Sunday, October 30, 2011

Annoying

What a great day at work!  I love when I start my week with a bang! I was busy busy with appointments and the rest of the week looks the same!

Blogger is having issues with their stats.  For some reason this is making me crazy!!!!  I am crossing my fingers they fix it soon. 

Tomorrow is Halloween.  I am going to take advantage of mom's and children will be busy tomorrow night and I am going to the mall.  Seems like it will be a perfect time to have the stores to myself.

I am going to start a funny collection of things not to do/say to your hair stylist, and things that are sure to annoy your hair stylist.  I think it will be funny and maybe informative.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

lonely morning

Some days the truth glares so brightly back at me.  It is usually on Friday nights and all day Saturday.  The truth is I am living here (at my mom's) and P lives in a different time zone.  Yes, I am very happy and excited that the time we have to go between seeing each other this time was only a month (last time was over two months), and we are down to less than two weeks.  This is great!  But there are days that are still really hard.  And to be totally honest feel extremely lonely.

I have done much better at not trying so hard to control the future and ask questions that there really aren't defined answers for.  But there is still a part of me that wants to know what's next.  How long will there be different time zones, plane rides, and long phone calls?????

Sorry is this sounds down, but it's how I feel this morning.  Wishing very hard we were together.

On the other hand I am looking forward tonight.  I am going to a Halloween party with a friend.  I am thinking of being a cowgirl.  I am cheap :) and it's something I can actually make with my own clothes.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thankful Thurday

  • I will be with P again in 15 days! My threshold for not seeing him is much lower this time. I just want to say FTS with the distance and be together. I am super excited to see where he lives and works, see how pretty the area is, and for the really cute day trip he wants to take to a local winery.

  • That P understands and even laughs when I get upset when he makes a joke about something I always joke about. And agrees (while chuckling) to my new rule that I am the only one who can makes jokes about it! :)


  • That I like my coffee black. I had a serious sweet craving this morning and I saw flavored coffee creamer in my mom's fridge. Holy calories and fat! Yes it was yummy, yet fake tasting, but what a waste of calories. I'd much rather eat a chocolate :)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Yummy Chili

I love chicken chili.  It's so simple to make and much healthier than regular chili.  I made a ton today and I wanted to share the yummy recipe and be able to link up for the Superfly Soupday link up on Jessica Lynn Writes.

I also added about a half a bag of frozen corn in at the end. You can really play with this recipe a lot. Freezes wonderfully!
Please forgive my crappy picture





White Chicken Chili

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 onion, chopped
40oz. chicken broth
3 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
2 cloves garlic pressed, chopped or whatever you like
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 (15 ounce) can cannelloni beans (don’t rinse, you can puree 1 of the cans)
2 green onions, chopped
2 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Tortilla chips
Directions
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic in oil 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is tender.
Put everything else in the crock pot plus salt and pepper to taste. Cook on High about 4 hours. Pull out chicken breast and shred with 2 forks, put back into crock pot.
Stir and simmer for 5 more minutes. Garnish with green onions, shredded cheese, and crushed chips.

Birthday Season

I feel like I haven't been posting much lately.  Work has gone from crazy to extremely insane.  We had a girl quit on Sunday so we are even more short staffed....by about 1/2!  I feel so busy when I am there, then all I can think about is getting home and in my PJ's to curl into bed.  Therefor very little posting.  Hopefully more exciting stuff is ahead for me to share with everyone. 

Today is my little sister's birthday!  I am so happy she got her birthday box on time.  I sent a cute knitted (not by me due to being so busy) ear warmer, her favorite toffee from See's, and a gift card so she can choose perfume she wants. 
I hope she can come home at Christmas time! 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Thankful Thursday

I have many many things to be thankful for in my life.  But it is really late and I left the house this morning some 13 hours ago.  I am ready for bed...

So tonight all I can say is I am thankful P will be back tomorrow from his short (one day) work trip where he didn't bring a phone to so I can talk with him.  And I am thankful I have my wonderful friend's house to go to for a get together on Saturday!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hearts

Both times P has come to visit I took several pictures.  Not anything creative or fancy just something for each of us to have to remember our time together.  When I was still living in my townhouse I was able to have a bunch on my fridge that I could always glance at.  P was telling me that he put up some of the newer pictures I sent from his most recent visit on his fridge.  It got me thinking how I really miss seeing the photos all the time.  So last night I put one in a frame.  Today after work I went to my favorite gift shop/Hallmark shop to get a really cool metal heart you hang on the wall.  It's by Demdaco, they have so many cool options.  I got little flower magnets and a set with an envelope, XOXO, and a heart.  It's really cute and I can change the photos when ever!


I probably spent way too much money on it, but I love it and it makes me so happy to look at!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Burrrr!

It's cold, damp and windy here!! I officially am over living at my mom's house (it hasn't even been a month)!  I want the heat on and peace and quite.

