if it's not one thing, it's another

Usually that phrase brings up not so pleasant feelings. I would like to associate it with stress, chaos, and too much on my plate. But it doesn't have to be that way is what I've come to find. I've realized that there's always going to be too much on my plate, and that I probably shouldn't stress terribly much about it (maybe that's the anxiety medicine talking). 
Like for instance, I started graduate school last night. Yes, last NIGHT. I feel as though I just finished my undergrad and now am being throw back into the lion's den (walking in is more like it, since it was my decision). So when talking to Mom about it yesterday afternoon, she asks if I'm nervous. Well yeah, I'm a little nervous about starting a new school, but mainly I just said I don't want to go (just imagine that in a whining 5 year old's voice). And of course, words of wisdom from my mother, as she tells me it's just one more step in the process. And (dangit), she's right, which is why I love her. I am excited about it now, when I think of everything else to come... Grad school, marriage, CPA, children (in a long long time, says Justin). 
So I might as well not stress about it, because it's not a bad thing, it's a good thing. At least that's what I'll tell myself when Justin and I are cramming for a test or writing a paper :)
Enough of the heavy stuff.
Memorial Day weekend was amazing. Both Justin and I were so excited to not have anywhere to go or anything to do, but relax. And relax we did. His parents came into town Friday on their way to Chattanooga, so I had to run home after work to clean a little and make sure they had a place to sleep (again, so thankful for a two bedroom). Justin made them dinner (a delicious chicken parm), and we just talked and relaxed all night.

They brought the second part to our little hutch thing that goes in the dining room area. We got it from Justin's sister Melissa, and just got it moved to the apartment about a week ago. It definitely helps this room feel less empty, and will be perfect once we get a dining room table. They also brought my graduation presents, the two blue things in the hutch and these pillows below. Needless to say, they're all perfect.

the adorable orange ones (Justin took this picture). Both  pillows are from Home Goods, btw.

On Saturday, we had friends from Vicksburg come in for a little while. I made beergaritas, and we headed straight to the pool (Sorry no pictures were taken). Needless to say, the weather was perfect, and we all had a blast. I miss our Vicksburg friends, but definitely don't miss Vicksburg. I just can't wait until Justin doesn't work there anymore. After that, we made burgers and just hung out, before Justin passed out snoring all the couch. 

Sunday, the twins had baby dedication, so we were able to watch that online since their church in Chattanooga has streaming video (isn't technology cool?). I have been wanting to find a church in Clinton  to go to services on Sunday, and we were supposed to go to one then, but ended up just watching Melissa's church online in our PJs, which was nice. Then we got ready and went shopping for bar stools. Like I mentioned before, we have no dining room table, so instead of eating on our expensive couch and waiting for the day I spill something (because of Beaux, of course), we went to three different stores and finally settled on Target to purchase two of them. 

Then we went to Madison and took Beaux swimming. 

he's perfect (and I mean both of them)

couldn't help a good shot from behind :)

retrieving his new toy for dad

nothing's better than a tennis ball and a belly full of lake water.

We had a blast watching the puppy get all tired, and he snored all night long at my feet.

Monday, we were lazy lazy lazy, napping and eating. Justin made us yummy sliders and Mom cooked ribs like a champ. I did not want to go to work Tuesday (probably like everyone else in the adult population). It was a nice three days of nothing, and I couldn't have wanted anything more.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and was blessed to spend time being lazy with your loved ones. 

handy woman

This past weekend was a doozy. (Is that how you spell that word? Well, you know what I mean.)
I don't think I've ever been more productive in a weekend since I was in band and we had stupid Saturday rehearsals. When I was posting Saturday morning while watching Pioneer Woman (can I please have her kitchen, I beg Justin, everytime we watch her), I was thinking how I told yall all I was going to do, and how I didn't really feel like doing it. Had Justin been in town, I regret to say that I would have done nothing, but snuggle on the couch with him. But he wasn't, so I didn't.
I hopped to the task of staining a desk for the second bedroom at the Clinton apartment. Needless to say, I've never stained anything before so Mom and Dad were very anxious to see how it turned out. I don't have a before picture, but here it is after I finished. And I love it.

I was pretty proud if I do say so myself. I liked it so much that I decided to take a a shelf unit that's been stored away in my closet and do the same thing. Mom and I brought it out to the garage, and quickly realized that staining this certain piece wasn't going to work (sorry, we have no pictures). So instead, I got a bottle of spray paint, and make that sucker black.

bad picture quality, but you get the idea.

