Lazy Sunday

I think I mentioned that Matt and I are starting to make some friends out here in WV.  Today I hung out with a girl that I met at David's Bridal.  Her name is Riikka and she's from Finland.  Pretty cool if I do say so myself.  We love talking about cultural differences/life in general and it is crazy how much we have in common.  The even crazier thing?  We're the same age and both married, and when we decided to hang out with our husbands...we realized just how similar they were too.  (remind me to get her to tell her love story on here one day...it's too cute.)  Matt went with Kelly (Riikka's husband) to watch golf all day today and Riikka and I soaked up the rays at the pool and spent some quality time with their new puppy, Lilly.  What a relaxing Sunday!

Finding happiness in an "unscheduled" Saturday

What an awesome day.  Seriously.  I guess it all started last night.  Matt and I realized that we didn't have anything planned for this weekend.  After getting our wedding DVD in the mail and taking some time to re-live those already-two-months-old memories we decided on the spur of the moment to grab a pizza from a local place by the marina, a bottle of wine, and head on down to the boat.  We rode in to the city where we dropped anchor and listened to the live music while enjoying dinner and each other's company.  (After dinner I took a nap on the boat, sorry to ditch you Matt...shocking to anyone reading this?  Not at all.)

This was the first Saturday since we've been married where we literally had nothing planned.  Matt slept in until 10am which was awesome for him since he usually can't sleep much past 7:30.  We laid on the couch all morning saying "as soon as this episode is over, we're getting up" followed quickly by "o.k...one more episode".  And then it quickly turned in to "if we don't get outside in the next 10 minutes I'm going to go crazy".  If you're curious about what we were watching it was a marathon of these shows.

I like to dream up diy (do-it-yourself) projects, and Matt likes to build/make things so this show is a perfect balance that keeps both of us entertained!

After our marathon T.V watching, we were clearly exhausted and needed a break at the pool.  I slept read and Matt played Words With Friends on the Ipad.  Oh that game is so addicting!  If you're currently in a game with Matt and it says you are winning, it is because I've been playing.  If you're in a game with him and losing, it's because Matt was playing.  (haha...just kidding...well kind of.)

The rest of the afternoon was spent looking for throw pillows for the apartment (my newest obsession - I'll post pics sometime in the near future), finding a wakeboard for Matt (thank God Gander Mountain had an end of the season clearance bin...those things are crazily expensive) and there was the necessary stop at Sam's Club.  (Because didn't you know that once you get married, all of the sudden you have to start shopping in bulk?)  Sarcasm my friends...

Finally we ended the night with dinner and a movie.  Matt grilled some steaks (yum!) then we headed out to see Horrible Bosses.  Not the best movie ever.  While pretty funny/amusing the language was a little over the top (great now I sound like I'm 85 years old).  I had the same feeling after I saw Love and Other Drugs.  While I loved that movie, I thought the nakedness (like that word?) was a little over-done.

Anyways...Matt's going to bed excited tonight because
1) we're making new friends out in WV and
2) One of these new friends has asked Matt to join him tomorrow as they go watch some golf at the Greenbrier Classic.

Looks like Sunday is shaping up to be a crafty-day for me!  (Maybe with a little pool thrown in there)

Interview

I haven't said much about the job I'm interviewing for today because

1) I really want it and I don't want to jinx it (great, even mentioning it on this blog makes me think I'm doomed...)

2) I really don't think I'll get it because of my lack of experience (the one thing they focused on in the job description)

Anyways...Last night Matt and I went to a West Virginia Power game so that I could keep my mind off of how nervous I was!

Now this morning I'm suitin' up (in my new dress that I got from BCBG - isn't it crazy how much more confident you look and professional you feel when you have a great outfit?) and I'm off!  Prayers are welcome!  :)

After the interview I have visitors to look forward to!  My Dad's Brother's family travels to Kentucky each year and our apartment happens to now be almost the exact middle of the trip for them!  Can't wait to have family drop by for a little visit this afternoon!

So excited

 I can't wait to get started on my new craft project...here's a sneak peak...

Hopefully I'll get it finished this weekend so we'll have a post to update you one the final product next week!

House Rules

Just wanted to take a minute to update you on my current read.

