Girls Day

Yesterday I spent the day with some of my favorite girls.

My mama, my grandma, and my Lena.

We went to the Olive Garden for lunch and it was so YUM!

It had been forever since I had been there and believe me...

I ate more than enough breadsticks...

Then we went and got pedis! 

I couldn't decide on which color to get. So I tried five different colors...and three more on Lena's hand.

While we were getting our pedicures one of my eighth grade teachers walked in, and then 20 minutes or so later my aunt and my friend walked in, and then about 10 minutes later another friend walked in.

It was like a reunion.

You should have been there.

I decided on the pink that was on my thumb nail.

Here's what it looks like..

We had a great time and it's good to spend time with friends and family.

Blog Challenge Day 2: Your Spouse

Day 2: Your spouse

My best friend.

My everything.

My life.

My love.

I love him more which each day that passes.

I thank God everyday for him.

We went on our first date on Cinco de Mayo, Saturday, May 5, 2006. 

That day...

he was late,

told me I was shorter than he remembered,

there was a hair in my food at the restaurant,

we watched a really awful movie,

and he said "If we were Asian we would make a great couple"

this was in reference to our age difference...

but I didn't really get it.

Oh yeah he also said I made him nervous, which made is lips chapped...

and then later I kissed him.

And we've been together since then. 

 This picture was taken the day of our first date. 

Fast forward 4 years, 4 months, and 25 days.

He asked me to marry him.

Well, he didn't really ask.

Here's what happened.

I came home after an awful day. I had been on a field trip all day to a stinky farm. It rained the entire day and every step was muddier than the last.

I ate lunch in a stable with horses.

Seriously.

I came home and saw John's car in my driveway. I went inside but he wasn't there so I walked up to my parents house to find him...he wasn't there either and neither were my parents. So then I walked up to my Grandma's house. As I'm walking up the stairs I see everyone inside her house scurrying around.

I go inside and they are all acting really weird. My mom makes up some something about thanks for the help moving blah blah blah and John looks at me and says "Let's go eat."

Ok, I do love food....

So we walk back down to my house and he is being all weird and giggly and I think he is laughing at my hair.

{Those of you who know me know my favorite hairstyle...all piled up on top of my head all crazy...so picture that hair on top of a horse poop, rain filled day.}

So I go fix my hair and come back and he is still being giggly. So then I think He must be laughing at my clothes or something. So I'm getting somewhat offended and really confused and he says...

"You asked me what I wanted for my birthday {his birthday was the following day} and I told you all I wanted was you...and that's what I meant."

And then he pulls the ring box out of his pocket. 

{So earlier he had been up to my Grandma's house to show everyone the ring...and my Grandma got it stuck on her finger...}

 Some of our engagement pictures.

Fast forward 7 months and 28 days.

Our wedding day.

It was the most perfect day of my life. I have never been more happy or seen him more happy. I'll be blogging about it later on day 26 of the blog challenge.

Pictures from our wedding day.

Isn't he handsome?

He is an EMT, a Firefighter, a  Special Olympics Coach, a Powerlifter, and a Grad-School Student.

He is an intellectual, a giver, a friend.

He is a spider killer, a bed maker, a goodnight kisser.

He is mine.

Cleaning Schedule

I am a really bad housekeeper.

It's no secret.

And for some reason my husband still loves me.

One of the things on my Zero Project is to establish a cleaning routine for our house.

A while back I had pinned this, this, this, and this.

Don't you just love Pinterest?

But then there was no follow-through...

But today that changes.

I took some ideas from each of the blogs I shared above and created my own cleaning schedule.

 

Here is the monthly cleaning schedule.

Below is the weekly cleaning schedule. It is broken up into three sections

I'm going to try my best to follow this and I'll keep you updated on how it's going.

Borders from  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polka-Dot-Classroom-Labels-Free

31 Day Blog Challenge

Originally it was a 30 day challenge but July has 31 days...so...yeah.

I told you all about this a couple of weeks ago and here is my challenge...

this seems not nearly as scary as the 101 things in 1001 days.

101>31

Day 1: Introduction, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

Introduction: I'm Heather. And if I tell you anything else right now I'll have no interesting/strange facts for the 15 interesting/strange facts part.

This picture was taken about 1 minute ago. Ignore the tired eyes, make-upless face, and crazy hair.

You said recent right?

1. I live in the same town where I was born. Not only is it the same town...but it is also the same street...and same house...

{Well I wasn't born in the house but you get the idea}

2. It took me almost eight years to finally graduate college. At one point I was embarrassed and ashamed of this. I'm not anymore. I spent four years at Gardner-Webb University and then transferred thinking I would have maybe a year left at Mars Hill and it ended up taking 3 more.

{FYI don't try to transfer credits from one private school to another}

3. I have a degree in Integrated Education and am certified to teach elementary education: kindergarten through sixth grade and special education: kindergarten through twelfth graded.

