TGIF

First of all, thanks to everyone for their comments on my post 2 days back. You really don't know what it means to have a lovely support network like this!

This week has been slightly hectic - only because I'm really in the "getting a job mode" which means revising resumes, scouting the internet and crossing my fingers!! Hopefully, something good will turn up! Also, I've just taken a break. As they say, everything happens for a reason, and honestly with moving and trying to graduate and finish all of my thesis by strict deadlines would have made for a REALLY stressful girl - and that just isn't fun. So, now I can dedicate my time back to my classes, finding a job I want (and hopefully getting it) and preparing for our move.
Oh and enjoying Thanksgiving - hello! It is a week away...seriously - where does the time go?? We are going to the hub's parents for Turkey Day and while I'm going to bake Something to contribute (not really sure yet), I'm really looking forward to umm, relaxing and eating. :)

We have a place to live!We just found out our application was approved and we are really excited about the place - it seems to be in a good area and walking distance of bars, restaurants and trails. Now, its time to pack! Since we are renting a U-Haul - I guess they can send you boxes, packing tape, etc. to get your butt in gear on packing - lets hope that works! And we are moving a few days before Christmas. And really, we are just praying the weather will hold out. It's not going to be fun doing it right around Christmas . And me, being the Christmas fanatic that I am, I am disappointed that I won't get to decorate and have our first perfect Christmas together. I'll have some sort of Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and a few decorations for us before and after we move. On the other hand, I have to say it's a relief knowing I don't have to schedule, plan or shop for it. Avoiding the craziness of stores is one thing I don't mind.

I'm trying to keep active during the holidays seeing as how I haven't been to the gym in oh, at least a month. I'm ready to get back into a better workout schedule in the new year. In the meantime, walking the dog for an hour everyday has definitely kept me in some sort of shape - just not as toned as I would like.

Other than that, we watched I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, the other night and it's hilarious. I mean, I love those two - so, I knew I would be chuckling, loudly. Let's not even mention the umm, bottle or two of wine I've gone through this week ;) Oh, and we came across a "fair trade" market the other day on campus, where they were selling woven baskets that are similar to the Sweetwater baskets sold in the Lowcountry. Anyhoo, $16.00 for two (one trashcan size) was a steal! And some cool bangles for $4.00 eac, well, they were purchases I def. felt good about!

Got this sweater dress in the mail - I am enjoying it. It is on the shorter side, but nothing that makes me feel uncomfortable. I think it will be great dressed up or fun with leggings and cowboy boots. And the material? Is incredibly yummy - I think it is the merino wool - light but warm and feels great!

Also! A few of you have posted about gifts and shopping for men. Well, the Bobby Jones golfwear shop online is having some fantastic deals! The hub is not a golfer, but found one of the Bobby shirts at TJ Maxx and loved it. He says they are great quality and comfort. And get this, he ordered a few polos, 2 pullover sweaters and a lightweight jacket - all for about $230! When one of the sweaters was originally $150.00 - great steal. (I was really impressed with his shopping on sale) I've alerted my mom for Christmas to gather these up for my brother and dad - who enjoy golfing.

We are getting ready for a fun weekend, a big football game here and our last one this season - so, we are ready for some good old tailgating! Probably watching some movies and hopefully getting some work done. Have a great weekend!

Moving On...

Got to focus on the good stuff right - here are a few things I'm loving right now!

1. Cinnamon Toast - Pepperidge Farm Twist Edition (sans raisins - crucial!)
My breakfast, snack and dessert. Love it.

2. The look on my husband's face when I told him this was my winter lounge attire:
(He thinks Uggs are the equivalent of Napolean Dynamite boots taht he had to wear skiing when he was little...he hates them and the idea of sweater ugg type shoewear - below). It cracks me up!




(But seriously Christmas jammies - oh yeah!)



And these sweater sock slippers - well, I saw someone wearing them the other day who looked cute and thought,hmmm it is cold in Indy - hanging around the house with leggings? Perhaps.


3. Vest Obsessed:
I am. I have the Land's End down one, I have a great bright coral Patagonia one like this picture that I wear ALL the time. Then I have cheap workout type ones from Target. Looking for a good plaid one now. For some reason, I love the look of a layered vest.


4. This Mag...
I love it and the ideas in it. I really love older homes, I grew up in one, so I know what a pain they are to maintain.


5. These prints for gifts or for me! I found this from the December issue of Real Simple.
This website, jackandlulu.com
has monogrammed prints you can order (various backgrounds), matted and framed (in white I believe) for $50.00. I. Love. Them. Great for a child's room or perhaps newlyweds...:) Fabulous Preppy Gift.

Rollin with the punches...

It hasn't been the best start to the week. My graduate program has an orals exam part that must be passed in order to fulfill requirements for graduation.
And I didn't pass. And it sucks, big - time.
I studied for hours on end the past few weeks and have been reading in preparation since this summer. I'm an ok test taker but I'm horrible, like seriously, horrible at remembering details. And I'm not getting into excuses or the test-givers and their attitudes.
But, it just makes you feel inadequate to have someone tell you to your face "you failed." When you know you are a smart person - just not able to relate the random quote from a Romantic poet's poetry. And other people can, and other people do - and they pass and they celebrate in the midst of your failure.

