Great Date

The boy and I had a great date last night-we went to dinner at Bonefish Grille!
So yummy.
When boy said he had a surprise date for us and told me to "dress up" I got so excited!  So naturally-I went to get my nails done.

I got a muted beige/gray on the nails-perfect to go with whatever I decided to wear that night. (Fingers were done as well but I couldn't take a picture of them.)

As girly as it sounds, I LOVE getting my nails done.  I always feel a bit more chic when they're done, ya know?

So anyway: after much hustle-and-bustle through the Boro I came home and started getting ready for our little date!

Picked the perfect dress lent to me from my very best of friends, Destiny as well as her black peep-toes.  I won't lie: the dress made me feel even more confident and sexy than being asked on a date with such a stud ;]

Then-I curled my hair for the first time! I mean it's not in ringlets or big waves but flipped around a bit-showing a little sass.  I thought of taking before and after pictures but I forgot.  I guess I got so caught up in getting ready, LOL.  I REALLY like my hair curled.  Took all of 10 minutes and looked pretty good!  I paired the do with the real fresh-water pearl earrings Der got me for my big gift for Christmas-they worked wonderfully and it was the first time I wore them!

We got in the car and trekked to Bonefish Grille where we had to wait for over an hour to get seated.  Yes-a long wait BUT in comparison to some other restaurants in town it wasn't that bad.  My thought was that everyone had cabin fever and was SO glad to get out since the weather was amazing the past 2 days.

Anyway-we ate some AWESOME food (if you've never been there you're reallllllllllllllllly missing out) consisting of: bread & some of the best olive oil, bang bang shrimp-a MUST if you venture there, I got a 6 oz. filet with a small side of mashed potatoes while Der got the Imperial Longfin-which looked good and had fish, crab, scallops and shrimp combined!  Add a water, margarita, raspberry martini and a coke and you've got 2 perfectly content people enjoying one another's company!

I was starving so the smile was a bit strained, LOL.

Our waitress asked why we were dressed up-if it was a special occasion-and we just said we liked each other, LOL.  She thought that was really cool so she gave us a macadamia-nut brownie on the house! Super sweet and good! We also got chocolate Crème Brûlée and practically went in to sugar shock with how delicious it was.  (This girl loves her some Crème Brûlée.) 

We then ventured home for some one-on-one time and some snuggling before drifting away to sleep.

He's got the sass of a champion and the heart of a teddy bear.

I was really excited to show off my "new" look!

Love. Love. Love.

He's goofy...and that's why I like him =]

It. Was. Amazing.  So simple-and that was all we needed. <3

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

It's true.  Sing it from the rooftops like the VonTrap children! 

I am in love with the following things:

1) Navy or Ink colored anything. Whether it's nails, clothes, or accessories I am in love with this color right now.  I haven't found one person that's wearing it and not found them a tad classy.  It's just so chic!

Navy/Ink colored nails

(photo courtesy of Vogue.com)

Navy/Ink colored apparel *droooooooooooooool*  I want this tunic SO bad.

(photo courtesy of Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes)

2) Copper colored eyes/shadows.  I have been told that my actual iris' are the shade of "honey", "tigers eye" and "copper"-all of which I find very flattering.  [Unfortunately the DMV and other governmental agencies only have options for brown, green, blue, and hazel so I'm legally a hazel eyed person.] So, with my Scotts-Irish/Cherokee skin tones and my "copper" eyes I adore copper shadow-on myself as well as on others.  I don't think specifics really affect this shadow either because I've seen different ethnicities, hair colors, and skin tones wear it (trust me-just Google it and you'll know what I mean) and it always looks fierce.  See what I mean:

3 different shades of copper eyeshadow/bronzer-perfect for different skin tones.  This specific brand is from Stila.

(photo courtesy of My Makeup Reviews Blog)

God I love this photo! Simplistic surrounding makeup and this fierce shade! Tell me you don't love the copper trend and I'll buy you a drink.

(photo courtesy of Marie Claire.com)

So naturally-since I am so in love with these two things...

This is my navy purse-purchased from Target-that I ADORE! It matches with everything (for the fall/winter), is big enough to hold everything I need it to AND looks stunning on its own accord.  [Special thanks to my sister for the Target gift card which pushed me to go check things out in the first place!]

And here is my M.A.C. copper eyeshadow that I rocked yesterday to work!  My sister bought this for me when I was 17 and I still haven't scratched the bottom of the pot yet! Granted-I don't wear it every day but I could and it would still last forever! One (of many) things I love about M.A.C. cosmetics is that they use high pigments (meaning more concentrated colors/elements) so the you don't have to use as much when applying-therefore it lasts longer and isn't too heavy!  I know the rule of throwing makeup out when it gets too old but I refuse to toss this until it's bone dry.

