body by vi

Sounds like a sexy something, am I right? 

photo complements by google

Well, it's a protein shake mix. But it's not one of those stupid, large canister, steroid using, macho protein shake mix. It's this  mix that come in a well designed bag. And guess what? The shake mix kinda smells like butter cake mix. We have a winner! Justin started this stuff a little before Spring Break and has been talking it up since, so when I moved back to Starkville (sad face), I ordered some. I figured if I hated it, I would give it to Justin (and chastise him for saying it's so good). Well, turns out,  not only does it smell good, it tastes even better.  Drink two of these a day and eat a sensible meal (or Taco Bell), and it's supposedly healthy (well, probably not with the Taco Bell, but you get the idea). I love it with fruit in it and chocolate pudding mix. It's almost like it's not even good for you, but just a tasty treat! I already feel skinnier, and my wallet feels fatter because instead of buying tons of food for breakfasts and lunches, I just have a shake. And save money. Double winner. 


Anyway, I'll stop raving about this stuff to tell you about this past weekend and week.
So, my week started out crappy. Monday was, well, a Monday, and I posted about Zack because he makes me happy. Well, I didn't get to mention my appointment to see my wedding dress this past weekend. It was a huge letdown. Don't start thinking I hate my dress, because that's far from the truth, but when I put it on, it was SO big. And I know everyone says you get it taken it, blah blah blah. Yes, I know this. But did I have to get a dress that's like at least 4 sizes too big to start the alterations process? Even the girl helping me was like um, were you measured? Anyway. It sucked, but I know that I will be taken care of and all my worries will be gone soon. So I just had to take a deep breathe, and move on (something I've never really been good at doing).  


One good thing about this week. I got a new start date for my job with Horne! I go back to work May 14th for a full two weeks until summer school begins. Then I'll start a part time routine, working only three days a week. Which is a perfect schedule. Work a little, school a little, play a little. What can I say, God is good!


I hope that everyone else has a fabulous week, or something happens to make it fabulous!

Zachary and Hal&Mal's

When I was about six or so, I was given a brother. He was a present I didn't ask for, certainly am thankful for now. It was hard for a few years (and I mean like eleven or twelve years). We fought like cats and dogs until I went to college, then we both begged our parents to get him a cell phone so we could stay in touch. And pretty much he's all grown up. Well, as grown up as a sixteen year old can be. And part of him growing up has been him beginning to play the bass in a jazz group at a bar. (Yes, I said bar.)

Words can not describe how proud I (I mean, we) are of him. Handling private school classes, being very dedicated to the JA band, he also added this jazz group to his plate. Every other Wednesday, he plays the bass for a few songs during the second set that the band does. He started out with just one, and he's working his way up (had three under his belt now).  It's just so amazing to me that he had the nerve to basically take the stage with a group that has been together for 20+ years, and then to knock it out of the park! As his second mother,  I would have to say that I teared up during his first gig (and my mom laughed at me). 

Last time he played, we just made a big ole time of it. Dad invited his parents and it was nice to have the family together to listen to the band, and enjoy Zack's talent. 

We settled down for a nice dinner, and Zack worked out the kinks in his last song before going to play. 

who knew improv was so hard?

besties!

doing what he does best

We all had an amazing evening listening to the music, and enjoying each other's company. It's nice to know that Zack does something worthwhile that could possibly turn into a way for him to make some extra cash. I do know that I am very proud of him (and that he'll hate me for this post later)!

I'll be back later to tell you about my dress fitting and this amazing meal shake I've started, but for now, if you're ever in Jackson on a Wednesday and want some nice live entertainment, head over to Hal&Mal's for a good beer and some live music! You won't regret it :)

back to reality

So now that spring break is over, I'm back to the real world. (just kidding).  What I meant to say was I am back at college however for the next 25 days give or take with two mini courses each day. and did I mention one begins at 7:45? in the morning? Seriously, it's a pain. but I've gritted my teeth, made a pitcher full of coffee concentrate (since my coffee maker busted), and gone to class before the crack of dawn. If you have never tried coffee concentrate (aka ice coffee), go google "pioneer woman coffee concentrate" and make it. Seriously, it's life changing (and so, so easy).

I am very thankful I got to steal the puppy to keep me company though (thanks, sweetheart!). It has been nice to enjoy this amazing spring weather with this furry little guy.

you can't deny it. he's an adorable mess.

Besides the cute puppy and getting sucked into the Hunger Games (start reading it now if you haven't started. seriously), not a heck of a lot else is going on around here. I got my official offer letter emailed to me Tuesday, and that was really exciting. Too bad Fall 2013 is like over a year away (but that's what i said about next January, and time is flying by!). 