This book is about a single mom raising two sons, one of which has asperger syndrome.  I've just recently started this book, but I'm already hooked.

After reading the first few chapters, I started to think about some of the "House Rules" that Matt and I have developed through these first weeks of marriage.  Maybe you'll get as good of a laugh as I do when I read over this list.  You can just imagine the fights that we've had that have lead to these rules!

1) I cook, you clean.

2) You cook, I clean.

3) I work late, you take care of dinner.

4) You work late, I take care of dinner.

5) Last one out of the bed, makes it...no questions asked.

Last, but not least...and definitely my favorite...

6) If someone trips...you must ask if they are o.k before laughing.

Would love some suggestions of "house rules" that everyone else has...we can use all of the help we can get!

:)

WV Sunsets

We've been lucky enough recently to see sunsets while we're on the boat in the evenings.  The other night the view was amazing.  Here are some good shots that I got!!

I can't believe it is over :(

We just got back from vacation yesterday and had such a great week!

(Sorry for the lack of blog posts...but I was staying true to the "vacation" theme!)

Here is a quick look at what we were up to this past week...

VACATION!!!

Yesterday was the unofficial start of vacation!  I talked Matt into going with me to see this movie that I've read about and been dying to see.  It is called Midnight in Paris and after reassuring Matt I wasn't taking him to see the adult movie that Paris Hilton was in, he decided to accompany me!  Unfortunately it is not well-known so many theaters aren't showing it :(  We happened to find an old movie place in downtown Charleston!

Think major art-history/humanities nerds + underdeveloped love story...right up my alley!!!

(Matt admitted to liking it too, after every person was introduced I made it a point to clarify who they were...don't worry, he recognized the key players like Picasso and Hemingway.)

Today we're off to a concert in the thriving metropolis of Bluefield, WV.  I'm pretty excited because Matt and I have never been to a concert with just the two of us!  Yay for new adventures!  This is who we'll get to see...

Once the concert is over we're going to do something very out of character for us.  We've decided to drive until we get tired (slash find a hotel that doesn't look like it is out of a horror film) and stay the night.  Sunday morning we'll get up and complete the drive to Hilton Head Island, SC.  It's shaping up to be an amazing week with Matt's entire family.  I cherish these memories that we make here each year and know that his nieces and nephews will always have these great childhood memories.  I'm so happy to be a part of them!

Reconnecting

Sometimes routines work...like the one we're in where I always cook and Matt always does the dishes.

Sometimes routines suck...like this week where Matt left every morning by 6:30am so when he got home at night he was ready to eat dinner and be asleep by 9pm.  I usually stayed up till 11ish and would retreat to a bedroom where Matt was sawing logs...lay there for over an hour until I'd get a good 5 minutes without loud snoring in my ear so I could drift off.  Yesterday when I got home from work (since Matt was home much earlier than I was) I came home to an emptied dishwasher, washed clothes, and he had packed himself for the beach!!!  Then last night Matt decided to stay up past his bedtime (haha...love you Matt) and we used a coupon for a free on-demand movie rental (the closest thing we've come to a date night) and decided on...

We're trying to see the movies that were up for so many awards.  First was The King's Speech, then 127 hours, next up are True Grit and Black Swan.  Maybe we'll see them in the next few years.  We liked the movie, moral of the story...we'll always let each other know where we are!

The Dining Room

In an attempt to tie together the table (light yellows/blues) with the shelves (dark iron) I set out to find some things in the yellow family to put on the shelves.

I Freaking Love You

The other day when Shannon and Susie were in town, we decided to spend one afternoon at the mall!  Davis loved it and we even took him into his first photobooth!!!

Progress

Yesterday that toothache was so bad (and had been for almost a week) that we set the appointment for this morning.  On my way to the dentist today I noticed that my back teeth could touch (first time this has happened in about a week).  When the dentist came in to see me, I told her the good news.  She let me know that since that is a little sign of progress, she didn't want to go ahead with surgery because she thinks I may be able to heal on my own.  She also pointed out that I had a crazy/busy weekend and then finally took a little down time on Monday so it was not a coincidence that the day I see the most progress followed the day that I relaxed and let my mouth heal the most.  Interesting concept (see post...SLOW DOWN) haha  :)

Today was a bit of laundry, getting fingerprints at the police station (are you as curious as I hope you are...details at a later date), grocery shopping, decorating, and mostly not talking and letting my mouth do a little more healing.  Still on a soft diet (yuck) and taking pain meds, prescription strength mouthwash, and amoxicillin.