4. I've been going to my church, Maple Ridge Baptist Church, since I was two.

5. Every morning before I get in the shower I do a spider check.

6. Every night before I go to bed I have John do a spider check.

7. I don't watch TV. We don't have cable, but even when we did I didn't watch TV.

Instead, I find a TV show on Netflix and obsessively compulsively watch it until I watched every available episode from every available season.

8. I could eat pizza every day for every meal.

9. I do not like overly soft material. If we are in a store and I see an interesting pillow, blanket, or material I will ask John to touch it first to see if it is safe for me to touch.

{I have sensory issues}

10. I hate to wear socks. I only wear them to the gym {that tells you how rarely I wear them} and when I do they never match. I refuse to wear them to bed but I always sleep with a heating pad on my feet.

11. Wet paper and/or soggy bread makes me gag. This includes the ridiculously thin paper napkin the server puts down at the restaurant and then sits your large wet glassed iced water on...

And also the straw paper that people fidget with and often times roll into a ball.

I'm gagging right now.

12. I wash my hands in a restaurant before sitting down to eat and then stress about how I'm going to look at the menu or put ketchup on my plate. John does this for me most times.

13. I really hate checking the mail and putting gas in the car.

Both seem like a waste of time.

14. I never drank Coke or anything other than Sprite as a kid.

Now I'm obsessed with Cherry Coke Zero.

15. My first car was pink.

It was awesome.  

Day 2: Your spouse

Day 3: Your parents and siblings

Day 4: Your pets

Day 5: Your favorite song

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Your favorite movie

Day 8: A place you would like to travel to

Day 9: A favorite picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 10: Something you're afraid of

Day 11: Favorite TV shows

Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without

Day 13: Friends

Day 14: A picture of you last year- how have you changed?

Day 15: Favorite Bible verse

Day 16: Your home or dream home

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite Food

Day 19: Something you miss

Day 20: A picture that always makes you smile

Day 21: Your favorite picture of yourself of ALL TIME and why

Day 22: What's in your purse

Day 23: Favorite hobbies

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Your favorite band or artist

Day 26: Your wedding

Day 27: Where you live

Day 28: Your pet peeves

Day 29: Three wishes

Day 30: Your job

Day 31: A picture of yourself on this day and five good things that have happened since you started the challenge

July Instagram Photo Challenge

July Instagram Photo Challenge

1. Read

This is the book I am currently reading. Look Me In The Eye: My Life with Asperger's...

So far it is great! When I finish it I'll be blogging about it here.

2. Disney

3. Reflection
4. Celebrate
5. Sandwich
6. Sticker
7. Draw
8. Game
9. Classic
10. Keys
11. Share
12. Fashion
13. Live
14. Collect
15. Yellow
16. Ice Cream
17. Sexy
18. Backwards
19. Vacation
20. Drink
21. Junk
22. Candle
23. Drive
24. App
25. Snacks
26. New
27. Olympics
28. Fun
29. Recipe
30. Store
31. Screenshot

Day Zero Project

Ok. I'm gonna do it...

Day Zero Project...

Remember? I posted about it here a couple of weeks ago. I have my list of 101 things ready and I'm starting today! Since I'm starting this project/list today, Sunday, July 1, 2012, I should have everything finished in 1001 days on March 28, 2015. And if I don't...that will be okay too. I promise not to be overly obsessive compulsive, to get upset if something doesn't go as planned, and to celebrate the items I cross off the list.
I've broken the list up into categories:

Family & Friends

1. Make a baby.
2. Have a baby.
3. Make another baby.
4. Have another baby.
5. Create one new family tradition each year.
6. Call my Grandma Ellison more.
7. See and talk to my parents more.{They live next door...this shouldn't be too hard}
8. Plant a tree in remembrance of my Grandma Buckner. {She passed away this year and my wonderful coworkers gave me a gift card for Home Depot for this very reason}
9. Put flowers on my grandparent's graves. {Grandpa Buckner, Grandma Buckner, Grandpa Ellison, and my Great-Great Aunt Stella}
10. Do stuff with friends and/or family more.
11. Do something really nice for my parents' 35 anniversary. {September 9, 2013}
12. Call an old friend.
13. Make a new friend.

Properties & Possessions 

14. Buy or build a house.
15. Trade in my two door car for a four door car. {For babies}
16. Buy something from an antique shop.
17. Buy a lottery ticket.

Creed & Conviction

18. Read my Bible from cover to cover.
19. Tithe regularly and faithfully. {!}
20. Make time for prayer and devotion.

Reading & Reflecting

21. Read every book I own but haven't read.
22. Keep a journal or blog about the books I read.
23. Keep up with The Happiness Project Journal.
24. Write a note of encouragement, thanks, or praise once a month.
25. Keep blogging.
26. Christmas Cards. {I'll actually send them out!}
27. Do all the crazy puzzle books I have.
28. Read the newspaper more often.
29. Start working on a children's book.
30. Write a hand written letter.
31. Expand my vocabulary. {Maybe a word-study Wednesday?}

Health & Habits

32. Meet my Weight Watcher's goal. {Before or after having a baby or babies}
33. Drink more water.
34. Complete the Couch-to-5K running program.
35. Run a 5K.
36. Try Zumba.

