Adventures of Jen and Coco: January 2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Shared photo book from Jennifer

Click here to view this photo book larger

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Some of my favorites...

Since I don't have to work today, and have lots of time on my hands being snowed in-I figured I'd share some of my favs from my second job. Yeah, I'm a dork. But in my defense, there are a lot of awesome things at Yankee that I've put on my wish list (and some I already have but wanted to share), and people are always asking me what I like the most.

So here ya go!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Weekend!

So this weekend wasn't all too thrilling, but it's always nice to have time off! :) I did get to spend plenty of quality time with Z, which always makes me happy! Saturday I was off to do lots of shopping and trying on things all day with Mom and Samantha. It was a long, trying day, but always fun, since I was with my girls of course! We also had a DELICIOUS lunch at Olive Garden, complete with berry sangria...YUM!

I had to work Saturday night at Yankee, but I actually had a nice time, and I kept busy so it went by rather quickly. They have a ton of new stuff in for spring, and I am really loving it!

Of course the weekend wouldn't be complete without my long phone conferences with Mel :) It was so nice to spend time with her last weekend, I am looking forward to seeing her soon-hopefully in early Feb.

Sunday(today) consisted of a lot of laziness, a little grocery shopping, and then Z stopped by to visit for a while, but instead of enjoying time with him, I fell asleep in his lap. I guess I was just exhausted. Oh I also did my taxes, so that's a nice accomplishment, looking forward to my little refund!

While maybe it wasn't the most exciting weekend, I did get to spend it with people I love, and of course my Coco, so it was wonderful.

Life is good. xo

Word Of The Year

So by checking out the awesome blogs of friends of friends, I found an awesome idea of choosing a Word of the Year. After only a few minutes, a great word came to mind. Last year was a year of trials for me. Plenty of challenges, and lots of moving granted me more patience than I could ever think possible. I've always had an issue with patience. Now, after the past couple of years of my life, I find this quote from Bruce Almighty to be SO true: "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?" I've been blessed with PLENTY of opportunities to "learn" patience. That being said, I knew this year would need to be different-it already is!
So drum roll please-my word of the year is........
EVOLVE
Yup. Evolve. Six little letters, that's it. The dictionary defines evolve as follows:
Evolve- to develop gradually by a process of growth and change; to unfold

So there you have it. My goal this year is to continue to evolve. I've already made some major changes at the end of last year, and I'm growing accustomed to them in 2010. One of the biggest changes for me this year is living totally on my own. I have my own two bed/two bath apartment and besides little old me living here, the only other warm body is Miss Coco. I was pretty scared at first, but I have to say, I am LOVING it now! I have gained such a sense of independance from being on my own. This is the very first time for me. I know, I know, I'm 27, but I've always had a roommate or someone else living with me and helping with the bills, but this time, it's all on me! What's even more shocking, is I am somehow managing it! :) Having 2 jobs helps of course. I'm actually loving having a second job. I'm not always thrilled about working on weekends, but that little extra paycheck is nice, and so is having something to do on nights that I don't have plans.

I am excited to see what 2010 has in store for me (and Coco of course). We already have one month down! In the coming months, I believe I'm going to have a word of the month as well. Since Jan. is almost over...stay tuned for Feb!

Life is good! xo

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Another awesome girl's night with E!

So tonight Elisabeth and I had our weekly girl's night. The original plan was to go to Bar Louie...but because of poverty, cold, and rain, we just weren't feeling it. So instead, we had a girl's night in! Elisabeth brought over some DELICIOUS Chinese food...YUM! It was SO good! Then we settled on the couch and watched a little TV, and E started on our (ahem, her) craft of the night. Headbands! She's going to visit some family this weekend, and is bringing the little girls headbands. They turned out awesome! So while she crafted away, Coco slept, and I watched trashy TV and ate popsicles. Shocker!

Coco and I chillin on the couch while E works away...

Silly girl!

haha had to post this, love the face :)

Coco helping

Me helping

Elisabeth wishes I would stop "helping"

So cute! Baby headband

We are FABULOUS! I felt like the lady Neicy Nash from Clean House lol

She is too cute!!!

Me on the other hand...

Good job E!

Coco decided to wake up when it was time for Elisabeth to go

We had a great night! I'm already looking forward to next week's girl's night!!! xo

Tips for a great 2010

So, the UBSH CEO sends us quotes daily, and I thought this was worth sharing, enjoy!

Health :

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality :

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13.. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously.. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. This is the best one!

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society :

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything..

28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life :

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come...

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

Coco says, "Happy New Year Everyone!"

MLK Weekend in Charlotte!

So for MLK weekend, Coco and I decided to head down to Charlotte to visit Mel, which has become a tradition. The whole 3 day weekend thing really helps. I even took off Tuesday to have an extra day to drive back! Since I had to work at Yankee Candle on Friday night, I decided to wake up Saturday and get a much needed oil change, and then take a drive with Coco down to Charlotte. We got there around 2, but we were pretty lazy, I guess from all the driving. We got to see Meir, and he was LOVING him some Coco. He's growing up so fast! He'd call her kitty, and run up to her and wrap himself around her and give her a big hug-pretty much whenever she was in reach haha. He is so sweet. He was teething and not feeling well, but he still did really well. He is such a happy child! Saturday night we headed to an outdoor mall and walked around, and had some dinner out. I was proud for not really spending any money, yay me!

Sunday morning I woke up to a very happy Meir, and he crawled up into the bed with me and was hugging on me (and Coco of course). We did a little cleaning, and then we decided to try to get his portraits taken at Walmart, got Meir dressed and went all the way to Walmart, only to find out they are doing away with the portrait studios, so we were out of luck. So we took Meir back to Michael, and we headed back home after a trip to the mall. We got dolled up and went to a pub. After a couple of drinks and good company, we headed home, because I got my traditional Charlotte trip migraine, yay! So I went to bed while Mel waited up for Ryan to get home from FL.

Monday I met Ryan, and we all headed to a sushi restaurant, where Ryan treated us to some delicious fresh sushi! Much better than Ukrops. MMM! Then Mel had to do some tutoring, so Ryan and I went to a few shops and to Ritas-side note-Elisabeth, I really didn't think Rita's was all that. I was excited from all the hype, but I was not impressed. Once Mel was finished we headed back to her apartment and I went on my second migraine tour of the weekend, and Ryan cooked us a good dinner. And being the awesome bestie that Mel is, she went and picked me up some migraine med. What's up with me being sick in Charlotte??? Oh well, it went away pretty quickly, so we all just hung out and I prepared to leave in the morning. Tuesday morning we said our goodbyes :( and it took me around 4 1/2 hours to get home. Coco was very happy to be home, and she slept all afternoon. (Ok, so after going to lunch with Z, I may have slept all afternoon as well! :) )

We had a great time in Charlotte, minus being sick. I miss Mel already! Time to move to VA Mel!!!!!!!!

Didn't get a ton of pics, but here's what I have, enjoy!