Glorious Day

it is absolutely beautiful outside today!

the sun is shining and i cannot wait to be on a patio somewhere

it is perfect weather for the rodeo cook-off this weekend...hope to make it but we shall see if the hubs if feeling up to it...considering he's "sick" but playing golf today...hmmmm

can't wait to meet jwh for a drink in a few short hours

can't wait to meet some of my fav ladies tomorrow for food, drinks, sunshine and shenanigans...always good times to be had with them

ready to hit the backyard full force and cut back all the dead from the lovely freezes we had this winter and start deciding on what will in the flowerbeds...

ready to get some MAJOR projects tackled in the upcoming weeks: base cabinet for TV, dresser for entry...i am in DESPERATE need of storage for our china...=), the guest bath will be painted with new linens, and the office is getting a bookcase and overhaul!

this is what sunshine and pretty weather does to me...makes me want to knock out projects and get things in order! i love spring time!

today is Go Texan Day at school...the kiddos are sooo presh in their outfits...i truly love this place. =)

i think that is all the rambling for now...hope you all get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather we are having! it will be pool time asap!

What's Cooking...

well we are home from Vegas and finally feeling rested! I do NOT recommend landing at 10:45 PM on Sunday night and having to be at work on Monday at 7:30 AM...

last night was the first night back that I didn't have something planned...so I actually cooked us a meal. after eating out all meals for 7 days in a row it was time for a nice healthy home cooked meal!

so i hopped on to the trusty allrecipes.com and found a couple of healthy pasta dishes to try...
i called J and he told me to surprise him...i decided on Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and Beans..

Ingredients



2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes


1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed


10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped (We only used about 4 ounces)


8 ounces penne pasta


1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

** And I added grilled chicken breast for protein**



Directions


Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.


Meanwhile, combine tomatoes and beans in a large non-stick skillet. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.


Add spinach to the sauce; cook for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring constantly.


Serve sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with feta.

Jonathan loved the meal and so did I...it was quick and easy and I am having the leftovers today for lunch..and I am NOT a huge fan of leftovers!

Tomorrow is Go Texan Day at school and I can't wait to see all the kiddos decked out as well as wear my boots...

So excited that Rodeo Season is here!

Happy Thursday!

Nothing Says Love Like....

a new water heater??? Yep that's right. Our lovely water heater decided it was time to start leaking from the attic into our guest bathroom....oh just one week before we leave to celebrate the hubs 30th bday..

so yesterday afternoon the hubs set out to get a new water heater and have it installed all before I got home..because let's face it..who takes a cold shower when its 70 degrees much less 29 degrees outside.

it amazes me that those things are SOOOOOO expensive! you can buy one for 250, 500 and up to a 1500 for a water heater...you've got to be kidding!

All in all the water heater is installed i took a HOT shower this morning and the house isn't a wreck. The bathroom walls and ceiling have to dry before we can really assess the damage and determine what the plan is for that room. All I can say is it's agood thing I have a Spring Break again, so I can tackle that lovely painting project. I do have a few colors in mind and ideas already but I am not sure I want to totally re-do that bathroom from blues and browns and to blues and gray or neutrals and colorful towels...we shall see.

Is anyone else wondering where the heck Spring is? I am tired of these 25 degree mornings in Houston. Supposedly it will reach 72 next week...I'll cross my fingers that the groundhog got it right this time!

Happy Friday!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

that's right i mentioned changes in the previous post about 2 weeks ago and can finally share the the most recent change in the Lenz household.....

i decided to change jobs and get back to working in the schools. Many people scratched their heads and looked at me with disbelief but when you are not looking forward to going to your job everyday a change MUST be made. I am fortunate enough to work in a field where currently my profession is in demand..so it worked out perfectly. made a few phone calls my old boss had me a new job in no time.

So things are going great. I am less stressed, happier and get to wear normal clothes again everyday. I am truly happy that i made the switch back..happiness is worth something!

