Getting Ready for the Big Move

Its almost here, the big move to Michigan. It's weird that I'm not really nervous about it, just ready to finish this move. I've looked at all the wonderful moving ideas, but I'm just not excited to try them myself... Here's a cool little product though... Space bags. Now I know you've heard of them, these bags that are vacuum sealed, but they really are amazing. I got these ones below for a good deal and they are just amazing... We have put our pillows, and blankets and coats in these bags... and they just suck all the air out and its super flat! They can be expensive, but I shopped around and got a great deal on Amazon.com.

That is 6 pillows in a Jumbo bag. The decorative pillows in our extra bedroom were a perfect candidate for this wonder Space bag experiment and I am so happy that I bought them! I highly recommend them for moving, and even storage!

Blog Writing Can Be Discouraging.

So, I'm writing a blog and I just want people to read it, to be interested in it. I realize now how difficult it is to expect that. To advertise this on Facebook is one thing, then Pinterest, hoping that I'll gain a tiny following or something. I guess, its early, but I just want comments, and readers. Just more!

Wow, I sounds somewhat pitiful, but it's the truth and I'm sure those of you who have written a blog in the past know hoe discouraging it can be when you never have a comment or anything. I just have to believe that eventually this will get a following. In any case, I don't have much to say today.

Have a Happy weekend!!!

I'm going to a pottery painting place tomorrow and I am going to be making a tile mirror. I will be sure to post pictures next week when I pick it up!

Thanks for reading

~Amanda

New Pinterest Button

Hey Everyone!

So I've now added a Pin It! Button to all photos, so if you see something you'd like to pin to your Pinterest board, go for it!

This is a super exciting addition to my blog, so please take advantage of it! For instance, this picture Its a wonderful cake I made for Scott's birthday because he loves Batman!

I'll be showing you all how to make this delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake in the Recipe of the Week! 

Enjoy!

~Amanda

A New Look!

So I've been busy at work with Amy making our blog really look awesome! At the top of the page, you'll see 4 tabs, and you can get to some other posts that way.

Home: This will take you back to our original homepage, there isn't much here, but its the main page with links to our blogs.

Amy: This will take you to Amy's page, complete with all of her posts.

Weekly Recipes: Remember last week when I posted that yummy dish. Well, now all Thursday recipes will be at that new page. Enjoy!

Crafty Crafts: Things like that summer wreath will be here.

This page is going to be used as a chat/blog area for relationships, and daily thoughts. I think this will make it easier to get around, and I can have fun with the background! Check out those Jelly Beans!

In Other News!

Today I wanted to discuss the long-term serious relationship. If you're in one now, have been in one in the past, or just want to know what to expect, read on!

So Scott and I have been together about a year and a half and it has been a complete whirlwind. It was like, the minute we started dating, I knew, and so did he. (What did I know?) Well, thank you for asking, I knew he was 'the one' oh yes, the elusive one. :) He made everything better, and truly completed me from day 1. I know that to some nay-sayers, 1.5 years isn't that long, or long enough or whatever to be giving advice on the long-term relationships, however, that hardly matters because for me, 4 months was long enough. Long enough for me to know what I want.

Scott and I have been living together for almost a year now, and it has been phenomenal. This is something that could really be hit or miss for some couples, a breaking point for instance, but for us, it strengthen and matured our relationship. I mean, look where we are now, about to move across state lines together, and not concerned at all about our health as a couple.

That being said, we had some rough patches, what do you expect? I think everyone goes through some moments that make you stronger as a couple. Here are some things you may have battled with, or can expect to battle with, things that when they were happening, I wanted to know if they were normal and why they were happening, so listen up!

