Need Inspiration

I’ve found myself recently lacking ideas for things to blog about. Not that anyone really reads my blog anyhow, but still…I said I was going to try and write at least one post a week, and clearly, that has not happened.

So, for lack of better things to share, here’s what’s new.

I completed my first half marathon. (You probably already know that if you’re reading this tho, since I couldn’t stop talking about it all last week!) It was a great experience. I had some serious doubts about my ability to run the entire thing, so it felt great to actually do it. And there are some really funny photos of me running. Maybe I’m not as graceful as I thought. Regardless of my bad form, I’m now sporting a new 13.1 bumper sticker. It’s pink, as per usual. Next half marathon is in May. Maybe my goal can be to beat my previous time, rather than just crossing the finish line!

Matt and I are headed to Mexico soon. I know we just went on our honeymoon, but we have lots of plans this summer so we decided to go on vacation sooner, than later. Plus, after the outage (sort of the equivalent to a security audit) at the Power Plant, I know Matt has got to be ready to get away. Personally, I’m really looking forward to some scuba diving!! Matt is even going to take a beginner course. I hope he likes it as much as me!

Over the past weekend, Matt and I spent some time fixing up the front yard. If you’ve been to my house, you know that all the lawns look dead on our street. There is continuous sunlight on the front side of my house, so keeping anything alive (including the tree) has proven rather difficult. We specifically asked the woman at a local nursery for plants that will be able to survive the intense sun (and the black –not green-- thumb I inherited from my mom). Right now, the yard looks good, and I actually really enjoyed gardening…hopefully the plants and my enjoyment makes it through the summer.

On another note, Matt is about to tackle crown molding. I’m SO excited. I think it is really going to take our house up a notch. With a little help from his dad and uncle, we’re hoping it goes smoothly…. If all goes well, maybe we can demolish our problematic bathroom and put in a giant rain shower?! (That might be overly optimistic wishful thinking.)

Other exciting news…all worthy of exclamation points…

Christine is coming soon! (I get to meet Oscar!)
Megan is going to have a baby!
Tasha is getting married!
Shelly got a cool new job!

Funfetti!

Everyone loves Funfetti cake! (If you don’t, then just stop reading because FunFetti cake is pretty much the best.) I recently discovered Funfetti Oreos, which I thought were pretty fantastic as well. I did have a few differing opinions on them, but since this is my blog, and I thought they were fantastic, I’m going with it.

However, if you haven’t tried real Funfetti cookies, you’re really missing out. I feel like these cookies are little hidden gem. So if you haven’t had them, you should treat yourself and try them! They are super tasty and the recipe is right on the side of the cake mix box.

Pillsbury had this great photo, so I decided to add it in so you could see how yummy they look!

Best Dad, Ever!

It’s funny how the minute I set foot in my parent’s house, I revert back to my teenage self. Somehow, my ability to pick up after myself disappears, I need someone to make food for me and I expect someone to be waiting up for me when I come in at night. After a weekend at my parents, it amazes me that I can still function as an adult in “real life.”

I was already planning to head up to my parents house this weekend (I do that a lot when Matt works nights) so when I found myself needing help making a bean bag toss for a work event, I knew exactly who to ask for help. After a quick briefing on what I needed to be done, dad and I headed up to the Home Depot to get the supplies we (I use the term loosely, since he did most of the work) needed to do my new project.

Being that my dad is really good woodwork projects, I knew this simple project would be a breeze for him. Only took him a few hours to put together this nifty children’s game. I must say, he did a great job!

Dad putting together the game :)

He sent me home to do the painting myself…hopefully after a few more coats it will look really good!

I'm not the best painter... haha

Lacing Up…Let the Countdown Begin!

So, if you don’t already know…I’ve signed up to run a half marathon this spring!  I’m really excited to be training for a longer, more intense race, but honestly it’s hard to stay motivated this time of year.  During the fall it was easy to go out and run.  Coming out of the humid summer months, going out for a 4 mile run was no big deal.  The days were still fairly long and the weather was beautiful.  Now that we’re in the middle of winter (and yes, I know it hasn’t been too bad) I am really finding it hard to go out and run more than a mile or two.  Maybe on a weekend I can force myself to go out and run further, but after work, it’s just not happening.  I have found myself really procrastinating those long runs…it’s ok, I can get to it next week.  But here I am, less than 2 months out, and I’m totally not ready!!  I know I still have time, but it’s becoming a little nerve racking!

The race is on St. Patty’s day (the most awesome fun holiday ever!) so I think it’s time to start a double count down. 

Regardless of how I do at the race… only 43 days until it’s time for a Green Beer!

Hello of Shame

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has decided they didn’t like someone (pretty much for no reason) and then realized some time down the road that maybe their initial judgment was off base.  I find myself in that situation.  A few years ago I decided I didn’t like someone, and although at the time all of my feelings seemed perfectly justified, now I just feel silly.  The worst part? She actually seems really nice…

So I find myself in that awkward situation, where I have to introduce myself to someone (who is very aware of how I feel about her) and basically apologize for being rude and obnoxious for the past several years for no apparent reason.  I keep asking myself is this is just another fun part of being an adult, you know, fixing mistakes you made when you were younger…but I have a feeling (especially with my personality) that I should just try and learn from the situation and remember it next time I  jump to conclusions about someone I don’t even know.

So here’s what I’m thinking “Hi, I’m Erin. I’m not sure we ever actually met, but I wanted to apologize for being a total B for the past few years…”  I can’t imagine this is going to be fun, haha.

One More Wedding!

How could I forget?! There is another very special wedding this year! My long time friend, Kate is marrying her boyfriend (now fiancé) Marshall! Kate is an amazing photographer and a really creative individual, I'm so excited to see the photos of her big day!

2012 – Exciting Things are Coming!

It’s funny how life changes so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday we were all graduating from high school, and now look how much has changed.  2012 is just starting but somehow I’m already so excited for all of the fantastic things that are coming this year!  It’s only January, and already I know three people who are getting married (or at least got engaged!) in 2012.  One of my very special girl friends, Tasha, is getting married to my college friend Ryan.  I’m so excited to be  bridesmaid in their wedding!  Matt’s friend Mike is marrying his perfect match, Kelly and Matt’s other great friend Chad, just proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Becca.  Now, you might say I’m a sap for love, but my goodness all this happiness just makes me giddy! I can’t wait to celebrate with all my friends! Oh…and if you know the song… “first comes love, then comes marriage….” I can imagine that at least someone will have a baby in 2012. I mean 2011 had three new babies, so I’m sure 2012 will have at least one too. (For the record, I’m not preggers!)