Black Bean Enchiladas

I got paid today so I went to Wal-Mart for groceries.  I was proud of myself because I planned my grocery list instead of just buying whatever sounds good!  I borrowed an idea from the bestie Dirty Cow and bought the ingredients for 4 different dinners for ADE to choose from each night this week.  I think it will save me a lot of stress and hopefully some money, too!  

Choices for this week:

Shrimp/potatoes/corn/sausage (shrimp boil)

Black Bean Enchiladas

BLTTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato, turkey, avocado) Sandwiches 

Sloppy Joe's (a fave of ADE's)

Tonight, he chose Black Bean Enciladas... I was a little nervous because I'd never made these before.  I heard of this yummy dish at Practically Perfect in this post.  The recipe can be found here.

It took a little longer than I expected (about an hour) but it turned out really well.  Adam said it's the best meal I've ever made him!

-sorry the pic is crappy, all I had was my b-berry

Black Bean Enchiladas

To go with our main dish I also made Avapico:

3-4 avocados (mash them up)

1 can Mexicorn (don't drain)

1 can Original Rotel (drain it a little)

Chopped purple onion (to taste)

Lime juice (to taste)

Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (to taste)

Chips for dipping of course!

*mix it all together, it's easy, and YUM-O!*

Weekend Update

Hello lovelies... how was your weekend? Mine was "pretty, prettyyy, prettyyyy good". Btdubs, I cannot wait for the new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm! Love me some Larry David.

Back to the subject at hand, this weekend was pretty low key, but still kinda fab. Friday ADE (boyfriend) and I went and got McDonald's (healthy I know) once he finally got back from school. After that I honestly don't remember what we did but it can't have been too exciting, then, huh?

Saturday morning at 8:27 AM, I was disturbed out of my peaceful sleep by the Safe Lite Glass dude calling and saying he was "here to fix my windshield"... did you know they come to you now, if you prefer? Balla. So, I went downstairs, let him at my car, and got to go back up to my bed and sleep a little longer. And 30 minutes later I had a spankin' new windshield! Cue me still with bedhead and crusty eyes going to wal-mart with ADE to get his oil changed. He insists on going early to beat the rush. I am not a morning person (by that I mean I'm a biznatch before double digit times) so I went on the condition that he buy me McD's breakfast! He was right, we beat the crowds and his car didn't take long at all, and my bfast bagel was delish.

We randomly decided we were going to drive to Jonesboro, which is about an hour and a half BORING drive away. I say random because normally if we want a day trip we'll head to Little Rock. BUT Jonesboro has a new mall and I wanted to see, plus I'd never been there before.

We walked through that whole flipping mall and it was just LOVELY! I bought the cutest shirt and two headbands at Gap and fantasized about buying a lot more at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond (both IN the mall, how convenient and tempting).

Then we walked around ASU's campus, cuz we are bothy kinda different like that and we like to do random things like walk around a campus we don't know and making my feetsies hurt.

We headed home around 3 and weren't home for long when ADE's friend in LR called to bribe us into watching the UFC fight with him at Gusano's. Downtown LR, Saturday night, it was packed!!! Mostly, packed with Meatheads who like UFC fights and get WAY too into them. But it was fun and we got free pizza and drinks via ADE's friend, how nice of him!

By the time we got home (after waiting in traffic in LR due to a huge wreck) we were *exhausted* and I was asleep the minute my head hit the pillow.

Sunday, I slept in, watched Sex and the City DVD's all day, and then we went and tried the new Fuji Steakhouse here in town. They gave us a free California Roll since it was their grand opening and it was really a good night. Our cook put on a good show, although he was kind of a pervert, really. He made the ladies at the table catch food in our mouths and when we were sitting there with our mouths wide open (so awkward btw), he made little comments and well.. let's just say he was inapprop! Then I came home and watched True Blood... *bliss*

Love my Seesters!

