lol Day 1 and 2 Juicing....

So I've found that I can not do the Master Cleanse do to me getting old.... sort of. I started it again this week and had a mini panic attack.... We have decided that a build up of acid in me and also my honey causes this. So no-go on the lemonade cleanse. So! Juicing! I used to  make my own juice but that gets super expensive and time consuming and I'm just not that hardcore anymore ha ha. BUT I love Naked Green Machine and I've got me that and some hard bolded eggs for a little extra protein as I am also working out each day. I've lost 2 pounds so far and that's pretty cool, I don't feel toned just yet, but my muscles ache like no buddies business. Lots and lots of water. I do one of the video's from my 21 day fix Beachbody pack and I walk aprox 1-3 miles afterwork. That's pretty good and I'm feeling good so far :) Woot!

welp

Sorry I couldn't do it and now for the TMI part of our story..... It was just bad timing.... the mind was willing but the body was weak... It was that time of the month and well I believe I had wayyyy more going out than was coming in. Mentally I was thinking it's the perfect time for a cleanse..... And well I did lose 3 pounds I'm pretty sure that was all water weight because ya know I retain water like a camel or something. will try again another time when I can actually do all the awesome juicing etc that needs to go on before hand and ease into it. Really my heart and mind were in the right place.... but the body DEMANDED MEAT!!! so it got it. Se la. But I'm eating healthy :)

Sad Amanda Panda

Day 2 Master Cleanse

Hungry.

lol surprise I'm hungry. But that's okay I'm doing good. I'm going to go for a walk here in a little bit. I've drank my water and "lemonade" I've also ate oh about a half a cup of raspberries. Last night I ate a half a cup of blackberries. They were both delicious!! :) I'm dreaming of chicken salad now :) I take that as a good sign. My mind is clicking towards slightly more healthy foods :) yeah!!! Greasy fries don't even sound good today, but some nuts sound really yummy. And avocado mmmmm I could eat me some avocado with a little salt and pepper and a little lime juice. mmmmm lol It's funky that  I know how my brain works. If I do this I will want what is actually good for it, the junk with leave and yummy fresh foods take their place.... :) I started to get a pretty bad headache last night so in came the berries. I didn't want to take Advil on a pretty much empty stomach, but those took care of it right away. :) But other than that feeling pretty perky. Was laying on the couch last night and wanted to get up and do something. Me and the Dude went to the Mall and got him some awesome new shoes for our honeymoon and these beautiful glass jars for the wedding we watched some more Weeds and crawled into bed. lol We didn't want to get out of bed. We were so comfortable, it was amazing. :) But se la vie we had to get up  and start the day. Tonight I'm going to tan and go for a walk, hopefully work on my dress and one other sewing project this evening. Finish laundry :)

My-soon-to-be sister in law is having her 3rd baby this week! I'm so excited. I really do love babies and I can't wait to meet this little person. They didn't find out what it is yet so it will be a big surprise :)

ta-ta tenderloins!
-Amanda

Day 1 Master Cleanse

Yes it is that time again!

I haven't done one of my juicing fasts FOR-EV-ER and they make me feel really wonderful.... afterwards.... ha ha. The pure will power to know you can do any kind of fast is kind of amazing. I know that there is a lot of people who say they aren't good for you and there are many that say they are. There are many different kinds. I've done juicing, I've done water fasting, I've gone vegan....and I have also done the Master Cleanse, which is also sometimes called the Lemonade Cleanse.
I think you have to listen to your body and if it works for you go for it and if it doesn't don't do it or stop. Do you get hungry while doing these??? Yes! Do you want to eat your friends because they churn into dancing chili fries? Yes!.... lol no.... I don't think so.... But if you are like me, you will find yourself wanting to get yourself to the nearest fast food place and snarf down a burger, dreaming of chocolate cake, ice cream and every beverage under the sun. I believe that has a lot to do with sugar. We get addicted to it. We think we NEED it, and in the natural state of fruits and veggies it's awesome, it adds flavor and a little boost to you system. Do I always adhere to this lifestyle NOPE. I suck at it, but I believe in the healthy lifestyle even more now as I get older and the obesity rate is going sky high, I believe due to all the additives in our foods now. I'm not a scientist, it's just a thought. My love has special eating needs and he doesn't eat gluten and I try not to also, I have leaped off of that wagon SOOO many times now... doughnuts, pizza, sandwiches.... a loaf of raisin bread....
But I want to be supportive and continue to learn how to cook and bake healthy and with our needs in   mind.

