Day saved by one fine man and some yummy popcorn

Yesterday started off somewhat rough but ended pretty well.  So let me start from the beginning.  I have to take this yearly exam every October for training/work.  I have known about this exam since forever because I have taken it every October (for the past 3 years).  Although it's in my field each year, the questions are different. 

Each year I take it I vow that I will study extremely hard for it the next year.  I usually walk out of the test saying "wow, that wasn't so bad.  If had studied I would have done great."  Let me just say that this is not a test that you just study the night before for.  It would take months of preparation.  Needless to say, being the procrastinator that I am I don't prepare in advance.  It's difficult for me to prepare for something that seems soooo far away!

Anyway, I woke up early the morning of the test and tried to cram some facts in my brain.  I "overstudied" (meaning I wasn't paying attention to the time and was almost late for the test).  That would not have been good.  I took the first part, had a break, then took the second part.  Wait, I failed to mention is that I got a visit from mother nature during the first part of the test (which really sucked) and I was cramping so much during the second part.

When the test was over I could hardly wait to get home to see my honey.  All I could think about was getting home and giving him a big hug.  It's so good to have a way to de-stress after a  challenging day.  On my way home by husband text me to not stop to look around the house when I got home.  He told me to go straight upstairs.  I figure he had something up his sleeve but I didn't know what it was.

He arrived home and I was so happy to see him.  When I got downstairs he showed me a huge can of popcorn.  I got even happier.  This was not just any popcorn.  This was gourmet popcorn from Garrett's in Chicago.  It is so good.  We visited Chicago for the first time for a friend's wedding this past May and we overindulged in the popcorn.  I don't even like popcorn that much but this is not your regular popcorn.  We loved it so much we even brought some back  (2 large bags) on the airplane with us.

I have been meaning to have my friend send us some and I drool every time I visit Garrett's website.  I never got around to asking her (of course not, I'm a procrastinator and I'm forgetful).  And I never ordered from their website because it's expensive including shipping.  I remember my honey asking me a few weeks ago what I thought about him wasting $61 on something.  I told him that it was fine especially since both of us work our butt's off.  At the time I didn't know what he was buying.

I am so glad he got that popcorn.  After a challenging day I had my favorite man and my favorite popcorn.   What a great ending!

Picture credit

Mrs. K

Confession: I'm not a fan of fall

 I hear everyone around me chirping in excitement because it's fall. They are looking forward to the holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I must admit that I'm a bit jealous because I don't share the same sentiment.

Now don't get me wrong. I love the fall foliage. And I don't mind wearing fall and winter clothing (especially the scarves and boots). I also love sipping on hot chocolate, chai latte or caramel apple cider (with extra whipped cream on top).



Great Smoky Mountains 2009



Right now, I can't think about too much more that I like about this season. I don't like being cold and no matter how many layers I wear I can't get warm.  I've noticed that I'm less productive during these months.  The days are shorter which makes me feel like I don't have enough hours to do "stuff." 

I've noticed these feelings for a while now but kept them private because I didn't want to "pop anyone's bubble" around me. I mean I don't get depressed but I'm definitely not as chipper as I usually am in the spring or summer. I tend to start perking up after the holidays and the new year.

I wish I could just get under a nice warm blanket and hibernate until the first week of January. Of course I would like to take a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with me under the blanket with extra whipped cream (and have access to unlimited refills).  But, I can't so I've decided to make the best of it. I will join in the festivities while yearning for spring in my heart.

How about you?  What kind of mood does this time of year put you in?  If it's good, send some of it my way, please!  What time of year are you at your best?  What are you looking forward to most this fall/winter?  How do you stay productive when it's so cold that you can barely move?  Ok, so I live in the South so it doesn't get that cold for the average person but I'm not normal--below 78 degrees F is getting too cool for me!

