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GIRL!!!

lost and found

I am probably the only one that looks at this and that is what I get for not posting for 7 months. But I am seriously going to try to get better within the next few months. Soon (ok, like 4.5 months soon) I will have a much better reason to update. For anyone who doesn't know, Ben and I are expecting a baby at the end of October. Tomorrow is a very exciting day for us as we will be having our first ultrasound and also finding out the gender of this little peanut inside of me. I can hardly keep myself contained today! I will post tomorrow to let everyone know the news. Keep your fingers crossed that there are legs spread wide open! :)

aLot to be thankFUL for...

Ok, I know it has been forever and a few days since I last posted. Even thought about deleting this whole blog but then I thought about everything I am thankful for right now. So here is alittle insight on my thankful thoughts at this very moment.....

1) Benjamin Paul, ooh how I love this man! You totally rock my world (even if you don't do all the chores)! You are such a goof ball!

2) My entire family. For the ones I see all the time and the ones that are farther away. I love each an everyone of you and are so grateful that you are a part of my life. This one goes out to my "gram", I sure do miss you!!!

3) My friends! You each have your own personalities and help bring out the best in me. I know that I can always count on you as you can count on me.

4) My FAB job. I love everything about it and the girls I work with...You totally rock!

4) Good tv and music... Shows that I can't live without right now. Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, and Grey's Anatomy. Music I am rocking out to. New Taylor Swift, Klove radio, David Cook's new song, and the summer cd Kelly burned for me.

5) My Custom Occasions little biz. It is finally taking off. Check out: http://www.customoccasions.blogspot/ for samples.

6) LA Fitness- I don't always seem to have the motivation for this place, but I am going to find it FAST and get back into it hard core through the holidays. Maybe even pull a few 2 a day workouts here and there. Crossramp machine I'm coming to get you!

7) Pedicures- I think (know) I could have one everyday if $$$ allowed.

8) My health- probably should have been higher on the list but I'm pretty healthy and knock on wood don't usually have problems. Except for this little face issue the past two weeks. Thank goodness for Dr. G and his team for taking great care of me on Wednesday. Happy Healing Face :)

9) Cycling Shoes- Sad but true, gotta have these puppies if you plan on enjoying your spin class. Oh, what a difference they make. Shoes, you better be ready to spin on Monday in the early am!

10) Food- Can I say I'm thankful for this??? I really do love food just not all the calories that come with it. Things I just can't get enough of these days...Pumkin spice creamer in my coffee, sushi, ice cream, Odwalla granola bars, smoothies, Costco's brand of Slim Fast, my mom's stuffing, and fondue.

11) Good times. Whether it is shopping, scrapbooking, going out to dinner, being with friends, family, or Ben I am usually having a good time (maybe too much)

12) Our House! 2 words: Love it! (minus the for sale sign and the tree on the right hand side, it kicked the bucket last year)

13) Accomplishments in my life little or big. Everday I am thankful for the things I have accomplished.

14) the USA, a safe place we call home

15) and for all of the other things that are not coming to me right now.

Happy beLated Thanksgiving!!!

What are you thankful for???

I...

I am: in LOVE with my husband

I want: a new car

I have: 1 brother
I dislike: liars
I miss: my PA family and friends
I fear: house fires
I feel: LOVED

I hear: Beverly Kidd on news channel 3

I smell: wallflower plugins

I crave: pumpkin spice Hershey kisses (thanks Louise)

I cry: when I watch sad love stories

I usually: take 2 showers a day

I regret: living with Ben before being married

I search: for cheap car rentals (at least this week)
I wonder: what my life will look like in 5 years
I love: my houseI care: what others think
I always: wear earrings

I worry: about loved ones dying
I am not: a good saver

I remember: summers spent at Treehaven Pool
I believe: you can do it if you put your mind to it!
I dance: when I am alone and no one is watching
I sing: loud in the car alone
I don't always: stand up for myself
I argue: when I know I’m right

I write: print only
I win: when all the laundry is done, folded, and put away (I’m about 2 for 500)
I lose: or lost 14 pounds so far
I wish: I could spend more time scrapbooking
I listen: to the tv while falling asleep every night
I don't understand: the stock market right now
I can usually be found: working, doing housework, shopping, or at the gym
I watch: way too many tv shows this year
I need: to clean my garage for my yard sale next weekend
I forget: to pay my SRP bill last month
I am happy: to have such wonderful friends
there you have it...a little more than you probably wanted to know!
i tag: heidi, jenaye, joey

NEW blog

check out my new blog @

http://customoccasions.blogspot.com/

17 day Obsession!

