Friday, April 30, 2010

Sweet Pot-enis

I apologize, I realize this is slightly inappropriate, but I could not resist.
Last night we met Smelly Sr. for dinner at Longhorns.
This is what my sweet potato looked like.
I had to laugh by myself because I didn't want to get Mr.B's attention and
make an immature scene.
This.is.funny.
So I decided to be sly, take a picture and make an immature scene on my blog instead.
Surely you will all laugh with me, right??

My first thought when I saw this, may or may not have been, this will be great blog post, actually it may have been the second thought because the first was oh my goodness, is this a joke, why isn't anyone else noticing this, where is the Candid Camera Crew {except that doesn't exist anymore}?
I think our waitress may have noticed,
I sort of felt that mutual connection of immaturity with her
over the potato that looked like a twig and berries.

It's these little silly things in life that, in the normal world go unnoticed, but to the blogger make the day complete.
I still laugh when I think about it.
Call me a perv, but this sweet pot-enis is hilarious.
{Yes, I made up that name all by myself}.

Happy Friday!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Game

The past few weeks Papa G had us searching for a new truck for him.
This resulted in having to play "the game".
I hate this game.
You know what I am talking about, the whole used car game.
All of the ridiculous rules:
Don't act like you like the car.
Don't say that you like the car.
Don't smile at the car.
or the salesman.
Don't show any emotion.
Don't give him too many details.
Don't let him know you saw it online and were interested.
Don't tell the truth right away.
Don't look at any other cars.
Don't try to negotiate right away.
Be firm.
Be prepared to walk away if they say no.
Don't have too much hope they will change their minds.
Don't act like you are so disappointed and would actually pay more than what you originally said because you love the car and it's perfect.
They can't know that.
Don't point.
Don't blink.
Don't breathe.

You know this game?
Hate this game.

Let me give you some background information on the history between Mr. B and I and car shopping. Last summer we traded in my 2 door car for a newer 4 door car. We barely negotiated, we barely checked all the features of the car. It was an 08, 4 doors, real low miles and drove nice. We bought it. We drive off the lot with it, get on the highway....no cruise control. No big deal we are only driving to FL and back. It's only an 08 why would we expect it to have power everything, Aux port to play iPod and have cruise control?? Apparently having cruise would just put it over the limit. Also, just discovered it doesn't have power mirrors either. So, uhh, clearly we aren't exactly the best contestants for this game, but we were just getting married and this was our first big buy and you live and you learn.

So we needed a truck to help us with the move and my dad was ready to buy a truck so it was a win-win.
He thought it was great to get a truck in Florida that way it hadn't been through the winters.
Only problem is he is in NH.
Therefore the car shopping was up to us.

Let me remind you, I hate this game.
Papa G is real good at it. It can be embarrassing at times because, to me, he just looks rude.
But hey, "it's all part of the game".

This version of the game was a little different.
We weren't the buyers.
Can they know this bit of information or is it top secret?
Can they know it was for him up in NH and not for us in FL?
No.

In this game sometimes you need to bluff.
The plan was:
Tell them your dad from NH is buying you a truck. Don't tell them you're moving. They can't know that the truck is going to NH and not staying in FL because they might try and scam you. If they know you are taking it far away, something could be wrong with it and they won't tell you because it's really inconvenient to take it back to them so they don't care.

Lots of overanalyzing.
Which I typically do with about everything.
But this game is not my forte.

Plan seems easy, right?
We go to car dealership #1.
Under pressure, we forgot about the plan.
New plan is we {Mr. B & I} are looking to buy a truck.
Mr. B tried to play the game.
I hid and give him looks because it is ridiculous, we are losing the truck and we can be a little more flexible and honest than that.
I receive dirty looks back and "just wait, this is part of the plan".

The plan backfired.
This guy was not impressed with us at all.
He tells us he has nothing else for us.
We walk away.
As we were leaving the lot we found one that he didn't mention to us.
This plan failed big time because apparently he thought we looked to young to be able to afford these trucks.
This assumption would totally be right, if we were actually the ones buying it.
We go back in and tell him, Papa G is buying the truck for us.
It was night and day difference in his attitude.
Still no success, he wouldn't budge on the price.
So we walk away.
Lame game.

Lesson learned: Important to mention Papa G is buying the truck.
Car dealership #2:
The salesman is a nice guy.
Forget about Papa G's plan and told him the truth that the truck is for my dad.
Bad idea.
Sales guy doesn't want to sell to us because what if Papa G doesn't like it or finds something wrong with it that we didn't notice.
I assure him that he trusts us, I am taking and sending him video and it is fine.
Sales guy is still unsure, but nice and willing to help us regardless.
But he doesn't budge much on price.
We walk away from the most beautiful truck.
Hate this game.

