BACK TO SCHOOL

So tomorrow makes it one week down!!! The building above "Estabrook" is probably not going to be around when our children go to the University of Tennessee.  It is a very old building and continually needs upgrades.  Rumor has it that when the new building for Engineering is built this building will be torn down, which is kinda sad because this is one of the first building on campus, so much history!!!

Motivation to start working on my thesis is lacking... to say the less... my office is still not finished... I haven't been feeling that well lately and have found myself going to bed at 9pm.  The work schedule for Patrick and I has finally worked out at the same time... 7:30 am Patrick has to be in class and I have to be in the computer lab for work.  It is weird for both of us getting up and making coffee together.  

As for the rest of this week.  I hope to show you what I have done to my dinning room table, maybe one recipe I have tried, and some goals for the weekend!!! I hope everyone has a great week!!! See ya soon!  

Friendships!

So for those who didn't know... Molly (my cousin) has started her last year in High School!! She's getting so old and I am so happy for her!! It made me think of all of my high school friends; some married, some with children, and some don't live in Knoxville anymore.  It made me think of all of my friends I have had over the years.

I don't know if everyone has those friends, that when you pick up the phone and call them they act like you have talked to them everyday.  They don't judge you for being busy, or not wanting to talk to anyone.  They are so happy to hear from you they don't even give you a hard time about how long it has been.  I am the worst about keeping up with everyone in my life and I am so thankful to have so many of those people in my life. 

I often think of them, maybe I will post on their Facebook pages, but never really have time to have long telephone convos or trips to take to visit them.  My friends that I have are amazing... in the fact that they don't mind this and love me just the way I am.  It is hard to keep up with everyone from Ole Miss, to Navy buddies, even the ones in Town.  I have a full load everyday with family, school, working, research, clubs, working out, feeding my husband (he eats a lot), and taking care of my hairy children.  On top of all of that, I took up the hobby of writing this blog... which isn't my best work but a work in progress!  I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of my amazball friends and for understanding that our lives are always going to be busy... it isn't how often I see or call you that counts, it's the fact that when you need me I will be there!  Love you guys and I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and the weather!!!

IKEA Desk!!!

Patrick and I built our IKEA desk with the help of some red wine!!!  We had to rebuild it when we noticed the legs were going the wrong direction.... it was pretty fun. Needless to say, wine helps every project.... kinda :)

 

IKEA has had these legs for some time... it seems like every time my mother and I make a trip down there, they are out of stock.  Do you blame them these legs are amazing!!! I love this desk!! 

Final Product!!!! Love it! I will show you more of the office when I get everything finished up!

 

Mr. Darcy

So last week I introduced you to Ms. Georgiana, now it's time for my biggest baby Mr. Darcy.  He's a Lancer Newfoundland and he will be turning four on Sept. 11th. this year.  The picture above is him as a puppy.  When I met Darcy he was sleeping in his current owners house, all of the other puppies where jumping up and down getting their licks in and he was just chilled out in the corner sleeping.  When I went over there to introduce myself to him, he fell in love.  From that moment on, he followed me everywhere... and I fell in love with him.  My husband is sometimes jealous of how much Darcy loves me.  My husband will be playing with him, but if mom leaves... "Sorry Dad gotta run!" There is no such thing as a dogs love.  I am spoiled :)

This is my puppy now, the past couple of summers he has found the only way to beat the heat is by getting into the pool.  Because of this I decided this summer was the first summer that I had to shave him, him getting in and out of the pool... was painful with all that hair.  He looked goofy to say the least but at least he is cool.  (I promised I wouldn't post a picture with his haircut)

Now because he is shaved down he has taken to sleeping on the bed... I need a bigger bed!!

I hope you all have a great weekend, stay cool! I know I am going to enjoy my last weekend before school starts.  Wish me luck on finding good deals at IKEA :) 

Motivational Monday!!

This is an exciting week!! Amanda Taylor Luallen is having her baby!!! Her and her family have been friends for a long time, I knew her in high school.  I knew her when she was having boy trouble and I was their when she got married to her love of her life, Jeff!  Now they are having their first baby and she will be here by the end of this week!!!  This is very exciting, the first of the peeps to have a baby :) we are going to have to have mini peep initiation!! 

I haven't been carrying a baby all summer, but I have been in school and it finally came to an end last week!!!  It is looking like a 4.0 for 9 hours!  Yes!!  For one of my classes, our final project was too write a paper about a solution for the Rwandan people's drinking water.  In Africa people are volunteering to build wells, they are currently working on 200 wells in Rwanda, out of the 200 wells, 45 of them are contaminated.  They were looking for quick, easy solutions to this problem.  Long story short, my paper was one selected to be forward to Rwanda!!  Yeah!!! So summer school was not too bad after all!!

Another thing I learned during summer school is how to make dumplings.  Below is a picture of my professor, Dr. Han, helping us to make them! 

The Olympics came to an end this weekend as well, looking good for the United States of America!!! Great job to all of our athletes!!

