AWKWARD AND AWESOME

AWESOME

This week has been so much more low key then last, thank goodness.

Sunday dinners at the Simpson house!

Easter is upon us. Do you ever wonder how Mormon's celebrate Easter, or how we define our relationship with Jesus Christ? What makes us different? What makes us Christians? I know it can be intimidating to ask...but I invite you to visit this website (which is incredibly uplifting no matter your faith) or speak to the missionaries. In fact, Mormon missionaries are free to chat with you on Facebook if you're nervous about speaking to them in person, or only have one or two questions to ask. Please let me know!

Powering through your day, listening to Tiny Desk concert after Tiny Desk concert. Night Beds, they got it.

Earlier this week I ordered take out at The Loop in San Marco. When I got there I realized I had forgotten my wallet, but the guy working insisted I take the food and just call in later to pay. Tender mercies.

AWKWARD

Watching the singer of Night Beds as he cranks out those tunes. John Mayer level weird faces here.

Taking 10 minutes and a 27 point turn to get out of my parking space this morning. Boxed in by a hulking minivan, a freak sedan who doesn't know how to park and a gigantic double cab truck. -_____-

GILLIGAN PEE'D ON MY BRAND NEW DUVET UGGHHHRAGGGEEEEE
Does anyone have experience with a dog who never pee's in the house...except when there are large swaths of fabric left on the floor? Seriously if you leave a sheet or a towel on the floor, or heaven forbid kick your duvet off in the night, that little idiot pees on it!

SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA PUT SOME HOLES IN THE WALL

We've had a big ol' green mirror sitting in our living room since we moved in almost 4 months ago. In our first apartment we had a lovely mantle where the mirror rested perfectly, leaning against the wall just so. I took so few pictures of the inside of that crummy little place...kind of regretting it now.

Anyway, I have been hemming and hawwing over hanging that mirror, actually putting screws into the wall and everything, since moving in. My fear kept me from doing anything about it. Last weekend I had about enough and I did the darn thing! Danielle helped me find a good place and hang some tape and I did it!
She also relayed some choice and important words: Kipin you are being too careful.

Since then I've hung 4 more pictures. I'm hoping to post a little house tour soon. For now, I invite you to go home and grab a nail and a hammer and eyeball your pictures up onto the wall. Don't let them just sit there in a box or leave them forgotten on a shelf. What's the worst that could happen? You'll have an unwanted hole the size of a toothpick left behind. Seriously. Sometimes we make the craziest rules for ourselves.

TIME OF THE SEASON

Fact: I can get more chores done in my hour lunch break, or the afternoon before company comes over, then I can in an entire lazy, albiet free, weekend. 

There's something thrilling to me in running around like a lunatic, sandwich in one hand basket of laundry in the other. I like deadlines, lists, a littttle bit of stress. 

 I claimed that winter was over and summer was here. This morning it was 58 degrees in my house, I guess I was wrong. I am completely not used to this... guess you call it spring? But I like it. To me, it feels like a deadline. How much can I get done before the weather outside turns mean and sweaty? How much longer can I sleep underneath a comforter? How much longer can I leave the screen door open for Gilligan to come and go as he pleases? This race has long been known as spring cleaning, but to me it's a whole new world. I am finding joy in making my home beautiful, in throwing away old post cards and notebooks with only half of the pages filled: junk I have carried with me for 5-6-7 years? For what reason? I don't know and I don't let myself think too much about it before throwing it away. My house is a mess but it's coming together. I'm making my deadline, dang it!

On a (sort of) related note, Jared and I watched the documentary 'Happy' the other night. It didn't say anything I hadn't heard before, but it did touch my heart. Since watching it I've thought a lot about my relationship with myself, and especially with God. Am I doing everything I can to make myself the happiest? No probably not. The inside of me has been left fallow for too long, my heart and mind need some serious spring cleaning as well. 

AWKWARD AND AWESOME FRIDAY; WITH A SMILE

I have become a big time weekend warrior. This week slipped right on past and what a huge blessing. I could was philisophical about how much I adore the weekend, but plenty of country singers have done that for me. A few things that helped me get through the work week, and I hope will help you get through the last few hours of yours

AWKWARD

• Gilligans favorite toy is my childhood panda, Reno. He ripped poor reno's face off and gutted her, so naturally this was the next step. 

ROBOT GAZE.

• I haven't been grocery shopping all month. We have 2 old bags of salad and a jug of water in our fridge, thats pretty much it

AWESOME

• over and over and over again
• Having friends who feel they can confide in me. That makes me feel like a swell person, you know? Makes me feel like I did something right. 

