Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Get Ready For Changes.

So it's been a long time, a little over 2 months to be exact.
I do this fairly often, as you know, so I'm not going to go into details as to why I haven't been blogging, but...I will fill you in on what's to come!
The Importance of Life is going to face some pretty great changes. 
It's going to become more focused, cleaned up and most importantly, kept up with.
I had started blogging solely for the purpose of getting the chance to write everyday and sort of see what happens.
All I can say is, expect bigger and better things from this blog of mine, because I do and I'm excited to see what comes of it.
fun-entertainmentnews.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Healthy For Life.

I am hooked. Well I have been for some time now but it has become more prominent in my day to day lifestyle.

Green Tea.


Whenever I would stay at my friend Monica's house we would drink cup after cup of tea.  Trying different flavors, or just trying to stay awake.
Now I find myself accepting a cup whenever offered or craving a cup when I wake in the morning or after dinner.
Could I be addicted?

I think of all things to be addicted to, Green Tea is probably one of the better options considering it helps in lowering cholesterol, fighting infectious cells, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Now as long as I can continue eating as much fruit as possible and maybe a glass of red wine each night with dinner, I think healthiness will be in my favor!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Stress Free.

Do you ever feel like the days that you want to last forever never do and the ones you wish would just fly by seem to last the longest? Or your doing everything you can to make something right and it always seems to go wrong?
stressfreemind.net
I'm beginning to feel that way about my weeks.  I have decided to let bygones be bygones and just take each day one step at a time. I feel like I say this all the time and then I get wrapped up in something within that DAY that I'm trying tackle.  But I have found, going to bed a little earlier, making time to watch my favorite shows, and setting nights aside to see the ones I love is really helping!  I'm still able to make time to get everything I need to do, done as well as containing a social life in the process.
stressfreemind.net
Everything always works out in the end.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Spring Forward.

It's March!

As if most of you are not aware of the month, seeing that March Madness is prominent on every screen in every home and bar.
It's been awhile so it's time to play catch up!
Starting with...

Opie, of course!
We just had our "3 month check up" which for him was actually his 3 1/2 month check up, since we had a bit of a late start.  Opie has literally doubled in size since the vet last saw him.  I noticed he was growing, his nose is longer, his belly is smaller and he is now taller then the little dogs he likes to play with.  When we first brought him to the vet on Feb. 14th, he weighed in at 7 lbs, so little!  This time around he weighed in at 13.6 lbs, so not quite 14 lbs but nearly.  He has now mastered (aside from a few accidents) going potty outside and we even went as far to teach him "sit" and "lay".
He is so smart!

We started off the month visiting Ryan's older brother! 
It was so nice getting to see them and spending time with William, not to mention Opie was totally worn out from playing with Ziggy the moment he woke up to the moment we took him upstairs to go to bed.  It was nice being able to sit around and do nothing for once.

And as you can see I was the only one awake the entire drive home.

Last Saturday Ryan and I had the opportunity to hang out with some of our friends that we don't normally get the chance to see.  We all attended Beertopia which allowed us to travel from tent to tent, tasting different beers from an abundant list of breweries.

 
I honestly felt that I was going to know, or have tasted most of the beers offered, but to my surprise, many of the breweries I had never even heard of!  It was a lot of fun, and really great getting to see the faces of those I miss seeing on a regular basis.

It has been over a month now that my brother has been in the Airforce!  Mom keeps me updated after speaking to him when he is offered the chance to call.  He has really come into his own, who would have guessed that my little brother thrives off structure!  He was named the leader of his group and takes on the responsibility of making sure everything is kept in order, while accepting the discipline if it does not.  I am so proud of him and the decisions that he has made! I miss him everyday and hope all the while that he is happy and enjoying every moment of it!

As most know, this is my (hopefully) last full semester as an undergraduate.  I loved interning at Charlotte Parent in the fall so much and in knowing that I am receiving credit for the work I am doing and gaining experience that many may not have coming out of college to boot, I could not resist doing another!
This past Tuesday, I have been accepted to intern for the Charlotte Observer Magazine this summer.  I am so excited for all that they have planned for me! 

 



But this discussion will be left for a later date.



  
I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather!
Have a great day and...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Words To Remember. Words To Live By.

For those days that seem to last forever, or the moments that I can't seem to forget, all I'm going to do is remember that things will only get better.

http://pinterest.com/pin/166844361165168856/







































I tend to do every single one of these, and have found that this is what makes most people annoyed with me.  Not that I'm going to change myself for the sake of making others happy but it would be nice to look here and be reminded that this all in the same could make me a better person.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Start To A Better Me...And You!