• Constant Butting Heads: Now Amy can attest to this because for the first 3 months of our relationship, we argued once a week. About stupid things, and we never stayed mad for long, but it drove me crazy. I didn't expect it to be this way, and this is something that not all couples experience, but because we were both such strong-willed people, we needed to do this so we could 'test the boundaries'. I mean I would never want to be with a man who didn't stand up to me and fight for what they want... this is important to me in the relationship, and it certainly equaled out, and we hardly ever fight now.
• Discussing taking the next step... Moving In: So for us, our move was somewhat unplanned until the last minute. My senior year roommate bailed on me right before we were signing a lease, and there was literally only two options left, live alone or move in with Scott. At first, I was really against this because I didn't think we had been dating that long, and that if it went sour, we'd be stuck in a lease together. This stressed me out, and I just didn't want to take that risk. Then again, financially, I was not in the best place, and moving in with Scott would lessen the rent, and we practically stayed with each other every night anyway. So we talked about this, and took the plunge. While a risky move, it worked out fabulously, and it is because we had a stable relationship full of communication.
• Learning to Live with your significant other: Now I didn't have to go through the ordeal of not being a lady in front of Scott because I never held back in the relationship. The first night we hung out, I remember being in my bedroom changing and I decided right there that I wasn't going to pretend to be someone that I wasn't, and that meant there weren't surprising personality traits he hadn't seen before. The biggest issue we experienced was learning how to be respectful of each other's living preferences. For example: It drives Scott crazy if damp towels are left on the floor, or if the sponge for the dishes is left in the sink, and so I made the necessary changes to make living better for the both of us, although it was a difficult adjustment.
• Romance: This is a BIG one for me and it still sometimes is. I think the thing is that our relationship has evolved so going on dates, and being romantic has kind of fallen to the wayside. That might be okay for some, but I love the romance, going on dates, getting dressed up, getting out of the house, nice gestures, just things that show affection and love. I'd like to think I do that for Scott more often than he does it for me, but at one point it was a big problem in our relationship because I felt like the effort that was made in the beginning of the relationship was gone, and devoted to something else that seemed more important than me. It was hard, and it kind of ebbs and flows, sometime its real romantic, and other times its certainly lacking. I try to be less expecting of it, and I talk to Scott when I'm feeling down about this and he listens and tries to make me feel more appreciated.

I think relationships take work, and its the work you do that makes it all worth it. Here's to the future with Scott, it looks bright as ever.

~Amanda

Goals for the next School Year!!!

Okay, so I have been pestering and pestering Amy to make a post on here... maybe she doesn't have anything on her mind, or maybe she's just busy... I know she just started a new job and that can be taxing... not to mention celebrating her 24th birthday last week. So we'll give her a break and just know she'll post on here soon!

Today I wanted to go over some goals I have for myself for this next school year. New school, new impressions, new jobs. As a graduate student, I want to put my best foot forward, presenting myself professionally, and practically. I'm going to be teaching some undergraduate course, and I don't want to look like a student, but like an adult. Therefore, my goals will be formed for that purpose as well as some others!

• Dress with poise - During my time at Miami, I gradually became more and more lazy about my clothing choices. I'd rock the sweatpants and yoga pants, and hoodies all day everyday. This is not the image I'd like to portray. I want to look nice all the time, so that is my first goal for the upcoming school year... Plus, when you look good, you feel good too!
• Really Push Myself - My ultimate educational goal  is to get my PhD in Clinical Psychology. In order to do that, I need to work harder than ever before. Really pushing myself to do the work. I was moderately successful in my undergraduate, with a B average or so, but I know that if I had read and studied, I could have gotten better grades, and been more successful. I am aware of my capabilities, and I need to do the best. Not better, but the best. I need to work hard in research, get some things published, complete a master's thesis, and be a student that all the professors want to teach. That is who I need to be, and who I can be.
• Be Healthier - This goes along with how I dress, when I gained weight, I avoided the jeans for the comfy yoga pants because they fit better, but no more. I'll rock the cutest jeans, and look better when I'm healthier. Plus, if I get engaged in the next year, I'll need to be on a good start so I look amazing in those photos and that white dress. 
• Have a Schedule - I love a set schedule, and I had one all through college, but I'm talking about sleeping at the same time every night, going to bed relatively early, which will be easier since Scott is going to be waking up super early. But if I wake up early enough, I can go to the gym in the apartment complex before class, and feel refreshed. I want to pack my lunches and make dinner on the nights that I'm home before 8pm. 

Those are the biggest goals for me. I just need to be the person I know I can be... and the person I know I am inside. Sometimes I just get lazy, and things that should be important fall between the cracks because there are other things I need to do, more than the things I want to do... well I'm making this a priority and not just a want, but a need for a better life!

