New Years Resolutions-Year End Recap!

Well well: looks like 2011 has come and gone and it went by so fast! I miss (most of) it already!  Remember when I made my 2011 resolutions alongside my monthly goals?  Let's see what I actually got done this year!

1) Donate more-whether it's money, clothes, time I want to do more of it. According to Der I get "donation binges" where I tear our home upside down and inside out ridding of things we no longer need/want and give them to some that do. No harm in it and I like it. I totally did this! I got rid of/gave a lot of clothes, energy, dishes, supplies, money, support, and time this year-all donating to friends, shelters, family, the community, etc.  It's very humbling and rewarding to help others and to continue to de-clutter my home.


2) Stay healthy, hopefully slimming a bit in the process. I have no real reason not to and if you read this blog you'll know what I mean. Well...I was doing well...until this summer and especially this fall with school.  A main goal for 2012 is to re-vamp all of my health stuff so we'll see what actually transpires.

3) Do well in school. I always have and don't plan on stopping. I did =]  I could have done a tad bit better but considering-I am proud.

4) Travel more-this is a big one because Der and I both love to travel. Whether we go to Florida to see the in-laws and/or Disney World, California to see Patrick and/or Der's grandparents, or Chicago (just because I really wanna go) I want to get more traveling under my belt in 2011. The only place travel won't count is to Chattanooga since I go there all of the time. Travel I/we did! We went on The Delta Queen (though I know I said I wouldn't count Chattanooga...this only counts because it is a traveling hotel that happened to be docked in Chatt. and is pretty awesome), enjoyed a little time in The Smokies, I visited my family in Oklahoma, learned a bit about Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, and checked out one of my favorite cities with my hubs!  May not be too much (or too far) for some but it was enough to get excited about and close enough that it wasn't a fortune!  I definitely want this to be another goal for 2012 (and hopefully it will be complete too!)

5) Read more-I think when I get a Kindle this may be a bit easier. Now don't get me wrong: I love a good library smelling book as much as the next person but carrying 20 books in my over-the-shoulder tote doesn't seem to make sense for my shoulders or for purpose sake. So, with the Kindle I can lightly carry around the classics (not to mention my school books) for traveling and class sake. Psssh-I ROCKED this goal! I read 35 books that were not school related!  This includes e-books (via my Kindle) and hard copies. I won't lie-this is pretty cool and something I totally want to carry over into 2012 (and every year!)



6) A photo a day project: if you're linked with me on Facebook.com, I am hoping to do a project where I take a photo a day and talk about it-traversing my year in 2011 through photos. Once I get a real camera this will be made much much easier but until then, crappy cell phone pics will have to do. 1 down, 364 to go! Oh I totally failed this, ha ha! I did about 60ish days and then just plum forgot!

7) Finish Raley home. We've lived here almost 8 months and everything isn't finished-in part due to finances, in part due to forgetfulness, lol. I want everything completed by the summer if possible, but by Dec. 31 2011 at the latest. Well-This is kind of done, LOL. The bedroom still needs some work but the rest of the place is pretty much complete!  I need to post pics....

8) Go to at least 1 concert. I'm not really concerned as to whom I'm seeing but I want to see at least one. I don't think 2010 had any for me (at least none memorable) so I'd like to remedy that. HECK YEAH! Der and I went to see RUSH!  I had wanted to go see my favorite band (Incubus) but the closest they came to Nashville was Atlanta and it was smack in the middle of the semester...maybe next time?

9) See more theater-especially since I am jonesing for it so much as of late. Whether it's professional ("Spring Awakening!") or local (MTSU) I want to see more of it. I did! I saw: MTSUs "Medea" with Kelly, saw Tonya in "Hairspray", MTSUs "RENT" with Tonya, a couple of 1 acts with Tonya and Ben at Out Front on Main, saw "Little Shop of Horrors" directed by Kelly at the high school she teaches at, and saw MTSU's original play "Lady Parts". Definitely felt good to see some theatre this year =]  I didn't see a completely professional show but maybe 2012 can remedy that.

