I little late to the party

It's Wednesday already?! Can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Bad, because I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to notice, but good because it's hump day again!

Here's a few quick notes to catch you up since last friday....

Friday we bought a new washer dryer. So far I love it:)

Saturday I helped my mom unpack more while Seth hunted and then we finally got to go out for our anniversary (better late than never right?). We celebrated at The Melting Pot which I thought was pretty good, but if you follow my Instagram you might have noticed Seth wasn't a fan. AND if you follow Seth's IG you may have seen the hashtag "shitty". I believe the words "never again" may have been uttered more than once. Let's just say he's more of a steak and potatoes kinda guy. 

Guess I should have known when he said "what's fondue?!"

Sunday was your average Sunday. A little cleaning and a lot of lazy. Followed by a Senior photo shoot while Seth went hunting again. 

Monday evening after work I traveled all over the little town of Lawrence with my mom looking for lamps, mirrors, clocks and rugs for her new house. After approximately 8 stops in two hours we managed to leave Hobby Lobby with two lamps. Not sure that I would call that a "win" but I think we are going towards KC on Saturday so hopefully we will have better luck there. 

Tuesday, after spending all day at work and wanting to jump out the window, which would be hard to do since I work in a windowless room (torture), I decided to skip my workout and head home. I feel like I'm way behind on everything around the house and needed to finish editing photos anyway. It was a crappy day so I splurged and had a Pepsi. I'm obviously rationalizing my cheat with the fact that some people have a beer or a glass of wine to unwind after a #shitty day. I just have a Pepsi:)

Here's hoping things go a little better today and I can cross more off my mile long to-do list!

Happy Hump Day!

7 Quick Takes {19}

1. I can't stop reading anything and everything associated with the JonBenet Ramsey case and the documents they released today. Reading all the comments is like a game of Clue with all the cards lost so nobody knows the real truth. Everybody's got an opinion about whodunnit and for some reason I'm fascinated by it. 

2. Seth's going deer hunting Saturday morning so he was practicing with his bow last night when he "Robin Hooded" an arrow. I'd say he shouldn't have much trouble hitting the dear if he can hit an arrow. 

3. My mom informed me this morning that Dillons (Kroger), one of my favorite grocery stores, is no longer doubling coupons. To say I'm devastated is an understatement. To all the important Dillons people that are reading my blog right now I say THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. I mostly only shop two places, Dillons and Wal-Mart. I buy all my Dillons sale items at Dillons so that my coupons are doubled and everything else I buy at Wal-Mart and price match. Now I might as well just go to Wal-Mart and price match my Dillons sale items as well. Not Cool!

4. Does anyone out there watch the show Nashville? I'm sorta obsessed with it at the moment and hoping that their's someone out there that loves it too. 

5. Our washer decided to die Wednesday night and I've been scouring the interwebs looking for a new one. So far I'm not impressed. Any recommendations for something that is simple and reliable would be much appreciated. I think I would prefer a top loader and something not terribly expensive. I could care less about all the fancy steamers and automatic ironing settings. 

6. I'm ready to decorate for Christmas and I'm considering ordering some Christmas presents this week. I just love the holidays! Bring on the Christmas music:)

7. Here's hoping that Seth has something in mind for dinner because I'm hungry. Shocker. 

Happy Weekend!

Linking up with Conversion Diary. 

When your husband decides he's a blogger

As I mentioned briefly on Monday, Seth suggested he should write a blog while we were out to dinner on Saturday night. 

Before telling you his blogging angle, I will give you a bit of background. We were eating at Fuzzy's Tacos (for anyone in the Lawrence, KS area, go here!) and sharing an order of nachos. I also ordered one taco and Seth ordered two tacos. Not unreasonable, I don't think. 

And action!

Seth: (in a serious tone) I think I should write a blog.

Julie: (completely surprised tone) Really?! What would your blog be about?

S: (while J is diving for another nacho) I'm gonna write a blog about how eating with you is a competition.

J: (looks up from nacho) What?

S: I am a man.

J: Just cause you're the man doesn't mean I can't eat as much as you? I like to eat. 

S: I feel like eating with you is a competition, whenever we share. If I don't hurry I won't get enough food. 

J: (blank stare)

S: I bet you're gonna blog about this now? 

J: Yep.

S: I'm the reason you have a blog.

Three minutes later

J: You can have the last chip.

