Insta-Friday - Blogging from the car version

We are currently in New Jersey on our way to Virginia Beach for a night. We are all looking forward to catching up with friends we left behind when we moved exactly a year ago. I'm also looking forward to a hair appointment tomorrow morning with my favorite hairdresser. We've been in Rhode Island for a year and it's been that long since I've had a haircut. On Saturday we will continue on to Duck, NC for a week at the beach with a group of 21! My parents and their best friends rented a beach house. Together there are 6 adult children, 4 spouses, and 7 grandchildren ages 13 months - 12 years. It should be a fun and crazy week.

Here are some of my Instagrams from the week- minus captions for now since I'm car blogging.

It's OK Thursday

It's OK to be leaving on vacation tomorrow and to have not packed anything.

It's OK to already despise my new co-worker.  Here is a convo between us this morning.  Mind you she has made some reference to Spanish every day.

About to lose it on my new co-worker who insists on greeting me in Spanish.... I am ASSuming because of my last name...

Co-worker - Melissa, I'm here. Buenas dias!

 ME - Good morning. Do you speak Spanish?

 Co-worker - I took 3 years in high school, that was over 35 years ago (mucho anos atras!) I can provide rudimentary face-to-face customer service if no one else in the store understands Spanish - that's what I did when I worked as a pharmacy technician

  ME: Oh.. because I don't.

... then she proceeded to talk about work. So obviously it went right over her head and I am expecting a "buenas tardes" at the end of my day...

It's OK to be really annoyed after learning people are stealing photos off of my blog.

It's OK to have strongly considered "forgetting" my laptop when we go on vacation so that I won't have to do any work while I am gone.

It's OK to be equally parts happy and sad that Madison returns to school in about a month.

It's OK to finally give in and let her create a Facebook... we are her friends and have access to everything - it will be monitored often.

Insta Friday

Some of my Instagram photos from the week -

I have been working on some small little canvas paintings for our bedroom



These are flowers that Madison picked from our yard and arranged.



My two new Pandora charms for our wedding anniversary this past week.

Anniversary flowers from my husband.

A yummy spicy turkey taco salad I made last night for dinner.  Instead of using tortilla chips I topped them with little tri-color tortilla strips.  It added the perfect bit of crunch.

Our anniversary dessert - we brought two home - one for me and one for my sister-in-law who watched Madison when we went out.  This was the Reeses's peanut butter chocolate cake cheesecake from The Cheescake factory.. it was so rich, but oh so good.

I ordered a bunch of my Instagram prints from Postal Pix.  I love this company - affordable prices and fast shipping.

Last weekend we went to a cookout at my aunt's house. This is Madison and my cousin's daughter, Natalie.


I am linking up to Insta Friday.

Today We Celebrate Our 2nd Anniversary

Today we celebrate our 2nd anniversary.  Both of us are working today, but this evening Madison is going out with my sister-in-law and niece and my husband has planned a dinner out.  I'd love to write about how this 2nd year of marriage has been amazing... but it hasn't.  It's been a roller coaster with far too many lows. We both went through periods of unemployment, we had a move from hell, I struggled to get acclimated to our new surroundings, and we conceived and lost a pregnancy which caused me tons of sadness and anger. 

On a more positive note.. things are getting better, we are happier, and I am happy to say my husband was hired on with the new company and today is his second day of work - so we are super thankful for that.  We are just really both hoping that our next anniversary is celebrated with either a newborn or me... pregnant.

Here are some of our wedding photos -

Friday's Letters

Dear New Pediatrician's Office,


I chose you purely for the reason you are in walking distance from our house. I was pleased today how much both Madison and I enjoyed meeting her new nurse and doctor today. However, after leaving and arriving at CVS, I was not happy to realize you forgot to give Madison the one immunization she needed... so now we have to go back at 1:30. And... scheduling lady at the front desk who called me back to give me a new appointment... when you tell me I can come anytime and I suggest 12:30... and you chuckle and say "We go to lunch from 12:30-1:30"... like I am somehow supposed to know this... I hope you weren't offended when I told you I didn't know your lunch schedule and picked 1:30.


Sincerely,


Mom Who Only Wanted To Come In Once Today


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Dear New Possible Employer of My Husband,


Please hire my husband. I can think of no worse personal hell than for me to possibly have to return to work full-time outside of the home as a teacher come this fall. My husband hasn't mentioned this... but I am sure he is thinking it. Also, when you hire him please make sure we can go on our family vacation.


Sincerely,


Worried Wife of Unemployed Husband


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Dear Viacom/DirecTV,


I am 34, married, and a mother of one. However a large part of what I watch on TV is on MTV and VH1. PLEASE get your shit together so I do not have to miss next week's episodes of Teen Mom and Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. I know you keep blaming one another, but I don't care who is to blame. I would just like the insane amount we pay each month for DirecTV to allow me to watch these two channels.


