One of the famous sayings of our former school president was, “Do NOTHING between now and the end of school that will jeopardize your graduation or break your mother’s heart.” It was told to the students time and time again (mostly during the spring semester). By the students entered their senior year, these words were ingrained in their heads and he would only have to start the saying and they could recite the rest by heart.

A few small words, but a big life lesson. This man knew that although he had influence over these young people, the way to their hearts was to (literally) bring the words home.

Unfortunately, he passed away from cancer last year. Yet, in his absence, I have found myself restating these words to those seniors crossing my path. The Class of 2013 knows these words well, and knows that they ring true not only within our school walls, but within life as well.

What’s a piece of advice you would give to those graduating this year?

So I made my own list.

First, the things that I agree with:

1. Travel. Maybe not alone, but traveling is definitely on my list. I spent a semester of college in Europe, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I went back to Scotland a few years later and had a bit of time to travel to myself. I spent the a few days in Edinburgh wandering around and while it was a bit scary, it was liberating at the same time.

2. Have a night where you get too crazy. In your 20s, your metabolism (and tolerance for certain beverages) is probably at its peak. Enjoy it. Be a bit irresponsible. Make memories. Dance your heart out.

3. Disregard your parent’s advice on something. Now, my take isn’t the same as it is in the article. You see, I never really had a ‘rebellious’ time. When I went to college, I decided I wanted my belly button pierced. I had just turned 18 (ok, so not technically 20s yet but whatever), and asked Mommy Janks what she thought. She immediately responded that she didn’t like the idea. I did it anyway. Later on, I heard her recounting the story to her friends as if I didn’t do it without her permission. Sigh.

4. Ask for a raise. In a prior position, I was a part of a pretty intimidating review process. But it prepared me for life. I had to defend my decisions, express my interest in the company, and explain why I deserved a raise. If you weren’t prepared, you were like a fish in a barrel. As I said, it’s made me a better person (and also made me get everything in writing.)

Now, for a few not on the list:

5. Live in a city. While State College is big enough to merit its own zip code, it’s not necessarily a city. I’m a suburban girl and while I had a few friends who lived in the heart of a city, I have never done it. The JA was living in a part of Baltimore when we started dating and we remember that time with love and longing. It’s great feeling like a bigger part of something…like, maybe a Super Bowl win?

6. Take a trip with a close friend or your significant other (just the two of you). If you haven’t done that yet, do it now. You learn about someone when you’re sharing a car, plane, or room with someone for a few days.

7. Invest. Whether it’s buying a piece of clothing that you know you’ll wear for years to come or putting money in a retirement fund, invest in your future. I’ve always been a saver (sometimes to a fault), and I understand how hard it is to invest in big-ticket items. Yet, I bought my first decent suit jacket in my 20s and I wear it all.the.time. Initial cost? My jaw hit the floor. Cost per wear? At this point, it’s pennies. Completely worth it.

There are a few more that I could list but then it wouldn’t be seven things, so I’m going to turn it over to you. Anything that you would add/change to this list?

Photo via Instagram from @todayshow, who reposted from @weatherchannel producer @mikejenkinstv

In the past, I used to scoff at those bumper stickers that read, “Who rescued who?” but since we adopted Watson, I’ve changed my tune.

Having a dog is one of the best decisions the JA and I have made (besides marrying each other, of course). Here are a few of the lessons he’s taught us:

1. Be a good companion. I.hate.being.alone. Coming home to an empty house led to me sitting at the computer for hours on end, piddling around, working, and counting the seconds until the JA came through the door. When he did, either I was 1. super happy to see him and wanting to talk all about my day, or 2. upset that he was late and why can’t we make more time for each other?!

Not so good.

Watson has given me a reason to come home on time and like it. He gets me out of the house, and there’s no happier face than a dog who gets to be outside on a nice day.

2. Test the limits (but know when to give up). Between shredding the laundry room door, sneak pees, and eating my camera, these past few months have had more than enough “BOY, you are lucky you’re so cute” challenges. We like to say that he’s as high maintenance as we are – when he’s unhappy, he shows it. We’re getting better at learning his cues, but also controlling him more when necessary.

3. Shake it off. Sure, I cried a bit when I found my good camera cracked and in pieces around the living room. But the majority of the time, we have to accept the fact that what’s done is done. Picking up the pieces and moving on (while seeing Watson slink around because he knows we’re upset with him) is a trait that dog ownership has certainly strengthened.

How can you be so upset? Look at this face!

4. Love like there’s no tomorrow. Now, I’m not knocking the JA here, but when we’ve both had a bad day, it’s sometimes hard to get out of that funk. Doggie don’t care. As long as we walk through that door, he will greet us with a wagging tail and a ‘let’s go play!’ look in his eyes. I never had a pet growing up, so Watson’s my first try at this whole thing. This little guy has brought so much joy into our lives that I can’t wait to watch him grow and adapt with us as an important part of our family.

5. Everyone needs a good cuddle now and again. There’s nothing like a doggie cuddle. Or the ‘paws up because this is the best belly rub’ look. Or finding the secret spot that unleashes the highly sought out foot jiggle. Cuddling never hurt anyone, and most of the time it’s appreciated.

