being a little more pro

While perusing this site, I came across an article that made me stop and think.  I like when stuff makes me really stop and think, I like to file that under the file labeled "profound" in my head.  So here's to hoping it makes you stop and think too.

Food For Your Soul: Be a Little More Pro Today

your daily quote

Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

C.S. Lewis

mr. rogers

I forgot to post this like 2 weeks ago!  My friend and I went kayaking (yes, kayaking!) on the river and once we finished we walked around downtown Pittsburgh (on the North Side for ya'll Pittsburghers) and came across this gem of a statue.  Mr. Freaking Rogers!  How exciting!  For those of you who don't know...Mr. Rogers is from the Burgh and his sweet TV show was filmed here all those years.  So of course they have a statue dedicated to his sweet self.  And of course I needed to crawl up in his lap.  It really only made sense.Won't you be my neighbor?

i checked out

Of the blogosphere for a bit, sorry about that pals, but now I'm back in the game.  And I don't have too much to say except give you some reviews of the books I've been reading lately.  So here goes...

 Good book.  Cute book.  Easy read.  Based in Charleston.  It was entertaining and you can pretty much bet that I'm going to enjoy anything taking place in the South...Charleston, nonetheless.  It's a good summer read and compared to the next books I read it seemed pretty simple in the sense of dilemmas going on in the book.  By the way, I think I like reading because I crave drama and there's always so much drama going on in the books I read (well, the ones that I really enjoy at least). 

Hi-freaking-larious!  Jen Lancaster always rises to the occasion and meets my expectations.  She never fails to make me laugh, if not snort in the process.  I listened to this on audio book and I know that there were people thinking I was going a tad crazy while I was driving (insert laughing and snorting here).  I definitely recommend it, but again, as I always say with Jen Lancaster books, this is not for the faint of heart.  She has no filter.  And I kinda love it.  Oh and by the way, I had a chance to meet her at a book signing a couple of months ago...which I turned down.  Because I found out while I was getting my hair did (and yes I was in gym shorts and a t-shirt...never wear clothes that are too nice while getting hair highlighted because some dye may run onto your shirt...may or may not be speaking form experience here) and I was not about to meet the Miss Jen Lancaster in shorts and a t-shirt.  I poked around the outside of Barnes and Noble and saw many Lacoste and pearl clad women to which I felt inferiorly (yes it's a word) dressed and high-tailed it home.  But you should totally check out this book for a good (big) laugh!

Whew.  This book is deep.  Like a lot is going on and it can be kind of difficult to choke down.  I'm going to copy the description so I don't give anything away:

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.
Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

 The book is very well written and definitely not the type of book I usually pick up.  I had heard a lot about it and decided that I must read it to see what all the fuss was about.  So if you're stuck in a rut with the books you're reading I would definitely suggest picking this up.   It's worth the read and really good.

And last but most definitely not least is my man, Pat Conroy.  Like seriously, love this man.  He can write a freaking book.  Annnnnd it's another book set in Charleston.  And while reading this I became really pissed that I don't live in Charleston, but that's another post for another day.  I actually found that this book had a lot of similar things as Beach Music did.  The story is told from a boy/man (spans a couple of decades) who was raised fiercely Catholic, focuses on the tragedy surrounding his friends/family, has a wife that's suffering mental illness, set in Charleston (and surrounding area) and there's all these little twists and turns that you don't see coming.  Although, I'm definitely not complaining.  I don't think I could ever get tired of reading Pat Conroy.  And I'll say it again, the man can write a book (read sentence with emphasis, please and thank you).  Ohhhh I loved it and it definitely makes my top 10 best books I've ever read list.  Thank you Mr. Conroy.  I love you (in a totally platonic, can you please write me into a book and have that become my life but not one of the crazy characters please, kind of way).

your daily quote

But the river is beside me and saltwater has always fed my soul like a truth serum.

