busy bee!

Tuesday & Thursday were my days off. Today was my busy day.

With my day off I:

Dropped Minnie off at Petsmart for her "spa day" (another A+ report card, haha) 

Turned in our FHA streamline paperwork (reduced our payment by $80 & locked a 4.5% rate)

Bought artificial flowers at Hobby Lobby to make arrangements for the house (love that store)

Made flowers arrangements for the house (copied arrangements from the Pottery Barn catalog)

Purchased Fall scented candles at Bath & Body Works (the new Autumn candle is the best)

Picked up some garlic cloves at Trader Joe's (garlic potatoes & baked chicken for dinner)

Paid a visit to Philosophy (love their scents; Grace is my favorite)

Cleaned the house (while Minnie chased the vacuum)

Prepped the guest room (Neil's family will be in town from CT next week)

Purchased dirt for planting flowers (planting flowers is on my 'to do' list for Labor Day weekend)

Made some delicious lemonade (of course I was thirsty after all the running around)

Now time to relax and start dinner before Neil gets off work  :o)

the big shopping day

Here are some behind the scene photographs of my wedding dress shopping adventure (bought my wedding dress March 2009.) I absolutely adored my wedding dress and I loved the shop where I purchased it (Uptown Bridal Boutique in downtown Chandler) I am the type of person who HATES to try on clothes; so it didn't surprise anyone when it only took me 8 dresses to find the right one (the last two pictures.) While I was very selective with the dresses I would try on, quit honestly, I would have worn them all.

My sister was the photographer, she caught me by surprise on a few pictures....

below are the eight

what fall means to me

water & exercise

I have determined that I am: giving up drinking soda (stick with drinking water at every meal) and work out more often (or engage in more physically activities.) I never drank soda until about 3 years ago, and let me tell you Coca-Cola (NOT Pepsi) is addicting. The only reason I started drinking soda was to substitute for the fact that I refuse to ever drink coffee.

I have come to this conclusion because recently my heart has been acting bonkers. I have the worst palpitations but I have always had a heart condition/problem of some nature. It is time I do something about it, mainly due to that fact that heart problems do run in my family. I jokingly tell people that when I die it will be due to a heart-attack. After realizing that I could have a serious heart problem, heart-attacks don't seem to be a joking matter. I just need to take care of my little heart and keeping her alive and pumping.

I will go back to my old arrangement; 5 mile walks in the midst of the summer heat. Today I bought a new workout outfit that will help my body endure the sun. Now I am off to keep my heart healthy, bring on the heat!

clean, clean, clean.

This morning before I take off for the softball games, I did a scrub down of the house. While cleaning I listened to some of my beloved music as it seemed to make the chores go quicker. First, I listened to the CD we created and handed out to wedding guests; an enormous variety of exquisite music chosen by Neil and I. Second music choice, Muse. I have a major obsession with Muse; they are a fantastic mix of dark and retro. Typically I will listen to country, but after toby keith's last night with the girls, I had my fair share.

take me out to the ballgame

entrance to Big League Dreams

Minnie and I are on our way to watch Neil play softball at Big League Dreams ballpark. It is only .5 mile walk for us to get there, but I don't think little Minnie could make that stroll in this humidity. Neil loves his softball so I figure we will go out and support him! Last softball game we went to Minnie was a hit; she tried to chase softballs, ran with kids and found it amusing to climb up and down the bleachers..... ahhh, the life of a dog.

Baby Minnie supported her dad even before we met her :o)

summertime means monsoons

I love soooo many things about Arizona, it is not hard to love this state. One of the things I really enjoy: the wonderful monsoon season that rolls around every summer. A sweeping dust cloud rolls in, clouds grow large, fluffy & white, lightening lights up the sky, thunder shakes the ground and the rain falls like cats and dogs. This is the sweet smell of summertime for us Arizonans. Last night was the first time we have received pounding rainfall; I say bring on more harsh storms Arizona.

working hard in the desert sun

Neil and I enjoy doing yard work. I am the type of person who freaks when they see a nasty yard. We really take pride in our house because it is one of the biggest purchases we will ever make. Today, we made a day of yard work and sprucing up the house; I made kool-aid and we played country music while taking care of the front and back landscape.

When we first moved into the house we hired landscapers to remove 13 different trees, bushes and cacti. I am very particular on how a yard should look; it must be beautiful and full of flowers & trees. Unfortunately because of my recent vacation and the lack of precipitation, all of my flowers died. I have decided to wait until the monsoon season is over to replant some of my favorite flowers.