In less than a week my life has changed twice. My sister, Kelly, came last Thursday to move into the dorm and start her freshman year. She's pretty fab if I do say so myself. Both my lil sisters are. They're the cheese to my macaroni. They make me laugh like NO other, and I'm my very craziest around them, in the best way possible.

Kelly (aka "Gill") had a hard time choosing what to do after HS graduation. Everyone struggles with the choices that come with this time in life, at least a little. Once Kelly got here, she realized that all that change all at once was not her cup of tea. Each individual person can experience the same experience differently. For her, starting college classes, moving away from our childhood home, and taking on a whole new batch (hehe) of responsibilities at once was too much. After a lot of thinking, crying, worrying, and changing her mind, she decided to go back home for her first year out of HS.

I don't blame her. I can't say the thought wasn't tempting to me when I was a wee freshman 5 years ago. Seriously?!! It's been 5 years. But there were different things about my experience and I stuck it out and got some really good friends out of the deal! I also never would have met Adam if I hadn't stayed. I fully believe that Kelly has made the right choice for her, and that her choice will bring her just as many blessings as mine did!

Yesterday I helped Gill pack up and move out everything we had unpacked and moved in 5 days before. I walked around with her to all the different offices on campus and jumped with her through all the hoops it took to get her un-enrolled.

I'm sad she's gone. I'll miss her all over again. We had fun times when she was here and she said if that was all there was she would stay here, but school and dorm life made her decide to go home.

So, dearest Gill, here's to laying out, watching movies, playing Life and having a buh-last with you while you were here! Good luck with your new classes and your new start on life!

The beauty of sisters is you never have to worry about losing those fun times. They're pretty much guaranteed for the rest of your life.

Can you feel my excitement?

Tomorrow I go to Branson.

For my Mema's birthday celebration,

which she planned herself.

But not in the arrogant way. 

In the - I want to see my family and I'm a cutie - way.

The drive will be long.

I have to get up at 6:30 in the mornin' 

on a Saturday.

Know this about me...

I hate waking up early.

My Mema's excited though

and you can't let down Mema!

So I'll be armed with:

my iPod

my sunnies

my b-berry mapping system

lots of caffeine in the form of diet dp/coffee/red bull

and possibly a b-fast bagel from

good ol' mcdondons.

:)

and by tmrw night I'll be home

and Adam will most likely deal with

tired, grouchy, on edge

jen

but - maybe i'll keep it positive allllll day long

we'll see!

bye lovelies!

Longest Week Ever!

Is it just me, or does the week before pay day go by especially sloooow?  

  

I only get paid once a month so that really makes it worse because by this time of the month I am down to pennies and relying on my low stash of groceries to get me by.  (I hope my mom doesn't read this.  She'd be mad that I didn't tell her I needed money.) 

  

If you are reading this, mom, I'm fine... I just want to be a grown up and if I really really needed help, I'd tell you!  :) 

  

I know I promised an update from our trip to Springdale but I've been so out of it.  I'm too lazy to upload pictures and I'm too OCD to do the post without the pictures!  There are some cute ones... they can't be neglected. 

  

Right now I'm sittin' here at work sippin' my morning coffee, eating a Nutrigrain bar and listening to the rain! 

  

Can I go back to bed now, please?

Jayda, here I come!

So I did a kinda crappy job of blogging this week!  I won't be able to blog over the weekend either because Adam and I are going to the NWA!!!  Woot woot!  I am so excited to get to go home for a weekend with no big events (graduations or weddings) planned!
 
I'm so excited that I am sitting here counting the minutes until noon, because I get off early today!  I might skip out like 15 min. even earlier.  If you don't tell, I won't tell!
 
We are taking Miller with us, b/c Adam is my usual cat-sitter and well, he's coming along with me!  Miller does fantastic on car trips, but hates when we arrive at a new place.  He usually will refuse to come out of his carrier.  His least favorite thing in the world is to go to my Granny's house and see Jayda.  She is a typical toddler and bugs the crap out of poor Mills.
 
