T minus 30 days

I am in my cousins wedding in about 30 days. I think it is a great honor to be asked to be in someone's wedding, however it causes me great anxiety! All those people looking at me! I know they aren't really ALL looking at me, but at some point people will be looking.
The dress for this particular wedding isn't all that flattering. (Which is fine, it's not my day.) I have, however, been dieting and exercising and hoping! I've lost 6 pounds so far, but it's not at all what I'm shooting for. I have set some goals for myself and they are as follows:

10 lbs: pedicure
20 lbs: haircut
50 lbs: tattoo

OBVIOUSLY the tattoo is a long, long way away. As it seems, even the pedicure is a long way away! I'm being realistic about the weight loss by trying to lose 1 pound a week. Losing weight is hard work. Unless you're my husband. He eats whatever, whenever and doesn't gain much. He is trying to lose weight too though. And by 'trying to lose weight' I mean he cut out a couple large fries from McD's a week. Sheesh! It isn't helping my mood that I'm currently watching a show on TLC where they are making crazy things out of chocolate. Who do I do this to myself?

The day after my cousin's wedding we leave for vacation at the beach. I love the beach, but again, there are people looking at me! Maybe not as much as in a wedding, but I'm much more exposed so it feels worse. I ordered a swim suit from newport news, which looked a bajillion times better on the model. Who would have thought, right? It didn't help that I ordered it one size smaller than I am right now. Can you imagine?! haha! The goal is to fit into that swim suit by vacation. I'm not sure if that will happen, but I'll keep you posted.

Tomorrow is a primary election day so the hubby and I get off work 1/2 a day to vote! I would vote anyway, but it doesn't hurt to get 1/2 a day off! :)

Nadda

I haven't really posted in a while, not that anyone probably noticed! Our days are pretty much the same and they all tend to run together. This doesn't make for a good blog! We have had some almost interesting things going on, so I'll highlight those.

About a month ago, Billy and I switched from T-mobile to Sprint and got these snazzy little babies:*swirly fire not included


I am borderline obsessed with this phone! It has apps like the iPhone and it multi-tasks really well. Oh who am I kidding! The only thing I care about is checking Twitter and Facebook 14,029 times a day! It is good for that!

Last Friday, Billy and I traveled to Cincinnati to watch the Reds with some of his family.

We parked at Newport on the Levee and ate at a place called Arnie's. It was really good but way too much food! One thing I noticed is that Newport doesn't have a smoking ban in restaurants and I'd like to say I am not a fan! I had forgotten how gross it is to try to eat while it smells like smoke. At this point, it just seems normal to not have smoking in restaurants so I was a little caught off guard. Any-who! We walked from the Levee to the stadium and let me tell you this was a real deal walk! Walking across the bridge was pretty fun and I stole this picture on the way back of the field at night.
Last night the hubs and I went to the Louisville Bats game. They are actually the AAA team for the Cincinnati Reds. (How's that for a segue!) Last night just happened to be a little thing called Thirsty Thursday! It was packed since it was the first night, but never fear, we'll be returning next time and the next... and the next.

My car has been with my mechanic (who is great, by the way, if you are looking). I have been driving my grandmother's old car that now belongs to my mom. Here's a pic, so you'll get the full story:
I am so thankful I had a car to borrow, but I was missing my car by day one! I remember riding around Frankfort with my grandmother in this car and jammin' to Vince Gill with my grandfather with the windows rolled down waiting on my grandmother outside of JCPenny's. It was nice to take a trip down memory lane, but it wasn't nice to feel like I was driving a tank! Alas, my car is fixed and $400 later it is mine again!

Tomorrow is Thunder Over Louisville to kick-off the Derby celebration! Just don't tell my nephew, Cooper. He believes the fireworks are for his birthday! Too cute! I don't want to be there the day he finds out that the 'largest annual pyrotechnic display in North America' may be a bit over-the-top for one little boy's birthday celebration :) I will not be venturing downtown to watch by the river. I will instead view it on TV or from a friend's house with a view!

