A to Z challenge…Day One

Ok guys, you may have seen this around on others’ blogs you follow. You may have seen this because you’re planning to do it on your blog…

But I’m also joining in on the party. Not because of peer pressure.

Of course not!

You really think I would give in to things like that?

That’s right. I was a DARE graduate. I was even a DARE essay winner. So I know all about peer pressure and how to “Just say no!” Plus, my mom is reading so I have to sound like I’m big and tough and never give in to peer pressure.

In reality, I do give in to peer pressure. Why else would I play soccer every Thursday night with a bunch of big boys I don’t know who are way better than me?

(Other than that it’s super fun to play with the only other girl that ever comes?)

Anyway, this has nothing at all to do with what I want to tell you about, which is this A to Z blogging challenge thingy.

Basically, for the month of April, I’ll be blogging every day (minus a few break days built in) using a letter of the alphabet as a guide for the topic.

Here’s the host website. 

I’m doing this for several reasons, none of which include peer pressure.

1. I like the alphabet. Geeky reason? Yes, but I like letter-themed activities. Always have, always will. And I’m not ashamed.

2. I like lists. See posts like this and this if you need proof of that.

3. I think I’ll enjoy the challenge of thinking of a letter-themed topic for my list everyday. Why wouldn’t that be super-duper fun and exciting, being that I love letters and lists…

We’re supposed to pick a theme, so I’m picking “Getting to know each other” as my theme as a continuation of this week’s “I’m Thankful for YOU!” post.”

So, each day, I’ll tell you something about Wyatt and I, and you tell me something about yourself!

I’m hoping it will be something you don’t already know about us, but for those you that are related to us, that may be harder to accomplish. I’m sure there will also be some lessons about marriage and communication and learning to live together and all that other typical newlywed blog stuff as well.

I’ll try to pick easy topics. You’ll see tomorrow how it will all work out.

You in?

Because you should.

Come on! Just do this with me!

It will be so fun!

All the cool kids are doing it!

See what I did there?

The peer pressure’s getting to you isn’t it?

 

I’m thankful for YOU!

Guess what guys? I have more than 20,000 total views on my blog!  I know that doesn’t seem like a lot to anyone with big fancy blogs, or anyone with a LOT of personal friends or a super-giant family, but to me, it’s pretty cool.

This blog started out as a fun project of telling our story as newlyweds. I figured I’d “meet” some people, and I got to continue to do something I love to do: write.

But now, I realize that this blog is more than that. It’s become a little community, at least for me.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Not because I want you to like me, (although I DO want that!) but because I want to connect with you. I want to share secrets for saving money on groceries, and lessons about how to best apologise at the end of an argument, and advice for how to juggle work and personal time, tips for talking about money, stories about housekeeping failures, and smiles over the sweet way we’re blessed by those that love us and that we are blessed to love.

I love hearing what you have to say.

And can I tell you a secret?

Of course I can, you’re not here to stop me.

Anyway, the secret.

I get a little bummed out when no one comments on a post I thought was especially clever or thoughtful, or cute. Or funny. Or sweet and sincere.

I know that made me sound a bit lame, but ah well, it’s too late to hide that fact now.

Let’s just say I like it when you guys talk back to me.

Otherwise, I sometimes feel like I’m just talking to myself. Which is fine, because this blog is for me in that it helps me remember important milestone in our marriage, and lets me think through feelings or emotions I experience in this crazy awesome life. But it’s also for you.

And so, I want you to participate!

I really do read every comment. And I usually respond within a day if possible.

The point is, I want you guys to feel welcome here, and wanted.

I’m excited you find our newlywed life interesting enough to read about every day. I’m humbled and honored that you spend your valuable time reading posts I think are clever or thoughtful, or cute. Or funny. Or sweet and sincere.

So even though I don’t have thousands of followers, I’m thankful for all 92 of you that follow my blog through email or WordPress. That doesn’t count those that follow by RSS feed or twitter.

And because I’m thankful for all of you, I want to share our little community with others. So tell your friends if you read a post and think it’s worth sharing. Maybe your sister’s new husband also leaves his clothes piled up on the floor on his side of the bed so they always get left out of the laundry. Maybe your mom’s best friend has a daughter who’s also looking for a job in a big, new city and she hates driving on interstates.

Whatever it is, I’d be happy to meet your sister or your mom’s best friend or the neighbor or your crazy uncle Johnny!

And for those of you that read but don’t comment, I’d love a little shout out so we can get to know each other. I promise I won’t ask you any hard questions today. It’s easy, trust me!

So, if you’re a loyal reader who doesn’t leave a lot of comments, I’m asking for you to answer this for me: what’s your favorite thing about springtime? 

