Author: erinreeve

I haven’t had a ton of days off in the last month – ever since we lost our third manager. Today is my only day off this week, and so far I’ve been very productive! I’m always amazed at how much I can accomplish if I don’t stay in bed and watch Bones all morning! So this morning, I went to Ross and bought a couple of really cute shirts, then I went to Target a bought a new bag. The bag, though it’s really cute, is definitely made of fake leather, so to make me feel better for buying it even though I could make it, I sewed a leather leaf to the front flap. Here’s a picture…

 

I know, it’s super cute.  Anyway.  After Target, I actually did something worthwhile by going to Lowes and getting keys made for our house (Matt had the back door key, and I had the front door key up until today), and I also got some potting soil and a new planter for herbs.  I have some basil and thyme that I’ve been needing to repot.

So after Lowes, I went to get my hair cut.  Nothing drastic, since Matt likes my hair longer and I like the way it looks too – even if it’s a pain to blow-dry.  Then I made my way to Whole Foods for some hair dye and paper towels.  After that, I came home, dyed my hair, and partially cleaned the house.  It’s not too messy, so the rest should be easy.

We found a table and an easy chair for our reading room, BTW.  It looks much fuller now (whereas, before, it had only housed bookshelves and one chair).  We haven’t utilized that room much yet, but it sure will be nice to have.  Matt says he’s going to start studying chess in earnest – which is why he wanted the table in the first place (so that he can have a couple of boards laid out and still have room for some chess books).  I, myself, have been commissioned to draw a portrait for one of Kenna Tomberlin’s friends, due in May, which I really need to get going on.  Let’s see… I have at least two full months to get it done, but it would be nice to break the procrastination theme that I have going.  Funny how I procrastinate with most things…but when it comes to unpacking boxes, I can’t wait.  We were pretty much moved in completely after a week.  It’s a good thing.

We went to Beaman Park yesterday after work and hiked a bit.  It was only 2+ miles, but it was enough since I’m so out of shape.  I’m trying to get back into good physical health; we’ve been doing a much better job of working out on a consistent basis – which is a lot easier since we have more room here to exercise.  So far no weight loss, but I feel better!  That’s always a good thing.  Plus, the woods were amazing yesterday!  It was sunny, cool, and very breezy.  Ahh.

Matt told me to decide what to have for dinner, and instead of doing that I’m blogging and drinking some merlot.

—Speaking of, we bought this merlot-in-a-box the other day.  I was hugely skeptical, but it was only $20 so I figured I could cook with it if it sucked.  But surprisingly, it doesn’t!  I mean, I’m not a wine connoisseur by any means, but I can at least taste a horrible wine, and this isn’t.  I think the brand is Black box?

Anyway, I should start figuring out what to have for dinner…or at least start cleaning the kitchen.

Oh, and here’s my new hair.  Not much of a change.

The last week has been very busy and pretty tiring…though definitely not regrettably so. We’re finally getting things settled and organized in our new house, and only have one or two more things to do at the old house before we can turn the keys in (and hopefully get some of our security deposit back…). I really hate moving, though I really really wanted to get out of our old house – my allergies were getting worse, and I don’t like being unstable anyway so knowing that a move was looming in the near future but that I couldn’t do anything about it yet was somewhat unsettling.

But anyway, we’re mostly just down to unpacking all the books (ALL THE BOOKS) and hanging stuff on the walls now! The house is a 3 bedroom, but we’re using one of them as a dining room and one as a reading room. You will not find any pictures of the reading room here yet, because it’s the most unfinished room as of yet, being home to all of the books that are still in boxes in the garage. We’re also wanting to get a card table (at least, something that size) for that room so that Matt can study chess better, and an easy chair. Plus the litter boxes are in there right now too.

But here are some pictures of the rest of the house (minus garage and bedroom).

This is the kitchen table and the door to the garage.  Along with Bitey and Calliope, who were pretty traumatized by the move but seem to have settled in pretty easily.

Here’s another angle of the kitchen.  You might notice that there are pots and pans on the stove… I’m hoping to get some hooks so that I can hang t hem up under the cabinet above the stove.  Will update the blog as soon as I do so (or at least, I’ll try to).

Here is our wood paneled dining room, which is beautiful.  We’re also going to look for a side bar/buffet that we can put in here.  And we plan to put up maps on the walls (and the globe on the buffet).

Here’s the living room.  I was standing next to the TV, and the front door is right next to the lamp on the left.

