Note to Self:

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Happy Anniversary to us!

Yesterday was our 3rd Anniversary...my oh my how time flies when you're having fun. On one hand, I can't believe it's been THREE years, and on the other...it's hard to imagine my life without Trevor in it. He's my best friend and I love it that he's next to me when I go to sleep, and is there to greet me when I wake up. Okay, okay...enough of the sappy stuff...

We thought about going out to a nice dinner last night, like we usually do to celebrate milestones, but were having a hard time deciding where we would go and when. To be honest, with our busy schedules, we hadn't spent an evening at home together for quite a few weeks and I think we both just really wanted to have a night in and relax. So I picked Trevor up from work and we went to a charming little "Meat and 3" near downtown. Now, if you're asking yourself what a "Meat and 3" is, stop right now, put down your laptop, run to your local library and pick up the latest copy of How to Eat Yourself Silly in the South magazine...You'll know it's the right one because on the cover you'll find a picture of Joe Tennessean with fried chicken grease streaming down his chin, butter cubes and bacon crumbles in his beard, and fried okra chunks on his bib...

This one was different though... Sort of a "Meat and 3" meets hip lunch spot meats eclectic deli/catering business. The food was FANTASTIC...super flavorful and reasonably priced. Helped out of course by the coupon we clipped from our 2009 Entertainment Book: buy one entree get 2nd entree free! Anyone?

So we grabbed our trays and headed out to enjoy our supper on the back deck overlooking the city. It was a gorgeous evening and we sat and ate and talked (and ate) and talked. Realizing that it was getting late (7PM) and that our favorite coffee shop had already closed (lame), we decided to grab some dessert and head home to...

...make a fort! (What did you think?) I got the idea from a friend at work and decided I was long overdue for a good living room fort. So we got into our comfy jammies, turned the couches around and pulled them in close, draped a sheet over the backs and up over the TV (after all, what good is a fort without a little technology). There we spent the rest of the evening, talking, playing Wii, eating our dessert and drinking espresso, and watching the last half of the Magic/Laker's game, (well, Trev did more of the watching at this point...I did more of the sleeping...it was 10:00, after all) and generally enjoying being at home together for the first time in awhile. Below are a couple of pictures of our handiwork:


All in all, I'd say it was a smashing way to spend an anniversary. It was fun, memorable, and didn't break the bank. And did I mention the dessert...



He also surprised me with flowers and work: A new Starbucks to-go mug (made from 27% recycled material thank-you-very-much) filled with beautiful Hydrangeas. Hand selected, arranged, and delivered by my very sweet and thoughtful hubs. Thanks for a perfect anniversary, T - I couldn't have imagined it any better than that. I LOVE YOU!

And all the people said:
EWWWWWW! :)

Fireplace Ideas

Part of our living room makeover includes updating the look of our wood-burning fireplace. We'd like to keep it modern and classy, without the expense of ripping it out and starting from scratch. Here are a few pictures I found, although I don't like everything about each one. I can't pinpoint exactly what we want, but I know I will know when I see it...hopefully these will provide a little inspiration as we move along with the project:

From HGTV.com
I like the candles inside...not crazy about how this is executed, but maybe I could deal with a nice vase of flowers in the middle of ours. And I think I like the little votives on top. But maybe not so many. It looks a little like a set for my favorite reality show, The Bachelor!

Take away the furniture and I really like the simplicity of this one - just some nice pillar candles inside and a nice big mirror on the top.

Trevor has suggested doing words somewhere - maybe this is a good place to do it.

I don't like the glass vases for our space, nor is the mirror right...but the paper lanterns are a clever idea...

The clock is wrong for our room, but I might like a few pictures leaning against the wall...and maybe lean the mirror instead of hanging it? Trevor, aka: the symmetry king, might not like that idea at all...

And probably my favorite: Obviously our mantle isn't nearly as ornate...but I like the collection of little odds and ends - looks purposeful with a touch of whimsy without appearing cluttered. Contrary to what one website said, a mantle is NOT a great place to show off your collections...

Friday Mornings

Who doesn't love Fridays? But mostly the afternoon/evening part when the work week ends and the weekend begins. However, for me, there is even something about Friday mornings that I love - how the air feels crisper and the sun shines more brightly. I love the view of the big tree outside my window or the pond just beyond the parking lot. All basking in the warm newness of the Friday morning sun. Okay, that's deep and silly, but really...I wish I had a camera so I could show you. Friday morning just.feels.perfect.

Also wonderful: The Krispy Kremes placed tauntingly in the kitchenette by my friend Kathleen. MMMM...can you beat a fresh Krispy Kreme? It's definitely worth the calories with my morning cup of Seattle's Best coffee with a touch of Italian Sweet Cream creamer.

On my desktop awaits a soon-to-be-finished analytical spread sheet of state convention offering info for my boss...gotta get to that. There's also the stack of mailing files that have to be filled with samples and put away, and then the blank files yet to be labeled. Other odds and ends await as I progress through the day, but right now, Friday morning makes everything seem bearable...even pleasant. I love Friday mornings!

In Honor of Summer

Ladies, please raise your big toe and repeat after me:

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes: I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will remove the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages. Rather, I will toss the toe ring altogether.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.
I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 to $25 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

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All in favor, say "I." Bring on the toesies...