So! I need to change the way I look at food. Should food be flavorful? YES! Should food be good for you? YES! But should you mindlessly put food in your mouth because you are bored or it sounds good? Nope Should you give into the commercials about a new blah blah? Nope Should you enjoy cooking and trying new things? YES!

So Doing a little cleansing of the mind and body, because I've been putting a lot of crap into it lately. .... my Bachlorette party this weekend we ate and ATE and ATE.... tacos, pizza chips and dip popcorn, candy and pop! But I wanted to have that fun time with my girls a grown up slumber party!!! and it was a blast!!! Now to get down to business, to focus on health and wellness.

I've decided to do the Master Cleanse, I think it's a good one, cheap and straight forward (juicing is delicious and fun, but can get expensive, it's also my favorite) Another fun thing about the Master Cleanse is it really cleanses you out.... you go to the bathroom A LOT, but it's not so bad that you have an accident. or at least I never have.

So day 1  it is 2 pm and I'm doing really good I've had 2 of the lemonade drinks and 2 tall glasses of water, today I've also had a small glass of green juice and now I'm having some orange juice. For a few reasons. a) I didn't put and maple syrup in my drink because I forgot it and b) I had so much regular food over the weekend I didn't get to ease into it with juicing for a few days (recommended) so I'm doing a little of that today.

It's going pretty good, over lunch I had the strong urge to go through and drive though and get a burger and eat it as fast as I could so it didn't count or something.... I feel like you start to bargain with yourself. I tell myself nope, but you have have some juice and water when you get back to work. It is not forever just for 10 days, you'll be just fine. ...... like I'm my body's mom or something and it's a stubborn kid that just wants a greasy cheeseburger. Nope you can wait till I put something wonderful in you body.

so yep, that's all for right now :)

catch ya later alligators!

Amanada

A few moments about life and love

I am a happy, happy girl.  My wedding is coming up here in a little over 2 months. My weekends that I have off are filled with things, a baby shower, working with my bridesmaids to put the wedding programs together, glamping with my girls in the backyard for a grown up girl slumber party.... maybe Hopefully doing a garage sale in there somewhere. 

In the evenings we cook up dinner and work on projects. The Dude has been finishing up the centrepieces he’s been building for the wedding, I’ve been working on my dress, baby quilt or misc other projects. When we are finished we curl up on the couch and watch shows. 

 I’m loving the spring weather, we open the windows and air out the house the cats run from the front windows to the back doors trying to “catch” the noises outside and when they get pooped they nap in the last of the sun rays in the evening sky.  It’s the time of year when birds whistle at you and you think well your a pretty bird too. ha ha. Thunderstorms are back in the forecasts and for once I sleep through them for the most part. The rain lulls me to sleep the thunder makes me curl up closer to my guy and sleep deeper. Safe and sound.

I love to look at my guy, his face is so handsome and his lips are perfect, his eyes smile at me. I love it. He squeezes me a little tighter when I hug him. I love his ideas, I totally laugh every time he comes up with something and I’m all like, “that’s a great idea!” And he goes “Only ones I have” ..... but it’s true.... crazily true. 

Yesterday he made the sweetest thing. I love the cats. They are my fur children, he is so sweet to them, but this was a testament to how thoughtful he is. He knows that the Phil loves boxes, any box, he sleeps in a box on top of the fridge, if we bring home a cardboard box he’ll get into it no matter what size and he’s been recently doing a lot of woodworking. Soooo he made a cat bet and what’s super sweet about it besides he thought to make the bed for me and them, but he also sanded down every edge on it so they wouldn’t hurt themselves on it, and I mean every edge. I sewed up a pillow for the inside and viola!

I can’t stop kissing him :) He’s amazing, I’m so happy to be becoming his wife and thinking of all of the adventures we’ll go on and babies and neat projects and food and so many other things that I don’t even know. 

Well wishes and fish kisses!

-Amanda

Can't Start a Fire, Can't Start a Fire Without a Spark

lol We've had that song stuck in our heads since we watched a Bruce Springsteen tribute. John Legend (LOVE) Did his version with just him and a piano. 