10) Celebrate. I don't care if it's for weddings, birthdays or sheer fun-I want to jump for joy even more this year though 2010 had a LOT of that going on. Life is for living, after all. Oh-SO SO SO many celebrations were had this year! It's very incredible to realize how awesome the people in your life are and to celebrate them and their/your accomplishments. I saw people (and dogs) getting older including me, I saw friends having babies, and saw friends getting married.  I celebrated life with the passing of Clyde, Long John, and Anna. I also celebrated a 3 year relationship and 1 year of marriage with my boo. I have successfully completed 1 year of Graduate School in the journey of obtaining my Masters of Arts in Sociology.  I have helped send my best friend off to Hawaii for the NAVY and have celebrated the purchase of my sister's first home.  And duh-I celebrated holidays with great coworkers, wonderful friends and awesome family. 2011 was chucked full of amazing celebrations and I am so incredibly glad and thankful I was able to take part in all of them.

2011-You weren't bad.  You absolutely had your downs but your ups more than made up for it.  Cheers to bringing in 2012 with smiles, laughter and a lot of goals accomplished!

2012-I've got a good feeling you're going to be just as good.

December Goals-completed!

December was a whirlwind and I miss [most of] it already-it went by too fast!  Check out what I got done!

*Around the House
-Finish hanging photos. COMPLETE-I finished hanging and placing pictures (finally!) in the living room.  I love how it turned out! Now maybe one day I'll get to the bedroom, lol.
-Sew clothes needing mending. COMPLETE-all with the exception of 1 hoodie that I will need a sewing machine for.
-Mail out Christmas cards. COMPLETE-I even got the festive stamps too, ha ha!
-Put up Christmas decor. COMPLETE!  It  was nice re-arranging everything and decorating our tree. That's always one of my favorite parts.

*Celebrations (YAY!)
-Celebrate Christmas with Derrick, Kelly, Wes, Andrew, Dylan, Tonya, and Ben. COMPLETE-Duh, it was awesome!
-Celebrate the holidays at work with co-workers. COMPLETE-It was so much fun!
-Celebrate the holidays with family. COMPLETE-what a great time and busy day we had!
-Celebrate my mom's birthday. COMPLETE-although it was early because her birthday fell on a Wednesday and she would be back in the Noog for it.  When we went out on our shopping day I gave her the card we got her and bought her lunch! It was fun and I'm glad I got to celebrate a bit with her!
-Jen and mom come up for shopping and fun. COMPLETE! As always, tons of fun was had even though I was sick.
-Celebrate goodbyes with Elisa and John since they're moving to Hawaii =( COMPLETE-although I sure am going to miss them!
-Celebrate time off from work and school COMPLETE-probably the best time off I've had in a LONG time.

*School
-COMPLETE my second semester of Graduate School (1 year down baby!) COMPLETE-1 year down, 1 more to go!
-Be content with my grades, whatever they may be. COMPLETE! Everything worked out just fine =]


Well-I think this may be a first in my blog history that I have a full month with nothing but completes!  It's a nice feeling and a great way to end the year =]

Cheers December-you were fun and fast!

Family Christmas!

Christmas in my family is a big deal.  NOT because of the gifts but because of the family time we all enjoy and the memories we're making with more and more family members throughout the years.  It's really a special time and even with different beliefs, we all put that aside and get together for the day and just enjoy one another's company.  That is why I look forward to Christmas each year and this is also why it will be one of the hardest things I'll have to cope with when me move away (because at least for a few years, we won't be able to come home on every holiday like we have been these past 4 years).  I love Christmas with my family!  Let me recap you with the Christmas/family activities.

Christmas Eve, though Der and I have both been sick off and on for close to a week, we woke up at our own accord and opened our gifts and stockings from each other.  It was a lot of fun because the past few years we haven't been able to do a lot for one another for Christmas.  This year we were and even though we were sick it was still fun opening gifts, laughing and spending time together.  I forgot to take pictures (probably for the best since we were both sick)! After checking out our loot, we loaded the car up and headed to Chattanooga to spend Christmas Eve with my mom and the next day with my family!

To start Christmas day, we (the kids) got together at my mom's house in the morning and opened our gifts, drank coffee, and woke up more before getting ready to start our hectic day.

Mom's tree-it was STUFFED with gifts!

Me and my boo Christmas morning, lol.

