Wishful Thinking...Wishful Shopping

First of all, sorry for the downer posts earlier this week. I promise I will be more upbeat now.

In the wake of Tuesday's bittersweet mood, I decided to cheer myself up with some shopping...of the virtual variety. It's the only kind of shopping I can do right now. We have a ton of house-related expenses and I think Mr Jones might file for a divorce if I came home with a bunch of shopping bags.

Ok...not really...but he sure wouldn't be happy!

So, without further ado, my little virtual shopping spree! :)

How cute this jewelry tree?! The little birdies are just so sweet. I don't really know why I love it so much, but I do. I saw it in the store yesterday and carried it around with me before resigning myself to the fact that I don't need it...and frivolous, unnecessary purchases are a no-no. *sigh*


I am so in love with this Zoe round mirror set (or here). I even registered for it for our wedding (haha!). It would be so perfect in our house. Maybe once we are finished, Mr Jones will let me buy it...*fingers crossed*

While I was searching for a gift for a friend, I came across the La Belle Dame website...and her memorial items for miscarriages and infant loss. My favorite is the Infant Loss memorial keychain. Perhaps some day, I will order one with an amethyst bead for my February love bug who lives in my heart.


And while we're looking at keychains, I really love this Love Faith Happiness one from Etsy as well. I think it's because I have a "thing" for turtles... :)


Moving on...
I really need new black boots for the Fall and Winter. I fully realize it's 90*+ outside right now and cooler temperatures are just a pipe dream, but I like to be prepared.

Madden Girl Pynko - I'm loving the buckles on these boots! They are fun yet work appropriate.


Madden Girl Raleigh - The ruffle on these boots is so. darn. cute. I am in major lust!

Blowfish Willis - These boots are just so darn comfy. I definitely think they'd be my every day, go to boots. Love them.

And what girl doesn't love a new purse? Certainly not I! I've always been on the lookout for the perfect red purse. The Sak Laurel Hobo might be just the one to satisfy that want...it's a great size. Not too big, not too small.

See this? It's my white flag!

No more hospitals. No more doctors.

After 2 hospital visits, 5 doctor visits, and 7 blood draws (my poor arm!) in the span of 3 weeks, I was DONE with anything and everything medical-related. At least for another month or two.

Do you think life was willing to accept this?
Of course not.
Mr Jones added 2 visits to urgent care into the mix.

Last Tuesday, he came home from work with a high fever and chills. After two long days, lots of Gatorade, and a consistent fever of 102.5*, he finally went to urgent care. Diagnosis: gastroenteritis. Sucky, yes, but he now had medication to help him get better.

Right?
Wrong.

We got to visit urgent care again on Sunday because his throat was killing him. Diagnosis: strep throat. Thankfully, he was already on an antibiotic, but...geez. Can't we catch a break??

A week of feeling crappy has left Mr Jones really cranky and moody.

I give up.
I can't take anymore.
I want my happy, go lucky husband back.

Saturday BBQs = Fun

...especially when you dress the visiting baby as Carlos (from The Hangover)!

Chelsea trying to figure out the baby carrier...somehow, I don't think it goes on that way!

Getting Aaron, I mean Alan, ready.

The unsuspecting Max...what cutie!

Uh oh! He might be on to us...and our plan.

Baby Carlos!

Good times, good times...

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Puerto Vallarta style!

Those that know us, know that Mr Jones and I are "secret Mexicans"...basically, we LIVE for Mexican food. We could exist solely on Mexican food. Seriously.

(Side note: If I had my way, we never would've returned from our honeymoon in Mexico...we would've changed our names to Tatiana and Jesus and lived a happy little Mexican life. But I digress...)

There is a small, family owned authentic Mexican restaurant called Puerto Vallarta about 5 minutes from us. Needless to say, we frequent this restaurant a lot (I'm talking bi-weekly...if not weekly every so often). The owner, Pablo, knows us well and greets us with "¡Hola amigos! ¿Cómo estás?" every time we walk in. I have even had lengthy conversations with him in Spanish. (That was fun!)

Last night, we decided it was time to celebrate...Puerto Vallarta style! It was Cinco de Mayo after all. It would be practically a sin not to...right?

Mr Jones and his 32oz XX beer (he didn't believe me when I told him the sign said draft beers were 32oz!)


Mmmm...fajitas and a strawberry daquiri...what more can a girl ask for?


