Why Didn't I Think Of That: Pool Noodles

I am in love with this idea.

Seriously...I was at TJ Maxx the other day looking at one set of boot inserts that cost $9.99. And when you have at minimum 10 pairs of boots that gets expensive.  Pool noodles? Well I'm not sure how much they cost but they have to be much less than $9.99 AND I can get a couple sets out of one noodle.

Now, if only I could find some of these bad boys. Unfortunately, in Nebraska we are out of the "pool" weather and the stores I've checked don't carry them. And even worse, you should see the looks I get from the store workers {store workers? Sounds so prehistoric, but what do you call them when they aren't clerks?} when I ask for them.

This is definitely on my to-do list.

Photo courtesy of Skyz Boutique

Shopping Trip W/ The Hubs

Randomly on Wednesday night the hubs, little man and I made an impromptu shopping trip to Village Pointe. He wanted shoes and I wanted to grab C some t-shirts. We have a deal when we shop together that if one person spends money on themselves, the other gets to do spend the same amount. This deal works perfectly for me, because I also make a lot of shopping trips solo...and spend whatever I want. But I digress.

We swung by Old Navy - my fave place for C's clothes - and not only did I hit the mother load of steals for him, but I found this shirt for myself. And I wore it to work the next day. Gotta love inexpensive shirts that can be worn both at work and anywhere else.

Next stop was Scheels for new workout shoes for the hubs. He convinced himself that he was going to find me new running shoes as well because for some reason he hates the fact that I run in an old pair of Nikes {they are comfy}, wear no socks with those Nikes {again, it works for me} and absolutely despises the fact that I run barefoot on our treadmill.  Dude, they aren't your feet and they basically are so numb from the years of heels that they couldn't feel anything if they wanted to.

The chick helping us asked what I currently run in...I said Nikes...she gave me a look like I had told her I let C sit in the front seat when we drive, not that I run in a pair of Nike shoes. Seriously, what's the big deal? Then she went through the pros of 'good' running shoes - Brooks, Asics, Mizunos. Fortunately, after we talked a bit she did slow her roll and said that while she recommended I try a better shoe, I may end up going back to my regular pair. We bought a pair of Asics - and I will admit they were comfy, but I don't like the way they look on my feet {yeah, yeah, I'm that vane}.

I've taken them out of the box and walked around the house in them...and have plans to return them. I'm a creature of habit. Why fix something that isn't broken?

If I Had Unlimited Time

If I had unlimited time, I would...

Lay on the couch and read through my preggo blog. I find myself reading through the blogs of my family and friends who are pregs and I can't remember how I felt or what I was focusing on as they hit certain milestones.  I would also love to catch up on my fave blogs and find some new ones.

Clean and organize every drawer, cupboard and closet in our house. This started in January and we've done damn good at keeping up with it, but there's oh-so-much more to do.

Lord knows I'm no cook, but I do find I enjoy trying new recipes - cuz a girl's gotta eat - and I've picked up a ton of Cooking Light magazines in the past few months, but once they get home they sit on my side table and collect dust.

Speaking of magazines, I love reading magazines but never find the time to sit and read one. Unless you count the fact that I read every single US Weekly I get during the mornings as I blow dry or curl my hair. I cannot miss out on my celeb gossip. Actually, if there was a job that required knowing the most random things about celebs - like their kid's names or what they wore to the SAG Awards or who they cheated on whom with - I would be the bomb. I can't remember pertinent life information, but I  know that Gwen Stefani's kids are named Kingston and Zuma.

I have a massive list of DIY projects just waiting to be done. Some I've snagged from Pinterest and others from blogs I follow. People inspire me. They are way more creative than I will ever be. But I will do my best to copy them and pretend I am too.


Go visit my friend Clint's second baby girl. Major bad friend alert - she was born on the 9th and I have yet to meet her.


I'm also no Ansel Adams, but I love taking pictures. And I wish I took more pictures with my DLSR. The only pictures I seem to take any more are from my iPhone and posted on Instagram.

I desperately need to paint the upstairs guest bathroom. I was in there the other day and questioning why I ever thought the ugly pea-colored walls looked good. I also want to have the entire upstairs painted - this doesn't seem to fit in this post, because why can't I just hire that out - I just think about the time to take everything off the walls and moving all the furniture and that is a major undertaking.

Get a massage. This girl has some knots...and even if I didn't? It just sounds good.


Would it be bad to schedule the nanny on a Monday or take a couple days of PTO so I can rock some of these things out?

On My Mind

It's time for a little brain dump of what's been going on in my world lately...

Weather...has been kicking my ass this week. It really needs to commit to being cold or warming up, I'm tired of this fluctuation. Case in point, on Tuesday morning it snowed {traffic was a B and it took me 1 1/2 hours to get to work that morning, but that's beside the point}, on Wednesday I ran outside, on Thursday the minute you stepped outside it felt as though your fingers were going to fall off from the cold and yesterday I walked around without a coat. wth?