Or if that’s too hard, tell me why you read or how you found the blog. 

And if that’s still too much, how about your favorite flavor of ice cream? Because that’s an easy-peasy-cheesy one, for sure!

In the mood for Easter

Hubs and I have no plans made yet for how we’re going to spend our “first” Easter.

I suggested we dye eggs.

He thought that was a crazy idea.

And it is.

That’s sort of why I want to do it.

But nevermind about that.

It has nothing at all to do with what I want to write about tonight.

Tonight we went to the church I volunteer at to volunteer at the preview night for the big Easter event they have. We were in charge of the preschool-age egg hunt.

Since tonight was just the preview night for church members with kids who will be volunteering at the big community event on Saturday, there wasn’t all that much traffic to our area.

So we took to playing with the giant Easter eggs that were in our room in between visitors.

Hubs proved to be quite clever at spinning the eggs like a top. He discovered this method as a fluke, but I liked it the best.

Of course, before that happened, this happened:

And even before that, Hubs managed to drop the egg on my foot and make a big swollen bruised spot.

You can't see it that much, but it's there. And sore!

(I’m such a delicate little flower.)

(No?)

(Fine, but I do bruise easily…)

(I would also like to say that these are the little shoes I love so much that Hubs says look like “old lady shoes.” Anyone care to offer an opinion on that matter?)

And he also managed to spin an open egg (half of the plastic egg) into my ankle and make it bleed.

See what I mean? A delicate flower I tell ya!

Clearly, I wasn’t seriously injured.

But still, how many of you can say you’ve had two Easter egg injuries to your feet? In one night?

Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be bragging about that…

Anyway, we still need to decide where we’re spending the holiday.

What about you? Any big Easter plans? How do you divide up time between families? Have you every been attacked by a giant Easter egg? It’s okay if you have, maybe we can form a group!

So much for my bad day…

I had planned all day to write a post about how awful my day was. The commute was terrible (both to work and home), I had issues with a source, I was locked out of my computer at work because the password expired, I lost some work I’d been doing on a project for Liz’s upcoming party…

But I saw this on my way home from work.

Tulips! Spring! Bright colors! Flowers swaying in the wind!

And how can anyone be unhappy when looking at that?

And then I ran almost 6 miles, and walked 1 with Hubs. And that felt great, too.

Then we made this for dinner.

Tuna patties with tomatoes and veggies. Healthy and delightful.

Yum.

Again, no complaints there.

And we went and played volleyball with friends for more than 2 hours. Which provided even more physical relief.

I mean, what’s better than pounding a volleyball over the net to relieve some frustration?

(Ok, maybe some things are better, but it’s pretty good!)

And I was hungry after all that running and volleyball, so Hubs made me scrambled eggs while I was showering.

Again, more and more reasons to be happy.

Even though I was all set out to be grumpy.

And now, I’m going to bed, later than I’d like (5:55 comes so early!), but much happier than I’d expected.

I’d say that’s a pretty good trade off.

 

It’s getting hot in here…

Well, it’s been around 80 degrees the past several days. We live in a third floor apt and don’t want to give in and turn our air conditioner on yet.

(Are we cheap? Yup, but it is only March, people, and Wyatt’s stubborn. Very stubborn!)

So, we have the windows open…

…all both of them.

And the door to the patio.

Hubs says that’s one thing he’s most looking forward to about having a house.

Windows on opposite sides of the room so we can get a cross-breeze going.

I don’t blame him on that because it’s hot in here!

And when it gets hot in here, we get a little hot around the collar, if you know what I mean.

Grumpy.

That’s what I mean.

(In case anyone missed the obvious and completely shameless use of that tired cliche.)

We start to bicker more and pick at things that wouldn’t normally bother us.

We also tend to sit around wearing less clothes than would be acceptable to answer the door in, but that’s a post for another day.

Or not.

But seriously, other than the idea to use that hot air and energy for something less PG-rated, we’re a little out of ideas for how to keep from getting so annoyed at each other.

 

***On a positive note, we saved 14.4% on our weekly grocery bill this month by using coupons and price matching. We may be nerds, but we’re nerds that have saved $71.66 on groceries since January. Here’s to following through on our resolutions!

What do you think? How can we keep it cool? And keep our cool?

 

Friday’s Food for Thought: Real meaning of MPH…

Ok guys, it’s Friday’s Food for Thought time!

Are you excited?

Yes?

Good!.

(If the answer was no, I ignored you…)

Anyway, I saw this video on Facebook, posted by a couple-based blog I liked a few months back to try to win some sort of giveaway.

The background of the story is that the couple is traveling a long way in a car with no radio after staying up all night studying for finals. Clearly, the girl’s poor brain is fried.

They are a young married couple, both college students, and I think their story is really cute.

