Favorite Things Friday

Happy Friday!
I wrote this two Fridays ago and it didn't make it on the blog.

This is what I am digging lately--
Calling all online shoppers, or lovers of pretty things, or anyone! One Kings Lane has designer products at dirt cheap prices. Sales last one day and there are limited number of items. They sell home decor, kitchen, fine art, outdoor, food, wine...

I haven't bought anything yet (dp and I are usually on a tighter budget in the summer) but I've come close at least 7 times. Really cool sight, you will love.

Long Pendant necklaces.I went through a big chunky necklace phase a couple years ago. Done with that. In with long, delicate pendants. Leah got me this A necklace for christmas and I wear it at least twice a week. I'm slowly collecting many more like it. (-- hint -birthday suggestion)

Dp got me these little earrings as a little treat. I could own this store and not be satisfied. I love all the little creatures. Good husband knows what I like and got me the little hedgehog too. Presh.


Cooking Adventure
So this cook challenge is actually exciting. I like impressing dp with my "skills." Just give me some cumin and watch out. We also made our own chimichuri. Unbelievable. Really. I'm also loving frozen meals that fill in the gaps on nights when I am just d.o.n.e.

When we moved into our house, in 2009, our dear navy friends (hey Gauls!) gave us a little housewarming gift card. I hoarded it. Thought about selfishly spending it on clothes... BUT I finally decided on a grill pan. Love it! We use it almost every night, and made our wonderful Chimi Flank steak on it, and dp can't get enough of paninis. I suggest a grill pan.

Yarn Balls
*UPDATE- So here is my little craft. I found this bowl/candle holder/?? at Ikea and began thinking about what could I put in it. I know there are all sorts of decorative balls out there, but I cringe at thinking of spending 10 bucks for a ball of twigs. Hence the yarn.

Can I say that rolling yarn balls is relaxing? AND cute! I want yarn balls everywhere. :) A testament to me actually having feline DNA?

Lots of weekend stuff going on. I guess I've had a long enough writing break and can return to the blogging world. And maybe I can work on an exciting project that you all might enjoy!! It is something you can really sink your teeth into.

anyone can cook!

have you seen Ratatouille? ♥LOVE♥ that movie
Meals during the last six months were either fast food, or eating out. Every single meal. It was kinda gross. And we got kinda fat.

Time for a detox. No more fast food or eating out, no soda, no more delicious desserts.

If I were to try to lose weight I would get frustrated and quit. Instead I am taking it one step at a time. We will probably fold in some exercising in this whole thing at some point. Small steps = achievable goals.

This is a huge challenge. Last night, after a rough day at work, I needed fajitas. Somehow I forced myself straight home and made dinner, that did not involve tortillas and delicious meat. However, I feel pretty good about myself for fighting the urge.

However, cooking means doing dishes. Who likes dishes? Mid-week update on the dishes. Success!! We have washed every dish from this week. My sink is empty and is not growing things. A++

So how I am enjoying freedom?
Love.IT!
Last night- cooked dinner, ate at the table, did dishes, watered the plants, watered and turned the compost, started dinner for tonight, watched some DVR, took a bath, and whooped down on dp at mario cart. In bed by 10.
What?! I can accomplish so much in an evening now.

I wouldn't be myself if I wasn't "doing a challenge." This time I really want to train myself to have good habits and see what happens.

ps- Mam's isn't eating out. Mam's can never be off limits!
wanted

slip away

Sometimes the stars align and you get unbelievably prefect weather on the same weekend you impulsively decide to get away.

Over the weekend dp and I snuck down to Galveston. We drove down Friday after work and got Mario's (Seawall & 7th) and got checked in to the hotel and hung out by the pool/spa with a tween under the flickering light of a volcano. It is probably dp being chatty, but we always seem to get stuck talking to kids in the hot tub.

Get ready to be jealous. Saturday we got up early and walked on the beach, had breakfast (mimosas!) and then took a nap. Who doesn't love an after-breakfast-nap, fantastic. After we woke up a second time, we went to the beach. Dp is now a tan, italian man... I am still white. (I photoshopped the picture. SOOC was...whiter. and i know you are scrolling back up thinking "whiter?! is that possible?" yes. and hairier)The weather was unreal. I was on the beach without feeling like a chicken nugget. I even got into the ocean, got splashed in the face and went back to dry land. Dp is one of those people who likes to walk out to the sandbar. I tried once, nearly drowned and Cousin Jon had to save me and carry me to the sandbar. I'd love to say this was 15 years ago... it was 6. :/

Anyhoo, I didn't die in the ocean this time. After the beach... ok fine, we took another nap. That is what I consider a successful weekend, more naps than there are days in the weekend. We had dinner at Fisherman's Warf and got dp his shrimp kisses and bread pudding. Sunday we had breakfast, walked the beach, went to the Strand and got my La King's cause I needed taffy. We also walked through an nautical antique store and I received a lecture on flags and hook thingies and pulley thingies. Just when I think I have blotted out the naval intelegence from dp...

We unfortunately had to return to the real world and do dishes. More on that later.

done

I am finished with my school work, waiting (im)patiently for my grades. I won't feel really really good till my grades are in, and transcripts sent, and the registrar mails me my piece of paper.

I am not sure how I feel about the whole experience. Relieved. Happy. Tired. I haven't processed the full magnitude of this achievement. This semester has been like opening a wound. I was forced to face my baggage that I lugged around for years.

A couple of things

1. I was a crazy person for trying to finish in one go. It was
grueling and resulted in no less than 50 meltdowns. I can't even fit the thank yous into this post. It would be huge.

2. I have been ashamed of my college status for 6 years. I just avoided the whole topic because how can you explain that you didn't finish the last month of your last semester of college? (here's where my inner thoughts kick in) I assumed people would think I was "stupid" or less in someway. Having school completed... I can't even find words to say how I feel....I no longer have to hang my head. Powerful moment.

3. Baggage.
This is my story, and I want my readers to hear an authentic me.I am too aware of how the world views mental illness and it isn't with an accepting, open mind. What happened to me at ACU just did, but the painful part is the lack of caring for me afterwards. For them it was one day in my life, but for me I was thrown onto a different track. I am not living the life I would have, I am not the same person I was. There is an insensitivity to emotional and mental issues, we brush people aside as "full of excuses" or "overly sensitive." In reality there are certain pains that affect the entire person.

Last year, I was diagnosed with PTSD due to my experience while at college. Only then did someone agree to find a way for me to finish my degree. I fought for 5 years, tried too many times to finish in Abilene and every time I failed I was more ashamed than before. I catch myself wondering how my life could be different if someone had diagnosed me sooner, if anyone had validated these feelings I was having.

Now,by some gift,I can begin to lay this burden down.


So, completing this semester was "important" for me. I struggled with the work load, I struggled internally convincing myself I could do this and I wouldn't fail again, and I struggled with memories of the past that never seem to fade completely.

And I am not sure how else to say -- I am done.
hard