M.I.A.

I've been a bit M.I.A. from the Internet the past couple days,

Because an old friend came to visit us!

Friday, we went to dinner at O'Charley's.

Hubby and I shared our favorite,

chipotle chicken tenders with fries.

Carolann had a buffalo chicken sandwich.

We talked, and laughed, and talked some more.

Saturday, we slept in.

Enjoyed a lazy morning.

Had cereal for breakfast.

Trix and Lucky Charms.

Only the good stuff for us.

Had a late lunch at Wild Wing Cafe

in the Village of Sandhill.

It was a beautiful day,

but there was a definite chill in the air.

I wish I'd brought a jacket.

We wasted some time in Books a Million.

Laughing at funny children's books.

Daydreaming in the Travel section.

We went to a movie.

The Crazies.

I jumped and squealed more than once.

But it was a pretty good movie.

If you like horror, then you'd probably like this one.

We enjoyed some more hang out time at the ol' homestead.

Watched the majority of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which was on HBO.

Not my favorite movie, but it has its funny moments.

Watched half of SNL, and then got way too tired to finish it.

Went to bed.

This morning, we will go to church.

Then, Carolann will go home to Georgia.

Thanks for visiting, friend!

Friday Funny

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful that yesterday, I got to see an old friend, and over the weekend, I'll get to spend time with yet another long-time friend. I'm thankful for the people who I can go months, or even years, without seeing, and then meet up and have a conversation like no time at all has gone by.
I am thankful for the relationships that keep me glued together when I get stressed out, or miss my family, or get lonely.
I am thankful for forgiveness, and that no matter what happens, that friendships can - and do - recover; become stronger, even.
Today, dear readers, I am thankful for you. I am thankful for the awesome people who surround and encourage me, both in person and through Facebook, the message boards I frequent, and of course, through this blog. Everyone needs a support system, and I feel like I've got a great one. So thank you for that.

Would you like to participate in my Thankful Thursday blog carnival? It's so easy! Just mention what you are thankful for in your blog, copy my button into your post or link to my blog, and then enter your blog URL in the MckLinky below so that everyone can share in your thankfulness!

His and hers

Remember those "fun purchases" I mentioned in a previous post? Well, here's what hubby and I bought together over the weekend:

His:

and Hers (well, Mine):

Cute, right? :) We've gone on one bike ride so far, and whoa... I don't have the muscles I used to have when I rode bikes as a kid! Things have definitely changed. What a workout! I'm looking forward to getting my butt kicked, though. Especially if I'm doing it with my favorite person!

Not Me! Monday

Good Monday Morning, ladies and gentlemen (if there are any of you out there.. all my readers appear to be of the feminine persuasion). How was everyone's weekend? Wonderful, I hope. Mine was nice, too. But, let's face it... there were definitely some things I would rather not admit.

For example, I definitely did not beg my husband to go to the grocery store with me, simply because I prefer to have company while I shop. I am way more independent than that, and I take pride in stocking up our fridge and cabinets for the coming week.

I also did not leave a sinkful of dirty dishes to "soak" for two days in a row, instead of just rinsing them and loading the dishwasher. As I have mentioned in other Not Me! Monday posts, I am always on top of housework, and constantly keep my house sparkly clean.

And last but not least, my hubby and I did not break our "frugality fast" to buy two bicycles over the weekend. Granted, they were from Wal-Mart, and not that expensive, but still. There definitely was not any justifying going on. We would never do such a thing. Not us! (I also sure didn't have to get myself a youth bike, because I am so tall and would never have to get a children's bike to be able to touch the ground.)

So, what have you not been up to lately? Go ahead! Write a Not me! Monday post of your very own, and then hurry over to MckMama's blog to share it. Happy Not Me-ing!

Free write

It's been four days without coffee.

Had a headache on Day 1, but after that it was gone.

So far, so good!

This weekend was fun.

Went on a date with my husband yesterday.

Ate at Moe's

Dee-licious.

Saw "Shutter Island."

LOVED it.

Go see it, seriously.

Slept in this morning.

Went on a little adventure.

Made a couple fun purchases.

Ordered takeout from a local place tonight.

Hawaiian pizza for me (my favorite).

Chicken tenders and fries for my love (his favorite).

Project "Read through the Bible in a year" is going well.

Occasionally, we have skipped a day and read extra the next day.

But we're still on track!

We have finished Job and are back in Genesis now.

Reading about Abraham.

I just love the story about Abraham and Sarah.

How they were blessed with a son in their old age.

God is so good.

I'm wondering what all He's got planned for me.

For us.

I can't wait to find out!

More to come...

Thankful Thursday!

It's that time again, boys and girls. It's Thankful Thursday! If you want to participate, all you need to do is to write about something you're thankful for, include my Thankful Thursday button or a link to Love and Lattés somewhere in your post, and paste the URL to your Thankful Thursday blog entry in the nifty MckLinky below. Got it? Good!

