The Old Abode....

Here are some pics of the old apt! I think some of you likely think I lived in a slum or something b/c I was always complaining about the window units or the random peeps in the alley, etc.. haha.. But, it was actually quite cute. I just never posted pics b/c it creeped me out that randoms might be able to figure out where I lived...

I had mini balconies. Not large enough for a chair, but big enough for Gracie dog to watch cars and passersby! :)
oooh the heater. Friends, this was my heater. As in the heater for the WHOLE apartment. That top vent was it. The way you turned it on was by removing the cover from the bottom piece and turning a dial. No thermostat... haha.. It's in the hallways between the living and the bedroom (I was standing by the bedroom when I took this pic) I wont miss that heater... It clanged and creaked as the metal heated every time it went on.... *seriously giggling at the damn thing*
It wasn't super clean when I took this, but there's the living room + Gracie dog! :)
These were the old doorbells in the front. They sounded like that sound your dryer makes when clothes are done when it rang in the apt.. I kinda loved em.. charming in some weird way...
THE stairs.. as in the stairs I fell down and broke my back one morning.. haha.. I had to take a picture for memories. Duh. (for those who don't know, think cartoon banana peal fall + sliding down on your back). Wow.. *eye roll at my clumsy self*
The entryway :)
A little courtyard separating the alley + a little grassy area where I took Gracie when I was too lazy to walk her.
Bye bye, little apartment... XOXO!
Weekend recap lata... I spent a lot of it cleaning the old apt.. :) Doesnt look like I lived there almost 4 years, does it? :) (hopefully I'll see some of my deposit). Pics of the new place soon.. You'll just have to ignore the boxes in all of them..

My first week with a roomie.. recap

So, this morning, something happened. I decided to read some..just SOME..of ya'll's blogs and play catch up.. I thought "hey, I can do it while I eat breakfast!" Anyway, before I knew it, I was reading post after post and laughing and commenting and clicking over to blog after blog.. it was like some crazy blog thirst had been quenched! ha! Seriously... it was awesome. :) And it was GREAT to catch up with quite a few of ya'll out there... I had to stop myself, but plan to resume when I get lunch at my desk later...

So, this week.

Welp, I got moved! Marla (my roomie) and her friend helped move me on Monday. That's right. The three of us moved my entire apartment from a second floor by.our.selves. (This is where I give myself unecessary kudos). Eric was working so he and Dennis were supposed to come move the big stuff that evening, but Marla, her friend and I, just went for it!

Admittedly, I was still a bit stressed most of the week. I'd taken Monday and Tuesday off so I could unpack, clean the old place, etc. Welp, with the weather last weekend, I had to rearrange that plan. So, the old place is now getting cleaned THIS weekend...and Marla and I have been unpacking a lot in the evening. I was so tired Monday evening from moving, stress, etc.., I may have started quietly crying a little under my sunglasses when Eric came over to help me set up my bed. (Yes, I'm a wuss. I realize this).

Tuesday, I woke up and realized Gracie dog was sick. :( Here comes the TMI about my dog... She has gland issues... of the arse. So, as soon as she starts scooting, I know there's a problem. Off we went to the vet. We emerged an hour..and 300 dollars (ouch) later. Good news: She seems to be recovering well. Bad news: the doc thinks she might have a tumor. Slim chance, but yeah. :( So I have to take her back in a week after all her swelling goes down so he can re-examine. Say a little prayer for Gracie dog, please... *sigh* I'm choosing not to get upset about it until it's certain b/c he said "slim chance" sooo I'm just crossing my fingers that she's okay.

In other doggie news, Marla's dog is really cute.. and he and Gracie get along. However, he has an issue with the restroom. As in he thinks our house is one. Right. He may have peed on my floor. In.my.room. He's TINY so it's not like a huge mess, but it's really gross and I'm determined to get him trained better. There are other stories to go along with this, but I'll spare you. Basically, I think her dog thinks I might be the devil when I get on to him. I look at my little Gracie dog with such pride every time she goes outside to potty.. haha..

And wow...that was two paragraphs about puppy bathroom issues. Sorry.

We're working out the kinks in living together, but so far so good. Our schedules kinda clashed a couple times this week (we're sharing a bathroom, remember) but it was fine. We've really got a good system down. Thankfully, I get home earlier than her most days so I get some must-have jax time. I love to come home and have some quiet time, walk my dog, etc... so it's kinda nice.

