Here we go again.

It's that time of year again that everyone goes crazy making their New Year's Resolutions. Of course you have the most popular one... to lose weight. I can admit that I have had that resolution before as well. In fact, that was this past year's resolution. However, I did not accomplish what I had set out to do... but I'm happy with myself and that's all I can ask for.

As 2013 comes to an end, I can honestly say, it has definitely been a year with tons of ups and downs. Luckily this year has helped me to figure out a lot about myself. One of the things I've been wanting to do for a long time was to get serious about school. This year I got back in school and finished my first semester with 3 A's and 1 B. I was pretty proud of myself for putting school first, even though that meant putting my social life on the back burner. Hopefully the people who really matter to me understand my determination and don't take the lack of time spent with them as a slap in the face. I've also realized this year that I don't need anyone to make myself happy. Friends, boyfriends, etc..  If I'm not happy with myself.. I'll never be happy with anyone else. I would DEFINITELY say I'm in a better spot in my life now, than I was at the beginning of the year.

I already know that 2014 has some exciting times ahead for me. This weekend starts it off with some more Christmas family time! Saturday will definitely be a day of great eating. To start it off I will be having brunch with my Aunt and her husband, along with my parents and Grandmother, at Freemason Abbey. If you haven't had brunch there, you're missing out! I can already taste the delightful Mimosas! Saturday evening my parents and I are heading down south to Elizabeth City to see my Grannie Faytie! It's sad I don't get to see her very often, but excited because that means dinner at Montero's! If you're ever in E.City... you have to go there. I'm excited to get to finish up the holiday festivities this weekend!

Some other things to look forward to in 2014 are my third god child being born, my trip to Philly to see the Flyers take on the Lightning, and 3 more semesters of school down!

Want to know what my New Years Resolutions are this year? Check back later this week to see what kind of shenanigans I plan to get myself into.

I hope everyone holidays were fantastic and that you got everything you were hoping for.

Shenanigans

I hope everyone is staying warm this morning. I'm pretty sure this is too cold for November, but at least there is no snow! The cold weather couldn't damper my awesome weekend! Hoping everyone had fantastic weekends as well.

Friday evening was spent at the Norfolk Admirals game with my lovely god daughter. She's 3 and has been wanting to go to a game with me, so I finally took her to her first hockey game! I absolutely loved spending time with her, and taking her to do something I absolutely love. She had a blast and even got a puck from one of the player's during warm-ups, what a lucky girl. Even though she fell asleep half way through the game, I was happy to sit there and cuddle her as she slept. It really meant a lot to me to get to take her to her first game, so thank you Jordan and Faith for letting me take her!

Saturday I spent most of the day with my Mom. We decided to go shopping, and I spent entirely too much..... on the dog. I think other than for some Christmas presents for my god babies... I spent all my money on the dog. He's unbelievably spoiled, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I would really hate to see how I spoil my children, when I decide to have them. I can't even find a man though, so that will be a while! The rest of the night was spent at the hockey game, even though they ended up losing!

Sunday was spent cleaning up the house, spending time with my parents, and having Thanksgiving dinner with my friends and god babies! Faith and Jordan were ever so nice enough to invite me over for a delicious dinner, since I wouldn't be here for Thanksgiving. I love them, they always treat me right. 

I'm excited for the short work week! I have to work today, then it's off to class as usual. Tomorrow I'm headed down to the beach house to help my mother clean up and get the house right for the Holiday weekend. Wednesday it's back to work and school! Wednesday night I'm going to head to the Admirals game then straight down to the beach house. Then it's relaxation time with the family. 

I was looking at the Black Friday ads and I was pretty bummed to see that most of them start on Thanksgiving now. Guess we will go hit some up on Thanksgiving, then head home for a little bit of sleep before then next ones start up on Black Friday. I've already started pin pointing what I want. Is there anything you are looking for this Holiday season? Do you ever go Black Friday shopping!?

Hoping to have a nice blog post for you after the Holidays!? Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Birthday Weekend Ahead!

Hello everyone! Is it Friday yet?!?

Yes, I know... it's only Tuesday, don't remind me. Although I had a fantastic weekend this past weekend, I'm ready for this coming weekend! It's my birthday weekend. I really don't have anything spectacular planned, but I get to spend time with my family and that's all that matters.

After 2 weeks of being off, I finally get to go back on the field and play some kickball. Seeing as how we've had hockey the last two weekends, I haven't gotten to go kick the balls around! So I'm excited to get back out there and have some fun. Then it'll be time to go home and see my crazy nephew! My puppy-nephew is coming to stay the weekend with me since my sister and brother-in-law will be in town! Poor Jonas just doesn't know what he's in for! Texas isn't quite the puppy anymore, so it'll be interesting.

Texas when he was 3 months old..He took up half the bed..
He's over a year old now.. I'm screwed.

This is how Texas is 24/7.
What a loving dog! haha

Saturday afternoon will be sister time! Plus Joshua!! Cause I love him. I think I am going to see if my sister and brother in law want to go out to Hunt Club Farms to get pumpkins and such. I think Josh will come with for the simple fact that he can go and see the farm animals in the petting zoo! :) I'm pretty sad that I haven't gone to the pumpkin patch yet, so maybe that will be the perfect opportunity. Saturday evening is our family trip to Howl-o-scream at Busch Gardens. The weather is suppose to be a pretty perfect fall night so I'm pretty excited. My sister and I both love halloween, so this is a must!

