Snow makes me nuts...

First off, I apologize for the lack of posting lately (Zizi Nikki...mostly - because I'm sure you are the only one anxious to read my posts!).

Second off...we got MORE snow! Just when you think it has stopped...we wake up to a whole 'nother go round with it.

It looks like it's stopped for the most part right now, but it's still semi windy which just blows it all around like it's snowing anyways!

Hopefully it'll be done until...well for the rest of the winter?

Is that too much to ask for?

I hope not! :-)

I should be back on the posting band wagon by the weekend...I have a few things to share anyways.

Don't worry...they are nothing all too exciting so don't get your hopes all up high!

Plus, this is like a journal for me. Kind of. I would like to eventually print this out in pieces. Maybe I'll do it by the years.

You know...just as a reminder of how I'm feeling day to day, what we do in this uneventful (I like it that way) life of ours. Just reminders of our every days.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love,

Bella

Day 24 of 30: It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

When we awoke this morning, Ryan peeked out the window and said it was snowing. I, of course, followed with a, "whaaat?! a lot?!"

He said no and I went about my morning and got into the shower...

Afterwards, I went into the living room and noticed the snow was coming down quite quickly and there was a good coating on the cars in the parking lot.

I have to admit, I am NOT ready for snow to come. I don't think I'm even prepared for winter!

Needless to say, it stopped by about 8:30am, but my ride to work took 10 minutes longer.

Looks like Mr. Winter is really here... I am just waiting for that first big snowfall...I simply can't wait (not the sarcastic tone in my voice if I were really speaking to you!).

**as I am typing the lower part of this post...THE SUN IS OUT!!! YAY!!!





On a cuter note, I found this HERE.

I think I just may have to copy it. Or tweek it and make my own version!

I got out our Christmas decor yesterday. I didn't start putting anything up yet. I had the smallest inkling of putting a few things up, but my Mister is all about waiting until the weekend after Thanksgiving...

looks like I'll be hitting up some stores for new decor...

I also have a really cute idea for the ceiling part of our 'breakfast bar'. I just can't wait!!! I'll post pictures after I start to decorate!

Day 9 of 30: Winter is quickly approaching

First snow fall of 2008 - Friday November 7th.

Can you believe it?!

I mean, I know we live in Chicagoland and it's November, but can't you wait until at least December, Mother Nature?!

I do not lie; I was working, sitting at my desk with a window view. I was walking back from the bathroom and I noticed white flakes quickly trying to make their way to the ground, which fortunately was a little to warm for the flakes because upon touching down, they melted immediately. Thankfully.

I don't know about you, but I'm just not ready for the snow. Part of me wishes that we lived somewhere warmer, but the other part of me thinks that Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the cold weather. Not to mention, all (or most) of your friends and family are here.

In my perfect world, the weather would be a nice sixty degrees, with leaves on trees matching the beautiful hues of fall weather.

I just love Fall.

I only wish it would stay around consistently for more than a month tops.

It's been flurrying ever since Friday on and off. Still nothing sticking, but it is awfully cold if you're outside for more than, oh 30 seconds. Which makes walking the dog three times a day brutal.

What is your favorite season and why? Do you like snow? Where would you move if you could pick anywhere your little heart desires?

This is what I feel like we are enclosed in right now. Note: it is currently in the season of SPRING people!!! Luckily it's not sticking to the ground much. WTF?! Where is the sunshine? Where is the (at least) 50 degree weather? Where is that smell of Spring that I should be smelling right now?

On another note, I have agreed to do a little weight loss group thingy. I thought it would give me a little motivation to know that others were doing it too. My goal is not too high. I would LOVE to lose 10 pounds. FYI...I have gained a total of 12 pounds since I've moved in with my honey. I guess there is just more temptation around and the comfort of being with that one person.

Today is just a lot of random things that I can think of. My mind is all sorts right now because of the weather and just because :-)

I was talking with my co-workers (and friends, come to think of it via email) about plants and the fact that I can't seem to keep them alive. I have this huge plant (no flowers) that my mom has grown and repotted. I CAN seem to keep that alive, but I think it's only because it's older and not so young and able to die easily. My main problem is....I FORGET TO WATER THEM. I don't even necesarily forget to water them...I think about it and either a) I'm not at home and CAN'T water them or b) I tell myself I'll do it tomorrow and, well, tomorrow comes and goes. Seriously, I have killed an Easter Lilly in a matter of 1 1/2 weeks...WOW! I did remember and ACTUALLY did it...to water the plants this morning....so I give myself brownie points for that!

What else do I have to share...oh, we signed our 'contract' for our reception site for the wedding. We also picked out all of our flowers and met with a photographer (man are they expensive...but I guess I'm also cheap!).

Have to get going....trying to work and blog...doesn't work all too well :-)

Confessions of snooooow

Okay so I have a confession to make...

I HEART Walgreens!!!