I am really sorry to sound so pissy but I hate it here.  I keep trying to remember that it's better for P's and my unknown future.  But this afternoon I just want to say "F It" and rent an apartment tomorrow! 

It's only been a week and I miss P like crazy, I just want to be near him even if it was at least driving distance. 

 I miss my townhouse and my own space. 
I miss my couch and having my own kitchen. 
I miss my double sink bathroom.  
I miss my own thermostat! 
I miss my independence. 
But most of all I miss P tonight!


Ok so I am feeling much better :)!  Actually Skyped with P tonight.  We had tried on Saturday night with a bad connection.  I was able to use my mom's iPad tonight!  It was really cool to see each others faces.  I felt like I had the hugest smile the whole time!!  Another amazing thing is we have plans locked down for Thanksgiving!!  He has a Crack of Dawn flight in to Chicago and then we are off for two days in Indiana to see his family.  We also talked about stopping by his Alma Mater on the way back to Chicago.  Really excited to spend our first holiday together.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

exhausted

I'm exhausted tonight!  I have been really busy at work and am working extra hours since I took off last weekend for my weekend with P.  The money is great and I never mind having to put in extra hours if the payoff is time with P :)! 

I felt bad because I left work early today.  My stomach has been crazy for the past 4 months.  I couldn't eat all day and was in so much pain.  I keep blaming it on some on going stress.  I tried to lay down and relax when I got home, but I am so bad at that.  So I made:  roasted pumpkin for soup and freezing, pumpkin soup, pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, cranberry sauce, beer bread.  Lots of yummy food for the week.  Hopefully I get my appetite back and can eat some!

I am really excited to have my first ever Skye date tonight!  P got Internet and I have my new web cam.  I am a dork and am planning on fixing my make-up and hair before we start, hahaha!  I am really missing a lot this weekend.  I think because I keep thinking that a week ago we were together and it was so amazing!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thankful Thurday

I have so much to be thankful for this week!!

  • I am thankful I am still living in the joy from the weekend!  I had the best time ever and still feel so happy thinking about it!

  • I am thankful that when I am not my prettiest, most graceful, or rational P still loves me.  And can make it laugh about whatever it was later!

  • I love that I was reminded how much I enjoy sleeping in and relaxing in general.  It has been a looooong time since I was totally relaxed....it was wonderful :)

  • I am thankful I am getting my first Skype date on Saturday!! P is getting Internet and I am getting a web cam!  I am really excited to have another form of communication.

  • I am really thankful that I only have to wait 29 days to see him again.  It make the time now so much easier.  Last time we didn't know when we would see each other next, now we have 3 trips planned!  WoooooWhoooo!


I just realized this post is really focused on P, I guess I still can't stop thinking about how great last weekend was lol!  Trust me there will be lots more non relationship boring stuff ahead! :)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Best Weekend Ever Recap

I'm home from Milwaukee...going back to reality this afternoon!  P and I had the best weekend ever.  Both of us felt like we couldn't have ask for anything more! 

 I was able to pull off my first surprise on Friday.  I picked him up at the airport!  I knew since Wednesday last week that I was going to be able to leave work early to get him rather than my mom's boyfriend.  It was so funny to see his face when I pulled up.  He just stared at the car confused until I got out and was waving.  I was so happy.  Even better we got a jump start on heading north.

Our hotel was beyond amazing.  It's on the list of historical hotels in the US.  The room was huge and the bed was like a big cloud.

Friday night we got a little dressed up and met his parents for dinner.  It was the first time I had met them and they were both so kind and welcoming.  After dinner we went back to the hotel and had some drinks, or rather WAY too many for me, talked and laughed.  Needless to say I felt like a big poop on Saturday.  We went to one of the places P really wanted to take me to for breakfast.  All I could manage to eat was dry toast and sprite...yeah like I said WAY to many drinks on Friday....

I was so lucky that P was so understanding that we scratched our plans for the afternoon and went back to the hotel so I could nap and feel better.  I am much a lucky girl :)!!  Saturday evening we went to a family birthday party with for one of P's cousins.  It was so funny when we pulled up I was getting out of the car taking my jacket off ( it was denim and I was wearing jean so I couldn't wear it together other than to keep warm in the car lol) and I saw through the picture window that nearly his WHOLE family was watching us!!!  I was instantly super duper nervous, P laughed it off and said they weren't watching( but later admitted they were lol) and I'd be fine.  I was fine because of course his family was awesome.  All the aunts, uncles, little cousins, and again his parents we all so friendly and welcoming.  It was also really amazing to see such a close family all together since I don't have much of one.  I really loved being there.

After the party we met 2 of this friends at a bar.  The funny thing everyone from his family and friends kept asking me was if I was a Bears or Packers fan and if I was from where P is currently living.  The team thing was really funny because I don't follow sports at all.