My brother and brother in law opening gifts.  Mom played Santa and was the last in opening her gifts but she loved them! We're a pretty simple family when it comes to gifts (though the tree tells a different story!).  We mostly give/get books and some DVDs and we're all perfectly okay with that.  Christmas to my family is about family and togetherness.

So after Christmas at mom's we got ready and headed to my dad's house for Christmas with my grandparents!  It was weird because we kept saying "Clyde's house" even though Uncle Clyde is no longer with us.  My dad lives in his house now so it was kind of like Uncle Clyde was there in spirit and it really helped make that even more special.

Daddy's little tree and the gifts.

A bunch of the family just hanging out. We were waiting for the food! My grandmother's (Dot Dot) sister was coming over with all of the food-she brought stuffing, and HUGE ham, dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, mom brought deviled eggs, and there was so much more! We had another party to go to that evening so we didn't fill up but it was hard because it was all so delicious.

Me and my sister! I'm wearing the new top my mom bought me and actually look decent now, ha ha!

My sister, my Dot Dot, Dave, and my brother-in-law Steve.

Der, my daddy and me.

The kids with Dad! From L: Der, me, Brad, Daddy, Jen, and Steve

After Dad's we headed down the road to my Aunt's house for the annual Christmas party!  This is where my mom's side of the family all get together to eat a ton, do a dirty Santa gift exchange and take pictures.  It's a pretty laid back atmosphere and good for all of us to get together.

Just the start of the YUMMMMMMMY food everyone brought!  I made the Oreo truffles again for the party-and as expected, they were a success!

My sister and awesome cousin Lauren.

My aunt's tree and the beginnings of the dirty Santa gifts!  I forgot to take pictures during the actual game but we had a great time changing out gifts.  I got a candle set and Der got a car cleaning kit! Both great and practical gifts.

The girl cousins! From L: me, Jen, Lauren, Sara, and Haley. Jen is the oldest cousin and Haley is the youngest.  My cousin Kevin couldn't come to the party but he and his wife are expecting a baby at the end of January so once he's born he'll be the youngest.  We are all so excited to meet him!

My family. From L: Steve, Jen, Brad, Mom, me, and Der.

We took this picture really quick-Jen and Steve had to leave to go to Steve's side of the family's Christmas.  The Der, Brad and I left to go see my other grandparents before trekking back up the mountain to collapse in our merriment.

What a JOYOUS and wonderful Christmas we both had.  I feel extremely humble, blessed and happy that I have such a fantastic family to celebrate holidays with.

Oreo Truffles

I know pinterest is showing these all over the place and they are the CRAZE right now with everyone...and understandably so! They are divine and so super easy to make-great for ANY fall/winter party or get together!  If you are any kind of chocolate fan, you'll fall in love with these little bites!  I feel silly because I've made these twice in the past week and both times forgot to take pictures-oops, haha!

Check out this killer [and easy] recipe!

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients needed:
*1 pack of Oreos
*1 pack of softened cream cheese-fat free or regular works just fine.  (Make sure the cream cheese has sat out for at least 10 minutes and is soft before trying this-when it's softer it works much smoother).
*1 bag of chocolate chips (this can be any kind-I used both white chocolate and milk chocolate)
*Festive sprinkles (optional)

Supplies needed:
*1 large mixing bowl
*1 mixer-hand or automatic work just fine.  You can technically do this by hand but it would be much easier and less time consuming to use a mixer of some kind.  Call me lazy but this isn't how I like to work out my arms and spend my time, haha!
*Wax paper
*Trays (I needed 2 for this amount-both about 12"x6" baking trays)
*Rolling Pin (optional)
*1 Tablespoon (optional)
*Food processor (optional)
*Toothpicks (optional)

