Fandom meets faith

It's memes like this that complete me.

You win internet.

You warm the cockles of my black-cold-Christian-heart with your Star Wars humor!

Gone too long

(xmas 2012 in PA)

It's been a while.
lessssallbehonest, mkay? Its be cold and snow/ice/rain/sleet-ing in about 80% of the country
Hi, Califorina, hows it going?

And frankly i didn't feel much like blogging. Other than all I can say is yes, i still love snow.

The cold not so much.
Heat is expensive when you own a house.
I shoveled twice in the same day....several times.

EVERYONE and their mother are cursing the weather.
I heed a great deal of the blogs i read, and one of the biggest recurring themes i see is "dont write for the sake of writing" or "if you dont have somethign to write then dont."
And I finally feel like i have arrived!

I didnt wanna write about much. So i didnt. Here is a breakdown of what has happened since New Years.

beer
occasional gym for cardio
beer
eating my heart out
ordering in way too much
made a TV room in a spare room
beer
worked on the shower
hated working on the shower
prepped a room for paint
beer
gym (?) maybe
finally finished the shower
used the shower
husband got sick

That pretty much covers it, less the snow and snow removal. I plan on doing a shower post too. Frankly, I've been burnt out on life. Last weekend I stayed on the couch, and it was selfish, but also wonderful. Winter blues may be happening. I also tried a new cardio thing at the gym....needless to say my old injury is flaring up. So i need to take some days with no cardio. which totally sucks again. All becuase i was pushign myself to try new things. So it will be core, arms and legs lifting for the rest of the week...if we even go.

Tonight fitness wise, i'd like to work out at home. We will see.

Enjoy this awesome pic someone posted to me

Holiday Hiatus

Like everyone else in the bloglands, i took a break from medias.

We headed to Florida this year to visit my in laws who are wonderful and generous people. But, for whatever reason i never completely feel....settled? relaxed? at ease? Its nothing personal, its probably my own insecurities. But we had a great time visiting their new home in FL. It was 85 out HOT AS BALLS the first two days. I like snow and cold. MKAY!

Highlights: Christmas Eve in our Honeymoon spot, St. Augustine, FL.

Face Time with my family back in PA, including snow on Christmas Day.

I got a few sandy, back road runs in. Nothing over 2 miles and it was hot. But i made a friend.

We stopped off in NC to visit T-Dubs bro and his family, who gave us a nice relaxing lazy stay. We got home and RELAXED. I played my new Lego Wii Pirates game and Netflix binged.

Oh this was my favorite Christmas gift of all!

Then we got hit with the weather ERRRR body is getting. And then my pipes frozen and then burst. More on that next time. Expect a post about repairs soon!

If I Won the Jackpot

The Jackpot is huge right now. I have never bought a lotto ticket. In my mind its never been worth my money. But in the spirit of all things blogging, this is a list of things i would do..

IF I WON THE JACKPOT - which i wont because i dont even know how to buy a ticket

Pay off our one car loan and the house we just bought. I hate debt, and was blessed to never really have much (family helped with student loans). UNTIL we needed a working car and then got this crazy notion to buy a house.

Buy a working washer. Ours was free from a friend. its older. but the hot water doesnt work in it. this doesnt even have to be new.

Pay someone else to finish the bathroom. Home ownership has been a series of one water disaster after another. And frankly I havent had the right tools for all the jobs, or the time (read: full time job, and travels too much).

 Hire a chef. food is my hang up with healthy life style. i want someone else to meal, plan, prep and shop. mkaaaythanks.

Buy my Dream Car.

Buy seasons tickets IN THE A SECTION. I am  huge Illini Basketball fan. Huge. We usually sit in the nose bleeds.

Save. Sad, but probably the most likely thing to happen. i often find Christmas money in July that I couldnt decide what to spend on back in the winter.

Give to the organization that we sponsor kids through. self explanatory.

Fly my sister to see me, Fly to see her. Fly. Fly. Fly. its a 12 hour drive back to Upstate, NY. Its doable but you waste all that time you could be hanging out.

Buy new running shoes. i bought some this fall, mistake. now i wish i had just gone to a specialty place and been fitted and spent $120. I hate spending.

