Isn't She Lovely...

Imagine my surprise when I was nominated not once, but three times for the One Lovely Blog award!  I feel so loved.  A big, big thank you to Anne, Melissa and Ash for the nominations, you gals are the best!

With every blog award, there are some rules to follow.  I am supposed to share seven random facts and nominate seven other bloggers.  The truth is, the blogs I would have nominated have already done this - so I'm breaking the rules a bit.  I'm such a rebel.

Here are my seven random (?) facts:

// I could eat pizza for every meal for the rest of my life.

// I go between having really long hair, getting sick of it, chopping it, getting sick of short hair, and growing it out again.

// My older sister is way smarter than me - she has a PhD, is a professor, teaches online classes and is a Behavior Therapist for children with Austism. 

// I love love love winter for Christmas and snow, but often find myself feeling blue from November - April.  Dark at 4pm?  No.  This girls needs sunshine!

// E is becoming my little shopping buddy, which is really fun... but I'm afraid I am creating a monster.

// Some days I don't feel like blogging.  There, I said it! 

// I am trying to save every extra penny so that we can sell our house and move in the Spring.  My husband is spending every said penny!  Who needs custom made suits and work shirts?  Apparently he does.

So there you have it - seven random facts that you probably didn't need or care to know, but know them now anyway!  Again, thank you to the wonderful ladies that nominated me!

Today is Monday so I am linking up with Emily for Grateful Heart Monday.  Today I'm grateful for blogging.  Never did I think, eight months ago, that this little whim of mine would become such a big part of my life.  The people I have met are inspiring, thoughtful, and caring.  I'm also grateful to those of you who have made this a happy place for me!

PS.  All ad spots are still 25% off until midnight tonight!  Use code THANKFUL. :)


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TV Shows I've Given Up On

By now, it shouldn't be a secret that I love tv.  I always have.  My DVR is often my favorite way to relax - and it is quite busy recording all of my shows.  One of the biggest differences between Tim and I is that he likes to watch mostly sports - whereas I like anything but sports.  Very rarely, we'll find one we both like (Dexter, Friday Night Lights, to name a few.  PS I will always love Tim Riggins.)

Over the years, there have been a number of shows that I have been committed to.  (Uh, Grey's Anatomy?  When will you end?)  There have also been shows that I've given up on.

Source

// Vampire Diaries.  Even my extreme love for Damon can't keep me interested.  I really, really enjoyed this series before Elaina's transition - since then, it's been a little "meh" in my opinion.  I even deleted four unseen episodes because they've just been sitting there on my DVR.

// Red Band Society.  Truth be told here, I didn't watch more than two episodes.  I'm a sucker for teenage dramas, so I thought I would be all over this.  I found it a bit depressing and over the top as far as devastating things that can happen.  Not to mention the fact that it is completely unrealistic.

// Revenge.  This one barely made this list.  I started watching it recently on Netflix, and I don't know why it lost my interest.  I liked the idea of it, but always found myself choosing something else over it.  Those of you who still watch it - should I go back?

// The Taste.  I'm not much of a foodie, but I liked the premise behind this one.  Sort of Top Chef meets The Voice.  Recently, I've seen some commercials for the beginning of this season - and all they did was remind me that I didn't miss it.

// Stalker.  I was so excited for this one - and even Tim watched with me!  But again, it become too predictable and almost boring to us.  If we'd both rather do laundry than watch this, it's a problem.

// Always Sunny.  The early years of Always Sunny were amazing.  I can't pinpoint when it stopped being funny to us, but it did.  Maybe it felt a little forced?  Is it even still on?

// Almost Scandal.  My sister got me to start watching this in the Tampa airport when our flight was delayed five hours.  I wasn't in to it.  It could have been the fact that we were sitting there for that long, or that we were sharing earphones - either way, I didn't get past the second episode.  Last year, after hearing all of the hype, I gave it another try.  And I'm so glad I did!

Have any of you given up on the same shows?  Any others that didn't make my list?  And while we are at it, share your favorites so I can add them to Netflix.  Bonus points if the men in your life like it too.  I wish there were more shows that Tim and I liked to watch together.  Right now we only have Homeland and Shameless (PS we're behind on both, so don't spoil anything!)

Linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

PS - Take 25% of any ad space with code THANKFUL!

Family, Friends and the Hawkeyes

I told you Friday that I was going to Iowa to tailgate, watch the Hawks, and relive my college days.  I did just that... and more.  As promised, I did make it back for Monday, even if I am feeling quite old today.

Tim's best friend and his wife went with us and we made the best of our weekend together!  Saturday started early, as all Iowa tailgating days do.  We bundled up, made hot chocolate with Bailey's, and remembered life as teenagers as my Dad drove us to our tailgating destination. 

In case you don't know, we played Wisconsin.  Tim is the oldest of twenty three grandchildren.  23.  Including spouses, seven of us are Hawkeyes and five are Badgers - so far.  It's a family rivalry and we love to give each other a hard time.  Some of us met for the day, and it was so much fun.  I love spending time with our families - there is so much love, fun and memories made each time.

Today I'm thankful for my parents - who drove us to Iowa City, watched the girls all day, and then made the trip back to pick us up later that night.  I'm grateful for Tim and his family and all of the love there.  I'm grateful for friends that feel like family.  Most of all, I'm thankful that both Tim and I chose to go to school at Iowa.  If we hadn't, we never would have met - and none of this past weekend would have happened.

Being in Iowa City reminded me just how old I am - but we still managed to have a great time.  I finished the day with a Marco's grilled cheese, and for that, I will never be too old!

Linking up with Emily.

Cheers!

We made it through another week friends.  This weekend, I'm off to Iowa City to tailgate, go out, and generally just pretend that I am a college student again.  Let's hope I survive and make it back for Monday.

While I am off reliving my youth, take a moment to read these posts from this past week.  And, go and visit my co-host, Brianna from XO, Brianna Leigh.

"The Cup Song and Some Blogger Love" by Knock on Wood Blog.  I love Amanda's performance of this!  And the outtakes at the end are hilarious.  This is a must see!

"Napa Valley Day 1" by Martin Manifesto.  (Also, Day 2 and Day 3).  Napa Valley is somewhere I've been begging Tim to take me for years.  Leslie breaks down her activities - and even will share her itinerary if you ask nicely!  Bookmarking this to pick her brain once we finally book a trip.

"The Importance of the Father/Daughter Bond" by Love the Here and Now.  I'm very close to my Dad and understand first hand how important this is.  Watching Tim with our girls is so amazing, and something that I wish for every little girl.

"...Let's List It" by the Florkens.  Any post that gives a blogger content to write about, is one to save.  If you haven't already checked this one out, I highly recommend it.  You might even come up with your next blog post idea!

"A Letter to Myself" by The Samantha Life.  I love this open, honest letter that Samantha wrote to herself.  I think we can all learn this lesson - don't be so hard on yourself.  Give yourself a break, and enjoy everything that you have been blessed with.

What are you favorite posts from this week?  Link up below and tell us!  One rule: Please share at least one post by another blogger in your post.  Hop around to see the rest of our faves and say hello!

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