The shower/bathtub is a clawfoot.. and it's so cute. However, it's WAY tall. My legs are taking a beating from stepping into the shower and not stepping high enough.. haha.. I seriously look like a 10 year old with all my bruises on my legs... I bet Eric thinks it's soooooo sexy... ;)

Marla's never had dvr, so I think I scared her when it was all hooked up and I immediately started recording shows. I was like "what do you watch?" She said "Desperate Housewives!" I said "Awesome! Me too! Let's record it!" and just started clicking away at the remote while she watched, looking a little confused.. haha...

I'm really excited about getting a dresser in my bedroom soon hopefully (I want one from Ikea so this requires a road trip). Living out of boxes is cool and all, but yeah...

So, in a very condensed (although it doesnt seem like it) nutshell, there's my first week in the new house! :) Do you KNOW how great it is to have central heat and air btw (of course you do...b/c I was living in the dark ages in my old apt)... and to be able to open the door and let Gracie outside is UHMAZING (there I go again with the bathroom stuff.. what is with me today?)

BOOM BOOM POW! (Weekend Recap!)

Hi peeps!

So, I didnt get to move this weekend.

Why?

B/c it was 75 on Friday...and we got like 6 inches of snow on Saturday. Today was just a mess of slush most of the day b/c it didn't warm up a lot.

I missed my friend Sarah's son Landen's first birthday party. :( All in all, the snow kinda sucked.

But, as the freezing rain started to fall Friday night, I was at my friend, Michelle's housewarming party. :) Here are Marla and me with Michelle's makeshift curtains. haha.. Hers weren't in yet, so we had an art contest.

And Saturday night, despite having a snow day, we made it to Black Eyed Peas! WOOHOO! Thanks to awesomesauce Eric, we had tix in a suite! I was needed a chill pill fairly on edge with the move, the snow....and I also tripped a breaker at the apt while vacuuming (haha) so I got ready in the dark.. All in all, I was ready for some fun and definitely had plenty! (I also had plenty of wine...which apparently caused me to take about 150 photos...mostly of Fergie. Whoa. I'll spare you, but here are some of em!)

Might have a girl crush on Fergie after yesterday.. How gorgeous is she?! They also had uh.mazing costumes and stage stuff....

The end!

They did some cover stuff...and it was AWESOME. If you can handle the f word (he just says it once but had to warn ya...), watch this..the whole way through! :) It was just with my little camera so ignore the bass... Watching the crowed jam in this video is pretty freaking cool.

And here's when they first started :)

Seriously an awesome show! I usually don't care about opening acts, but Luda=amazing! He had what I kept calling fly girls up there dancing w/him... haha...very old school/In Living Color. I re-lived my I'm-a-college-girl-dancing/flailing around with my friends-at-a-frat-party (just in my head.. not in reality-thankfully). LMFAO was kinda fab, too! They had people dresses as legos. Anything where people are dressed like legos is good times. Decided.

Today, cumulatively, Eric and I made four trips to Home Depot or Lowe's... BUT, I got a fridge! Woohoo for cold food and annoying expenses! ;) I have to give so many kudos to Eric right now b/c he's been freaking great. When I stress out (like when we're getting 6 inches of snow on my moving day), he calms me and we just make a new plan. When I need help, he's there. When I call frantically w/something silly like "I think I just tripped a breaker! Is that bad?!," he's not patronizing, but does his best to answer whatever it is and is totally chill. :) I owe him lots of Mexican food and a couple margaritas. For.sure. Today, we painted the trim in my room and he carried some too-heavy-for-jackie boxes. Since I'm off work tomorrow, Marla and I are going to tackle a lot of my stuff since the weather will be 100% clear by then (of course). Then, tomorrow night, we'll get the bigger furniture when Eric gets off work and another friend can help.

So that means tonight is my last night in my apt! CRAZYNESS!!! So, I seriously doubt I'll be on blogger much again this week. Bear with me cause soon I'll be blogging from the new casa! :)

Oh and I took Gracie over to meet Marla's pup, Sunny... Sunny just kept following little G dog... haha.. It was kinda cute. Glad they're going to get along...

Hope you had a great weekend!

Fun with Yellow..and Happy St. Pats!

