Five for Friday - vol 14.1.3

The excitement of the new year has not faded on me a bit yet. In its honor, here's a Five for Friday about things I am looking forward to or hoping for in the new year, in no particular order.

1. A trip to Cali with my love to see FSU win the BCS championship. I am looking forward to the trip. I love to travel period and love to travel with John. He's such a good travel partner. I am hoping FSU wins the game. Even if they don't, however, I still believe this will be a once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish forever -- the last BCS game, my team playing for the title, at Rose Bowl stadium. But let's be real..they're [hopefully] going to win.

2. One of my BFFs, Patty, having her baby boy. I am looking forward to my friend becoming a mommy and hoping to meet him sometime in 2014.

3. John getting a promotion. This is more so a looking forward to; it's just a matter of when. My hope for him is that it's sooner in the year.

4. My mom moving near me or my brother. This is a total hoping for. It's all going to depend on if she can get a civil service job in either of our areas to continue working toward her retirement. *fingers crossed* Even if she doesn't move where I live it would be so nice to go visit her and have my brother and his family (my niece!!!) close enough to visit when I'm in town.

5. Speaking of my brother and his family, I hope they have another baby in 2014! Obviously I am so in love with my niece I want them to have another one for me to love and play with. Good thing they hope for this too, it makes it a reasonable hope for the new year.

2014, I think you are going to be golden. I look forward to everything you have in store for me, my family, and my friends!

Weekend Recap

Mother daughter weekend was a huge success.  Shortly after my mom got into town on Friday we went to get a couple's massage.  This was my mom's first massage ever and now she wonders what took her so long.  For her it was the highlight of the trip and it made me feel so good that she kept bringing it up and the fact she really enjoyed it.  We closed out the night with a quick stop to a store and some Mexican food.

The next day we left early, got some Starbucks, and enjoyed the hour and half drive to Cincinnati with some good conversation.  After that the day was pretty much filled with non-stop shopping, talking and wonderful mommy and me time.  It really was a great day and though I bought some things I didn't spend a ton of money.  The night ended watching the last quarter of the FSU game which was a major killjoy.  (Granted it was our first loss of the season but it really shouldn't have been a loss at all.  Between refs calling plays for NC State and Jimbo not bringing in the field goal team I was not happy with what I saw.  That being said, it's our fault it was that close anyway.  Boo.)

Sunday, we headed back after one last shopping stop and cleaned out my coat closet - to get a little productive mom and daughter time in there.  I dropped off the stuff I took out of the closet to Goodwill, did some groceries for the week, made dinner, and then enjoyed catching up and cuddling with Mr. Woo and the pup. 

This weekend was a great success and just what I needed without even knowing it.  Now I'm ready for a good and productive week.

Happy Monday!

Mother Daughter Weekend

My mom's coming up this afternoon for our first annual mother daughter weekend getaway!  We're going to be spending the majority of our time in Cincinnati but the fun starts when she gets in town tonight with a couples massage - her first massage ever (!). 

I have a feeling this is going to be a wonderful weekend.

Happy Friday!

Friday Fun - Cake Making

I am currently a cake making fool.  I've been working on this cake for five hours.  A cup of coffee and a glass of wine later I'm still working on it and loving every second.  I promise I would be a chef if it was a lucrative career and provided a work-life balance I find critical in jobs (specifically not having to work every weekend, holiday, and evening).  Either way this evening has been pretty much my ideal way to unwind after a hard week -- my loves are home keeping me company in the kitchen while I bake and listen to music.  Here's my progress on the as-from-scratch-as-possible (aka no box cake mix or jello) strawberry cake so far.  (BTW, I couldn't find a recipe for such a cake so I had to make it up.  I hope it comes out ok!  *fingers triple crossed*)

The star of this cake - 2 packages full to make sure only the best go in.

The start of the strawberry puree'

My mise en plas

Strawberry Puree'

The cake batter with the strawberry puree'

My current status

A Different Kind of Friday Fun

Just got home from work and don't go back until Thursday -- the day after I take my SPHR exam.  I'm nervous and excited all at once.  I really do enjoy learning, especially topics I'm interested in, and despite the self-imposed pressure to pass I find it all quite fun.   

I'm such a nerd.

But enough blogging for now..back to the books!

Have a great weekend!

Friday Fun!!

Meagan at The Cheesefries Stand Alone just posted a link to a funny blog that I felt I had to share. 

Any of my dog loving readers should check it out: Text From Dog.

I swear she has some of those same thoughts - especially the one about the lamp.

Happy Friday!