7/31/11 - Happy Pre-Birthday, Domingo!!!

Domingo is going to be one year older tomorrow and we went to celebrate with his family! He got some really cool things from them and it was nice to be able to spend some time with them (even if I did take a little nap :0) haha).

Oops! Someone looks grumpy about being 24....ah suck it up - it's only half way to 48! And yes, we did try switching up the numbers to say 42. Didn't work too well!

7/30/11 - Bump, Set, Spike

The Carmax crew had a gathering today at Centennial Park in Naperville and got together a volleyball game. The weather was ridiculously hot and muggy, but the boys sucked it up and played anyways. There's my stud in the green and that pink ball way up in the air - oh yeah he hit that. Woo hoo!!!! Go Mingo!!

7/29/11 - Monkey Time

In part of Birthday weekend, I took Domingo to the zoo! No, that's not him above - I didn't leave him there. Although, this guy was the most like him. Too hot to go outside, yet too lazy to go back inside. :-) We had a good time even though not many of the animals were outside because of the heat.

7/28/11 - Forever Yogurt

Forever Yogurt is probably the next best thing to money. It is only in the city, but it's just like Yogurtland and Spoonfulls (you know, like every other town in the US that actually has Fro-Yo nearby except for us neglected kids in America). I initiated Domingo with what true Fro-Yo really is and he LOVED it. We had so much fun and totally want to open up a franchise now in the 'burbs just so that we can strike it rich!

7/27/11 - Cookie Monster

Today, I arrived at work with this note taped to my monitor. In comes this guy:

Meet Cookie Monster. He's my blue beta who swims around all day in this spaceship looking mansion and we are bestest buddies!! I've even trained him already to follow my finger! YAHOO! So excited and the whole office has already taken a liking to him. His name definitely makes people smile a bit too which is fun!

7/26/11 - Toy Time

My mama surprised me today with a fun toy package at work today. I got an AWESOME paddle-ball toy that is also a gift card for Target! How cool!!! It definitely kept me entertained while I was doing phone interviews. My mama knows me SO WELL! THANK YOU AGAIN, MAMA!!!!

7/25/11 - Blast from the Past

I finally got a chance to go through this stuff my mom sent me and this is what I came across....words cannot express what went through my head. Mom, how in the world did you even let me out of the house...ever?!

Yikes...

7/24/11 - DVD Surprise

I finally finished getting together Dan and Mary's photos and have even created a fun DVD surprise for them. I can't wait for them to see it! Hope they like it as much as I enjoyed putting it together for them!!

7/23/11 - Wanna Go on a Boat?

In trying to plan "someone's" birthday weekend, I came across a really cool idea to go out on a boat to watch the fireworks in the city. Super cheap too. However, someone I know (who shall remain nameless to protect his "innocence") didn't want to go. Hence the stress on my face and grays in my hair. Back to the drawing boards for something else....

7/22/11 - When NERFs Attack

We put productivity to work today and pulled out our NERF guns for a good old fashioned showdown. We only had one casualty, but hey-it happens.....

*No employees were hurt in the shooting....but there's always next time!

7/21/11 - History Lesson

Yeesh my mom sent me all of my old stuff from grade school and college. I haven't had a chance to go through it all, but it is a lot. I was even told that more was on its way. Domingo just continues to ask if we can just send it all back, haha. I'm sure there's quite a bit of incriminating photos and things throughout. I can hardly wait...

7/20/11 - Staple Monster

Ever get those moments when you look at something long enough that it begins to look like something else? Well, I had that moment today and actually executed it! Meet Staple Monster! His teeth were what gave him away and creating him did not take me long at all. I promise I was paying attention during the conference call I was on at work while I made him!!

7/19/11 - Scentsy Wish List

Scentsy is all 10% off in the month of August!!! With that I have created my wish list (and not real sure why my computer won't save the rotation on this photo - so I apologize for your neck cramps you will receive in reading what I am wanting from Scentsy). Hopefully, I will have some funds in August to buy everything because it will sooo be worth it. Screw the fact that I get commission on this, I am just in love with this product and definitely don't have enough of it in the house!!!! Domingo is soooo not looking forward to it either :-)

7/18/11 - Hi Doggy!