So lately it has been working on wedding things nose to the ground, get invites out. CHECK! Get guys tuxes ordered. CHECK! Get things set up with the gals to glue programs together. Check! I think.... Get Dress to flower girl. CHECK! Make a thousand lists. CHECK! Wait for RSVPs to come in TICK-TOCK. And finish up centerpieces. The Dude is making these amazing boxes 21 in fact. They are long and on either end the hold a mason jar that we are going to fill with things and they will be beautiful. He's build all of them and is in the process of sanding them down and staining them.
He is so talented. 

Besides working on my dress. (I finished up the hem yesterday woot!) I've been working on a baby quilt for a little girl who will be here sometime right before our wedding. It's been fun to work on it, I haven't quilted in YEARS. The first and only one I ever made one of my friends and now bridesmaid's grandmother taught us how to make them in her awesome sewing room with this HUGE table, while watching Golden Girls re-runs.... or were they new? But we would stay the weekend and in the mornings we would have Chocolate Malt-o Meal with ICE CREAM!!!! She was a sweet lady. I called her Quilt Grandma. Here's to you Quilt Grandma! 

We now have Amazon Prime... I've gotten into watching Fringe 

Easter has came and went I was stuck at work for half of the day, but that's okay one of my guards gave me a very delicious chocolate bunny. 

I also made an Easter cake for dinner down at my soon-to-be Brother and sister in-law's house. We had super yummy burgers and all of the fixings. I missed getting to see the girls hunt for eggs, but the Dude got to see them and said they had lots of fun!

Muh CAKE! The grass is editable, but I don't think anyone liked it. It was a little strange.
Reminded me of  apple flavored cake cone.

I also got to take dinner over to my cousin's house. They just had a new little man. He is ADORABLE! He slept the whole time while I held him. I'm pretty sure he farted on me the whole time too, which is why he looks soooo happy. ha ha. But he's so perfect and SO much hair. 

Baby Easton! Cousin Mandy Loves you!
and your silly sister who kept kicking me and beating me with breast pump parts :)

A little bit ago my sister-in-law, my niece and nephews came to town!!!!! It was a super surprise!!! They got to see the makings of my dress and I got to whip them up a dessert that I took over to grandma's for dinner..... The Dud ate 2 things of tacos.... grandma's make the best food!

Here is is Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Fudge Brownies!

 These things are really good and easy to make! Recipe?!?!?! Sure!

1. preheat oven to 350 and spray a 9x13 pan 
2. Mix one package of fudge brownies as the package directs.
3. I added about a half a cup of chocolate chips to the batter and pour into pan.
4. Blend 1- 8oz block of cream cheese with 1 egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 T of vanillia
5. Spoon cream cheese mixture on the brownie batter then swirl.
6. Add a little chocolate syurp to the top if you like 
7. Bake for about 35 minutes

I've been reading a lot lately. I've just finished Gone girl and it was amazing. So many twists and turns it's crazy!!! I'm going to get the movie when I can to see how it compares it's really bananas how the story goes. I totally recommend it! I'm currently reading The Darkling by R.B. Chesterton. Seems to be good so far. It's a southern mystery novel. I seem to like those a lot. 

Phillip the cat loves, loves, LOVES to chew on things. I've pretty much got the house Phillip proof, but other things not so much. We have to lock purses away that have things that look like he might like to chew on them, because he will. Currently he's taken to chewing on my purse's straps, but only the leather part. He's gotten them so badly that I just let him do it now they are belong repair (evil cat!)

So with all of my crazy sewing lately I thought, why don't I just cut that off and BOOM! No more ouch straps and nothing for Phil to chew on!!! hahahahahahahha!

Pretty smart eh??? I thought so ha ha.

Welp that's all for now darlings, Hopefully going to get more gardening done, totally finish up dress, (I have a bustle I'm working on) and more working out.

Stings and things!

