What's for Dinner...

I used to cook big elaborate dinners. I always had a meal plan. I prepped ahead of time and would have back ups in the freezer.

I was pretty impressed with myself. Garrett never went hungry (and always raved about my cooking).

I also had a full time job.

And was taking (and getting straight As in) a bunch of accounting classes.

Now.

I still have a full time job.

I'm done taking classes but it has been replaced with nonstop studying.

And I very rarely make dinner.

Garrett has started cooking (to help out while I study).

 I still do most of the planning, but with more simple recipes.

But more often than not when he asks me what I was thinking about for dinner my answer is almost always, I think I'll just have some cereal.

One of the best things about being a grown up is that I can eat cereal for dinner.

Don't Call TLC Yet...

Garrett comes home today, he's been gone since Thursday and I'm so so so happy to get him back! Let me tell you absence does make the heart grow fonder at least for me because I don't sleep well when I'm home alone.

I really thought it was something that would get better with time, but so far no luck. The last two nights I went to bed at about 4:00 and was up by 7:30. The nights before weren't much better, I'm just too tired to remember the numbers. I do remember that the dog would bark every time I would almost fall asleep. She was on edge also.

She just really wanted to get some sleep....

Scary teeth!

I obviously couldn't study this weekend since I wasn't sleeping, which meant I needed a project. Our house has never been so clean. I also emptied my closet. I have another problem aside from the fact I can't sleep when I'm alone. I have far too many clothes. I have jeans in 5 sizes. FIVE. 

Dear Ashlee, If you are ever small enough to fit in the smallest size of jeans again you will want new ones. I am sure of it. So go ahead and just get rid of some things. YOU ARE A HOARDER*. Love, Me! 

*I'm not really a hoarder, even though I probably could have been if my mom hadn't worked at getting me to part with stuff. The following pictures are my entire walk-in closet emptied. My bedroom never usually has this much clutter!

I actually did a really good job. Kind of. I got rid of a ton of stuff and better organized the stuff that was staying. As a reward I went and bought a few new shirts. Because my closet looked really empty!

do you spy a little dog?

There is a blizzard headed this way, but I really need it to wait until Garrett gets home. American Airlines (not what he's flying) has already cancelled all their flights starting at 1:00 his flight gets in a few minutes before that, so I hope he makes it. I am heading out of town this weekend so I really need him to make it so I can catch up on my sleep!

Happy Friday!

I took the week off of studying to get our house in order and it was just what the doctor ordered! In between all the cleaning I fit in a little shopping!

Target just got in new kids shoes and I they actually had my size! I loved these! I didn't buy them but I think I might go back and see if they still have them today. They are just so cute!

I found this super cute bag at Marshall's that's perfect for travelling! But my sister thinks I have too many totes (is that even a thing?) can you have too many bags?

I also found these placemats on clearance! My two favorites pink and elephants!! I go to tjs at least once a week and I never saw these at regular price (because I would have snatched them up!) so even though they don't match my house I knew it was fate and they came home with me!

This is a terrible picture but I bought into all the hype and made funfetti dip from Pinterest. You never let me down bloggers, this was amazing! I stick to the single serving size so that I'm not eating an entire bowl of it. So so so good!

Because of the weather my boss told me not to come in until noon yesterday. I was already dressed and ready for work so I crawled back in bed and this little monkey was so excited about the extra cuddle time!

Garrett was gone last night and I was watching Pretty Little Liars on Netflix and feeling a little bored so I curled my hair at midnight. (that's normal right?)

Linking up with Lauren! 

Snow Day!

We woke up to snow this morning! I don't mind the cold so much when it's snowing, and I really don't mind the cold when the snow means life is canceled for the day. 

Sadly today was not the kind of snow day that cancels life. It was just the regular old still have to go to work snow day. This is our second round of snow in the last couple of weeks. Big FAT fluffy snow flakes. They are so pretty falling from the sky.

The snow isn't very deep and it doesn't last very long. Which means we have to get photo shoots in quick! I had to take The Bug out in her polka dot coat. She was not a fan, but for some extra treats and cuddling to get warm after we were finished she put up with it. 

I grew up in Florida and I still get so excited every time it starts to snow. I want to put on gloves and hats and boots and go build snowmen. The snow just makes me giddy! For like 15 minutes. At that point I get tired of wearing all those layers, and I remember that snow is cold and wet and it gets dirty super fast and slushy. I remember I hate winter clothes, and I want to go back inside and get warm.

Kuddles hates it from the start. I always see pictures of dogs happily bounding through the snow, looking like they are having so much fun. Just full of joy that they get to be outside in the snow. Not the Kuddlebug she follows me around whining trying to get me to pick her up.

At least she's fashionable.

And she gets extra treats.

And extra cuddle time!

Valentine's Day Gift Jackpot!!

My love language is gifts. I love to give people things and I have for as long as I can remember.  I search and search for the perfect gift. Christmas at my house is ridiculous because I buy gifts for my main people all year long. Some gifts I give throughout the year and some I save with the intention of giving them for Christmas.

It's ridiculous. I don't realize how much I've purchased until we have 700 presents under the tree for three people. (I've already bought my sister and G two presents each for next Christmas) I can only imagine what it will be like when I have kids. I'm trying to get it under control...

Anyway, so with every gift I give I try to give the best gift, the one that the receiver keeps talking about and/or looking at. Anytime the receiver cries I feel like I hit the jackpot. It is euphoric to me. Every gift I try to beat the gift before.

Garrett's love language is me not spending money, he also hates stuff. He is so impossibly difficult for me to buy for. It's a challenge every single gift time. He's always happy with what I get him (I might go as far as to say he loves the gifts I get him) and he's super appreciative. (He almost always asks how much I spent).

The thing is I usually don't spend that much on presents, I am a bargain shopper after all.

For Valentine's Day I decided to focus on Garrett's Love Langues 1. Me not spending money and 2. Acts of Service.

As a present I made him a book of coupons for me to do all of the things he normally does. I wish I could bottle up the look of excitement he got when he got a coupon that said I would clean the kitchen or vacuum the living room when it's his turn. (Best part they were all hand illustrated)


His eyes glistened over and I thought he might cry.

Jackpot!

I've only hit it twice with Garrett and man it feels good!

Here is the card I got him (with the intention of framing it!) I love the lining of the envelope. Those patterns and the glitter. I just want to look at it all day! So pretty!

We had the perfect day, made even more perfect by hitting the gift jackpot. My wheels are already turning for what I'll do next!

Monsters in My Attic.

I had to call the police last night because there was a human, animal, or monster trying to get into my house. I called the non-emergency number and asked if they could send an officer over (they did!) and apologized a lot for being "one of those crazy people" The officer told me it was just the wind (it wasn't) but he told me there were no foot (feet?) prints. And with that information I knew it wasn't a human so I was able to fall asleep (a couple hours later). Finally. I think I got about 18 hours of sleep total this week. The good news is I feel like I'm in college again. The bad news is lack of sleep affects my appearance now and it didn't then. I seriously look like I have two black eyes.

Oh well, I'll sleep when I'm dead. 

I went out this morning with Garrett to survey they area to see what we could see. The monster (or animal) worked a big hole in the screen that keeps things out of the attic and got up there. She's probably still there now. I hope she got warm and got enough sleep, because I sure didn't. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

My favorite little valentine!