Domingo and I went to get gas today and made a cute little friend. Everytime Domingo moved, his little eyes followed him. I was really hoping he was going to jump out of the car and come join us. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have hesitated and driven off without it!!! Haha we sooo want a doggy...hopefully one as cute and as funny as this little guy!

7/17/11 - Editing Photos

In editing photos for Dan and Mary today, I came across this flower one I had shot while at the place yesterday. I'm quite proud in my macro lens. These suckers actually weren't that pretty from normal human view, but turned out awesome after I shot a few photos!! This is the rewarding experience you get from photography. Too cool!

7/16/11 - dan + mary

Today I got an awesome opportunity to do engagement photos for Dan and Mary. So happy to see these two get hitched in May 2012! We went to the Morton Arboretum and sweated our butts off, but I was able to snap a few good ones. Here's another sneak peak for you:

7/15/11 - Gym Rat is Back!

Domingo and I finally went to the park district today and got our gym memberships! Not only is it cheap and totally reasonable, it feels so good to go get my sweat on!!! My back isn't too happy that I cannot be a couch potato anymore, but my thighs and arms are beginning to love me again. Please help cheer for me to keep this up and that my back doesn't give me any problems. I really, really need to keep this going for my own health!!

7/14/11 - Long Week

This has been such a long week. With me being sick and such big plans this weekend, I am beyond ready for a whole bottle of wine to get me through the week. Ok, so maybe I won't drink the whole bottle. Maybe I just really want the wine cork to add to my collection. The collection that thanks to my mama it grows and grows!

7/13/11 - To Lounge or Not To Lounge

The weather decided to be crummy the past few days, so we have had to bring in the cushions to the patio set. It sucks to see them inside because it not only doesn't look so great in the house, but it means no lounging outside. Go away rain!

7/12/11 - Holy Guacamole

I have a new addiction and I call it - Holy Guacamole! We found this guac that the nearby grocery store sells and boy does it have a kick to it. The worst part is even though it is entirely way too spicey for anyone's tastebuds, it is impossible to put down. Therefore, you repeatedly continue to return to beat up your tongue. All in all, it's great and cannot resist the temptation whenever I see this in the fridge.

7/11/11 - Book Nook

Yahoo! I finally got a little bookcase for the living room. We have had this open space and it had really been bothering me. Plus, now that I didn't have an office - I needed a place to house my books and other junk. I had my eye on one from IKEA, but this one was only a fraction of the cost of the IKEA one. It looks great!

7/10/11 - Sick as a Dog

I have no idea how this happened (probably the bike ride actually) but I have caught the worst cold in the world. THANK GOODNESS I was sent home from work today and I ran to a Walgreen's clinic to be tested for Strep. My throat was on fire, but turns out it was just a cold. I haven't been sick like this in years. Not happy...

7/9/11 - L.A.T.E. Ride

So, I heard about this bike ride in the city a while ago and had always wanted to do it. I finally was able to convince Domingo to do this with me and that it would be a good, healthy thing for us that shouldn't be too bad. The L.A.T.E. ride is an after hours 25 miles bike ride in the city throughout the entire city. We thought the 25 miles was a lot, but all of the instruction assured us that no experience was necessary.....

Now, there are no after photos for a reason. I didn't want to finish. After 6 miles, I thought I was going to die. When we finally made it to the half point, I wanted to die even more. Domingo was SUCH a trooper and coached me all the way to the finish line. It took us 3 whole hours to finish the entire course and of course, I felt like crap. Domingo is beyond ready for next year, but I have decided we will get a little caddy that attaches to the back of the bike for me to lounge in while he pulls me the entire 25 miles!!

**Disclaimer** I apologize for the look on Domingo's face (hehe) - granted this race did start at 1:00am and that's waaaay past our usual bedtime!

7/8/11 - Weenie Express

HOLY MOLY - My stomach is growling just looking at this photo. Hot off the grill, Domingo BBQ'd up some meat for dinner tonight. I did awesome in buying this amazing birthday present for him. Good thing that the weather has been nice so that we can really break it in!