Today, I am thankful for the fact that I am currently free of all vices. I decided, sort of last minute, to give up coffee for Lent. No, I'm not Catholic. I just see a lot of value in making a small sacrifice in commemoration and thanks for the huge sacrifice Christ made for us.

I am thankful for my new job, which was officially effective on Tuesday, and for the benefits (can you say health insurance?!) that come with it.

I am thankful for the restraint my hubby and I have shown financially this week. We made a plan to shop for groceries and actually use them throughout the week instead of eating out and "splurging" here and there. We've done really well with it, and I am proud of us!

So, what are you thankful for? Do tell!

30

In honor of getting my 30th follower today, I am going to share 30 top secret (not really) truths about myself. Feel free to share some random facts about yourself, too! I'd love to know more about my readers. :) So, let's jump right in, shall we?

1. My favorite fruit is pineapple.

2. I speak a little French, but wish I spoke it more fluently.

3. Sleepless in Seattle is my favorite movie of all time.

4. I have lots of freckles on my face, but they're only obvious in the summer.

5. I sing in my car on a daily basis.

6. The Bible verse I find most inspiring at the moment is Proverbs 16:3.

7. I'm the shortest person in my immediate family.

8. I am the oldest of 3 children, and I love my brother and sister dearly.

9. I will have been married for 5 years this August, and...

10. I am madly in love with my adorable, hilarious, amazing husband.

11. I hate putting away clean laundry.

12. I like to read, but I usually take my time getting through a book.

13. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a singer or actress.

14. I am addicted to my iPhone.

15. Christmas still makes me feel like a little kid.

16. I rarely get (or need) more than 7 hours of sleep each night.

17. I was born in Fort Worth, TX; my Dad was in seminary there at the time.

18. People tell me I look a lot like my mom, and that makes me smile.

19. My hubby and I would love to have [at least] 3 children.

20. I used to play the drums, but haven't picked up a pair of sticks in 6 years.

21. I like how I look with short hair, but always miss being able to wear a ponytail.

22. I hate wearing sunglasses.

23. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to politics.

24. I prefer jam to jelly.

25. South Carolina summers are still way too hot for me.

26. My current favorite band is NEEDTOBREATHE.

27. I can't imagine a life without dogs in it.

28. My usual drink at Starbucks is a tall, soy caramel machiatto.

29. I can't do math in my head, at all. Sometimes it's a little embarrassing.

30. I don't believe in luck. I do, however, believe in God.

Not Me My Husband Monday

This Valentine's Day, my hubby and I celebrated in style. We went all out and spent all kinds of money and... yeah, okay, not really.

Despite our undying love for each other, my sweetie and I did not decide not to spend a penny on cards, flowers, candy, etc. for Valentine's Day this year. We did not spontaneously walk into the card section of Walgreens, pick out cards to exchange, read them, and put them right back. We are definitely not that silly.

We also didn't decide to cook a meal at home instead of going out on the town, as we have done in the past. We did not attempt a brand new recipe (chicken teriyaki with homemade fried rice), and as he helped me make the fried rice, my darling husband didn't pour in half the bottle of soy sauce. Wowza! (It was still pretty tasty, though.)

So what have you not been up to? Head on over to MckMama's blog and share your Not Me! Monday post with the blogosphere!

Today, in Pictures

Continuation of Thankful Thursday...

As of this morning, there is one more thing to be thankful for... my new, full time, salaried, permanent position with full benefits!!! My bosses just offered me the job this morning, and of course I accepted. I am so excited! The position is effective Tuesday the 16th, and on March 1st, I will no longer be a statistic. I will finally have health insurance! Woohoo!

More to come. :)

Thankful Thursday

Do you know what today is? If you said it's February 11th, you'd be correct. If you said it's National Foundation Day in Japan, you'd also be correct. Oh, but it's so much more than just those things. Didn't you hear? It's Thankful Thursday! It's the one day in the week when I like to challenge myself - and you, dear reader - to talk about the things we're thankful for. If you write a Thankful Thursday post of your own, please share the link to your blog in the nifty little MckLinky at the bottom of this post. And don't forget to stick the Thankful Thursday button into your blog entry as well!

Today, I am thankful for the little "I Love You, Sis" quote-a-day calendar my sister got me for Christmas. It sits on my desk at work, and reminds me of my Callie girl. I am thankful for my awesome family. They always support, always encourage, always love me unconditionally. I am thankful that this weekend, I get to celebrate Valentine's Day at home with my husband; that we don't have to do anything extravagant to show our love for one another. That we have the opportunity every day to act like it's Valentine's Day. I am thankful that when nothing else feels stable, he is stable. We are stable. And that's a really beautiful thing.

Wednesday

It's Wednesday.

I was born on a Wednesday, or so I'm told.

The hinge on which the rest of the work week swings.

That's what Wednesday is.

Monday and Tuesday are completely different from Thursday and Friday.

And Wednesday is a day all its own.

Today is dragging, I won't lie.

Lots to do, and even more to think about.

Had my interview yesterday.

I think it went well, but I definitely had butterflies!

Justin says his laptop is flipping out and acting all virusy.

