San Gennaro Festival

 The other night we went to the San Gennaro Festival in "Littly Italy, LV".  I had heard rumors about it at work such and couldn't help but check it out.  Tons of italian food, entertainment, carnival rides, etc.   I really wish I was more up for going on rides.  I used to love them- especially the whirly twirly ones!  So why is it that I get sick just watching them now?  Anyway, it was a fun place to be with a LOT of people watching.  But whats new? It's Vegas.

 And you can't leave without a brownies & icecream funnel cake!  Or nachos in Matt's case :)

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The weather is definitely turning to summer and I have mixed feelings about it.  It already feels too hot at 95 degrees and this is just the beginning? I'm having a hard time comprehending that.  On the other hand, I love going out to the pool!  And you definitely don't have to be out there long to get soak in the rays.  In fact, I would suggest you don't stay out long at all if you don't have sun block (from personal experience).  The other day I was running around and around my block when I decided to just run and jump in the pool.  And that's exactly what I did!  And boy did it feel good!  I can't imagine not having a pool here.

This feels good..

I have a personal motivator on my ipod that repeats phrases like "this feels good" while I'm running.  It sounds silly, but it works to block out many (not all) of my negative thoughts about it.  Today I find myself saying "this feels good".  It feels good to not have the worry of what homework I'm behind on or trying to strategically plan my week around school and work.  The semester is over and it feels great!  Now, I have two weeks before summer school starts... but who wants to think about that right now?

I can finally get some little projects done around the house.  I will be running more for sure.  My nerves are getting to me about the whole race.  I've had people tell me stories about altitude changes when running a race.. none were very inspiring.  I will just have to train at my best and then hope the altitude doesn't kill me.

But for now, I am just enjoying life. This guy here is my best friend and even though our schedules clash, we try to soak up every second together.

We took a Sunday afternoon walk tonight- the weather has been perfect this last week.  Next week, the temps are rising and you'll be able to find me out by the pool (if I'm not at work).

I do not like this picture, but I had to show my long hair!  I feel like I just woke up this morning and it was long.  My plans are to keep growing it until the fall and then chop it right off!  Anyone know how long hair should be to donate?

 

 So I've been having some pretty crazy dreams lately and many of them are taking place in downtown Juneau.  I'll spare you the actual dreams because we all know they're never as funny for the people listening.  I sure hope my dreaming of Alaska never ends.  Matt will also wake up some mornings and tell me about his adventures there too, haha.  Can you believe it's been a whole year since we left for Juneau?!  Crazy. We won't ever forget our summer there and it sure is a lot cheaper to visit in your dreams!

This is Gold Street- we lived straight up this street- 7th & Gold!

BIG NEWS!

I walked in verizon yesterday with no intention of buying one of these... but I walked out one happy girl!! :)  I've always been amazed with the iphone, but I never knew what it could do for me until now.  Sorry Matt, your iphone is now old news... that is, until iphone 5 comes out.  What could seriously be next?!  I can't believe I'm living in these times.  I did vow to myself that I would not waste my life away on this phone.  For me, that means not downloading games like "angry bird" or "the sims".  I will spend my time doing more productive things like studying, projects around the house, spending time with Matt... and blogging :)  

 

I wish I was a better wife most days.  I wish I had the energy to cook and clean after work (and before school).  I do enjoying cooking when I have a good recipe + time + energy + motivation.  Not to mention just not having the ingredients I need!  I really should plan our meals ahead of time.  Anyway, I made a YUMMY carrot cake today with cream cheese frosting!  It was/is awesome!  Of course I couldn't have done it without my good friend, Alton Brown :)  Find the recipe here.

Seriously, he has the BEST recipes.  I don't ever wonder if it will turn out.  The only surprises are when I see my final product and realize what I've created.  I was thinking about bringing leftovers to work tomorrow... guess that depends on how much I eat for breakfast :)

Better late than never

Today is the day I will start my college savings fund.  Yes, you heard me.  Better late than never, right??

I hope to start nursing school next January.  In the meantime, I will save what I can in hopes to avoid taking out a loan. 