This love is pretty strong.  I love these colors separate but throw them together and you've got an amazing combo of chic/fierce-which in my opinion is a perfect balance for a girl who's got a rounded personality. 

(photo courtesy of Google search)

[This is more gold than copper but you get the gist of how awesome they look together.]

Check these pairings and tell me you're not in love too...it's okay: I don't mind the affair as long as the love is real, LOL.

(photo courtesy of Smarter Blogs)

(photo courtesy of Omiru.com - C. Ronson "Annabelle" Shoes | $146 at Active Endeavors)

OR

(photo courtesy of 25 park)

Perfect slim Navy clutch

(Photo courtesy of Google search)

(photo courtesy of albanysalsashoes.com)

(photo courtesy of la-sheboutique.com)

*This second outfit is my favorite! There are so many textures that work so well together and the colors are so smooth together...*droooooooooools* one day...one day, LOL.

Well-I'm sure you all get the idea...I'm in love with copper and navy.  If any of you decide to try this fierce combo together PLEASE show me so I can add it to this blog!  I'm going shopping today so if I can find something that works-I'm doing it!

**Love and Kisses from the Mrs.**

The bedroom table-part 2

The table is finished!  (If you're confused check this blog to know what I'm talking about).

I have it painted white (2 coats) and placed back in the bedroom! Now I've got to sand, prime, and paint the drawer this weekend and it's DONE; it looks so nice already! YAHOO!

Check it out:

Here's the table all painted with its built in gloss! (Ignore the bad quality pic-the light this am didn't/wouldn't do it justice with any camera)

The finished product! (In the living room)

The finished product in the bedroom-obviously without the drawer and decor on it BUT it's DONE!

No more procrastination! No more painting it! No more putting it on my "To Do" list every month!

Now once I get the drawer done and the decor put on-watch out! It's going to be pretty rockin'.

Love and kisses for all!

My PaPaw

My PaPaw Watkins has entered a rehabilitation facility to gain strength and endurance back in his limbs and de-stress.  He has had health issues for years and this last time he went in the hospital to have his pacemaker batteries replaced and a 2 lead put in to help with the flow-it didn't work out.  They replaced the batteries but couldn't put the 2nd lead in due to so much scar tissue around his heart from other surgeries. They've also noticed his strength is almost non-existent (like he can't "tell" his legs to stand when sitting down).

So: he is at this place in Florida away from his wife and home.  I know he is a bit worried about it and a lot unhappy with the arrangement.  BUT-this is what will be best for his health.  He's working with a physical therapist to gain some of that strength back as well as his endurance.  He hates the food but knows it's what is good for him seeing he as CHF (chronic heart failure).  I think he'll feel loads better once he pushes himself to do the exercises and training. Hell, after his first bath there he already felt a bit better! Isn't it weird how a bath can really make or break us? I know I always feel better after a bath/shower.

I wrote him a letter today.  One thing the man loves is old school mail.  He always has, actually.  Giving him the 411 on the Raley life and letting him know it's okay to be frustrated with his situation but to work through it.  I love and miss him dearly.  I haven't seen him in almost 3 years and haven't spoken with him since before the wedding almost 9 months ago....

Part of it is totally my fault.  BUT-letters will be written (a few here and there have been exchanged over the years) and in a more "hurried" fashion because right now these words of comfort are going to help give him hope and strength in an otherwise frustrating and downtrodden situation.

So-whatever your method(s) of goodness (i.e. prayer, good juju, karma, etc.) I'd like you to think about him for a second and send a good thought/prayer/vibe/etc. his way.

Thanks =]

"Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from an indomitable will."~Mahatma Gandhi

Zoo Run Run-5K

I did it! I completed the Zoo Run Run without passing out, freezing to death, or getting trampled on!

**This gets marked off of the January TO-DO list for my health goals! YIPPEE!**

Check the pictures out below for a bit of the details.  It was very cold but sunshiny and decent outside.  There was a HUGE turnout it seemed so it was great that I wasn't the only one freezing pre-run.  I had to stop my jog a few times due to: bad leg cramps, large crowds of walkers who wouldn't move to the side, and once I got a cramp in my side I massaged out whilst walking up a hill.  BUT-I'd say overall I did well and had a great time doing it!

Welcome to the Nashville Zoo! Pretty and quiet little place.  I didn't get pictures of the (few) animals that were out because the zoo closed early for the run and most of the animals were put away.  I did see a handful of animals (birds, cougar, horse, anteaters) but since Derrick had my camera I didn't stop to check them out...maybe this will be a trip to come in 2011?!

This is me after I got registered and had my bib pinned on! Super excited-if you can't tell.  I opted out of being timed because since I will never call myself a runner (no offense to those who are...I just am not) and I'm not focused on my times (overall or per lap) I didn't want one.

