High Five for Friday ...

05.24.2013

This was a pretty boring week. Just working, working out, and watching TV. Here are a few highlights.

1. Fun weekend! This past weekend I visited a friend, bought a new dress, went to the baseball game, went out for drinks, and celebrated my niece's 6th birthday. The pictures from my weekend can be found here.

2. I surprised A outside of her gymnastics class and we went to lunch. That kid gets cuter every day. Love her! Again I didn't have a mask, so I do not have a picture of her to share this week. 


3. Rental car for vacation was reserved this week! One step closer to relaxation!

4. Jess bought new Nike's. I am totally jealous! Of course the only other colors available are grey and orange. :( She always finds the best stuff first. 

Nike Flex Run 2013 

5. I wore dresses to work twice this week. Go me and my self-confidence! 

J. Crew Factory

What exciting things happened in your world this week? I want to know ... Post below. I am nosey like that. 

H54F with Lauren Elizabeth

Just a little randomness ...

05.21.2013

Since I don't have anything interesting to share, I thought sharing some silly questions and my answers would be funny if not entertaining.

1.You have ten dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station, what do you buy?
Nachos with chili and cheese, cherry Slurpee, peanut m&ms, and gummy life savers

2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be?
Dolphin. 

3. Who is your favorite redhead?
Gingers kind of scare me. (That's why I dye my strawberry blonde hair!)

4. What do you order when you are at IHOP?
Chocolate Chip pancakes.

5. Last book you read?
You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again - Heather McDonald

6. Describe your mood.
Calm. So far the day has not been too stressful.

7. Describe the last time you were injured?
Does a blister count? I don't think I have really had an injury lately. 
8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with?
Jess. That would be the funniest traumatic experience of my life. 

9. Rock concert or symphony?
Rock concert.

10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone?
B and A's Easter picture. 

11. Favorite soda?
Pepsi, but I will never turn down a Dr. Pepper.

12. What type of shirt are you wearing?
A light blue and navy polka dot baby doll top with a pink sweater. I pretty much love polka dots. 

13. If you could only use one form of transportation:
A luxury car with a driver. 

14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater?
Django. 

15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for.
My husband John Travolta (prior to his weird haircut phase) and my boyfriend Bradley Cooper. I am sure there are many more but I don't want to seem greedy! 

16. What is your favorite kind of cake?
Yellow with butter cream.

17. What did you have for dinner last night?
Burger King cheeseburger. 
18. Look to your left, what do you see?
Andrew's empty desk. Shh...Don't tell him, but I miss him. 

19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Chucks and my workout tennis shoes - No
20. Favorite toy as a child?
Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbies.

21. Do you buy your own groceries?
Ummm yes...I don't have a housekeeper.

22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
Yes, they probably do. But I can honestly say I don't really care anymore. 

23. When’s the last time you had gummy worms?
I can't even begin to remember. 

24. What’s your favorite fruit?
Strawberries or grapes.

25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel?
No.

26. Do you like running long distances?
No. I run like a freak and my boobs are too big. That is so funny for me to say!

27. Have you ever ate snow?
Yes.

28. What color are your bedsheets?
Burgundy.

29. Whats your favorite flower?
Sterling roses and lilies.


31. Do you listen to classical music?
Not usually.

32. What is the first TV theme song that pops in your head?
Saved by the Bell.

33. Do you watch SpongeBob?!
Not on purpose.

34. What temperature is it outside right now?
63 degrees. It looks like it might rain. 
35. Do people consider you smart?
Hell no. 

36. How many piercings do you have?
Ears-3
Belly button
Nose

37. Are you signed on AIM?
Nope.

38. Have you ever tried gluing your fingers together?
No.

39. How do you feel about your family?
Over all we are in a good place. The family that I talk to anyway. 

40. Do you have an iPod?
Yes.

41. What time do you go to bed?
When my eyes shut.

42. What CD is currently in your CD player?
Katy Perry. A would love to cruise in my car right now!

43. What movie do you know every line to?
Steal Magnolia's and I am starting to know all the lines in 'What's your number'. 

44. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Red French on the side at a restaurant or Orange French at home. 

45. What did you get for Christmas this year?
Ornaments, earrings, candle, and wine stemless wine glasses.

47. Do you like hugs?
Not really. I really do not like to be touched.  

48. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
Almost 7 years ago.

49. What is the way people most often mispronounce any part of your name?
If you can not pronounce Brandi you are slow.

50. Last person you hugged?
B. He wouldn't go to sleep without one last hug. Melts my heart!

Weekend Wrap-Up ...

05.20.2013

This was the busiest weekend I have had in a long time!