Here’s the video.

Why do I like this video so much?

Because I relate to it.

We all relate to it.

We all have moments when we just DO NOT and CAN NOT understand a concept our spouse is trying to explain to us. (It doesn’t have to be a spouse, it could be a friend or family, but often times, the emotional stakes are higher when it’s a spouse.)

It happens all the time with Wyatt and I. He’s very analytical. That’s what he does for a living. He’s a business analyst. Seriously. He’s good at math and numbers and formulas.

I’m good at writing and words and reading comprehension.

It’s not that we can’t understand other concepts, it just takes more effort.

(We also understand the kind of conversation that happens when you drive more than an hour in a car with no radio…since Hubs had his radio stolen  months ago.)

The problem with this video is that it went viral. The husband never meant for it to go viral. He posted it online to show their friends and family.

It just so happened that a few months after he posted it, it went crazy, as things on the internet can do.

I don’t think he mean any disrespect for her. I think they’re a young couple that have a friendship-based relationship. We tease our friends, they tease us. It’s part of the things that make up a friendship, right?

And they seem to still be happily married… and they’ve made some money off of the deal, right?

Check out the news story here:

http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/1_8uaucsj2/uiconf_id/5590821

or here.

And it’s always positive when a couple is able to get past an argument by realizing marriage is so much more than emotions.

“I realized our marriage is deeper than that…” she says.

So true.

So, let’s hear it. Do you think he’s a bad guy for posting this? Do we believe they are just having fun and teasing? What about in your relationship, has something like this ever happened to you?

I think, perhaps, we’re boring…

Remember back a few months ago when Hubs and I had fights to talk about with you guys?

Like when I cried in the parking lot at Walmart?

And when I freaked out cause Hubs was watching a zombie movie on TV (Translation, I freaked out for no reason…)

Or when I tried to apologize even though I was still angry?

Well, lately, we haven’t been fighting very much.

At least not anything big enough to remember to write about.

I’m not complaining about this realization.

Maybe it means we’re settling into this marriage things and getting used to living together. Maybe it’s because we’re getting busier and spending more time apart so we’re not as nit-picky with each other anymore.

Or maybe we’re growing up and maturing and learning to communicate better?

Maybe.

I won’t hold my breath on that last one.

But I also won’t sell us short.

We are learning.

I’ve learned to not wake Hubs up in the morning until I’m done in the bathroom. He likes to sleep until he last possible minute.

He’s learned that I need closure after our arguments.

I’ve also learned it’s okay to wear pajamas around the house at night if I want to. Especially if those pj’s involve less clothing that what I was previously wearing anyway.

Just kidding.

Sort of.

But in all reality, we’ve been a little boring, newlywed-blog-worthiness wise.

What do you think? Are we an old married couple now? Are we a young and boring couple now? Or are we just learning what it’s like to deal with our problems like adults?

Most of the time…

‘Tis a gift to be…spoiled?

I love that Wyatt spoils me sometimes.

Don’t get me wrong, I like to spoil him, too.

But tonight, this is about how he spoils me.

Namely, with homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

And chicken, sauteed zucchini, and mac & cheese for dinner, nearly ready by the time I got home from work at 6:40 tonight.

Usually, we make dinner together, or I make it for him. Then we clean up, or he cleans up while I blog or check email.

But on Wednesdays, I work late, and he cooks. Sometimes it’s simple like our favorite hamburger helper. Sometimes it’s more complicated like tonight.

But the truth is that it doesn’t matter at all how much time it takes to prepare, it’s that he does it for me, without me asking.

To be a blessing for me.

Because he’s awesome and he spoils me sometimes.

Which is great. Because he doesn’t spoil me all the time.

If he spoiled me all the time, I’d start to expect it. Then I would treat him like I expected him to do all these special things for me.

I mean, it’s one thing to expect him to respect, love, and honor me.

It’s another to expect him to make dinner every night, empty the dishwasher every time, bring me unlimited drink refills, let me watch only shows I want to watch, and make me dessert whenever I decide I want it but have too much to do to make it myself.

So, I’ll enjoy how great it is that he loves me and treats me as a wife should be treated. Which includes a little spoiling every now and then.

It also includes a few super delicious cookies every now and then.

Yum. And yes, please, I'll take 2...or 5.

 

Our weekend…a food photo story.

This weekend, was busy.

So, instead of giving you a play-by-play of everything we did, I figured I’d give you a little bit to drool over and tell our weekend story through photos of food. With some other awesome stuff mixed in as well.

And actually, I’m going to start our “weekend” food photos with something we made and ate on Tuesday. Tuna patties. And fried potatoes. It was perfect and light before our volleyball game, after which we went to Applebee’s for half-price apps with friends.

