Day 425

I <3 Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts (I totally typed "Rashcal" at first), and Colbie Caillat.  Man, it's like they know me.  In other news, a lightbulb went off in my head today at work.  I just love when things click and I feel a little less like a n00b.

Day 424

Off to spend my afternoon poolside!  Ahh, sunshine. :)

Day 423

Today is Alex's graduation party, ahhh!  It's still hard to believe he's old enough to not only graduate, but also to move away and go to college!  *sniff, sniff*

Day 422

Today was a great day to be outside!  I pulled a crap ton of weeks (read: a lot), and planted some ground cover given to me by a friend.  The backyard is almost ready for some visitors and a little fire pit bonfire action!  Let me know whenever you want to come over for some s'mores. :)

Day 421

Apparently, I'm not busy enough.  I've got too much free space in the brain to think about things I don't need to think about.  So, I've decided it's high time to have another shindig.  I don't know when, and I don't know the theme (yet).  I'm open to suggestions, so leave a comment for me! :)

...Can you believe my last party was right before CHRISTMAS?!  That's just terrible...

Day 420

Things on my mind...
I want to go on a cruise.  There were a few other things in there, too, but now it's 11:49 PM and I'm spent.  Dang, they were pretty cool, too.  Oooh, I want to go to Symphony on the Prairie.  I'd like to visit Becca and Lance in Austin (among other friends and other trips - wish I could do a cross-country expedition to see them all).  I want to go on another giant friend trip...and I'd rather not wait until our Dirty Flirty Thirty trip in 4 years. :oP

Day 419

Today was a good day.  In an effort to keep things from getting too deep, I'll just keep it simple.  I was productive at work today.  Nothing extraordinary happened, but I think that alone is something to appreciate (happiness without extraordinary events).  Keep the happy days comin'.

Side note: it's quite ridiculous how my ears are now tuned to every single breakup or love song.  Artists that tend to write about the less happy side of love, and therefore are on my mental playlists: Rascal Flatts, Ingrid Michaelson, Taylor Swift, and ... country songs in general?  I forget now.

The storm sirens are going off.   It only gets me freaked out when I'm by myself.  Argh!

Day 418

My front porch is sticking out tonight, and I can't make it go back in.  FYI, this is not a literal statement.  Continuing on with my attempt to finish watching the "Planet Earth" series.  Tonight, it's about shallow seas.  Is it too much to ask for a summer of happiness, sunshine, love, laughter, and fun?  Argh.  Baby steps, huh?  Let's start with some motivation, inspiration, and a spoonful of smiles.

Day 417

I'm thankful for the sunshine, the warm breeze going through my home, and the day off from work.

Day 416

Tonight, or later this afternoon I should say, we're having mom's belated birthday dinner.  Too bad I just ate and the thought of one of my favorite restaurants doesn't even sound appetizing.  Darn it.

Day 415

Meeting is over.  Time to go home.  The shoes were off, the laptop was out, and then DTW TSA decides to send us all over to the complete opposite side of the building (past ALL of the ticketing counters) to go through security there.  Right as our IDs were checked, they were doing final boarding calls for us.  We flew through security (thank you for letting us cut, nice people), and then literally ran to our gate (all the way at the end of the terminal, of course.  I'm not a runner.  This was not fun for me (or for Tina).  However, we made it!  So, we flew from Detroit to Charlotte, NC to Indy.  Yeah, that makes sense...

Day 414

The Westin Detroit put me up on the top floor - club level.  It took me a few times to figure that out, since I kept pushing "8" and it wouldn't go.  Turns out you have to swipe your room card to gain access to that floor.  Their Heavenly Bed = a good night's sleep.

Day 413

Happy Birthday, Mom!  Up at 5:00 am and off to the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel.

Day 412

Sooooo busy getting things together for my work trip to Detroit!

Day 411

I don't have an appetite.  I'm to my breaking point at work.  I can't call the person that makes me forget about the crap at work anymore.  This sucks!  I know it just takes patience, strength, and time ... but I don't have any of those things right now.  Work needs every ounce of me, but I'm drained.  I feel lost and sad, and I need to find the light at the end of this very scary, lonely tunnel.  I'm praying like crazy, and hope that He'll hear and answer my prayers soon.

Day 410

The only time I really ate today was when I was with the person that should make me the most upset.  Leaving was terribly painful.  I need strength.