Lesson learned: Don't say it is for Papa G.
Car dealership #3:
Go with Papa G's plan.
Papa G is buying us a truck.
Appear very spoiled.
We found a truck we loved, it was perfect.
We find out it's listed out of his price range, I call Papa G ready to me the mediator for negotiation.
Huge failure.
In the salesman's eyes I am sure the situation went something like,
"Ugh, Daddy won't pay anymore than than x amount of money",
therefore he is thinking, sorry daddy won't buy you this nice of a truck spoiled little bratts, your loss not mine.
Why, oh why would he want to negotiate the price when in reality it looks like we are looking out of what daddy wants to pay for his princess??
Horrible horrible plan.
Too awkward to change our story.
We walk out.
Lost a great truck.
Despise this game.

Lesson learned: Don't say Papa G is buying you a truck.
Car dealership #4:
Papa G calls ahead, informs them of the real plan.
Perfection.
Minus the fact that the salesman had ride in the back seat with us during the test drive repeating over and over how nice the truck is.
Thank you. We are aware. Thank you for the privacy.
Minus the fact that when we brought it to the mechanic down the street to make sure the dealership was honest the salesman had to come with us.
Minus the fact that the salesman was hovering around the mechanics, continued telling us it was a great truck and was driving me nuts.
It all worked out in the end.
After lots of trial and error, lots of traveling, lots of gas, lots of test driving, it was a success.
A beautiful truck, a good deal, lessons learned and a win-win situation.
Papa G is much better at this game. Even when it's over the phone.
He is a salesman after all. So it's kind of expected.
Practice makes perfect, I guess.

I still hate this game.
Why can't everyone just be honest and upfront?
Why can't the cars be priced accurately, you just say you want to spend x amount of dollars, show me what you have. Boom. Done. Thanks. Bye.

But it's not. So we live, learn and eventually drive off with a car knowing you most likely got screwed somehow, but hope that, for the most part, it was the right decision.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Sad


Yesterday we found out that Roxie has a large heart murmur and most likely isn't going to make it. The breeder didn't feel comfortable giving her to us in that condition. We are thankful we found out before getting her and that the breeder notified us and gave us our deposit back, but we are really sad.

We have too many exciting things going on in the next few days to let this ruin our week, so we are trying to remain optimistic and we are on the search for a new Roxie! We have found two others we are looking at and if those don't work out then we will have to wait for a new litter...meaning we would have to wait another two months. Not cool.

Everything happens for a reason, we will try to remain hopeful and know that God has a better pup picked out for us...somewhere.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Top 2 Tuesday: Summer Favs

It's Tuesday already! We move in 6 days. Eeeek! Today's topic over at the undomestic momma is top two favorite things about summer. Well this is just impossible to pick two things because nothing's sweeter than summertiiiiiiime {American Honey by Lady Antebellum- if you haven't heard it or love it. find it. listen to it. love it}

I love so much about summer. I can already taste it with the weather already pushing the 90s and the sun setting around 8:30 here in Florida. This summer will be different than our other summers though because Mr. B will have a real job and we have a million bills to be paid and things to get done, but all the more motivation to make the most of our weekends.

1. Ogunquit Beach, Maine
Our favorite beach. It is gorgeous, is perfect when it's low tide, has the perfect path to walk along the coast, good restaurants and lots of little shops.

{We had our engagement pictures taken there too}

2. Camping with the family.
We have a family campground- love those summer nights with s'mores, the fire, games and talking.

[Yes, I am wearing a hat that says "Bride", I got it for $1 at Target. I am that cool}

3. Mr. B's parents' lakehouse in Laconia.
They have a beautiful place on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Love the boat rides and especially the tanning bed on the boat.
Sometimes enjoy jet skiing with Mr. B, but not when he goes crazy. I get really scared will we will tip, the jet ski will fall on top of us and drown us {have you noticed yet that I'm a hard core optimist?}

This isn't their boat, but it looks similar to this one and that's not us on the boat, but I am pretty confident we look just as cool.

4. Sundresses
So much better than the ever so classy picking the shorts out of the inner thigh every time you take a step routine.
Love love love wearing sundresses sporting a nice tan and very little makeup-- summer perfection.


5. Country music
I listen to country music year round, but I associate it more with summer.
Love me some Rascal Flats Summer Nights, Kenny's No Shoes, No Shirt, No problem, Zach Brown Band Toes and of course Lady A's new one I mentioned and we will throw in Blake Shelton's Hillbilly Bone because it's just plain fun.


If only it was officially summer now.

What are YOUR favorite things about summer??



Monday, April 26, 2010

Scared

Florida had some crazy thunderstorms last night.
It started around 8:30 and by 1:30 AM it was just plain ridiculous.
I guess we just couldn't leave Florida with out experiencing a southern storm.