(Can you see why I took so long to blog?  Not exactly my most exciting day ever)

Holy Toothache!!!

I mentioned sometime last week (maybe Friday?) that I was having some tooth pain.  After calling 50 dentists in the area (most people close early on Friday) and finding one that could "fit me in" and that took our insurance I was off to get my problem looked at.  Yikes!  I have all 4 of my wisdom teeth and I had enough room to accommodate them all.  Now one of my bottom ones is giving me trouble.  Without getting too graphic...basically my gums are so swollen around that one tooth that I am not able to close my mouth because then my top teeth hit gum (ouch) and not the bottom teeth like they should.  I'm 3 days into my yogurt/slimfast/soup diet and oh my gosh am I craving some solid food!!!  When I left the dentist on Friday she gave me all sorts of medications in hopes that the gum swelling would go down...that hasn't been the case.  She said if the meds didn't work then the next step is oral surgery.  (If you really know me, you know that the last time I got a finger prick and flu shot...I cried.)  Obviously I was thrilled at the mention of surgery.

Poor Matt has had to deal with me writhing in pain the past few days because not only does the inside of my mouth hurt, but the entire side of my face is constantly throbbing and I've had terrible headaches too.  I had to call out at work today because I'm in so much pain/can't really talk without hurting my mouth.  I hate calling out sick to work, I only did it once in the 3 years I worked at David's Bridal in Richmond now 2 weeks in to this job and I'm forced to do it already.  Anyways, hopefully I'll get to talk to the dentist today (I've already called 10 times and it has gone to voicemail) and we can see what the next step is going to be.  Matt and I leave for vacation (with his family) this Saturday so I'm hoping to get something done this week!

Another Recipe!

I don't claim to be an amazing cook or anything, but this is one of my most requested dishes...and whenever I make it, I ALWAYS have someone ask for the recipe!  So here it is!!!

(Sorry for the generic posts this weekend, but real-time blogging just doesn't fit in to the schedule when we're at home visiting with family and friends!!!)

New Wine

Yum!  I must tell everyone about this wine that we tried the other night!  While the guys headed to the casino, the girls (and Davis too) stayed back to enjoy a nice glass of wine and some girl time!

Here is the description from the website

"'Two parts real Washington grown apples, one part natural peach essence, a dash of artful blending and a pinch of domestic charm…you haven’t been this happy since your first easy bake oven. One glass will send you right back to grandma’s kitchen and the sweet smell of homemade apple pie. Pleasing as peach cobbler and refreshing as a cool glass of Riesling on a warm summer evening, Sweet Pea is ripe with golden delicious apple flavors, hints of peachy sweetness and a crisp, clean finish. Who says housewives have to be desperate?"

SLOW DOWN

I keep having to remind myself to slow down a bit.  Everyday I have a to-do list a mile long and I can't bring myself to just stop and have a little down time.  This past week Matt has been in Cleveland and I've been home in WV all alone.  Literally...alone.  I now know what Matt was feeling all last year, and trust me...it ain't fun.  Woke up this morning with the worst toothache I've ever had.  (Probably because I've never had one before).  And most dentist offices are closed on Friday.  Finally found one that could fit me in!  I love this dentist she's so nice!  I'll be on meds all weekend, but if I'm not healed by the middle of next week...oral surgery it is!  I have inflamed gums around my wisdom teeth!  yuck!!!  Enough about that...

In an attempt to not feel lonely, I run errand after errand after work (yes, I've started working at David's Bridal here in Charleston until I get a "big girl" job).  I've also found the thought of laying in bed alone and not being able to fall asleep terrifying so I go go go until about 1:30am and by the time I get in bed, I literally pass out immediately from exhaustion.  To say I've been productive the past few days is an understatement.  I organized the shelf above the washer and dryer.  (You're welcome, Matt...now you don't have to wedge yourself behind the washing machine when something falls).