First things first, Happy St. Pat's to you! And you! and YOU! I feel like I need to write a limerick or something... ha!
Second, did I tell ya I picked out my bedding?! I did! I did! Anyway, one of my fav bloggers over at A Blonde Ambition always features awesome designs, etc I love to drool over. That girl knows the best places to look for chic design ideas! Anyway, I decided to follow her lead and post some inspirational pics I found online for my room!

Background. My walls are now grey and my bedding is solid grey (a different shade of grey so it looks cool). Now before we go thinking it looks like a prison in there (Oh how I hope it doesn't), I added a pop of color from Target in the way of these pillows (2 of them!). (Dwell Studio for Target). The flowers are lined with white, so maybe white curtains? Eh?

Anyway, here are some fun yellow/grey combos... I dont want A LOT of yellow, but I think it "cheers up" the room and I love that b/c I'm a cheery person dangit! haha! ;)

David Jimenez design from Habitually Chic

Southern Living

Nestled In

dwell shop

Fun stuff! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Moving.

I'm officially at that stage of packing.. You know.. THAT stage... where you're asking yourself "how does everything collect so much dust even on the back of it?! I'm a clean person dangit!" and "where the heck did I get all this stuff?" and "aw crap I'm gonna need more boxes." Blah.

So, I'm sorry I'm comment neglectful this week, peeps. I'm a leetle overwhelmed. or a lot overwhelmed. I HAVE to get packed by Friday even though I'm moving Sunday b/c I have a friend's housewarming party Friday night, followed by Sarah's little guy, Landen's, one year bday party Saturday (it's bug themed! adorable!) followed by a wedding followed by the Black Eyed Peas concert, both also on Saturday. I'm so excited but whoa em gee what a busy weekend.

Anyway, here are some pics from the run Saturday morning!

This is my little running group. We're the rogue runners from the larger couch to 5K group.. haha...We didnt think 8:30 am way across town sounded like a fun idea once it was gross and drizzly outside on a Saturday soooo we'd meet at 10am at a location closer to our houses. :)

See Rachel and me waving?! haha! We're all lined up for our first 5K!

Annnnnnd we're finishing it!

My awesome friend Rachel and me after the race! We trained together and we finished together. :)

Finished and immediately saw Blaze! We both resolved at New Years to do a 5K and we both did it by March! yeehaw!

Eric put down the CPA books to come out in the cold and support lil ol me. (and he took most of the pics you see here). :) He's awesomesauce....and this girl surrounded by moving boxes knows it. :) (Ps doesnt his hood look superimposed or something?)
Mimosas and brunch with my running peeps! (yes, I was pretending to drink the entire carafe. Apparently 5Ks make me think I'm funny. I dunno).
I took some hilarious pics of Beth, Marla and me painting, but I haven't even downloaded them yet...

Weekend Recap!

Sooo I have a lot of photos... but they'll wait til tomorrow... b/c I'm WIPED OUT!

This weekend, I:

* RAN MY FIRST 5K!!!! YAY!

* Celebrated the same with mimosas and brunch with my running group!

* got my hair done (always a good day)

* picked out bedding

* changed my mind today and picked out different bedding

* painted the new house....my room and marla's room... :)

* enjoyed Mexican food with Eric

* packed.packed.packed.

As of now, I'm hitting the showers and watching Desperate Housewives for some relaxation before bed. :) Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and I look forward to posting pics from mine hopefully tomorrow!

Just another manic Monday...

Today was busy...then not busy....then busy... then random...then I had a pepsi (lent and I may have broken up a little)...then more random...then I was in a good mood...then I came home... and then I was mad.. lol! Sing it with me... Just another manic Monday....

After all that chipper awesome apt talk from yesterday, my landlords went and got all shady mcshade today.. *eye roll* I won't go into it, but I'm glad to be moving b/c they're annoying. (hence the "mad" when I got home...)

See that pic of me below? Oh right.. it's Madonna.. not me.. whatever.. but I'm going to pilates tomorrow at lunch! YAY! Have you pilated? (I just made it a verb....haha.. I entertain myself). I'm hoping I dig it b/c I wasn't a big fan of yoga, but I have a feeling I'll like pilates more. *shrugs* Will advise.