Scratch that last paragraph. I got some very exciting news yesterday actually. My wedding dress has come in! Ah, words can not describe how excited I am! It just solidifies the fact that I'm getting married and I can not help but smile when I think about the rest of my life with my future hubby (sorry for getting mushy, but it happens). So this weekend, my mom, Granny, and I will go and try it on and start the alternations process. Should be an exciting Saturday morning with three generations of my family. 


Other than that, I'm off to learn about the lovely world of Cost Accounting. I hope everyone else has a furry friend or loved one to enjoy this weather with!

jobless and spring break

no, not really. i just wanted to get your attention.
last week was my last week at my Horne internship. It was a bittersweet Friday, because one of my good friends that I made during this experience was having her last day as well. It was a little nerve wracking all day, sitting around waiting for my exit interview. Obviously, my interviewer knew this, and immediately cut to the chase, and offered me a full time job! I haven't been this excited since I got engaged, and that was pretty darn exciting.
In order to celebrate this event,  Justin and I headed off to the upper northeast corner of Alabama. I have to say that the cabin/cottage we rented was 'cozy' (which is just a nice way to say it was ugly as anything), but it was perfect for us. I would have to say that Beaux had the best time out of all of us.

sand and a black dog do not mix.

We had a little creek running out at the back of our property, and I would have to say that it was the selling feature of the place. Not only was it nice to listen to, but the puppy was just in love.

too many sticks and not enough time!

Beaux probably swam about eighty percent of the time, which was great for us. All we had to do was let him out of the cabin, and let him roam. He'd come back soaking wet and a happy dog.

smile!

Definitely made us think about how he deserves a yard. Too bad that's ridiculously expensive in the little town of Clinton. But that's a different story for a different post.

Also, while we were in the area, we went to Chattanooga to see Melissa, Justin's sister. She was (and still is) in the hospital, holding off the birth of her twins that we're expecting soon. It was a little nerve-wracking the first day we went up there, but by Sunday, everything seemed 100% better. One thing is for sure. She is definitely a strong mama, and will be a great mother. It was nice to see her and Justin's parents (even though it would have been nicer if it hadn't been in the hospital).  

For our last day there, we went to DeSoto Falls. All i have to say is wow. Beaux had his run in with his arch-nemesis, canadian geese, but we overcame our fears and fetched sticks to our heart's content. 

  

And really, what's more to life than fetching sticks in a deep, beautiful lake? Oh, and this guy, my love.


For now, I might as well not even unpack as I'm taking a family trip to NOLA for the second part of my spring break.
(with all this traveling, I need a vacation!)

Blonde

(Seems like this thing really isn't about the wedding at all. Hope y'all don't mind.)

This past week was definitely a whirlwind. I've been working in Greenwood at Viking (super nice; check my hotel out: The Alluvian, I'm pretty much in love!), and have had a blast. They are a very social client, so it's been a lot of fun :)
It is sad to realize that I will probably be traveling during busy season (like December-April), and might not be coming home to Justin every night (very sad realization), but a job is a job. And I do like the job.

It was nice to come home on Friday to Madison, and spend the entire weekend with Justin (except my hair appointment Saturday).  We had a blast, and I even tried to take pictures for the blog!

Saturday morning, we went to look at furniture. Justin and I had talked on and off about new furniture, because my couch is old and itchy, and he wanted new furniture for our place. Well, I had spotted a couch that I fell in love with when my parents bought a new mattress about a month ago, and Justin was finally in town so I could show him. Well he fell in love too (thank goodness!), and after about a thirty minute discussion, he decided that it would be in our best interest to put a down payment on it to set the price, and continue to pay for it until we have a place to put it.
Seeing as he's man in the relationship, I just followed his lead (I've heard that's what I'm supposed to do with these things).
He dropped me off at my hair appointment (I'm blonde again, THANK GOODNESS, sorry for the lack of pictures), and once I was finished, we went back to start the process.
It just makes me all the more excited that we're preparing to start our lives together!

it's ridiculously comfortable. and we got the chair and ottoman to match!

After all this excitement (and a nap), we met friends at Crawdad's for crawfish. It sucked to say the least (everything was way to spicy for me to eat), but we had a good time!

Sunday was definitely a good day too. It was beautiful outside, and I didn't want to sit around the house, so we decided to take  Beaux for a walk, and then a swim. And boy did he have fun chasing turtles, going after the ball, and barking nervously at geese (which he's never seen before).
These are probably my favorite pictures of all time (for now):


Fetching in the water.



unfortunately, we've never meet geese before. they were a little intimidating.



Beaux sure did aim to please trying to get that ball from the water.

 Anyway, after all that fun, the day died down. I did taxes and napped before preparing for my last week as an intern. Exit interview is scheduled on Friday, so prays are requested!!
Hope everyone else had a beautiful weekend with their loved ones :)