So I got in a cleaning mode. And I mean like "Get out of my way, let me do my own thing, its going in the trash, pitch it! Move the furniture to get the dust bunnies, and so on." And I must admit I love getting into this mode. I just wish it would happen more often. However, since I have been scrap booking, I thought I would take a few pictures so I could put them in my book. So, as you will notice there are not any pics of my bedroom. Let me tell you, about a week ago, it was clean. And that it is because the laundry was done ;) But now, the clothes are back on the floor, like they exploded. (And we even have 5 laundry baskets) Sad, but true. Phil and I really like living in an apartment, and we live comfortably. We are really looking forward to moving into a house, but our little abode will do just fine for now :)

Tan Lines?

Well, I have officially achieved tan lines for the first time this summer. Sad, but true. The weather has been pretty rainy and cloudy. I am not saying I dont mind a little rain here and there, but enough is enough. So for the past few days, I have been taking in all I can get, because you just never know when the sun will decide to go on vacation again. So my mom and I have been soaking up the rays at the pool! And...I must say, it has been soooooo darn nice!!! Its days like these that I wish had a few more hours in them. So it has now just turned about 6:15, and it is still 93 degrees out! Hot, but I will take hot over cold any day! :)

Proof of tan lines!!!!

P.S.- Don't mind the chlorinated hair and no make-up! I am all natrual in this pic! ha :)

Vino

Phil and I went up to the wine festival with Bobby & Liz. We had a great time. We really enjoyed the sunshine, the relaxing atmosphere, and casual conversations! :) It was the perfect summer day.


Phil and I when we first got there


A little later on, hey I wasn't ready..could you tell?




Liz and I sweatin our little behinds off :)



At the beach. Finally a nice sunny day!!!!

Too much time....

So....

I think I have too much time on my hands as of right now. My love/hate relationship revolves around EBAY at this moment. Since I have been scrapbooking and trying to be creative, I have found that EBAY has some pretty awesome stuff on it. I do have a partner in crime on this one! Liz....yea...thats right, she's in on this gig too! She bought a scrapbooking set with like 1900 pieces in it! We were both so giddy and excited when it came in the mail. So I am not sure how to take this situation. Is is a good thing to be involved in EBAY or not. They do have some pretty awesome deals. On the other hand, when I look at the clock, I wonder where in the world an hour went?

Casey's Little Pet Shop

Well, as of right now, I am supporting my husband, my 2 cats, Phil's classroom turtle, and dog-watching Rachels puppy while she is out of town. What have I gotten myself into???


Let's just say this has been quite an experience so far! Mollie, is the cutest puppy, and I believe is only about 5 months old. I have grown up in a household that only had cats. At the age of 4, we took in Lucky. And since then, thats all I have owned. Dogs are so completely different.
I haven't slept too many hours in the past 2 days. I am so paranoid with Mollie around. I am just not used to having something always following me. I am always checking to see if she if she needs to go out. I swear she finds things on the floor that the vacuum doesn't even find. Yesterday I was in the office doing some work when she brings me my bra and a tank top. I'm like, "What the heck Mollie?!" So last night, I went to PetSmart after going out to dinner with a few girls from college. I was on a mission to find this girl some things to chew on! Rachel brought over a couple of things, but she is definitely more interested in the cats things. Chloe and Buddy are very protective of their mice, feathers, and etc. And so I bought her a few things, and they really seem to be distracting her from the other stuff.
And not to mention, 2 cats. They are doing fairly well, but they watch their distance from Mollie. Mollie is so innocent and just wants to play, but I guess my "kids" are just acting to sophisticated or sassy.
I can say I have had a lot of fun playing fetch with her and going on walks, something you can't really do with cats. I mean yooouuu coouuullddd, trust me on this one! They do have strollers for cats, and if I were rich, my babies would totally have one! :)

So this morning after taking Mollie out, feeding the animals like I was filling a troft, I sat down to watch some Snapped! When I asked Phil if he had fed the turtle and turned on its UV light. Anyone want to guess what his response was? I'm sure that you are right, it was no. So when I went in to take care of Shelly, I just ended up cleaning up her tank and filter. It wasn't that bad, I just don't want things to start smelling funny :/

So all in all, life has been a little crazy lately. (I think I am running on a lot of caffeine.) Just don't ask me to take care of any more animals right now, because my heart will just say Yes. I love the "babies" and wish I could give all animals a good place to live. So if you don't own one yet, you should :) The best part about owning a pet is that the love you give to it, will always come back to you. And that's a guarantee folks!