Other random piece of info you didn't need... I love this shampoo/conditioner. LOVE. I was at Ulta having my brows done (I'm opposed to tweezing b/c I think it's inflicting pain on myself) and asked the girl about shampoos/conditioners to strengthen my fine, dyed hair so it would grow longer but also be healthy. She recommended the below so I just got the travel sizes to try...and freaking love it. My hair feels so much healthier and not as dry! Granted, the weather's been improving so I haven't had the heat on full blast, but seriously...I dig this stuff so far. :) And it's not weighing my fine hair down!
Finally in the land of Jackie's randomness today, I have REALLY wanted to go to wine country for um....ever. After a couple emails back and forth, a friend and I are thinking about making it happen this summer! Granted, we'd have to do it on the cheap...but I think it's totally possible! Eric and I have been talking about beaching it up sometime in the fall if we can and if I had to pick one trip over the other, I'd pick beach all the way. But, a girl trip to wine country... um... how can one say no to that if we can get the price right?! If you have any tips, thoughts, recs, definitely appreciated!! :)
Well this was random. Sorry about that. Hope you had a fabtastic Monday! It's raining here, but I'll take some rain over snow ANY DAY! Rain=spring!

Walking in Memphis.. (Weekend Recap!)

I woke up around 7:30 am on Friday morning and thought "ohmygosh my alarm didn't go off!" and then remembered I took the day off. I promptly laid back down with a smile on my face til abooooout 9am. :) Eric's parents, Eric and I hit the road for Memphis around lunchtime...and the weather was PERFECT! (I think mother nature knew I took the day off or something.. haha.. ) ;)

We took a pit stop at Wiederkehr Winery in Arkansas. I had no idea Arkansas has some of the oldest wineries- this one started in 1880! Anyway, we tasted some wines and bought a couple bottles...

Eric peering in wine cellar looking creepy...lol!

Once we got to Memphis, we were STAAAAAAAAAARVING so we went to a highly recommended bbq place. It was good, but it wasn't guuuuhreat as we'd been told...*shrugs* But, the service was great and the place was eclectic. :) A good time had by all. :)

I'd never been to Memphis so I was really glad our hotel was just off Beale Street so we could walk down it! Bringing a jacket miiiiight have enabled us to walk a little longer.. haha.. :) Funky fun little strip; kinda reminded me of New Orleans! :)

Beale Street during the day on the way to the game. :) We ate breakfast at King's Palace to the right in the pic :) Note all the peeps in blue.. yeah.. They're Memphis fans, not TU fans. Way to share the same school color...

Eric's dad's in this pic taking a video of a kid doing back handsprings down the street for a few bucks... He was like 8 years old! Crazy!

After the game, we licked our wounds :( and hit the road...

Bye Bye, Memphistown.. It was good to meet ya... :)

We stopped in Little Rock for some Mexican food and margaritas (the passengers, not the driver) and again at a casino (a rule for all roadtrips, me thinks)...and arrived back home Sat night a little after 9. :)

We also watched 3/4 of Talladega Nights in the car... and I may or may not be trying to find the end on youtube. Don't tell Eric or I'll get a "I told you it was funny..." haha.. Yeah yeah it was funny. I admit it. ;)

A great quick trip, even though we lost... The weather was fabulous, the company was fabulous, and it was just all around a much needed little getaway. :)

On the trip, I realized it was March 5th.. as in not March 1st...as in I missed Gracie's birthday. Crap. I'm a horrible mom. :( She's officially three and I forgot. *sigh* So today, I picked her up at mom's and took her to the doggie park!

She ran in and was immediately greeted by two other Cavaliers! I thought it was adorable that in the crowd of pups, the Cavaliers all found each other and ran together like a little puppy gang...haha.. okay...gang was a bad comparison, but they were cute. :)

And then my pup found the mud. Note her feet. ha! I bring a towel for the car in case stuff like this happens, but we had to bail so she didn't spread her love by jumping on anyone with those paws... Oooooh Gracie dog.... :)

Happy Happy third birthday, little fabulous dog! :)

I went by her favorite puppy bakery, but they were closed on Sunday.. So she got an I owe you for a pupcake or two. :)

Finally... a piece of comedy about my packing.. I dont have a lot of newspaper, but I have a lot of magazines. So, former Glamours, Cosmos, Elles, etc are getting put to good use.. lol!
Hope you had a great weekend! :)