what's up wednesday

This was the view from my backyard in the beginning of the month as I was stretching outside.


What's up!? It's Wendesday and here is what's going on around here!

What we're drinking this week:

Water, water and more water... I LOVE cold water... and by cold I mean I want to see an iceberg floating in my water bottle... I have been trying to stay away from soda and juices for a while and while I've had a few glasses of crystal ice, I've been really loving all this water! Also this water bottle! It's my favorite! Contigo makes awesome bottles, and this is my favorite of theirs!

What I'm reminiscing about:

NYC. We saw something about the city this week and it made us miss it so bad! I used to live in NY when I was younger and I fell in love with NY. I wanted to take Derek so we went there in 2007 and he fell in love too! The next year in August, I half jokingly suggested we go for Thanksgiving and he agreed! I was so excited! He proposed to me on that trip, the day after Thanksgiving in Central Park. This picture is from the day he proposed (before he actually popped the question). We are on the top of the Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Please take me back!! 

What I'm loving:

These sisters. You guys!!! I just can't tell you how much I love these little furries! They don't cuddle often, but when they do it's enough to make your eyes pop with cuteness! Just look!! Tell me you aren't in love! 

What we've been up to:

So I got a job. I'm a working girl now. I mean I was a working girl before, but now I work for someone... I work at Michaels and I love it! Part of my duties are to go around and put out clearance labels, so as I go around the store finding the products that are being marked down, I take pictures of all the things I want to buy and crafts I want to do! Here are some soap making molds - to the left is candle making stuff ... both of which I want to try! 

What I'm dreading:

A certain doctor's appointment I have later this month... we are having some blood work done and it's not a secret that I don't like needles, so I'm not thrilled about it... 

What I'm working on:

This dresser. I have been looking for a dresser to use as a TV stand in our living room for forever. I found the perfect one when we were living in GA it was white and beautiful and only $25!! Y'all I overpaid... that thing is a mess! I super tried to see if I could make it work, but it's so messed up, I'd have to rebuild the whole thing... so I continued to look and I finally found one!! So I'm working on getting the varnish stripped and making it nice and pretty so it's ready for the living room! I can't wait!

What I'm excited about:

I'm so excited to go to David's Bridal to find my maid of honor dress for my sweet Karlie's wedding! She lives in Texas with her southern gent, and I miss her so much! I wish she could go with me, but I know she will be there in heart! Her wedding is in October and I'm going to ball like a baby!! 

What I'm watching:

The Biggest Loser. I love that show! It pumps me up and gets me excited!!! If I'm doing my workout at home, I will put on the biggest loser and work out with them! 

What I'm listening to:

I have a playlist that is set to random and it goes on anytime I go in the car, shower, chores, or out for a walk. So I've been listening to whatever my phone plays.

What I'm wearing:

This second I'm wearing workout clothes (I actually worked out too!) but lately I've been wearing jeans and tshirts because that's the work wear!



What I'm doing this weekend:

Working and working out, and working on the dresser! Derek also has to work this weekend - BOO!



What I'm looking forward to next month:

My birthday!!! :)

I'm linking up with Mel & Shay

Hi, it's me!

This month's topic for the circle link up is blogger introductions, so with no further ado...

Hi! I'm Aubrey and here are some things you probably don't care to know about me.

When I open the fridge, I always hope I find... something good... it changes, but a few things high on the list would be; macaroni and cheese, pizza, and really delicious cheesecake (let's just assume that if these things were found that they would magically have no calories/fat/sugar and would in turn actually be very healthy for me).

My favorite article of clothing is... pajamas all day son! NAPS (I don't have these, but by golly I wish I did) seriously though, pajamas are one of my favorite things about life!

Last week I was really upset when... I don't usually get really upset, so I can't think of anything off hand, but if I did, it was most likely at myself.

One thing nobody understands about me is... uhhhh... I'm not that complex, but probably half the time people don't understand what I'm saying because I can never really get the words out right...

One thing I don't understand is... politics. And a ton of other things.

The world would be a better place if... people would just calm down a little and not get so worked up over stupid things.

If I had a million dollars I'd... help my family pay off their debt, I'd save for our future kids' college, put some away for a house, and invest/save whatever is left.

If I could change one thing about myself, it would be... that I would have a higher metabolism and the ability to make everyone laugh

Something that can always make me happy is... puppies, kittens, and basically all furry animals.

Something I'll never blog about is... politics (or anything else controversial) and relationship issues.

If I could go anywhere I would go... to Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia, Antarctica, and all of the other countries

If I were an animal I would be a.... dog because they are always happy and they can have food on their face and still be cute.

A job I've always wanted is.. to be a mom.

My idea of a perfect day is... waking up without an alarm, get a good workout, have a yum breakfast prepared for me, do some crafts with my favorites, get our nails done, have a delish lunch, go to a few stores with my favorites, then go to the movies, then have dinner and a super yum dessert, come home and get a massage and fall asleep.