Directions:
Step 1-Break up entire pack of Oreos.  Using a food processor works best but you can also break them in pieces, stick the pieces in a large Ziploc baggie, and crush with a rolling pin.  The point is to get the cookies to a power like state.  Once pieces are "powder", place in a large mixing bowl (plastic bowl=not the best idea...I'll explain later).
Step 2-Place softened cream cheese in the large mixing bowl with the Oreo "powder".
Step 3-Mix Oreo "power" and cream cheese together.  You should end up with a dough like mixture.  **I say use a glass or sturdy mixing bowl because when I tried this with my flimsy plastic bowl crumbs went EVERYWHERE-on the floor, in the dog bowl, behind the counter...everywhere! So I would highly suggest using a glass or porcelain bowl to mix to avoid this mess, haha!**
Step 4- After making the "dough", pour chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl and put time on for 1 minute.  After 1 minute, stir chips and heat for 1 minute more.  After this, stir and you should have melted chocolate.  There are many other ways to melt chocolate but I find this works best when time is of the essence.  **I used both white chocolate chips and milk chocolate.  You can use whatever you want to make them taste awesome-this is the coating!**
Step 5- I used my [clean] hands but you can also use a tablespoon to scoop up/roll the dough into walnut size balls-obviously you can make these however big or small you need to but I find these are good sizes for finger desserts.
Step 6- Once balls are formed, roll/dip them into the melted chocolate.  You can utilize a toothpick, a spoon or your fingers to do this-just make sure they are completely coated in chocolate.
Step 7- Once balls are dipped in chocolate, place them on the wax paper covered trays.  Sprinkle if you wish.
Step 8- Place ball covered trays in the fridge to harden.  They need to harden or they become a gooey mess.

And that's it!  They need to chill for at least 20 minutes but they can stay overnight if you want.  Pull those puppies out, place on a serving dish and voila!  You're done! SO simple, pretty quick to make and SO SO good!  Mine came out a little messy but they more than make up for it in taste!

I hope you try this out-you'll wow your friends and not spend a lot on ingredients! Cheap and easy-why wait?!

Happy baking!
J

Friendship Christmas!

On Wednesday Der and I hoped in the car after work with a car full of presents to head to the Blackwoods for our annual Christmas get together! I was so excited-it had been 4 months since I'd seen Kelly and Tonya (which is WAY too long for us) and even longer since I had seen Wes and the boys! 

It was so nice being able to catch up with everyone and play with my growing nephews.  I can't believe Andrew is turning 4 and Dylan 2 in the next 2 months! Time flys so fast with those two!  We ate, laughed (a lot!) and exchanged gifts.  I got a wonderful bracelet and pair of earrings from the Blackwoods and a cute coffee mug, some homemade cookies and a set of Santa salt and pepper shakers from Tonya!  AHH! It was perfect =]  Der got some Reese's (tradition) from Tonya and a GameStop gift card from the Blackwoods.

We had such a great time that we almost forgot to take pictures!  These are from the end of the night when Dylan was in bed and we were getting ready to head out.

Me and Der

Me and my PRECIOUS nephew Andrew!

Momma Kelly and her 1st born Andrew

The three girls! Me, Kelly, Tonya-we didn't mean to match but we did! Too funny.

Close up of these 3 friends

My lovely 1st nephew Andrew cuddling up with his Dad Wes.

Tonya and her beau Ben

Our FABULOUS hosts-Wes and Kelly!

I can't to see everyone again in 2 weeks for Andrew's 4th birthday party!

GHC Christmas Party

On Wednesday the 14th (also my Mom's birthday!) I headed to work after a day of errands to celebrate our Christmas party!  We had such a great time and had such yummy food!

Check out our fun pics!

The yummy desserts everyone brought-they were SO GOOD!

All of us chowing down on our catered lunch!

Kristy enjoying her BBQ in her Santa hat.

We were all digging in-we had waited all day for this lunch!  From L to R: Me, Summer, Melissa, John (in back), Racheal, Todd and Kristy.  Amanda was hardly in any pictures since she had the camera but she was there too!!  After we all ate the main course we started playing our dirty Santa game-it was SO funny and I think everyone got some really cool gifts!

Me opening my gift: aloe socks, candy and a cool thermos/cup!

Melissa picking another gift after hers got stolen!

Melissa had one the crock pot cookbook!  Amanda tried stealing it from her but Melissa wanted it so bad she ran around the table and over people to keep it, hahaah!  Amanda told her that she could have it only because she was so nice because Amanda really wanted it! It was such a great laugh!