In other news I am still going to boot camp and trying to get back into shape..few more pounds to lose and a few more areas to tone..seeing results is the best reward. I had originally set out to run a half marathon with Meredith in April and soon realized that it was a long shot. So I have decided to set smaller goals to build up to a half marathan at some point. It is something I would love to accomplish. In March one of the elementary schools in our neighborhood is doing a 5K...I think I can handle a 5K..roughly 3.2 miles. My goal would be to do it in under 35 minutes. The training will begin because I have never ran more than 2 miles at a time outside on our trail next WEEK because the weather this week is insane! Temps in the 30's and possibility of SNOW on Friday?!? We live in Houston right?!?!?

Stay bundled up fellow Houstonians it's only going to get colder as the day continues on!

well hello again....

im not going to bore you with the usual well we have been super busy spill because everyone has been. i checked and it has been 2 months since my last post which is quite pathetic. to say that i havent missed blogging would be semi-true. i get on and still read all about your fabulous lives but i find myself not having much to say....it seems that when i was in the school setting with young kids everyday i needed the outlet of blogging to connect with adults and have adult like conversations. i called my mom almost as soon as i pulled out of the parking lot and we talked almost the whole way home. since i have been working with adults with dementia..once i get in the car my brain is done..i am all talked out...nothing to say because i have been reasoning with adults who are confused for 8 hours straight. to say that mom and my friends havent had to adjust or have been asking me if everythins is okay would be an understatement..i dont blame them for being worried or concerned because it was a complete 180 from what they had become programmed into by me. but i think everyone is on the same page now...im trying to be a better daughter, friend and wife and taking into consideration that i cant not totally go from one extreme to the other.

with that being said 2011 is all about contentment for me. content in life, content in where i am in life, content in the fact that the hubs and i are doing very well at this point in our life and content in life is pretty stinkin good. :)
although this will be hard for me it is for the better (for me and J). i think it wears on him a little that I am always adding to the never-ending "to-do" list....and i can honestly say right this very second that i have pretty much everything i NEED. now that doesn't mean my "want" list isn't a mile long but i need to be more realistic and be CONTENT with all I have because we are super blessed and super fortunate to be where we are today.

i have so many pics to upload from the past few months from thanksgiving to my brother graduating college...do we feel old!..to NYE and this past weekend..those will come soon.

hope everyone enjoys the rest of their sunday...more posts to come...as changes are headed to the Lenz casa and NO we are not expecting...just to put that little idea to rest. ;)

Wordless Wednesday At Its Finest....

It's been a stressful week so I am going to post some pics from the past few weeks.

 Homemade Chicken Nooodle Soup...mmmm

My coworker Tamara and her man Brian

The love of my life...isn't he simply precious! 

Silly May-gen...that's his new line.

Michael & I on Halloween

The hubs and I on Halloween....

That's a short recap, but sushi and wine are calling!

What a Great Day...

This post is entirely dedicated to the amazing Greer Family. Today is Meredith's amazing mother's last day of CHEMO treatments! HOORAY!! This has been an incredible year for their family and I am so happy to say this is her last treatment! So see ya Chemo you will not be missed! Her mom has been so incredibly strong and inspiring during this journey. She is truly a woman of inspiration and strength. Words cannot express how truly GREAT our GOD is.

Meredith made shirts for this special day..here are the backs of the Greer girls...

Last treatment..hooray!

Could not be better way to start the week! Love you Greer Family!

Lovies...

So since I seem to have a VERY bad habit of only blogging once maybe twice a month..here comes another update from our busy lives....bulleted style due to the fact that blogger DOES NOT want me to upload pictures....

• we have celebrated halloween
• cooked yummy dinners 3 nights a week
• hung out with friends
• celebrated birthdays
• started more house projects...to be revealed hoopefully next week
• i have surpressed the urge to start pulling out our xmas decor
• starting to figure out holiday plans with both families...what a headache!
• gone to a concert or two
• and just having fun living life.
• Friday we saw the movie Due Date and it was hilarious! We litterally laughed about 90% of the time. it's a must see in my book..and btw when did Robert Downey Jr. get it together..he's looking awfully handsome..
• After the movie we went to Scott & julie's to meet their new baby Cole. He's super precious just like his big brother is..Slate..aka the LOVE of my life. I don't think I could love a child anymore than i do him..he is the coolest 2 and a half year old...
• saturday jonathan headed to katy for a poker party for his brother's bday...he had a great time...and i headed in town for a girls day because i am not much of a poker player...
• sunday was a day of shopping in san marcos for my brother's bday..he lives in san antonio so we met him there for a little bday gathering. can't believe my brother is 23!

