6 more weeks of Winter??

January has come and gone...how bizarre is that??
Time just flies nowadays.

I love February for many reasons.

 Groundhog Day 2012  

Can you believe Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow?? I'm not ready for 6 more weeks of winter. BUT from the looks of it, we never really even had a winter. I mean, how accurate can a groundhog be? His record has been pretty bad over the years. I don't even think the local forecasters can get our weather right..it was supposed to rain all day yesterday...complete opposite - Beautiful!

I do want to watch the classic '93 movie, Groundhog Day with Bill Murray & Andie MacDowell as it is a tradition in the Anderson household. Maybe I'll find some time today before the Super Bowl.

Little late - but okay.

You can never go wrong with any 80's or early 90's movie.

Hands down.

Valentine's Day

Brant and I bought very little for each other this past Christmas. I think we are very fortunate with what we do have, that it's hard to spend money on something that we don't need.  Brant also gave me an Apple iPad back in October, so I really did not need anything for the next year or so...he he!

We usually do not spend a lot of money on Valentines Day either, but this year is different.  I love to give gifts, even more...I love to wrap gifts. I have already wrapped all of Brants' Valentines gifts, but kindly asked him not to wrap mine. Here's why: He wrapped my Shark Steam mop along with tons of compartments in the past and it was a total disaster...not to mention with the use of my "good" wrapping paper. I am obsessed with quality wrapping paper, if you're going to attempt to wrap a gift, please use cheap paper. OCD?? That's why I love him!

He has ensured me that he will be using bags this year - so no worries!

He knows everything he is getting from me. Maybe because I get soo excited about things, I offer hints to help him out. I think that's sweet of me to do so. However, the anticipation is killing me. I have asked for simple things, like a Costco membership and a camera strap. Those are fun and easy gifts, right? Either way, I'm sure he will not disappoint.

{Randomness I know.}

Biggest Loser update:

Week 3 - gained .8 lbs (boo!)

Week 4 - lost .6 lbs

Brant and I traveled to Trenton, SC to a furniture auction for Anthropologie, Free People, & Urban Outfitters on Saturday. Who knew there would be soo many people there?? They had some great rugs, couches, chairs and tables that were going for cheap. $3,000 retail for around $150-$200. I think the highest bid I heard was around $500 for like granite kitchen table which is pretty awesome.

 Yes, some pieces were damaged but nothing you couldn't work around. They had a lot of furniture to auction (around 450 items), so it was fast moving and quick. The people behind us kept saying that they had gotten many of the same pieces for a lot less at previous auctions. So, my thought is to wait it out and keep coming to the auctions - only to hope not as many people will be there! Maybe then, I can get something that is already highly discounted for much much less.

Afterwards, we left and ate BBQ in Aiken. Stuffed? YES! That is all I had yesterday and I'm still feeling awful this morning.

I'm sure tonight's Super Bowl food will not help me either.

Have a Super Sunday, everyone!

2.5

Years ago.....

I married my BEST Friend!

Anderson party of two was finally established on July 25, 2009. If you don't know us, we dated a total of nine years before taking the big step. Our courtship began back in '00 and has been wonderful ever since!

The wedding was awesome! We still have people talking about it. Not to mention the food, decor, and band. Let's just say, we were very blessed!

After the wedding without much rest, we headed to Maui, Hawaii for our honeymoon. Again, sooo much fun. It was my second trip to Hawaii, but first time in Maui.

3 AM drive to see the sunrise on Mount Haleakla. Not your normal warm temps for Maui. It was freezing.

Oh, If your wondering why I had a big red cut on my nose, I fell face first on some rocks in the ocean the first day. I had some brusies, but what's a trip without a story?

Boat cruise on the Lahaina Harbor..choppy water and drinks...not a good mix!

Dinner at Mama's Fish house the last night. Very good, however the shrimp I ordered was as long as my hand...a little creepy. Evidently the resuaruant is very poplur among the celebrities. They have an entire wall with signed autographs of the rich and famous.  The only person we saw remotely close to fame was former LA Lakers player - James Worthy.

So, after 2.5 years of marriage or 11.5 years (dating) - I'm still smitten over this guy. I look forward to many, many more years together.

Updates

Remember when I said I joined the Biggest Loser at work? I am proud to say that I have not had to pay any money after two weeks!

Week 1 - lost 1.2 lbs

Week 2 - stayed the same

Week 3 - say a prayer!

I only have oh...10 more weeks to go in this challenge. I know their is NO chance of me winning, but at least I can learn some good tips along the way. I tend to eat really strict during the week and eat whatever I want on the weekends. {terrible I know.}  Food is just sooo good.  I have been blessed to remain the same size for the past 10-15 years and usually stay around 2-3 lbs over/under my norm...yes, blessed again.  I have always had a great metabolism, but I'm slowly seeing some areas

 I. don't. like.

That means, it's time to start working out.

I'm debating on joining a gym. But before I do, I'm going to try to take this challenge with use of my own personal equipment. I have an elliptical that is collecting dust, as well as, tons of workout tapes, {Jillian} and a great neighborhood to run in. Why pay, when I can achieve the same results for FREE? As a side note I was an awesome distance runner back in high school....don't know what happened?

Hopefully this "Spring-like" weather will give me the boost that I need!

In other news, I have had a lot of emotion this past week. I'm not really sure what's going on with me. I have had so many thoughts running through my mind lately. Uneasy and unsettling feelings. My heart is heavy for the ones that have lost family members, battling illnesses and facing difficult times. I find myself in constant prayer for those around me. I just have to remember to "Let go and Let God". He will take care of us and our burdens!