Summer got a nice bottle of wine!  John ended up stealing it from her so she got some coffee and a cute mug instead.  The other gifts were: a Bath&Body Works gift card, a picture frame, some homemade cookies (3 dozen!)

Next we played a couple of games where we could win gift cards!  The first game was where we had to guess who's memory was whose and it was a riot!  Todd won that one and got a $25 gift card to Red Robin!

Next was this really cool game where you had a partner and had to wrap a "present" with only 1 hand-each partner could contribute only 1 hand each to wrap it! Talk about hilarious!!  Below are a few of the finished products from a few teams.

 

Team RN: Summer and Todd hard at work

Team SCC: Me and Kristy-and our horribly wrapped gift, haha!

Team Therapy: John and Melissa so quiet and diligent!

Team Nurse: Amanda and Racheal with their candy gift.  Amanda kept hoping to win for cleverness but team therapy won 2 gift cards!

It was such a good time-I'm so very thankful and grateful that I work with such an awesome team who feels like my other family.  It was a yummy, hilarious and relaxing time to spend with my friends.

THANKS GHC and until next year-Christmas 2012!

How 'bout a post that doesn't consist of just goals?!

Remember that time when I was a blogger? Yeah-me neither, LOL.  I realized that since October I haven't really blogged about anything but goals in such a long time!  And that's lame.

Life has been insane.  Yes, yes I always say life's insane but these past few months have been the craziest/most stressful/hardest/most challenging/most tiring months of my life thus far.  And that's saying something because I was a Theatre major before Grad. school...which if you know anything about theatre-life is like that ALL OF THE TIME.  But this has been different on so many levels, LOL.

I haven't been up to too much lately-just completing papers, projects, finals, etc.  I've finally decorated the house for Christmas and have been getting over a sickness.  I'm about 85% better now-hoping I'll be at 100% come this weekend.  I feel great being back at work on a more regular schedule and being able to actually do my job.  I've been so scattered in splitting work and school that I hope I haven't slacked too far behind on either....We'll see about that in a few weeks.  I also said good-bye to John and Elisa-they are moving to Hawaii after Christmas and already moved out of the Boro to head to California to celebrate Elisa's graduation/birthday before the move.  I'm going to miss them so much!  We've only known each other for a little over a year but it seems like so much longer.  Luckily, Der and I are hoping to go to Hawaii this summer to visit Destiny so hopefully we'll get to see them too!  YAY!

Anyway...

I can hardly describe the excitement I feel in having almost 4 weeks off from school.  It's such a strange feeling knowing that when I go back in January I start my thesis (officially) as well as chip away at another semester in obtaining my MA in Sociology.  Bizarre.  I may be going to a conference in April to present a paper Dr. A and I worked on too-it's in California!  A lot of Der's family live out there so if I get to go he'll come with me too so we can visit! Very cool.  I'll also have to defend my thesis and hopefully get it approved before May.  Once that's done I can actually start the analysis and start looking for jobs after I graduate! AAAAAHHHH!! It's bizarre.

I know all I ever seem to talk about is school but it's pretty much the dominating force of my life right now.  And it will be until December 2012, LOL.

I'll have more posts to come detailing Christmas parties and such so look out for other menial blogs!

Cheers,
JR

December Goals

Wow-I can't believe the year is almost over!!  I have a lot planned in December but I am SO looking forward to partaking in all of it! Sure they are goals but most importantly they are (mostly) fun and exciting! Lots of celebrating in store for us!

*Around the House
-Finish hanging photos.
-Sew clothes needing mending.
-Mail out Christmas cards.
-Put up Christmas decor.

*Celebrations (YAY!)
-Celebrate Christmas with Derrick, Kelly, Wes, Andrew, Dylan, Tonya, and Ben.
-Celebrate the holidays at work with co-workers.
-Celebrate the holidays with family.

(like last year)

-Celebrate my mom's birthday.
-Jen and mom come up for shopping and fun.

(Our annual tradition is to go shopping through the Boro and have a great and warm lunch at Steak N Shake)

-Celebrate goodbyes with Elisa and John since they're moving to Hawaii =(
-Celebrate time off from work and school

*School
-COMPLETE my second semester of Graduate School (1 year down baby!)
-Be content with my grades, whatever they may be.