I am definetly not the smallest girl I know, and for as long as I can remember I have always tried to hit that goal weight and failed...miserably.
I am naturally (well for the most part) a healthy eater, but I am known to grab a bite from Chic-Fil-A or Cook-Out...you know that nights.
I would like to get to a healthy weight where I both feel and look healthy, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!


 tumblr.com
For starters,
The good and the bad.  What we should and should not do!


 soon2befit.tumblr.com

 I have always been told that running is the way to go, but after running in High School, lets just say it kills! So I'm going to start brisk walking, which is the light portion of the picture above.


 sexy-little-thing.tumblr.com

I love when someone takes the time to make it easy!
I will admit that I do not exercise everyday, and what I consider exercise is walking quickly around Taco Mac when I'm working, or walking briskly to my classes because I'm in such a hurry and don't want to be late.  So I'll admit, this plan is my "first step".


 gettingskinny22.tumblr.com
For those that can't make time to go to the gym, like myself, I have found a few things to do at home, no weights needed!
And...
 last but not least, if we are working to better our bodies and our health, why not work on our skin while we are at it!

 dontplacemeinabox.tumblr.com
It's definetly nice when the things that we need to use to better ourselves taste great!
Maybe I'll start tonight...or better yet, lets be realistic and say Saturday!



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

He Sure Fooled Us.

Opie is a handful!
When we brought him home from South Carolina we were unsure what to expect.  The quiet, sleepy, cooperative boy that he introduced us to was a sneak into the life we would not have with Opie.
The one thing that has stayed consistent is him sleeping through the night.  Of all that is definitely a blessing.  I don't know what I would do if he wasn't allowing us to sleep through the night.
Yet quiet is far from the truth!
Our little Opie, the one we were unsure knew how to bark, uses his powerful bark to let us know everything! When he wants attention, when he wants to be picked up, when he wants to go outside.  It's very confusing trying to differentiate between them all.
The hardest part is probably trying to get all of his energy out.  For a second, I thought maybe we should get another puppy in the next year, now I'm starting to think that is NOT a good idea.  Thanks to our friends who own animals themselves, and allow us to show up at their homes for a play date at a moments notice, I don't know what I would do without them.
Not only do we get a break from trying to keep him busy, he has another dog(s) to play with and we usually end up leaving with him asleep on our laps for the ride home.

This here is Opie, gathering our friends dogs toys, after burying them in the corners, only to gaurd them from all who came near.


Because our friends were not using the bed, they allowed us to take it home.  As you can see, he does the same thing at home with his toys.
Looks like we may need to work on sharring.

Next on the list...Dog Training Classes!
Hopefully they can help us learn how to keep him from going to the bathroom inside.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Drink.

I like to think I am a fairly cheap date, in the sense that I don't mind paying for myself and if a drink is offered, I usually go the beer route.
But when I get those chances to go out with the girls, my drink of choice is...

Vodka Red bull
  • 2 oz of vodka
  • 8 oz Red Bull energy drink
vitaminherb.blogspot.com

I am not much of a vodka drinker, but for some reason I can easily sip this delicious drink away, no problem.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Welcome Home!

Wow has it been awhile!
I feel though that this time I have an excuse.
First, Valentines with Ryan was celebrated a little early.  We went to Carrabas for dinner and ate way to much food!
We devoured the first basket of bread that was brought to the table and said yes to a second basket, which arrived at the same time as our appetizer.
hip2save.blogspot.com
Yummy Calamari!
Once finishing the last few, we were served our salads then our meals.  Luckily for me I had food for lunch the next day!
We then scooted over to Concord Mills to see Chronicle.

filmofilia.com
The movie was so-so, but Ryan liked it and then that was all that mattered because the next day (Monday) Ryan and I woke around 10:30 a.m. to pick up the newest addition to our apartment and one of the best Valentine's Day gifts yet!

OPIE
Sorry he is a little sideways here! Picking up Opie was so exciting! We drove all the way to South Carolina to get him, and as the lady handed him over all I could do was love him.

He was very dirty when we picked him up, so our friend Kortney let us give him a bath at her house once we returned to Charlotte.  The bath water was literally black from all the dirt and grime.  We then brought him to our friend Kristen and Dustin's house, where we gave him two more baths.  The poor guy didn't know what to do!


He was so tired!
He slept for two whole days, aside from the moments that Ryan and I would wake him up to go outside, the vet, or to play.
It wasn't long till his eyes were shut and he was sleeping...again!

Now that he is up-to-date on his shots, and his sleep, he is all play!
Making friends with everyone he is coming into contact with
leaving no one un-kissed.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Peace, Love, And Beer.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!

It's been a few weeks since I enlightened you all with a brewery like this one here and here.
Since we have cover my top two breweries, I feel it's only fair to give my third all time favorite!