Pat Conroy (South of Broad)

chocolate peanut butter pretzel bars

Now let's talk about something that's insanely delicious, these things!  Oh my goodness.  I found this recipe a couple weeks ago and knew I had to try it.  And man, these things are addicting.  Like I could eat a million of them and then be the size of Manhattan.  But I'll try to limit myself to one or two a day.  You must try them :)

(photo cred to kitchen grrls)

your daily (jodi picoult) quote

There’s always going to be bad stuff out there. But here’s the amazing thing — light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can’t stick the dark into the light.

Jodi Picoult (Change of Heart)

beautiful song

Every time that I hear this song I get chill bumps and feel tears coming on. What a sadly beautiful song.

your daily quote

found here

3rd anniversary ya'll

downtown Pittsburgh

downtown Pittsburgh with half of our meal consumed, holla

happy couple (excuse my out of control hair)

haha, he would totally kill me for putting this up.  

the girls

up close and personal.

Some of you may be wondering what John's reaction was when I revealed the shoes...and I quote, "oh you and your glitter".  I take that as a compliment because I'm not really sure how else it should be taken.  At least he knows his wife and isn't shocked to see her wearing 4.5 inch heels that look like a pro kindergartener took spray glue and a tube of glitter to them.  :)

your daily quote

Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.

Eckhart Tolle

your daily quote

All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.

J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)

your daily (dylan) quote

found here

your daily (anniversary) quote

I love you also means I love you more than anyone loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and also, I love you in a way that no one loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and also, I love you in a way that I love no one else, and never have loved anyone else, and never will love anyone else.

Jonathan Safran Foer

Well said, Mr. Foer, well said.  Happy anniversary to my sweet, wonderful husband!  

365 thank yous

So I just finished this book today and it was meh.  Like only OK.  Like I wanted it to be more and I felt bad because this is about someone's life changing.  But it didn't do anything for me.  Except make me want to write more thank you notes.  Which is probably one of the intended purposes.  But other than that I left with no inspiration.  Maybe I'm just suffering because I finished The Help and I can't find anything quite as good to follow it up.  So there you go, sorry Mr. Kralik, but ya just didn't hook me.  Good for you though, turning your life around and what not.

just go with it

So we watched this this past weekend.  I figured it would be hit or miss.  Adam Sandler ain't what he used to be, ya know?  BUT, I have to say that the movie was very funny and really cute!  I liked it a lot and definitely recommend it (we Redboxed it) for a cute, funny movie.  Oh and John and I both agreed that Jennifer Aniston still looks better than the younger gal in the movie, even though she has 20 years on her.  She's just gorgeous, right?

holy glitter batman!

So I bought these shoes yesterday!!

I know, right?!  How incredibly fabulous!  So here's their story:  I was entirely frustrated at Kohl's for their lack of sales in certain items that I needed and I was also bored at home so I decided to browse the store a little longer.  I wandered over to the shoe section not expecting to find anything and while perusing I see this pretty little things across an aisle.  I put back the shoe that was in my hand and walked over to these things in a trance-like state.  I had to put them on.  They fit and they didn't kill my feet (immediately).  They were half off.  My anniversary is coming up.  I need something pretty to wear.  I clearly have nothing pretty to wear so I must buy something.  I have weddings coming up (next year) that I can wear these to.  John will surely have a winter formal where I can wear these.  Oh yeah, did I mention they were only $27.99??  Why was I putting this much thought into them you may ask?  Because I'm that cheap.  Luckily I was in my right mind and put them in my shopping bag immediately.  After purchasing them I replayed the dilemma on the phone to my sister.  She quickly reminded me that anything under $30 is not a splurge.  Well said sister.  Oh and btw, don't tell John about these, I'd like to surprise him with the sheer fabulousity (yes it's a word) of them when we go out this weekend for the ol' anniversary.  K, thanks.

running high

So today I pushed myself to run just a little bit longer than I have recently.  I have somewhat abandoned the plan due to the shin splints and what not.  But the good thing is I got the general idea and have adapted it to what the ol' legs can handle.  I've learned that while running I envision what my next blog post should be about.  So here we go...