A picture just because kool-aid is that yummy.

breakfast stop

Joe's farm grill in Gilbert is my favorite place to stop for breakfast. The food is delectable and ambiance is darling; the best of the old and the new. The best part, it is down the street from our house. This charming diner was featured on "Diners, Drive-in and dives" on the Food Network as a must stop in Arizona. Check it out here.

vacation success.

Neil & I are trying to stick to our word and go on as many vacations as we can our first year of marriage. So far we have been to Cancun, Connecticut, Boston, California and now Michigan.

Our latest trip to Michigan was much needed. We got to spend my favorite holiday with my favorite people, my family! We went for just under a week and did plenty. It was important for Neil & my dad that we made a trip to Detroit to check out downtown and see the new Tiger stadium, but I was able to see the UofM stadium in Ann Arbor so I am not complaining. We spent a day in German Town USA (Frakenmuth, MI), this town is very historic and so adorable; we shopped, went on a ferryboat, ate & enjoyed the flowers & German-esk atmosphere. A majority of time was spent in my dads hometown, Bay City, where my uncle has a house on the lake. We did a lot of boating, drinking, laughing and spending quality time with my rather large family. The best part was the fireworks on the 4th, if anyone is every looking for the best fireworks in the U.S., go to Bay City, MI. I loved spending 4th of July in the small town atmosphere.

The only bad part of the trip; the humidity. I would take dry heat over humidity ANYDAY.

Neil's dad & girlfriend will be visiting in Mid-September and we are thinking of planning a mini-trip for their visit. Then comes our one year wedding anniversary; vacation spot is up to Neil and I can not wait for this suprise! 

 Michigan photos

4th of July

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday (tied with Christmas.) 

This year we will be celebrating with family in Michigan. My immediate family, cousins, aunts & uncles will all be spending a week together; boating, shopping & lounging around. I am very anxious for the trip because Neil has never been before but has heard many stories. My dad rented a house for my family but we will be spending a majority of the time at my uncles lake house or on his boat! Every year I make it a point to celebrate this day & I am hoping Bay City, Michigan can top the fireworks of Tempe Town Lakes, this is hard task, but hopefully they can do it!

She's growing up so fast!

Happy 1st Birthday baby Minnie!

(Neil & I are BAD parents; we will be vacationing on her 1st birthday which is May 30th)

 She is a little puppy no more!

(well, she still is little; 8 pounds to be exact.)

no work today

Today Neil and I both had off work. We had such a nice day of relaxation and catch-up. We took a long bike ride, bought some flowers for my garden and had lunch with my mom & minnie at AJ's outdoor grill. It was a cool 67 degrees outside which was pretty enjoyable for a bike ride. Now its time to have home-made teriyaki chicken (outside on the patio table to enjoy the weather) and dairy queen afterward ;)

 

The beautiful flowers I planted today. 

I do have an obsession with beautiful flowers. Neil thinks "I am always buying and replacing flowers." With that comment I decided to hook myself up with some miracle grow; I will show him and have the most beautiful flowers on the block.

matching pink nails

I love my little family. 

We really enjoy our family time with little Minnie. We take her pretty much wherever we go; she gets so much love from her parents! 

Last week was her first grooming appointment at Petsmart. She got a report-card and it was too cute; she received all "excellents" and the groomer said "Minnie was the sweetest dog she had been around in a long time." She even got her nails painted pink like her mommy!

We have been considering buying a second dog so sweet little Minnie has a friend to play with all the time. It is just a matter of what breed and if we can handle two puppies. We are thinking a small dog (I LOVE all dogs, but for myself, I can't do big dogs. Big dogs=huge poops, slobbering, shedding & tearing up furniture.) For now she can play with her little friends!!
 

Minnie &  daddy nap time. Minnie heard me sneaking up with the camera and quickly opened her little eyes for this shot.

"Minnie its time to go out"... and this is where she goes & hides.

 She loves her little chicken. She runs around the backyard, flipping it around in the air.

A family trip to the art fair at Fountain Hills. Stylish little thing with her new leash.

Running up and down the hills at the park.

do you remember when?

"we first met i sure do, it was some time in early September, though you were lazy about it, you made me wait around
I was so crazy about you, I didn't mind"

I didn't think it was possible to listen to a CD the whole way through. 

Over and Over again.

Until I listened to Jack Johnson's music.

Neil and I are veryyyyyyyy fortunate to see him live in concert this October! He called earlier to tell me we were in row 5. Yay for Jack Johnson!