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While we are talking about school... next week is finals!  I am feeling anxious and nervous about it all.  Don't get me wrong here, I am excited about the semester ending.  But I'm not excited that this HUGE portfolio I have been building ALL SEMESTER for Anatomy is currently irretrievable from my hard drive.  Talk about bad timing!  What instructor would believe this story?  Hopefully mine.

Matt has been working hard trying to get everything back.  Besides the school I'm so worried about, practically our whole lives are on there.  I'm sure I will cry about it later.  For right now I am in shock mode and not quite sure how to act.  I'm going to take it in tomorrow to some computer geek (no, not talking about Matt) and see if he can fix it.  Cross your fingers and toes for me!!

One Year!! And some randoms..

Last week was our ONE YEAR ANIVERSARY!  Crazy how fast time flies.  We celebrated by going to dinner at Brio's in Town Square.  It was a new Italian restaurant (my favorite kind) and we were not disappointed.  Afterwards, we hit up the Cirque Du Soleil show "KA" at the MGM.  It was AMAZING!  Seriously.  It's an acrobatic love story that just blows your mind.  At least I thought so.  We would go to these shows every week if we had the funds.  I wish we could have taken pictures, but they were pretty strict about that.  Almost threw us into the fire after taking this one (Don't let him fool you, Matt is pretty excited about now):

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The other day I made a yummy and quick dessert!  I took pictures just in case it was good and it was!! :)  It's just a jello pudding(only using one cup of milk to make it thicker) in a vanilla wafer(mixed with butter) crust.  And of course topped off with some coolwhip to make it look pretty.  Really though, what else is it for??

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So I've had a slight set back with my running due to my recent onset of shin splints.  They are horrible!  I couldn't even walk without pain for a couple days.  I finally feel like they are on the mend now after streching, icing, and taking it easy the last week.  To those of you who have never had shin splints, you may think "it's a made up pain" or "it can't really be that bad".  It's one of those things you just have to experience to know how painful they are.  Anyway, I got new running shoes last night!  Hopefully these will help my cause and I can start running correctly (since the dude at the store said I wasn't).  Next week I will start some jogging and I'll be up to speed in no time!! Right??

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So I've been wanting to get my hair cut and colored for a while now.  Just a trim really.  But, I just can't bring myself to pay $120 for it!!  I know some girls do this and even get it done every 6-8 weeks.  I get my hair done maybe twice a year and it still kills me how much it costs.  Sooo, while shopping yesterday, I got the idea just to give myself a change!  My sisters and I used to color our hair with these cheap boxes of revlon or what, and it worked great... most the time:) So I got the idea and could'nt decide a color.  I've always wanted to see what dark hair would look like on me.  Or should I just stay safe with the blonde- just lighten it a little?  Matt made me sleep on my decision and I still want to do it!  Just not sure which one..

I mean, how awesome if I actually loved it and it was only $3! And if it doesn't turn out, I wouldn't be out much.

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Lastly, I would like to share with you a conversation I had the other day.  This happened one Sunday morning about 6am.  (Has anyone got a call that early while you were still in bed and instead of turning off the sound, you answer it?  And you start talking/waking up at the same time??)

Ring! Ring! (Okay, my cell phone ring is more annoying than that)

Me: Hello?

Caller(female): Stacie! Hi! Hey, I need a favor from you... blah blah blah (this part is a blur because I'm still waking up).. I need to come by and pick up those pictures this morning.

Me: (my mind is racing, who is this?  do I have someone's pictures? what am i forgetting?) Will you remind me what pictures?? (trying to think whom this might be, but don't dare to ask)..

Caller:  You know, the ones I gave you for enrichment.. I need to pick them up this morning! Are you awake??

>>;At this point I'm not sure I am.

Me: I'm sorry, who is this?? (for sure they have the wrong number and surely this will end it)

Caller: This is Hillary! Stacie, wake up!!  Church is starting soon and I need your help. (I am trying to think of ANY Hillary that I know..)

Me: I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number. (For sure this will end it!)

Caller:  Stacie! No! Haha, You are sleep talking! (she says this several times during the convo and I almost believe her. Strange Feeling.)

