New Couch! New car?!?!

We are waiting for our new couch to arrive today! It should be here anytime! It was my Christmas present and I am so excited, our current couch is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat on... this is a Lazy boy and it reclines on both side and we got it in black leather. I realize its kinda fugly looking but the leather is amazing (and easy to clean) and its the softest most luxurious thing! Here it is:

We car shopped yesterday too! I want a SUV sometime this year (no hurry) but we had to take Justin's Truck in to get serviced so we went to Wilsonville Chevrolet and Looked at the Traverse (I liked it, Justin didn't ) and the Tahoe (maybe too big for me to be driving)! I actually really liked the Tahoe but I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to park that beast downtown or at a crowded mall so we ruled it out.

Then we went to Chrysler/Jeep and looked at the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and we both loved it! They even had a white one with tan interior which is exactly what I want! I actually had a jeep as a rental for a month and I loved it and I felt really safe! Plus I had borrowed my step dad's jeep one time and got rear ended in it (sorry Eric) but there was hardly any damage and we didn't get hurt to bad! So this is the front runner for now:

I still want to look at a Volvo too, but we have plenty of time for that!

My Friday Night

Justin went out with the Boy's and played poker last night so I had the house and TV to myself!
This is what I did:

Read my entire Us Weekly

Snuggled with our Dog Mackie

Had Rocky Road Ice cream for Dinner (I did get the one with 1/2 less fat though!)

And watched this cheesy High school movie which was super inappropriate but I still liked it!

Nice little Friday night!

Married Life so far

Well we've been married for 3 months and 15 days, and I have loved every day of it! We have solved all marriage problems and are ready to give advice, KIDDING!!! But we did have a rough start with my dad passing but it reassured me even more that I chose a great man to spend my life with.

It's easy to love someone when life is good and they are happy! Its hard when they are sad and it's not your fault and there is nothing you can do ta make them feel better, but Justin still always tried....and it worked sometimes! But it was nice to know he was there and loved me through that all. He such a loyal and loving guy I am feel so lucky!

But this whole married life thing is fantastic! I had no idea, I was scared of it for years! Literally until my late 20's I thought maybe marriage wasn't for me, or maybe I wouldn't be good at it. And I always said I wouldn't get married til my 30's- which was right! I felt I had to be independent, have a successful career, buy my own house, live alone, support myself- and I did! I know I can do it and now I love having Justin take care of me now!

Lately we have been kinda 'boring' just working hard, working out, relaxing on the weekends, but I love it! I'm so glad I signed up for this whole marriage thing and I am excited to see what is in store for us!

R.I.P Grandma Shirley

My grandma Shirley Caswell Rude passed away Thursday January 20th.

Here is a picture of her at my wedding in October with me and my cousin Anton

As you can tell she was a very beautiful lady, all the way until the end. Even when she was sick and dying she still put her face make-up on and had her hair curled. Actually every Friday she had her hair done and the place she lived. She lived a long life and survived many things. She was married twice and both husbands passed away, she gave birth to 8 kids, while she was single she raised 6 kids on her own in the 60's. She also lost a few of her children and in fact held her youngest daughters hand while she was passing and didn't leave her side- this was just 2 years ago. She was a nurse and she had a passion for her work that most people just don't have. She was actually a labor and delivery nurse for over 30 years and she actually delivered me!

She taught me so many things, I was lucky enough to always have her around growing up we spent so much time with her and we both always lived in Tigard. She came to all my basketball games, soccer games and even came to my high school and college graduation. Her door was always open and I could just stop in and she'd always have goodies for me and we'd sit down and play a game of cribbage. She got me the best gifts too, she would always get me something that I didn't even know I wanted, she was so good at that!

We just had a very special bond, one that will always be with me.

2 things Gram taught me that I will always remember:

1. Never leave the house with out make-up! In fact she would tell you "that is why my skin is so soft and beautiful because I always have make-up on to protect it!"

To this day I rarely leave the house without it, thank you Gram!

2. The importance of giving back. Gram made baby blankets, and not just a few, I bet she has made over 1,000 and she would take them to work with her and give them to families who didn't have much and were having a baby. In fact at St. Vincents hospital here in Portland where she worked she started to make Layette's. She honestly spent any extra money she had at goodwill and thrift shops buying baby clothes, then she'd bring them home and wash them and fill a shopping bag for a boy or girl and put one of the blankets she made in there too. Everyone at the hospital knew about her and what she was doing and so many people started donating money and baby clothes to her so she could continue this on for years, even after her retirement. I can't even imagine how many kids out there have their blankey from being a baby and my Gram made it! With this being said I have at least 10 of these amazing blankets I plan on using my my children! I can't wait, because I'll think of her every time I see them!

