Fall into Reading 2010

So I saw this on Becky's Blog, My Life, from {Army} brat to wife and I was intrigued so I have decided to participate too :-)

The main contest can be found on Callapidder Days, Click here to check it out. Basically you make a list of all the books you want to read between September 22nd and December 20th, then at the end of the Challenge you post to see how it went. Very low pressure, all you do is read which was something I was planning to do more of this fall anyway. Liking up on her website will be a good way to share reading lists. I personally have been thinking of doing something similar on my blog to get more of a dialogue happening. Maybe in the Springtime....?

Anyway here is my list

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - My Current Read and a really good one at that!

The Girl who Played with Fire - Another on the list.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's nest - Noticing a Trend?

The Help - I gave this book to my Sister-in-Law last Christmas and two weeks later my Mother in Law was calling raving about it. I have wanted to read it ever since

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom & Photoshop Workflow Bible - This book is amazing! I'm about a 1/3 of the way through it already and I am already learning so much!







Light; Science & Magic: An introduction to photographic lighting - This is very "text-bookish" but is chock full of good information.








Three Cups of Tea: This has been on my reading list since I don't even know when!

 Seeking Him; Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival - I have been wanting to start a bible study series for a long time and this one got fabulous reviews.










That's it for now! I am excited to have a goal to have these books finished by Christmas Time!!

Swagbucks

Yay for virtual money!

I know most of you already know about Swagbucks but this is something that I have just recently discovered. Now I am usually really wary about internet "deals" (a.k.a scams) but after I read multiple posts from you guys about the swag I decided to give it a try.

The designers of the website equate swag bucks to "frequent flyer miles for the internet." It's a search engine tool that enables you to aquire points based on the searches you do on the internet. The points then can be traded for goods like gift cards, DVDs, electronics and clothing. There are a few other ways to get points too such as..

1) Trade in your old cell phone and other electronics
2) Sign up for special offers from companies (I personally think this advertising $$ helps make this program successful. Example - signing up for Netflix gives you 500 swagbucks, signing up for Direct TV gives you 13,000 bucks and so on)
3) Taking surveys
4) Shopping (another good way for me to earn points since I LOVE online shopping!)



So we'll try it for a little while and see how fast I can get some Amazon gift cards ;-) Do you have any swagbuck tips?

My home minus one Naval Officer

Kyle left Tuesday morning.


I've been doing ok since it's only been a few days. It was a quick goodbye which I think is usually easier and I went straight to work afterwards which was a good distraction. Today was my first day off without him here and it has been alright. I'm pretty sure it hasn't had time to sink in yet. Best thing for the heart and mind is to keep busy.

I have still been feeling sick and today I finally gave up and went to my local free clinic (only because I couldn't get an appointment with my regular doctor because I couldn't even get to talk to a real person on the phone!?! when I called to make an appointment. (Don't even get me started, I need to find another doctor) The clinic I went to was actually really great and the MD there put me on antibiotics which already seem to be kicking in because I'm feeling better (yes!)

Unfortunately I have slacked on my domestic goddess duties and I had to spend most of my day off today cleaning up the apartment. This weekend is set aside for photography reading and computing (awesome).

p.s. I booked my tickets today for Kyle & I to fly to Orlando in January (102 days left YES!!!!!)

One more day until the WEEKEND!!!!!

Neti Pots

Have you guys herd of Neti Pots?

Neither had I until a few days ago.

I get really bad sinus infections every so often and when they hit me they hit H-A-R-D. I mean pressure, headaches, going through multiple boxes of tissues, the whole bit. Being a nurse I have full faith in modern medicine but I do think that there is much to be said about homeopathic medicine as well. One of my fellow nurses told me about the Neti Pot when I was at work and she saw me blow my nose for the millionth time. Apparently it is a teapot looking thing that you fill with luke-warm water and an isotonic (fancy word for same pH as your body) saline (fancy word for salt water) solution. You bend over the sink with your head tilted and let the water flow slowly through one nostril and out the other. It's supposed to wash out your sinus passages and break up heavy secretions.

When she was telling me this I was skeptical, mostly because I was picturing how ridiculous I would look bending over a sink with a teapot in my nose but when I couldn't take the sinus pain anymore I went to Target on my way home and picked up a NasaFlo neti pot (same one pictured above) and brought it home to try.

