Think Happy Thoughts

A present from my furbaby

2012-02-02T03:46:00.000-08:00

I have to love how Mcmuffinwraps up his already buried poops with his kitty litter liner.

He does this EVERY time he goes to the bathroom, so I have to unwrap the kitty litter. Scoop out whatever he did and then flush it down the toilet. All while he watches me do so, mewing and following me along.

He is my darling Mcmuffinhead.

A Surprise Party

2012-01-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

Due to the arrival of our new bundle of joy (McMuffin) and my laziness last week, I never blogged about my mom's surprise party! It was a super duper memorable success. The big D was SO surprised and I am telling you... 60 is the NEW 20...she is gorgeous.

We tricked her big times... It was quite funny that it decided to snow 6 inches in Connecticut on the day of the party. I disappeared with Tine (conveniently) to set up for the shabang, while my dad put on an Oscar worthy performance the day of the party. He moaned and groaned about how we should just stay home because of the snow and my mom was all huffy puffy. She had gone out to get a dress for dinner and to get her nails done. My sister and I acted like dinner was no big deal and even made everyone 'late' meeting my brother and sister in law for drinks beforehand. When we got to the restaurant, the owner came out to show my mom her new "lounge" and SURPRISE, there was the family =0)

We had a great room, amazing food, super sweet DJ (aka my brother), and a bar. It was an intimate, but a little crazy....overall a super awesome night to remember filled with lots of laughs, dancing, and a few middle fingers....Yah so here are some pictures:

My sister and I...probably the one time I will ever look more tan than her

Momma and my brother

Dad, my sister in law C, Mom, brother J...oh and Uncle Art pirate peeking

Sister T and Me

My Momma and some of my Dad's side of the Fam

My sister delivering the cake to the bday girl...I feel bad that I fluffed my mom's hair like this

L looks like she is going to smash the cake in my mom's face

My amazing parents

I might get in trouble for posting this... but I LOVE MY SIBLINGS

So sweet

Yup...the dancing has begun

Mmm hmm

Tine trying to look down my shirt

My sisters are so inappropriate

Pick your favorite move

My family is better than your family

It's late ok?

Love my Pops

We look exactly like the Dashs

Birthday Song and Dance around my Mom....

The End

How long does it take...

2012-01-30T16:03:00.000-08:00

...to become a crazy cat lady?

All of these awesome pictures were taken on my sweet phone...hence their awesome quality.

I am in LOVE

2012-01-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

WITH MY NEW BABY!!!

MEET:

McMuffin Houston

Dream Crusher

2012-01-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

If you read my blog or follow me on Twitter (or know me in real life), you know that it is NO JOKE how badly I have been wanting a kitten. Well, yesterday I spent a few hours speed dating with cats - think 3 hours - 100 cats - and I actually found one that I wanted to take home.

Being the considerate wife (and future mother) I am, I called Mr. Bear and told him we could come back in the morning and GOD WILLING pray the little guy was still there so we could adopt him together...like PROPER parents.

Being the considerate tenant I am, I called our leasing agent to ask about getting a kitty. A year ago she said "GO AHEAD!" when we first found mice doots. Everyone told me to just get the kitty and call it a day, but me being Miss Moral Molly, I made the call. ...............AND BOY DO I WISH I DIDNT. Apparently there is a lovely little thing called a $250 pet deposit that must be made into our rent check on Friday if I get myself a kitty... and that's not the only cost to get a kitty here in Maryland.

Here is Clyde. Clyde and his sister Bonnie (already been adopted) were two outlaw kitties found running around a construction site covered in grease and oil. Not a safe place for a baby. Someone brought them to Small Miracles Cat Rescue and we met last night. I want to adopt him SO BAD. He is $135 if I want to adopt him... This includes a physical by our vet, the spay/neuter surgery, the feline AIDS/feline Leukemia test, a minimum of the first round of shots, as well as flea, and worm medication.

Okay so total cost.... $385 for Clyde, before I even buy him anything he needs to live at our house.