Not gonna lie, I was scared.
I hate big storms like that.
Not sure what exactly I am scared of... getting struck by lightning, the thunder collapsing our apartment, a fire, having to evacuate and having no bra or pants on....I know these fears are about as ridiculous as the storm, but hey, we all have our problems.

To give you a little background, I was the child that went running into her parents' room during a big storm until I was 13 15 18 21. Yup, I was the leader of the scared pack to my 9 year old brother and 11 year old sister. Maturity at it's finest.

Well last night was the first major storm {that has scared me} since we have been married.
Let me remind you that Mr. B will sleep through anything {another reason why we are getting a dog}. In a few areas he is more mature than me, an example of this is he is fearless of thunderstorms.
And apparently he is not familiar with the how-to-cope-with-a-wife-who-is-scared-of-the-big-bad-thunder routine.

Last night went as follows:
{SUPER loud thunder}

Ms. J:{Waking Mr. B} Babe....I'm scared. There's like a hurricane outside.
{I felt like we were in The Rainforest Cafe/the movie Twister....maybe this movie had an influence on my fear??}

Mr. B: Oh {rolls over to the other side....back against me}

Ms. J: Are you kidding me?! Why would you do that? I just said I was scared!

{more loud thunder and crazy lightning}

Mr. B: Oh, I didn't hear that. {rolls to his back and falls back asleep}

Ms. J: Are you for real right now? Husband of the Year... I said I was scared!

Mr. B: You are? Sorry, I didn't hear you say that.

Ms. J: Yes you did, you already said that to me!

Mr. B: It's fine, just go to bed {remains on back and begins to fall asleep}.

Ms. J: Oh my goodness! I am so mad at you right now.


lay.close.to.your.wife.and.put.your.arms.around.her.you.do.not.have.to.understand.her.fear.
she.is.a.girl.you.will.not.get.alot.of.things.she.does. yes.she.is.a.baby.yes.she.is.22.and.scared.of.the.thunder.
just.do.it.and.make.her.happy.now.


Is it that complicated?! For some reason when your 22 and scared of thunderstorms you aren't taken seriously....

He finally came closer to my side and put his arm around me after I got really mad, hit his arm and yelled at him and then we argued about who is really asleep right now. He thought I was sleeping because surely I would not be freaking out like that if I was awake and I was convinced he was sleeping because surely he wouldn't be choosing not to comfort me if he was awake.

The storm ended around 2AM and I finally fell back asleep. Safe in his arms.
Who knew that would be such a difficult task.

We went over the rules for future expectations during the next storm.

Some video clips I took of the storm after being woken up 1:30AM.
I realize this post might be more dramatic without showing what the storm was actually like, but just in case- here it is for some special effect.
Of course, the real big thunder always came after I stopped recording.
The wind was so strong, look at those palms.
The lightning was like a strobe light outside.
Craziness.
Right??

{In the beginning, I was an idiot and tried recording with the door open and, believe it or not, got really wet}

{Yes, I was nervous the lightning would strike me holding the camera up against the window}




Make me feel better....
anyone else scared of t-storms??
Or do you think they are cool?

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Single Digits

We have reached the single digits until the day we move!!!
In 9 days we will be on our l o n g drive back to NH!!
This also means we are in the single digits until we pick up this little cutie!

We sold our couch on craigslist for $490.
We technically paid only $25 for it. That's a decent profit.
So that was pretty exciting.

This is our new couch for the next week.

When we moved the couch there was a nice surprise waiting for me.
I was wondering where all my hair things went. Double Exciting.
Apparently I like to take my hair out while on the couch.
We also delivered the couch and the people found our remote stuck in the middle. Awesome.

Today is spent filling more of these and cleaning everything.

Today is also our last single digit month anniversary. We are celebrating 9 happy months of marriage. We have a lot of new changes coming up in this next month, and I am so thankful to go through it all with the Lord as our guide and my best friend my side.

Happy Saturday!!


Friday, April 23, 2010

Show Us Your Life- How We Met

Show Us Your Life with Kelly's Korner
Girl is 16 and works as a cashier at a grocery store.

Boy is 15 and works as a bagger at that grocery store.

Girl goes to small private Christian school with Boy's mom and sister.

Boy goes to public school.

Girl thinks Boy is a cute little boy.

Boy thinks Girl is a smokin' hott chick.

Boy never bags for Girl because he is too young to work past 6 PM.

And also because Girl was always the cashier for the express lane which she hated because she had no bagger, no one to talk to, dealt with the smokers and the million varieties of cigarettes and people who had way more than 10 items.

Boy asks mom and dad to transfer to the Christian school.

Boy claims it was for Girl.

This is neither confirmed nor denied by Mama K or Smelly Sr.

Girl still doesn't believe Boy, but it makes the story better.

Boy transfers to Christian school August 2004, his Sophomore year.

Girl is a Junior.

Boy and Girl don't become friends until April 2005 on a school missions trip to Romania.