I've never made these before and didn't use a recipe. They aren't exactly what I would do again, flavorings -wize, but it was still yummy.

Then, on Friday night, our weekend officially started with this meal on our little patio deck.

Tuna with lemon sauce, vegetables with potatoes, and corn bread. Hubs made this whole meal himself as a surprise for me.

After that we hung around the apartment and put away laundry, watched some TV, and spent a little QT together. We’re wild ad crazy newlyweds, can you tell?

Oh, and I made this for dessert.

It's strawberry salsa with homemade cinnamon chips. I got the idea from Liz's mom, who made it for the bridal shower last weekend. Super yummy.

Want my “recipe”? Check it out here.

On Saturday morning, I had to go to work, but only for a few hours because then it was time for the soccer game! (Whoo hoo Sporting Kansas City!)

We were blessed with special seats to this home opener because Wyatt was given tickets to the executive suite from his job because of the work he did in New York. (Remember when he was gone for a week and I hated it? Well, I guess there was some unseen good that came of it later!)

The view from the sweet suite we got to watch the game from. (See what I did there? Aren't homophones fun?!)

We were excited to see the food offerings, especially since it was all-inclusive. Free food and drink!

Super delicious free food. Those potatoes were the bomb. And yes, those are cloth napkins and real silverware...at a soccer game. Fancy-smancy indeed!

And the drinks were great, too!

A frosty, glass(!) glass of boulevard wheat with lemon while enjoying a great game? Don't mind if I do!

I wish I’d taken a picture of the four chocolate chunk cookies I indulged in, but I was too busy shoving them into my mouth. Sorry.

Needless to say, on Sunday morning, after all the rambunctiousness of Saturday night, we slept in and got up to make brunch before I had to go to work at noon.

Wyatt made waffles, and I made more of the strawberry dip from Friday night to put on them. Super yummy.  It made me not-at-all-grumpy for work that day, which is not usually how I leave for job#1.

I would recommend this to anyone on the day after a night of eating, drinking, yelling, laughing, and celebrating a great win.

Too bad we couldn’t share with the boys we drove to and from the game. They probably could have used a good morning meal to help cure the ails of evidence of all the fun they had the entire day before. It was St. Patty’s Day, after all, and they celebrated it up right!

Then, on Sunday evening when I got home from work, only slightly grouchy, we went for a long drive to begin our house-hunting process. We explored potential neighborhoods and worked up an appetite.

We went out to dinner, as we sometimes do on Sunday nights, and I didn’t take a picture of our “just okay” meals from the restaurant.

But the good food continued to tonight, which I know isn’t really the weekend anymore, but is still worth mentioning I think.

Baked zucchini, garlic mashed potatoes, and cube steak. (My family knows what that is...do you? Or is that a code name we use for something everybody else calls by another name?)

All in all, a great weekend of outdoor time (it was so nice out!), good food, friends, and fun.

P.S. If you’ve seen ads at the bottom on this blog, please know that I didn’t put them there. I guess WordPress decided I have enough traffic they could make some money off of my blog. It only shows up on a few posts and for those without a WordPress account. Please know that I do not endorse anything that is put there, nor am I getting paid for it. I’m currently looking into a way to get this resolved (including buying my own domain–exciting times!) Thanks for understanding!

Strawberry Salsa and Cinnamon Sugared Tortilla Chips (& Liz’s library shower)

At my friend Liz’s bridal shower, her mom and sister made some super delicious food. (As the matron of honor, my responsibilities didn’t at all include food, and I was totally fine with that because their food is super cute and super good.)

See?

See this spread? Awesome!

The strawberry salsa was so good, I had to try it myself.

It went a little something like this:

About 15 strawberries, 3 kiwis, and 1 green apple, all in the blender.

I also added a little brown sugar and a splash of lime juice.

Then I used a pizza cutter to slice some tortilla shells into wedges.

They got sprayed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

Then this happened.

I won't lie, I licked my fingers. Butter and cinnamon. Yum.

And then I baked the chips in the oven on a cookie sheet for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until crispy.

This is pre-crisp. Still tempting to taste though.

And afterward, with the salsa and chips together.  So good. So fresh. So tasty.

Why aren't you making this right now?

It’s also great for breakfast, too!

Waffles with butter, syrup, and strawberry salsa? Yes please!

And for those who want to see photos from Liz’s library shower?

The shower was a library shower. Everyone brought a book with a special message for the bride, we had books all over the place, and some cute paper flowers. And great love quotes from books.

Books and paper flowers everywhere! So cute and so easy to make and decorate!

We had shelves for people to put their books and gifts on.

I made a paper book garland for the ceiling. Sorry the picture's not great. You can see it's cute, though!