I have been there probably MORE than a handfull of times in just this past week!!! Seriously, yesterday, I went there twice. And I really didn't even go for more than one thing. But we all know how that works out. You go in for one thing, you come out with, oh maybe 5+ things!!! I could shop there EVERY SINGLE DAY if I let myself, but then we wouldn't have any money...'cause I wouldn't put it past myself to buy one of everything in that store! It's hard. I have to tell myself NO sometimes when I think about going there. It's one of my many addictions!!!

Oh and we got MORE snow!!! These pics are actually from Tuesday morning. We got a couple of inches over night on Monday. But last night...I was waiting for my Mister to get home...falling asleep on the couch and when I got up to get into bed, I looked outside and saw the cars covered by about an inch of MORE SNOW!!! Arghghgh....how frustrating...I just want it to get warmer outside. It looks like my wishes may come true. I just heard on the radio that on Sunday it's supposed to rainy and a high of 50 DEGREES!!! That is awesome...well, not the rain part...I can bet you I will have a headache that day! Ick!!!

IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!! WOO HOO!!!

Nothing much to post...

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a couple days. Well, I'm not sure who I'm saying sorry to...because I only know of 2 people that regularly read my blog. And to those who do....well I double apologize because I'm not sure if I'm entertaining you or boring you!

Let's see, we got some more snow on Monday night. It was supposed to be an accumulation of up to 10 inches, but we got lucky and only got about 4...woo hoo! I have a new outlook on snow now though. My current theory is, we live in the Midwest and it's winter...deal with it! Right?!?! I mean, IT IS the Midwest. If you really hate snow and winter that much, them maybe this is not the right locale for you! Of course, I say this now that I have 4wd! Ask me last year and I'd hate it too! I really think that has A LOT to do with it!

Our treadmill is still not put together. It is one step further though, it made it's way up the stairs and into our living room! That's a good thing, right?! Thanks bunches to my future BIL. He came over and help my Mister carry it inside...all the while I was working! Just thought I'd update you some. Plus, I'm trying to burn through the last couple of minutes work!

Hopefully more to come tomorrow! Ciao!

Got Snow?

We do...want some of it?!

Dear Winter

Oh Winter, how I hate to love you. While I love that silence you bring on those white snowy nights, I do not like how you make traffic stop and my head spin! You frustrate me when I think about how long my ride home will be, even though I live like 2 miles from work.



Don't get me wrong, Winter, you are so beautiful and peaceful. So graceful and white. I just wish you would pick a span of time and stick to it. No late in the season snows, pretty please? At least this year, and well maybe next?!

And P.S. Can you please not snow on our Wedding Day next year? Well, maybe a dusting to make it pretty, but no road hazards?!

(I'm knocking on wood now incase I just jinxed us!)

Outlook: SNOOOOOWWWWW!!!

Well, boys and girls...ITS GONNA BE A SNOWY ONE!

As you can see from the weather report that I listed below,

courtesy of NOAA.GOV we're supposed to get somewhere around

4 to 12 inches of snow here in the Midwest! I don't mind it, but I'd

rather be sitting at home and not having to work in the mess!

Oh well! Good luck all!!!!

Tonight: Periods of snow with areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 30. Windy, with a northeast wind between 20 and 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.


Wednesday: Periods of snow with areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 30. Blustery, with a north northeast wind between 20 and 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

p.s. I'll keep you posted with pics!

Blah Days & Spa Days

This is what you will see if you look out the window here...I personally, think it's time for the snow to go! I am one of those who likes snow on Christmas Day and that's about it! Why do I live here, you may ask...well, all (or most) of our family is here. How I wouldn't LOVE to be somewhere where the average temperature is 60s to 70s...but that is just not reality! I would miss everyone so much too! It is actually sunny today and supposed to warm up to 23 degrees (I think!). After all the holiday days off at work, it makes me not want to go back! But it is something we all (or most of us) must do...I just get in that blah mood though! OH WELL!

This Sunday, I will be using my gift certificate that I got from my future Mother-In-Law (MIL). I am going to the spa and getting a manicure, pedicure, facial AND massage. I am SO looking forward to that! It will AMAZING!

What do you do to lift your spirits in this cold, freezing weather???

Apple Flapjacks and Bangs

Dutch Apple Pancake...you have to try it, it's sooo good!

Ingredients (or you can get the recipe here)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium cooking apples, peeled, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
2 eggs

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Generously grease 9-inch glass pie plate with shortening or cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Add apples; toss and set aside.
2. In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and butter to boiling; reduce heat to low. Add Bisquick mix; stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat; beat in eggs, one at a time. Continue beating until smooth.
3. Spread batter in bottom of pie plate. Arrange apples on top to within 1 inch of edge of pie plate.
4. Bake about 23 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden brown. Serve immediately.

Finished Product (this is MY picture...it's real!)

I like to sprinkle a little bit of powdered sugar on top of it and that's it. Oh it is so good...and I feel like I'm eating healthily (probably not!) since there are apples in it!

On a side note...I GOT BANGS!!!

I LOVE them!!!

LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW (but not too much, thank you!)