TSE 2011:" Off The Hook" Teen Event

Maggie and me literally got to be 16 again!!! And ohhh how much fun it was. We are in Phoenix at The Special Event conference loving every minute of it! Check out Maggie's blog called Sassy Affairs to see more pictures. All these are from my phone so please excuse me!

the BIG purchase

At 3am this morning I was awoken by some lovely residents at my apartment complex having a dance party in the parking lot. Really, 3am? *News Flash* Some people have to work early in the morning and do not appreciate the bumpin' bass lullaby. You are not Michael Jackson, you can't do the moon walk, go inside and dream (quietly) about being him.

I can't help but wonder if these poor souls, who obviously are coming home from a night at the bar, are the ones commenting on Facebook about not having their Financial Aid money yesterday. The ones that need it for "books" and "rent" and "gas" and "food." The ones who use government money to support their bad habits. I'm on Financial Aid, but I also work really really really hard so that I don't get stuck in a bind like that. I also work really hard knowing that someday, I have to pay all that money back. It's borrowed money, it is not mine.

Rant over, I'm usually not this mean about things, but since I was wide awake until 4am, I'm a tad bitter.

This post is about my BIG purchase that I'm planning to make. I'm sure most of you, my dear readers, can guess, that I am planning to buy a house. Huntsville is where I plan to be awhile. I love working for the school, I love the town, I don't want to leave. Huntsville is my home sweet home these days.

I'm ready to buy a house so that I can stop draining money into an apartment that I don't get any value out of. I'm ready to live AWAY from the student housing apartments, of loud neighbors, tiny spaces, and horrible parking. I'm ready for a place that I can call my very own. There's a new neighborhood going up in Huntsville, that we are SUPER interested in. Brand new houses with most of the amenities that I LOVE. But we are also looking at some other options. It's my dream to live in the Avenues, just have to find the right little bungalow. I have a few wants, mixed with a few of AOK's wants. In no particular order:

1. Storage, Storage, Storage. Ok, I lied... this is the most important to me. This is the number one priority.
2. Garage, or dirtbike holding facility is up there too. Living rooms are not proper places to store a dirtbike *ahem.*
3. I'd like some space, where I don't have to go to sleep to my next door neighbors conversations or tv.
4. I would love love love love love love love a fireplace. Not that we would use it all the time. But there is something about fireplaces that just make a house a home.
5. Commute is somewhat important to me. It doesn't take more than 10 minutes to get anywhere in Huntsville, but I really like going home for lunch, but it's not a necessity.

Well, I think that covers it. The reason I break my silence now, is not to jinx myself, which I originally thought I would do, but to actually ask for advice. This is a scary time for me and a HUGE purchase. Just like I told Andy, this isn't like I'm buying a car, or a dirtbike, or a new purse, this is a MAJOR investment and I have to be wise. Any advice from you people would be helpful :-D

Happy Weekend guys!

Blogfully,

Cameron

Here we go!

Let's kick off with a fab blog for 2011! I caught the resolution bug this year... which I never really do, so let's see how long my resolutions will last! In no specific order:

1. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! I'm in SAVINGS mode, so I can afford that *BIG* purchase I keep alluding to... we should know more here in a couple of weeks! Yay!
2. I plan to try a new recipe at least ONCE a week. I've been super into cooking the past few weeks and I plan on going full steam ahead. Once I figure out how to use my tabs up there, I will upload some recipes! Which leads me to my next resolution.
3. I promise to AT LEAST update my blog TWICE a week. Now I will try for three, but I can only promise (and resolve!) 2! So we'll see how I do :-D For blog purposes 1 week will be Monday-Sunday :-D
4. I've resolved to get fit this year. Started my new lifestyle as I call it last Monday, January 3rd, and as of last night I've lost 4.4 pounds! Go me! :-D

Work and life in Huntsville has been going routine as usual. Looking forward to what 2011 has to offer! I'll update more specifically soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Blogfully,

Cameron

Another Friday

Short post, because the computer is literally sitting in andy's lap as we are watching a movie for date night. BUT I need to post my TGIF for this lovely Friday!

Trust, I trust that everyone will really remember the reason for the season. We passed the Woodlands Mall earlier and it was PACKED. I get caught up in the gift buying too. I just have to remember why we celebrate this joyous season.

Gratitude, thanks to Andy for making tonight purely perfect. Best date night in awhile! He makes me happy happy, i'm a lucky girl.

Inspiration, my boss inspires me everyday to strive to do my best every week, it inspires me to grow into a young professional.

Short, lame post. More tomorrow hopefully.

Blogfully,

Cameron

TGIF! Sort of.

Ok it's Saturday, but I'm going to pretend it's still Friday :-D

Another Friday, another week over AND the closer we get to Christmas! I'm just waiting for that break, it's going to be soooo relaxing. I have lots of plans to read books, build furniture, and work on [other people's] wedding plans. Alex and me [and a few others] found her reception venue yesterday YAY! I know she feels relieved now that she has that down and a set date. The venue is perfect for her and exactly what she was looking for. I went to my Godparent's last night and my cousin Matt and his fiance Crystal picked out their save the dates from me. We all had fun talking for a good 2 hours. Matt is going to make their wedding a crazy party, but not if Crystal has anything to do with it. No Thong Song, right guys? They are fun and he is so much like Andy it's scary haha. ;-D

If any of you guys are getting married out there and need some help planning the process/day of coordinator/or even some special wedding products [invites & stamps] give me a call or email. You can check out Meredith and mine's website here: BrickWood Events If you need some invites or save the dates ask me about some special pricing just because you read my blog :-D

Now on to my TGIF post:

Trust. Today I trust that I will finalllllly figure out something to get Andy for Christmas. I'm getting down to the wire and I'm not sure what to get him anymore... BOO.