There WILL be an update either Sunday night or Monday about the weekend!  I plan on showing Adam around, seeing grandparents, bff's and of course love of my life, Jayda!!!  I haven't seen her in about two months which is just ridiculous.  I'm sure there will be some cute pics of her to grace you all with!
 
 

Weekend Update

I'm making it my personal goal to start blogging more often.  I don't know why I skip so many days, because when I do I really miss it.
 
This weekend I couldn't blog, because Adam and I hung out a lot and we instituted a "no computer" rule for the weekend.  I have really fast internet at the apartment so usually we are both eating that up.  But this weekend was so much fun and exactly what we needed!  The no computer thing didn't even bug us because we had such a good time with each other.  We ordered take out and watched movies and played way too much playstation.  We played lots of MLB baseball and some Bond.  I got better at baseball, but I think I only beat him once out of several games.  I pretty much dominated at Bond.  Anyway, we dubbed it our "Lovah's Retreat", jokingly, but it really ended up being fantastic!
 
This weekend doubled as my last weekend to eat a lot of the things I did.  I wasn't a complete glutton, but I ate Mexican food and ice cream and pizza (don't judge) because today I am starting back on Weight Watchers.  I can't go to the actual meeting, but it's not necessary.  I am bound and determined to lose 30 pounds by the end of this year.  I figure it's doable because usually when you're trying to lose weight the first pounds come off a lot faster than the last ones do.  I'm sure when I reach the 30 pounds mark and have 20-30 more to go it'll be a lot tougher!!!
 
I'm happy to say this past weekend I maintained the weight I was at.  No, I didn't lose, but I'm mega-shocked I didn't gain!
 
Right now, I'm at work and this Monday feels awful compared to the awesome weekend I just had!

The BIG Goal

Ever heard of the phrase, "She's let herself go?"

 

Well, I have.  Let myself go I mean.  Physically and Financially.

 

So in order to inspire me to lose the lbs I've so hastily put on, I have a little reward system developed for myself.

 

As you see from my last post, money is tight.  But, I love to shop.  And need to lose weight.

 

So!  Each month, starting today, I will give myself $5.00 for each pound lost.  The total sum of money, I get to spend on whatever I want.  My limit will be $50 (although I can't see myself losing more than 10 lbs in a month... hmm maybe?).

 

So for example, say I lose 5 lbs between now and when I get my paycheck the 31st.  Then I get to spend $25 out of my paycheck, any time during August, on whatever I want.  OR I can save it and add it on to the next month and maybe get something bigger.

 

This little plan will help me two-fold.  First, it will inspire me to lose weight.  Second, it will limit what I spend on things I don't need.  Maximum of $50, so I don't splurge... and if I don't lose, I don't spend. 

 

Brilliance I say!  Feel free to join in with your own little reward system!  Let me know if you wanna try it with me, so we can spur each other along!

PS - My weight loss goal is 60 pounds.  I'm giving myself a year and a half to two years, trying to be realistic.  I've also decided to document my struggles and triumphs on my blog in an attempt to keep myself accountable to my big goal!

Buh-lessed

Ya know what, kids?  Being a grown up is tough stuff. 
 
I am finally at the point in my life where I'm really working toward being 100% independent from my mom and/or granny's support. 
 
I've got a full-time job, but it doesn't pay a whole lot.  Now, in about a month, my once-a-month paycheck will double, b/c I'll get my social work license and I'll be "promoted" to therapist. 
 
Right now, though, I'm struggling to pay rent and bills with my measly non-license paycheck. 
 
Folks, I'm talking about after all my bills come out (which they haven't yet), I basically have $32 bucks left to last me the next 16 days.  I get paid last day of the month.  That's $2 a day if you were wondering.
 
I know this sounds strange, but it's kind of exhilarating as much as it is terrifying.  I'm just starting out in life, living paycheck to paycheck, becoming more independent... Let me stress I am not making light of people who really struggle financially or do not have a job at all.  It's serious, really.  But, as serious as it is, it's still exhilarating.
 