>>She goes on to say (in detail)of how I know her and that if I would just wake up I could help her out this morning.  She couldn't believe I was still sleeping and wouldn't take "no" for an answer. (This went on for a good 5 minutes) I thought maybe this was a prank call? But, the last thing she said really made me jump out of bed.

Caller:  Stacie, don't you remember? We were pregnant together!! Wake Up!

Me:  (at this point I'm in a shocked state; she actually had me trying to remember ever being pregnant!) Wait, I don't think I have ever been pregnant..

>>The conversation ended shortly after when that answer really threw her.  She apoplgized with a confused voice and hung up.  I couldn't get over this coversation for the longest time.  How strange and lost I felt.  This must be what Alzheimer's feels like.  Anyway, I never did figure out who this was and I don't think I'll be answering any more early morning calls.

Catch up time!

First is the exciting news of my new ipod shuffle!!  Matt knew I needed a little more motivation to run and it sure has helped.  (I'm running the Wasatch Back with Matt's family in 2.5 months!)  I am all about rhythm when it comes to running with music.  So I downloaded this track of beat music along with a personal motivator who pushes me to go farther.  Whatever works!  *side note- I'm wearing a hat cuz it was so windy and cold for a couple weeks.  Does the cold wind kill anyone else's ears?

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I know it sounds like it was my birthday, but really this guy just had his!! Happy Birthday Matt!! (We aren't allowed to talk about how many birthdays he's had...)  We made a yummy steak dinner and had strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Those white word-strips on the table had a mix of funny and serious birthday "thoughts".  It was a fun way to eat our dessert.

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If that post made you hungry (it did me), this one will take that away.  With the willing help of Matt(hope you can all hear the sarcasm there), we dissected the fetal pig for my anatomy class.  I felt so horrible the whole time.  Maybe if he wasn't furry and cute.  Or maybe if he didn't remind me so much of a dog I once had (Bandit).  I did my best to focus on the assignment and apologized to the pig all the way through.  It was just terrible to tie his arms and legs up.  The worst part was have to break his jaw to see down his throat.  I will spare you graphic pics, but mostly cause I still feel terrible.  Good thing I will never be an ER nurse huh?

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I took a well needed trip to Utah last weekend to see the new babies get blessed.  It was short and sweet, but I enjoyed every minute.  I didn't get many pics on my camera (Anne & Holly: will you please send me your pics?).  But I thought this was a good one of the growing munchkins.  It was tough leaving, but it made it a little easier knowing I would see them all later this summer.

Sneak Peak

Here's just a sneak peak at a few projects that are in the works... yes, that's right. We have STARTED a few projects and hope to finish them all one day.  Projects are slow moving around here, but they will eventually get done.  Update on the stairs you ask?? Well there's not much to say on that one.  There's been a long "decision-making process" involved with this project, but it's slowly moving along.  I trust Matt with any project though, since I know he takes pride in all his work.  He doesn't like to do anything unless it is done right.  And even though he's not even sure where to go from here... I know he'll figure it out.  And I just try and not to bug him about it, but I'm excited for it to get done!

(I hate how the warm lighting in our home makes the pictures yellow)

Here's a little rendition he did on the computer. The railings will be a dark wood though..

I have been wanting to make a memo board for a long time now.  You know, the ones with the ribbon overlaying the fabric so you can stick notes and pictures in it? Well I came home with all the materials and Matt wanted to help out. *Side note: Matt and I do not work well on projects together (including cooking).  We learned this very early on in our marriage.  He is a perfectionist while I just eye things and get it done.  So we just try and stay out of eachothers way in order to not drive the other insane.

 

 

So he ended up doing the project for me and I didn't mind one bit!  Figured it would probably look better with all his proper angles and spacing. I got a headband out of the extra material so I was happy.   I'll have to post the finished product later- I need to do a few more things before I hang it up.

When our tax money came, we started coming up with a list of projects we want to do.  We got the idea of a backsplash in our kitchen and headed to Home Depot for supplies.  It should be done by the end of the week (Matt promised) and it's looking really good!

Another thing I'm working on is a gallery wall for our dining room.  Pictures of that are to come!