Im going Vege....

Ok, so I have officially made the decision that I am going to go vegetarian.It has been a long time coming, but I have really been trying to decide if this is a road that I want to take. I was vegetarian for 20 years, so I know it seems I could just take the same steps, but the truth is that....I love meat! But I am about to start training for Race for the Cure and I want to lose some weight, change my diet, and exercise and this is the route I want to take. It is going to be some major ups and downs, but I know that with willpower,I will be able to follow through. I think one thing that will make this easier is that Leah is vegetarian and she will definently help me. I will let you all know how it goes....this is all for the best. Tomorrow, after work, I will do my grocery shopping....we'll see!

I'm Back!

The trip was absolutely amazing!!! Words definently can't describe how wonderful of a vacation we had. I am so sad that I am back, but now that I finally had the chance to take a break and do nothing! Anyways, when I get some extra time, I will definently be posting pictures, there are so many....xoxo

It's Finally Here!

Hi loves, finally, finally, finally, our vacation is here and I couldn't be more excited! We head to ATL to catch our flight in a few hours and I am so ready. We are headed to St. Maarten staying at the Wyndham down there, so the ultimate luxury. This vacation is long overdue and everything in HSV has been going crazy, so it is going to be nice to get away from crazy and spend time with family and Leah. We truly need/deserve this time. Anyways, I will miss you loves, but I will definently be posting picstures when I get back! I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy their Memorial Day weekend and have tons o fun! xoxo

What buzzin in my ears....

(Photo from http://www.zwtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/apple_ipod_nano.jpg)

So the one thing you will know about me is that I love music ALOT! I truly do love everything about it and I love all different kinds. So I am always adding new songs/albums to my ipod. So here is a list of some of the top songs on my ipod and if you have any, be sure to share:-)
My current playlist:
1)Hula-Maxwell (Oldie but goodie)
2)Turntables-Ciara feat. Chris Brown
3)Epiphany (I'm Leaving)-Chrisette Michelle
4) Tell Me Baby-Red Hot Chili Peppers
5)In Your Eyes-Sara Bareilles
6)Release-Afro Celt
7)Thats enough for now-The Fray
8)Knock You Down-Keri Hilson feat. Ne-yo and Kanye
9)Let Go-Lalah Hathaway
10)Shine-Laura Izibor
11) Hometown Glory-Adele
12) Pretty Wings-Maxwell (It's new and he looks so amazing now!)

Anyways, there are tons of others, but these are some of the tops....

Lottie + Doof

Ok I think I truly have a serious addiction to the Lottie + Doof website. The recipes look so good and if it looks good, I am willing to try it. They have a recipe for Strawberry Pie and when I get back from vacation, I am so going to make it. It will be like a nice summer treat. It is listed below, so if u wanna give it a try, its here for you! Happy Weekend!

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Crust:
1 5-ounce package shortbread cookies
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Filling:
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin (2 1/4 teaspoons)

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Pulse cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs, add sugar and butter and pulse until combined. Carefully press crumb mixture into 9-inch pie pan. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Select 15 large strawberries as close to same size as possible and set aside. Cut remaining strawberries into 1/4-inch dice and toss with sugar and lemon juice. Let stand, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Drain berries in a sieve set into a large glass measuring cup. Add enough water to make 2 cups. Transfer to a medium saucepan and set berries aside.
Sprinkle gelatin over strawberry liquid and let soften 1 minute. Bring to a bare simmer, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Add diced berries and then transfer to a metal bowl set into an ice bath and stir frequently until mixture begins to mound, this could take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes. (I ended up putting bowl in fridge after 30 minutes in ice bath and waited like 50 minutes before it started to set up)
Spoon 1/2 cup of filling into pie crust and arranged reserved whole berries, stem side down, on top of filling. Spoon remaining filling over and between berries. Chill pie until filling is set, at least 4 hours.

Photo and recipe from www.lottieanddoof.com

TGIFand Happy Mother's Day!

(Photo from
https://educonference.com/sakai/accounts/include/images/paris_eifel_roblisameehan.jpg)

Wouldn't the ultimate Mother's Day gift be to go to Paris, I have a serious urge to want to go to Paris, especially lately...