I'm a lucky girl.  My parents/g-parents still pay my car insurance, I don't have my own health insurance yet, which will be an added expense come September, and I don't have to pay for my cell phone.  I have no car payment because my parents paid it off after they gave it to me.  I'm blessed.  Truly.
 
As hard as it is right now, as tight as my purse strings have gotten, as MUCH as I want to SHOP... I am so fortunate, and have NOTHING to complain about!

Freedom

I'M FREE!

 

Yep, you heard me, I am officially dunzo with the horrible incident that was grad school.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the opportunity I had to continue my education and get my master's degree, but I am also deliriously happy to be finished!

 

Sunday morning/afternoon I woke up, still tired from all the wedding excitement.  But I couldn't just lay in bed all day, I had a mission to complete.  ONE more paper and I would be forever through with homework, reading (for school), research and papers.  I started feverishly writing, just eager for the feeling of relief I knew would come when I turned that sucker in. 

 

I took a little break to go to Freedom Fest with Adam.  What is Freedom Fest, you ask?  We didn't really know either, we just knew the signs up around town said "everything's free" and as two people desperately trying to save money, we decided it couldn't hurt.  They might have free hot dogs or something!

 

"Hey, I'm gonna take you to dinner tonight." Adam told me as I typed as fast as I could on my paper.

 

"REALLY?!" I said excitedly.

 

"Yeah, we're going to Freedom Fest."

 

Oh.  Freedom Fest.  Dangit.

 

I secretly crossed my fingers they had some decent food there. 

 

We parked about a mile away and walked to the Events Center - aka a big field with a stage in the middle of all the baseball fields.  Lots of Searcy people there, which if you know Searcy, you know the people-watching was worth the trip to FF - free food or not.  But they had free food! Not only were there hot dogs, but there were bbq sandwiches, soda, chips, snow cones, watermelon, cotton candy.  ALL FREE.  Sweet.  I ate way too much, we listened to the Christian cover band for 5 minutes, decided our ears had been tortured enough.

 

Back at home...

 

I'm working on my paper when I hear a loud catastrophic BOOM outside.  W.T.F.  I ignored it and kept writing my paper.

 

15 minutes later Adam left to go jog at the track.  I heard more and more booms.  Are we being bombed? 

 

I walked out on the porch to check out the scene and determine whether Miller and I needed to hide in the bathtub with my mattress covering us. 

 

All the across-the-courtyard neighbors were on their balconies looking up at the sky.

 

I couldn't see anything at all when I looked that way, so I decided to walk outside so I could see.  I went downstairs and lo and behold... almost too good to be true... FIREWORKS.

 

I seriously love fireworks.  Freedom Fest was still going on, and since it was held less than a mile from my apt., the fireworks were so close it felt like they were right overhead.  As I sat outside by myself, I felt like the huge (expensive) fireworks display was just for me, saying "CONGRATULATIONS.. You're done with school, JEN!"  It was like the whole town was celebratng my impending freedom. 

 

I finished my paper, turned it in, and every night this week I've had a nagging feeling when I get home from work.  What homework do I have to do?  Isn't sad that this is an automatic thought and I can't stop feeling like I've got something to do?

 

But I don't!  WHOOT.  I'm done.  For-ev-errrrrr!

Tired Eyes

Went to the midnight showing of "Public Enemies" with my sweetie last night.  We live in a beyond lame town so it wasn't showing here.  I had originally looked up times for tonight at the Rave in Little Rock.  Then I noticed the midnight showing last night (this morning).  Adam and I debated on going and finally decided to live on the edge and go for it.  This was a movie on my list (right side of the page).  I'm not gonna lie, my little workin' eyes were tired and I fought sleep throughout the second half of this over 2 hour long movie, but not because it was boring!  It was a very good movie with a great mix of romance and action.  Good date movie for sure.  But boy did I pay for this little excursion today at work.  We didn't get home until 3:30 this morning and my eyes have been aching all day.  We ate an early dinner after I got off work and then I took a 4 hour nap.  Yeah.  I've been awake now since 9:30 pm and I'm ready to go back to bed again.  If you know me, you know the vital importance of sleep in my life.