Saturday -
I visited with my friend Maggie, her husband, daughters L and V. V is the newest addition to their family. And absolutely adorable. L is so smart, funny and a great big sister. I can't wait to visit again. :)

Jess and I went to the Cardinals game. Unfortunately, we lost 6-4 to the Brewers in the 10th inning. But it was fun hanging out with Jess.

View from our seats. 

After the game, we went to a local pizza place for a friend of a friend's birthday. Here are a few pictures.

 Tony had a front row seat for the fight that broke out amongst some drunk girls.

 My beer is bigger than Tony's tiny beer. 

 Malibu and Diet anyone? 

I do not remember what was so funny, but I couldn't stop laughing. 

Sunday - 

My niece M turned SIX! I can't believe she is six years old already. M had a great day swimming and flying kites with her brother N. Someone needs to teach my brother how to grill though. Burnt hot dogs are nasty! 

 I normally would only post pictures of my nieces and nephews in masks for safety reasons. 

However, this picture is of 6 month old M. She doesn't look like this anymore. 

I forgot to bring masks, so unfortunately I will not post any of the party pictures other than the table scape. Do you think she likes princesses?!

I hope your weekend was as fun as mine!

High Five for Friday ...

05.17.2013

1. Bring the Heat ... My friend Tony recently bought a house and invited all his people over for a party. I had the best time.

Tony and I

 

2. I wore a dress! And felt GREAT in it! I have lost 2lbs. No where near my goal, but it is a start. I can see a change in myself ... physically and mentally. I am a lot happier.

This is the  Old Navy dress I wore.

 

3. Great talks. Much needed talks.

4. Team Outing! Service Engagement was treated to a Cards game.

Unfortunately we lost 5-2. :(

 

5. Beautiful Earrings! I ordered these gorgeous earrings this week for a wedding.

May Earrings - The Dotted Poppy

 

Anything exciting or awesome happen in your world this week. I want to know ... Post below. I am nosy like that.

H54F with Lauren Elizabeth





 







Tuna Salad Recipe ...

05.14.2013

I thought I would share a yummy summer recipe with my readers.

Tuna Salad

 

2-3 cups Medium Shell Noodles

6 cups water

dash of salt

2 can Albacore White Tuna in water

4-5 heaping teaspoons of Mayo (I use Miracle Whip)

3 heaping teaspoons of Pickle Relish

Ritz Crackers

 

Bring water to a rolling boil. Add salt and noodles. Continue to boil as directed on the noodle package.

While noodles are boiling; drain tuna. Break up tuna with a fork in a medium bowl. Add mayo and relish. Mix well.

Drain noodles and pour into medium bowl. Mix well.

Serve with Ritz crackers.

Refrigerate leftovers.

 

If you are like me, summer is not the time to have the oven on! This is a go to for me. It is great the first night as it is a little warm. I like to put it on the crackers like a "dip". The next day it is even better! It is cold and the flavor is great!

 

 

"Final farewell" ...

05.13.2013

Tonight was a great evening to take a walk around the lake and have wonderful conversations with my lil sis, Shannon. Shannon is taking the leap into married bliss in September and moving to Indiana where her fiancée currently resides.  This is one of the last times we will see each other before she leaves on her new life journey.

The lake at Sunset

Although I am happy for where her life is taking her, I can't say that I won't miss her. It is sad to think that soon she will only be a phone call away, but there will not be dinners at Panera and 54th Street Grill or walks around the lake. 

Good luck with all the final details of your wedding Shannon and Matt! 

Weekend Wrap-Up ...

05.12.2013

These are Tony's Bring the Heat housewarming and birthday party pictures in no particular order ...

 25 (Richie), never caught his name, and Jason

 Andrew - Cool as ever

 Charles and I (Hi Charles! - He follows my blog now)

 Charles praying I start to understand the card game. - I eventually did, then they stopped playing.

 Awful drunk pic of myself and Chris. (You might know him from previous blog posts as Mikey from The Goonies)

 Holly and Jason

 Jason and I

 Jason, Charles, and never caught his name

 Tony's present - It's coasters I made. Here's how to make them

 Jason took this pic of me. Not totally hating it.

 Allie and Sam - He made the best chocolate chip cookies like EVER!

 This is prior to my drinking adventure.

 Tony and Andrew - Yes his shirt does say "Lettuce Turnip the Beet"

 Sushi Sam and I

 Tony and I

 The night winding down.

Holly and I (My expression is weird to say the very least)

 

I did not get a single picture of my new friend Nick. I love him and his fiance! They are awesome guys and I wish them a lifetime of happiness! NOH8!!!

 

Today is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's reading my blog. You are all special ladies that deserve a day devoted to you. A special Mother's Day wish to Doreen and Jess. Doreen without you I wouldn't have a "mom". You are simply amazing. Jess you make motherhood look so easy. B and A are the luckiest kids in the world to have you. I love you both with all that I am.