I also found it in my heart to organize the junk drawer (You're welcome, again, Matt)  :)

And another thing...
            I felt bad about the junk drawer because I thought I was the only person who put stuff in it...
NOT THE CASE...Matt, do you really think we need 1212332497 wet naps from Buffalo Wild Wings?

I've sorted important receipts, gutted/cleaned/threw away leftovers in the fridge, done 6 (not exaggerating) loads of laundry, printed close to 1000 wedding pictures (organized them and put them in albums), etc...yet I still won't let myself take a break.  I now know why adults love vacation so much.  I can't wait to get away from the ever present list of stuff that "has" to get done.

Oh...and I've decided I'm going to be the person who has to clean their apartment from top to bottom before leaving for vacation...the thought of coming home to a messy house will literally bother me the entire time we're gone!  haha

P.S - I can't wait for Matt to get home today!!!!  Then we're off to Richmond for another wedding weekend!

Congrats Jamie and Trevor!
Here is a picture of the happy couple that is getting married this weekend, taken at our wedding!

My recent projects

Mom and Dad

My parents visited the other weekend (mainly they came in town to pick up my sisters who had spent the week with us).  Just thought I would take the time to show you some of my favorite highlights from the trip.  My sisters loved getting them on the tubes!

What a weekend!

Recent blog posts were all scheduled because I knew that I wouldn't have time to actually sit down and blog each day.  Since Friday we've been so busy and loved every minute of it!  4 of our best friends from college came in town!

All of the boys are fraternity brothers and we're so lucky because all of the wives have become great friends too!  We all have the best time when we are together and it's great when the guys go do stuff on their own, because then we get some girl time too!  Here are the 6 of us at our wedding!

Here are some highlights from the last few days!

Getting some quality time with sweet baby Davis!

Matt loves getting Davis smiles!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Taking the boat out for the 4th!

The boys cleaning the boat.

A lazy afternoon on the river!

Lunch at the Barge.  We docked the boat right where we ate!

We had a great weekend with amazing friends!

More Vinyl

I saw these vinyl clings on a blog that I read.  Unfortunately this blog isn't selling vinyl over the summer so I set out on Etsy.com and found these!    MustardSeedDream

You can personalize them and order in different colors or fonts.  This is what mine look like!

Cooking

I don't claim to make amazing desserts...definitely nothing close to what my sister can do!  I do, however; love to try to make something yummy every now and then.  Not always pretty but definitely delicious!

For my bridal shower my Mom's best friend gave me a cookbook of all of her favorite recipes.  I love this gift because it is so personalized and I've found it very useful!  Thanks Becky!!!

When my Mom, Dad and sisters were in town the other day, I knew that I would have to make the recipe for the coconut cake because there is no way Matt and I could eat an entire cake by ourselves. (and my Mom loves coconut)

First you bake a white cake (I used a box) then right after you take it out of the oven you poke holes all over it (using a fork) and pour half of a can of coconut cream directly over the hot cake.  Take the other half of the canned coconut cream and mix it with 1 8 ounce container of cool whip (thawed).  After the cake has cooled you ice it with the cool whip mixture.  The recipe calls to cover the cake with shredded coconut but I knew less people in my family would eat it if I did that so I left that part off.  I also cooked it in 2 circle cake pans and cut the cream of coconut in fourths rather than making one big sheet cake.

I really don't like coconut, and my sisters don't either.  We all managed to devour this cake though.  The taste wasn't too strong and it was the perfect light dessert!  Yum!!!

Visitors!

Yet again, we have visitors this weekend!  4 of our best friends are here (and one baby Davis).  This is the most visitors we've had in WV so far and to say we're excited is an understatement!  Matt spent all Friday singing really anxious for everyone to get here!

Exciting things are happening at the Mantiply apartment this weekend including...

turning our dining room into another spare bedroom!

I also love the smell of fresh flowers and am hoping to always have them when we get visitors!

Cooking

MMmmm...

Matt and I became slightly obsessed with banana pancakes on our honeymoon.  They were so fresh and delicious.  I knew when we got home I would have to test out the recipe but make it a little more our style by adding some chocolate chips!  They were awesome and my sister, Cassidy, loved them too!  (She even added a little nutella on top of hers.)

Recipe for Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

Directions

1. Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.
2. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
3. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.

Taken from allrecipes.com