I tell you, I am SOLD. This thing ROCKS! After I used it I was actually able to breath out of the right side of my face for the first time all week! If you guys have sinus trouble or allergies I implore you to give this a try. You nostrils will thank you!

p.s. Amoxicillin helps too (thank GOD for antibiotics!)

Classic Pizza

 

So I have used the Pizza recipe over at Annie's Eats for quite awhile and I have noticed that as time goes on the pizzas become easier and easier to create. When I first looked at her blog and found out she was using fresh dough that she stretched onto a pizza peel and put into the oven herself I was a little intimidated. I mean pulling dough? pizza peels? I knew that It was pretty much a given that I would at least mess up one of those steps. I was especially nervous about the whole getting the raw pizza into the oven without messing it up completely step. I had visions of perfectly formed pizza becoming a gelatinous blob of goo after it flips over on itself when I try to put it in the oven with only a simple flick of the wrist like they do at pizza restaurants.

Well lo and behold I have never had a pizza come out like a gelatinous blob of goo (my husband did once; but here's the secret, it still tastes amazing!) and my pizzas are starting to look more and more like, well actual round, cheesy pizzas that look as amazing as they taste! Last night when Kyle took this out of the oven I was so proud of it that I had to snap a quick picture. Go and try it youself, conquor your fear of pizza peels! Shove that pizza into the oven and say 'I will NOT BE RULED BY PIZZA DOUGH! as you kick the oven closed with your foot.' Just kidding - I've never done that

no way...

Anyway go check out her website - Annie's Eats - for the pizza crust & pizza sauce recipes that I used on this pizza. Then I just topped with red & green pepper, onion and thinly sliced deli ham. Delish!

p90x Update

So Kyle and I were doing really well with p90x for about a week and a half; then he found out he was leaving for two months, and I got sick. So naturally we kind of fell out of it.

I have every intention of jumping right back into it once I feel better. I think it would be fun for me to complete the first round while he is gone then when he gets back we can start fresh and I can do round 2 for myself and he'll start round 1 again. (Then I'd be able to go pull-ups right along with him)

Here is the schedule for next week (Starting Tuesday when Kyle set's sail and I'm 100% recovered **hopefully**)

-Tuesday- Yoga X
-Wednesday- Legs & Back
-Thursday - Kempo
-Friday- Chest & Back
-Saturday- Rest
-Sunday- Pylometrics

Nice, lazy Saturdays and Laundry Advice

Happy Weekend!

This morning we had the physical inspection of the condo, and everything turned up roses. The home inspector found a few little things that need to be addressed (i.e. the A/C didn't cool down the house "fast enough") but all the big things are fine. The inspector even said that our condo was one of the nicer places he had done in a while (he probably says that to everybody, but still it's nice to hear lol). Afterward Kyle and I had a nice lunch and went to the NEX to check out the appliances. To move into this condo we need a washer/dryer and a fridge and we found a lot of nice washer/dryer units at the NEX (and no tax baby!) Maybe I can swing a front load washer (helloooo lover....)

Now I'm still really congested but thankfully the affrin nasal spray worked like a charm. Now it's couch and Grey's Anatomy with the hubby....

Keep your fingers crossed that I don't get called in tomorrow :-)

p.s. I would really appreciate some feedback on the washers and dryer you guys own. Which brand did you go with and why?

A few things about me...

Dana at Sweeping Through Life tagged me on her blog and asked me to answer 8 questions about myself. I can think of no better thing to do while curled up on my couch watching the Golden Girls on WeTV (awesome)


1. Why do you blog?

I first started Little Rhody Girl as a way for my family to keep up with things in my life since I live so far away. Now it's more of a way for me to get stuff off my chest and to chronicle the big (and little) things in my life. I have also really enjoyed getting to know other bloggers!

2. What is your favorite color and why?

I love purple, it just seems to regal and elegant. My bridesmaids wore purple in my wedding. I like pink too (it's for my inner girl tee hee)

3. What is your favorite meal?

This is a hard one but I think I'm going to have to go with pasta and a GOOD marinara sauce (no jars please). Served with artisan bread and olive oil for dipping; salad doesn't hurt either.

4. If you had to choose between playing Wii or Monopoly which would you play?

Please; Monopoly hands down. I have the app on my phone and I play it ALOT. I have fond memories of playing monopoly with my Dad when I was a kid. We were really competitive (still are) and the games could get really cut throat at times. Wanna play? Just don't land Indian Ave, I own it and it's got a hotel biatch!!!!

 5. If I handed you $150.00, what would you do with it?

Put it together with my $150.00 and buy Photoshop Lightroom.