Reasons why you should not ever run with me:
1. I sometimes dance while running.
2. I look like I am continuously running under a waterfall judging from the amount of sweat I produce.  Gross.
3. Almost the entire time my face is the color of a beet.
4. I can't run straight, I am always running off to the side of the treadmill or running on the hard plastic part above the band.
5. I sing and sometimes fist pump for extra motivation (also see #1).

Also, if you're running or whatever you do to work out, Born This Way by Lady Gaga (see previous post) is a great song to run/work out to!  It gets me pumped up and I really feel great about myself.  Thanks Gaga!

your daily (lady gaga) quote

Don't be a drag, just be a queen.

Lady Gaga

Whether you like Gaga or not you have to admit that she is an incredible performer and really makes her fans love themselves just as they are. I LOVE this song and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this performance. Enjoy :) 

PS-I'm not sure why the messages on their shirts are printed backwards, this is the best version I could find.

weekend update (+ mac and cheese)

Sooo not a lot has been going on here this weekend.  Just being lazy, cooking and getting some time in with friends.  However, I did make this delicious slow bake mac and cheese recipe and I totally recommend it.  Like totally.  :)

Also, try not to leave the house to do shopping while it is in the slow cooker.  This will inevitably result in husband not hearing the timer go off and it cooking for another hour.  It was still good though and oh yeah, bless his heart.

your daily quote

Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.

Og Mandino

your daily quote

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Mignon McLaughlin

aaah so true

the help

This book.  Oh.my.goodness.  This book is amazing!  I love love loved it!  Like it easily jumps to my favorite top 5 books of all time!  Like if you've ever lived in the South at any point you need this in your hands right this very minute.  And for those who haven't lived in the South, ya'll need it too for that matter.  I mean wow.  For real--I laughed, I cried, I fist pumped and even hurt my eyes and head because I was reading it that dang fast.  I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved their sassy little attitudes, and I LOVED the way Kathryn Stockett wrote the book!  She wrote it as women living in Mississippi in the 60s would've talked!  I've even found myself talking a tad more Southern the past few days and a heck of a lot more Southern in my head.  "That man crazy if he think that bout to happen" or "mmm that fool betta stop doin that now".  Oh yes.  So run to the bookstore, the library or amazon but ya'll need a copy of this book!  If you've been living under a rock and haven't heard about it yet, here's the storyline.  Enjoy ya'll!

your daily (the help) quote

You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important.

Kathryn Stockett (The Help)

your daily quote

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

Camille Pissarro

tennessee

Our last stop on our tour of the South was good ol' Tennessee!  Sadly, we do not have any pictures to document this part of the trip :(  Sorry guys.  We had a wonderful time though.  It was great to catch up with John's parents as well as both sides of the family, thanks to all of ya'll for meeting up with us and getting to spend some sweet time together.  We love ya'll :)

north carolina

While on our tour of the South we were able to visit my family in North Carolina. We were able to attend a wedding, catch up with old college pals, celebrate Father's Day and Andre's birthday! Thanks to everyone that we were able to see, it was wonderful to get to spend time with ya'll! We love ya!!

south carolina

Here are some sweet pictures from our time in South Carolina. We loved being able to see Heather and Patrick as well as spending time with the girls! Paige has changed so much in the past months and it seems like Anna has become a little grown up! She needs to slow down! Love ya'll and thanks for letting us come :)

florida

So here are some pictures from our Florida trip.  Yes, I am aware that it's just the two of us and then a lot of pictures of landscape-y stuff.  Bare with us, enjoy :)

your daily quote

The more I see, the less I know for sure.

John Lennon

your daily (book) quote

Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.

Stephen King

Such truth, thanks Mr. King.  Also, for supreme bookworm geekery check out this site: Bookfessions

 this is one of my faves because it is totally true for me.

swept away

I know I'm a day late (and a dollar short) discovering The Avett Brothers just now. Well, I've known about them for awhile but I dedicated this afternoon to pulling weeds and really getting to know them (listening to them on my ipod). And I have to say that I stinking LOVE them! I'm a little pissed at myself for not listening to them sooner and more often. This is definitely my fave song so far. And I'm pretty sure this is the song that Tommy and Emily danced their first dance to, right? Enjoy :)