Memoir Monday - a.k.a. Yes, I broke another camera

I am officially onto camera number 4... or 5 maybe?!?!

I have truly lost count at this point. And it's only been in the last four years.

That's right, folks, someone out there is either playing a sick joke on me...or has cast a spell that forces me to break every single camera I own. Luckily, I get insurance every.single.time.

Last weekend, I noticed my baby was sick, (mostly some weird non-moveable spots on the lens) and so we took it to Best Buy (like we have 2 other times with other cameras) to get it fixed.

A very long-story short: after a near blow-out battle between my sweet husband (who never, ever gets heated) and Best Buy who was trying to "replace with like kind and quality" our $500 camera with a basic $200 point and shoot, they replaced our camera with the Canon G12.

So, I now have yet ANOTHER camera. And it's the newest model.

Needless to say, I didn't get any pictures of this weekend. :(

But, I simply can't do a post without at least a few pics. So, I leave you with photo booth pics from the wedding we went to a few weeks ago.

I LOVE photo booths at weddings. Love.

How was YOUR weekend! Feel free to play Memoir Monday, and just copy my button. :)

Silly Sunday

Yes, I feel like I'm going absolutely batty.

Delirious really.

I have been cooped up working on writing a ridiculous amount of essays, reflection papers, lesson plans, and learning activities...all weekend. (Of course I've allowed myself to loosen up and get out a little bit!)

But, there is LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

Two weeks until (brief) freedom! That month of freedom will taste oh-so-sweet.

Any-hoo, I'm sure many of you are one of the 2 million people who have already seen this video. But just in case you haven't...it is a MUST watch.

It's a one-man acapella re-mix of the catchy Taio Cruz song "Dynamite". So much fun to watch! Not to mention, Mike Tompkins is pretty darn cute! ;)

Happy Friday!

Yes, we may have had the day off yesterday. And yes, it may be Friday. But, my mind is on total brain overload with school coming to an end and trying to get everything done in the next two and a half weeks. So, today's post is going to simply be a puddle of mush that is my brain at the current moment.

• The other day, I was on my way to my school where I am finishing up my in-class hours. I take the same route several times a week. However, my mind was busy racing with...stuff...and I missed my exit. Hate when that happens.

• I love how we can be gone for 10 days on vacation or 5 minutes to go fill up on gas, and we still get the same overwhelmingly excited greeting from our pups every.single.time.

• The other night, I had a "Bridesmaid Meeting" with my college pals. It may have been on Skype, but it was SO good to "see" them. Technology has come so far...

• It is amazing that I have had a total of about 10 Diet Cokes this entire year. I went from having two 32 oz. a day in college, to at least 2 cans a day in the professional world, to only when I need accompaniment for my chicken burrito.

• We've added another stop to our road trip home. We're stopping in DC to spend time with a GOOD friend! And I HEART DC.

• Kanye West needs to stop talking. Period.

• The other day, I randomly burst out laughing thinking about something my friend recently did. A few weeks ago, she was walking to her car and thought someone was following her. So she burst out into a full on sprint in the parking lot to her car (not funny at the time, but HILARIOUS to picture now).

• I don't think I will ever go on another Carnival Cruise again.

I'm surprised if you've made it this far, but if you have, HAPPY FRIDAY! :)

Thank You

From the bottom of my heart!

Words can never repay or truly express the gratitude for Our Nation's Veterans.

To those of you who have ever served or are currently serving in the armed forces, and especially to those of you overseas - we THANK YOU! Thank you for dedicating your lives, leaving the ones you love, and giving all you've got to continue to fight for our freedom and safety.

And I wanna give a special, major-town thanks to my hubby. He actively served 4 years in the Marine Corps (inactively another 4) and with two deployments to Iraq. And although I truly thank God every single day that those days of waiting/hoping/wondering/worrying are OVER, I am still so grateful for my amazing husband's bravery and strength.

My favorite picture ever!

***Oh, and please head over to see D.A.R at Just Another Day in Our Midwest Paradise...her husband recently left for his second deployment, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind hearing a "thank you" or two for her husband's service in the Army. I know she is counting down the days until his return!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I am loving a LOT of things right now. Be sure to play along with sweet Jamie!