1 down, 7 to go!!!

You can bet every moment I am home over the next 17 days the tv will be on watching the Beijing Olympics! And when I'm not....the DVR will be recording every moment of it for me. I love, love, love any event. But all time fav is swimming!!! Can't wait to see Michael go for 7 more gold medals! Sometime in my lifetime, I hope to see an olympic swimming event.

Recap:

United States' Michael Phelps swims to win the gold medal in the men's 400-meter individual medley final during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2008.

happy birthday to US!

Ben and I turned 27 yesterday! For any of you out there that don't know...Ben and I do share the same birth date. In case your wondering, I am the older one by about 12 hours :)

My day started off great. I got up bright and early (4:55 am) and headed to the gym to meet Joey for my am workout.

Then came home, got ready for work and headed out. Later in the morning the ever so thoughtful girls that I work with filled my world with several new tops, a necklace, purse, decor store gc, & MAC Makeup gc. I loved all of it! They were so generous and I enjoy all of our working days together. Thanks a million SB Etc Girls!!! Love ya















(Christmas morning @ work)


I then came home to a wonderful Italian meal cooked by Ben. My mom joined us for dinner and was there as we exchanged gifts. Ben got sandals and clothes and I got flowers, nail gc, and new brakes on the Rav. We also enjoyed ice cream cake from DQ. The best! Thanks honey for making my day special. Love you!



Today (7/10) I met up with 2 of my "bestest" friends, Ange and Becca. We met for dinner at Oregano's. We enjoyed salad, pizza, and dessert of course! I got a really cute card from Ange with a gc and Becca surprised me BIG TIME with tickets to see Carrie Underwood in concert on Nov. 7th. I said months ago I would do anything to see her in concert, and now I get to! Thanks Becca! I am so excited and can't wait to share the memories with you! Thanks girls for dinner and the time spent together.

Last Sunday, Joey and her girls took me out for an early b-day lunch to Texas Roadhouse. Love the food there! I thought I could get away with not being embarrassed by having them sing to me but I was wrong. If you have ever been to Roadhouse, you know what they make you do if its your birthday. Well, I knew what was about to happen to me but Joey and the girls did not. This made it even funnier to them. I was a good sport and Joey has a feel pics on her blog if you want to check them out. Go to http://aintlifegrand.typepad.com/. Thanks girls for the fun lunch and Target shopping.

Thanks a million to everyone that made my birthay such a GREAT one!!!

5,5,5

1 - Five places that I go to over and over: SB Etc, La Fitness, Fry's, Chipotle, Kohl's
2 - Five people who e-mail me (regularly) : Ben, Kelly, Biggest Loser, Prevention, Southwest Airlines
3 - Five favorite places to eat: Quiznos, Chiptole, Carrabas, Texas Roadhouse, Uncle Sal's
4 - Five places I would rather be right now: Hawaii, Paris, Alaska, Pennsylvania, in bed
5 - Five TV shows I watch all the time: Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, American Idol, Brothers & Sisters, Extreme Home Makeover
Here's what you are supposed to do…and please don't spoil the fun…tag 5 people to post this on their blog...

new Love

Last night Ben took me out for my 1st real experience of sushi, and I must say, "I'm in LOVE!" We started off light and went on from there. He said I experienced maybe a 3 on the sushi scale. We had california rolls(crab mix, with cucumber and avacado), Rainbow(California roll with tuna, salmon, whitefish, shrimp, avacado and tobiko on top), Alaska(crab mix and crab stick, with salmon, whitefish, and lemon slices on top of wasabi mayo, and last but not least... my favorite the Dragon(Shrimp tempura, crab mix, and cucumber, with eel, avacado, and eel sauce on top. It was oh, so good! We even had a few leftover and I have been eating them throughout the day. I think we will be frequently visiting sushi houses more often!

