We're back and back to everyday life

I wish life was one permanent vacation with great friends. We had such a good time hanging out with Jim and Daneel (and I couldn't ever forget Olivia) this past weekend and it's a shame that it had to end. We drove back yesterday and were both back to work today. I think we both would've loved another day or relaxation after this weekend. Oh well, back to work has to happen eventually anyways. I did get good news for a Monday so it made it a little more bearable but for some reason I just couldn't concentrate on ANY work today. Instead of writing (since I'm exhausted and Jon's already left me for bed) I'll post some picture to show a bit of the weekend.

I get to see JDO!

I have FINALLY after 7 straight working weekends reached my THREE-DAY WEEKEND off and even managed to add another day on top of that, so...we're off to Orlando! I'm so excited because we're going to see Olivia for the first time! Olivia was born in December and we're just now getting a chance to go visit some great friends(Jim and Daneel) and introduce Olivia to her favorite Aunt and Uncle. Speaking of great friends...Kelly is coming to hold down the Ray fort and we couldn't be more appreicative. She was willing to come to the house to watch the little redhead and short stuff for the weekend! I mean, that boarding stuff for TWO dogs now is just ridiculous! Plus, they will be so much happier hanging out at home with good company. I hope they're not too much trouble. It also gave me a great excuse to clean the house! Somehow I'm sitting here at almost 3am and am not tired after a very long day of work, errands, grocery shopping (for some special snacks for Kelly), cleaning house, laundry AND packing. So I sit her writing on my blog one last time before our weekend mini-vacay while Jon plays some old school Final Fantasy game on wii. Maybe I should consider going to bed and gearing up for a fun-filled weekend ahead.....Goodnight!

Stuck in the middle

So for some reason lately I've been feeling stuck in the middle. I don't know what it is. It's not bad or good, it's just weird and awkward. You know...kinda like middle school days. Right now though it's between a real adult and "fake" adult. I don't know how to explain it but basically here's my attempt. So I'm an adult because I have a real job, am married, have a "house", have two dogs (responsibilities you know), have a car payment, and have some real furniture and bils to pay. But for some reason I feel like I'm still a kid. It's been building little by little with friends being pregnant, having babies, buying houses, hosting wedding showers with fancy serveware, and having a true career path. I feel like I'm behind for some reason. However, I'm not sure I want to be one of those "real" adults right now. I can't imagine having a baby or having a mortgage payment. I mean, I love my life but why does it feel like I'm stuck in the middle? I don't like the middle. I would've been an awful middle child. How do I get out of my awkward "fake" adult stage without having a baby or spending a small fortune on a house? Jon and I have so many things we want to do before settling down but I guess we kinda are settled...hmm, awkward. Blah!

Spring Fever

This day is BEAutiful! I love this time of the year and love the idea of walking the puppies, patio drinking, days at the park, lake trips, summer festivals and SUNSHINE! Boy how I missed thee. I will say a few pros and cons about moving back to Atlanta. I looove having people to patio hang with, I love being close to Lake Lanier and the mountains again, I love having a nice (walkable) neighborhood and plenty of parks for the dogs to run in. However....I will miss the trips to the beach, the summer sunsets, the dog beach for little Ella, and THE Bungalow! Jon and I had our favorite patio restaurant/ bar in Tampa that I will greatly miss. They had such good appetizers and a huge patio for summer drinking! Now, if only I could enjoy these Saturdays with my fabulous hubby!! One day...I'll keep dreaming.

Happy Birthday Lane!

My baby niece turned two on Friday and this weekend was ALL about her. She is absolutely adorable and was showered with attention and gifts this weekend. Do you think kids can tell they're loved? I think they can...at least Lane can. She would grin and perform and soak up all the attention she could get. Like aunt, like niece. We always tease because Lane has definitely taken the princess crown from me. Being the youngest and only girl made me the biggest attention whore ever. And now, Lane is. As I once said..."I didn't give up my spotlight, I switched crowns. I'm the queen and she's the princess of the Crowe clan." And I rest at night knowing that I am the best aunt ever. That was only confirmed by Jon and I giving her the coolest present for her birthday. Elmo dancing hands (chosen over My Little Pony, Disney princess dress up clothes, Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, AND a sit n' spin)! These things are so stinkin' cute. For those of you who don't know what they are, they're hands that look like Elmo and you wear them and mimic the dance. It works along with a DVD that has little kids and Elmo dancing. It's got a catchy tune and ELMO! She looked so cute dancing with her big smile and bouncing curls. I'm glad I was able to spend some time with her this weekend. That's one of the big reasons that I love being back in Atlanta and close to family. Now we need to get her to learn my name. I fully expect that she will learn the easier name "Jon" first and mine will end up being something like "Manah" but I can't wait until she actually knows who I am.