If I knew I'd die next week, this week I'd... pick a question that isn't so deep. Jeez. Um I'd spend the week with people I love and probably write letters for people to read after I died. Also I'd eat ALL OF THE FOOD.

On a regular basis, you could open the camera roll on my phone and find pictures like this:

and this:

but then there are also these ones....

That's just how I do it. 

I'm really not good at writing/talking about myself... so if the above isn't enough, you can read these blog posts that give you a different little look into me.

Getting to know you

What's in my bag

28 things I learned in 28 years

So what, who cares

Things I like

Things that make me weird

Never have I ever

Reverse bucket list

About me

that one time we went on a dinner cruise

For our 1 year (dating) anniversary Derek took me on a trip to San Diego! It was perfect! We got to go to the beach and swing on the swings and eat ice cream at midnight (where I gave Derek his promise ring), we explored gardens, got to go to the zoo, we went to the maritime museum...and Derek surprised me with a dinner cruise! It was beautiful! We had such a lovely dinner and they even had balloons, wine glasses, and they announced us! I love this picture of us! It was taken on the deck of the boat, I remember being so in love and thinking about how I couldn't believe it had already been a year with this handsome man... and here we are 10 years later! I love him more now than I did then and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with someone so amazing!

(that last one is a blurry view of the city from the dinner cruise boat)

On that same trip we got to see my brother get sworn into the Army by my dad! It was so special! I had moved to Las Vegas (to be with Derek) the month after we got home from this trip so that was the last time I was going to see him until after he graduated from basic and AIT and could plan another trip. He and I had always fought growing up, but the last years of us living at home we became best friends and so it was hard to say goodbye!

july goals

The year is half over!! I know I saw this every month, but by golly it's gone by so fast!! This past month was wonderful! I got to celebrate the life of my very favorite human and the life of my very favorite pup! I cleaned, I weeded, I made crafts, I made pasta (from scratch!!), I've daydreamed, we got a new couch, I've danced, I've sang, I've laughed, and I've stargazed!

June Goals

-sell couch, bookshelf, & tires (well list them on craigslist at least) - the couch has sold, but the bookshelf and tires have not yet.

-take things to salvation army (we have a huge pile of things that have been accumulating over the last year as I do 'spring cleanings') - WHOO! I took a gigantor pile of things to the donation center! It felt so good! 

-re-organize living room for new couch - yay! it's done and I love it!

-start a bible study with some of my favorite girls! - Yes! It's been difficult to be honest, but I have liked it so far!

-practice cello 5 days a week - yes! I love the cello!

-exercise 5 days a week - sadly no I didn't do this. I did get some running in though

-meal plan each week this month - yes! meal planning really helps me stay on track!

-celebrate Derek's birthday!!! - YAHOO!!!!! He had a wonderful birthday!! 

-begin work on rejuvenating an old drawer thing - not yet, I have planned it out though!

July Goals

-Finish a few crafts I began this week

-Celebrate the 4th of July!!

-Begin my 28 day kick start challenge (fit girls guide) (I made an instagram account for this if you want to follow along!)

-Help my mother-in-love move

-Get my water in daily

-5-6 days of exercise

-5 days of cello practice

-Go on a hike!

-Finish organizing my computer

What are your goals this month?

What's up Wednesday

This is from one of our trips out driving through the historic west side of town... one of my FAVORITE spots! There is so much beauty at every driveway like the one above.

Maybe it's just me, but today feels like a Monday.... Thankfully though, we are already half way through this week!

Here is what's going on around here!

What we're drinking this week:

I got this super cute drink jar to put water and fruit mixes in to add flavor to the water! I haven't tried too many mixes yet, but so far my favorite has been blackberries and strawberries!! I have seen some other mixes like, cucumber, lemon, and orange! YUM! I can't wait to try more!

What I'm reminiscing about:

The sweetest little boog I know! My precious little pup turned 9 years old this week!! We got her when she was about 6 months old and we have been through so much together! I know she is a dog, but she is my sweet Hubble! So happiest birthday to one of the sweetest things to grace my life. You have taught me patience, love, humility. You have been there for me through the hardest of times and through the best of times, you have let me cry on your shoulder, hug you tight, kiss your cute little ears, dance with you around the house! You don't laugh at my singing, and you are always overjoyed when I get home. You are one of my favorite things in this life and I am eternally grateful for everything you are!! I only pray that you know how deeply, greatly, and wholly you are cherished and loved!! Thank you for being my sweet little bear!

What I'm loving:

Here in the valley it is quite windy and I often complain as it blows my hair all around knotting it up and making it impossible (and hurt terribly) to comb through, but there is a silver lining to this windy wind, and that is being able to watch the trees blow in the wind and the sound it makes. It's very therapeutic! So while I don't love the wind so much, I super love watching it and listening to it.