-Amanda

It's a Wednesday

It's a cold rainy day outside, we've had some beautiful weather and I know the rain is welcomed, but brrrr, I've all ways liked the rain. I've grabbed some lunch that wasn't very yummy and tossed half of it. That pretty much is the way of the day. This morning I woke and told the Dude it was time to get up, he had an appointment this morning. I just want to curl up with him. I've been busy doing things, baking and other projects. I think if I could just lay there and kiss him for about 2 hours I'd be on cloud 9, but alas there are kittens to be fed, showers to take and work to be gotten to. I was running late and I actually buttoned my underwear into my jeans button?? how do you even do that? unbutton and unwedgie myself and ran out the door, again in my glasses because I'm weirdo that can spend 1-5 dollars on strange things and won't spend money on important things like reordering my contacts. I'm working on that today, but I sort of like my glasses from time to time, I look at the face in the mirror and see 24 year old me from many moons ago. Granted she had contacts... but same ole Mandy waited to order contacts back then also, but because she was figure out how to make a meal out of mustard broke, not just being cheap. ha ha 

Got to work with my banana muffin, that I didn't drop at all and figured that was a win, and of course my Mac is being wonky it has gone on Spring Break ya'll Beach balls for everyone!! (Mac's have little beach balls instead of hour glasses flipping which I think PC's have) At some point I go to the bathroom and I have my underwear on inside out... my underwear hates me today. I swear I have been dressing myself for years...

I've been feeling a little blue. I think I've overwhelmed myself. I get this way from time to time. Like I have all of these ideas and I want to get them all done and I have projects and thoughts and then I also have things that I need to do, laundry, scrub the tub, dinner, workout, beauty regiments, world peace, write the great American novel, feed the hungry, cloth the naked... etc. you catch my drift. I must add that my guy is amazing he just does things, laundry boom, dishes done, he helps me with my strange projects - he's amazing. But I like to feel like I can do it all. Simple thing is I can not, even when it is just me in the cats in the Great Kick a Shoe Nation, life is messy and we all go thought times like this I believe. So I just have to take a step back and go well look at what I did do today. I also have to check my attitude, I can't control a lot of things, but this one I can. I can chose to be stubborn and grumpy or laugh and find the bright. I choose to laugh. 

I've gotten up, I've kissed my guy, I've fed our cats, I've kicked some layouts' booties, I've given out a recipe, I've counted how many stamps we'll need for wedding invites, I've ran in the rain, I've prayed for loved ones, I've laughed at myself, I've filled out not one but 2 basketball brackets, I've seen a photo of my new baby cousin, born today and he is beautiful, I've read some of Gone Girl. I totally plan on stealing chocolate from a jar and having a blast with some good friends tonight and eating this yummy  vanilla lemon cake I made and jungle juice I assembled, then coming home and snuggling up close to this handsome man that will wrap his arms around me and tell me stories about his day. If you look at it, it's a pretty good day. :)

Tomorrow I plan on not doing anything, but curling up on the couch next to him and watching some tv. No wedding things unless we need to, no baking, no other projects just relaxing and letting this mind chill. Mmmmm maybe I'll grab some tea and start now mmmmmmm.


So grab some tea and chill with me,
-Amanda

I geek out even when I don't know it

Today as some girls do I wondered what I would name my future babies. I always lean towards 2 boys and a girl, but who actually knows what I'll get. I was trying to put some of our family names together and I really love James Forrest for 2 of our grandpas and I've always loved the name Lily. While girly-ly writing the names down I noticed that I would have a James and a Lily...... my subconscious loves Harry Potter too much I think.... But I'd totally love them, my little potters and they wouldn't have any idea ha ha.

The Bathroom Stall Seamstress Will See You Now

This is me and my new fantastic tiny scissors!!

Do you know why I had to get tiny fantastic scissors??
Well Let me tell you!

In search of wedding shoes I went to Payless they were having a 15% off of your purchase sale for Friday the 13th.... DUN, dun DUNNNN! I went over there to take a peek and didn't see anything I liked, but as I walked out headed to my Jeep and noticed this on the ground thinking it was a snake about to strike my foot...

 I leapt into the Jeep and heard a loud ripppppp! And.... yeah.....

I had a piece of tape I tried to "fix" it with......

I looked back outside (took photo) of my "snake" ..... and about died laughing...
shoelace snake....

So off to Walmart I go to get a sewing kit, I have TONS of sewing stuff at home, but thought as this just happened I really should have something at work.... or in my purse or everywhere....
why do I do weird things??

I found a tiny one that would be perfect for $1 and back to work I went.
I took my tiny kit and opened shop inside the last stall. 