The aftermath...LOL!


All of the booths were handcarved and painted in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Each one is different and each one is just beautiful!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Cinco de Mayo!

Sorry the picture quality sucks...I had to use my cell phone.

Good Times in the Jones Household

It's another fun-filled night in the Jones household...

The scene:
Me on the couch with Sammy (cat)
Mr Jones at his desk with Bo (cat)

And the action:
Bo sneezes all over Mr Jones' hand, keyboard, and mouse. Mr Jones gives Bo a dirty, "ewwwwwww" look. (Side note: Cat sneezes are too darn cute!!) Not 2 minutes later, Mr Jones sneezes all over Bo. Bo gives him a disgusted look and jumps off the desk.

I, of course, start laughing. While I'm laughing, Sammy proceeds to puke on my leg...and the couch.

Good times, good times.
*shaking head*

Getting into the swing of Spring!

Melie Bianco Ruffle Bag

Cute, no?

The weather in Michigan has been SO unpredictable lately. Last week, we had what can only be described as a crazy heat wave - temperatures in the high 80s, in Michigan, in late March/early April. Without a doubt, weird. And so not typical.

Now, the weather is a bit more typical of Michigan weather - rainy and temperatures in the low 50s. It may be typical, but it sure doesn't mean I like it. Rainy weather always puts me in a blah mood.

I decided it was time for a little retail therapy. And I found the perfect pick-me-up.

I am so in love with this bag and I can't wait to carry it!

And that's what makes us...us

As evidenced in a previous post, Mr Jones and I have some pretty silly text conversations while at work. Hey, whatever keeps us entertained, right??

I heart my husband.
I heart our silliness.

Me: I learned this morning that on average, people are more afraid of spiders than death. (He HATES spiders)
Him: That is because we can't escape death. There is no reason to fear it. We can escape spiders though. When you see one, you should run away like a little girl.
Me: Ah...I did not realize that was the proper course of action when encountering a spider. Thank you for that insight.


And a little while later, I got this...
(We are going out to a Japanese steakhouse tonight...yay sushi!)

Him: Got a large coffee this morning...I am now physically prepared for the feast. Now I will concentrate on the mental aspect
Me: Do you have some chopsticks to exercise your hand? Wouldn't want it to cramp up on you in the middle of sushi time!

Looking for a Solution? Just ask the Husband.

I came into work this morning...and what do I see sitting on my desk??

This.

A 40 oz bag of sheer yummy goodness. Apparently, the candy God is in tune with my needs because lo-and-behold there is a bag of Kit Kat and Reese's PB cups sitting on my desk. You see, my coworker (aforementioned candy God) knows Kit Kats and Reese's PB cups are my favorite candy...I always pick through her candy jar and take them all.

I am in sugar high heaven! (And I may or may not have opened the bag at 8:30am. Breakfast of champions, I'm sure...)

But this huge bag of candy posed a teensy little problem. I am trying to eat healthier. And lots of chocolate certainly isn't going to help that cause...regardless of how badly I want it to (trust me, I tried to figure it out!).

So what's a girl to do?
Well, this girl texted her husband to ask for help...

Me: (picture of candy attached) This could be bad - coworker brought me these today because she knows they are my favorite. What to do? What to do?

Him: You'll have to bring part of it home so I can...properly dispose...of them.

Me: I knew I could count on you to remedy the situation.

Him: The solution is as follows: om, nom, nom, nom

Me: That sounds like a yummy solution. I may need to try it.

Heart him.

Dr Jekyll and Ms Hyde?

So I've gone from the weepy, emotional Taryn of Monday to super irritable and grouchy Taryn. Everything is getting on my nerves...from the slow drivers on the highway to the pending rain showers we are supposed to be getting today...through next Monday. It's supposed to rain for 6 days straight. Yippee. Not.

I honestly think I'd prefer the crying.

I need to get myself under control before Mr Jones decides he doesn't want a Walking Mood Swing as his wife.

And, no, I'm not pregnant (haha). If my guess is correct, this theory will be proven false in the next day or two.

Emotional Wreck - That's Me!

I've been crying at everything lately.

A sad commercial? I have tears rolling down my cheeks.
A happy-ending on a TV show? I'm a blubbering idiot.

Mr Jones and I watched 3:10 To Yuma on Saturday. A shoot-em-up Western...and I'm bawling at the end! What is my problem??