It fits in a perfect little spot in our living room, and I am in love. But Mom and I didn't just stop there. We decided to shave our Madison pups (they were super jealous of Beaux's new haircut). I swear we had enough hair to make coats after we got done with those little dogs, and boy do they seem lighter and happier. And then after that, we decided to bath them, bathes ourselves, then have a drink. And boy, was it a delicious, well deserved drink.
Sunday wasn't much slower. It's supposed to be a day of rest, but after church, I loaded the truck with furniture and headed to Clinton to move it in. I wanted to do it before Justin got back, and my plan worked just in the nick of time. I unpacked my stuff, and then lounged around while Justin snored away on the couch (all that gambling tired him out).
Then like I promised, I made Justin dinner. I found a recipe for BBQ Peach Whiskey Chicken from Pioneer Woman (love), and it was a tremendous success. I was too lazy (and tired) to get whiskey the day before, so I just left that part out, but other than that, I stuck true to the recipe.

I know it's not pretty like hers, but it was yummy.

I actually didn't get a picture before we started eating it. These are the leftovers, which makes Justin a very happy man. Now, I'm off in Meridian at a roofing company, counting down the time until I get to go home again..
I'm hoping this doesn't become a habit.

working for the man

When I was younger I always imagined that traveling for work would be fun. You get to hang out by yourself, go to sleep at seven at night, order room service, and lay around your hotel room that you don't have to pay for.
Well, I'm dead wrong. It's ridiculously hard to be away from home. I mean really, who'd want to be alone in an empty hotel room when I could be with these guys.

These fellows have my heart, and there's nothing else to it.
Anyway, I was able to finish my first week back at Horne with nothing eventful really happening (Praise the Lord), besides messing up an expense report. I was even able to register for my first graduate school class (Praise the Lord x2)!
Next week, I'm off to Meridian for the first half of the week. I'm sure I'll survive somehow.
Enough about work though. This weekend is exam study weekend in the Madison home, so I'll be whisked away into the life of a 10th grader. Good thing I love Zack enough to do it.
Justin is off on a Bachelor party for his bff on the coast. Hopefully he isn't gambling rent money away (just kidding!), and is making us money instead. I plan on surprising him with dinner Sunday (hopefully he won't read this) and a newly painted desk for the second bedroom at his apartment. His iMac is currently on the floor in there, and it bothers me to no end (but, of course, he could care less).
Nothing else is new on the wedding front (I keep calling it a front, but I promise I don't think of this wedding/marriage as a war). On the agenda this week is contacting the DJ and the photo booth company and get squared away with that. Oh, there is something new! I have decided on Justin and mine's first dance song. Here's a hint, it has something to do with this blog!
Anyway, I'm off to snuggle with my baby puppy and watch food network all morning (I mean, go work on a desk and study). Hope yall had a productive week, and have someone to snuggle with this morning!

happy belated mother's day (and other wedding stuff)

I'm usually not a pessimist about holidays (I mean really, who doesn't like a reason to party?), but Mother's Day just seems like the perfect example of a Hallmark Holiday.
Needless to say, it's one of my favorite holidays of the entire year. No, I'm not a mother (except to my amazing puppy, Beaux), but I am in love with this day. Mainly because I'm in love with my mom.

This woman is my best friend. There's really nothing else I can say about our relationship. She knows me better than I know myself, and we understand each other so well. Anything random I say, she usually can pick up my train of thought (unlike my dad, Sorry Barn!). That's just one of the things I love about her. Others would be how she keeps our family moving forward together and how well she balances work and home. Or how she can tell I'm freaking out about wedding plans by the look on my face and can calm me down with a pat on a shoulder (there's been a lot of that lately).
I could go on, but you get the picture. January 19th, 2013 will be a long day when we both realize we'll never live together anymore (mom, don't tear up at that), but we'll survive (I've already asked Justin to buy me a house in Madison, the answer was no).
Anyway, I love you Mom, and feel so blessed to have you as my mother and my friend.

Now onto wedding things...
It's been a busy week or so on the wedding front. Mom and I were able to pick out some paper for Save the Dates, Wedding Invites, and programs. Hopefully we'll be able to get free samples through the church instead of ordering an entire reel of paper that we might not use. We also finally have a backdrop for the ceremony! I won't go into too much detail (mainly because there aren't many just yet), but we went to this amazing architectural salvage store and purchased three reclaimed cedar doors and glass knobs. It'll be an exciting experience to see what we're able to do with them, and I can't wait! I was also able to order some accessories for the wedding as well like my veil and bouquet, both from Etsy. After everything we've been doing lately with the wedding planning, we can definitely add another word to my theme: handmade. And I love that!

Other than that, nothing else has really been going on. I'm still trying to help Justin get settled in his Clinton apartment and trying to start this whole graduate school thing. Classes start in about two weeks and I haven't been able to register until I get my official acceptance from MC. It's supposed to come thing week while I'm in Tupelo on an audit. I really couldn't believe my first week back at Horne, I was immediately whisked away to an audit, but it beats sitting around the office (and who doesn't like travel time and overtime!).

I hope everyone had a fabulous Mother's Day and really appreciate everything she did and still does for you!