With all that being said, now I am being responsible Mrs. Bear and I am going to try to sell some things that I have that I know YOU may want. You may reallllly reallllly want these things. Here is goes:

1. 4th Generation iPod Nano in Green. Barely used - I bought an iPhone right after and use it the most! It will come with the following:

Brand new, out of box, Skull Candy Headphones in Orange

Plastic Protective Case

Workout Armband

$175 plus shipping

2. Yellow Juicy Couture Terry Cloth SwimSuit Cover-Up in Small.

Brand New. Never Worn. Tags are STILL ON IT!

Retail $110. Bought for $79 plus tax.

I am selling it for $65 plus shipping.

More Beach and Family Part Dos

2012-01-20T03:50:00.000-08:00

Pretty Momma

Possible sunburn?Windburn?

Mr. Sun looks like he is oh-so-warm and Mr. Bear thinks he can just lay out like it is June

Bloody mary? Yesh please.

So pretty...and COLD at night.

My Momma...My Momma in Law... Me

The Bears

Dinner Time

The Moms being Silly

Finally showing some skin at the beach

Mr. Bear catching the sunset...and My Mom catching Mr. Bear doing so... I was busy "trowing up"

The only evidence of the fish tacos I asked my in-laws to make on our last night at the beach. Mr. Bear apparently started to make himself some leftovers and then went to bed. I found this in the microwave the next morning.....grrrooossss.

Bye bye beach.

Back in Bmore.

Hello Mom!

Quick trip to the BEACH - Part 1

2012-01-19T03:56:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I took a quick trip to the beach to have a little Christmas/family time with my in-laws plus my momma. We had a blast together - braving the cold and windy beach to walk towards what looked like a plane crash the first day.... shopping our butts off almost every day...cooking up a storm in my grandparent (in-law's) gorgeous kitchen.... eating amazing seafood... laughing... making memories... enjoying each other's company. Here are some pictures from my trip:

First night at the Crab Trap

Opening Christmas presents... I got a new coat from my Grandparent-in-laws and the new iPhone from my in-laws! Wahoo! Thanks everyone!

My father in law and I were in the Christmas spirit...wearing our Christmas eve jammies and all

It's a bit cold and bright by the pool

The sun only looks like he is warm

Destin

Clearly he is trying to keep me warm, right?

Brrrrr

Mysterious smoke

Someone else came out to stare...we found out when we were LEAVING that it is a prescribed burn of the vegetation in the area...DUH

My new house

NOT OKAY

Um...pigeons at the beach? Maybe they is like old city people...escaping the New England winter

Lunch at Pompano Joe's

Yummy Fish Tacos

Trow up

2012-01-16T06:04:00.000-08:00

I am SO happy I told my in-laws to make fish tacos for our last night at the beach and I spent the night in bed. I had toast for dinner and then I threw it up. I had some saltines and I threw those up. I had a sip of gatorade and I threw that up. I threw up pretty much everything I ate while I was here.

I don't know what triggered my angry stomach...perhaps it was the bajillion glasses of wine I've had since I got here. While I flicked back and forth between the Golden Globes and "Kim and Kourtney," I could hear my family laughing and having a blast. GRANTED I WAS SICK, I have to say that I had the best time here for the three days I was able to get away and that I am not angry about my last night being filled with trow-up.

Yesterday the sun came out and I actually was able to get in my bathing suit on the beach. Wow... let's just say that the myth that Bears grow a winter coat during the months of Nov-Feb is SO TRUE. I didn't even know I was growing it... I thought I was actually in pretty good shape. But when I heard the seagulls singing, "I don't think you're ready for this jelly" as I walked down the boardwalk, I should've known that all those Zumba classes I've skipped the past two months have not gone unnoticed.

With that being said, I am so happy I did all these motivating exercise posts on my blog recently. And that I now have a picture of my butt so I can a) re-read these posts while I look at my b) flabby white arse on the fridge.

Tan towels and Fitness classes HERE I COME!