The Wedding Post

I've been absent from the bloggy world for far too long!  

This past weekend I went home for Hannah's wedding!  Thursday morning I drove home with Kelly (my sister) - she was down here for Uplift.  It was funny on the way back we were driving down the interstate and there was a big pack of motorcycles in the lane in front of us.  All of a sudden they all switched lanes together, and they lifted their left arms (you know to signal a right blinker) and Gill and I laughed that it looked like they were all flipping us off in unison. I'm so glad to have her with her same sense of humor!  We had lunch with the bride when we got into town, then I went and got a pedicure with my fav nail guy... Lock!  I think his real name is Brian? He's hilar.  I got O.P.I.'s Elephantastic Pink on my toes... it's adorable, I need to add it to my collecsh.  After that I went to Hannah's apartment with my dear old friend Whitney K and we decorated for the Bach Party!  Whitney N. came over after she got off work, dropped off the penis cake, and we rushed to Shogun for the bachelorette din din.  It was super yummy!  Toward the end of the dinner they had Hannah stand on a chair while they played some bumpin' music and she was a tad bit mortified.  Then we headed back to her apt. for cake games and fun!  What happened will not be discussed in detail! ;)  

Friday at 11am we had a gorgeous and delish bridal luncheon thrown by Hannah's mom!  It was so wonderful.  Her mom also gave us these beautiful bracelets to wear in the wedding (pearls and pretty diamondy balls).  Hannah gave us giftcards to go shopping!  I can not think of a more perf gift.  I used mine to buy some eye cream and lip conditioner at MAC.  Friday night was the rehearsal dinner.  We went out to the chapel and ran through the ceremony, then headed to the country club for dinner and a slideshow.  The dinner was so yummy, and the dessert was some pretty fab cheesecake.  (If you couldn't tell, I lived this weekend like I didn't know the words "healthy" or diet").  The slideshow included pics of Hannah and Tyler when they were little, growing up (featuring some fugly photos of yours truly) and then them as a couple.

Saturday was wedding day!  We got up bright and early to leave the hotel by 7:15 and head to the chapel.  We took most of the pics before the wedding.  Lava Girl made an appearance!  Then it was finally time!  My favorite part of the wedding was when they opened the chapel doors for Hannah to walk in.  The sun was shining in behind her and one of my fav songs "So Are You To Me" was playing.  She looked like an angel... and this is where my inevitable tears came.  After the wedding came the reception, brunch and cake were served.  It was mother effin hot outside and I looked like a sweaty whore but Hannah remained looking gorg. and it was really a beautiful reception.  We decorated the getaway car with a cute sign and of course Dr. Pepper cans and they were off to enjoy their new life as a married couple!

WHEW.  That was a loonnnng recap!  Here are some pics.  I stole them from other people because I didn't pull my camera out once this weekend.

The pic above is right after I asked Hannah if she needed to fart.  Yeah, I misunderstood what she said - hilar.

So...

2 papers due tomorrow that I've yet to begin.... FML.

Yet another paper due next Monday, haven't started it... FML.

Going home for girly fun, shopping and Hannah's Wedding... yes, please!

The Power of ONE little HAIR

I've had some realizations over the past few days.  Let me just say I strongly believe I'm having a quarter-life crisis.  You may wonder... why, Jen?

Well kids, I found a grey hair on my head two nights ago.  It was just one tiny hair.  But it started a landslide.  I stood in front of the mirror for an unmentionable amount of time searching for more.  Wanna know something?  I found two more!  WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME!?

Another realization: I can never own a little (as in low to the ground) car.  This week, I have the *ahem* privilege of trading cars with Katie because they needed my beloved Blue Betty SUV for the Florida trip I didn't get to go on.  Anyway!  I've realized that I can't stand getting in and out of a little car.  Add in the fact that I wear dresses every day and flash innocent bystanders anytime I enter or exit the car, and you have a recipe for some serious humiliation.