So there’s your update.  I’d do more but need to get ready for work soon…. We’re going through another period where we only have two managers, and I have to close for the next three days (which is sad because it’s the complete opposite of Matt’s schedule).  Sigh….  Oh well, it never lasts forever…!

I’m so bad at blogging. I also don’t journal nearly as much as I used to. I kind of think this is a good thing (the journaling, anyway) since it’s because I tend to use Matt as a sounding board instead of a sheet of paper, and my journals have always sort of stood in the place of actual friends. But I do need more practice writing. Also, the blogs are more for friends/family who want to keep up with my life since I’m still pretty terrible at being outgoing and talking on the phone.

Anyway. I’ve had the last two days off; I was supposed to work on Monday but we ended up being closed all day due to the snow. I was scheduled off yesterday and today but am going to have to close tonight because of some staffing issues (grrrr). It’s, surprisingly, still snowing too. So we’re going to be slow at work, I can guarantee it. People don’t like to drive in the snow, especially if it’s dark. I can understand; I sure wouldn’t be going out except that I have to work.

To change the subject, we’re going to be moving here in the next couple of weeks (FINALLY). We have high hopes of moving into a house a couple of blocks down the road from our current house, but have yet to hear back from the real estate company. It would be another rental, but we’re going to open a new savings account to save for a down payment on a house. We just don’t have enough money right now to buy a house. Matt did just open a credit card account to try to build up his credit, and mine is good but could be better. Eventually we’ll stop renting. But in the meantime, this house we’re hoping to get is brick and kind of an ugly shade of blue (why do people feel that they have to paint over brick??), but it’s growing on me. The landscaping needs lots of work. If we get it, I’ll post pictures.

I’ll try to blog more for real. I don’t have a ton to say at the moment though….

I can’t decide what to make for dinner.

I’d like to go to Subway, but we DO have food here too….

I have potatoes, sweet potatoes, canned beans (of different varieties), canned corn, frozen veggies (also different varieties), coconut milk, refried beans, frozen veggie burgers, milk, cheese, pancake mix, fresh veggies, rice, oatmeal, spaghetti noodles. I have some spaghetti sauce too. And flour, sugar, butter, etc.

There are several options there, of course. The question is… what do I FEEL like making? Not really any of it. I’d rather go to Subway, like I said. But… I could do potatoes and chili, maybe with eggs and biscuits. Or with green beans, but that’s awfully close to what we had last night. I have a few Indian recipes that I want to try, but I’m feeling a little lazy for that. I don’t have any mozzarella or I might consider making pizza.

I guess I could do burritos, but they’re not as warm as I want dinner to be. Quesadillas are good and would be warm… but I don’t know. I’m not feeling Mexican so much. I could do a stir-fry. I could make a coconut curry with rice. I could make pancakes. And oatmeal. I could make spaghetti. I could do veggie burgers. I could probably even make a veggie pot pie or a veggie shepherd’s pie…both of which sound delicious but also time-consuming.

A soup would be nice. Maybe I’ll look up some recipes for soup. And get Matt to agree to Subway too. Soup and sandwich, right? Hmmmmm.

If I would blog more, I wouldn’t always feel daunted because I have so much catching up to do!

I’ll just start in the middle today. Not too much has happened anyway.

We’re going to be moving at the end of the month, and are currently on the hunt for a new place. I found an ad on two sites today for a 4 bedroom log cabin style house in Ashland City, which is about 20-30 minutes northwest of Nashville. It’s kind of a red-neck part of Middle Tennessee, but hey, I’d rather live with rednecks than live in Belle Meade. Which we don’t, but I’m just saying that it could be worse.

However, as sweet as that house looks, I’ve emailed three times and haven’t heard back. Emailed twice after seeing the first ad, and a third time after seeing the second. I mean, they wouldn’t have rented the house today if they posted an ad on Craig’s List today, right? I really hope someone emails or calls me back. For real.

Other than that house, there are a couple of possibilities in the west/north Nashville range. My biggest priorities are price, and windows. It has to have big windows.

I wish I could blog about Christmas presents. Hmph.

All is on track for me to graduate on the 18th!!! I don’t have any holds, or anything! It seems so strange to me that after all this time of paying back loans but not having a degree or being in school, I’m finally graduating without having actually done anything this semester. Granted, I went to class a couple of times and walked around campus a lot more than I had in the last few years, but otherwise I really haven’t done a thing. Oh yeah, I also paid the graduation fee. But yeah. Graduation, finally.

We’ll probably throw a graduation/house warming party once we’re settled in. What with Christmas and making presents and moving and work, December won’t be a good time. It’ll be a good party.

