Bringing in the NEW

2011 was quite a year for me, and although I was sad to see it go at midnight Saturday, I am happy to start anew in 2012. Lots of big things happened in my life in 2011, some great and some not so much, but I thought I would sum up the year for memory's sake.

I actually worked a 9-5 job! (even though it started in 2010, that was a big deal since it was my first job out of college)

I applied to law schools! I got into some and didn't get into others, but it seems to have worked out.

I broke up with a guy I thought I might spend the rest of my life with... wow that was a biggie. However, I realize that it is definitely for the best and I am pretty happy these days!

I celebrated my dad's 70th birthday with friends and family in a beautiful beach house.

We all wore matching t-shirts for my dad's birthday... we all look a little rough!

I moved out of my parents house into my own house!!!

Picture of the back of the house before construction, I couldn't find any other good ones

I ended my first real job and started law school

I watched one good friend get married and celebrated the engagement of 2 other friends and my sister!

My sister and soon-to-be brother in law

Engagement party for my sister

I accidentally wrecked my car hitting a pole and had to get 2 new doors. Oy

I started going to bootcamp at 5:45 am 4 days a week and got serious about getting in shape and losing weight! (Even though I started slacking on the diet after the first month, I still got out there for the EARLY workouts)

I survived my first semester of law school, including two terrible weeks of exams.

I started cooking a lot more, and I learned how to cook home made pasta and pizza (probably not very healthy, but very good!)


I don't have many regrets about 2011 and I think I had a pretty darn good year! I hope y'all did as well!!

ERK

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years to all! I hope everyone had a fun and safe time celebrating the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012! I ended up going to dinner with my parents and brother and then stayed home with my sister and her fiancé after the had the terrible misfortune of having their wallets/ purse stolen yesterday so they couldn't go out last night. It was a bumper for them but we had a great time and I felt great today! (aka not hungover)

Sorry about not posting pics of the house yet, I forgot to take any before our party last week and afterwards it was a bit of a mess. However, tomorrow is clean house day so I will be sure to take all the pictures then!

Happy New Years again!

ERK

P.S.- Any good resolutions? Mine is to eat healthier!

4 month recap... this may be a bit long

Ok, so it's about time I updated this little blog for real. I know I keep saying I am going to get back to blogging regularly (and I hope I do), but I honestly don't know if my schedule will permit. Anywho, I figured I would give y'all a little recap on my life since my last real posts.

School... is school. It is nice to be back on a school schedule but working for a year and being able to leave work at 5 and be free all evening was so nice. It has been a ton of work, but honestly I have not been as stressed as I thought I would be. It seemed like the Fall semester flew by and exams were tough but it felt like they flew by as well! Unfortunately, this break is flying by as well. I won't bore y'all with tons of stuff about class and all that jazz, but I will say that I met a lot of great people and had my fare share of fun!

Working out... As y'all know, working out has been one of my goals for a long time but I never had the self-dedication to stick with it. Well, that changed this Fall when my mom and I enrolled in boot camp with the American Bootcamp Company in mid September and have been going 4 times a week at 5:45 am and doing our own workouts the other 3 days of the week ever since! Let me tell you, a 5:15 wake up call is not my friend, but I am SO much more in shape now and feel great.
When we started, we followed the strict meal plan we were given and I really lost quite a bit of weight I needed to lose and was feeling fab. But, I have slacked on the diet part recently and have gained almost all of it back. But, hey, what are New Years resolutions for but to get you back on track, right? The meal plan makes you eat like an athlete, with 5 small meals a day, no enriched or "white" foods and portion control, so it is not a "diet" at all, rather a lifestyle. I am hoping to really get back on it ASAP.
I have gotten in much better shape however, and have been seriously contemplating running the Georgia Half Marathon in March, but I just can't get myself to sign up just yet. Maybe soon!

Living situation... well, I FINALLY moved into the new house in early October I believe, and I have loved it! Although it was a ton of planning and supervising and rug/ furniture/ art shopping (I never want to look at another rug again or have to go to Scott's Antique Market again!), the house it almost complete now!!! All we really have left is fixing up the yard and fencing in the back yard. Living close to my parents has been great and Cupie loves having a yard, which she would have missed had I moved into a condo or apartment. I have had several dinner parties and have really enjoyed having my own space to entertain guests! We are actually having an open house tomorrow, so I am going to take pictures of everything when it is all cleaned up and give y'all a little home tour!

