Hooray for Exercise!

I have finally found a form of exercise that I can halfway tolerate. I've tried and tried to like running, but I think I'm hopeless. Instead...I've been doing a pilates DVD I ordered off of Amazon. And surprise, surprise, it's actually really fun. Not only does it work and stretch muscles, but it's also really relaxing. Plus, I don't have to go anywhere or even put on shoes...very cool. So maybe some of you fellow exercise-haters out there should give it a try.

Once it warms up outside I'm going to attempt to throw running back in as well...so you guys can keep me accountable.:)

Bryan is a Studmuffin!

Though I'm sure it will make you all jealous, I just had to show you how adorable Bryan is.:) I told him to plan whatever he wanted for Valentine's Day because I'd rather be surprised...so he did, and we had the best evening ever. (and we didn't even leave the house)

He picked up the traditional roses on his way home but also surprised me with a bag from Anthropologie. Knowing how much I liked the store, he endured the agony of trying to pick out some things he thought I would like. He did very well. My favorite part of the gift was the little pearl hair pins.

As amazing as that is, that wasn't the end of his Valentine plans.:) He also made us dinner while insisting that I just watch and relax. (He said this would also serve as part of the evening's entertainment):) This may not seem like that big of a deal, but considering that he doesn't like to cook and doesn't do much more than toast a bagel, it was pretty cool of him. And he did a great job too.

Here is our delicious menu for the evening:

• Feta and spinach stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in bacon
• garlic and rosemary mashed red potatoes (with the skins on of course)
• Cranberry and walnut spinach salad
• vanilla pudding, walnut oatmeal crumble, and whipped cream parfait

And here is Bryan in action!:)

The Valentines Post

I thought for this post that I would pick out the best love song of all time for you guys to listen to. I didn't really find it...there are a LOT of love songs out there. But I did run across an old favorite with a great music video...very symbolic.



And because Bryan's not overly fond of that artist, I decided to include another fabulous love song. This one's been one of our favorites since we've been together...not "our song" but one that we've felt is very very true for us. Now everyone say awwww.:)

Enjoy and have a happy Valentines Day. Make sure to tell someone you love them!:)

My 2nd Commissioned Painting!

I have officially sold my second painting...my first was for my aunt about five years ago, but I've come a long way since then. This time I was hired by....my mom.:) I know I know, not too impressive. But this is still an accomplishment. Especially considering that so far I have pretty much given all my paintings away as gifts...meaning that people HAD to accept them or else be rude and hurtful. At least this time I'm pretty sure she liked it. Plus, I got paid.:)

So I just wanted you all to know that my career as an artist seems to be off and running now. And if you're interested in getting a painting done yourself, you may want to hire me soon before my schedule gets too busy.:)

Here's a picture of it on mom's fireplace in her soon-to-be finished basement. (ironically, I helped her paint the brick on the fireplace too):) The basement looks really nice by the way...she's been doing a lot of work on it so be sure to check it out and give her lots of compliments next time you're there.

Calling all ideas...

So I'm in an "advanced presentational speaking" class this semester. I wasn't looking forward to it but it hasn't been too terrible so far...my professor is pretty cool.(Even though she did give a pop quiz this morning that I missed because I was two minutes late to class due to fog and the stupid lack of parking on campus)

Anyway, we will be giving a how-to/demonstration speech next and I am trying to find a fun topic. Then suddenly I thought to myself...say, I bet my friends out there in creative blog-land might have some good ideas.

So if you think of anything cool that I could show my class how to do in 4 or 5 minutes, let me know. The only stipulation is that I don't want to do any food-preparation demonstrations...apparently they get done a lot.

Thanks for your help...you guys are the best!:)

I Take it Back!

I tried to be all nice about winter, and this is how it repays me...? well, if that's how it's going to be then I take it all back. Winter stinks!

By the way, Purdue did NOT cancel any classes...surprise surprise. I had to give a speech this morning too...no mercy whatsoever.:)

Have a good weekend and drive safe everyone!