P.S. This is obviously Christmas but isn't she cute?

"and, boom goes the dynamite"

So, this little phrase has been the root of some funny conversation and disturbing reality lately. I will blame Family Guy on influencing our lives through one episode, one scene and one little phrase. To give you an idea of how this all become relevant I will paint a picture....imagine someone making love (or really just having sex) and when they're about to be satisfied (aka. finished/climax) they say "And, Boom goes the dynamite". This one little happening in the past two weeks has haunted me. Be it when Jon thinks it's just funny to say in mid-sentence in completely different topics of discussion like, me: "I think we should go to Target and get a stick vacuum to clean these nasty hardwoods" him: "And, boom goes the dynamite." Not only does it appear in random conversation but during social events and my biggest fear, sex. For some reason every time the mood just might be right all I can think about is my biggest fear coming to life. I'm just waiting for the moment that either a. one of us thinks about it and can't help but laugh or b. he ACTUALLY says it. For this reason I will be refraining from sexual activity until I can get this phrase out of my head and it stops being used as a daily "conversational phrase"

This one's for you baby ;-) (and Dupree)

Starbucks and rainy days

Why is it that on rainy days all I can think about is a Starbucks raspberry coffee of some sorts? Well, that's exactly what happened this morning on my way to work. I woke up and got started to thinking about it and just couldn't resist. So, I stroll into work with what?....a tall Raspberry Latte from Starbucks. So $4.00 later I'm quite a happy camper. Now if only I didn't have to be at work on this rainy day I would be an even happier camper.

Speaking of camping...It's been way too long and I can't wait for it to turn a little warmer and stop raining so that we can make our way into the mountains for a camping weekend. Not to mention, rafting! Jon hasn't been at my mercy in a raft yet...I can't wait! Well, that is...if I can get up the nerve to put on those shoes again and have the little nervous pitter patter in the pit of my stomach again. That's something that I don't miss. I'm thinking a May camping trip is tentatively booked! Anyone excited for some smores, roasted hot dogs on sticks, purple bottle Yellow Tail wine and tent sleeping under the stars? I AM!!

I am thankful

Wow! I received some crazy news today that just really shocked me and made me feel grateful for something I often complain about....a job! We all know that there are moments in which we may complain and say, "I wish I didn't have to work." But in actuality, I can tell you since I was "unemployed" for a couple months, be thankful for a job! In this crazy economy and with any job being so hard to come by, I am thankful (sometimes not completely fulfilled, but thankful nonetheless for a good, stable, decent paying J.O.B.).

On another note, who would ever imagine that after living alone for 2 years that only a few hours being alone at home would be so lonely? You'd think I'd be dancing in my underwear, eating Ben and Jerry's ice cream and stretched out on the couch with the two pups. It's just so weird when you get used to having someone around and having a permanent sidekick that I kinda don't know what to do when he goes out of town.

Alright, I think I'm off to rent a movie, grab some dinner and relax in my PJs on the couch (with the puppies of course)! :-)

Why do some days seem so much longer than others?

It seems like one day drags and I can't wait to get into bed and the very next day I look around the house and realize that there is, in no way, enough time to get it all done! Yesterday I was counting down the minutes until it was deemed socially "acceptable" to go to bed and it didn't seem it would ever come to an end. Today I had to work, I needed to eat dinner quickly, I needed to clean the house, take out the trash, put the dishes away, do the mound of laundry lingering in the bedroom corner, feed the dogs and make it to my photography class all before 8:00pm. Today seemed like there just wasn't enough time for it all and needless to say it didn't ALL happen.

Moral to the story....We need to start sleeping more. I forget that I'm old and in my "prime baby making years" (according to Jon) and that those 5am bedtimes immediately after a 3am one the night before takes about 3 days to wear off. I'm hoping by hump day I'll feel rejuvenated and hopefully won't just jump back into this mess all over again this weekend.

I joined the blogger nation!

So, I think that blogs are more for ourselves than anything else. However, I have found myself checking out people's blogs more and more lately and have really enjoyed reading about what's going on in their lives so....here is mine! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be interesting or have clever things to say but thought I'd give it a try.