HELLO FROM UNDER THE MOUNTAIN

Today is not a good day. Yesterday was mediocre. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but life ain't rosey all the time. I feel tired and hormonal and slightly overwhelmed. I have been on a steep learning curve the past week and a half. You know that feeling where you just smile and nod and say "Yes" but in your head you're screaming "What?!". In a way it makes me miss school, where success was tightly defined. Brackets were given for excellence and each peice of work was graded to that scale. Through it all I feel I've been able to keep my head above water. I have accomplished, am accomplishing, things that make me swell with pride (only to be quickly deflated by some new twist)

Not having time to sit and write is stressful as well. I have things I need out of my head. Stubenville! The horrid stay at a Days Inn last weekend! Golf Tournaments! Long days at Disney with children and a saint of an Aunt! But for now I will take solace on this little bitty entry and resolve to make more time in the future.

In other news, though today isn't stellar and business aside, last week really was. I am so greatful for my dear  little Jared. We really do make a great team and he makes me happy to be alive. Also, it is officially summer. I am calling it today folks. Our 3 days spring is over and its 80 degrees out. The first sunburn of the year is fading and the contour has once again returned to a rolling swamp.

P.S. God bless labradoodles

Cheers!

AWKWARD AND AWESOME THURSDAY

Awesome

• The above video is really great. Well played Capitol 360. 
• Disney this weekend with my dear kiddies at Disney. 
• Four year olds who call you with a serenade. Thanks Ashlyn! 
• I got down with some online shopping last night. 
• Birthday apple fritters as big as your head!
• A fresh pedicure.
• Finding a happy birthday pennant and girl scout cookies at my car, thanks Danielle!!!

Awkward

• My dog ate a birth control patch this week. Is that not enough?!

BONNIE'S BRUNSWICK STEW

Sunday we woke up and could barely move out of bed. Placing your bare feet on ice cold floors is rarely inticing. As soon as we got home from church I started dinner. I had just one thing on my mind: Brunswick Stew. I don't know know how traditional my Grammie's recipe is, but it's hearty, tangy and incredibly filling. Perfect with ritz crackers on a cold cold day.

Bonnie's Brunswick Stew

Serves 8 hearty portions

1 LB GROUND BEEF

1 MEDIUM YELLOW ONION, DICED

3 POTATOES, DICED

1/2 TSP BLACK PEPPER or to taste

1/2 TEASPOON SALT or to taste

2 T SUGAR

1/3 CUP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

2 T WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

2 T A1 SAUCE

6 OZ TOMATO PASTE

6 OZ KETCHUP tip: fill empty tomato paste can with ketchup to measure

1 CAN PEAS 

1 CAN NIBLET CORN tip: use frozen corn, fill empty pea can with corn to measure

4 C WATER + EXTRA

note: Frozen, fresh or canned corn will work, but to me frozen peas change the taste. Go with whatever you like best!

Dice onions and throw them in a large dutch oven or stock pot. Let them wilt a bit, then add your ground beef.  Brown and drain beef. Add all ingrediants EXCEPT peas and corn. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Simmer 1 hour or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Simmering longer won’t hurt anything, just make sure your potatoes are done. Add corn and peas, simmer 15-20 min.

You may need to add an extra cup of water here. I like a very thick, rich stew, but feel free to thin it out if you’re feeding more people or prefer a soupy consistency. Make sure you adjust seasonings accordingly.

Take off heat and let sit 15 min (optional). Serve hot with ritz crackers on the side. 

COVER THIEF

Today is my birthday. I am having a great day you guys! A fantastic one! Glad to get that out of the way.

It’s been cold here in Florida, colder than it has been all winter. It’s kind of jarring to a girl who’s never seen snow. I realize I am extremely ill prepared for anything below 60 degrees. The heaviest coat I currently own is from Forever 21 for goodness sakes. At least I have a dedicated mini-heater at my beck and call.

Yesterday I came home on my lunch break and found the leftover scraps of a bag of my prescriptions. Gilligan rarely gets into anything, but he cannot resist paper products. They are his true love. Y’all---he had eaten a birth control patch. I flipped out took him to the vet and he was fine.

Last night I woke up in a deranged twist of sheets (like you do) and accused Jared of being a cover thief and a scoundrel. Except it wasn’t Jared, it was Gilligan. He had wedged himself between the two of us and pulled all the duvet on top of himself, snug as a bug in a rug.  Eventually I coerced him into going underneath the covers and after that he literally did not move until I woke him up this morning.

Is it ok to be fully obsessed with your dog? I totally am. He is the best. Ask anybody. Such an awesome little dude. 

BIRTHDAY BLUNDER

For the past two years my bestie best Danielle and I, who have birthdays six days apart, have thrown some pretty rockin' birthday parties. A Publix cake with fudge icing, a birthday headdress and a private room at a private karaoke joint. This year Austin Karaoke was unexpectedly all booked up so we had to cancel most of the festivities last minute. We were, of course, a little (a lot) disappointed  But we still had cake! And a few trooper friends, Limonata, some Guesstures and amateur at-home palm reading. Oh, and Gilligan wore a party hat.