Here's me and the hubs.  He looks miserable, right? Well he kind of was BUT he was being oh-so-sweet and supportive of me doing this so he woke up and trudged up the the Ville to cheer me on and smile at the finish line (and he did WONDERFULLY at both!)  Also, he hates getting pictures taken so this was probably as good as it was going to get, LOL!  He was an ice cube by the time I was done so we got in the car and thawed him out for a bit! Poor guy's got a headache now =(

Here's me with my headphones on trying to warm up and get pumped with some music before the run. (Don't judge my outfit!)

Here's me getting nervous because the race was about to start and there were tons of people there.

Now-here's me 3.1 miles later with a smile on my face at my accomplishment of completing this 5K! Very sweaty and randomly cold but overall felt great!

It's legit-I've trained and completed the Nashville Zoo Run Run 5K!

Now on to a warm bath and some relaxing!

Week 1 down

Well-it's official.  I have officially completed my first full week of graduate school + GA work!  Granted: this technically wouldn't be the case until 9 PM tonight but since my class was cancelled-voila!

It is going to be so much fun.  Sounds weird-right? 

*My GA work is going to be awesome with my research help on coping mechanisms (namely religion) for women with life sentences and with the proctoring and small amounts of lecturing for Marriage and Family as well as Sociological Theory!
*My classes are going to be intense but great.  Social Statistics and the use of SPSS are going to challenge me since I am NOT a math person but when I took it in undergrad I made an A.  My Qualitative Research Methods class is also going to be extremely challenging with the research/focus groups I have to work on as well as my portfolio and application to the faux IRB (Institutional Review Board)...and if the faux IRB denies my proposal to do my research then I have to come up with new topics!  Stressed=yes. Excited=YES x10!

I plan on really sitting down on Sunday and organizing my notes. notebooks, etc. and really getting back in to my school groove.  There's a ton of reading and downloading of files but I wouldn't have it any other way!

MTSU-watch out.  I'm coming to conquer.

XO

My best friend

(At my bridal tea in Chatt)

I can't make a timeline of my best friend and I's friendship because frankly I don't have that many pictures on the computer of it nor do I have the time frame in which to do it in!! Her name is Destiny and she's pretty much my soul mate.

And she is going in to the Navy...on WEDNESDAY (meaning 2 days from RIGHT NOW).  I've known about this for a while and she was actually on the phone with me when she realized that was what she wanted to do with her life for the time being...and I was supportive yet sad.

This past weekend I said good-bye. Now listen: I know she's just going to boot camp for 2 months and then to Florida for the 4 months after that before she's stationed wherever...but you need to understand-me moving to the Boro or when she moved to NC it was a BIG DEAL because we talk on the phone at least 3 times a week and see each other every time I come in to Chattanooga.  So for me to not be able to talk to her for 2 months is going to be gruesome. And then for her to go to Florida (8 hrs+) away will also not settle well...

BUT:

I am so incredibly proud of her.  This is such a wonderful thing she's chosen to do and if that's what she wants then damn it-I'll want it for her!  I have cried off and on over the past week about it-happy tears (mostly).  I am sad and a little selfish in the fact that I want to keep her here and around me as much as possible.  I want to spend hours on the phone in silence because we're laughing so hard you can't hear it.  I want to watch movies and argue about scratching each other's backs before we falls asleep.

BUT:

I won't cry anymore because I know this is what she wants and that our friendship won't bend let alone break.  I know she'll be my same best friend in 2 months or 5 years.

And I am thankful for that and proud to call her my best friend.

My best friend Destiny-the E-3 SN Seaman of the United States Navy.

Proud of you Pete <3

The husband is born!

So-January 10th (Monday) was my husband's 23rd birthday!  He's a "baby" but I still like him ;)

It was 1 day after my nephew Andrew's 3rd birthday so they are literally 20 years apart-so cool! Anyway, we celebrated Der's day by playing in the snow and playing Rock Band 3 with our neighbors.  I couldn't go in to work since it was SO snowy so luckily we got to hang out all day!

This was the view from our patio of my car and the streets-you couldn't even see them! So beautiful and fluffy! 

We tried walking to the restaurant down the street but they were closed due to the weather so we went to Chilis instead! Yummy food and lots of laughs-just what the doctor ordered.  We came back to the house and since I couldn't get Derrick's present we hung out some more with our friends for the evening-very fun, laid back and cold day.

I tried to go Tuesday to get Derrick's surprise gift but because of the ice and snow I still couldn't get there! I let him know and he said it was fine if I got them for him the next day seeing that was his birthday dinner with our friends.

So-Wednesday we go to Red Lobster (which is Der's favorite restaurant) and meet up with a great group of friends to celebrate! Check out the crappy cell phone pics below:

Here's be and the birthday boy! He was being a smart-ass because he didn't want his picture taken, lol.