~Amanda

Puzzle Time

Look at that 2,000 piece doozie!!

Scott and I bought this puzzle on Sunday, February 10, 2013, right after we got back from our anniversary vacation. We attempted to do this other puzzle, thinking we could finish it in one night, but damn that was impossible... here's what the other one looked like after about 2 hours. 

So when we got home, we decided to go a buy another one. This time, a Times Square photo... And would you believe, it took 5 months, but we finally finished it...

Now this post isn't about puzzles, its about how a puzzle can help build a relationship!

So I think it just isn't about puzzles, its more about spending quality time with your significant other that doesn't include sitting in front of the TV. Yes, at times we felt like an old couple, doing a puzzle, however, it was a really sweet thing for us, and we felt really accomplished by the end of it!! So here is my Sunday recommendation, do a time consuming, mentally taxing activity with your love... If you're lucky, it will bring you closer together, and your chest just might swell with accomplishment!

I'm thinking tomorrow we'll discuss the stresses of moving! 

Thanks for reading!

~Amanda

The Integral Part of Family.

It's funny that I'm writing again to you, you readers... Although sparse, or even non-existent, you make me feel like I'm being heard I guess. Maybe my constant ramblings will annoy and Amy will have to venture away from the blog so people will read, but maybe I ring some bells.

It's an interesting balance when you are in a relationship, a serious relationship, that is. Balancing my family time with his family time is difficult, especially on holidays. Like this past weekend, and Father's Day. So my boyfriend's parents are both divorced and remarried, so he has the step-dad he's lived with for most of his life, and he has his father who has served admirably in the military for all of Scott's life. Then we have my dad, who I love dearly. Honestly, its really hard to get something figured out so we can see everyone and unfortunately, this year, I miss out on seeing my dad on Father's day. I did get to see him the day before, but I still felt horrible about missing Father's day with my own dad, but spending time with Scott's dads. This is something that was very difficult for me, not just last Sunday, but also on Thanksgiving, when we went with his mom to Tennessee. Or on Christmas when we basically had to run around all day, making for a busy and dreadful experience. With all of that being said, I think that this is super important for a serious relationship. Luckily, our families all live in a triangle each 1 hour away from each other, but no matter the distance compromise and equal footing is very important in this relationship.

So what was the verdict?

When our first Thanksgiving came around, Scott told me that he had missed Thanksgiving with his family because he had to work the past 4 years, and it was really important to his mother that he go this year, since he didn't have to work. I was distraught about this, and we considered going our separate ways for this holiday, but I couldn't imagine a holiday without him. So I asked my mother, and I am so fortunate to have such understanding parents and they simply asked that I be there for Black Friday shopping, naturally I couldn't turn this down, and we made it work. Then at Christmas it was a little more difficult. We absolutely had to see everyone, no exceptions. We had to make some calls, have people adjust the schedules for us, but we managed spending Christmas morning with his dad, then going to my parents, then to his spend time with his mom, and finally back to my house for a family dinner that I didn't want to miss.

Take Home Note.

I think the moral of this rambling story is that a part of growing up is making those compromises. Now Scott has said numerous times, that when we have children, this will not be our Christmas, running around driving all the time, but instead people will come to us. In any case, I think we've worked this out quite well and I'm looking forward to seeing how holidays work when we're living in Michigan, at least 3 hours away from our family. Luckily, they all have a bed we can stay in for a weekend. Gosh, I love our parents.

It's funny that this started out talking about how important it is to get along with your significant other's family, and instead turned into a monologue about holidays... Hmmm maybe next time I'll stay on topic.


If you're out there, leave a comment so I know! :)

~Amanda

Thougthful Thoughts

So I'm working a third shift job at a suicide hotline this summer, a place I had been volunteering at for the past 2 years, and then I finally got hired on in January, and let me tell you, the mind wanders when you're alone waiting for a phone to ring. 

        Third Shift is not good for everyday living!

During my last semester of college, I worked two 'overnight' shifts a week, one Sunday night and one Monday night, and this sucked on top of having a regular day job and taking classes. Now that I've graduated, you'd think that this third shift thing would be better for me, nothing else to do or anything, but it's not the best. I've completely wrecked havoc on my sleeping schedule and its going to be difficult to revert back to something normal when I move in July. I would not recommend third shift to anyone unless it was the only option, I have always been a night owl, but this is difficult. 