Today, I'm linking my post to Ms. Baby Plan's Thoughtful Wednesdays.  Although my post is not necessarily thoughtful, these are my thoughts :)

Mrs. K

More Blog Awards...Yay

This week I have received 3 blog awards: The Versatile Blogger, the Stylish Blogger Award, and the One Lovely Blog Award (which I also received not too long ago from Ms. Baby Plan).  I feel so honored and I am very appreciative of Tye from  Diary of Chic Mommy.  Tye is a beautiful military wife and mother of two whose blog mainly focuses on beauty and fashion.  Check her out, she's got some neat info on her blog.  She describes herself as "energetic, outgoing and charismatic" which emanates through her blog.

Here are the logos for the awards:

Now for the rules for winning these awards

• Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass the award along to 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and you think are fabulous.
• Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award.

Seven Things About Me: (Check out my "about me" section where you'll find some more)

1) I'm married to my best friend--one very sweet and good looking man.

2) I'm a Christian and proud!

3) No children at present but I want 4 and hubby wants 6 (but I don't know about all that) :)

4) I find humor in everything (or try to).  Sometimes this gets me in trouble as you can imagine

5) I love my job but I don't like it on Thursdays.  Check out my "Dear Thursday" label.

6) I have an awesome extended family on my side and my husband's side so our future children will be blessed with all the love and support.

7) I'm a type A personality and a hard working person but I'm definitely not cut throat.  I don't think I need to be.  My work speaks for itself without me having to cut someone else down to move ahead.

15 Other Bloggers who I think are really neat and deserves the Stylish Blogger Award):
Tea and Honey Bread 

A Mama With Flavor

P.E.A.C.E 

Creole Wisdom 

I Am Mama 

Life.Love&Marriage 

Fashion, Art and Other Fancies 

Ms Baby Plan 

Execumama 

Making Mrs Mauritz 

Tipa Tipa 

A-musing 

Baby Making Machine 

The Prissy Mommy Chronicles 

Introducing Misses Pancakes 

15 Other Bloggers who I think are really neat and deserves the Versatile Blogger Award):
The Daily Life of Me

Real Talk

What I Did Today

Happy Nappy Bride 

Don't Get Excited...It's Just Me

Quiskaeya

Green Beans and Little Things

Redbabe's Cozy Corner

Marlie and Me

Being Mrs Jones

Motivation Mama Drama

Life, After the Aisle

Just Another Day with MrsTDJ

The RedHead Riter

My Brown Baby

I've already given the One Lovely Blog Award away a few weeks ago.

I think that was 15 each.  Woo--that was tiring BUT fun!  I'll contact the above mentioned ladies soon to let them know about their distinguished awards. LOL.  Thanks again to Tye for the awards!

Mrs. K

So what if the Florida Gators lost to Alabama.

I've mentioned in a previous post that I'm a big college football fan.  I cheer for the Florida Gators (my alma mater) even when we are losing.  Alabama whooped our tail last weekend but I'm remaining hopeful. And I still stand proud--to be a Florida Gator.  

IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR. YES, IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR (I'm singing this while doing the famous Gator chomp).

I'm hoping that we can still go to the SEC championship since our chances of going to the BCS championship is nil.  We play LSU today and I hope we kick their butt.  They almost lost to Tennessee but now they are ranked higher than us.  Boo!

Anyway, I want Coach Meyer to switch things up a little bit for the LSU game.  Brantley has a lot of talent but I don't think we will see it too much this year because our offensive line needs a lot of work.  I hope Coach Meyer puts Burton in more because he seems more versatile.  I guess I'll just have to wait too see what happens.

Ben Hill Griffin (Gator) Stadium aka The Swamp: I took my younger siblings here this past summer.   I attempted (but failed) to unbiasedly have them check out some of the Florida colleges since they are soon approaching time to make their choices of universities they will attend.

For me, one of the best things about fall is college football!

Mrs. K

Shhh....Come closer I gotta tell you a secret.

Picture credit

First you have to promise you wont tell a sole.  Do you promise?  Pinky swear? Ok then, I'll tell you.  Come closer I have to whisper. 