My mom is flying back with me to Baltimore in a couple of hours...we are going to get some dinner somewhere yummy (hopefully Mrs. Tummy will be settled) and then I have some great plans for us in front of the DVR.

I am happy today is a No School day...and I am sure all those Giants fans are too. Based on the FB statuses I read last night, I think half of my friends will be spending today a lil bit hungover.

If you are off, how are you spending your day??

Destin

2012-01-15T09:52:00.001-08:00

Happy Sunday!

The guys will be watching football all day and the ladies are going to brave the cold and wind to sit out on the beach to get some sun. I'm sure I'll end up wind burned and rubbing a tan towel on my face again tonight but it sure beats what I'd be doing if I were home in MD (laying on the couch watching tv).

We are in Destin until tomorrow and then my mom flies back to MD with me, while Mr Bear takes off for Cali. He is going to be gone for a week and a half, so my super awesome mom is staying with me.

What is on your agenda this Sunday?
Anyone having a football party??

The Houstons

2012-01-14T05:45:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own personalized photo books at Shutterfly.com.

What Motivates ME to Exercise

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

My butt will NEVER look like this...I got my booty from my momma and it isn't that small

My go-to workout is Zumba. I am one of those people who hate walking/running on a cardio machine because I suddenly develop ADD and can't be stuck moving in one place. With Zumba, I can shake it and move it and dance all over the room. PLUS - I have seen the most results (in my body) from dance. Go look at my posts from 2009...I used to dance 4 times a week and when I went on my honeymoon I was the happiest I'd ever been in a bathing suit since I was 3 and ran around with only bottoms on at the beach.

Happy in my 'kini in 2009

Really happy and in shape...Maui 2009

Here are some photos from Pinterest that keep me motivated...I know some of these images are bodies that are unattainable or unrealistic - I use them for "MOTIVATION"

WARNING: There are more naked butts coming up...

My butt will NEVER look like that... but I can pretend

Also unattainable

Jenn's legs are amazing, her muscle goes all the way up her thigh!

Motto.

My sista Tine... yah she is motivation...look at her Yoga pose!

So true.

Oh yah...obtainable right?

I sweat like you would not believe...and I love every second of it.

Yup.

Yes I have a bum fetish... not that I like them, but I just want mine to look like this.

OR... I just tell myself, "Get your ass off the couch...or you can't have any wine this weekend."

Then I get up and go work out.

Some Tunes to get your Blood Flowing

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Clearly that is me...notice my bony back, skinny butt, and that I'm running.

NOT.

None of those characteristics pertain to Mrs. Bear

Upon request from one of my loyal readers/great friend/momma to be... I thought I'd give you guys a little run down of some of my favorite workout songs. To be honest - I do not have a long list right now. I usually use Pandora, so I will let you all know my super duper secret favorite stations too.

First things first....Pandora. I loves me some Pandora. Granted they have suddenly started airing more commercials than usual, I still love their reliability and creativity with their make-your-own-stations. Currently, my top played stations are:
Taylor Swift
Black Eyed Peas
Pitbull
Beyonce
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (Whitney Houston)

I don't care if you judge me - those stations are fantastical. Taylor Swift is obviously used during stretching and sometimes when I am doing the weights - the rest are what I listen to to get my blood pumping.

Now, for some songs... here is what I like:
"We found love" - Rihanna
"Diirty" - Christina Aguilera
"Imma Be" - Black Eyed Peas
"Ay Chico" - Pitbull
"Like a boy" - Ciara
"Off That" - Jay Z

Clearly I prefer a different genre of music than some of my readers...so I understand if my list is useless to you. I tried to get Mr. Bear to give me his playlist, but he kept repeating "You never let me use the computer to download new music, so I have none on my iPod." Whatevs. He is a liar. He has like $30 in iTunes gift cards and I am always on my iPad. He is just lazy.

What is on your playlist?

Favorite...Workout Gear!