Sell our house, Quit work, move to the Adirondacks! Live in the mountains.

What would you do if you won the Jackpot? Or any sum of money?

Man, this is a busy time of year.

But look at this super cute wrapping my sister did with sheet music.

Dang she is one crafty mother effer.

FINALLLY, T-Dubs took me on a date to see Catching Fire.

I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. Notice they finally had the budget to do hoover crafts and claws to pick up the dead bodies from the arena? Nice touch.

I think they have set up the next two movies well. Not sure i am on board with the two movies. But oh well. Here is what i am 100% sure of, Books are ALWAYS better. No matter if you are Peter Jackson.

Always. how many nerdy references can i make?

One of my favorite things at the holidays is a newer tradition!

We sponsor two boys in Ethiopia and this will be our second Christmas sending them a package. We have to take our shipping box inside in order to make sure everything fits. Biggest thing we need to learn, stock up year round and dont try to shop after thanksgiving in general. the stores were crazy.

Anywho, after learning our decision to never procreate was wise (read: Toys R Us at Christmas). Our box was bursting! We wrote notes, packed it up, i filled out the customs forms and off it went. Every time i talk about our 'kids' and Ethiopia i think its time to write a series about how all of that happened. hmmmm.

Kiki musta noticed i was lazy this morning, because this happened while i was making breakfast.

Which means, i have to do the Brewmama challenge after work. BOO!

The Things That Didn't Happen

Sooooooo i had some lofty goals yesterday.

A few things DID Happen:

• It rained/hailed when i left work
• I did get to Home Depotty to buy some Studs for the walls
• T-Dubs said he does, in fact, want to do something fun on Thanksgiving, not our bathroom
• I ate ice cream
• T-Dubs hairs got cut. damn, blogger fail, i should have done a before and after.

Here's what Didn't Happen:

• I didn't run. truth gun to my head: i wasn't even going to and then i went to car and rain/hail.
• The purchased Studs, only made it out of the back of the Prius, no further. No shower progress
• A two a day at the Y because of the weather
• Stretching. - my hammies are killin me from all the squatting in body pump.
• Laundry. self explanatory
• Coloring my GRAY HAIR.

Honestly, I am stressed about the bathroom and I am tried of sucking at it. My legs are currently sitting on a heated rice pad under me at work. ouchie. I don't cook. The long list of home repairs has my mental state with grocery shopping and meal prepping through the roof. This will be our first Thanksgiving in our home, and I was hoping to be tiling. Instead I think, I'll get hammer drunk while hubs makes me fancy dinner. Then go to work hung over. *heavy sarcasm: I am a drinker, but i don't get drunkenMCswirveandcrash. Just calling it like I see it today.

Gifford, Illinois was damaged by tornado's on Sunday. They are calling for skilled laborers tomorrow. I am skilled - sort of. This city is in my county. This is my home. I need to do a post on homes. This is the longest i have ever lived anywhere in my entire life. This is my home, and my community, and so i feel apart of that, even though i didn't grow up here. I hope I get some guidance on what steps i need to take personally.

That's all! Some deep thoughts today! Sorry i know I'm all over the place.

5 am slump

I missed 5amclub again.

Hate myself for snoozing it and sleeping.

I'm just so tired.
So i packed my running gear and took it to work. And Body Pump has a class at 430 and 535.
i loathe going alone though.

Then I got this message after I got to work this morning, from T-Dubs.

I died laughing in my office.

I found it hilarious!

I ran less than 2 miles yesterday, sucking.

Truth Gun to my head: I'm in a rut I have been since April.

Just being real, here

So I packed clothes today to run from work, been debating trying it out on lunch.

It's 18 degrees right now.

Yeaaaaaa.....

Oh well. I needed to hit the gym this morning for another BodyPump class. An it didn't happen so here is to Friday making that happen.

My blog Friend Alicia asked for a pic, so here it is!

My hair didn't turn out great this morning. 

I'll try to take a shameless selfie on a good hair day!

Chop chop

this happened...

Here are my before and afters:

Before

After!

