Weekend Fun!

I had a supah-fun weekend! Friday night I got to go out with Lisa.  Even though we text every day we hadn't been out driving around after dark for hours since before Christmas.  That is way too long.  We made up for it on Friday night with some Italian Village pizza.  I KNOW.  Then shopping in Kingsport and a trip all the way back to Johnson City for a few more stops.  FYI, Hobby Lobby closes at 8:00 on Friday nights.  We found that out the hard way.

Saturday was fairly uneventful.  We were mostly at home except a few quick errands.  We made pizza for dinner, and yes I ate pizza two nights in a row.  It was mighty delicious if I do say so myself.  I only ate one piece that night though to make up for Italian Village.  I made the crust from scratch-ito. Pioneer Woman's recipe was the one I had on hand, so I used it.  This is the second or third time I've made her recipe, and we like it.  BUT...it is a bit too bread-yish for us.  I'm thinking of using a different one next time that I found on Pinterest.  We really prefer a thinner, crispier crust.  If you have a good one, please send it my way! I'll keep you posted on those developments as they occur. 

We also played some games with the kids so they were thrilled.

Sunday after church, I went to see The Vow with some other very lovely ladies including my mom, sister-in-law, niece, niece's friend Emily and Emily's cousin.  I'm all about the details around here.  I had NO idea what in the blue blazes the movie was even about when Megan texted me Saturday to ask if I wanted to go.  It turned out to be really good! I won't spoil it for you if you plan to see it, so I'll go against my nature and keep the details to myself.  However, I did leave with a few new opinions about some things that I'd like to share. 

Ok, since you asked, here they are...

1. I have never really enjoyed Rachel McAdams as an actress even though I loved The Notebook with all of my heart.  Until now.  She is just darlin' in this movie.  Just absolutely darlin' with her cute dimples.  Also, she is sportin' dark hair in The Vow, and it is a WAY better color for her than her usual blonde.  Rachel, if you're reading this, the dark hair is way better than your usual blonde.

2. I've seen Channing Tatum all over the place, and apparently he is ALL THE RAGE lately.  I seriously couldn't figure out what the big deal was.  Until now.  Let's just say I should have actually watched him act and generally look handsome for two straight hours before I judged.  He is a cutie.  I'm a fan.  Now he's still no Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey, and he is most certainly no Brian Murray.  Just to be clear.

So all in all, I can't complain! It was a lovely weekend.  I hope yours was just as nice!

You Give Me Hope, To Carry On

Name that tune...

Anybody?

It's You Light Up My Life, otherwise known as the song I sang to Brian in the most horrible singing voice I could produce over the phone during lunch today.  Because nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like the flat rendition that I delivered.  Trust me.

Otherwise, we had a great Valentine's Day.  Sure, I had to got to survive celebrate with a million some first graders before I got to spend time with my own Valentines at home.  Oh, I kid.  Party days are the highlight of every teacher's school year.  Just ask them.  Any of them.  I'm sure they'll tell you the truth.  I mean, who doesn't love a room full of wild, sugar-filled six and seven year olds AND ALL OF THEIR MAMAS (plus a few grandmas, aunts, and siblings) with more messy foods that you can imagine running around for an hour? I do.  I love it. 

(Honestly, they had a ball, and I love seeing them happy.  It can just be a wee bit stressful for the teacher.)

Once home, it was smooth sailing. Brian cooked dinner, and it was so yummy.  Mom came by to eat with us and visit for a little while.  The rest of the night was just low key.  Just the way I like it!  Home with my little family that I love more than anybody or anything.  Isn't that what it's all about anyway?

I'm so thankful this Valentine's Day for all of my sweet blessings!

I'm Trying Hard Not To Show It, Baby

I would like to take this opportunity to say I miss Steve Carell on The Office.  I'm still excited when a new episode comes on, but I've lost a little bit of that lovin' feeling. I wouldn't say it's gone, gone, gone, whoa-oa, but I'm struggling a little bit. Even though I still really enjoy the show, it just will never be the same.  Andy is great so I really don't have any complaints about his new, more important role.  I just really don't care for the James Spader character and THANK GOODNESS they haven't been using the Kathy Bates character much at all anymore.  Not to mention there has been a SERIOUS lack of Jim this season.  He's around, but very uninvolved in the story lines.  I get it...Steve was having some success in movies.  It just always aggravates me though when people get a little big for their britches and leave the show that made them a star when there's still some life left in it.  Please come back Steve! 