Work...as you know it's been quite the month at work and we just finished our 2013 plan presentation last week so I feel like this week I've been able to breathe a bit. While it's been major craziness, all of the work and time is justified when you receive an email like this {it came from the head of VIP marketing for the company...a woman I've idolized since I started working here 9 years ago}.

Luke Bryan....we got our tickets and are coming to see you in March. Can't wait!

Speaking of music...I had a chance to update my iTunes music the other night and I'm so excited for some new music and the new "running" playlist I created.  An eclectic mix with a little Hunter Hayes, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, Biebs, Lee Brice and Taylor Swift....how can you not be excited about that??

Date night....finally came to fruition last night and we had a really good night together. Of course, we could only stand each other long enough to endure pre-dinner cocktails and dinner at Jams and then had to meet up with the crew - what can I say, we're social butterflies. Highlights include cappuccinos and turtle cheesecake for dessert, the new bar scene in Benson {Beercade, Krug Park, and some bar in the back of a convenience store} and a full night's sleep with no little someone to wake us up early. Beercade is def a cool concept - who doesn't love beer and old school video games - except that as soon as you stepped foot in the bar itself it smelled like a guy's college dorm room mixed with a strong case of BO and fried food. And was filled with boys who I can guarantee have only seen a naked girl on the internet, never in person.

Lot's-O-Beer at Krug Park

Brother's wedding...was an absolute blast. And so were making memories like these - candid with mom and my sistas, cake fight with the groom and bridesmaid, laughing so hard with my sister as we managed to cover our faces and dresses in delicious cake.

Past Couple Mornings

We celebrated my little bro's wedding this past weekend {more to come on that} and it came on the end of a very rough two weeks at work. I was dying for some time away with my little family and, of course, my massively extended family. And enjoy ourselves we did.

And then Monday came...and it was tough. I wanted to sleep in. I wanted to spend the day relaxing with the hubs and little man, but that wasn't in the cards. I had just hired a new employee and needed to on-board him. On a Monday. My day off. =(

C and I got up early and while I checked my work email from the comfort of our couch, he caught up on a couple of missed episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Monday was a blur of property tours, introductions and then running over to our career fair to interview some potential employees. All I wanted to do when I got home was rest...

Fast forward to Tuesday morning and I got up super early so I could make it to work and get to some emails before a day of meetings. Whelp, that was a great thought, except Mother Nature had something else in store. A mere inch of snow and you would think the whole city of Omaha just couldn't figure out how to drive. An inch. One inch, but accidents galore. It actually took me an hour and a half to get into work which meant I was stuck in my car and not able to do work. Ugh.

A Little Scare...

Yet again I have to apologize for my lack of posts...life has gotten the best of me and I'm hoping praying that the worst is behind me.

I haven't had the pleasure of my little "friend" for quite some time, in fact, I'm about 3 weeks over due. Obviously, I'm good not having it - that was one of the best parts of being preggo - but it has been weighing on my mind the past couple of weeks. It was made even more apparent when the hubs figured it out and did the math...and then told my sister over the weekend that he thought I was knocked up. And then she was all over my case.

That made me really curious. I mean, I've never been the most consistent in this area and dates fluctuate each month, but I've also never missed it by this long, except of course back in 2011...

It then became apparent that I needed to take a test and figure it out. I picked one up last night when I was out getting groceries and immediately came home and locked myself in the bathroom. I peed on the stick, turned it over and waited...and waited. I gave it a good five minutes and took a look.

I called little man into the bathroom, handed him the stick (trust me, I washed it off thoroughly) and told him to go give it to dada. I watched him Frankenstein-walk out of our room and toward the hubs in the kitchen. Then I heard, "no, no way. You're kidding me. Noooo." - as he figured out what C was holding. I poked my head out of the room just as I heard him breathe a big sigh of relief.

It was negative, obviously, but still a great joke to play on him. I know I got a few chuckles out of it.

And at least it's extremely clear where he stands in the matter.

Phew!

On My Mind

On My Mind is going to be a post where I brain dump some of the major, not so major and mind-numbingly dull things going on in my head. It's just how I think...

Dear Nanny - you're hired! Ever since our phone interview I've been a smitten kitten with you - girl's got skills. Can't wait until you start tomorrow and our life can finally get back on track.

Dear Clutter - you have been getting a major kick in the booty this week and that a$$-kicking will continue today. With the crazy that has been life these past few weeks, I've majorly neglected the casa. This week - per a great idea by the hubs {see, I do listen to him} - we have de-cluttered at least one cupboard per night. This was actually a really great idea because the whole project seemed overwhelming, but taken one at a time much more do-able. I def have myself a smart man.

Dear Hubby- we REALLY need some time alone together. I never realized how much of a negative impact having a child would have on our relationship. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not that serious, but we just need some time with each other while not having to juggle little man at the same time. I'm not down with us 'going out' but without each other.