That's not sounding like fun. Ick.

I've put a couple pounds back on, according to the bathroom scale.

Whoops.

I am getting over being sick, you know.

Back to Wii Active for me!

And maybe, just maybe, less sweets and fried foods.

Even though I love them so.

(I say this as I sip my water, like a good girl)

I should buy more fruit.

You know what?

I love fruit.

That's what I'll do.

I'll buy some fruit.

More to come...

K.A.T.I.E.

Kangaroos

Arduously

Troubleshoot

Internet

Explorer

...

...

...

...

...

...

Not Me! Monday

For my new readers: Not Me! Monday is a blog carnival started by MckMama that allows bloggers everywhere to share their top secret confessions without taking any responsibility. ;) So, without further ado, here's what I have not been up to this week.

Even though I was feeling a lot better yesterday, It did not take everything within me just to do two loads of laundry and one load of dishes. I did not feel a bit overwhelmed by that very small amount of housework. Nope, not me! As I have mentioned before, I am always very on top of our household, and strive to make sure everything is spotless. I would never go, say, a week and a half without vacuuming, even though our Golden Retriever mix is constantly shedding and there is an embarrassing amount of fur on the floors and furniture.

And this morning, I definitely did not brew a cup of coffee to take with me to work, simply out of habit. Being sick did not break me completely of my caffeine addiction, and I would never jump right back on the java bandwagon, congestion and all, simply because this lovely hot beverage is the one thing that helps me survive a crazy Monday morning.

So what about you? What have you not been up to lately? Write a Not Me! Monday post of your own, and go link it up on MckMama's blog for all to see! What are you waiting for?!

On the mend

These are the things I've surrounded myself with the past few days:

Thanks to these things, my darling husband, and the movies and TV shows we have been watching, I think I'm starting to feel better. I am still a little stuffy and woke up with a slightly higher than normal temp this morning, but besides that, all seems well. Even though I seem to be on the mend, I'm going to skip our niece's birthday party today, for fear of spreading this ickiness to her or anyone else.

In other news.. please keep your fingers crossed for me. I am interviewing for a full time, permanent position on Tuesday. Thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. Here's hoping my head isn't full of gunk by then, since right now all my "n"s sound like "d"s.

Also, happy birthday to my sweet baby sister, Callie, who is 19 today! How time flies... :)

More to come!

Thankful Thursday

I called in sick to work today. Woke up to get ready for work, feeling miserable, and took my temp - it was 99.3. Not quite a fever by technical standards, but enough to make my whole body ache. Add to that some coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose and fatigue, and I'm pretty sure I've got a virus.. maybe the flu. But, I bet I can still find something to be thankful for... :)

Today, I am thankful that my husband is home to take care of me while I'm sick, and to let me use him for a pillow as I drift in and out of sleep on the couch. I am thankful for this house we live in that keeps us safe and warm, for the comfy bed I woke up in this morning, and for the layers of clothes that warm and comfort me when I'm not feeling the best. Even on my worst day, I have all these things to be thankful for. Sometimes I forget to look around and take notice, but truly - I am thankful.

Would you like to blog about what you're thankful for today? Go ahead! Write a Thankful Thursday post of your own (don't forget to copy the text below the TT button over there --> and paste it somewhere into your blog entry!) and finally, link it up on the MckLinky below so that others can see what you are thankful for!

Free write

I'm tired today.

I woke up with a scratchy throat and newly developed dry cough.

And it hasn't gone away.

Please, God, don't let me get sick.

It's been a long week at work.

And I've had a lot on my mind.

Trying to remind myself not to worry or think too much.

Nothing is wrong, really; don't worry.

Just say a prayer for my sanity, if you would. :)

And my scratchy, cough-y throat.

***

Justin and I have decided to read the Bible all the way through.

Hopefully in one year.

That's the goal.

Even if it takes longer, I would like to have read it in its entirety.

Front to back.

So far, it has been nice to catch up on Genesis.

It's jam-packed full of goodness.

The Earth is born.

Noah builds an ark.

It's been a good refresher.

***

Post-lunch update:

I went to Taco Bell on break and ate two tacos.

With hot sauce.

They were yummy, and didn't kill my throat.

So I'm thinking this is just sinus drainage.

Sorry, TMI. Right? :)

At least it isn't some kind of infection.

I hope!

My nose is kind of stuffy, too.

Allergies, perhaps?

I wouldn't be surprised.

I look at something and start sneezing.

Oh, well.

Back to my Kleenex and tic-tacs.

(I don't have any cough drops.)

Not Me! Monday

I am certainly not dragging my feet this morning. I definitely didn't sit in my car in the parking lot at work this morning and soak in the last few minutes of the "weekend" before I had to go in.

Over the past weekend, I did not get lots of extra sleep, and I surely didn't stay in my PJs until well into the afternoon two days in a row. Not me! I am always prepared to conquer the day and be productive.

What have you not been up to lately? Write a Not Me! Monday post of your own and go share it at MckMama's blog!

Until next time...