Hi loves, I have never been this happy to see a Friday in a while. This week has beat my butt, because I have had to hold down the fort at work and so it has been kinda like double the work, plus school and tons of to-dos. Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it...Anyways, what are you guys up to for the weekend? I am doing nothing. I am letting Leah write a list of things she would like to do and we are going to pick. I am definently sleeping in, going to the movies, and probably the park if it doesn't rain. That's the plan. It is mother's day weekend, but that doesn't really mean anything to me, but I will be taking my mom to lunch when she comes up here on Tuesday. I hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and remember, as a mother, you are truly appreciated! xoxo

My Letter to my 19 year old self...

(Photo from Le Love blog)

I was reading on the Single-ish on the Glamour site, and on Today's blog, Ryan did a letter to his 18 year old self and it got me thinking, I would love to do a letter to my past self. And it would be something that I would love to look back on. Wouldnt it be great if we could go back?

Dear Jessika,
I am just giving you some words of wisdom, because I know how hard things can be and I have experienced them firsthand.
1) Having a baby changes everything-I know that you will probably hear this alot and think that this is a bunch of b.s., but from experience it truly does. And even though you may feel at the lowest of the low and realize its hard being a parent, you will love it!
2) You will gain weight with age and with relationships- At your age, you are probably so tiny and adorable, but I am TELLING you, the weight comes, so take care of yourself and exercise and eat healthy.
3)Be strong and don't waste these years on men- As you will learn men will come and go and they will seem downright disposable, but make sure that you are always safe with them and learn to be independent and think and do for yourself, so in the future, you will not need a man to survive. Have NO EXPECTATIONS!

Here's for having an amazing future!

To read Ryan's blog on Single-ish, here is the site: http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/blogs/single-ish/2009/05/letter-to-my-eighteenyear-old.html

I had to post...

(Photo from Le Love blog)
This could be a good thing or bad:-)

My own tag...

(Photo from LeLove blog)

Four TV Shows I watch:
1) My Boys
2) The Hills
3) Samantha Who?
4) Brothers & Sisters

Four Jobs I've Had:
1) Golden Temple Health Foods
2) Garden Cove Health Foods
3) Taco Bell
4) Holloway & Associates (current)

Four Favorite Foods:
1) Chips
2) Tacos
3) Grillers
4) Wings
Honorable Mention (beverage category): Coke Zero

Four Movies I Love:
1) When Harry Met Sally
2) You've Got Mail
3)Sex and the City
4) Annie Hall

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1) Nobiggie.net
2) Glamour.com
3) Karlascloset.com
4) Gmail.com

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now
1) St. Maarten (only 3 weeks)
2) Chicago
3) Paris
4) In bed...

Do the Shuffle:
As this may be my one and only post, here are the 10 songs that play on my Ipod:
1) India.Arie-"Yellow"
2) Sara Bareilles-"In Your Eyes"
3)Garbage-"I think I'm Paranoid"
4)J Moss-"Praise on the Inside"
5)Smokie Norful-"I Need You Now"
6)The Fray-"You Found Me"
7)Paul Jones-"I Won't Complain"
8)Mercy Me-"I Can only Imagine"
9)Cheetah Girls-"Strut" (Leah's songs)
10)The Fray-"Happiness"

It's the Weekend!

(Photo from http://dogmatics.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/tulips.jpg)

Hi loves, what are you doing for the weekend? We are doing absolutely nothing. Me and Leah are probably going to church and going to a dinner party during the afternooon. I also want to go to a Huntsville Stars, but it might rain, but we will see.
The swine flu is big here, so alot of events have been cancelled, so I dont even want to be out and about, I just want to relax. What are you lovelies doing this weekend? Have tons of fun!

My Indulgence!

This is my new indulgence! "Mistresses"is the best new show I have found and I am literally anxious for Fridays to come. It's like a british version of "Sex and the City" and full of drama. I am down for anything british, and this show is something worth getting into. It comes on BBC America on Fridays at 10/9c. If you have Comcast, they have alot of the previous episodes on demand, if you need to catch up:)

P.S. Happy Weekend!