8/20/2011 - 8/26/2011

8/20/2011 (Spent an afternoon surrounded by a chorus of yelling, "Ring the bell!" and "Bunco!" with good family and friends. I look forward to more of these!)

.

8/21/2011 (With a looming expiration date, me and the fam sans my bro went to Otto's. Yummy! Next up on the expiration block: Russo's New York Coal Fired Pizzaria!)

8/22/2011 (Cake ball party at Meris'! Chunkin' the deuce with my gangsta cake ball. It's just a conduit...no need for pretty!)

8/23/2011 (Lunchtime shopping! What a steal at SteinMart.)

8/24/2011 (I am so spoiled on suburban gas prices. I got my gas for $.30 cheaper by my house!)

8/25/2011 (Waiting on my turn to draft. I think I get a little too into this...)

8/26/2011 (Token white girl action! Great cooking class, ladies! Aren't our jean aprons the coolest??)

8/13/2011 - 8/19/2011

First of the big trips in celebration of post-CPA testing happened and it was a blast!

8/13/2011 (Great trip to San Antonio, gals!!! Minus how super sucky the highways are! I super heart the Alamo, though!)

8/14/2011 (Old radio that still works! It is so cool!)

8/15/2011 (Had to take the day off, I was super sick!) 

8/16/2011 (Clean laundry!! I'm still very, very, very many loads behind, but here's a step in the right direction!)

8/17/2011 (Say hello to my little friend, the Pear. It is super fresh and delicious! Yum, yum, yum. Tasty afternoon snack!)

8/18/2011 (It took far too long to finish this book, but I done did it! Yay! Now, on to Hunger Games. I inadvertently read books two and three first...woopsy!)

8/19/2011 --> Insert fun photo of Meris Nun-erette party here. It was awesome! Started at Crave sushi, then went to Amy's ice cream (*shudder* Highschoolers) and then on to Spotlight Karoake in Midtown. Vin and I rocked Rolling in the Deep! Solid start to the night!

Freebies!

Yahoo! had a great article this morning listing loads of freebies spanning activities, venues, eateries, etc. Check a few out below and the article here.

1. Culinary skills classes at Williams-Sonoma: During September they are doing pasta, pizza and olive oil technique courses. Check out their website here for your local store!
2. Outdoor and maintenance classes at REI: During September they are hosting bike mechanics and maintenance, bird watching and hiking basics to name a few. Here's their site for the Galleria location. I signed up for their 9/15/2011 informational session regarding an outdoor mentorship program they do! Get me outdoors, please, and come join me for the information session!
3. Lululemon Athletica offers a complimentary yoga class on occasion in-store. Check the local stores' calendar for when they will next offer a class!
4. Home Depot has a lot to offer, not only on their website, but also in-store. Why yes, I do need to know what to look for when shopping for a lawnmower. Thanks, Home Depot! Check out the link!
5. Always, always, always check your local libraries! They have so much more to offer than just free books and movies!
6. Online free language courses here.
7. Learn how to draw here.
8. And go here for golf tips!

I'm tapped! These are merely the hobby related freebies! There's still free food, museums, parks, apps, etc. Check the full spread out here.

Happy Tuesday!

8/6/2011 - 8/12/2011

I'm...free? Talk about breaking chains, I could literally hear the links falling all around me as I took each step away from the door of the testing center. Please, please, please let me not ever have to go there again!

8/6/2011 (Happy Nun Shower, Vin! It was so much fun pretending to be a videographer and getting to celebrate with you. The color scheme was excellent and I love that everyone played along! Love ya, Vinny!)

8/7/2011 (Please, oh, please be the last time I walk into this place! No more tests!!!)

8/8/2011 (I decided to begin my evenings of freedom with a harkening back to a show my entire family loved when it was on television.)

8/9/2011 (Hung out with some of the most bada** Nunstas [Nun+gangstas] this side of the Mason-Dixon. My friend, Vin, and her future Sister, Theresa, plus a sweet Crown Vic and yummy Thai food. Cheers to Tuesday!)

8/10/2011 (Tasty and indulgent lunch at Empire Cafe with the workbuddy!)

8/11/2011 (I cannot believe I waited so long to watch this amazing show! Hurry up, instant streaming, and get me season two!)

8/12/2011 (Excellent wedding date! Congrats to Erik and Kathy!!)

7/30/2011 - 8/5/2011

And suddenly it's August! And I cannot get enough of this photo app!

7/30/2011 (My Grandmother gave me a soup tureen and ladle and matching bowls today. The paintings are a beautiful blue and the crockery is white. Love it!)

7/31/2011 (I went to Target for all of three items and walked out a cool Benjamin down. Target!!!!!)

8/1/2011 (I can see a light at the end of the tunnel but that doesn't make the distance any shorter or easier to traverse!)

8/2/2011 (Great for headaches, backaches, neckaches, eye-strain, the list goes on...5 days left!)

8/3/2011 (Look at my little boo!! 4 days left, eep!)

8/4/2011 (3 days left! Yes, I know I'm slowly killing the earth with the consumption of plastic water bottles. Duly noted.)

8/5/2011 (Rockin' my new Vinny cardigan [and skirt] and feeling the pressure...two days!)

7/23/2011 - 7/29/2011

Are we there yet? Retro photo app week!!!

7/23/2011 (Inspired by my friend's [shoutout, D!] awesome photos I decided to try my hand at my own retro photo app. Can you say groovy??? I'm off to wedding shower #2 [peace sign, how apt] for my girl, Patty Mathew!)

7/24/2011 (It rained! My mom and I sat in the Adirondack chairs under the porch and watched it happen. I love storms!)

7/25/2011 (They multiplied! There were twenty of them! Creepy buggers.)

7/26/2011 (That's right, y'all, I put broccoli in my smoothie today. I maintain all the nutrients lost from overcooking and the raw flavor is cleverly disguised by the sweet, sweet fruits.)

7/27/2011 (Now little boo gets to the be the ghost without a nose! She is crawling AND practically standing up on her own. This kid is ready to move.)

7/28/2011 (Am I done yet?)

7/29/2011 (In a boot mood! I always feel 10 feet taller and twenty times cooler when I wear these.)

7/16/2011 - 7/22/2011

This month is flying by!

7/16/2011 (Wedding shower #1! Congrats to Erik and Kathy! PS. That box may look small, but it weighs about 15lbs. Granite mortar and pestle...happy grinding!)

7/17/2011 (Target, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for helping me complete my Scrubs collection for a mere $10/season. Cheap Kathy and Step-by-Step didn't hurt too badly neither!)

7/18/2011 (Apparently I'm much better at this than I thought...but only this. At least I ended my studies on a high tonight!)

7/19/2011 (I realize it's a bombardment of CPA stuff this week, but it has consumed my life! I fell behind on my review schedule tonight, but I will persevere and catch up by Friday!)

 

7/20/2011 (Trying to get my healthy on. Apparently I'm deficient in a bunch of minerals = hello Total cereal and homemade trail mix minus the M&M's...they never taste right on my palate all at the same time. Too overwhelming, I guess! PS. I caught up on my review. Celebrations!)

7/21/2011 (Getting my healthy on with weights. MObama arms, here I come!)

7/22/2011 (So bad and, yet, so good. That garlic butter dipping sauce is my kryptonite...and so are brownies! And most any other desserts, really, haha.)