6. What is the best book you ever read?

Hmmm, another tough one....can I say all 7 Harry Potter books?

7. Who is your role model?

My mother, hands down the most awesome woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I hope to be half the woman she is someday. 

8. What is your favorite cereal?

I like Quaker Oatmeal Squares....yum

So this hasn't exactly been the best week ever

I told you guys here that Kyle found out he needs to go to sea for a few weeks to finish a qualification for work. When he told me this last week the idea was that in mid October he would be gone for two or three weeks, most likely on a ship doing pre-deployment workups (meaning that they will sail off the coast of San Diego and do exercises). We would be already into the Escrow process for this house (and maybe even moved in) before he had to leave, so I was feeling O.K. about it.

At the beginning of the week he told me his boss was able to pull some strings for him and get him a spot on a ship that will be able to help him get the testing done he needs for his qualification. The catch is that this particular ship deploys next week and will be gone for at least six weeks. Since it is a deploying ship he has to stay aboard until they reach a port that he can fly out of. So he could be finished with all of the stuff he needs to do in let's say three weeks, he still has to wait until the ship docks in a port that he can fly home relatively easily, which could take another three weeks.

It is pretty much a certainty at this point that I will be going through this house buying process minus a husband. At first I was really overwhelmed by it but now that I have had a few days for the idea to sink in I have confidence that I can make this work. I defiantly had a Tim Gunn "make it work" moment haha.

Even though this hasn't exactly been "the best week ever" (unexpected sea time, laryngitis, and more work) at least we're almost at the end of it ;-)

Every Girl needs a new wardrobe right?

I have decided to start giving my wardrobe a serious update. Since I had the day off today and the clock has officially started ticking down toward the move I decided to spend the afternoon doing some inventory. Today's project was my closet. I wanted to make a rough list of the different types of clothes I had to figure out how many boxes I would need to pack up my closet. The more I wrote down the more telling it was about what my wardrobe is centered around. Do you see that list? I took one good look at the number of t-shirts I have (holy crap) and decided that my so called *jeans and tee* rut has surpassed rut and crossed over into obsession. I need to branch out and buy a skirt or two (especially since right now I only own two). 

I have made a commitment to build a new a versatile wardrobe for myself, piece by piece, over the next two years. My goal is to buy a new item every month, something I don't already own (the key point), more shoes, more dresses, skirts and a wider range of accessories. Using my birthday money I already bought the September stuff. My guide through all this will be the The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece pictured next to my list. What a fantastic book. It is seriously a lifesaver for fashion defuncts like myself who know nothing about being stylish but are desperate to learn.

One of the things I wanted was an outerwear vest and when I saw this in the L.L.Bean fall catalogue I immediately wanted the look. So I went ahead and got all three (even the scarf, totally cute right?) I am hoping that this is the first step in the right direction. Before you say anything, the long sleeve shirt is technically a tee but hear me out - it's a turtle neck, it's ribbed and it's purple (all three of which do not currently reside in my closet)

October Item: Leather Motorcycle Jacket or new pair of Boots

Sick....

I have laryngitis....I can't even talk right now.

I woke up this morning with a "tickle" in my throat and throughout my 12 hour shift I slowly became more and more Barry White like. By 6pm I had a full on raspy, hooker, phone sex voice (you know what I mean). I had fun sneaking up behind my charge nurse and whispering "can't get enough of you love baby..." and making her laugh. It was all good....until I got home and my throat was so swollen I didn't want to even think about swallowing because it hurt so bad

Awesome, exactly what I need this week......

House Update

We have official signed documents from the seller and if all goes well we should start the escrow process in the next week. The sellers are really motivated to get us to rent out the condo during escrow for a great price (about half of what we are now paying for rent) and it sounds like a good opportunity to me but I don't want to even touch that without looking at a lease first.

We are really excited to get this process going (I have already picked out our fridge and washer dryer haha). I can't wait to have a kitchen big enough for all of my stuff, to have a freezer that I don't have to stuff to the rafters every time I cook anything, to have a backyard to plant roses in, to have an extra bedroom for guests, and more storage storage storage! Can you tell I'm a teansy bit excited!?

There is a slight monkey wrench which is thrown in for good measure. Kyle told me last week that he has an opportunity to go to sea with another ship to finish a qualification that he has been working on for awhile, but this means that he will be going to sea, for at least a four weeks, in October. Which of course is smack dab in the middle of us buying this house!