1). I'm LOVING Bath and Body Works' Sea Island Cotton foaming hand soap. Oh.my.goodness. I am obsessed. I always get caught awkwardly smelling my hands after using it!

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2). I'm LOVING my New Balance tennies that I bought in San Franny. Not only are the super cute, but they are so comfy. And they're a life saver when you work in child care...

3). I'm LOVING my Mama-Bear. No, this is nothing new. But I just really miss her right now. And I am beyond excited to give her a big squeeze when I see her in a month!!!


4). I'm LOVING LOVING LOVING Modern Family. Absolutely hilarious. I'm not a huge TV fan...but this is a MUST watch. Mr. Ruby and I crack up every.single.week.

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5). I'm LOVING my new Old Navy surplus jacket I got this weekend. Did I need a new jacket? Nah. But ALL outwear was 50% off...and I simply could not refuse.

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6). I'm LOVING my cutie patootie husband. Not only is he super cute, hilarious, and goofalicious, but he is my mood stabilizer. I am the crazy one and he just puts everything in perspective. Oh, and I really love how he calls every person whom he thinks is nice "A Big Sweetheart". ;)

LOL

Does anyone else find it rare to watch a movie and actually laugh out loud?

Not like a little chuckle. But a true, from-the-gut, holy-moly-I-can't-breathe, ouch-my-ribs-hurt, laugh out loud?

Well. I was so happy when we decided super last minute (like walked in during the previews) to go see Due Date, with Zack Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr. this past weekend.

Oh.my.goodness.

Now, I have been told I have a loud, unique laugh. In fact, in high school, I received the "Most recognizable laugh" superlative. And, I've often had co-workers from the other side of the office come over to see what was so funny...because they heard my laugh. Obnoxious? Maybe. But I simply can't stifle it if I find something incredibly funny.

But nothing compares to my uproarious laughter from watching Due Date.

Seriously, Zack Galifianakis is absolutely hysterical. Like, I might write him a fan letter to tell him I NEED him to be my new best friend. Immediately.

The best part about the movie is that it isn't the typical gross-out/vulgar/swears-way-too-much comedy. It's true, slapstick, three-stooges hysterical. I mean, there are definitely a few "Rated R Moments". But nothing like most comedies these days...

You HAVE to see this movie!!!!

And Zack, if you're reading, please feel free to join our Thanksgiving festivities this year. You'd be a real hoot. Thanks.

source photo by Melinda Sue Gordon

Check out those AWESOME stone-washed jeans...and pink socks! :)

All the cool kids are doing it

So, I just about had a heart attack when I heard Bing Crosby belting out "White Christmas" on Saturday night.

Christmas music, already?

I mean, I'm still munching on Halloween candy.

Then, something happened that completely put me in the holiday spirit.

I found out about Shutterfly's Holiday Card Promotion - 50 FREE Holiday Cards exclusively for bloggers! I mean, are they for-serious?!?! Yep. They are. And all you have to do is click HERE to join in on the holiday cheer.

And let me tell you, there is an overwhelming amount of holiday cheer to go around. I was supposed to be writing an essay and working on lesson plans this evening, instead I've spent the last 2 and a half hours looking through the holiday card selection. So many CHOICES! Classic. Modern. Trendy. Bright. Cheerful. Religious. Fun. Creative.

I've narrowed it down to three, but I need your help. Which one do you like best?!?!

The funky, trendy "We really love the New England Fall Foliage"

The simple, yet classic "Yes we are THOSE dog people"

The cheerful, say-it-all "We had an amazing year"

I have about 15 others waiting in my Shutterfly cue. I seriously could not choose!

My personal favorites are in their Christmas Collection. However, I also like the religious Christmas cards...It's always nice to have a little reminder of what Christmas is really about. Oh, and be sure to check out the holiday gift tags. How cute are they?

So thank you Shutterfly. For putting me in the Christmas spirit!

Don't forget to vote for which Christmas card you like best. :)