Creativity & Crafts

37. Plant a garden.
38. Learn to sew.
39. Quilt a quilt.
40. Learn to play a musical instrument. {Piano or Guitar?}
41. Do something crafty every week.
42. Sew a dress.
43. Sew a skirt.
44. Create a time capsule.
45. Refurbish a thrift store find.
46. Do all the puzzles we have.
47. Cut down our own Christmas Tree.
48. Build a Snowman.
49. Reupholster a piece of furniture. {I have the perfect piece in mind!}
50. Make homemade Halloween costumes.
51. Take a crafting class. {from A.C. Moore, Michael's, or Joann's.}

Adventures & Activities

52. Go on a vacation.
53. Go to a drive in movie.
54. Go on a picnic.
55. Go Somewhere spontaneous. {I'm planning to be spontaneous...}
56. See a play.
57. Hear a live band.
58. Go fishing.
59. Watch the sunrise and sunset in the same day.
60. Ride in a hot air balloon.
61. Use a passport.
62. Fly a kite.

Home & House

63. Establish a cleaning routine.
64. Stick to said routine. {!}
65. Make Brie a better home outside of our home.
66. Go through all of our stuff and get rid of what we don't need.

Eats & Entrees


67. Try at least one new recipe per month.
68. Try a new restaurant.
69. Try a new food.
70. Take a cooking class.

Finances & Funds

71. Learn the art of couponing.
72. Pay off at least one student loan. {I calculated...it can be done!}
73. Keep putting a percentage of each pay check into savings.

Pictures & Portraits

74. Do a 365 photo day challenge. {I love Instagram!}
75. Make a wedding album. {Yeah...I still haven't.}
76. Do an Instagram Challenge.'
77. Take a photography class.
78. Make a pregnancy book.
79. Have family pictures made at least once every year.


Giving & Getting

80. Keep Volunteering.
81. Nursery duty at church.
82. Donate blood.
83. Cut and donate my hair to locks of love. {For the third time!}

Living & Loving

84. Have one night a month for John and me with no technology. {TV, DVD, XBOX, Wii, Laptops, Phones, Kindle...}
85. Kiss in the rain.
86. Have dinner by candlelight.
87. Take a trip for just the two of us.

Teaching & Training

88. Do something fun for student birthdays. {Ideas are welcome!}
89. Write a grant.
90. Start National Boards.
91. Start Grad School.
92. Brush up on Spanish.
93. Brush up on ASL.

Me & Myself

94. Take more bubble baths.
95. Get another tattoo. {!}
96. Grow out my hair.
97. Get a massage.

Gatherings & Get-togethers


98. Have a gender reveal party to tell the sex of the first baby.
99. Have a gender reveal party to tell the sex of the second baby.
100. Have game nights.
101. Throw a super fantastic celebration when John graduates from grad school. {December 2012!}

I'll do my best to keep the list updated with items marked off for completion and items italicized for in the process of being completed...

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Yes!

Last night was the long awaited Erwin-Enka Alumni Football Game!

Finally!

It was a really great game and the guys had a great time!

It was fun watching John {my husband} play. He played in both high school and some of college but since I was only a baby back then and I didn't know him...

So, yeah. It was fun to be a part of this 

Things I learned at the game:

1.  After a touchdown, the team that scored the touchdown can either A. try and kick the ball through the goal posts to get 1 more point. or B. try to get the ball back into the end zone in one play by running or passing. Erwin did that.

Me: So that was a touchdown right?

My Brother: Yes.

Me: So now what happens? Are they going to kick it:? Wait! They aren't kicking it! What are they doing?! Why aren't they kicking it?!? {lots of cheering and standing up}

My Brother: Because they have the opportunity to...

Me: What?

My Brother: To do that, right there!

{And the crowd goes wild and they score 2 more points}

Then he thoroughly explained the play.

Thanks for the education, Little Brother. 

2. Bojangles assumes everyone likes sweet tea.
It's the only beverage they have at these games.
Ever.

Assumption Wrong.

3. Enka now has their own Football Stadium at the high school.
When I was in school it was at the middle school.

4. Bleachers are more uncomfortable now than when I was in high school.

5. Kids still make-out under said bleachers.

6. Enka and Erwin are still both really redneck. 

{I knew this before last night...I'm just reaffirming}

7. When grown men play full contact football for their old High School...they have a lot of fun and look realllllly tired.

8. My husband likes to knock people down.

And he is really good at it.

And everyone could tell.

9. My husband looks good in all that football garb.

10. Football is a lot more fun when I get to watch my husband play!

Here are some pictures.

 Love him.

 Hollifield #73!

Before the game.

 

Before the game.

 Before the game.

During halftime.

 

 During halftime.

I <3 J. Hollifield

After the game.

 After the game.

 After the game.

Today I am starting the July Instagram Photo Challenge, Project Zero {101 things in 1001 days}, and the 31 Day Blog Challenge!

So check it out and feel free to steal these ideas to add some creativity to life.
I did!