Dear Brother - it's WEDDING WEEK for you and Ash! I'm so proud of you and the man you've become since welcoming baby girl D into this world and cannot wait to see you make an honest woman out of that woman of yours.

Dear Blogger - you're welcome for this break the past couple weeks. Don't get used to it. I found that by not having time to blog, I'm just not myself.

Dear Self - you've got a TON going on at work this week, but don't let it get you flustered or frustrated. It's just work. You will get through the 2013 plan presentation, meeting with your long-time work mentor on your own turf {can't believe she's finally coming to Iowa!} and putting a marketing plan together for the casino move. Even if you only have a three-day work week to do it.

Happy three day work week to me...and bring on the wedding fun this weekend!

Banning Resolutions

I promised myself I wouldn't make any resolutions this year.  I have NEVER kept one in my entire life and I don't know why I would change this year.

{Remember this little venture? Exactly.}

If I had made a resolution it would've been to get my butt organized, run more, work out 3-5 times a week, eat better, etc. And I would have failed miserably and it's only January 11th. I did not work out once this past week, unless you count the "leg lifts" I did when C was playing "tunnel" earlier this week.

I swear I had potential in the beginning. The year started off right. I got in a jog on New Year's Eve to prep for the Commitment Day run on 1/1.  It was cold, but I was excited that the trail around Lake Zorinsky was somewhat "runnable," except for the pile of snow I had to hike over.

After a late night at work on NYE, I woke up early for the Commitment Day run {all by my lonesome because everyone else I knew got to enjoy a night out with cocktails! Except you, Morgan, sorry girl.} and checked my phone...burrr.

I tugged on my cold weather gear, especially excited to give my new beanie a whirl {got it at Scheels a couple weeks prior} and drove downtown for the race. There were approx 400 other suckers out there ready to run it with me...and thankfully once we got started running, I wasn't shaking cold any longer. The race went quick and I finished in the top 10 of the girls, which is good enough for me, even if all the other people were more than likely hung over.

Best part of the morning:
The secret pics I took of the two girls doing the walk of shame from some dude's apartment that same morning...and they had to eventually walk through all of the 400 race participants in their fancy "club clothes" to get where they were going....best.thing.ever.

Here's to resuming some form of normalcy in my life and getting back to my workout routine!

What's New Around Here

It's almost been two weeks since my last post and I've been dying to get back on the blogging bandwagon.

Work has been a B these past two weeks and I will be one happy girl once this next month is over. I'm drowning in 2013 plan presentations, annual reviews, employee surveys, our casino move, arena events and interviews for five marketing roles, which means I'm down five employees. Argh.

My schedule the past week+ has looked like this:

• Wake up around 5-6am
• Get to work by 7-8am
• Work until 5-6pm
• Feed, bathe, play & put little man to bed by 9-9:30pm
• Go back to work via laptop until 11-12am
• Repeat...

My days have been packed with meetings, which means I have no time during the day to catch up on email or the takeaways from our meetings...hence, the late night working.

The highlight of my week was earlier today when grandma brought little man by for a visit...boy, did this kiddo win over the hearts of all the ladies in our office...and was such a welcome break for a frazzled mama.

This is C walking into a co-worker's office, pushing the door open & waving hello

Here is a great big cheers to only on more day of work this week...and then two {much needed} days off.

I Have A Confession To Make

Happy 2013 everyone! While you all were dressed to the nines, imbibing in yummy cocktails and having the best last night of the year, I was stuck at work. {Insert "feel sorry for myself" words here.}

Let's kick off 2013 with me just laying out all of my idiosyncrasies.... well at least one. This one is a real gem, let me tell you.

I'm a pretty normal girl for the most part. In fact, I'm as far from odd as anyone can be...

....except for one thing. I don't know exactly when or how it started, but I have a very strange habit. And really one I do without even giving it a second thought. It's actually quite embarrassing, because it makes no sense.

When I buy a new piece of clothing, put it on and confirm I'm going to keep it - I promptly discard of the tags behind the dresser in my bedroom. Seriously. I rip them off and throw them behind my dresser. And I don't know why I do it. 

It's not as though I don't have trash cans in the house....or even near by in the master bath, but I still do it. The other day, C was crawling around my room and I noticed he pulled a couple of old tags from behind the dresser. So, I took a look back there for myself and it is a massive pile of tags! And I'm talking a HUGE mess of discarded tags.

What is my problem? Why in the world do I do it? I myself have no idea. I'm thinking I need to be my own episode of that My Strange Addition show on TLC. I mean I'm not as bad as that guy who had a five-year intimate relationship with his car or the chick who had an addiction to eating dryer sheets, but I may be one tag away from pure crazy.

Anyone else do this, by chance? Anyone? Bueller....

{Please note: originally I was going to include a photo so you could get the whole idea, but I decided it was beyond mortifying, so you will need to enlist your little imaginations.}