Sincerely,


Woman Who Watches Too Much Reality TV


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Tuesday Randoms {Job Joss & The Beach}

1. My husband lost his job the last Friday in June.  Yep... the job we uprooted our lives for... he lost.  He is a government contractor.  The contract ended and the company who has had it for twelve years lost it and laid off the workers.    The good news is that he was able to apply for a job with the new company who took over the contract.  They called this morning and he has an interview tomorrow.  We are so relieved and he is pretty confident he will get this new position.

2. We are slightly worried about our vacation plans for the end of July/early August that we have had planned for many months.  We have prepaid hotels down and back to the gorgeous beach house we are spending a week in with family and a plane ticket home early for my husband (as I am staying longer at my parents' house)... so while getting this job is our #1 concern... we are still hoping like crazy my husband can still go on the vacation... and I will not have to drive with Maddie all of the way to Duck, NC in one day.  So are thinking positive thoughts that it will work out so the three of us can go on vacation as a family.

The Beach House

3. Since our income is a little sketchy for a bit I have really buckled down with meal planning to try to reduce grocery costs.  I also made these meal plan templates because I only meal plan for four days... so they work for me.  I am going to print 1 or 2 as an 8x10 photo, put it in a frame I have and use a dry erase marker so my family knows the weekly menu.  I plan on sharing them and some others as a free dowload once I get mine printed and framed.

4. One day last week Madison went to the beach for the entire day with my sister-in-law and two cousins.  She had a blast.  She has spent 4 days total this summer at the beach and is already the most beautiful shade of brown.

Friday's Letters

I am linking up here for Friday's Letters.

Dear B.E. Lopez Construction,

        My husband believed our landlord when he told us how great you all were.  He lied.  We are now on day 4 of you replacing our roof... and I do not think you will finish today.  I am not pleased with your multiple breaks, your two hour lunch breaks, and your afternoon naps all sprawled out in our front yard.  I am not happy that at 2:30 after finishing your nap... you then take an hour to "clean" up before leaving at 3:30 on the dot.  I am not happy that yesterday you destroyed many of my hydrangea bushes.  But... to the ballsy one who rang our doorbell yesterday and asked my husband to use our restroom... then proceeded to take a POOP... you my friend sealed the deal of royally pissing me off.  I explained to my husband that today your workers could ring the bell all day long.. but NOBODY was pooping in our house today.  Oh... and on Monday they removed our DirecTV dish and we had to pay $50 to have someone come out and replace it... you better believe I deducted $50 from the rent I paid today.

Sincerely,

One Pissed Off Renter With a Half Assed Roof

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Dear Crappy BBQ Guest,

           It is rude to call someone an hour before you are due to arrive at their home for a BBQ and ask them for a ride.  It is even ruder when the host picks you up... and you do not have the soda and bag of Scoops tortilla chips you were asked to bring about three different times.  It is equally as rude to then ask the host to take you to the grocery store.  This is why I sent you home with NO leftovers... even though I had a TON.   If I have my way you will no longer be invited to our home for any event whatsoever.

Sincerely,

Your sister-in-law

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Dear Crappy Slacker Co-Worker,

          YOU WIN!  You skip your shifts and do no work... and a position was created just for you.  Yet you continue to do the same things you did before in your new position. I now try to pretend you do not work for the company instead of getting pissed off that you are being catered to.  This may fly here at this job... but listen here... this will not work in the real world.

Sincerely,

The Day You Are Fired Will Be a Day to Celebrate

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Dear Sweet Innocent 12 1/2 Year Old Daughter,

           The next time I go to turn your alarm off on your cell phone and see that you have set the alarm message to "WTFU"... you will no longer be in possession of that cell phone.

Sincerely,

The Mom Who Didn't Think Your Dad Should Get You an iPhone

Family BBQ Success

My husband's family came over on Wednesday for a BBQ to celebrate the 4th of July.  Luckily it turned out to be beautiful and everyone had a great time.  We had tons of food... and so many leftovers.

Little table tents I made to go with the food.  We also had hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled Italian sausages.

I found this sign last week and we put it at the end of our sidewalk!

Inspired by Pinterest... and so easy!

I had one glass of Moscato.. and was feeling a little tipsy. Yes... I like ice in my wine.

Maddie in the backyard.

I made cupcakes... they were a big hit... I had one last night after everyone had left.

This salad was a big hit with everyone. I had a lite raspberry pomegranate dressing out to go with it.  It was a perfect summer salad.



The night sky last night.

Some of the beautiful hydrangeas in our backyard.

Me and Madison

The kids heard the ice cream truck after lunch and went out for a treat.

SO WHAT Wednesday!

I am linking up with Shannon at Life After I Dew today... when I should be cleaning the house and finishing cooking for the BBQ we are hosting today.... oh well.

SO WHAT IF... I insisted we host a BBQ... but now that we have spent a ton on food and I still have a ton to do... I am reconsidering my choice.