I have to say my mom did an amazing job caring for my Gram. When my mom and Eric moved to California 3 years ago she took Gram with them to live in the guest house there. After a year it was clear she needed more care so she moved into an assisted living place but my mom would still take her to all her doctors appointments and was in charge of her care all the way to the end. Mom was so good about bringing her a starbucks, taking her shopping, and she had her with her on every Holiday and brought her to Portland for my wedding and Christmas's. I can honestly say My Mom AMAZED me everyday with her self-less-ness and care she gave my Gram with such a tender and full heart. What a role model you have been for me Mom, you are amazing and like Gram said she will be your guardian Angel Forever!

Lastly, Gram has quite a welcome Party in Heaven! Her parents, 2 children, and 2 Husbands, I know she is loving it! Say Hi to my Dad for me to Gram, we miss you down Here!

SPA time!

Last night I had a great spa experience I feel like its my duty as a woman to share it!
I went to Rejuvenation day spa in John's Landing for the "tangerine dream" body scrub. This is how the describe it:

"A delightful exfoliation for the skin. A dreamy blend of natural sea salts and tangerine oil are gently yet firmly massaged over your body. Dull, dry skin is sloughed away leaving you with a soft tangy glow. You will then experience the stimulating effects of either our Vichy or Swiss shower. The treatment concludes with an uplifting tangerine moisturizing massage. Your skin will be smooth and supple, tingling with improved circulation."

IT WAS AMAZING! The Vichy shower is a shower head thingy with like 7 heads they put over you to wash off the sea salt scrub it so warm and relaxing I could've fallen asleep! Then she poured cold water on me at the same time the shower was on me, it felt so cool! I must say the salt scrub was intense but my skin has never felt softer and even today after my shower it felt just as soft! (I still put lotion on though- see previous post ;-)

So go call round and find a spa near you that has a Vichy (pronounced vee-shee) shower and book a scrub immediately! Or if in Portland go to: http://www.rejuvenationdayspa.com/

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Trust

This really grabbed me for some reason today:
"Trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be in life"

Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride :-)

Lotion

My love for lotion goes back years, I cant remember when I started using this fabulous stuff but I can't live a day with out it now! I even mix lotions to create my own scents and I'll add my favortite coco butter to a lotion that has good smell but not enough moisture. I seriously have anywhere form 20-30 lotions at all times!

When we were in Fiji for our honeymoon I fell in love all over again, not with my husband (ok him too :)) but with Pure Fiji. The pineapple and coconut scents will always remind me of our honeymoon and I could only bring 2 bottles home ( because Justin and I shared a suitcase) so I have been savoring it and not using everyday. It seriously has the best feel and the perfect amount of moisture without making you feel greasy, buttery or sticky. Then when I was at my favorite spa the other day.....they had it there! I had mixed emotions about this, part of me was like OMG they make this in Fiji and it should just be for that and now it doesn't feel that special if they sell it in the US. But the other part of me was thrilled, now I am using everyday knowing I can get more!

The biggest lotion mistake I have ever made in my life was recently. I bought a new scent of creative sensations (LOVE their stuff- try the mango coconut!) called sparkling champagne. I had kinda a grape/apple-y scent and did kinda remind me of champagne! I brought it home and the following morning put it all over myself (including my face) while I was watching the morning news..... next thing I know Justin is totally laughing me and said "you look like a disco ball"!! IT HAS GLITTER IN IT, and not just a little glitter, like large amounts that teenage girls would love! ah, didn't take another shower but got most of it off before work. awesome.

GO COUGS

I just can't bring myself to put GO DUCKS as a title to a post, but I do want them to win the BCS Title tonight, it would be cool for our state. Its funny how beaver fans are cheering against them anyways, you'd think they could swallow there pride and cheer for the ducks! And after i say that i realize if the Husky's were in the Championship game I would cheer against them with passion.... so I just keep my mouth shut about it!

Waste Connections is representing at the game though, we have a garbage truck that is all decked out in UO because we are one of the biggest haulers in Eugene, my step dad Eric is there partying at it and he sent this pic:

It has a TV on it, that's what people are watching, and a keggerator built in..... GO DUCKS!

I know my dad is smiling down form wherever he is, he was a huge duck fan and he would be loving this today! Miss you Dad!