Sunday I'm hoping to go see my grandmother down in Elizabeth City. The Ablemarle Craftman's Fair always falls on my birthday weekend. There's nothing more that I love doing for my birthday than going down there to see my grandmother and go to the craft fair. It always brings back amazing memories. My grandfather use to be in it every year, and since he passed... it's where I feel closest to him, besides hockey. They always have all kinds of vendors, but it's great to see the regulars every year who have watched me grow up. What a better way to spend my birthday!?!

My lovely Grandmother on the right! :)
Photo Credit

Ms. Harrell is about 104 years old, and still quilting!
She makes some amazing quilts!
Photo Credit

Any fun plans for this weekend!?

Labor Day Festivities.

Happy Hump Day!!!! I hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! I know I did. Friday night I went to dinner and a movie with a friend. For dinner we went to California Pizza Kitchen, can you say delicious!? Then it was off to see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. I have mixed reviews on the movie. I've been reading the book series, and obviously they are never quite the same as the movie, but this one threw me for a loop. I spent more time saying, "This isn't how it was in the book", than actually enjoying the movie. I think had I not read the books, I would have absolutely loved the movie. It was a really good movie, don't get me wrong, but I tend to want the movie to play right along with the book. I'm on Book Four of the series now, can't wait to see where this series goes. If you haven't read The Mortal Instruments series, I highly recommend that you do!

Saturday was spent at the auction with my family. I was literally there for 9:45 to about 2:45. It's always a lot of fun at the auction, but it definitely takes your day away from you. At least there is some really yummy BBQ to keep you full! I did really well at the auction this month, I only spent $7. I bought a box of clothes for $5 because there was a Philadelphia Eagle's sweatshirt in it. I have no clue what else was in the box, since my mom and sister gave the rest to Goodwill. Evidently it was only little old lady clothes. I just wanted my sweatshirt. I also bought an old wooden office chair for $2. Don't laugh, I had been sitting in it all day, so I figured why not. It's actually missing a wheel, and the leg is broken but I don't care. I love my lovely office chair. I end up getting the weirdest things when it comes to auctions, but it's ok. Saturday evening consisted of sitting through 16 innings of baseball. Boy did my butt hurt after that! It was fan appreciation night, and guess what I won. NOT A SINGLE THING! I was pretty sad, not going to lie!

Sunday was pretty much a rest and relaxation day. I went to a cookout with my family before heading to the baseball game once again. We sat in the rain waiting to see if the game was going to be cancelled for an hour. After that hour was up, I was ready to go whether they were going to play or not. They did end up playing the game but not until two hours after it was suppose to start! It's ok, I went home and cuddled with Jonas anyways, which is always more enjoyable! Monday was nothing but homework and laundry. Literally... ALL DAY LONG!

I hope you all had a great time! Now it's time for a bit of a photo dump!!! Enjoy

Keeping it local. O'Connor on the left, Smartmouth on the right.

TMI: City of Bones!

Dad guarding only a portion of our things!
That's my chair in the far right!

You know what the say.. "The family that auctions together...
...spends too much money!"

He cracks me up! Always trying to make me bid.

Repping my Markakis shirt to the Tides game!

This lady and her fan... Hilarious. 

16 innings of baseball. Came out with 2 wins! 

Someone ripped their pants sliding to second!

Waiting for the rain to pass!

I'd rather cuddle up with him over anything,
any day of the week! :) 

...Until Next Time...

Finally, the Month I've Been Waiting For.

Happy Friday everyone, it's another work week and another month down. I've been looking forward to August for a very long time now. So much going on this month! Tomorrow starts the month off perfectly. I've been waiting very impatiently for a handsome man to make his way back home. Finally, I get to see him tomorrow morning and I'm beyond excited. :) 

The month continues on with more awesome events. Next Friday I will be attending the Jason Aldean concert with that handsome guy. I decided to be awesome and buy him tickets for his birthday. I absolutely love Jason Aldean and he always puts on a good show. Then the next day I get to go and enjoy the celebration of two people becoming one! Wedding bells are in the air!!! Just not for this girl. I'm happy I get to attend the wedding for one of my coworkers!! 

Who would not be excited about seeing a band from your childhood touring again... That's right Backstreet's Back Baby!!! My lovely ladies and I will be going to see the Backstreet Boys, Jesse McCartney, and DJ Pauly D. Not going to lie, I'm most excited for Jesse McCartney...Beautiful Soul was my jam back in the day. I use to sing the crap out of that song on SingStar for PS2! No one could beat me on that song! 

I'll have to make sure all my stuff is packed before going to BSB! Why? Cause it's FINALLY family vacation time. Every year since I was a little girl, my family has gone down to the Outer Banks for a week. Well, every year except last year... which was spent in Alaska. I'm so ready to return to the beach, no more cold summer vacations for this girl! I swear that the name of the cottage is on point, Almost Heaven. It literally is my own little slice of heaven. However, we will be cutting our vacation short due to my sister falling in love with the auction last weekend. The whole family is coming back so we can all go to the auction together. I know, we aren't you're typical family... but it's what we love!! 

Most importantly... August means it's time for me to start school again. I'm proud to say that I am all enrolled and ready to go for the Fall semester. Feels weird being back in school, but I know it's the right thing for me. It's time for me to finish my degree and feel good about myself! 

Anything happening fun for you guys this month?? I'd love to hear all your fun plans!! Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!!

My slice of heaven

My favorite place in the world. 

...Until Next Time...