SO WHAT IF... I think that DirecTV has a note on our account that says "Send the slowest... dumbest... most incompetent worker to this house every single time".  Because... the guy has been here for 2+ hours this morning and I see no end in site.

SO WHAT IF... my # 1 thought yesterday when the roofers removed our DirecTV dish and we no longer had service was... "SHOOT...  I am going to miss Teen Mom tonight".  Fortunately, I heard from a friend it wasn't on.

SO WHAT IF... one of the things I am serving today are Funfetti Cookie Bars.... made from a box....

SO WHAT IF... I still have a gazillion things to do... and need to get to going.

The ABCs of ME

I have seen this on some other blogs and figured I would do my own... as I sit here and wait for the cupcakes I just made to cool.

A. Age: 34

B. Bed size: King... and one of our best purchases ever

C. Chore you dislike: All of them... but mostly putting laundry away

D. Dogs: No.. never... sometimes I see a cute puppy and think maybe... but I am not a pet person.  I wouldn't let a pet on my couch or in my bed... so because I know I would make a poor pet owner... we will never have one.

E. Essential start to your day: Peeing... every day.  Then I check my Instagram, email, and Facebook.

F. Favorite colors: Pink and lime green.

G. Gold or silver: White gold.

H. Height: 5'5"

I. Instruments you play(ed): The flute in 6th grade and I was awful.

J. Job title: Lead Help Desk Analyst - I work from home 32 hours a week and I LOVE it.  After 9 years of teaching... the last few being miserable... this job was a welcome change. 

K. Kids: Just one... Madison who is 12 1/2... but hopefully...soon.... another one.

L. Live: Rhode Island as August 1st of last year. 

M. Mom’s name: Maryjean

N. Nicknames: In school my friends called me Missy... which I hate and changed to Melissa in college.  My husband calls me Babe or Boobie.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Giving birth to Madison and staying with Madison when she had a kidney infection as an infant.

P. Pet peeves: Bad drivers, people who don't say "thank you", poor service in restaurants, I really could keep going on and on.

Q. Quote from a movie: My husband could give you multiple quotes from every movie he has ever soon.  I... cannot give you even one.

R. Righty or lefty: Right.

S. Siblings: A sister, Keri, who is 32... I think.  She may be 31.  Isn't that terrible? After 30 it all runs together for me.

T. Time you wake up: When Maddie is in school 6:30-6:45 ; now that it is summer usually 9:30 or so.

U. Underwear: This is a silly question.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Cauliflower, okra, asparagus, squash, and peppers

W. What makes you run late: I really try hard to be on time.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Knee

Y. Yummy food you make: Chicken fajita quesadillas, homemade pizza, brownies, cupcakes, etc...

Z. Zoo animal you like: Monkeys

4th of July Pinspiration

We are hosting a BBQ at our house for 4th of July... here are some of my ideas -

Red White and Blue Salad - I am thinking romaine, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, feta, and poppyseed dressing- easy and I bet it is tasty.

Source: greenlitebites.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Star Sugar Cookies - I am pretty sure I have a star cookie cutter and I bet the stars are easy to frost.

Source: toostinkincute.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Patriotic Berries - I am definitely making these.  I am pretty sure I have the white Wilton discs and the blue sanding sugar in the cabinet too.

Source: allrecipes.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Table Decor - Then I am going to print and frame this for the food table.

Source: thecraftingchicks.com via Melissa on Pinterest

In addition to the above we are also serving -

Appetizers - Buffalo Chicken Dip, 7 Layer Dip, and Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball

Meats - Cheeesburgers, Hot Dogs and Italian Sausages

Side Dishes - Ray's Baked Beans (my dad's recipe - will be sharing this week) and Pasta Salad

Desserts - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Our Kid FREE Week...

Last Saturday we went to Massachusetts for the day to drop off Madison with my mom (who was visit family there).  On Sunday they flew back to Virginia where Madison spent a week with my parents.

While she was there having a great time (shopping, manicure/pedicure, plus a trip to the beach) we...

Went shopping at Target and Whole Foods.

Watched two movies from Redbox - Redtails and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Had three days nights - two which included DRINKS... I had this sangria sangarita drink from Chilis which was fabulous... and cheap... only $4.25

I made  dinners at home too - grilled pork chops, grilled chicken and shrimp, BBQ ranch salad, and buffalo chicken wraps.

I worked on my Shutterfly 2012 album - trying not to fall too far behind.

We watched a new television show called Final Witness... pretty good.

We went to Ikea... and bought a new dresser for our bedroom and a rack for DVDs.

I ordered two things from Groopdealz - these chevron state prints from this etsy artist (I hope they are amazing - I usually am a stickler for checking feedback... and didn't... and they have none... fingers crossed) and this necklace for Maddie (which this artist has 100% feedback).

We are excited to pick up Madison today and have her back home.