I’ve been trying to get back on the Cooking Dinner Track. I’ve been super lazy about making food for the last month or two. It’s somewhat shocking to add up all the money spent on eating out though, especially compared to how much it costs to buy groceries for a week. Especially at Aldi. I’ve also been trying to branch out and make new dishes; I made some vegetarian chili the other day (not really sure how well it turned out because my nose was stopped up all day and I couldn’t really taste it very well). I’ve made a couple of Indian dishes, too, and plan to make lots more (not tonight). I don’t remember what they were called, but there were a couple of stews (imagine) and I fried some vegetables (in the spiced breading thing). Turned out pretty well.

Tonight I think I’ll make mac and cheese and green beans and chili, or something. It’s too cold in the house to cook. Plus my hair is wet from taking a shower, and I don’t really feel like drying it at the moment….

yes, it’s been a while since I blogged. and a bit has happened in the interim. last I wrote, we had gotten our marriage license and our rings. that Friday (which would be Oct 1), we went back to the County Clerk’s office and had the actual ceremony (performed by John Arriola himself!). the lady who was there to help and take pictures took a bunch of pictures of us… but here’s one.

so after getting married, we went back home and took a nap.  after the nap, we had Thai for lunch (which happened to be around 3:00 I believe)…and I don’t think we did much after that.  exciting wedding day, eh?

we threw ourselves a party the weekend after.  we had it at the Brewhouse West and about 20 or so people showed it.  good times were had by all, and our tab ended up being cheaper than we imagined (since we offered to buy everyone’s first round) either because Wendy, our bartender, likes us a lot or because she was totally trashed from the night before.  I’m sure both played a role.  afterwards, a bunch of people came back to our house where we played Taboo and tried to play a little Simpsons Scene It (but that game didn’t last very long since it’s kinda hard unless you watch the show religiously).

Dawn and Kyla (and maybe some other friends) chipped in to get us a  Kitchen Aid!!!!  here’s a picture of me with it.  I don’t look so great, but hey, I was excited.

there was a band playing on the patio this night, and Matt decided that we should dance.  or maybe somebody else encouraged him to do it and he thought it was a good idea.  since neither of us dance, it mostly turned into a good photo op.

Dawn brought me the veil, by the way.  I’ll probably keep it for the scrapbook…which I actually intend to compile.

Well, since Saturday, not too much has happened.  Matt’s still working nights and getting off at 2am this week, though he does have Friday off in addition to the weekend.   I have to work this weekend, but next we’ll be going to Knoxville for our more formal reception which I’m also excited about.  many more people who I have not seen in a long time will be there.  it will be a good time.

today I went to the doctor because I’ve had slight headaches for about a month or so… basically ever since the weather started to change.  she agreed that it’s probably sinus pressure, since my sinuses were inflamed (as usual), and she gave a decongestant and nasal spray.  should probably take both of those actually.  when I got home from that, I actually worked out, which I REALLY need to be doing a LOT more.  when Matt’s not around, it’s harder for me to 1) motivate myself to exercise, and 2) eat healthfully.  when there are two of us eating dinner, it makes sense to cook.  when it’s just me, it’s easier to go to Wendy’s or Subway or make some Ramen noodles or an omelet or something.  sure, there are healthy options, but I also have this hang up when it comes to denying myself good-tasting food.  it’s a nasty combination of laziness and a love of carbs and sodium and other good-tasting things.

well, anyway, I DID work out today, and now I ought to shower and have dinner.

sorry for the lapse in blogging.  I’ll try to be more consistent.  I will say that I’m an awful lot more organized that I have ever been before in my whole life, AND it brings me pleasure to have things around me organized and stable.  🙂

Sorry for the lapse in blog-writing.  I’m very lazy sometimes, especially when Matt has to work nights and no one’s around to judge me for lying in bed all afternoon (not that he judges me, just that I generally feel guilty about stuff).  I’m going to try to be more productive today – do the dishes, put away the clean clothes, make the bed, sweep the floor, straighten everything in general, do some laundry.  Probably should start – after I’m done with this – with a shower.

So we went on Monday to get the marriage license (!!!).

And we’re going on Friday to have it “solemnized.”  Not sure what else to call it.  We’re going to the county clerk’s office, and they have an arch decorated with fake flowers set up against a white wall for photo-ops…not horrible-looking, but still fairly tacky.  Oh well.  Also, they were having TACA last weekend in Centennial Park, so we went looking for rings.  At least HALF of the booths were jewelry!  We saw some interesting/weird/ugly/gaudy rings, but didn’t really find any we were interested in buying until the last booth.  We both ended up seeing one that we liked AND they were both about $40 – not bad!  I’m going to have the email the artist to see what the metals are since I completely forgot to ask her when we bought them.