Day 409

When I woke up today, it was a decent day.  I was happy to text my friend, Christine, to wish her a happy first wedding anniversary to my bub, Andy.  (That's her in the picture.)

But, by the end of the day, my life was changed, and not in a good way.  A pretty flipping terrible way, actually.  An almost year long relationship of growing, loving, laughing, and fun came to an end.  I fought it so hard, but I lost.  I lost a lot today.  I lost a boyfriend, I lost a friend.  I lost his family and his friends.  I lost my optimism and my happiness and my positive outlook on ... everything.

Day 408

Joey & Stephanie were married today!  It was great to see almost all of my friends under one roof and participate in a huge dance party.

Day 407

Well, Friday the 13th was super sucky instead of super lucky.  Worked late, by myself.  Boo.

Day 406

Ryne and I went on a fun double date with Ryan and Brittany to Bazbeaux tonight.  Mmm, pizza!  Half bacon + pineapple, half cajun chicken + red onion.  Pretty darn good. :)

Day 405

Kloey Monster :)

Day 404

Is it bad that I just now realized how wonderful today has been?  I left work over an hour early (since I rarely leave at 5:00).  I got to talk to my BFF on the phone (not on a computer).  The weather was HOT today, which was so much better than snow or rain.  I enjoyed part of a slice of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake (from Alex's birthday dinner last night).  Oh, and I bought a new car. :)

Day 403

Welcome home, warm weather!

I had dinner tonight OUTSIDE with my family and Betz's at The Cheesecake Factory.  Al is 18 today!

Day 402

Happy Mother's Day!  I made Chicken Parmesan for my momma, dad, and grandpa.  I tried a different recipe this time (thank you Mama Bohney), and it turned out really well.  Apparently, if you use the tenderizer (like you're supposed to), it makes the meat go a lot further.  Everything was done on time and tasted great!  I also had some chocolate peanut butter sandwich cookies for dessert.  A good day ... just not long enough.  I'm really, really hoping that this week is low stress.  That'd be swell. :)

Day 401

Well, if the rain holds off long enough, I'm going to the north side to take Cierra & Joe's engagement pictures today *yay*!

*That tulip is real and it came from my garden! :)

Day 400!

Ryne and I had a great dinner at Bravo! tonight, followed by some tasty cookie ice cream sandwiches from Trader Joe's.  A lovely evening indeed!

Day 399

Day 398

Day 397

Ten things I'm pumped about: April & May edition!

1. Adele's new album, "21."  <3 
2. NKOTBSB concert in July!  My inner tween rejoices!
3. The Tasty Kitchen blog - especially these sandwiches that I made for Kristen's bridal shower on Sunday.
4. I'm on a quest to find the best French Martini in Indy.  I found a lovely one in Nashville, TN at Cabana, and have yet to find one to match it.  
5. Fuzzy, funky socks.  I especially enjoy these (and have this exact pair).  My feet get cold in "spring."  Ha, spring, where is it?
6. Evite.  I hadn't been on in years, but have now found myself using it again as a guest and a hostess.  It's great and very user-friendly!
7. Kings of Leon, especially "Come Around Sundown." I'm finding it quite melodic tonight as I write this and edit wedding photos.  :) 
8. Monon Food Company.  I feel like I pass by it all the time while in Broad Ripple, but I've never been in for a meal.  I think Ryne and I are going to have to have a date night there. 
9. Spring flowers and my garden!  This year, in addition to the perennials planted within the last 2 years, I also have some b-e-a-utiful Rembrandt tulips.  I'm also growing cilantro, rosemary, and thyme.  In another pot I've got sunflowers, some starter lilac bushes (from the Arbor Day Foundation), and an assortment of seeds from a cutting garden packet.  I can't hardly wait until it's all in full bloom!
10. Babies and weddings.  Which came first?  Ha!  I'm attending and photographing a ton of weddings this summer.  I've also got a new cute little man to cuddle with whenever his momma and I are hanging out.  Too bad I don't have any good pictures of him yet, or I'd post them here! :) 

Day 396

Random delicious brownies sent to me at work = win!

Day 395

Happy Birthday, Cierra!!!! :D

Today was a bit crazy and hectic.  We went out for Stephanie H's bachelorette party last night, I hosted Kristen's bridal shower today, and then went to Binkley's (yum!) for Cierra's birthday dinner!  Then, as if my day couldn't get any better, Ryne informed me that we were doggie-sitting Ike tonight!