by Joey | Nov 18, 2013 | Throwback
Oof. Monday. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a hard time pulling myself out of bed this morning. But can I get a WOOHOO that this is the last week of the husband’s intense schedule? Well, briefly. Then starts recruiting. doesiteverend!? I’m going to have to re-work my grocery shopping schedule. As of next week I’m going to have to feed this man who emerges in the night three meals a day.
Speaking of feeding the man, last night was our last football family potluck of the season. Unbelievable.
I made these.
CAKE BATTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS
I made a variation of this recipe.
What You’ll Need:
– 3 tbs unsalted butter (I think mine was salted…whoops)
– 1 (10 oz) bag or mini marshmallows
– 2/3 cup yellow cake mix (the mix, not the batter). (I used a cup)
– 6 cups crispy rice cereal
– 1/2 cup sprinkles (I used less because I purposefully skipped a step that I knew I’d screw up)
What You Do:
- Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray (I used an 13 x 9 pyrex dish)
- Melt the butter over low heat in a large saucepan. Stir in the marshmallows and stir constantly. This is the part that always gives me major anxiety. It’s just a giant goopy sticky mess and I always question whyyyyyyyyy I decided to do this! Once the marshmallows are completely melted, stir in the cake mix and remove from heat.
- Stir in cereal until completely coated. At this point you would also stir in half the sprinkles–but I knew that I’d end up melting them and creating an (even grosser) mess, so I left that step out.
- Pour mixture into baking dish and lightly press down. Use remaining sprinkles on top!
- Chill at least 30 minutes. Cut & enjoy!
I liked ’em! They were super easy (and quick) to make which I’m always a fan of (especially because these potluck dinners inevitably turn into a last minute text from the husband hey we’re bringing xyz).
They definitely don’t scream CAKE BATTER though even with my generous measurement. They taste much sweater than normal rice krispie treats though and there is a hint of the cake batter flavor. I saw some people in the comments of the original recipe say that they used strawberry cake mix instead. I’m definitely giving that a try next time!
I broke the if it comes it stays rule and brought the leftovers (there weren’t many) home. If this writing week is anything like lasts, I’m going to need all the bribing I can get.
by Joey | Nov 15, 2013 | beauty, Loves
Polishes:
Base: China Glaze VIII
Hearts: Sally Hansen Twisted Pink–applied with dotting tools from JENNIE 😀
Flake Glitter: Nicole by OPI Heavenly Angel (this was extremely disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend it).
1) I really need to get on it with using the real camera. Sorry friends. This was one of those manicures that I just COULDN’T capture no matter which lighting I was in. So I was the crazy person half dressed wearing my husband’s loafers in the one little patch of sunlight in the front yard desperately trying to get a picture. It was kind of a big fail. So this is in the natural lighting in my office.
2) I have to venture out to Holly Springs today because we’re just about out of dog food. Yes. I have to drive close to an hour JUST TO BUY DOG FOOD. If you don’t follow Kristin–you should. Because her post yesterday down right explains how I feel about living in the middle of no where. The good news is, while I’m getting dog food I’ll be dangerously close to a TARGET and an ULTA. So some damage might be done.
3) I vlogged yesterday but haven’t edited it yet. I actually vlogged last Saturday at the game, too. Tell me, do you guys like these? I know they’re silly, but I kind of really enjoy doing them. Would you like me to post the ones I’ve made and keep making more?
4) 1000 words stand between me an a chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. I promised myself on Wednesday that if I completed my word goals for this week I’d bake myself a cake. It’s been an INSANE week in the writing department. Sometimes writing is really easy for me. Others it’s like dragging a cart through mud. This week it was the latter, and it’s really frustrating.
5) I rearranged our bedroom on Wednesday as well as hung lights in the living room. Those two minor changes make this house feel so different to me! Our bedroom feels so much bigger now. It’s also a plus that the TV is now directly in front of the bed which will be good for when I’m recovering. The way it was before I’d have to contort myself to watch TV and I’m pretty sure that would hurt. We’re going to put the blu ray player in the bedroom so I can access netflix in there! Whoooooop! Clearly it’s been a big week, lol!
by Joey | Nov 14, 2013 | Throwback
We are approaching the one year anniversary of the day my husband packed his bags, and I watched him pull out of the driveway towards a life I couldn’t imagine at the time I’d ever want.