Currently, I'm watching The Ghost Whisperer on the SyFy Channel and turning into a big ol' baby on the couch.

Oy. I need to get it together!

I love sushi...and so does the cat!

Fair warning...this game is completely addictive.
Sushi Cat

I got Mr Jones hooked on it too. :)

And it makes me want sushi.

It wasn't me...oh wait, yes it was

Over the past 5 months, there has been many-a-morning where I was greeted with a face full of water when I turned on the shower.

The reason?

Somebody (ahem, Mr Jones) didn't check to see if the little thingie that you pull up to switch the water flow the shower head was down (see below picture) after his shower the previous morning...so guess what happens when the water is turned on? Yup. It comes out the shower head. Directly into my face. And early morning water is COLD.

Not my actual shower

This morning, I received another face full of cold water.
And immediately blamed Mr Jones. And got all worked up and ready to give him crap about not checking to make sure the thingie was down when I had asked him to so many times.

Until I realized he wasn't the last one to take a shower yesterday morning - I was.
Oops.

(BTW, what in the heck is that little thingie called?? Does it have a name?)

Fun Times in the Winter Times

We have some monster icicles outside our balcony. And leave it to a man to want to play with them...

Can he get it off in one piece???

Yup!! And I'll admit...it's quite impressive!

Trying to knock more down...

Back in the saddle...errrr...I mean the ice skates

Lately, I've been bitten by the skating bug. And I blame it on Kim (hehe!). I met my life twin, Kim, on The Knot while planning my wedding. I call her my life twin because she is also a former figure skater, our cats could be twins, and we pretty much share the same brain. Honest.

Kim understands my affection for "rink air" and how it's completely different than regular air. And she understands what I mean when I say I feel like I'm about to shoot the duck (no, I'm not out hunting)...or that another friend's leggings look like mondors.

It was pretty much a given that we'd eventually go skating together even though it took us a few months to set up a skate date. But we did. And it was fabulous. Ever since Mr Jones and I went with her and her fiance a few weekends ago, I've been itching to get back on the ice.

I even bought a new skate bag! A girl's gotta have something to tote her skating stuff around in, doesn't she? :) And, yes, I'm a nice wife...I let Mr Jones put his skates in there too.

Now, we just need to get back to the rink!!

Hmmm...I guess I spoke too soon...

Over the weekend, I was telling Mr Jones how I was thrilled Michigan wasn't getting a lot of snow this winter. You see, Michigan is usually the state getting dumped on...and, for once, it wasn't us!

Well...I should've kept my mouth shut. Yup. We got dumped on last night...about 10" worth. I know it's nothing compared to the feet of snow covering some states, but ugh. I really didn't want this...

I did get a day off work so I guess it's good for something. Right?


Keep checking back for Wedding Wednesday pictures...I'll have them up by the end of the day! :) And, in case you didn't see them, check out my other picture post.

Love Is...

I love this time of year. Why?? Because of Girl Scout cookies. I live for Girl Scout cookies.

And Edy's has made it even better. Girl Scout cookies...and ice cream. Heaven. It would go against every fiber of my being (and willpower) to not buy the ice cream so I buy the light version...it's not as bad. Right? I have to justify somehow!!

A Weekend Full of Movies

Our NetFlix movie this weekend was "Up". Mr Jones has been wanting to see it because he loves Pixar movies.

I thought the story was really cute and sweet (who doesn't love true love and devotion?), but there were some moments that left me scratching my head in confusion. For example, the explorer was an adult when Carl and Ellie were children yet, he is around the same age as Carl when they meet in Paradise Falls? Maybe I'm too analytical, but yeah...

Overall, I'd give "Up" an A-. I would watch it again...and that's saying a lot because I'm not usually big on watching movies.

This picture makes me laugh...a "real life" Russell!"

Today's movie was an old love of mine - "The Princess Bride". Mr Jones had never seen it before (GASP!) so I decided it was time he did. Luckily, it was available for immediate streaming on NetFlix so we snuggled on the couch and immersed ourselves in the story of Princess Buttercup and Westley.


My favorite exchange in the movie...it's just so sweet:

Westley: I told you I would always come for you. Why didn't you wait for me?
Buttercup: Well... you were dead.
Westley: Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.
Buttercup: I will never doubt again.
Westley: There will never be a need.

Thank You...Gracias...Merci...Danke...