It ain't pretty but it will due :D  Let me add that is is very hard to sew with your clothes still on. I should have taken my pants off then sewn.... but yeah that didn't happen. What if a fire started?? 

Here I would be hopping around pant-less. At least this way I'd just stab myself if I had to hastily pull my pants up.... there was no fire, only bad stitching...

So next time you rip a slip, bounce a button or slit your shirt Call:

Amanda Your friendly Bathroom Stall Seamstress

Pardon our smell, we'll get you mended up swell!

I'm up in stitches, smell ya later!

-Amanda

Cookies.... Lot's of Cookies

I love Walking Dead. Zombies scare the poop out of me. I have nightmares about zombies sleeping on my floor and having to whack them with something or stay very quiet. Last episode of Walking Dead the character Carol made cookies...... and put fear into a small boy...... but everything is alright.... as long as you keep  your mouth shut and just chew your cookies....
Sooo many funny meme's appeared plus a recipe that I'm going t make on Sunday for the next episode!!!

I'm just gonna go look at the Flour.....-Amanda

I’m an artist I can render anything ha ha

This is my drawing talent.....

Sometimes (a lot of the time) I have the most random thoughts about things. In the shower this morning I thought the house is quiet, and little too quiet, It’s a Ralph, a little too Ralph.... ahhhh Ninja Turtles how I love you. 

I always see those things that say “artist’s rendering” and I think to myself, I’m an artist I could render something.... oh how I wish I had actual drawing abilities.... If I try really hard I can, but that’s not my main form of art. I’m a graphic artist, I let my ideas fall into a computer program and then I bend it to my will. A mouse and key board are my tools of the trade. I really love it, I love everything the Adobe suites can help me do! I feel like I’m an artist in other ways, I love to try things, crochet, knitting, sewing, baking, writing and building. I feel like there is an artist in all of us needing to create. I do have a degree in computer networking, but switched to art, when my dad asked me why I said that my father (God) is a creator I feel like I need to create things like him. That’s how I feel about things that artist’s make, it is their talent to bring things to life. I love that we are all built with an ability to do something in our hearts something that makes us feel complete. My beautiful friend Georgia is becoming a nurse, I 100% believe that she is meant to do it. It’s natural for her it’s like breathing to care for people to fix there bodies to see what is hurting and broken. I really feel like I’m going to burst when I think about how proud I am of her and seeing and hearing the joy that she has learning  how to care for people and actually doing it.  oh the love!!!

Got my teeth cleaned they feel sort of ouchy now. I could hardly eat a banana.... I have a few cavities to fill., but not too bad. Butttttttt! I have to have my wisdom teeth out in the fall. At least it will be after the wedding.

I’ve ordered my corset for my wedding dress should be here by the end of the week!!! The shoes are a no go. Those evil things although beautiful have like a 3 inch platform on the front and I can’t walk in them, which is most of my job during the wedding. I figure I’m the most important walker, better not fall. So the shoe search continues. I feel like I have a ton of things to do before the wedding and I haven’t done any of them, well got them finished I have to finish the programs and flowers, mail the invites, get stamps to mail the invites. I still have time, but I feel like it’s going to creep up on me quick.

I’m really wanting to sew things!! I’ve got plans for a baby blanket for my cousin-to-be Kaylee and her new baby girl and I want to make things for my bridesmaids and oh yeah my dress and veil yadda yadda. I need to just roll my sewing machine out to the living room and get going. (I have a sewing room/office, but I made my machine mobile because I like to watch my big TV....) I also love opening the living room windows and enjoying the fresh air. I’m just going to buckle down and do it tonight! woot! I love making things so much!!!

While at Sam’s last night I saw Lilac bushes for sale. I sooooooo want one of these. We had one growing up and it is the best smell in the world the pretty purple flowers are wonderful to pick and put into a vase to freshen up the room or my office desk! I’d love to be able to bring fresh ones in. Flowers make me happy. I just cleaned up the front over the weekend and I’m ready to pick out some new flowers and planters for the front and on the deck for this weekend is cleaning out the back yard garden to get ready to plant hopefully next month.