Today's Brewery: 


ncbrewing.org

Mother Earth, a name that originated from two men listening to their rock-n-roll vinyl albums, some dating back to the year 1965, when they stumbled across the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  
Those two men, Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring,


motherearthbrewing.com
both from Kinston, NC, decided to take their creativity and love of beer to a whole new level.  Staying true to their name, Mother Earth, they decided to stay green in each process.  For example, when choosing a locating there in Kinston, they decided that instead of tearing down a building to build a new one, they would buy said old building and enhance it giving it the TLC it needed through using environmentally friendly construction material.
How was this done you ask?
To name only a few things, they used a 100% recyclable product to insulate the walls called blue jean insulation.  This insulation is literally made out of old denim.  They also used soy-based foam insulation for the ceiling of the second floor, and low voc paint for the walls.
The list literally continues, and if you would like to know more about what they used in the building, beer, etc., go here.

Now for the beer!


thegreatestbeerofalltime.com



Weeping Willow Wit

A different Belgian wit for those that typically drink Blue Moon or Shock Top. 
This was the second Mother Earth beer I tried after falling in love with Mother Earth's Dark Cloud.
 
Weeping Willow is very light, sweet and crisp. 






I would suggest this beer to those that claim not to like beer but are willing to give it another go.

thegreatestbeerofalltime.com

Dark Cloud

The first Mother Earth beer I ever tried!
I think most are afraid to try Dark Cloud because of its appearance.  Being a Munich Dunkel, it is darker in color as a dark lager should be, yet like a lager, Dark Cloud is somewhere in the middle of being light and heavy.

 Encompassing a rather earthy taste, I love Dark Cloud for what it brings to the table, unpredictability.




It makes me laugh to watch others try Dark Cloud for the first time as their faces go from fear to surprise, ending with the phrase I love to hear, "Wow! This is good!"


thegreatestbeerofalltime.com

Sisters Of The Moon 

I was really excited to try Mother Earth's India Pale Ale and as expected, drank every last drop, yearning for another, only to hear myself say I was okay with water.

Sisters of the Moon carries an earthy start, as I'm beginning to think most Mother Earth beers do, exploding into a bitter ride and ending with slightly sweet finish.
 
The first, and only (yet won't be the last), time I tried Sisters of the Moon, was this past Tuesday when Ryan and I went to Raleigh for his grandpa's 92nd birthday. Not a beer for everyone but definitely one all should try if offered or available.

If you are going to friends/families home today to watch the Superbowl, be sure to pick up Mother Earth or try one by building your own pack at the grocery store!
*Background information from Mother Earth Brewery.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Sandlot.

Every now and then I like to break out The Sandlot quotes.
You know the ones, L7 weenie or how to explain to someone how to make a correct s'more.
As I was attempting these quotes to Ryan, and we were trying to figure out if it was the word cracker or graham that Ham used to describe the graham cracker, the movie came on!
Even with 19 years between now and the year it was released, it is still a great, funny movie.
steelcloset.com

imamuseum.org

laughyourspleenout.tumblr.com
ivewatchedit.com
tadafromannie.blogspot.com

buffaloshows.net
connect.in.com
Waking up the next day in a groggy state, I found myself wearing a baseball tee, jeans and a pair of converses.
Thank you Sandlot, for not only being amazing past your time, but being the inspiration for my outfit the following day.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Starting The Week Right.

Now that I have my Mondays compeltely open,
I am excited to get the morning started...

catching up on gossip and exercise and how to be a better me,
learning how to use my new camera correctly and creatively instead of keeping it hidden out of fear of breaking/losing it,
 and finishing up my homework for the week.

What's better than starting the week stress free and on the right foot?
Nothing, only the good that will arise because of it.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

While Away, Remember When...

Time flies by so fast.
One minute your hanging out on the couch with your family, the next your off to college, graduating, and starting a life of your own.
With my brother leaving in less then a week for the Air Force, I can't help but want to look back...far back.
Roley Poley that one! Had to be propped up next to someone to keep from rolling over.
Clearly that didn't always help.
 Cousins by chance, friends by choice. -Anonymous


 The first few years, it was us against our mother.
Sometimes children just can't be tamed, whether that pertains to the hyper wild child or unmanageable hair, in this case it's both.
Then our mom married our dad Pete, and it wasn't just the two of us any more, there were six!
Preston never allowed a day to go by with out cracking a joke, faking a fart through his armpit (or not faking at all), or walking around the house with our older brother Preston, shirts over their heads laughing as they said, "I am cornholio!"

Pictures via My Mom
I remember when mom would have us watch this video and we thought it was so scary, no matter how many times we watched it!

 
Video via Youtube
Hopefully the time will pass so fast it won't even seem as though he was away.
Have fun brother, I love you!