S: No, it's ALLLL yours.

J: Seriously, I can't eat anymore.

S: Just cause you didn't eat the last bite doesn't mean you didn't eat a shit ton.

J: (blank stare)

One minute later

S: You don't even act like you're full.

J: (blank stare)

S: I suppose you want ice cream now?

J: (blank stare)

J: I'm writing this stuff down before I forget. I need to blog about it later. 

J: Oh, and I guess I'll take a photo of the "after" nachos. 

Done

and Dunner

Guess I'll just finish my drink since my wife ate all the food. 

And, like I said before, I have a disease. 

How to make Cinnamon Apple Chips

I've been promising a lot of things around this space lately so I'm trying to deliver. Last week I promised a post on how to make cinnamon apple chips and so guess what I'm delivering today?!!

If you guessed "How to make cinnamon apples" you are a smartypants, so give yourself a gold star!

This is actual super duper simple to do, so no worries if you're no Rachel Ray or Betty Crocker. 

Gather your ingredients:

3 apples (I used gala)

Ball Fruit Fresh (can also use lemon juice)

Cinnamon

And supplies:

Apple corer

Mandolin Slicer (or a good knife)

Dehydrator (or oven)

Put some fruit fresh in a bowl of water. 

Slice your apples as thin or as thick as you like. 

Keeping in mind they will shrink when we dehydrate them. 

Then toss them in the bowl of fruit fresh (or lemon juice) to prevent browning.

Lay your apples out on parchment paper.

Sprinkle with cinnamon. A lot or a little depending on your preference.

Lay apples into single layers on your dehydrator trays. 

(See oven instructions below.)

Turn the dehydrator on.

After about 4 hours (give or take) your apples will look all crinkly and be ready to eat.

If you like the apples crunchy (like chips) leave them in the dehydrator longer. If you like them softer (so you can roll them up like me) take them out earlier.

And that my friends is all there is to it. 

Store in a container or a pretty little mason jar that we all love so dearly. 

**Oven instructions - Turn on your oven to 200º and put sliced apples on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in oven for 2-4 hours depending on the crispiness you like. Flip apples periodically (every hour or so) so they dry evenly.  

Let me know if you try them:)

P.S. They're pretty good for breakfast!

Monday Monday

Monday Monday. I. Am. Tired. 

I swear, we tried to fit every possible thing into this weekend and now I'm exhausted and in need of some caffeine to get me through this day. Sadly, I don't drink coffee and I'm not going to let myself drink a Pepsi, so I'm sorta screwed. 

Since so much happened this weekend I'm gonna do a little recap but you can expect several posts to come that will give many more entertaining/exciting details. I promise, you will want to read them.

Friday

We lost our dog. Not just a little lost either. More like we drove around looking in ditches because we were afraid that's where he probably was. Not fun:(

Saturday

Maple Leaf Festival. Food. Crafts. All the fun you can imagine at a festival that celebrates tree leaves. 

That cute kid is our nephew, Ryder. He just turned 4.  

It was a little chilly during the parade. Seth and his little sister, Destiny. 

Luckily it warmed up and the kids rode the rides. 

We managed a decent photo in between all the beautiful faces Seth loves to make. 

I had a photo shoot for a high school senior in the evening. The family had a German Short Hair (same as my dog) and the kid whose photo I was taking was named Gunnar. Coincidence? Ironic? Stay tuned to future posts to figure out what happened Friday and if the photo session turned me into a crying baby.

Date night. It was supposed to be an anniversary dinner but we decided since it was already kinda late that we would wait until next weekend. So we ate Fuzzy's Taco (SO GOOD) and Seth told me during dinner that he should start a blog. It was such a brilliant idea I decided he deserves his own post. Wait for it. 

Sunday

Moving day for my parents. We spent the whole day helping them pack up, load up, and move their treasures (and junk) from their rental duplex to their new home a few blocks away. Let's just say they had a little more stuff than what I thought. It's all moved over though and is now mostly cluttering up their garage. 

Seth and I  made it home around 7 and we spent the next hour painting the floor of the shop. It's done (finally) so he can finish building shelves and we can put stuff away. 

And That is why I'm a little sleepy. Maybe I can squeeze in a nap after work tonight....

Linking up with Sami. 