         What is it about life that causes weight gain?!

This is probably a question that all the ladies ask themselves when they step on that scale and see those ugly numbers that make them cringe. Well for me I look at those numbers and mentally yell, "WHY?!". I've made some simple conclusions, but I don't really know what has caused this weird weight gain (About 30 pounds). Let me also mention that this isn't normal for me. I weighed about the same within 10 pounds for about 4 years then I explode. 

1. Birth Control - Due to some weird insurance changes, the birth control I had been on for over a year back in December was no longer covered, the price went from $10 to $226, and I simply could not afford that. So I went without it for a month then started a new, cheaper pill that basically worked the same. However, during the time off the pill, I put on 10 pounds. I don't think my appetite changed much, but it seems like this caused problems. Then, back in April I got an IUD called Skyla. It's this amazing little T-shaped thing that they insert into your uterus and it lasts for 3 years. No pill, no worry, it's pretty awesome for me, but after that went in, I gained another 10 pounds. Either way, I'm feeling blimp like.
2. Moving in with your boyfriend - My boyfriend, Scott and I moved in together last Summer and at the time I was on a low-carb diet. Now we never had a scale or anything so I don't know how much I weighed when I started, or when we moved in, but I had lost about 25 pounds and then when I stopped dieting, I slowly rebounded back and gained it all back by Christmas. I don't know if this is partially his doing, but he eats more than me and I'd always find myself with equal plate servings as him, and I'd gain weight and he'd keep it off. Not fair I know, but still it makes sense now. Luckily, he loves me at all different weight, from my normal starting Amanda, to the diet Amanda, to the now fat Amanda. I think that's what matters, but whenever we try to diet together, it does not work. Men don't understand the concept of dieting, er, at least Scott doesn't. He says let's lose some weight write down what we weigh and if we don't meet our goal weight we lose something (in my case Pinterest). He never discusses how we lose the weight, just say, eat less. However, without a kind of plan with parameters, I feel like the diet won't be effective, and look now, it hasn't. 
3. Dieting - That low-carb diet worked for me. If working is feeling jittery, hungry all the time, moody, and sometimes downright mean. I've realized that cutting out an entire food group is bad for me, and for most people. Now I didn't completely cut out carbs, but I did take out a big part of my diet and I was always hungry no matter what I did. At first, I was taking a diet pill with it, but I didn't like what it made me feel like. Anyway, dieting in general isn't good for you and it doesn't last. I always, always, ALWAYS, gain back the weight. 
4. Third Shift - Damn, sleep is important for maintaining a healthy weight, and when I'm working overnight then going to class, I'm certainly not eating better, and I do NOT have time for breakfast. No sleep = no energy = fat me.

Well, there you have it. Girls Guide to Being Fat.

Now, what do I do about it? I have refused to buy new jeans because I want to fit in the ones I have. I am wearing dresses and athletic gear right now. I feel like saying "sweatpants are the only thing that fit me right now", if you catch my reference. I set a goal on June 1st, that I am going to lose 30 pounds by the end of August. That's 10 pounds a month, and completely doable, I think. So far I've lost 5 pounds just by nature, but I need a plan and I'm over halfway done with month one. So here's the plan...

• Cut back on carbs - I eat a lot of carbs, almost with every meal.
• Eat less - this seems simple enough, no going back for seconds, and no filling up the plate.
• Be active - this is harder, but I've been running (once) and I need to find something effective for me, which is probably not as strenuous.
• Eat breakfast - I've heard this is the key to being healthy. However, this will be difficult for the next 4 weeks because of my overnight job, but afterwards, its on.
• Don't eat 4 hours before bed - I'm not going to give a specific time because I'm not sure my bedtime is midnight, which is what the 8pm thing I hear is. 
• Sleep - Getting regular sleep, I think will help a lot. 

So there it is, my diet plan. How exciting is that?! Stay tuned, and I'll let you know how it goes!!!

Next time, I want to discuss relationships, and balancing all the things that come with it in your life!

Thanks for reading! 

Leave a comment if you have any topics you'd like me to cover!

~Amanda