What we've been up to:

Driving around the historic west side of town. It's my favorite part of town and it's just full of streets (and yards) lined with tall trees, white picket fences, and beautiful houses! I love the way the sun was peeking through the trees in this yard, and the cute little kid's bike, and the bit of wrap around porch you can see. It's easy to fall in love with the neighborhoods down there. The first picture at the beginning of this post is another font yard from our exploring.

What I'm dreading:

Making doctor's appointments. I have a little list of things I need to make appointments for, but I'm really not looking forward to making any of them. I'm not a huge fan of going to the doctor. Why can't my mom do this for me and then I have to go, because mom said so....

What I'm working on:

Getting the yard and garage cleaned up. I spent the day weeding yesterday and I'm super sore and sunburned... I seem to always forget sunscreen... or maybe I just think I won't need it? But I need to start making it a conscious thought to use it! 

What I'm excited about:

For some summer craft projects I have. I have picture frames I need to spray paint, I have a little drawer stand that I'm going to sand and paint, and a dresser that I need to sand, and re-build parts of, and then paint. 

What I'm watching:

-Pretty Little Liars - Y'all I can't stop watching... I need to know everything!

-Ink Master - I don't know how I found this, I think it just popped up on Hulu, but we are really enjoying the series, it's so interesting to see all the tattoos and the artistry in them!

-The Last Man on Earth - Mr. Miller... This show is really funny, and if I can quote Derek (although he may deny saying this) "It's basically the best show on ever made!" 

What I'm listening to:

I have a playlist that is set to random and it goes on anytime I go in the car, shower, chores, or out for a walk, but a couple of my favorites as of late are these three:

-Bride & Groom - this adorable singer/songwriter/folk couple are quite the duo! Kaitlyn plays the cello and Jesse is on guitar and the combination of their playing and their voices is just magic! They have a new album coming out soon! (or if you were a pledger you might already have their new album) You can learn more about them here. (a couple favorite songs are Blackbird in a Cage and Born to Roam (number 1 & 3), On the Run (number 1)
Oliver Dragojević - His beautiful raspy voice mixed with Stjepan Hauser's cello makes this album one of the most dreamy! A few of my favorites from this album are Pismo Moja, Brod u Boci, & Galeb i Ja
2CELLOS - of course this is on my list... these guys are genius! The arrangements they come up with are so perfect! And they are making music videos for all of their songs on their most recent album! Here are some of my favorites - They Don't Care about Us, Mombasa, The Trooper, and basically everything else they do!



What I'm wearing:

This second I'm wearing pajamas (thanks to my sunburn), but I got these super flowy pants from Walmart that I have been LOVING! They are so soft and comfortable!! And of course It's summer so I'm living in sandals!!



What I'm doing this weekend:

We might tackle some yard work, and I hope to get started on some of my summer projects (or perhaps finish some that I started earlier this year and never finished)!



What I'm looking forward to next month:

The 4th of July! We are going to cook out and shoot of some fireworks that Derek got for his birthday... I probably couldn't begin to tell you how excited he is about them! And also I'm super excited to dig into fitness! I am doing the Fit Girl Challenge with a friend and I'm so excited to get started!

I'm linking up with Mel & Shay

silly things I've said

So if you haven't guessed by now, I'm not the greatest with words... or with trying to get my thoughts out and understandable.

The other day Derek and I were walking into the store, and after being in the store for a few minutes I realized my sunglasses were still on and I said to him

"These sunglasses are such that sometimes I don't know if I'm inside or not!" 

after lots of laughs, Derek said that my sunglasses must be magical if I can't even tell if I'm inside ... 

I meant that the color of the sunglasses are such that when I'm inside, sometimes it's hard to tell if I'm wearing them still (or my seeing glasses).

Anyways this seems to happen quite a bit :)

Do you ever say silly things like that?

june goals

Hey!! I'm still alive! I survived May!!!

I don't even have words to tell you how busy and overwhelmed I've been lately... I have been feeling the need to just disconnect from the world lately to recuperate... and I sort of did towards the end of the month.

I had been neglecting my exercising, eating, plus a few other things and boy can I feel it! I also didn't make the appointments I was supposed to make last month....

But guess what!!! It's a new month! Yay!!

June Goals

-sell couch, bookshelf, & tires (well list them on craigslist at least)

-take things to salvation army (we have a huge pile of things that have been accumulating over the last year as I do 'spring cleanings')

-re-organize living room for new couch

-start a bible study with some of my favorite girls!

-practice cello 5 days a week

-exercise 5 days a week

-meal plan each week this month

-celebrate Derek's birthday!!!

-begin work on rejuvenating an old drawer thing

What are your goals this month?