I have a disease

I have a problem. A disease really. I'm not sure of the medical name for it but you might know it as:

Ieattoomuchcrap or IE:TMC

Read on to discover if you show signs or symptoms of IE:TMC and how to treat it. 

Symptoms include:

• Being the first one emailed when free food is brought into the office ie: donuts.
• Complete lack of self control around anything salty or sweet.
• Disregard for health.
• Talking constantly and incessantly about food.
• Spending hours on Pinterest perusing unhealthy recipes.

Possible side effects include (but are not limited to):

• No longer needing to wear a belt.
• Avoidance of mirrors.
• Guilt.
• Finding unhealthy quantities of food photos on your phone.
• Praying your trainer doesn't ask what you ate today or follow your Instagram.

Treatments:

Still unknown but research is currently being done (at my house). Additional information can be found below. 

If you, or someone you know has IE:TMC seek help and do the following:

• Get removed from food related emails by coworkers.
• Only buy healthy foods to prevent night and evening binges.
• Take alternate routes to avoid viewing the vending machine. 

Remember, you're not alone. Together we can find a cure. (in the meantime, hide the donuts)

via

Ballgames and Lumberjacks and Groceries, OH MY!

I need another weekend to rest up and relax from the weekend. Luckily, it was a good one and we got a lot of stuff done that needed to be done. 

On Friday I had a terrible day at work so I was excited to be able to sneak out a little early to meet some of our friends at the Royals game. First winning game I have been to in a long time and it was tons of fun. Plus it was buck night so I got to eat my fill of ballpark hot dogs. I swear they taste extra delish at the ballpark. 

I would estimate 9 out of 10 photos of "us" look like the photo on the left.
Seth loves photos!
(check out the photobombers)

After staying up late Friday we both slept in until after 10:00. I feel like that never happens anymore but it was amazing. Once we got up we headed into town for an early lunch and to get fuel for the lawn mower. Seth ended up mowing the lawn while I put down shelf liner and cleaned out or pantry cabinets in the kitchen. Glamorous, I know. Turns out we have a lot of food and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm a food hoarder as well as paper hoarder...

Yikes! That's only two cabinets...

Since I had so much I was able to pull out a big bag of groceries to drop off at the church for the local food pantry. I hope someone (besides my shelves) gets to enjoy it that way. 

Once I ran out shelf liner and had cleaned out a good portion of cabinets I went outside to help Seth a bit. He had apparently turned into a lumberjack and was busy chopping down dead tree limbs and limbs that were hanging way too low. It's pretty amazing how much better everything looks in the front yard now.

Before - Where are you little house??

After - THERE you are

We finished the night off with some grilled steaks and potatoes and watched the movie Mud which I would highly recommend even though I passed out before it was over. 

Sunday we went to Church as usual and then stopped by to check on the progress on my parents new house. It's looking really good and hopefully they will be able to move in in the next couple of weeks. The rest of our afternoon was filled with me cleaning out the laundry cabinets (after watching the rest of Mud) while Seth dominated a few more trees and limbs in the back yard. We now have a better view of our pond and everything doesn't look so much like a jungle. 

After working another long day Seth helped me make up some fajitas and nachos for dinner. So so yummy and I'm hungry again now just thinking about it. We settled in for a quiet evening and I finally got the chance to watch Zero Dark Thirty. Also a good movie. 

And now we're back to Monday. I hope everyone else had a fantastic and productive weekend!

7 Quick Takes {15}

1. Well it's Friday and in a small town that means Friday Night Football! We rarely go to the football games because let's face it, it's kinda weird to be in your 20's with no kids and go cheer on the high school football team, but tonight we're going to make an exception. My Aunt is having a party after the game so we figured we should probably go for a little while. Plus, I'm sure they will have some yummy concessions stand food at the game. 

Plastic cheese? Yes, please!

2. Pretty sure I have been an emotional disaster this week, so to my dear husband, I apologize. A few extra hours of sleep tomorrow morning and I should be good to go:)

via

3. It's free lunch day at the bank today! Just another perk of living in a small town. Free dogs and burgers to all!

4. My house is the disaster of all disasters right now and it's seriously wearing my out! I just want everything to be put away and sparkly clean. I don't think we have caught up yet from vacation and it's kinda depressing to know that I'll be cleaning my whole weekend. Bleh. 