It was that day that I spent the evening curled into the fetal position crying so hard I didn’t think I’d ever find enough air to breathe again. While I could fully comprehend that the time we’d have to spend apart was relatively brief (5 months), there was a lot surrounding the move that just upended my world.
I was depressed. Even thinking about it now makes me want to ugly cry. I was a shell of a person. I was in no way the best version of myself. Absolutely the farthest thing from it, in fact.
I’m embarrassed to admit that now. I allowed life to knock me down, and I couldn’t pick myself up. If it had been up to me, I would have spent the entire 5 months in a perpetual ugly cry. Trust me, I tried.
But there’s this girl. Our friendship, though her connection to my family runs deep, was pretty new. And I’m fairly certain my ugly cry would send the weak running for the hills.
But this girl wouldn’t let me be alone.
I probably ruined a lot of her sweaters with my mascara stained tears. And I’m sure all of her extra money was spent on wine and coffee to make me smile. She’d spend the night so I didn’t have to worry through the night. She was silly and goofy and made sure, despite how badly my heart was aching, that I was laughing. Looking back on it all now, I don’t think I actually spent much time alone at all. It didn’t matter if it was a work night and she had a bed of her own–if I needed her, she was at my house–asleep on my couch.
I was unlovable. I was a soggy shell of a girl who once loved to smile. And Amber made sure to keep me standing. She’d let me hit the floor when I really needed to, but for the most part she attached me to her and walked along side me to make sure I didn’t fall.
Amber is the perfect image of a selfless woman. She could have walked away. She could have kept herself busy with people who were much more enjoyable to be around than me, I’m sure.
It’s only appropriate that this post goes up today. It’s that beautiful, selfless girl’s birthday. She chased her heart out to California shortly after I moved away, and I couldn’t be happier that she’s living the life she wanted even if it did take her clear across the country.
Happy Birthday, Amber.
Thank you for loving me when I wasn’t very lovable.
(I know I recently shared this photo. But this was a very typical night for us. Down to the puffy/red i-just-cried-my-eyes-out eyes on me).
by Joey | Nov 12, 2013 | Throwback
Oh, hi.
Do you ever go through those phases where you just…I don’t know. Have nothing to say? I know that’s shocking. Joey with nothing to say.
I’ve been keeping my mouth shut lately and just listening more to what’s around me. Sometimes I get that way when I’m in the process of writing. It helps with the creative process. I try to find inspiration in every detail.
I feel like I’m on the brink of something. Maybe it’s just because there’s an end in sight with this whole medical drama. Or maybe it’s because the end of the year is near. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been collecting my cojones for the last few weeks to do big things.
In the meantime, here are a few things:
- Football season (for us) is neeeeeaaarrrrrlllllly over. I can’t tell you how excited I am for the week of Thanksgiving (J has the entire week off). I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this strange man in my house all day long.
- I am writing. Even on the days I don’t feel like it. I’m not writing the book I intended to write, and I’m okay with that.
- My hair suddenly (out of no where I feel like) is crazy long. I’ve never had hair this long before, and I’m not exactly sure what to do with it. I definitely need some kind of hair cut soon.
- It’s a daily battle for me not to turn on Christmas music.
- I need curtains in the office.
- I think I’m getting carpal tunnel from texting.
- I want to read a core-shaking book. Do you have any recommendations?
- I want a TV series to get into for when I’m recovering from surgery. J will most likely be with me. I’d like something that sucks us in but is also kind of funny. We’ve done the whole HIMYM thing already.
Ok. I tried to get it to 10, but why force it? Happy Tuesday, friends!
by Joey | Nov 9, 2013 | Throwback
Hi Friends!
I wanted to pop in for a quick minute and just thank all of you for your constant support and all the thoughts and prayers through this unbelievable medical situation. I can’t believe all the ups and downs and all of the scares we’ve been through in the last few months.
I met with a surgeon today who agrees that the root of my pain is a faulty gall bladder. Surgery is being scheduled for the very near future! An end is near!!!!
Thank you all again. And I couldn’t have gotten through any of this without your constant support!