I don’t work this weekend so we are having family over for a little dinner BBQ. The Dude is lord and master of the grill so I leave that up to him, I shall assist in any sides, but I shall preside over the dessert! My aunt’s favourite dessert is Key Lime pie... so I’m doing a take on that. My uncle can’t have milk, the dude can’t have gulten so in comes PALEO KIWI LEMON CHEESECAKE!!! I’m going to give it a test run this week and if it’s yucky back to the drawing board, but I thought it had everything for the makings of a truly tasty spring dessert everyone could enjoy!

http://www.paleolland.com/2014/paleo-kiwi-lemon-cheesecake/

PALEO KIWI LEMON CHEESECAKE

PREP TIME

30 mins

TOTAL TIME

30 mins

Author: Paleolland

INGREDIENTS

For the crust:

• ¾ cup (100 gr) raw nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts)
• 10 Medjool dates, pitted
• 3 tbsp cinnamon

For the filling:

• ½ cup (70 gr) cashews, soaked for 4-8 hours and rinsed
• 1½ cup coconut cream (leave a can of full fat coconut milk opened in the fridge overnight and scoop off the top part, this is coconut cream)
• ¼ cup honey
• juice of 2 lemons
• zest of 2 organic lemons
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• pinch of seesalt
• ½ cup coconut oil, liquefied
• optional drops of vanilla stevia

For topping

• 2 kiwis, peeled, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add nuts and dates to food processor and process.
2. Press nut-date mixture into a round 7" springform pan lined with unbleached parchment paper on the bottom.
3. Rinse your foodprocessor.
4. Place cashews, coconut cream, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and sea salt in the food processor and blend.
5. Add the coconut oil last while the processor is running.
6. Puree the mixture a few minutes until the cashews are completely broken down and you get a completely smooth, creamy mixture.
7. Taste your “cheese” and add stevia (optional) to suit your needs.
8. Pour filling onto crust
9. Scatter kiwis on top.

Gosh I just love that is going to be spring!!! Loving the weather, loving all the fun things coming up!!! Ahh1 It’s just so exciting to be out of the winter!!

See ya later springtime gators!
-Amanda

March in like a Lion, I like to work it, work it!

So for many March Madness is all about basketball. While in our home there always seems to be some sort of game on, my March is going to be mad with working out. I've finally (hopefully) pulled myself out of my winter funk where all I want to do is live indoor in a blanket, seriously I would want to be a house broken bear or some animal that hibernates. Call me when winter is gone.

So yet again up on the workout wagon. Today I hopped on the bike and did 20 mins at different resistances and speeds from one of those modes things, hit the button and the bike beeps at you like Pedal faster lumpy legs GO GO GO.... I can tell you where to shove all of your beeps bike, I'm pedaling as fast as they go today. All that sweaty work and only 100 calories gone. But it wasn't all bad I did get to watch part of Downton Abby on instant video. Fell off bike wattled upstairs and into the shower.

Packed my lunch a yummy salad with ham and ranch dressing, grabbed an apple and a banana and out the door.  I went planning of sticking to the food stuffs I brought to eat, but that went a little out the window when I went to the bookmobile to grab my reserved books.  I bought a vanilla ice cream cone.... I've been WANTING ice cream forever. I made frozen bananas last night and while super yummy it just didn't fill that ice cream void... oh well I have tons of work out stuff tonight, kickboxing and PiYo! Woot!

BTW I looked like a total creeper at the bookmobile... I got 3 Joe Hill books (horror) and The Marked Ones (horror) movie, plus when I checked out I bet she could see that I still had The Boy Who Drew Monsters (I'm reading currently) lol it's just me, but if I were her I'd be weirded out that this chick is way into creepiness.... They just all became available at the same time!!! and yes I do like creepy from time to time, but it doesn't usually look so um.... much... So off I went with my stack of hide-under-your-blankets fuel and headed back to work.

I am hopping that the salad/ice cream cone tides me over today. I do have a delicious apple and if that doesn't do the trick I have lightly salted popcorn I can nuke.

I've got a wedding dress to look wonderful in and a fun summer ahead so hitting the workouts hard and trying to become better in what I eat.

Toast triangels and ta- ta!
-Amanda

Dali is my inspiration..... sometimes.... okay when it comes to mustaches..... but not weddings....