5. Earlier this week I found an amazing debt snowball calculator online and it currently has me motivated to spend zero unnecessary dollars. According to the calculator, if we keep paying what we are paying every month (on all debts) and roll it using the snowball method (the hard part), we could be completely debt free, including the house, in 7 years! Holy bananas that would make my life! Unfortunately that doesn't factor in lots of extras, like vacations or kids so we will see how long it really takes. 

6. It's been almost two weeks that my husband has lived in the same house as me and I must say I'm enjoying it. It's nice to have someone there when I get home and that helps with the dishes or cleans the pain in the butt wood floors for me. Or maybe he just knows that the floors would never get dusted if he didn't do it. Either way, I'm glad he's home. Plus he's pretty cute:)

7. Thinking the rest of my day will be spent making lists. Since I'm stuck at work and can't actually accomplish anything on my lists at least I will have a plan of attack for the weekend. 

Happy Weekend Blogiverse!

Linking up over at Conversion Diary.

100th Post AND 30 Before 30!

I've been trying to write this dang post for the last 3 days now but in order to prevent myself from further annoyance I have decided to post incomplete. 

This is my 100th post! While that's nothing to many bloggers, it's a lot to me because I assumed I would have gotten bored or distracted with blogging by now and quit. Instead, I actually still enjoy it:) 

Since it's my 100th post, and it happened to fall pretty close to my birthday, I decided to create a list of 30 things I want to do before turning 30. (In 3 short years, yikes.) 

How about if I just pretend I'm 3 again instead? (maybe 2)

It turns out that when you try to create a list with a certain amount of numbered items it's impossible to think of that exact number of things. So, for now I give you 21 things I want to do before turning 30 and I will add on to the list as I think of things that I have always wanted to do, but have never done. Feel free to suggest things below but don't be offended if I don't use them. I'm trying to put stuff that is important to me or that I have wanted to do and that are realistic. There's plenty of other things I could add to the list if it was a "before I die list" but I don't think will be realistic in the next 3 years. Also, I don't want to add stuff to the list just for the sake of adding things. Know what I mean?

Mkay. Without further ado, I give you...

 30 (*ahem* 21) things to do before turning 30!

1. Have a baby

2. Throw someone a surprise party

3. Meet a blog friend in real life

4. Be debt free besides the mortgage

5. Toss 365 "things"

6. Organize all my photos

7. Do photography as an LLC

8. Create a way to not forget birthdays/anniversaries etc.

9. Read one book a month (36 total)

10. Travel somewhere I've never been.

11. Do at least one random act of kindness each month (36 total)

12. Learn to play golf

13. Learn to bake bread like Grandma

14. Build some type of furniture using real tools

15. Be able to sew, knit, crochet, or quilt (at least) something easy.

16. Volunteer at a soup kitchen

17. Write a cookbook

18. Send a handwritten letter at least once a month

19. Go hunting with my husband at least once

20. Sell design work on Etsy

21. Start a tradition for our family

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Is Crossfit Ruining Marriages??

Driving to work this morning I happened to catch the last half of a discussion on my favorite radio show. Is Crossfit ruining your relationships? While I don't technically "do" crossfit, I do workout at a place that has small group classes and killer workouts that are similar to crossfit and equally as intense. Obviously I was intrigued by the conversation. 

The general gist of the convo was that people let crossfit consume their whole lives and their relationships will suffer if their significant other isn't a crossfitter as well. 

Well hello people. If you let anything consume your lives it's bound to have a negative impact on your relationship. You think if I watched nonstop tv while my husband was home our relationship wouldn't suffer? I guarantee it would and my house would be disgusting. I've watched people I work out with who put fitness above everything else, including relationships. And those relationships have suffered. There's a definite need for balance and some people are good at it while others are obviously lacking. 

I like to think of myself as one of the ones who can balance it out. Or maybe I'm kidding myself and I'm just pathetic and lazy. I only go twice a week and I'm sure some would consider that not enough but I like to think I have a pretty well rounded life that includes things outside of working out. Like eating for example. And trash tv. 

There is definitely a need for health and fitness in everyone's life but you have to remember to live your life as well. If you spend all your time holed up in a gym you're gonna miss out on some pretty cool stuff. 

Besides when you're burning 900+ calories a workout, do you really need to go every day?

True story, these are my stats from last nights workout.

Moral of the story. Put as much time into your relationships as you do your fitness and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. 