Seriously upset that blogger is not cooperating currently...tomorrow will be a post of pure pictures...im off to find a delish vegetarian recipe to make tomorrow night..wish me luck!

Time Flies....

when you're having fun...and even when you might be having a little less fun. I cannot believe it is already October. In Texas the past few weeks we have been spoiled with some oh so fabulous weather. I have tried to be outside as much as possible enjoying the weather from running to going to the park and tailgating for football games..i have made every attempt to be outdoors.

The past month has been non-stop. Jonathan and I have been on the go..and i would say that's an understatement. From being out of town to out with friends..we haven't had much down time..which quite honestly i have thoroughly enjoyed. I love that i have made so many new friends and am reconnecting with old friends.  I will say that without a select few of them...things would have been much worse.

Now that things have started to "slow" down..I am making a conscious effort to be more active and eat more healthy. We I have been a cooking and grilling machine the past few weeks. I promise to post recipes because everything has been excellent and super easy!

My friends Jenn, Heather and myself have started a bootcamp here in Greatwood. Our friend is the personal trainer and he is AMAZING! It is on Thursday night and Saturday morning...yuck I know but Justin is great and I know it will be something to look forward to... I have been running roughly 6 miles a week...i swear its the weather! I hate to run but with the cooler evenings we have been blessed with..I find it much easier to go out for a run. All in all I just want to be healthy again and having my abs semi back would be icing on the cake...well since we arent indulging in sweets too much around..you know what I mean.

How's that for a catch up of the last few weeks?!?!? The Lenz casa is very busy...hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather...

I'll leave you with a few random pics...

Race for the Cure...Jenn, Mer + Slade, Me

                                              Me, Jenn, and Tina at the FBCF....

                                                        Jenn & I ready for the Fair

 BK & I on my birthday...love this girl!

Scarf Swap

When my friend Meredith posted about her 2nd annual Scarf Swap I knew I wanted to participate again. Last year it was so fun and I am a sucker for scarves...I have a small (10+) collection of them in my closet.

This year I was paired with Caitlin. She is also a newlywed who wears boring scrubs like I do so I knew I wanted to give her something that would give her scrubs some color...

Here is the scarf I gave her:

And here is the one she sent me:

I was so excited to open up my package and find this scarf...too funny that we sent each other the same one but in different colors! Thanks Caitlin I can't wait to wear it hopefully this weekend.

Tomorrow is Wednesday...yay!!

That's a Fact Jack....

It's a fact that I am currently obsessed with all the new fall collections that are making their way out into our stores and my inbox. From the colors and textures to the overall style I.AM.IN.LOVE. Only problem is now that I am working at a SNF full-time I wear black everyday..that's our uniform. Not that I am complaining but it is going to be a bit harder justifying buying clothes as often as I was if it not black...but I am still going to covet the following items...

i would gladly take any of these items from jcrew to just show a few...

or these any maybe these might be making an appearance to the lenz house very soon....

are you noticing that NOTHING i have posted is black?!?!

since these two are grey ..thats fairly close to black isnt it?!?! maybe i could swing it.

not having much luck with the dress hunt online...im meeting an old friend next week for a little retail therapy...lets hope i score a few cute dresses for the weekend!

and since i didnt actually post a pic..here's one of the hubster and i in chicago this past July.

weird lighting but it was late after we enjoyed a drink at the Lounge on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building. Have a mentioned how much I love that city and want to go back already?!?! Too bad our annual conference is in Philadelphia..boo! However our next vacation will be to a beach/desert locale...it is in the works. I can hear the angels singing in my ears....

Incidentals...

Gotta love em...never fails when a little extra cash is laying around it is quickly spent by something not fun! You see in our backyard there are two gazebo/canopies...well that oh so lovely storm that came through earlier this week ripped them to shreds.

exhibit a:

The other gazebo that covers our grill area no longer has a canopy.