So, yeah.  That’s mostly what’s happened in the last few days.  I’ll try to be better at blogging, which is to say, less lazy.

I have good and bad news. The bad is worse than the good short-term, but won’t last forever (or even much longer than a month, I think).

The bad news is that Matt has to work from 3:30 – midnight for the next month or so. Since I work the morning shift and usually get home around 2:45 or 3:00, this means that we’ll be able to see each other at midnight when he gets home and at 5:30 in the morning when I go to work. Not excited about this.

The good news, which is saving us $3000+ is that Lipscomb changed their Bible requirements this year, and I don’t have to take this class in order to graduate in December! They took care of canceling the loan and everything, so all I’ll have to do is pay the $195 graduation fee and then show up for graduation!

So. There you have it. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my free afternoons now. I could blog more or work on keeping the house clean. Or just read a ton. Or rent all the Neflix movies I know Matt doesn’t care about seeing. Hmm.

good things that have happened today!
-I haven’t been very headache-y

-the health inspector came and we got a 97!!!!! that’s a NINETY SEVEN! no criticals! he only found 3 things wrong!

-I called around to see what the protocol is for getting married at the county clerk office and at the courthouse. basically, if you do it at the county clerk’s, it’s only an option on Fridays from 8:30 to 11, and they charge a $40 fee on top of the (approximately) $100 to get the marriage license. if you do it at the courthouse, you have to make an appointment but the judge only asks that everyone make a donation to charity — no extra fee. it does, however, require driving downtown.

-I just ate a leftover piece of pizza which was amazing and makes me want pizza for dinner.

bad things that have happened today.
-I have to work out. even though I like being alive and healthy, I don’t like working out one little bit. or eating right, for that matter. hmph.

-the kitchen is a mess. this is not actually a bad thing that has happened to me, so maybe I should phrase it more like… I have to clean up the kitchen. (unless we have pizza for dinner! so maybe I should put this under the first category).

-I have a lot of reading to do for my class. this means that I’ll work out, then take a shower, then either clean the kitchen or try to talk Matt into having pizza, then read.

and, that’s all.

I’m not used to this homework thing yet. I have a whole week to read the material, but I still have to be disciplined (curses!). I’ve been working 6 days/week lately because of management complications, and today’s my only day off this week. I woke up when Matt got up this morning, stayed awake long enough to make some breakfast, load the dishwasher, and watch the Daily Show. Then I went back to sleep for a while. Had to go in to work once I woke up to send in some paperwork that had to be sent in early this week, for some reason. Afterwards, I drove to Cafe Coco and then to Bongo Java after circling Louise Avenue a couple times and being unwilling to pay for parking. At Bongo, I happened to run into Amanda and sat with her for an hour or so. Which meant that I didn’t get all that much reading done. Almost finished the first essay.

And now I’m home, after drinking too much iced coffee and being unable to concentrate on reading. I want to take another nap. It’s so quiet and cool and comfortable…. This is why I’ve always been unsuccessful when it comes to doing homework at home. I always end up succumbing to my sleepiness and taking naps. For heavens sake. I guess I could make some tea and go outside. It IS kinda nice outside.

Not much new has happened. We went to Target last night to do the wedding registry thing. It was kind of fun, but it took a long time and we were hungry and tired. Had to get it done before anyone actually received their invitations though, which I mailed on Tuesday.

BTW, party in Nashville on October 9th. We will be married by then, though still don’t know when we’re actually going over there. We don’t actually know where the party will be yet, either; our house is really small though if the weather’s nice we could spend most of the time outside. The weather is a variable that shouldn’t be gambled on though, probably. Katie said we could do it at their house, Dawn said we could do it at her house, and Matt suggested doing it at Chris’s lake house. None of those are in Nashville, though. Katie’s in Joelton, Dawn’s in Murfreesboro, and the lake house is in McEwen (near Dickson). Probably the closest to our house is Joelton, but I’d still l like to come up with something closer if possible. So… stay tuned.

Okay… I should clean up the bedroom. If it’s clean, I won’t be nearly as inclined to curl up in bed and go to sleep. Matt’s going to make me work out when he gets home, anyway ( ). And the room needs cleaning. Oh, the laziness………