7/7/11 - Brace Face

I haven't worn my retainer in MONTHS, so I decided why not. One hour later, I am kicking myself for A) putting it in and B) not wearing it for a few months. My chompers haven't hurt this bad since I had braces. Domingo couldn't even tell I had it in, but I totally could tell after I took this photo. Not sure how he didn't notice. This thing gave me a lisp and made me spit after every word, haha.

7/6/11 - Bloomin' Tea

In search for some calm and soothing tea to drink tonight, I came across these tea balls that my mom had sent me years ago. It starts out as a little ball that you drop in boiling water. After a few minutes, a flower emerges and it releases the tea. It's so fun to see this odd thing just bloom in your glass, even if it does look a little odd in the photo!

7/5/11 - Fire in the Sky

We caught our neighbors continuing the 4th of July celebration late tonight. Although, I'm not too sure if it's even legal to be setting them off within our city limits, it was cool (and scary now that we own a house) to see them so close to us. The neighbors definitely didn't cheap out and got all the good stuff. I was quite proud of how this photo turned out too. I usually have the hardest time with firework photos!

7/4/11 - Going Out with a BANG!

In true Independence Day style, our toilet went out with a BANG! While we have had some issues with it, we decided to just toss the raggedy old thing and replace with the new 21st century model complete with buttons. No, I am not kidding here. Those cool little things at the top are indeed buttons you push to flush this bad boy. Blue is for #1 and silver is for #2. Nothing and I mean nothing should get in the way of this porcelain throne (hopefully). Oh, and don't worry for all of our seeing impaired guests....the buttons have braille on them. Oh yeah....

7/3/11 - King of the Grill

One of the awesome goodies we brought home yesterday was Domingo's birthday present from his truly. While there's a looooong story behind the grill, he did receive his present a whole month early from me. Santa told me he had been a good boy this year so far, so it was ok. We put it to the test today and had his family over for some amazingly yummy bbq and family time. We had an amazing time hanging out on the deck in the new furniture and eating some delicious food. Isn't my little king of the grill so handsome? I'm so proud of his cooking skills!

7/2/11 - Relaxation Assembly Complete

After running around town for literally 3 hours today trying to locate any kind of truck to rent for an hour, we were finally able to pick up our patio set along with a few other goodies. Domingo did such a nice job putting it together and viola!! Isn't she a beauty? Did I mention she's absolutely comfy, too? Such a nice touch for the deck and such a nice touch to relax in. Definitely thankful we were able to find this set and buy it.

7/1/11 - Me Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Because I'm special, I gave myself a half day at work today allowing myself to leave at noon. Domingo bet me I wouldn't leave until after 12:30. Bet on. Proof ladies and gentlemen that I was out of the office and in my car by 12:12pm. I'd like a pair of black sequence TOMS in size 9.5 please. Thanks :-)

6/30/11 - Please Explain This...

Where else would you store the patio set we would want to buy, Home Depot??? Oh! Of course, on the highest shelf possible, that's where! DUH! Talk about handy.... So yeah, Domingo and I went to our favorite spot this evening and purchased our patio furniture. We were even given the VIP treatment and had to shut down this aisle so that they could bring this thing down. Wanna hear the best part? After we paid for it and told them we would come back Saturday morning to pick-up, they put it back up there on the shelf. Now that's some quality thinkin' right there. Let's just hope the person we speak to on Saturday morning will be able to locate it without any issues.

6/29/11 - Oasis COMPLETED!

I am a true arteest. While I have cheated in posting this already doctored (aka: finished) photo of the project, I really did stain those cabinets (just maybe not on this exact date). Alright, alright - I'm a bit behind in the blog here, but I wanted to make sure and show off my really awesome masterpiece. Yes, friends, I did that handy work. I had a bit of help here and there, but it's done and it looks awesome. I may not know how to hang the doors back up to where they don't bonk each other in the closing process, but they sure do look mighty purdy. Now what else can I cross off that to-do list??

6/28/11 - Bee-utiful

Today at work I decided to take my outfit to a whole new level. Before my stingers, I was just a bee, but now with my useful new additions, I am just stingingly beee-utiful!!! I think I scared a few coworkers in the making, but we had a few good laughs! Ahh to keep work interesting. That's the goal in staying sane, people. Uh-huh, just go with it...