For my second love in just two days, is this cute, ever-so stylish pair of sandles.

Do I need to say anymore? I wanted a pair in every color! Can't wait to wear them for Easter next sunday!

11 months away

11 months from today, my mom and I will be going to Celion Dion's 2008 World Tour. Ben and I gave mom 2 tickets for Christmas. Her and I have always talked of seeing her in Vegas, and never made it out there. Well, when I heard she was coming to Glendale in December there was no way we were missing it! Obviously by moms reaction she was a little shocked, surprised, and excited. So glad I could keep the secret from her for what seemed like forever!

Mom,
I am so looking forward to the wonderful weekend we will have. Going to the concert, staying overnight in Glendale, and shopping the next day. Can't wait to share those memories with you!

If you haven't heard Celion's new CD, it is worth checking out. #2 is my fav (this week)

Sad Evening

I'm so sad I won't get to see this cute face on the field until next August! It was a bad game for Big Ben, but a good season all in all.

Just hope someone can beat the Pats!

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reacts as the Jacksonville Jaguars kick a game winning field goal during fourth quarter NFL wild card playoff football action in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. The Jaguars won 31-29. (www.nfl.com)

What Holiday Are You?

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job

What Holiday Are You?

Wishing everyone a safe and special holiday. Hoping that 2008 brings you many blessings.

Holiday Traditions

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to give and receive Hallmark Ornaments. This has been something that has been passed down from my grandma, my parents, and now from me. Every year starting with my first in 1981, my parents and my grandma would buy me a Hallmark ornament. Through the years, I have collected quite the collection of beautiful ornaments. I have several single ornaments and many ornaments which are in a series. Below are pictures and reasons why these are some of my favorite ornaments hanging on our tree this year!This ornament is from 1989 and from the moment I opened it I thought it was the cutest little manger scene. I still love to look at it and think about the birth of Jesus and the reason for this amazing season!This is one of the ornaments I have that are in a series. The Wizard of Oz has always been one of my all time favorite movies. Just ask my mom, when I was about 5 years old I would watch it time after time during the same time. Only fast forwarding through the wild monkey scene. Still can't watch those ugly things! When this collection came about, I had to have it! I have about 5 ornaments from this collection, this one being my favorite.This is another ornament that comes in a series. Starting in 1983 the Nostalgic Houses and Shops series came about. I have all but 3 years in this series. Somehow along the way I decided I wanted to collect a different ornament and was getting tired of these "houses", so my mom listened to me (don't know why she did that) and now I am missing 3 houses in this collection of 24. I have already bought 2 of the missing years on ebay, still looking for those other few years. This series probably means the most to me of all the ornaments on my tree.

Mrs Potato Head...does anymore need to be said? What a fun toy this was in my childhood collection. When Hallmark came out with this ornament I had to have it! It has been a part of our family tree for several years.

This ornament is from 1982, and I believe my Grandma Russell gave this one to me. I use to think is was the cutest because it was like a carousel. It had a little spinner on the bottom that allowed the snowmen to move.1999 was the first Christmas Ben and I shared as a couple. This was the first Hallmark ornament I ever bought for him. Every year since then, I have bought him an airplane ornament. On our tree, he is very out numbered with which ornaments belong to him, so every time I see an airplane ornament I buy it, hoping one day we can have the same amount of ornaments.This year I was searching for an ornament that would signify the purchase of our first home. I wasn't so crazy about the ornament Hallmark put out for that milestone, but they did start a brand new series called Doorways Around the World. 2007's doorway was Germany. Therefore, this is the ornament and the new series that signifies our first home. I look forward to adding to this collection every year from here on out!Last but not least, the NFL football players series is actually a collection that my brother has, but if you don't know this about me already, the Steelers are my favorite NFL football team and when Big Ben was the ornament of the year, I could not resist adding HIM to my collection!So there you have it, a little bit about my Christmas tree and why I love it so much. I would love to see what ornaments are your favorites and why they are important to you. I challenge you to finding your top 5! Merry Christmas to you and those closest to you!