6. Bring snacks and always share. Watson is always down for a snack. His preferences are animal crackers and pretzels with peanut butter coming in a close third. Boy is like his momma – loves the carbs and gravitates toward them like a bee to honey.

What life lessons have you learned from a pet?

Update: This video appeared this morning that show a woman who recovering her dog from the rubble in Oklahoma. I totally teared up, but wanted to pass it along. You’ve been warned.

After finishing our duties as senior prom chaperones at 1a, sitting on a closed beltway and not getting home ’til 2a, waking up at 9a to do some cleaning before our landlord showed our house, and running some errands (hello, people we need food!), we crashed. And when I say crash, I mean it. We all (Watson included) napped from 3p – 5p. It was magnificent.

selfie in the elevator

Needless to say, we didn’t get a lot accomplished today. We’ve got another crazy week (our dinner schedule has dashes next to Tues, Weds, Thurs, and Fri meaning either one of us is on their own or we’ve got a dinner event planned), so it’s nice to sit back and chill. Especially when it means I come home from running errands and can justifiably spend the rest of the day in “comfy clothes.”

OMG you guys, it’s, like, finally here. PROM.

Yes, the JA and I got to senior prom. Yes, I made him ask me the first year. Yes, I love it. (At least the first hour.)

I went to two proms my senior year – one at my school and one at my boyfriend’s school. Both were fun, but I remember mine more, as his was sort of lumped in with my graduation activities. (Side note: transitioning from sundress to prom dress in a school bathroom with about twenty other girls doing the same is NOT fun.)

Although prom styles, music, and traditions have changed, prom time remains a memorable timeframe for high school seniors. The gals get all gussied up, the boys are in their tuxes and their parents have an excuse to take multiple photos to remember this special time. (My parents took seven rolls of film on the night of my prom. SEVEN.)

Now, if you excuse me, I have to go do my hair

However, it looks like there are a couple new products in the works that could provide caffeine without the creamer (or cola, for that matter.)

Earlier this week, it was reported that Wrigley’s debuted caffeinated gum. Interesting concept, but apparently not a big seller. Bummer, because I’m a big gum person and would have loved to try it.

But that’s not the only caffeinate-infused product that’s in the works. Colgate-Palmolive is applying for a patent on a toothbrush that releases a shot of caffeine via a patch on the toothbrush’s head. The toothbrush could also release flavors or even herbal remedies. I’ll be interested to see how this develops and what the target audience is.

By placing caffeine in these products, are we opening ourselves up to caffeine addiction at an earlier age? Does this open the doors for other candies/confections to contain caffeine? How bad would the crash be?

Would you try alternate products to get your caffeine fix?

1. Marrow bones for the pup. After some damage to our personal items, we’ve needed to find something durable, yet enjoyable, for the dog to chew. Our trainer recommended that we try marrowed bones from the grocer and, boy, does Watson love those things. His tail starts a-waggin’ and I’m relieved to know that he’s chewing on something other than my camera. (Note: The FDA put out a statement that bones are bad for dogs. W gets large bones that put him at no risk of swallowing. He doesn’t chew them all day and we throw them away when he gets to the middle. I would recommend trying it with your dog while you’re in the room before you do it while you’re away. Different things work for each dog.)

2. Heavy Seas Riptide. The liquor store near us allows you to make your own six-pack and the JA and I have taken full advantage. I picked this beer as one of my three and it’s one of the few beers that we both like! (He’s more of a Hefeweizen, I’m an IPA gal.) It’s light enough for him, but with a kick in it for me. We might have to stock up for the summer.

3. How Sweet’s 20-Minute Turkey Taco Nachos. So easy. So good. We’ve had them twice in the past three weeks. Do yourself a favor and make them, now.

4. Pretzel crisps. As the JA says, “Those are not snacks. They are a sin.” Light and crisp with enough salt to curb my cravings. Have to portion them out or I’d eat the whole bag…in one sitting. Available at Target (another vice, but that’s an entirely different story.)

5. Tone It Up’s Bikini Series workouts. I’m not following the plan to the letter, but having short, yet effective workouts to do in the morning has been great. I don’t have to think about what to do, but still get to reap the benefits of exercise!

What helps you get through a busy week?

I woke up this morning with good intentions to write, and write I did. I simply wasn’t happy with any of it so I scrapped everything, waiting for inspiration to strike.

as always, click for source

I went to work and waited some more.

I came home, made dinner, and continued to wait.

And the we sat down and started scheduling out our closing on the house, painting, and move. (Note to self: next time, try not to do all this during wedding season and the busiest week of our summer.)

I became a bit overwhelmed.

And that’s where we are. The rest of this evening is allotted for a meeting with our mortgage guy and quality time with this guy. (Guess which one I’m looking forward to more?)

Check back in tomorrow, I already have that post started and it’s a fun one!

yesterday’s night sky

It’s not spine pain, but more of a localized strain (almost like I pulled something) on my right back upper hip. I’m supposed to have group training tonight, and I think I’ll go but just take it slow like I did last week. These workouts are meant to challenge us, and while I don’t want to hurt myself further, I want to continue to improve and achieve my goal. No pain, no gain I guess?

via Pinterest

Do you exercise through pain or take it slow?

]]>