The Christian school took missions trips during winter and spring vacations.

Girl was supposed to go to the Ukraine with her friends, but was moved to the trip to Romania.

The team was divided into pairs and lived in various houses with members of the Romanian church.

Boy lived with the teacher.

Girl lived with her mom.

Everyone else was paired with friends.

Girl and Boy began friendship due to this common bond of getting the short stick to live with chaperones.
Yes, Boy actually thought Girl was smokin'.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Girl and Boy returned from trip and become inseparable.

The prom was a few weeks after the return.

They went with a group, but partially as couple.

Yup, makes no sense.

Boy and Girl took the most awkward prom picture.
Boy and Girl became best friends.

Boy never had a girlfriend before.

Girl never had a boyfriend before.

For a short time 8 months, they were a little scared, took it slow and remained in denial that they were, in fact, dating and boyfriend and girlfriend.

Boy made it official with Girl in December of 2005 when he casually said, "So will you be my girlfriend?" while they were shopping at Target.

Girl said "yes".

Boy and Girl went on a missions trip April 2006 to the Ukraine.

Boy and Girl went to the prom with a group, but as a known couple in May 2006 .

They took a much less awkward picture.



After dating for 4 years,
transferring together to two colleges,
and a semester of a long distance relationship
in July 2009 Boy and Girl tied the knot.
Their wedding song was "Then" by Brad Paisley.

"And now you're my whole life, now your my whole world.
I just can't believe the way I feel about you,
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day,
and I thought I loved you then."



The Girl Creative

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Weekend in Naples

Almost 3 weekends {yup, I'm way behind} we spent the weekend in Naples to get spoiled by visit my grandparents.


We stayed with them in this beautiful place.

We had dinner at a restaurant on the beach.
I had a delicious filet mignon and Mr. B got the blackened grouper.
{This is the same restaurant where Mr. B proposed.}

We hitched a ride on the little tram thing that brings
us from our place to the restaurant/beach.
This is vacation after all, we shouldn't be expected to walk anywhere.

I had a horrible night of sleep that had to do with this:
I'll save that story for another day.

We woke up to this million dollar view {literally}.

I relaxed in the sun and learned how to be the best puppy momma in the world.

While they played tennis.
{Grandpa said it was his life dream to be in a blog post.
I am so honored to have made that dream come true for him.}
I also learned that Mr. B is all talk when he comes home from tennis class telling me how great he is. I was also enlightened as I watched Mr. B's amazing tennis skills.

We took our picture with this really old beautiful tree.
And later read the sign stating not to sit, stand or lean on it because it is so old.
Oops.

We got our picture taken with Jesus.

We went out for another delicious dinner.
Two years ago we took this same picture as a happily engaged couple.
Today we took it as happily married couple.
Time flies.

The weather and sunset were perfect.

Until Sunday.
But that's ok because it was perfect to curl up with a book.
Say our goodbyes.
And meet up for lupper with Ben's awesome aunt on our way home.
Love mini-vacas.
Especially when they're free.
We were spoiled.
We are blessed.
We had a great weekend.

** SINGLE DIGITS until Mr. B graduates!!**

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


Yes, C-Man is doing "Call me".
Let me know if you're interested.

Yes, this was a long car ride.
Yes, this is completely normal.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Top 2 Tuesday: Fav Items under $15



Today's Top 2 over at the undomestic momma is:
Favorite items under $15.
This was so tough to only pick two.
I failed.

1. These flip flops I got last summer from TJ Maxx for only $10. The bottom silver is ripping, but I love them and I will wear them until they are completely unwearable.
They look cuter with my feet in them, but not when I'm sporting the chipping-half-nail-polish-haven't-painted-my-toes-since-January-because-I-am-too-lazy-and-hate-when-my-stomach-gets-in-the-way-trying-to-reach-them look.
2. T-shirts from Target. Wear these things like everyday they are like $5.99, I got them on clearance for $2.98. Love them.
{{excuse the absurd amount of wrinkles}}

{I forgot the website I got this picture, but googled scoop neck tee}


3. Softlips. Love this stuff.


4. Chick-fil-A. Tuesday nights are kid's night at our Chick-fil-A aka our dinner just about every Tuesday {and that would be tonight-wohoo!}. Mr. B gets the Chicken Sandwich Meal and I get a free 6 piece kids meal {with the polynesian sauce- love that stuff}. $6.42 and delicious. Sometimes, if we are feeling adventurous, we go on the weekend. Just recently I crossed over into the mature adult world and started getting a sandwich meal too {which may explain the need for the 30 day shred} and it's still an amazingly delicious meal for under $15 for the both of us. Every meal is finished with "that was so good".



DWTS sidenote: I hate to put this so closely to the wonderful, mouth watering chicken sandwich,
but I can't resist
umm.....

Ew.


What are your favorite items??