2012-01-11T03:45:00.000-08:00

Ahh....another rushed morning. Looks like I will have to go on about some of my favorite things again! Today's topic: Workout Gear. This is just a few of the things I use on a regular basis... FYI NO ONE has been asking me to advertise for them. This is all my wonderful opinion.

Reebok Premier ZigFly Nano Special Edition

These shoes are GREAT! I wear them for everything fitness related and my knees and ankles love me - Zumba, cross-training, kickboxing, and cardio!

BPA Free Camelbak Water Bottle

I drink SO much water...and used to waste or lose water bottles like it was my job. For Christmas I received this and now I don't think twice about leaving my water bottle on the floor of my car or at home!

ANY Crop Leggings - these are Victoria Secret

I really love cropped workout pants - they let my calves breathe and never make my short stumpy legs feel constricted. I also believe they are way more flattering on petite folks like me.

Target Babydoll Workout Top

I have gotten more compliments on these tops (that I found for $3 at Target on the Sale rack) than anything I have ever brought to the gym. They are comfortable, forgiving, and absorb my sweat oh so well!

Squishy SkullCandy iPod headphones

These are so loud and don't hurt your ears after awhile

Neon Below-the-Ankle Workout Socks - I can't stand socks around my ankles

And of course... platinum protection deodorant and antiperspirant. =0)

UPDATE: ONE OF MY FANTASTIC FOLLOWERS REMINDED ME I FORGOT TO MENTION I WEAR A SPORTS BRA. YESH...I DO SUPPORT THE GIRLS, GRANTED THEY ARE THE SIZE OF TINY PLUMS. HERE IS A FAV BRA OF MINE:

Victoria Secrets' VSX Supermodel Sports Bra...combined with my top from Target, my little tots stay in place and I never feel like I am jigglin'

What are your most important fitness items?!?!?!

A Few of my Favorite Things in January 2012

2012-01-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

I am rushing like a mad woman this morning because I felt the needs to make sure all of my Sims were completely happy before I leave for the day (can we say 'issues'?).

Due to the lack of time I have to write this post, I thought I would just show you some of my favorite things this month in the new year.

L.L. Bean's Wicked Good Slippers....sooooowickedgood and sooowickedwarm

My new friend and its super cool case that puts it so sleep in a snap

The most incredible 'wake-up' refresher for my face - I put it on around 3 times a day.

Clinique's All About Eyes... yessss, take away those bags!

Another amazing cream/gel that I apply in the am and at night!

VS smells oh so good in the am and pm.

Starbucks Tazo Awake Tea...definitely gets me going every morning

Red Tory Burch Revas - awesome surprise from the Momma - but will NEVER wear these to school.

Organic Fat Free Milk... granted I have a lactose allergy - this milk allows me to eat....

Yummmmm, Life for breakfast.

Oh...and I can't forget That guy...Mr. Bear...he is always one of my favorite things

Monday Monday

2012-01-09T03:49:00.000-08:00

I am sitting next to my still lit Christmas tree as I type this... Mr. Bear and I have not taken down the Christmas decorations because we still have ONE Christmas celebration with his family left. We are going to Destin, FL to his family's condo for the long weekend to have ourselves a Merry Little Christmas.

And what is even more awesome than escaping Maryland (for coincidentally the same weather, just at the beach), is that MY MOMMA is joining us. Mr. Bear's parents thought it would be a great idea to have her come spend some time with them/us, since they never get to see one another. My pops is a teacher like me and can't miss work...so he won't be joining us.

I am SURE Mr. Bear and I won't be celebrating Christmas like this though... no bathing suits and definitely no swimming. The forecast is calling for 50s and maybe some rain.

Can't stop me from being happy though!

It's still the holiday season in my book

2012-01-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

I don't know what my problem has been but I haven't felt like blogging. Perhaps it is the absence of comments on my past posts... or that I have just been lazy.