(I did read that NBC is planning a spin-off show starring Dwight.  I think we can all see the writing on the wall.)

The Same Only Prettier

I found this pretty little picture of the C.S. Lewis quote I wrote about a while back.  It says the same thing but looks prettier.  No real reason for posting. Just liked it!

I'm Shelly From The Block, Yo

I went to Zumba again tonight, and it wore.me.flat.out.  It always does, but tonight was especially horrific.  But lo, I will survive.  I will press on.  After all, when Jennifer Lopez tells me to "back it up like a tonka truck" and "GET ON THE FLOOR", what choice do I have????

There is no news to report regarding the mirrors.  They are still there.  They are still evil.  That is all.

(Except please don't ever call me Shelly.)

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

You might want to sit down for this.  Prepare yourself.  Here we go.

I've been going to Zumba.  There.  I said it. 

And let me tell you, I am a hoot to watch.  Of course, I haven't actually watched myself except when I accidentally catch a glance of my uncoordinated self in one of those ridiculously huge mirrors that are inevitably on every wall of any exercise facility east of the Mississippi.  I'd say they are on the walls west of the Mississippi too, but anytime I've been out that way I wasn't exercising.  So I will only speak from experience.  Why do they insist on those big honkin' mirrors anyway? I guarantee you that for every one person who enjoys admiring his/her lovely physique, there are ninety-nine others who do everything within their power to position themselves as far away from the mirrors as possible.  Unfortunately for me, if I want to be in the back (and who wouldn't) for Zumba, chances are I'm going to be beside that mirror.  The very last thing I need to see if my sweaty, red-faced self bouncing around for an hour.  You would think the least they could do would be to put in one of those fun house mirrors that make you look really skinny.  I actually think that's an excellent idea.  Maybe I'll put it in the suggestion box.

Anyway, let's get back to Zumba.  It's not just any ordinary Zumba.  It's Club Zumba! It's supposed to be designed to help you pretend you're at a club dancing the night away having the time of your life so there's latin/hiphop music, colored lights, a smoke machine, and get this....a disco ball.  The truth is, while that's all well and good, everybody really goes because they turn the lights off.  Let's face it, everybody is more comfortable looking like an idiot in the dark.  It gives you the illusion that nobody can see you, but come on now, you and I both know that's not true.  However, I'm too busy splitting my time between trying to follow the "I couldn't do this in college so what makes me think I can do it now" dance steps and trying really hard NOT to have a heart attack.  There is no time or energy left to worry about whether or not somebody is looking at me.  Truth is, they're probably just trying to stay alive too.  It's hard core in there.  Not for the faint of heart.  Especially if you stand by the mirror.

Reunited And It Feels So Good

My sweet Loretta is back.  Loretta the Laptop has been sick and at the doctor since Monday.  Five days is a long time for an addicted person like me.  Hello, my name if Michele, and it's been five days since I last logged on.  In the spirit of full disclosure, we do have another computer in this house.  I did use it a very few times, but I had to be a bit sneaky.  Somebody, who shall remain nameless, doesn't like me to use the desktop for facebook, blogs, pinterest, etc. because unnamed somebody uses it for work and doesn't want to take any chances.  Apparently, I am a true wildcat on the computer.  All of those mommy blogs and mason jar pins are just so dangerous.  (I should probably confess somebody's concerns might have something to do with the virus Loretta came down with earlier in the week ~ maybe he has a tiny bit of a case.)  Anyway, she's home. I can quit singing "Near...far...wherever you are...I believe that my heart will go on".

Why is it I can think of 92 things I want to blog about when I don't have access to Loretta? Then I forget them all.  I do have a few things I want to talk (write) about, so I'll be back soon.  I'm sure you're on the edge of your seats...