Keep in mind that my husband STILL works out of town so my workouts never take time away from him at this point. My opinion may change if we ever get to live in the same house.

Also, he never has to see me when I look like this....

Yes, that's sweat.

If you love or hate crossfit you should also check out this article titled #stopcrossfit. It will crack your shiz up and you might burn a few calories;)

7 Quick Takes {12}

1. In 15, count them, 15 days, I will be setting sail on a boat more glorious than the Titanic. Icebergs not included, praise the lord. The amount of fun and sun and food to be had is about to get crazy. Don't be surprised if I return as an unrecognizable tanned whale of a human being.

Before cruise Julie

After cruise Julie

2. Today's my brother Joe's birthday. He's 25, which is a big deal considering almost seven years ago we thought he might not live another hour, much less long enough to see another birthday. Someday I will get around to writing his story but for now you can watch a video about him on youtube. Happy Birthday little brother that doesn't read my blog so he will never see this!

3. In my quest to be a little healthier (who am I kidding? did you see yesterday's post?) I've decided to quit drinking pop. I'm already hating life. Please explain to me how that sugary sweet little can of carbonated heaven can sink it's extra sharp nails into my taste buds and make me want to drown myself in corn syrup. Why is this so hard?!!! 

4. All my dreams have come true! Sophia Grace is going to be in a movie! Why has this taken so long?? If you don't know who Sophia Grace is you should google her and watch every single video she is in 1000 times. NOW. I just want to "honey I shrunk the kids" this girl and put her in my pocket. 

Girl after my heart right there. 

5. Do normal people get excited about going grocery shopping or is it just me? I had to stop into the store last night to pick up some puppy food (how does he eat SO MUCH?!) and I just wanted to buy ALL THE THINGS! All the pretty packaging and salty, sweet, and savory things just calling my name. Sale things anyway. I eat too much to not shop the sales. My store had so many good sales and I just wanted to buy them all and spend zero dollars. I'm convinced I was 500lbs in a previous life (again, see yesterday's post). Lets hope those pounds stay in that life. 

6. I think I'm sick. My DVR arrived on Wednesday and I installed it Wednesday night. Pretty sure the Dish customer service guy wanted to kiss my feet because I was nice to him. I've been there buddy. (Side Note: Don't be mean to CS people. They hate their job more than you hate them.) Anywho...it's Friday and I have yet to record a show. Ummm...wtf. I did use the pause feature so I guess I'm not a total DVR failure.  

7. To my mom. Since I know you read this, this is your warning. If you ever want to see them again, you should probably hide the new Milky Way bites that you have front row center in your freezer. And that doesn't mean putting them in the garage freezer. I know your hiding place and you need new ones. Also, I have no self control. You're welcome in advance. #fatkid

Linking up with Conversion Diaries:)

Love ya like a fat kid loves cake my little blog readers!

If You Really Knew Me

You'd know that I occasionally open a can of chocolate frosting just so I can eat it from a spoon. Or a bag of chocolate chips.

You'd know I'm almost always cold. The people I work with laugh at me because I always have on a hoodie. 

You'd know that I make lists constantly. It helps me sleep at night because I know I won't forget anything since it's written down.

You'd know I'm jealous of large families and wish I could have more siblings. Love the two I've got though.

You'd know my husband is the one and only guy I have ever dated or kissed. Sounds a little crazy, I know, but I think I just got lucky.

You'd know I am the laziest person in the world when it comes to taking off chipped nail polish. 3 weeks right now.

Embarrassing..

You'd know I rarely wear make up. I'm talking maybe a few times a month. 

You'd know I'm super indecisive and always terrified of making the wrong choices. 

You'd know I prefer tennis shoes to any other type of shoe. Ever. 

You'd know I despise waking up early for any reason besides vacations or black friday shopping.

You'd know I have an obsession with pretty paper and design products. Notecards, notebooks, pretty books, gift bags, tags. Anything really. I have stacks and drawers full of it. 

You'd know I wish I was a fitness junkie but love my junk foods too much.

You'd know that I'm the first person emailed at work when somebody brings in food. Surprised? 

You'd know that I have a huge fear of failure and it causes me to never take chances. Trying to work on this though. 

You'd know that while I like to go out, I'm definitely a homebody. 

You'd know I have surprised myself by still posting to this blog several months later!

Do you know me? What else do people need to know about me?