So here it is.  I have a wicked sweet tooth.  Yes, it is so ridiculous.  This is nothing new of course.  I've been this way since forever.  I'm writing about this because last night I was reminded of this.  I'm actually cracking up as I write about how ridiculous it is.

Alright, so my husband and I went to the gym last night.  After getting back I had the biggest sweets craving I've had in a long time.  Knowing that I love sweets and I have absolutely no self control I never buy sweets or junk food.  If you visit our home we almost never have any cookies, chips, ice cream, etc. 

I started rummaging through the cabinets and refrigerator hoping and praying I would find something sweet but came up with nothing.  I was so disappointed but too lazy to go back out to get something.  I had to do something to satisfy my craving or I thought I was going to die, yes die!

This is what I did.  I'm so ashamed to say it but I have to confess.  While searching through the cabinets I came across can of sweet condensed milk.  I opened the can and you would never guess what I did next.  I got two slices of wheat bread (the only thing I could find) and spread some condensed milk on each slice like butter.  

I could not eat the first slice fast enough.  It was so good but by the time I got to the second slice reality hit me and I was like "what the heck am I eating?"  I started cracking up then proceeded to finish the second slice.  As crazy at it seemed I got the sugar fix I was looking for.  

I slept so well last night thanks to a can of condensed milk and two slices of wheat bread.

Mrs. K

10 Years Ago Today

Ten years ago my husband and I officially started dating.   We met a few days before and decided to spend the rest of our lives together.  So much for becoming good friends first before dating.  We were both young and in our freshman year of college. 

I remember going off to college and being very serious about changing the world.  My family drilled it in my head since forever that the way to do this was through education.  When I got to the University of Florida I was determined to be buried in my books and to not have a boyfriend.  I thought this would be an easy task since I never had a boyfriend before. Boy was I was fooled.

I met this wonderful country boy with ocean blue eyes, looks to kill and charm that was even more dangerous.  I fell in love and I'm still in love with this man.

Everything is etched in my memory so clearly.  Those were the good old days but now the days are even better.  I look forward to 10 more years, no actually an infinite number of years.

Thankfully I have been able to stay on track (fulfilling my career dreams) while sharing life on this earth with my best friend.

Here are some photos to guide you down memory lane.  Some of them are poor quality because I had to take a picture of the older ones with my digital camera.  I was too lazy to scan the pre-digital camera ones.

Two pix from freshman year in college as boyfriend/girlfriend.  We were all dressed up to go out.

The top right pic is of him showing me how to take a booty pic my freshman year (outside my dorm).

Bottom left pic is me in my apartment (which I shared with 3 roomies) 2nd year of college.

He gave me my first dog in college.  Well it was my first real pet outside of goldfish and koi.

Our first ski trip together in 2005 (somewhere in Indiana).

Mrs. K

This weekend

This...

Dress that I got that was too big for me from a consignment store.  I liked it and I couldn't leave it (especially for the cost).  Hopefully it will be ready by my husband's early summer graduation.  Well, I know it will be ready by then.  I just hope that I'm the one doing the alterations.

Inspired me to get this...

Kingston Precision Vintage Sewing Machine--it was barely over $20 but I thought it would be a good one to practice with.  I know that it looks pretty raggedy but I think it has a lot of character.  And it works! I may spruce it up a little as a hobby in the future--we'll see.  Also, hopefully I can sew some cute baby accessories with it one day in the future.  Who knows!

So this is the reason I have not posted much this weekend...

Trying to teach myself to use this grandmother of a sewing machine.  Notice the sticky notes (labels) on it so I can learn the different parts.  I'm trying to learn the basics and build my way up to being an expert.  Yah, right!  I've been researching the entire weekend.  I've given it a few test runs without much success but I'm not giving up (yet).

If you have any pearls on how to use this thing I would greatly appreciate it.  Send all your sewing tips/ideas this way.  By the way, that awful green color thread came with the machine.  I didn't buy it.

Mrs. K