Free write

6:48 am.

I've been up for an hour and 3 minutes.

I'm too young to feel this old!

I worked out last night, on the Wii - I've been using Wii Active and I'm a big fan. If only it had a feature that would physically pull my butt up off the couch on the days when I just don't want to.

But every time I skip out on something - cooking, cleaning, working out, etc., I sort of feel justified, given that I only have about 4 hours each day to do whatever I want between the time I get home from work and the time I start getting ready for bed.

And 4 hours isn't that long, right?

Especially considering the fact that I spend approximately 11 hours each day doing something work related (when you factor in the 1 hour commute each way, that is).

Phew. It's exhausting!

You know what else is exhausting?

Loneliness.

My Justin is away for work. He left Monday and will return late Friday night.

I don't know what it is, but when I'm by myself for extended periods of time, I just feel...

unmotivated.

bored.

blah.

I guess you could say I'm a people person.

I'm at my best when I'm around people I love.

I think I hear the sink dripping.

Better go check it out before I leave for work.

Oh, Thursday. Will you just hurry up already?

Who, me?

Tonight, I had a refreshingly wonderful dinner out with a good friend. It was the perfect end to a nice, long, weekend (thanks to the fact that I had today off). In the past few days, I have spent some great quality time with my very own Prince Charming, painted my nails a fabulous red, gotten the camera back out and got some pretty good shots (at least in my newbie opinion), and caught up on some much needed sleep. My poor hubby was attacked mid-weekend with a sinus infection, so we had to make the most of our days inside, but it turned out to be pretty fun!

And now, let us move on to the things I have not been up to lately. *Ahem* During this fantastic weekend, I did not sit in my dirty house, waiting for messes to clean themselves up. I did not let the dishes and laundry pile up. Not me! I am always on top of housework, and clean up a mess as soon as it is made. I also, when asked by my sick husband, did not grumble about giving him a sinus massage simply because I wasn't in a giving mood at the moment. I am the perfect wife, and I never let my own attitudes get in the way of doing something nice for somebody. I always think of others before myself!

So what have you not been up to lately? Write a "Not Me Monday" post of your own and link up to MckMama's blog! Come on, you know you want to!

Things I'm loving right now

I heart NTB!

Do you know who these guys are?

If the answer is no, then allow me to introduce you. This, my friends, is NeedToBreathe - one of my current favorite bands. They have a unique style that immediately drew me in, which is a rarity. Typically, I find myself having to warm up to new bands, but I liked these guys right away. You can check out some samples of their music here.

And now, for the best part. Justin bought us tickets to see them LIVE in Charleston this April! I am PSYCHED! I haven't been to a concert - any concert - in forever, and this is a band I have been dying to see. Have I mentioned they're fellow South Carolinians, too? Yay!

Bowling and Birthday Fun

Today we celebrated my sister-in-law, Shannon's birthday. It was great fun! We had a big, delicious family lunch at Olive Garden in Columbia, and then rode over to Royal Z lanes for a game of bowling. I was the only one to break 100; I think my final score was 115. (Well, my mother-in-law, Brenda, also got a high score, but she was on the lane with bumpers.) Emily (the cutest niece in the world) even got to bowl, too. A nice man from the lane next to us, who was obviously a league bowler, and a regular at this particular alley, brought over a little ramp thingie so that Emily could push her ball down it and onto the lane. She *loved* said ramp thingie, and it was fun to watch her jump up and down and giggle after she took each turn.

After lunch and bowling, we went back to Mom and Dad Vaughan's house, and had cake and ice cream in honor of the birthday girl. We ate our dessert and watched old home movies, which was hilarious, to say the least. We also laughed at Emily, who stole the show by walking around in a pair of kid-sized pink sunglasses with a super-serious expression on her face. I think she was just tired, but it totally looked like she was rocking the glasses in classic supermodel style.

And now, here I sit on my couch, having just finished my second piece of German chocolate birthday cake (thanks, Momma Vaughan, for giving us some to take home!), contemplating all the things I haven't gotten done this weekend. First on the agenda tonight: laundry. We are down to the last two towels in the house, so it's definitely time. More to come! ♥

PS - The hubs and I went on a hot date last night to see Up in the Air. It was awesome, and I highly recommend it! Leave the kids at home, though. :)

Sometimes workdays make me feel like this...

First Blog Award!

Thank you, Joanne, for awarding me the Lemonade Stand Award! This award is given to bloggers who show great attitude or gratitude. I wish I could give Joanne the award right back, because in all the years I have known her, she has always had a smile on her face, and that great attitude shines through in her blogging! Go check her out at Ready Set Craft. Anyway, thanks, girl. :)

And now, the fun part - I get to nominate 10 more bloggers to receive the Lemonade Stand so that they can go share it with others, too. So, without further ado, give it up for these awesome bloggers!

Melanie @ Adorkable

Bev @ A Baby? Maybe...

Emily @ Smith Gallery Photography

Jess @ Jessica Rabon Lewis Photography

Lindsay @ Apricots Today

Bethany @ Demani, Seren & Mekai

MckMama @ MckMama

Matt @ matt, liz & madeline

Amy @ Pregnancy Wishes, Baby Spit Dreams

Angie @ Dan and Angie

Kudos to you all!

(Official award rules... put the lemonade logo on your blog or within your post, nominate at least ten blogs with great attitude or gratitude, link the nominees within your post, let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog, share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award)