Such is life as a Navy Wife!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Birthday Weekend!!!!!

I have just had the most wonderful Birthday Weekend!!!!

Saturday was nice and relaxing, I slept in late and spent most of the morning reading curled up on the couch. Did my p90x workout with Kyle (Chest & Back!) then we went over to a housewarming party before we headed downtown for my Birthday get-together. It was really fun and I had a great time drinking and hanging out with friends!

Today (my actual birthday) Kyle woke me up and when I walked into our living room he had presents for me all over the coffee table (awesome!). He ended up giving me a gift card to sports chalet (workout clothes here I come!), a new camel back water bottle (since I always stole his, haha) and a heart rate monitor. My birthday theme was all about p90x! :-D

I got some beautiful earings from my in-laws and my parents got me the first two books in the Steig Larsson series (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Girl who Played with Fire). I also got some cash from the grandparents and I used that to order all of the books on my birthday book list (awesome!!). I got lots of phone calls from family and friends and I was able to facetime with my parents on Kyle's iphone4. 

Tonight Kyle took me out to a fantastic dinner on Harbor Island, where I had the best Sea Bass I have ever had and then we took a nice walk along the waterfront, looking out on the San Diego Skyline in early twilight.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful people to share my Birthday with!! They are the ones who really made it special for me!

Birthday Booklist!!!!

I have compiled a nice little listy of books that I want (please please) for my birthday (which is next week!!!).

can you tell where my head is at?





oh and I want this one too



I have herd good things :-)

Teen Mom

So guys, I have to confess that I have a secret obsession with teenage pregnancy. I was a closet watcher of 16 and pregnant and I have Tivo'd every single episode of Teen Mom (I'm in fact watching it now). I think the one time when my husband sat down and saw I was actually watching it (don't change the channel what are you doing!?!?) was a turning point in our marriage. He finally discovered his beloved wife's love for bad T.V. (Bridezillas anyone??)

I guess i'm not the only one who enjoys some Teen Mom in my life.

I know I know (I did buy one of the US Weekly mags -::ashamed::)

I KNOW I'm not the only one (right?)

p90x - How to bring it!

Yesterday Kyle and I started out 90 day journey with p90x. I was super excited to start working out, my dear husband was still quite skeptical. I had read the user's guide and had already flipped through the nutrition plan and decided that Kyle should just watch the intro "how to bring it" DVD before we started. It was a good intro to the system and included some interviews with the dietitian that developed the eating plan and Tony Horton (the main guy behind p90x). Of course they did spend a little bit plugging their protein bars and workout recovery drink (I would have been shocked had they not) but they did really recommend that we do the fit test, which I was planning on just skipping.

So Kyle and I got ready to work out, took out beginning measurements and (with some coaxing) took before pictures. Now before you even ask we don't plan on posting any physical evidence until we have something to compare it to. (tough luck!) We took the fit test (damn you wall squat!!) and decided we had enough time to start the first workout, Chest and Back.

HOLY CRAP IT WAS HARD!!!!!!!

But I loved it and Kyle did to. I have always been a fan of hard workouts, because I really feel accomplished when I'm done (spinning anyone??) Tony is engaging, encouraging and pretty funny. The DVD was a 30 minute chest and back circuit that was repeated to make it an hour long workout. Push-ups, chin-ups, more push-ups & more push-ups and then, some chin-ups!! We were both sweating like crazy by the end of it but I was pumped and excited. I really liked working out with Kyle, sure we have gone to the gym together but we would always go our separate ways. It was nice to do it together, to push each other and to high five when we were through it. Afterward Kyle was filling in his worksheets and filling in the calendar with gusto, I guess I convinced him! I am looking forward to our next workout tomorrow, Pylometrics.

DO YOUR BEST, FORGET THE REST!!!!!!

Bring it...

Now I gots the stuff........

I just have to bring it.....

eep.....

New Month, New Start, New Home!?

So we've been led around the block a time or two during this whole house search. We found a condo we absolutely loved and put in an offer here then we fell out of the running here. We decided to start looking again the next week and it didn't go well. We found some condos that were O.K. but they were all further away then we wanted to be and the HOA fees were just out of control (one was almost $600 a month! Ouch!) We were getting so frustrated, and frankly I was getting ready to just forget the whole thing.

Then our Realtor called, and told us that the original buyers backed out and we are in at the original property that we wanted. Nothing is definite yet and I really don't want to jinx anything but if all goes well we should open up escrow by next week.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!