Anyway, it's not fun and its been a hard few days because it puts off my graduation date till May. Which means I have to come back and re-take the exam to get my degree. Arggh.
And I'm trying to find a job in a new town.

So, as they say, the "best laid plans..." - my plans are just changed for now. It's only a bump in the road. Life lessons, eh? But ya know what, it is going to work out for the best - causes a wrinkle in plans but that is life and ya just gotta make the best of it.

And really, at the end of the day - I would rather fail any and every exam, and have a husband who skips a meeting to come home to comfort me & hug me, tell me it's going to be alright and take me for a Sonic hamburger for lunch. And of course, a sweet dog who will sit by my side while I cry.
Because really, that is what matters in the end.


"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Keepin' Up...

With the Kardashian's - I do, and I don't know why....I also keep up with Kimora Lee Simmons. Blame it on E!

And trying to keep up with blogging - at least more than once a week! Speaking of, I haven't updated my blog links in quite awhile and I read many more fabulous blogs daily - so, I'm reading, just not updating yet. I'll get to it. And bloglines? What are those, I've seen you all mention them - maybe easier to keep up with blogs?

Well, I've been bitten by the holiday blog update. This is my new winter do. Something about the smell of pine, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, a glass of red wine, cold weather outside, plaid flannel pj pants and my family sitting around watching a movie makes me completely happy. So, feeling the spirit early this year and ya know what - it makes me happy! And I really want to see Fred Claus.

And my new mantra - damn you J.Crew - they continue to tease me with delights of tartan, plaid, reds and holidays. They have their new holiday intro and clothes and I'm just drooling.

In other news, my mind is running in about 10 different places - but I'll check in next week.
First, we need to figure out our umm, living arrangements - we'll be renting for the next 6 months, at least, being new to the area and just not having time to deal with house hunting. But, we need to figure out when we can move in - so make some plans.

I need to:
1. Organize what we are taking with us - hubby has a lot of IKEA furniture that we plan to leave or give to my brother. We are going to buy new, better quality furniture when we get there - that's a whole different ballgame.
2. Start packing. Ahh.
3. Christmas cards. Change of address cards. Together?
4.Organize what we will need for Christmas and a wedding in suitcases while we are in the process of moving.
Any moving tips?

Yikes. At least my holiday look is relaxing to me. :)
Anyhoo, probably won't be checking in until after my exam but have a great weekend and thanks to all for your supportive comments.

Times, They are a changin'

Well folks,
We had a wonderful weekend at the fall wedding we attended. I was in the bridal party and our grey dresses were questionable before but really turned out well for the color scheme of fallish colors, including lots of mauves. Gorgeous weather with the leaves turning. A fab. rehearsal dinner in a barn on a golf course (imagine more of a Martha Stewart designed barn/bbq rehearsal dinner). Then, we got ready, hung out with the bride, ate Chick fil-a and prepared for the wedding. She had a dress designed for her, based off of a Monique Lhullier, with lace and silk and it was - utterly gorgeous! The ceremony was beautiful, pictures were quick, a trolley with beer & koozies to the reception was fun and the reception was a blast. Great food, drinks and live band performing Al Green and other dance hits = great time for everyone (even my parents got on the dance floor!) The Mr. and I love to get down and boogie, so it was a Fun weekend.
Oh, and the bridal luncheon was a perfect pre-wedding event where we had a delish salad and received our gifts - monogrammed tote bag with monogrammed pashimina to match the dress. I love the pashmina (love them in general) because the monogram is the same color as the fabric. I know I'll be using it all the time!
Of course, we had so much fun that the drive home Sunday, while lined with amazing foliage, was long and hungover. I required 2 cups of coffee and 2 egg mcmuffins for my fuel - gross.

Anyhoo, this week I've been studying to pass my final exam to graduate while working on revising and finishing my thesis. My brain hurts and I'm really really really ready to be done. But, onward ho! because I still have a few more weeks of intense work. Everything, including blogging!, has taken a back seat. I have noticed, though, that Wal-mart and most stores have started putting up their Christmas decorations. Now, I am, some would say a Christmas fanatic. I thrive on the 'cozy'. I love the atmosphere - Bing Crosby, candles, Christmas music, cold weather outside, good food and drink. (We bought a few pine candles this weekend to soothe me - good pine, like we have a forest in our closet.) But, as I meander around the Christmas card aisle, I remember, it's November 1st and you have once again fallen prey to mass marketing. So, I am going to try to put off my craziness fora few more weeks. No promises though!

Speaking of Christmas...I believe I am still in need of a Holiday/Graduation outfit (Remember the whole rehearsal dinner, black dress post - well, the invitation lacked a note of the "casual" dress since it was in a barn...so, plans were foiled on that one!)
Here are a few items from J.Crew I am coveting right now and would be perfect to dress up for occasions.