Der and Elisa (John is right next to her but refused to get a picture!) They're our lovely neighbors you seem to hear so much about.

Mark and Tonya-Mark was the best man at our wedding and Tonya was our attendant who helped so much with everything!

Kelly with precious nephew-by-non-blood Dylan.

Wes-Kelly's husband-and Andrew

And me and Andrew because...I just love this kid!

We all had a really nice night laughing, eating, and just talking.  When the dinner was over Mark, Tonya, John and Elisa came over to play on the Kinect I got Derrick! It is soooo cool! It takes pictures and everything while you play so you can see how much of a nut you look like, LOL!  We had a good time and when they left I crashed! So tired after work, party and then playing on the Kinect. Plus: it was the first day of school the next day so I needed to rest ;)

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the gift again on Wednesday BUT I was able to put an order in so I could get them Thursday....

May I introduce you to diabetes? Or to a sugar coma? OH. MY. GOD.

This is a GiGi's cupcake-3 delicious layers of butter cream frosting topped with white sprinkles on top of moist and rich white cake?  It really is H.U.G.E. Like...intimidatingly large.

This is called the wedding cake cupcake. Der and I were fortunate enough to have tasted these at our food tasting for the wedding.  He fell in love with them and has always talked about them; then we stumbled across a GiGi's here in the Boro! And we had talked about getting some one day and (lucky Der) a great reason for something this sweet came along!

*Whew!* It's a lot to take in...but oh so good!

And that was the husband's 23rd birthday spanning 4 days long chucked full of friends and food.  

And I don't think he minded a bit!

I LOVE YOU DER! <3

The bedroom table-part 1

Okay-so do any of you remember that over the past 3 months I've been talking about sanding, priming, and painting the white table in our hallway?!  Okay so...I've started it-finally!

These are the pictures of the actual table (without the drawer) before being primed.  It had a crappy coat of paint throw on it and it just looked bad.

This is the top of it-notice the gross stain/scuff on the lower right side? And the paint coat looks sloppy and uneven?

These are the 2 separate angles of it without the drawer-notice on the bottom the untouched-by-paint parts? Ew.

This is the close up without the drawer.

So yeah...it was given to me by a great friend but I really wanted to spruce it up...and now the time has come!

Below are the pics of the table (without the drawer) sanded and with two coats of primer:

The top-it almost looks painted! I can't wait to throw some bright white paint on it-it'll sparkle!

This is the table without the drawer and FULLY sanded and primed!  It looks soooooo much better already! I've got 1 more coat to do on the base board (if you can't tell) but that's it! 

The primer dries so fast so this weekend I should have the WHOLE TABLE done!  I'll still have to sand, prime and paint the drawer but that shouldn't take as long.

Cheers to a good started and half way completed project!

Not Lost

I swear I do remember my blog and domain! I've had a crazy week but think I'll update with a few blogs come Sunday evening.

Stay posted and have a happy weekend!  =]

Andrew's 3rd birthday!

Well it's official: my nephew-by-non-blood Andrew is now 3 years old! It's so crazy because I just sit and think about when Kelly called and told me she was pregnant, about when I moved up to Murfreesboro and saw her little preg belly for the first time, about how I watched him grow and helped them pick out baby names...and now he's 3! Man time sure flys.  I get all mushy sometimes because he knows me-like knows me.  He recognizes my face, my voice, and my scent. He calls me "JoJo" and Derrick "Dot" and knows us like he does his family-and that means a lot. I'm not even all gaga over children and get all mushy with all babies but those Blackwood boys have something over me =]

So, today Der and I traveled to Lebanon to celebrate this grand day with the Blackwood's and family! See pics and details below (excuse the bad picture quality).

Here is the birthday boy-Andrew! He got his party hat on and had pizza all over his face...it was awesome!

This was Andrew's homemade birthday banner-his party was themed from the children's t.v. show Yo Gabba Gabba.

Balloons were EVERYWHERE and the boys loved them!

The Yo Gabba Gabba cake and cupcakes.

Me with Aunt Tonya in our awesome party hats.

Aunt JoJo and Uncle Dot

Sweet baby brother Dylan ready for some cake and ice cream!

The big birthday boy with his cake-getting ready to blow out that big 3 candle!

Andrew was decided if he wanted cake, cupcakes, or both! (FYI-He chose both)

Aunt JoJo with the birthday boy. He loves to play and be the attention but when I get a camera on him he always gets so shy! He'll grow out of it, I'm sure.

All of his loot! He got some awesome toys, clothes, and cards from everyone.  I think this birthday was a success!

And that was that! So much fun, food, and family/friends for this wonderful occasion. 

Glad-in every way-to be a part of it  <3