Wow...I'm not a good little blogger lately! For the past week, Mr Jones and I have been working on our wedding Thank You cards. Oy. There's only so many ways you can say "thank you" without starting to sound insincere...or cheesy.

Mr Jones has been pestering me to get my Thank Yous done (because Boy Wonder is done with his, of course)...and I'm trying. Honest. I just prefer to do a couple at a time instead of powering through them. Maybe that makes them more sincere and less cheesy? I'd like to think so!

Well, news for him...according to Emily Post, I still have time...haha! She also has 10 Do's and Don'ts of Thank Yous.

When should Thank Yous be written?

Contrary to popular myth, the happy couple does not have a year’s grace period. All thank you notes should be written within three months of the receipt of the gift. Ideally, a response should be written on the day you receive a wedding gift. If that’s not possible, set a daily goal. It’s a lot easier to write three or four notes a day than to have to write a hundred notes in a month after the wedding!

Ten Dos and Don’ts of Thank You Notes

1. Do personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.
2. Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given.
3. Do be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.
4. Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature. Also, don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your wedding web site in lieu of a personal note.
5. Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.
6. Don’t mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.
7. Don’t tailor your note to the perceived value of the gift; no one should receive a perfunctory note.
8. Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.
9. Don’t include wedding photos or use photo cards if it will delay sending the note. Oops...we definitely did this one! But I love our photo cards...sorry they delayed sending the thank yous!
   
10. Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes after your first anniversary, keep writing!

New Year, New Goals

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Sorry I've been MIA lately. Mr Jones and I have been busy taking down the Christmas decorations (booooo!) and running errands around town. We had wedding gift returns/exchanges as well as Christmas gift returns/exchanges. That definitely took up a lot of our vacation time!

How I feel about taking down our decorations (the Dell and Amazon boxes are makeshift Christmas storage boxes)

Now that 2010 is here, it's time for me to set new goals for myself. I don't call them resolutions because, face it, who really keeps their New Year's Resolutions? They've become something that people swear they'll do, year after year, knowing full well they will fall off the resolution bandwagon after the first month or so.

By setting goals for myself, I will strive to achieve them...but if I don't, I will just try harder next year. :) Somehow, goals don't seem as daunting (and disappointing) as resolutions...at least in my (potentially weird) mind.


My Goals for 2010

1. Treat my body the way it should be treated. This includes exercising more and eating healthier. This is probably everyone's goal for 2010...and I wish us all the best of luck!

2. Be the best wife I can be. Heck, I may even attempt to cook while Mr Jones is in class on Mondays and Tuesdays. This may or may not be a success, but we'll see. LOL.

3. Not stress/worry so much about the small stuff. I let things get to me...too much sometimes. My stressing/worrying isn't going to change things so I need to learn to let it go and trust everything will be ok.

4. Be thankful for the good in my life rather than focusing on the negative.

5. Make sure I get enough "girl dates" with my friends. I tend to be a homebody and want to stay home with my love...but I've had such a blast at the last few get-togethers with my friends that I am realizing just how important it is to me and my happiness. I plan on scheduling at least one "girl date" per month (so local friends, be ready!).

6. Stop spending/buying unnecessary items...and focus on the necessities. This one will be a hard one because I have an (itty bitty, teeny weeny) obsession with jeans.

7. More random acts of kindness. I feel good when others feel good...and if I can make that happen, awesome! :)

8. Help my bride-to-be friends (woot for my 2010 brides!) in anyway I can. This one won't be hard because I (gasp!) miss wedding planning.

9. Take better care of my car. I tend to ignore the problems...but the reality is, I'm going to have this car for a while so I need to give it the love it needs. Either that, or be left stranded on the side of the road. LOL.

10. Take better care of my skin. I've very lucky to have good skin, but I don't always take my makeup off at night. And I don't moisturize like I should. I'm sure the neglect will come back and bite me in the butt someday.

What are your goals for 2010?

I have a confession to make...

Hello, my name is Taryn and I am a Grammar Nazi. Truthfully, it's not much of a confession though. Those that know me, know I am picky about grammar...and, if I know you well enough, I will probably correct your mistakes. In the most loving way possible, of course.

That's not to say I run around reading people's blogs and judging them by the way they write...I would never do that. Heck, I know I'm not perfect...I just try to be the best little English major I can be. :)

A friend of mine showed me this link today...needless to say, I was amused. There are more than a few people I know who should print this out and post it next to the computer. Just sayin'...