ANOTHER realization: My job is a little frustrating right now.  Today, I walked into the office I've been sharing with one of the girls for the past 13 days (I counted) and somebody took over my unofficial desk.  How am I supposed to check my blog reader and email important people (aka Whitney, Hannah and Adam) without a computer?!  Our office has a serious shortage of space so I'm going to be floating around a lot which is basically the most annoying thing, oh... ever!

"Is there any way I could call you 'Porkchop' and we could still get along?"

My boyfriend literally just said this to me out of nowhere.  My life with him is so random and hilarious.  He must've intrinsically known that I needed to laugh! :)

50th post!!!

My name is Jennie, and I'm a shopaholic.  Confession: I've been doing some online window shopping.  I follow a lot of different blogs and they've given me even more to look at, posting about fabulous items and even better websites to make my mouth water... here are some of my favorite finds that I've drooled over but have managed not to splurge on... yet!

All of these dresses are from lulus.com

Thanks to one of my fav new blogs Quite Contrary for introducing me to this awesome little online store!

MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray

*concentrate*

do NOT spend money you don't have, Jen

Ugh.

Relationships are hard...

Can't Hardly Wait

16 more days and I'm officially finished with school forever!!!  Unbelievable!  I have a few assignments and TWO papers to write... this seems like a lot for the next two weeks, but I don't care, because then I'll be free!  I've been spending a lot of unnecessary time dreaming about what I'll do when I don't have homework to finish.

1. Read, read, read!

2. Exercise + eat healthy = lose 50 lbs!

3. Re-dedicate myself to Weight Watchers.

4. Be (even more) organized!

5. Relax!

This little list may seem simple but it's the little things in life, right?

Adam x 2

Last night Adam and I went on a date.  We desperately needed to escape Searcy.  I had the brilliant idea to see who was going to be at the Loony Bin (comedy club in Little Rock).  Adam Hunter was performing, I heard about him on the radio.  He was actually on my favorite morning show Friday morning and made me laugh so hard I missed my exit.  So last night we had dinner at Hooters (I know, I know) and went to the comedy show.  Basically a perfect date.  This new Adam was funny.  It was a good night to get away and enjoy some good laughs together. 

adamhunter.com

Plus, he was pretty attractive and made me laugh.  2 points!

Why does the weekend go by sooo fast?  And the weeks so ridiculously slow?  

OH but the weekend isn't over yet!  Guess what tonight is?  

I just recently started watching this show once I got HBO at my new apartment.  I've been watching 1st season reruns and let me tell you I'm excited for the 2nd season premiere tonight!!!  It's like Twilight, but a little more adult.  Fantastic!

TRUE BLOOD

Thanks, Pepperidge Farm

I'm totally addicted to Goldfish.  Sometimes, nothing else sounds good to me. So I just eat goldfish for a meal.  They're so addicting and easy to eat.  The catch: Every time I eat them I get a tummy ache.  Somehow, my brain forgets about said tummy ache and in a week or so I'm back to my old ways of over-indulging on those yummy fish-shaped crackers.

All this to say... right now, I have a tummy ache.

Anyway, tomorrow is {hopefully} my last day of training at work.  I have to drive to the Batesville clinic (about a 50 minute drive) and we have a day full of training.  This should be much more interesting than what I've been doing, which is sitting and doing online training on the computer all day.  Maybe next week I'll get my own clients and get to do what I actually went to school for!

This week has gone by so slow, but tomorrow is Friday and it should be an interesting weekend full of mostly homework and a dash of fun!

New Design

So do we like the new look?  Personally, I'm loving it!

Krizzy Designs created this cute design for my blog.

Check out her button at the bottom left of the page.

Thanks Krystyn for all your hard work making this look SO cute!

Sorry I don't have time for a longer post... I'm exhausted, but maybe tomorrow!