Things that make me happy

1) Tulips from the grocery store. Is there anything more thrilling when you check out that adding a few bouquets of brightly colored flowers to the top of your bagged groceries?

 2) When my dog snores obnoxiously loud. I'm pretty sure I've shoved my fiancee a few times in the middle of the night thinking that the chain saw sounds came from him and not Wyatt snugged in his dog bed (or sneakily in between us as he has been apt to do at 3:30am the last few weeks).

3) The forgiveness of blogs. In knowing that if even the past 4 posts talk about how I have neglected this space, I am always welcome to blather on.

4) Giant mugs of hot tea and snuggling under blankets when the temperature outside is a scant 18 degrees.

5) New Years Resolutions. And trying to meal plan again. Flash freezing waffles as I type.

Feast your little eyes on this

Between grad school, and work, and puppy, and boyfriend, and friends and family, and cleaning (when I get around to it), this poor little blog has been abandoned.

But now that the end of the semester is upon us, and the school year is starting to wind down, and I'm on Spring Break (yes, that needs capitalization), I thought I'd mosey on back to the blogging world.

I have been super productive in the past 2 weeks when it comes to making meals that we can eat now and freeze for later. I have made a spinach lasagna, a ground turkey lasagna, macaroni and cheese, chicken and vegetable stir-fry, and tonight, oh tonight, I made a pizza. A white pizza. A mozzarella, goat cheese, parmesan with broccoli, garlic, and olive oil pizza. And we ate it. and we were overly full. And we were happy.

I love organization a bit too much

Dear Real Simple,

Why must I get all googly-eyed when I see your newest articles and online tips? I am a freak of organizational purposes.

Love,
Lisbeth

P.S. I have champagne taste and a PBR budget. It is problematic.

A quick glimpse into the life...

From a snowy Philadelphia, may you all be snuggled in your homes with a hot mug of something and a good movie on television. Or may you have a crazy puppy who thinks snow + a frisbee + you laughing hysterically is sheer bliss.

New year, same old attitude

Reflection... of course.

2010 was a year of change and growth. I moved from my apartment into John's house. I proved that I could juggle work and school. John and I welcomed the most snuggly puppy in the world into our home. I was accepted into both Holy Family University's and Arcadia University's masters/ teacher certification programs and will be starting classes in January at HFU. I grew closer to my friends and family. I took control of a bad situation and took steps to resolve it. I finally stood up for myself rather than just dealing. And on top of it all, I got EZ pass. I know, an accomplishment. Welcome to the future.

But, in true life fashion, 2010 wanted to remind me that it could still mess with me until the last seconds ticked away. Last night a Philadelphia police officer was shot in West Philadelphia. I have never had a worse feeling than being on the couch with John, watching a movie, and a news break coming on saying "Officer shot." Because there is no lag time from me seeing/hearing those words and tears pouring down my face. And I cried because I can't imagine the panic that this officer's family was feeling. I cried because I feel my own sense of panic because I love a police officer (who works in West Philly). I cried because of John's history with NYE. And I cried because of how silly it was to be crying when my police officer was on the couch with me telling me not to cry.

Luckily, between text messages and the news, we learned that Officer Adam O'Donnell was protected by his bulletproof vest. That he was taken to the hospital and released shortly thereafter. That in the returning fire, the man that shot the officer was killed. And my heart broke for everyone. My heart broke with happiness that Officer O'Donnell was able to go home to his wife and three kids, and my heart broke with the knowledge that someone's family was going to be brought the news of death on New Years.

So remember at the start of this new year (and all during the year as well) to hold those you love close.

Ew, I'm a grownup part 2

You never realize how many accounts need your address until you have to change them. One step closer. And a thousand boxes scattered about my apartment.

Also, how great has this weather been? Chilly and crisp and Autumnal!!!!! It really just went from 100 + degrees to straight fall. I love every moment of it. The cool breeze, the smell of it, the fact that you feel chilly when you slip out from under the covers. Deliciously awesome.

And on the last note of this disjointed post, Graduate School Application Essays are a killer to write and edit.

Holy Jabeebus

3 weeks from tomorrow I'll be living in a new place. No more Conshohocken. Hello moving back to Philadelphia. Goodbye apartment. Hello house. See you later, living alone. Hi, boyfriend. Toodaloo, 20 minute back roads commute to work. Howdy 40 minute Turnpike trip. So excited. So nervous. So ready.