It has been a great summer!! Sooooo with only one more full week before Fall semester starts what will my goal be this week besides... relaxing and hanging out with all my friends who are coming back into town for school.

Goals for the week:

1. Get the house ready for the semester, finishing small projects

2. Get myself ready for the semester, buying books and engineering paper

3. Do something fun, a trip to IKEA on Friday sounds like the trick.

4. Rearrange my bedroom... Rearranging furniture always makes me feel accomplished.

5. Go on a date with my husband!! (need some good ideas there)

6. Lastly, and most importantly, enjoy the last couple days of nothing due, nothing to study, nothing to research, nothing stressing myself out. I love school so much, but a break from it sounds amazing!!

Get motivated this week, with the temperatures dropping (at least here) it's starting to feel like fall.  Start looking at fashion for the fall, look at possible halloween costumes (before we know it it'll be here), and start watching ESPN!! 

You can do anything you put your mind too. Have a great week!!

Georgiana (:

So... still at the parents... because there is still no electricity at the condo!!!  The electrician decided yesterday that he wanted all of the money up front.... and the voice in my head said.. NO sketchy!! Today we are at square one... looking at all new options and having to go with a more expensive quote because the cheapest wasn't reliable.  

So today I am going to introduce you to my kitty, Georgiana! 

Why did I name her Georgiana because those that know me know I love Pride and Prejudice and my first son (Newfoundland pup) is named Mr. Darcy.  Those that also love P&P know Georgiana is Mr. Darcy's sister. When we found out Georgie was a girl, there was no doubt in my mind what her name was going to be!!! 

The reason I choose to talk about her today is because she has decided last night it would be fun to swat at my eyelashes, or maybe she was saying my breath was bad.. either way it was a long night.

 Georgiana -Sleeping.

 Georgiana helping with homework... or she thinks

 Still..... "Helping"

 Georgiana watching TV.... one of her favorite things to do

 Mr. Darcy taking care of kitty at the vet... probably one of the dumbest ideas I have ever had... "Can I schedule both of my pets for the same vet visit?" Add that the the list of.. NEVER DO AGAIN lol!

 More sleeping... this time held in the baby position.

Trouble Maker! 

Sunny days.. counting down

<--- My Brother's amazing adorable baby!!!

Yesterday was the last day of summer school.  I took three grad classes this past summer... it wasn't as awful as it sounds.  The semester coming up, was going to be full because I was going to push for an early graduation in December.  That will not happen anymore (Thanks Navy)... I have to go to Bahrain in the middle of the semester and it would be nearly impossible to finish my thesis and get it approved... SOOO sadly I will be sitting in the stands and watch all of my wonderful friends graduate!!!  I will just have to postpone my hard work award... for May.

There is an upside to this... I do not have to sweat through this semester.. instead I can throw football parties for away games, tailgate for home games, and watch even more football!!! I love football!!! The summer is coming to a close but that only means good things: Football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are around the corner!!!!

Motivational Monday (on Tuesday shh!)

It's Tuesday... I am behind already this week... So today Patrick and I will finally have our power fixed (fingers crossed). It has been an hasel, seriously so lucky to have my parents near  to move into, two weeks with no AC and outside temps in the 100s.... I'll pass!  

Back to Motivational Monday, on Tuesday. This post has a picture of my mother standing behind a beautiful baseball table.  If you haven't met my mother she is very talented... in everything. She throws the best parties and knows how to make any special event even more special!  She works from 5:30 in the morning until 11 at night, with million of different projects. She thinks of writing thank you cards and drops off gifts for her friends when they are sick.  She thinks of everyone before herself.  I wish I was more like her... so that brings me to my first goal!!

 

This week, I will find a little project (re-paint my desk and organize my office) and complete it by next Monday!!!! (not Tuesday :) ha!)

Every Monday think of at least one goal that you would like to achieve that week, before we know it we will have clean houses, happy family and friends and it will be hard to think of something simple to achieve in a week. Hope you all join me!! 

Running a Marathon!

I am seeing some early mornings in the future... On my bucket list is to run one full marathon.  I have ran a few half marathons, 10ks, 5ks, and a sprint triathlon... but never have I achieved a full marathon.  

The date is set April 27th 2013

Nashville Country Music Marathon

26.2 Miles

The Beginning!

The time as come... it is time to get back into blogging.  I have been so busy with school that this has fallen behind, so why not just erase and start over.  My husband and I  (see above) got married June 18th 2011, and were long distance until April.  Now that we have a few months under our belts together... it's become really fun having your best friend with you EVERYDAY!! At first it was hard, I couldn't sleep, he was hot or moved to much... my quiet time disappeared... my bathroom was taken over... but I learned that having your best friend home to let you vent, love on, and support you is so awesome :) I love Patrick more and more everyday! 

Enough cheesiness... I am not hoping to accomplish anything from this blog just to keep track of pictures, events, condo updates, and letting my friends and family know more and more about what's going on in Knoxville Tn.  Love you all and apologize ahead of time of my poor English (I am dyslexic cut me a break)!!!