I am still uploading pictures of our Christmas vacation to fbook - I can't believe how many I took! Here are some of my favorites:

Being silly with my sisters in CT

Merry Christmas .... sisters and my momma

My brother busted out his old school Clippers jersey (circa early 90s) because he was so excited about their new player...whom I do not know

Bff Kara came to help me cook for my sister's graduation dinner

Christmas Day with my sister and Momma

Playing with Baby Jackie... her twin Max is hiding

Herro

Secret bridesmaid meeting... my sister is in her work uniform and prob going to kill me for posting this

Love my little nephew Finny

Merry Christmas Eve!

Dancing with my new friend

All the mens of my family...

Love my new blazer

My brother and husband like to poke fun at their wives' poses

Finn's letter to Santa

Mr. Bear loves pictures

Me and the Bride to Be (my cousin!)

My and cousin Dani's Christmas shoes

Dani is the big sister to the twins!

And that's all for now...hope you enjoyed the photo overload!

My butt loves my couch

2012-01-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

I don't think my butt (literally my rumpus) has been this happy in a long time... My rump is sitting on the couch, in front of the tv, with my laptop in my lap and my iPad playing the Sims next to me. Seriously...rumpus is so happy.

I have a bajillion and thirty three photos to upload from my Christmas break...and I guess I will start with the Bears little gift exchange...here it is:

Presents for the bears!!

Our stockings

Mr. Bear loves Tom's...barf

And his new basketball sneakers (which he wears to literally play basketball... he isn't one of those guys who collects lots of cool sneaks)

Oh..the mistake of Christmas. Who loves whore-ish elf shoes?! I do! ...

For the record, these were immediately sent back to Dillards.

What could this be?

An iPAD?!?!?!

And yah... you've heard the story... Mr. Bear told me my rumpus would never get an iPad because he thought they were lame. And he lied. He loves it. I love it. Hooray!

I visited with more family than I ever thought imaginable in just 10 days... and I still haven't seen everyone! I am going to Destin, Florida next weekend to have Christmas with Mr. Bear's dad and stepmom. AND MY MOM! Yayyy! They invited her to come along for the beach weekend.

Still on the go...

2012-01-02T09:40:00.001-08:00

Mr. Bear and I have been all over the place this Christmas season. I advent been home since December 22 and I sort of don't want to go back. We are currently in Ohio watching some football while the snow falls outside. It is rather cozy and much more relaxing than what my classroom will be like tomorrow.

I would love to post some photos of our trip but my pictures are on all on my camera and I am on my new iPad! I posted about my amazing gift from Mr. Bear awhile ago, but the post was probably overlooked haha. I have a great picture of me opening it.... Mr. Bear said he'd NEVER buy me one, but boy did he have me fooled.

I hope everyone has had a great holiday break and a Happy New Year! I'll be back in full force soon.....that is, if I decide to ever go back to real life :-)

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T04:57:00.001-08:00

I love matching pjs on Christmas Eve!

(sister in law C is absent from the photo!)

uh hello?

2011-12-21T03:08:00.001-08:00

Blog world..... Where are you?

The Bear's First Christmas Party

2011-12-20T03:44:00.000-08:00

Aside from two broken wine glasses (two of my favorite wine glasses), the Bear's first Christmas party was a super duper success. We had tons to eat...lots to drink...music blaring...and even football on for the mens.

Santa Hat Brownies - yes I made them!

Mr. Bear and I worked hard to get our house in order for the party - and I spent all day Saturday cooking.

Lots of crab wontons

I was really proud of Mr. Bear because he took his To Do list, and MY To Do list, and knocked it out while I was busy in the kitchen. He really worked his butt off...way to go hubby!

We had around 16 guests and that is the most people we have ever had in our house. To be quite honest, Mr. Bear and I haven't made that large of a group of friends since we moved to MD in 2010. It is hard when everyone you meet already has their own friends and don't seem want to new ones. I am not complaining though...the friends that were at our party are awesome!

Here are some photos from the night... well, the appropriate photos. Once the jammies were broken out, let's just say that the pictures became a little wild.

My long lost teaching pals...and the cutest couple (I set up!)

Anddddd the broom becomes a limbo stick....

The end.