Gratitude. Today I feel grateful for the way that my mama raised me. I was telling my fam last night that as I was driving to town I was thinking about all the weird quirks my mom has taught me to believe is the norm. I just feel so blessed for the way I was raised. My mama did a pretty good job... all on her own.

Inspiration. I just watched on the news how an anonymous "elf" put $5,500 in a Salvation Army bellringer bucket... not leaving his name or anything. Doesn't this inspire you to act selfless and modestly? You don't need recognition for your good deeds, the only person that that's important to knows, because He is all knowing.  Inspires me to do kind meaningful things and not to get credit from it but to do it because it's the right thing to do.

Well, I just heard my mama come into the house, singing, she's in a good mood today haha I love visiting home, but only when she's singing.

Blogfully,

Cameron

i heart sundays.

I think this would be me in the 1950s. The Sunday paper with the SALE ads in my hand... looooove and my Tupperware obsession. I tend to prep snacks/breakfasts/lunches ect., for the week on Sundays. It's easier to grab on the go when I'm rushing out the door at 8:02am... ok... 8:15am for my 8am job.

The first thing I do on Sunday mornings when I wake up is check the sale ads. I LOVED it when we got The Chronicle delivered, but that for some reason has stopped. I don't know what it is about newsprint mixed with coffee, but it just makes the morning special. I'm a nerd, deal with it, you must like me a little if you're reading this. Anywho, now that the paper has disappeared I have resorted to my computer. Which I find at least five bajillion things I need and usually restrict myself to only purchase one sale ad item per week. Am I the only one out there that has a relationship with Sunday ads? Anyone else? Anyone?

The weekend was good. For the first time, in a looooooong time, I actually had quite a bit of down time. I stayed in the fabulous Huntsvegas and Linds came to visit, I showed her around the square yesterday afternoon. The Christmas Fair on the Square was a big fat flop. Luckily, I wasn't going with a purpose. I have my Christmas list DONE, except for Andy. Dang. He's been the hard one this year. Uggggh. Any ideas?

Andy and me rain checked me cooking tonight for tomorrow because his parents came to town and we had a late late lunch. Plus, he's working tonight, so I would have felt rushed. I hate it when he has to work nights at the gym. But it's his job and those are super hard to come by these days, so I should be thankful!

This should be an easy week this week. Check back tomorrow for a special spotlight I am going to do starting every Monday. It'll be fun and cute and hopefully you will think so too! Have a great week ya'll.

Blogfully,

Cameron

TGIF

Yes, it's Friday, wait, are we sure? Yes! It is FRIDAY! But I'm not thanking God or Goodness or Gosh or any other G-words that it's Friday in my post title. And I'm not hungry for TGI Fridays... nor will I ever be, another story, another time. I'm doing something a little different. I saw this on my friend Nicole's blog over at a Mighty Courage. She found it on another blog, called Ordinary Courage and I just think it's a neat thing to reflect on, on a happy day like FRIDAY.

TGIF stands for Trust, Gratitude, and Inspiration Friday.

Today, I am trusting in myself, that I will wake up tomorrow morning at 8AM. On my sleep-in day. But let's be honest in the past 3 years I can probably count on my fingers and toes how many times I've actually slept past 8ishAM. I need to clean my car out and I promised myself I'd do it tonight, while Andy is at work, but I let Tivo distract me. So I'm trusting myself, to set the alarm, actually GET OUT OF BED, and do it. The getting out of bed part is the hardest because it's just so snuggly and warm under the covers in the morning, who wants to leave such a cozy, inviting space? Not me. Ever. But I have to. Tomorrow.

Today, I am gracious for the absolute beautiful weather. Andy came by the office today and wanted to go to lunch, so we picked up something on campus, and ATE OUTSIDE, at a picnic table. It was cute and perfect and made the day a bit brighter... wait, that was probably the sun shining so bright... by any means it was a perfect afternoon lunch.

Today, I am inspired by blogs. I'm in the process of  making a MAJOR purchase and when I say MAJOR, I mean MAJOR as in the MAJOREST (yes, I made this word up) of them all. I don't want to come out and say it outright just yet, but I think all my readers are pretty smart and can figure out what THE MAJOREST purchase is. Anywho, I've been blog hunting stalkng and finding inspiration. I have a folder on my computer titled: "Major Inspiration." I also clip the pictures out of magazines I want to hold on to, especially right now during the holidays. Mmmmm... wait until you see my future ta... oh wait, I'm not going to finish that sentence just yet.

Linds and me are going to the Christmas Fair on the Square tomorrow in Huntsvegas. Who knew we had such a thing? This will be my first year and I just learned about it a mere 48 hours ago. But you can't hold me back! Plus, I'm excited to spend the day with my fave Yankee, as Andy would so dearly call her. Then Sunday, will be a study day for a final presentation I have Tuesday. OH AND I'm making Andy and me a delicious dinner from The Pioneer Woman's cookbook. Prepared to be amazed. Hmm... I might have just changed my mind to cook something else... Hmmm... I'm not sure, you'll just have to come find out. Hope you all have a fab weekend.

Blogfully,

Cameron