Scentsy Party!

You're Invited...

No black Soot, No Flame, could it get any better? Yes, the scents are amazing!

With one warmer and a few scented wax bars your entire house will be filled with the rich aroma.

If you are familiar or have never heard of it before, I hope you will join us on Friday, November 30Th from 6:30-8:30.

For all of those hard to shop for family members, you can't go wrong. All orders will be shipped in time for Christmas.

Look forward to seeing you then! If you need directions to my house, you know how to reach me. Or email at julz7981@yahoo.com

one year already!

On Saturday, Ben and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary. So can't believe a year has passed us by already. What a great one it has been! We went on a cruise, bought a house, lots of goodies to go in it, took a vacation to CA, Ben's company sent him back to school to become a captain of the Beech jet, and I made it back to PA twice to visit family and friends. We are so grateful for the blessings in our life.

To celebrate, Ben and I went to a restaurant called Top of the Rock @ the Buttes Resort in Phx. It was a great restaurant with an amazing view of the valley. After dinner, we drove to the Wright House (location of our wedding) and had our anniversary cake,

exchanged gifts, re lit our unity candle, and danced to what was our 1st dance song:Me & You by Kenney Chesney in the parking lot. Once we got home we watched our wedding video and relived the whole day. I would go back and do it all over again everyday, if I could. It was that perfect and wonderful!

I won't get tooooo sappy but... I am so lucky to have Ben as my husband! I love every moment we share together. He is working so hard to get us to the future that we are planning for, I love watching the relationship between him and my mom (they are so close and it means so much that he loves her so much) he IS putting up with all of my home decor projects (finally, getting some paint on my walls :) ) and oh so much more! I can't imagine a day without him in it. I am so in love with him and the life we have started together. To many, many, many more years of happiness with him!

halloween

I was so looking forward to passing out halloween candy for the first time in my own house! It was so cute to see all of the little kids dressed up.

My friend Ange and her husband brought over their two little boys Dominic (a transformer) and Devin (a cow). They were soo cute!!

My mom came by after work and she was dressed up as a Target employee (proud of her for actually dressing up for Bazzill's party)

and then Joey and the girls came by. Joey's costume (a homeless person willing to work for scrapbook supplies) cracked me up! Her hair stood straight up!

My favorite neighborhood kid costume was a little Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She had the cutest curly hair and ruby slippers. About halfway through passing out candy...

I closed the door and said to Ben, "I feel like such a grown-up!" Watching all of those little kids and their parents walking up to Our very own Home to get candy made me realize that that will be Ben and I before we know it. Seems like just yesterday I was carving pumpkins with my baby brother!

(don't laugh at my old school scrapbooking talents)

The End (kylie at the end of a long halloween day)

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

fall Decor

I went shopping this weekend with my mom

and found this lovely wreath holder

and fall wreath.

I'm LOVIN' it!

(stay tuned for pictures from my trip back to PA last week)

Coming Home

To most of you this little picture doesn't make sense, but to me it means that my husband is almost home! After a long week of him flying everyday and being gone for three nights, I can't wait to see him! Thanks to technology I can know where Ben is at any given moment (unless he is flying VFR, and that is a whole nothing subject).

Ben has been flying his little tail off ever since he returned from school. Ben's company sent him back to FlightSafety in September to get a type rating and his Captain Certificate in the Beechjet. I am so extremely proud of him for all of his hard work and dedication to his job and our future. He is a natural at what he does! There is nowhere else he would rather be. Soon I will post a picture of him with his new epaulets. Four stripes, Go Honey!!!

34 minutes and he will be back on the ground!

all week long

It took me all week to figure out who sings this fabulous song. Thanks to a few websites and LimeWire, I got it!!!

If you haven't heard it you gotta check it out...catchy little tune

safeway surprise

On Saturday, Ben came home from the grocery store with these...

I love being surprised with flowers. Love you honey!