Shew, this marathon recap has worn me out! I think I'll go watch a movie on the couch with my honey and beagle!

I'm in mourning

Last night, the great state of Kentucky (the blue parts, at least) were all in mourning together. It's true, our Wildcats lost to WV in the elite eight. It really happened. I still can't believe it! But, it happened.

I know UK fans can be a bit extreme. We just love our Cats! Some people may come out pointing fingers and blame, but this UK fan is here to say that I am proud of our boys. They gave us a hell of a year! I mean, last year we were in the NIT and this year we not only made the NCAA tourney, but we were a #1 seed and in the Elite Eight! And don't forget about that little thing called "SEC Champions!" That is a turn-around if I've ever seen one!

Thanks guys for an incredible season!

Shannon's Seven

Ashley from The Happily Ever Afters of the Lancasters tagged everyone to follow her foot steps and share 7 things about themselves. I have been in a major blogging slump lately so I figured I'd join in!

1. I've got this dog, and I'm kinda in love with her. I've always had a dog growing up. I think it's so neat to see their different personalities. Laney is very calm (maybe too calm)! She gets excited when we go on walks and when she is given food. She is in love with her daddy so much that I get a little jealous from time to time. Regardless of who she loves more, we are both smitten with this little girl!

2. I love watching sports. College basketball is my favorite, but I also have found that I like pro football and pro baseball. Baseball is much better in person. I can hardly stand it on tv!


3. My job is not what I pictured myself doing and it isn't really what I picture myself doing forever, but it is just a job. At first I stressed about finding 'the' job that I would never mind getting up for. After nearly 2 years I've realized that I work to live, not live to work. Those are wise words from my husband! My job is just that, a job. Now, I don't hate my job by any means, but it isn't all fun and games either.

4. I like to always be in the middle of a good book. Starting books is something I put off, but I'm always excited to finish the story. If anyone can recommend a good read, I'm always looking for suggestions! I just finished the 3rd Harry Potter and I started Dear John by Nicholas Sparks this weekend. I would recommend Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin. They are good, quick reads that you won't want to put down!

5. I have no idea how to style my hair! It is pretty much the same everyday. I have two faithfuls: pony tail and straightened. It's really sad, but I don't know what to do! I am currently in need of a hair cut more than I can express in words. Sad. Just sad!

6. Shopping is something that I l-o-v-e to do. I don't have to buy a thing. Just going shopping is enough to keep me happy for a while. When I do buy things, I feel so excited when I find a deal! This goes for everything; vacations, cars, houses. I just love a good deal! It doesn't hurt my feelings if I do find something not on sale, but I have to really really like it to get it!

7. I never thought I'd say this, but I would like to go back to school to get my masters. I haven't really decided what I will get it in or how I will finance this journey, but lately the idea doesn't disgust me like it once did! ha! Now, if the state would pay for it as they have in the past for state workers, I'd already be enrolled! I have checked and they aren't paying now and they don't know when they will again. If I had to guess it will be a while!

So there's my seven! I hope they were entertaining enough... I feel like they weren't. I'll throw in an 8th!

8. GO BIG BLUE! They may have given us a tough road in the NCAA tourney, but to be the best you have to beat the best!! (I'm a Kentucky Wildcat fan, in case you missed the memo)

The Oscars

Last night I watched The Academy Awards. I don't remember the last time I've watched them... but I had a good time none the less! It's amazing what I'll watch when Desperate Housewives isn't on. Sad! I don't really have anything to say about the show itself, but oh goodness the dresses! First, the worst in my opinion.

Oh no, Kate Winslet. This dress looks like two mismatched pieces of a prom ensemble gone wrong. Not a fan.
Miley, is that a bra with a shimmery skirt? I hope she didn't pay too much for that!

And here is my favorite:
That dress is so beautiful! Also, I believe that Demi is magic. How do you look that good at her age? I can say that she looks better than me... and most other twenty somethings I know!! What were your votes for best/worst dressed?