Nice Weekend

Sometimes I LOVE going into a weekend with no real plans, and just knowing I can whatever I feel like doing whenever I feel like doing it. The work week is so structured and I get sick of it!
Last night I took Justin to dinner at his favorite BBQ place: Famous Dave's for some Ribs... I owed him dinner, lets just say I lost a bet.

I actually really like their food too, I either get the nachos or sassy salad, and you can have bbq chicken, pulled pork or brisket. Its seriously so good!

Today we had to go to my dad's house to get some financial info so I can take it to work and shred it all. For the First time I went to his house and didn't cry! I think I am making some progress! Then we went to cook park, a park by Tigard High I spent countless hours at growing up- playing soccer, softball etc. We took Mackie for a nice walk, it was wet but not rainy, and the fresh air felt amazing!

Today we will be watching the EAGLES game and cheering hard, hoping the woop up on the packers! I am making some foot ball food for lunch, mac and cheese bites to be exact. They are the new thing at Trader Joe's and if you haven't tried these you must!

And I am making a pork roast for the first time for diner later....hope it turns out well. It actually 1 of 3 we have in our freezer from the hog Justin killed back in June. I just put it in the crock pot with some chicken broth, water, onions, garlic and seasonings.

On a sad not I knew 2 people that died on Friday. Neither was I very close too, but one was my age and she passed away from cancer. The other woman was a friends mother in law who also passed away from Cancer. I am reminded of 2 things this weekend:
1. Cancer effin sucks and we need to find a cure!
2. Life is so short, I am healthy-happy and I have so many things to be thankful for getting out of bed every morning should be easy this week!

Early Birthday Suprise

Justin told me this morning that he booked 2 nights at the five pine lodge in sisters for the weekend of my birthday! I am so excited! http://www.fivepinelodge.com/   This place looks amazing, and we can play in the snow, eat, drink and go to the SPA all weekend! My birthday isn't until February 17th, but I have been letting him know that I'd really like a weekend away with him for my birthday, so he told me this morning. We are going the 18th of Feb to the 20th and we can even bring our Dog Makcie. I always take my birthday off work, but since its a Thursday this year I may not, plus I only have 12 hours of vacation time since I used it all up for our wedding/honeymoon. I may take a half day though, I know I am a grown up and going to be 32 and all but I really just can bring myself to work on my Birthday, is that ridiculous??

The Best Quote!

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." — Marilyn Monroe

Thank you Marilyn... I know we would have been friends. And I am SURE you would have been a pi phi!

New Year's & The Gym, The Bachelor

So I made it back to the gym yesterday after a few weeks off-busy with Holiday events, or at least that's my excuse! The friendly hard-bodied guy that works at the front desk gave me a little smirk when he saw me like he was saying "where have you been the past few weeks" but I brushed him off. I wanted to say 'I have been drinking, eating and having fun, HA!" But it felt great to be back, the gym was pretty packed as it always is every January but luckily my gym doesn't have many members anyways and I still got on all the machines I wanted to. I am rotating arms and legs and doing 30+ mins of cardio Monday- Saturday. This should get my jeans back to fitting normal and not sooo snug! I am sure the multiple glasses (okay bottles) of wine I had over the Holidays had something to do with it too, along with cookies, summer sausage and cheese for dinner!
On another note: a new Season of the Bachelor started last night and I must say I am so excited! I loved Brad the first time he was on the show and was glad he didn't choose anyone because then he was still available for me (hey, I was single then, a girl can dream right?!?!) I must say these girls are gorgeous this season, lots of fake boobs & eyelashes, and you can tell they all had a stylist and full on hair and makeup team but I am sure I'd want the same if I was on national TV looking for love.  I dont' know if I am just a hopeless romantic or what but I still believe (every season- yes I have seen them all) that the fairytale story can come true!  And its just so fun to watch these people be vulnerable, make a fool out of themselves etc especially from the comfort of my own home!

Happy New Years!

I clearly haven't been good at blogging so far! I need some inspiration... I am thinking if I make it my New year's resolution to blog that may work! Honestly I don't make New Years resolutions because I am constantly trying to change, better myself and set new goals throughout the year as is and adding a NY resolution would just be too exhausting.

But in 2011 I have so much to look forward. I start the year as a married woman which is very exciting! Marrying Justin was by far the best thing that happened to me in last year. Everyday I am grateful for him and everyday I love him more than the previous day.

 I also start the year without my Dad and that is so sad but for some reason now that its a new year it already just seems easier..... Although I will miss my every single day.

So I am EXCITED for 2011. If you think about it its just another day.... but for some reason starting a new year in life just has promise, and I love that!