In case you are wondering, i love it.
It was time.
I also wish it was straight naturally (grass is always greener, amiright!?)
Check out that grey on the part! DAMN! HEY LADY NEED SOME HELP CROSSING THE STREET?
Gosh.

Well my sister might have been equally as excited as my hair dresser. Seriously, they had way too much fun.
My sister also texted me at 7:30 am on Saturday (not cool. ever.)
She also wanted to know what it looked like curly, thats why she got this.
i am a super light sleeper so my ass was up then.

i laughed a lot. when i got her photo back.

Thats me top right with dime eyes and coke bottle glasses.

Whatcha think? (be nice)

Need to see it curly?

To cut my hair or not to cut my hair

To cut

Or not to cut?

 

Shamless selfie in the car yesterday.

Its long and goregoues, and a serious pain in the butt to maintain.

Cons:

• takes forever to do
• never dries fully
• no longer stays up in ponytail/bun/anything at the gym
• my gray/white is coming in so vicously i have to get it done every 4 weeks ($100)
• im poor enough

Pros:

• damn, its pretty looking.
• its really pretty.
• i love tri color, and i hate box coloring ($4)
• but it will make me $96 richer every month
• its so pretty.
• T-Dubs tells me how pretty it is.

please dont take this as im being big headed, i dont think i have any pretty features. At all. That being said, im really only happy with the hair for about two weeks becuase then the gray/white comes in with force. Hence the car photo so you cant see it on my part.

Here are some thoughts i have had:

Blog Update/Weekend Recap

Alrightchay'all.
Here is my current update.
This Saturday is the service for my grandfather.
We leave EARLY on Thursday morning.

That being said i have lots to do to get ready.
yesterday Will and I got out and reshingled our shed roof and put the grill in it.
I didnt take pictures. blog fail.
It was also a pretty piss-poor job and it looks terrible.
Come spring the entire roof will come off, and we have that too look forward too.
Story for another day.

Heres the dealyo, i will not be posting everyday this week, and not at all Thursday till next Tuesday.
Its a 12 hour drive home, which means i'll be in da car all day on Thursday and Monday.
I apologize.
But I also dont want to fill the blog with pointless posts.

I dont feel like posting.
I dont feel like much of anything...other than this..

It will be better after i put this service and all the family drama behind me.

OOOOONNNN to the good stuff.
I had another Bacholorette party this weekend.
It was quiet the event at Vickies. This was a photo i sent to T-Dubs.

He did not respond with enough enthusiasm, so i did not buy

yes, i know i wasn't 'really wearing it.' hush your mush!

On to the coolest place ever! Medieval times! WOOOO! So much fun!

Even if our knight did lose! Fo-Stabbed. And died.

The bride was kind enough to buy us all flags, we very quickly turned into WOO girls.

woo!

And that was great and i had blast.

It was actually super nice to get away.

Now, fast forward, even to NEXT Monday and I'd be a happy camper.

Later gators. Dont miss me too much. i promise to be back.

In the mean time, stalk me on instagram. @robine182

darker days

sister megan on the left. me far right.

Darker Days Ahead.
Understatement of the year.
Some moments i am totally fine. Others, i'm a hot mess.

I had chest pain yesterday i was freaking out so much about all this family drama. sometimes i hate family and their crap. then i remember they are family. I wish i had not agreed to return for the service and reception. Its turning into an effing wedding with all the shiznat my mother is planning. I am struggling with people (family members) not respecting each other's grief, or just being straight up rude. I am especially protective if someone mean or insulting to my spouse who has done nothing other than try to help. That includes encouraging me to drink, and tearing me away from my mother when i wanted to choke her. So he has his hands full. He is not a 'member' of the family, so stop being a jerk off to him. Thats how it goes with my huge drama filled family.

Oh well. Some days are harder than others.
honestly im just ready for it to be over.
I have seriously considered going on anti anxiety meds this last 2 weeks.
i might actually need it.
I really need a run. Free therapy, man.

so why can't i just get out there and hit the pavement? its snowing lightly, its not like i havent run in worse.

funky town. i guess thats where i am.