I am a fan of black/white combinations and LOVE this Great Gatsby - esque scarf.


Love this style, shape and color.

Saw a few turtleneck dresses this weekend and decided I would enjoy one - cute and warm!


I like how you could change the look with layering different pieces with that plunging v-neck.

Again, with the cozy - but this could be perfect for running around town:




And in other Big news - the hubby accepted a job in Indianapolis!! We are excited, busy and probably going to be moving the week of Christmas (which really puts a damper on the whole decorating scheme.) It is a great opportunity for him, they are excited to have him and are giving us a very generous relocation bonus. I believe it is truly the best move for us, right now. It will be hard moving away from everyone we know - but this isn't a long-term or permanent move and hopefully will be the kind of position that can give us the opportunity to move where we want in a few years. It is going to be hard, especially around the holidays. But our families are excited and supportive and that is really helpful. It also affords me the opportunity to have room to get the job I want (which I need to proactively start applying, emailing like now). We've looked at a few areas and think we have some in mind, of where we would like to live. Things are just about to get craziER b/c now we have to pack, move, enjoy Christmas, get to NC for a wedding and start new jobs by January. Oh geez. Isn't that how life goes, you keep thinking you have relaxation/down time around the next bend...and then, Hello- here comes life!

So, readers, do you have any info. on the Indy area - Schools, betters areas to live, places to rent, school districts, shopping, restaurants? Any advice at all (or perhaps any bloggers from that area) would be helpful.
The Mr. lived there for about 3 months a few years ago, but wasn't looking at housing, schools, areas to live...so, he has an some idea of the area and his co-workers are more than willing to help, but I'd enjoy some blogger advice. :)


Oh, and functional but classic and stylish winter jackets? Or tell me, what kind of coat would be the best investment for a gal moving from SC to Indy in January?

Thursday

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. Ours was uneventful because we've been busy and the Mr. was out of town - but we are looking forward to being prepared next year!

We are off to a wedding of a dear friend this weekend and while I'm over-worked, I'm still very excited about the festivities...even, if I am going to have to have some quality time with my laptop at Starbucks :(
I think the weather is going to be beautiful, though, and I'm excited about the drive through the mountains to get there.


1. The Office & Scrubs - the best two comedies on tv, as far as I'm concerned. I laugh out loud everytime I watch them.




2. Have I talked about my obsession with Violet & Jennifer Garner? Well I am. And a lamb for Halloween - too precious!!

(photo from Justjared.com)

3. Chili - this is perfect weather for chili - one of my favorite meals/soups. I mean seriously, could it be the cheapest and easiest meal to make? Yum! I usually make enough for leftovers and I eat it for lunch and dinner
I've been using:
1 lb. of ground turkey (or lean beef, I prefer turkey though)
1 green pepper, chopped (sometimes I add in a yellow or red pepper, if I've got 'em)
1/2 bigger white or vidalia onion, chopped
1 small clove of garlic, chopped
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can corn (I enjoy the shoepeg)
2 cans whole tomatoes (I chopped them a few times in the food processor)
1 small can tomato sauce
*I usually buy one of those 'mild chili' seasoning packets and add a few dashes of hot sauce for flavor.
Saute the onions, garlic and turkey. Rinse the beans and corn - throw them in with the tomatoes and let it simmer!

A meal that is so simple - yes, I can get behind that!
What are your favorite chili recipes?

The Rubber Hits the Road

Literally & Figuratively that is.

It's crazy time here. I feel like I felt 3 weeks before our wedding, we had planned as much we could and I was ready for the rubber to hit the road.
So, I'm in panic mode right here, right now - I have a comprehensive orals exam to pass and a thesis to finish in the next month - which is going to take up about 26 hours of each day to get done. This doesn't include teaching, prepping for class, grading, laundry, oh and life.

This is my new little compact friend (for the ridiculous amounts of coffee I have and will be drinking) - a splenda compact holder! One for the house and the purse ... :)

This doesn't include the major changes of our life which includes moving and getting a new job! (i'm not even thinking about packing and the holidays).
It is an interesting time as we transition into making a huge change together. We've had tons of serious discussions, a few arguments and some tears. But it is also exciting and we are really looking forward to moving out of a small college town to a bigger metropolis area with better and bigger opportunities, activities and really...better shopping (gotta look at the bright side of everything right?) I think the hard part is moving away from family - well at least an 8 hour drive to my parents and farther to his. Even though we know we don't want to settle there forever, what about starting a family in place where we have no support or network?
Questions, excitement and crazy time.

All that to say that I'm truly grateful that I have this blogging network and I know that its going to help me get through the transition.I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Although my posts will probably be sporadic for the next few weeks.
Whew.

On a better note, I'll leave you with a pic of our sweet (yet slightly neurotic - just like his owners!) Mr. Ralph ...