Go... vols?

Let me preface this post by stating that I bleed blue. I always have, and always will! My husband on the other hand, bleed orange? Pretty sure they don't use that catch phrase, but he is a UT Vols fan. Don't ask me why, I'll never know :) For Christmas I surprised him with tickets to the UT vs FL game in Tennessee. The UK vs UT tickets at UK are ridiculous to try to get, and they don't go on sale until 2/10. Plus, I thought we could make a weekend of it in Knoxville and Billy would get to see the Vols play at home in an SEC game. All the good intentions I had were ruined by the snow storm! This game was on January 31 aka the Sunday after a huge snow storm hit Knoxville. It turned out to be not as bad as they were predicting, but we stayed home on Saturday just in case. So that meant Sunday we drove down and back... lot of quality time in the car! lol

I had only ever been to UK games in Rupp, and let me tell you, the Vols arena was as big as Rupp but no where near as loud! There were a lot of times it was completely silent during play. It felt very strange to this Kentucky girl! The guy sitting beside me provided endless entertainment, however. If I heard "That's MONEY!" once, I heard it a million times! His other faves were "Get it to Prince and let him DO WORK!" along with "GIVE IT TO HIM!" and "This is my favorite line-up." If you were to tell me I was on candid camera, I would believe you! I was cracking up!!

All in all, we had a good time. The Vols won by ONE point! It was a pretty great game... although quiet. Billy was like a kid in a candy store! We have decided to make the trip down once a year to see the Vols play. Sadly, the UK game was only available for season ticket holders. I'm guessing they don't want all of us crazy UK fans buying up all their tickets. You know it would happen! Here are some pics of our TN day.
And here is the picture that will accompany my entry form for wife of the year 2010.
I know, I can't believe it either!! This is Billy's hoodie, I do not own any UT orange. I do cheer for TN now when they aren't playing UK. They're an SEC team, right?! At least it's not Louisville :)

Hello, lover.

What am I in love with? (Well, other than my husband, of course.) My brand new dishwasher! I'm not sure if you all are aware, but the Duncan household has been without a dishwasher for a full year! Luckily, I finally convinced Billy that his life would be much happier if we had a dishwasher. Mostly because I'll have one less thing to complain about! HA! Without further ado, I'd like you to meet my new love :)

That's her!

Or one very similar. It's a Whirlpool with some buttons and an Energy Star rating. I mean, shouldn't we all try to buy Energy Star at this point? I was surprised to discover while shopping that not all appliances are Energy Star! Anyway.

Sunday the hubs and I traveled to Lowe's to pick out my new baby. We had shopped around and Lowe's seemed to have the best prices. We picked her out and paid and scheduled a delivery for Monday! I was so excited! Who knew I could get so pumped about an appliance?? We then came home and unhooked the old dishwasher/bane of my existence. We got pretty far, but eventually had to call for help! Once help arrived it was unhooked in minutes. I'd like to think it was because of all our hard prep work, but probably not!

Monday arrived and I was anxiously awaiting the delivery. (Doesn't it sound like I'm talking about a baby?? lol) The guy called and said he'd be by within 20 minutes. COUNT DOWN! He arrived as promised and delivered the new guy and took the old one. I mentioned on twitter or facebook that I almost hugged him I was so happy! He may or may not have approved, we'll never know! Billy's uncle Bryan, aka life-saver, came over and hooked it up (after a run by yours truly to Home Depot for a part that wasn't included.) We're still having some small leaking issues, but hopefully we've fixed it with our last try! So sorry this post is so long about a dishwasher! I guess you'd have to understand how very much I despise washing dishes by hand to understand my excitement. :D

On a side note, I'm watching the Texas (1) vs Kansas St (9) game right now and Kansas St is up! I hope they hold out for the win! I'm SO glad college basketball is exciting again! It's all thanks to my CATS! Let's all say a little cheer for Kansas St!