365 Days

Today is the Day!

Today marks our first year anniversary as a married couple. Today seems like a bland kind of day compared to what was taking place last year at this time. Last night Phil and I were eating some dinner and talking. Thats when Phil said, "last year at this time you weren't here." I looked at him like he was crazy. I was like..umm, yea I was living here. Then it clicked, that he was right. After the rehearsal dinner, I went back to my moms. I didnt stay here with him. That little line triggered all of those feelings of excitement, being nervous, emotional, and chaotic moments.

People ask if the first year was harder than we thought it was going to be. I told Phil that we never said it was going to be easy, but we had our challenging moments. When Phil and I didn't live together, we would bicker and argue, but it was easier then. Because I could always go home, hang up the phone, or just ignore the issue. However, now-a-days, I can't do those things anymore. Now when we get in an arguement, we know we have to work it out, because we live with each other............and in an apartment I might add ;) I would say that we actually bicker a whole heck of a lot less too.

Some days, well actually every week or so, I look at our wedding pictures and wish book. It just makes me smile or laugh when I see these things.

So to the couples who are getting married, who are newly weds, or have been married, I think that we have to remember what got us to that day. It helps to keep you grounded together. At the end of the day, it is important to know who loves and supports you. I have come to understand that we both have a mutual understanding of each other. (Key word in that sentence is MUTUAL) If we are only seeing 100% of our own point of view, it just will not work. I have learned this the hard way.

So during those 365 days of being newly weds, life changed a little bit for the both of us, but I am glad to have made those changes with Phil. He is a challenge some days, and I often wonder what he is thinking. But some of these things are what attracted me to him 5 years ago. He is a good man. And Im proud to call him my husband.

House Pet for the Summer

Introducing.......... Shelly

Shelly has moved into our office for the summer. She is Phil's classroom pet turtle. At first I was really dreading this whole turtle thing. The first thing I thought to myself was, "I am probably going to be the one feeding it, making sure its taken care of, the water temp. is staying normal, etc." Turns out, shes really not all that hard to maintain. Im really glad she is low-maintence. Shelly and I are getting along really well. She's pretty social. I have been re-decorating her living space. I added a few rocks donated from Mom's backyard, and giving her some extra treats. The tank she is in now is much smaller than the one Phil has in his room. The one in his room is huge, like a 60 gallon or something. So I am trying to make sure feels welcome and doesn't get sassy, especially with the cats. I think she is fitting in quite nicely, and think she is enjoying a little R&R from a noisy classroom.
So, here she is.

Peace & Quiet

Phil and I spent a couple of days up at the lake house. And I must say, Liz figured out my husband! If you ever want Phil to focus on something, not talk about sports, or make crazy WV comments, just get the boy to fish. Amen....

Little Get-A-Way

It is coming up on Phil and I's first year anniversary. Last year, after our wedding, we did not get the chance to take a small vacay or honeymoon. We were hired in to teach in the Bilingual Summer School program. And unfortunately, summer school started about 1 week after we were hitched. However, as a wedding gift, my aunt and uncle gave Phil and I a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast in upper MI. It was nice, and kind of just what we needed. School had just been let out for summer, so this was the perfect way to start our summer, and celebrate our anniversary a little early. I must say, I have never done this sort of bed&breakfast thing before, so I was a little anxious. Phil kept telling me to relax. I guess I just feel the need to always stay busy. We got a couples massage, and drank plenty of wine. We went shopping up by the harbor, had some really nice dinners, and were not tied down to a schedule. (I feel like this is why I was a little uneasy, ....I'm a planner) So here are a few pics from our room, the massage room, and other random ones.

And...Yes that is Pokey. We bought him on our trip.....long, but entertaining story. Maybe for another blog...who knows!

Phil on the porch

M is for Massage :)

Our Room

This is where we sat and enjoyed our

wine during the Inn's happy hour every day!

Who doesn't love free wine :)