Clinique - all at outlet prices. Great deals, and I was superstoked - I'm still basically stuck on my favorites ( I don't stray with make-up and try new things, I like what I like) but it was great to supplement with brand names!

3. Still watching, So You Think You Can Dance (although 2 hours is sometimes to much for my attention span - Tivo please!) and um, another new fave, From G's to Gents with Fonzworth Bentley. MTV, honestly, I love this show (and Fonzworth's classy outfits and his Cosby sweater). I do. Thanks for making my summer viewing HILARIOUS! :)

**Sidenote. I will consistently flip the channels and say "ohmygodthis is so annoying, let's watch - DON"T TURN IT!!" or "oh geeezz this dude drivesmeCRAZYpleasedon't turn, I want to watch!!". Half the time, I'm watching because I'm annoyed or fascinated- am I the only one??

4. Beating the Heat, Tickled Pink style, Volume 1. Ohmy. Are we in the dog days of summer or what? This evening found husband shirtless , myself in tanktop and short shorts 8 years old and only relegated to the house(classy, redneck! Thanks for your applause) drinking beer/cool white wine and eating sorbet on the back porch. One must have a Tervis Tumbler to go and cool drink this time of year.

We've also hit up a few family parties/dinners in the past few weeks. I love a good old fashioned get together and hanging out with people. I think our friends/family thing we are odd, only because we are younger, but we really enjoy hanging out with everyone. I made a 7layer Mexican dip that got rave reviews and also got a FAB/YUM recipe for a Greek-style layer dip. Only social etiquette held hubby and myself from just eating the entire thing. So good!

Ok. I think that's it! I'm reading/catching up and will be blogging more regularly. Also, I will be better on commenting - loving hearing all the summer fun from you bloggers!

This week I've got some meetings, lots of errands to do and a little visit to Charleston to help a friend look at wedding dresses (I'm so pumped!). ALSO! I have a 1st year wedding anniversary to prepare for and enjoy! I've got a couple of neat presents picked out(for him, not me!) Trying to organize our fall and get our weekend excursions prepared/planned - looking busy - again!

Keep cool!