I just finished reading the The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It's a great book. Who knew there are soo many dialects but only 5 languages? My top two love languages are Acts of Service and Gifts. Really strange, beacuse when I was reading the book I was certain that my top language would be Quality time.

It's a must read for all couples who are married or thinking about getting married. And...It will highly influence your ways of communicating with your spouse! Make sure your hubby reads it too.

Zulilly.com has Lappers on their website today. These make great gifts and are not a bad price $12.99. If you miss the Zulilly sale, they are on the Q as well...my other favorite website!!

It's okay...

It's okay....

.......... that I have not washed clothes in over two weeks. The pile keeps getting bigger by the day.

And well... I just sigh.

The thought of folding, hanging, and ironing scares me!

.......... that my hair looked awful today. I woke up with a major mess on my hands this AM and should have not made the decision of skipping out on washing it. Adding curls made it worse.

.......... that the Clemson Tigers lost. Can't win them all right??

.......... that I have been driving my car around for the past  month with the maintenance light on...better get that looked at soon. It's 'waaay' past time for an oil change.

.......... that I have not had a pedicure since September. I feel so unfeminine. I must go get one this weekend. 

.......... that I feel unproductive at work. Seems like when I finally get something accomplished, I have ten things added. Three words: I feel blessed. Job security, maybe?

oh well, tomorrow is Friday!

T. G. I. F.

Happy NEW Year...err.. Biggest Loser

It's January! NEW life, NEW year and NEW beginnings! I'm so anxious to see what God has in store for 2012.

Brant and I had a quiet NYE, which was ohh so nice. We rang in the New Year with take-out from Chili's and Carson Daly on NBC. Nothing better!

One of our hopes was to bring home a Gamecock win from Orlando - success! I'm sure I will see one happy hubby when he walks through the door tonight.

“We’re a happy bunch of guys,” Spurrier said. “Like I told the guys, next year’s team, they’ll try to win 12 because 11 already happened. So we’ll have some new goals next year.”

Resolutions for 2012

 Read {finish} at least one book a month

Regularly attend Sunday school {church is a must}

Lose 10-15 lbs & start running

Spend 30 minutes a day cleaning/organizing

Save $$$

Keep your fingers crossed I can accomplish all of these!

My work is starting "The Biggest Loser" this Friday. I hope I'm ready for the 12 week journey - which is until the end of March. I'm somewhat optimistic, because March is just around the corner. I can give up Zaxby's for three months..errr..no problem! 

I really would like to get some areas of my body back in shape before I lose all control. So after Friday, I will either be on our elliptical in the spare bedroom {which is collecting dust}, or working out with Jillian with her 30 day shred DVD.

Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted of my results!

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

This has got to be the warmest Christmas season on record. It's literally t-shirt and shorts aka {skirt} kind of weather.  I have been very MIA from the blogger world. I work at a hospital....we never shut down which has it's advantages (job security) and disadvantages (never any time off).  When I do have a day off, I'm just sluggish or "lazy" by choice.

I finished my Christmas shopping around the first of December....and I feel so great about it. I decided to run a quick errand to the mall this morning, but  saw the madness. No way will I ever be a last minute shopper....ever! It's not worth the traffic, long lines, or stress. 

My family and I saw one of our favorite Christmas movies A Christmas Story performed as a play at our local community theater. (You'll shoot your eye out!) I was amazed that they were able to fit all of the scenes of the movie into the play. They even had an adult Ralphie narrating the story the same as the movie! Kudos to Greenwood Community Theater.

We had a Christmas get together with our friends. It was fun as alawys, but definately low key. We have some friends that had just had their baby a few days before who could not make it (understandably). We also had some others missing too - so it was not our usual crowd. We did have the option to wear any ugly Christmas sweater. Being that my Mom is a teacher, she was able to help Brant and myself out. Thanks, Mom!

Each year, our church has a live drive-by nativity scene. This was the first year it was not freezing cold {due to global warming} or raining. (It was also the first year we did not have any live animals, which can be a good thing.) I'm pretty sure we have a lot of prayer from our congregation about the weather prior to the event each year. Their were some answered prayers! 

Now, I hardly ever get sick, but I was one sick cookie this year. My head, throat and stomach hurt. It was not my best...and I think our Pastor felt bad for me. I just hope I did not spread the germs when wearing the costumes. Brant and I did get to play Mary and Jospeh the first night. The best part about playing Mary is that she gets to sit down.

Sorry for the darkness in the picture. The shepard on the left is my Mom, Olivia.

Since my brother and sister-in-law live in Charleston, we usually do not get a chance to spend Christmas together. We celebrated Christmas the week before with them along with our extended family on my Mom's side. It was fun. I have not downloaded my pics yet, so I will post soon. We made smores, chatted, played dirty santa and all focused our attention on my nephew Elijah as expected..he's so cute. 

We have some celebrating to do with Brant's family tonight and plan to have a low key Christmas. I'm sure I'll share more details soon.

they are precious in his sight...

Considering that I'm {not} a professional with the camera, I'm pretty proud of myself. I purchased my Nikon SLR camera last year in hopes of having the process mastered by now. However, that is a big fat fail. I honestly do not know more than the day I bought it. My mission in the next few weeks are: watch the DVD (that came with the camera) & read the manual. I'm thinking I'm missing out on so much that my camera can do. Oh well....give me another year and I should have it down pat!! 

Below is our niece & nephew - Brylie & Brayden