My Dali and me! So I learned how to make a little heart today during lunch today at work.  I self taught.... myself...... to crochet. Picking up bits from others YouTube etc. But today I learn to make something besides a rectangle-ish object. I was so happy, it was a ton of fun to get together with the ladies and tie ourselves in knots :)

A Few Wedding stuffs!!! 

I've been writing a list of everything we need and everything that has been done and now I'm trying to update it. Whew almost there. Just have to add a few things and buy a few more things..... and sew... yes sew.... I'm sort of making my own wedding dress....

I'm excited thought this should be sort of the final product. I have a really good frame going on, just need to add more layers to the bottom, bustle it and make a belt.

I am so proud to be wearing my Blondie's veil, I've always loved it. When finished I'm not sure if I'll wear it like this, but I'm looking  at different hairstyles to attach it to, but either way it's beautiful.

SHOES!!!!

I am currently watching for these on ebay... I would Love to have them!!!!!

My Bridesmaids, probably a little something like-a dis

Our colors are gray and yellow.

And finally collecting/buying quart-sized jars for center pieces. The Dude is wanting to make little boxes for them to stand up on so they are taller. :) I think the lemons will be just beautiful!!

And that's about all I've got for now :) I've designed the wedding programs and invites. I've asked one of my beautiful bridesmaid's, who's also an artist, to paint us a tree so we can have a tree thumbprint guestbook, I'm really excited about that. The Dude came up with that idea. We are making our own food and THERE WILL BE ICEE MACHINES!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!  I'm excited. 

My Dude made me smile yesterday, he was excited in 4 months he gets a wife and new cooking pans! 

Well heck who could ask for more! HA HA

Lot's of tulle and actin' like a fool :P

-Amanda

Sooo who doesn't love a montage of the past couple of months in photos??!?!

lol I had a friend recently ask about if I do a blog... well I do, but I suck at getting it updated. It turns out to be a catch up on life journal of sorts, and add in a few weight loss things and boom, that's my blog ha ha, but I hope to keep it up more regularly. Let's catch up shall we!?!?

October 2014 I was a scarecrow for Halloween :D

November 2014 Would turn out to be the best birthday yet! I turned 31! Here is me and my Blondie :)

My mom and Dad FINALLY got me an Ice cream maker I've ben asking for an ice cream maker FOR-EV-ER!!!

See this beautiful view? It scared the crap out of me and became one of my favorite places in the whole world all at once. My Dude took me to Kansas City for my birthday the first place we went was the WW1 museum, it was really neat, but I could tell he was very nervous or didn't feel well. He finally got me to right up in the elevator to the top of the tower. It was crazy windy and my feel felt numb. I was working my way around the tower when he said, Babe, I looked around and there he was on one knee. I will never forget it. 

In his hand he held up the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, it is rose gold with 4 other types of citrine diamonds in it. (the color of my birthstone) He asked me to marry him. YES! YES YES!!!!
June 28th, 2015 He and I will be married 

I will become Mrs. Dude  :D

National Kiss a Ginger Day!!! 

Leela likes her Dude

Had to take them to the vet..... Leela hid behind the bananas......

THEN IT WAS CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!

Family Time

Making cookies!!!

Wrapping presents..... with my useless helper..... thanks for holding down the furniture Phil....

My mom brought us a nativity, I've always wanted my own :)

Beautiful diamond earrings from my luv :)

We cook ALL the TIME!!

We once made this meatloaf that looked like a dinosaur brain.....

We bought a food saver! We love to freeze meats etc and making to-go salads.

Fresh green beans with garlic and butter!!

I was so excited to make this gluten free bread ( the dude can't have gluten) It didn't rise then  I started to bake it and it did... then it fell... and tasted like booty.... ahhh try again another day....

BUT I am good at making GF pancakes that are pretty amazing.

So then it was Valentine's day and it was wonderful, except both of us got sick ..... :-/ He got me these amazing chocolates that were hand ground and poured. Three different flavors, salt and pepper, coffee and cinnamon and chili pepper. They are so amazing!! I also told him that I would love to tan before the wedding to have a little color. Do you know what that stinker did? He went out and made me a Black Tier member, I can tan on anything I want and I get free spray tans. He takes good care of me. (exclude any cancer stuff, I don't tan all the time, It was pretty sweet)


So guess what you get next??? That's right Wedding Plan stuff!!!!!
Woot!

Lots of love and sprinkles and sweets!

-Amanda