Upside read this 'song' my sister's boyfriend, SCHVEN (is what we will call him on here) txted her.

i like him already.

And I'm Back

You may have seen for one night a ranting post.

I can get pretty worked up and angry and decided i didnt want that out here.

Any Whoo!!!!

Who wants to hear about the 1,957 miles i logged in 13 days! :)

View Larger Map

Also i know it doesnt say as many miles but we drove around a bit.

Vacation recap?

Alright. Here is a brief run down.

Snap shot i took into the sun that was BRUTAL on my drive back on Sunday.

Friday Night: arrived at 2am. My Papa passed away at 5 am. See more of that in this post.

Saturday- Monday was lots of family in and out, trying to make plans and service arrangements. Unfortunately, its not for another two weeks, so we will be driving the 1,400 miles home again in two weeks.

Dad had lots for T-Dubs and i to do. He is slowing down these days and isnt recovering quickly from his hernia operation. We moved tons of stuff to the third floor.

Dad did make some time to go shoot some guns.

If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything.

I am into guns.

If you dont like it, dont read my blog. end rant.

Finally, we escaped (mother and i dont always get along, ever). Friday (week later) was lunch wedding rehearsal followed with day drinking, beer runs, night drinking.

Blogger fail; no pictures.

Saturday: HUNG OVER! I am no longer young, my body CANNOT handle crappy bar food, or boozing all day.

Me, Bride - Jenna, Groom - Nick, T-Dubs - goshwerehot. justsaying

Wedding prep and Wedding time. Cried my eyes out, they wrote their own vows, the officiant did a great job, it was just so beautiful.

It was slightly chilly for an outdoor wedding.

But still amazing and beautiful.

AWWWWEEEEE!

Ok, so open bar but i was still gurgle-ly. Gross.

Venue shut down at 10, shuttle provided back to the hotel, where the partiers just kept partying.

Thankfully we got a ride with some sober friends.

I laid down in my PJs for about 45 mins.

T-Dubs really just wanted to hang with the Groom, you know, weddings, everyone is everywhere all the time.

So i put on real clothes, hoddie and jeans, and my favorite sneakers.

This totally refreshed me! Gosh i was ready to drink then!

It was nice actually to just sit and chill with a few people as the bar cleared out.

Then the Best Man was nice enough to share the cigars with those of us left. Hmmmm it was really good cigars.

I like factory wrapped cigars. Sorryimnotsorry. I hate getting chunks in my mouth.

All around wonderful, the Groom made a little speech thanking everyone and i love them and miss them already! HAPPY WEDDINGMARRIAGE TO THE DOMINOS!!

Drove 13.5 hours home from NJ on Sunday. Crossed 3 entire states widths wise.

Darth loves good breakfast

Horray for normal home, and normal breakfast with my 5 am gym time.

It was long over due, i didnt even have time to take a picture of my food.

And for all my PUMPKIN SPICE CRAZIES!

Pumpkin Spice is No Where

Thanks, Loves! and for all the prayers and kind words. They mean so very much to me.

The F Word

TRUUUUUUEEE Story.
Today I'll do this...this map makes it look wussy.
its not. its 12 freaking hours.

View Larger Map
thank goodness T-Dubs is a hippie loving tree hugger. we own a prius.

And for your viewing pleasure.

The City Muesum

For the last 2 years, T-Dubs and I, take my Brother, his wife, and 5 boys to The City Muesum.
Pictures do not show how incredible this place is.
Think Dinesy Park on Crack. And then maybe you are close.

its hard to keep track of people so they wear matching shirts

So, in the tradition we took them again this year. We drove to St. Louis for the day and played! The outside is the coolest part i think. I also have only really climbed through this once and that was enough for me. It can be a little terrifiying! :)

Here is a great example.

This is bench that has a hole in the floor.

That a full grown man can climb into and disappear. TWO DIFFERENT WAYS!

its really just crazy stuff like that times a million.

All kinds of tree/cave climbing into the ceilings and floors.

This is a 10 story building.

I forgot to take a picture from the parking lot.
Thats really a cool way to look at it, because of the air planes and the bus on the roof!

T-Dubs is a good sport.

Silly boy!