So after some measurements, digging through folders, locating manuals, two new canopies have been purchased...im happy but would have much rather spent that small fortune or something more exciting!

The next incidental purchase this is coming soon will be a new fan for the living room

exhibit b:

a few weeks ago i was in the office doing lord knows what and I heard a nice crashing sound. I immediately assumed it was J. I looked outside and everything looked ok. I looked into the living room and the fan was resting nicely on our ottoman. Luckily no one was sitting on the couch. We are now on the hunt for a replacement fan. Finding the right one has been a challenge so far, but I am headed to a lighting store next week...hopefully I will get lucky. Just dont feel like spending 200+ for a fan...

Oh the joys of homeownership.

Im off to find a super cute dress for my birthday next week...cant believe it is September tomorrow!

Back to the Basics....

So it's been awhile..roughly a month since I lasted blogged...and honestly I don't have the urge that I once did to come home and share random tidbits of life..

You see when I was working with kids all day long I felt the need and want to get on here and interact with ADULTS! Since I have started working with adults and have made the switch to working with adults for at least the next year or so I have adult conversations all day long...I don't crave the adult conversations as much as I used to because now I talk with them all day long. I will admit that I am pleasantly surprised with the love of the adult population. They are so genuinely thankful and appreciative..it is refreshing. Dont get me wrong once the hubs and I are ready for our own kids I will probably head back to the schools in order to have the schedule and time off. But that is def a few years off...JJ and I are enjoying being newlyweds and traveling right now...we are both not ready for the responsibility of caring for another individual...and we are okay with that.

In other exciting news one of my of grad school friends is preggers!!! She is having a girl and I am co-hosting a baby shower for her here at the house at the end of September. I cannot wait to shower that sweet mother to be! I have been in full planner mode and cannot wait for her to see everything we have come up with for the shower. We are all crossing our fingers that her fam will be relocated back to Houston before the baby baker makes her arrival in December!

As this summer comes to an end I am relieved, sad and excited...relieved in the fact that the triple digit temperatures are subsiding and fall is headed our way hopefully soon. Sad because summer is one my favorite times of year and it has been an amazing one. Lots of great memories from Summer 2010. I am excited because that means my birthday is right around the corner! I must admit that at first I was in denial..26..sounds so blah! But if its anything like 25 then I am happy to celebrate another year. I have decided that this year we will celebrate the whole week! Terrible I know, but why not? 

So all in all the past month has been busy between traveling, making the switch from kids to adults, and doing a few things around the house. But this blog is going back to the basics....the happenings of your average husband and wife..and all the fun that comes with marriage, homeowning and being in your 20's. 

Hope everyone had a fabulous Monday. If you haven't entered in Meredith's Scarf Swap..you should! Last year I received 2 beautiful scarves and they are two of my absolute faves!

Here's to hoping Tuesday will be better than Monday.

Curiosity Killed the Cat...

I have a question or questions for those of you out there. I know the following questions will get answers from both sides, which is completely fine and am open to them. So however you feel please have some restraint if you feel very strongly against my opinion but answer them honestly.

Can married people not go out with friends without their spouse????

Can married people not go out and have fun anymore??

Can married people not have friends of the opposite sex without people thinking there is something going on?

My answer to these questions is simple...yes. I think it is perfectly fine to have a night out with friends without your spouse being there. Since when did marriage equal staying at home and falling off the face of the earth?? Just because people get married doesn't mean they can't have fun still...i mean come on people! Now with the last question...I have always had super close guy friends my whole life. My bestfriend is a guy..we have been friends since we were about 8 months old. He is someone I would do just about anything for on the face of this earth. A few of Jonathan's friends have even become extremely close friends of mine. We talk on at least a weekly basis.

the reason I bring this up is because a few weeks ago I spent the weekend with some grad school friends (girls & guys). They live in houston, but in town so I just spent the night. The hubs was out of town with softball so it was easier and safer. On both nights I saw friends of mine from high school and got asked the same questions over and over "arent you married" "where is your husband" "you are out without him"...and the list goes on people. So it really started to bother me that all of these people were what seemed to be bothered by the fact that I was out, having fun and not with my spouse. I spoke with the hubs after the fact about how people kept asking me those same questions and he didnt mind me going out with friends etc. I know I shouldn't let other peoples opinions bother me so much, but I do..I am working on it currently, but it will be a long road I am sure....