Out to Drinks with P's Friends

Sunday was amazing.  I was feeling 100% again!!  P really wanted to watch the Packer game Sunday night.  We had originally planned for that to be our "date night"  but I was totally open to just spending time during the day together and watching the game at night.  So we decided to get lunch and a movie.  The place we went to it now one of my new favorite restaurants.  It is a Dutch style place.  The one we went to is in a really cool hipster neighborhood.  The weather all weekend was AMAZING, nothing like normal October.  We were able to sit outside.  The best thing about lunch was we tried curry ketchup....it was soooooo good!!  Afterwords we went to P's favorite movie theater.  A 1920's movie place.  It is insanely cool and huge.  I loved it. 

That afternoon we took advantage of the nice weather and walked along the lake front.  We talked about how nice it is to be able to do normal couple stuff together all weekend.  Dinners, riding in the car, lazy afternoons, walking and holding hands.  I have a hard time relaxing at home and the whole weekend I was calm, relaxed, and incredibly happy.


Milwaukee's Lakefront

Monday was really nice to, but we both woke up knowing he was leaving and wishing he wasn't.  We first headed to my favorite coffee place in Milwaukee and had the best pumpkin spice lattes I have ever had, the Batista even made heart designs with the milk in them!  Then we had another relaxing afternoon of lunch (same place different location...yes the curry ketchup was THAT good) walking around and driving through a neighborhood we both love and pointing out houses to each other. 

On the drive back to Chicago my anxiety kicked in...  I hate having to leave him at the airport.  This time I cried as we hugged, I wanted to leave my car and jump on the plane with him.  I made it home ok, but once I got here I was hit with a huge case of I miss him.  The great thing is though 1 month from TODAY I will be visiting him :) YAY!!

This post is getting really really long....  We had a great trip and I am sure I'll add more as the week goes on.  I am looking forward to staying really busy at work this week, a busy mind is better. 

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thankful Thursday

  • I am so thankful for this warm sunny Indian summer.  I love how the colorful leaves look bathed in the sunlight

  • I am thankful that P was so wonderful last night when my stress reared it's ugly head, he let me talk to him about how I ACTUALLY feel.  I love that I can be so honest with him :)

  • I am thankful that our wonderful weekend starts tomorrow!!  There is so much I am so excited for.... seeing him for the first time in two months, meeting his family and friends, just having a ton of fun together in general!  Plus some fun surprises!

  • I am SO thankful I got my work blow dryer back today!!  I dropped it (our little secret) at work 2 weeks ago.  Luckily I buy dryers only from Solano and they have the most amazing custom service/repair policies!  They fixed up good as new plus it's clean :)!! One funny thing on the repair ticket under dryer condition one option is "full of hair" lol!  Luckily that was not check by them on mine.

  • Again this week I am really thankful to my co-workers.  They all are so supportive and understanding that I don't get to see P often.  I have done hair for 6 years and NEVER had holiday time off.  We get blacked out from taking time off from November to the end of December.  They are letting me go see him the middle of November and have the Friday after Thanksgiving off! I am so so grateful and excited!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fourty Eight

In less than 48 hours P and I will be in Wisconsin enjoying our mini vacation!  I am so excited!!  I had a bit of unrelated stress rise up in the past day, but knowing I am getting away so soon is helping me push it out of my mind.

The weather is so warm right now.  It's going to be warm and sunny all weekend.  Plus all the leaves are changing, soooo pretty.

I wish I had more to blog about....  I am just doing my last minute stuff like packing, painting my nails, and doing a face mask before I see the boyfriend :)

I can't wait to post about all the fun stuff we do and some photos.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

October, Wonderful October

I have been waiting for this day for 30 days! 

Last night I was exhausted from a finally really busy day at work and from the emotions from the last week.  I went to bed really super early.  P called to say hi so I of course chatted with him.  It was wonderful.  We laughed and I felt so happy :)!  I thought I would catch up on some TV but ended up passing out again....12 hours later I woke up feeling fabulous, today feels like the fresh start I have been waiting for.  Happiness and joy are ahead :)

Today is such a gorgeous way to start October.  It's crisp, sunny, and I can see so many pretty colors from my view blogging at my mom's kitchen table.  The house is soooooo quite and peaceful.  I love quietness. 

My mom and Steve went to their second home for the night last night so there are four less dogs here today.  Violet is totally confessed.  She ran upstairs this morning (just like every morning) like a crazy beast looking for all the dogs to get them rilled up.  She ran to my mom's room, she ran around the family room, I shooed her out to the yard yelling after her "sorry ViVi the pups are not here"!  She keeps going in and out searching for them....

Today I have a fun day of shopping ahead.  I tried a bunch of outfits on last night for the evenings when P is home.  I need a few more things and another pair of jeans.  Then movies tonight with another friend!