Otherwise, life has been great! Still single, but with all I have going on in my life with school and what not, I think that is ok. Cupie is wonderful, but has gained some serious weight which is no good. Cavaliers tend to gain weight very easily and I don't want her to be overweight so I have tried limiting the treats she gets, but she is just too darn cute not to get milkbones!! I have actually been thinking about adding another dog to the family, but I don't think right now is a good time. Maybe next summer.

Well, I think that about sums up the last 4 months... amazing how such a long period of time can be summed up in a few short paragraphs!! I hope everyone is doing well and I WILL be back tomorrow to share about Christmas at our house!!

ERK

Holy guacamole, it has been on heck of a Fall!

Hello bloggy friends! (if I can even still call you that since it has been SOO long since I have posted, my b!)
I promise I am still alive and thriving... well sort of. School is kicking my booty and I have sadly neglected this little blog. But, no worries only 4 final exams (ugh) stand in the way of a month of freedom and catching up on all my favorite blogs!!

I hope all are doing well!! Tell me what you've been up to!!

ERK

A day I will never forget

I know today is a day we will always remember and a day I will struggle with every year for the rest of my life. I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was in 8th grade this time 10 years ago, sitting in History class first thing in the morning when the worst terrorist attack on American soil ever happened. I couldn't process what was going on. I remember realizing how many people died but it almost didn't seem real to me. As time has gone on, I have realized the what really happened that day.

I pray for the families who lost loved ones that day and I am so thankful to the brave men and women who helped save so many that day and for our military who has been fighting for us since.

9/11/01 Always Remember, Never Forget.

Decorating obsessed!

In the spare time that I have had recently, I have had only one thing on the brain... decorating! We have gotten so much done for the new house and I cannot wait to move in! We recently had a little "ladies sofa" redone for my bedroom and I am in love! When I first saw this bad boy it was covered in tattered green velvet and looked worse for the wear. But, after a little furniture polish and a new fabric, it is totally my style! I can definitely see Cupie lounging up there!

I love the old look to this, I think it is perfect for a lady's bedroom!

Here is an up-close of the fabric. I like that the more modern geometric print offsets the older styler of the sofa.

We have had several other pieces redone, but I won't bore y'all since this is one of my favorite! (Well maybe I have some other faces but those will have to wait for another day!)

I have been dying to pick out all of the fun accents like rugs, art, etc. but I think that is all going to have to wait until I get everything moved in and settled... Speaking of which, moving needs to happen ASAP because it looks like my parents should be on an episode of hoarders these days.
Exhibit A:

This would be their guest bedroom which has been full of my stuff for months! I know they are getting sick of it, as am I!

So, my question for y'all is, where do I get cute prints/ decor for my house? I love The Pink Pagoda and will be purchasing several prints there, but I am sort of lost otherwise. HELP!

I hope everyone has had a great Tuesday! I am so glad this is only a four day week, because I am already exhausted!!

ERK

It has been a while!

Happy Labor Day! Once again, sorry for being so MIA! I think I need to schedule in blogging on my agenda or it will never get done!

So, whats going on in my world? Basically school. I pretty much spend all my time during the school week and Sundays doing work, but I have had a chance to meet tons of fun people and go out with them a few times. I went out Friday night with some people from school and we had a great time! Like, didn't get home till 4 am fun. (That is so not me considering y'all know I like to be in bed by 9 pm) But being a little tired on Saturday was worth it!

The house is coming along slowly but surely! However, just as we thought we were entering the home stretch, we decided to redo the basement. I may move in by the time I graduate! Only kidding!

I also had a little ooopsie with my car. Ok, more than a little, I have to get both of my passenger doors replaced. I hit a pole leaving school one day last week and what I thought was a "minor dent" is actually some serious damage. I know it was my fault, but I am still blaming it on the fact that I was in a garage I had never been in, haha.

Not good!

Cupie is finally back to normal, praise the Lord! I was starting to really get scared when she was so sick and then she had a pulled muscle. If it isn't one thing, it's another, right? Well she seems to be a-ok these days and I am so thankful and praying that she stays healthy!

I have some fun projects for the new house that are in the works (if I EVER have any free time) so I will keep y'all up to date on those!

I hope y'all have a fabulous and relaxing day!!

ERK


PS- my Ponies sadly lost last night against Texas A&M, but I know they are going to be great this season!