So there you have it. Maybe I am in the minority here but we will see how you feel.

And We're Back....

Refreshed, revamped, relaxed and just feeling good. Although I am still wanting to be in Chicago! I think I told him several times that I would move there in a heartbeat. LOVE IT THERE!!!! I am already trying to figure out when I can get back there...I am thinking when my brother graduates in December would be a perfect time!

Sorry for the hiatus, but it was something that was not planned but was needed. Our life had been kinda crazy the past few months and now I think everything is going to calm down for a bit! Thank goodness.

As my summer is coming to a close that means two things: MUST make a decision about my job and MUST start getting back in shape and watching the carb intake...yikes!

Needless to say this summer has been an amazing one so far. We have traveled, which is was the alterior motive to working in the summer to be quite honest. We made a decision to reap some of the benefits of me working...why not?!?! what else should we be doing in our 20's??

Pictures to come soon! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer like we are...happy tuesday! Thank goodness it is a 4 day work week for us..

Wordless Wednesday....

I am sick in bed..oh joy! Could not be worse timing between work, an out of town wedding and July 4th festivities this weekend....must feel better like yesterday...

Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday fellow bloggers.

Home Sweet Home...

We are back from vacation and loved every minute of it...a post about that to come later...just wanted to say hello and let those of you know we made it back safe and sound.

Wishing I was still in Scottsdale...

instead I will settle on the neighbors pool to soak up some rays after I workout...gotta get back in shape..WOW!

Giveaway Winner...

Well this post is a bit delayed that is for sure. It is not that I forgot, but with the school year over today I have been in overdrive trying to get everything finished for today and I have been trying to catch some sunrays afterwork.

I also decided that I would send everyone a little something for summer. Who doesn't like to receive something in the mail?!?! However not all of you will get the towel. So the winner of the beach towel is:

Mrs. Hesson at Meet the Hesson's.

email me at m_odom12@yahoo.com and I will get this in the mail to you shortly!

Hope Friday and I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing 3-day weekend!

Holy Matrimony!

Today JJ and I have been married one year. I cannot believe that a year has passed already..guess the phrase "time flies when you are having fun" is very appropriate. We have enjoyed the past year so much and have made so many incredible memories. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for us.

So happy anniversary JJ! You are truly a blessing and I thank Him everyday for bringing you into my life.

Here is a little trip down memory lane...well I am at work so these will have to work for now.

right after he proposed.

waiting on his bride...

probably my favorite picture of all time!

Happy Monday!

Can You Feel the Heat?!?! Summer Giveaway.

Since summer is fastly approaching is in full swing here in Houston..I started to think about some of my favorite things about summer.

I love being at the beach, being poolside, hanging out with friends on patios and of course enjoying llong summer days without a care in the world. Even though it is stiffling hot here I enjoy being outside for the most part. There is just something in the air about summer that makes everything seem better or not as important. What are some of your favorite things about summer???

I was browsing through Home Goods the other day and stumbled upon some oh so fabulous over-sized beach towels. I immediately put two in my shopping cart. Thinking this would be the perfect way to kick off summer. Well lucky you..I don't need two because JJ could careless about what his towel looks like. So I am going to have a giveaway!

The giveaway includes a beachtowel, nail polish and a surprise for the winner.

The beach towel is a multi-colored paisley print

The nail polish is called Princess.

So here are the details:

1 entry for becoming a follower

1 entry for commenting about your favorite part of summer

2 entries for anyone you send over to the blog that enters the giveaway.

3 entries for blogging about the giveaway.

The giveaway will end on Tuesday May 25th and the winner will be announced on Wednesday May 26th just in time for Memorial Weekend. 

So long spring and hello summer..well it kind of slaps you in the face as soon as you walk out the door here.

Happy Hump Day.