Things that Rock.

In honor of happy Leap Day, I thought I'd post a few things that make me happy.

1. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand sugar-free drinks. Think Crystal Light that tastes EXACTLY like Kool-Aid. I'm very very fond of the fruit punch and cranberry flavors, but last night I bought grape. Oh my....HAPPY HAPPY indeed!!

2. Many restaurants give away free meals on Leap Day to people who are celebrating their Birthday. I think if you only get one Birthday every four years, you certainly deserve a free meal!

3. Giving. I got to make a care package for a friend today, and it made me really happy. A good friend from college is in town because her mother is in the hospital here in Louisville. It's a sad situation, but I remember being there myself. It made me feel good to make a care package that just might make her family feel a wee bit better during those long hours at the hospital.

4. The Budget. Clay and I are really doing well on our budget, we think. We haven't received any calls from collection agencies, so he must be telling me the truth. We're even eating at home a lot more, which is really nice.

5. My job. Even on the most trying of days (I've had a few of those lately) I still love my job. I never dread coming to work, and I can always count on little mini hugs spread throughout my day. Today I had the privilege of making 90 cupcakes to celebrate Dr. Seuss day. My job rocks.

6. Being the bestest aunt in the whole wide world. Man, I really do rock. Just wait til the boys see that BIG Birthday present we got Collin. I won't mention here how it barely fit into my car in case Andy and Carrie are reading.

7. Fridays. Even when they aren't celebrating Leap Day and Dr. Seuss's Birthday, I still dig me some Fridays. Oh, and Saturdays and Sundays.

8. The Broiler Drawer. Remember where I mentioned that we're cooking at home more? Well, a couple nights ago Clay really blew my mind. I'm not daft; I had noticed that drawer under our stove. I had even opened it once only to find that the "drawer" was full of what looked like mechanics. I quickly shut it again. But...get this... Clay opened that drawer and put PORK CHOPS IN IT!!! He calls the drawer a broiler. I call it magical.

9. Hard candy. Since my holiday Marshmallow Making soiree came to an end, I had to take up something else to occupy my need to bake. So I started making hard candy!! It's way cool. Maybe someday I'll do a photo documentary of it like I did for the 'shmallows. So far I have made cinnamon and watermelon. Next will probably be banana creme. I like it a lot. But my co-workers like it even more!

10. Clay. Duh...I couldn't leave off that one other thing that makes me so happy. I'd go into details, but it's just disgusting when I start gushing about how great he is, so I'll just some it up. Clay rocks.

Ok, that's a good list for today. Thanks again to Andrew for reminding me that it was time to post again!

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Clay and I had a "mini-anniversary" recently, as we have officially been dating for two years since January 31. We (and I'm mostly sure I speak for both of us) really truly enjoy spending time together. We can't wait to get home from work to see one another, and we cherish our weekends. Much of our time at home is spent researching/dreaming about our next vacation when we can spend tons of one on one time together.

I think one of the best things in our relationship, though, is his work schedule with rotating weekends. About every fifth weekend, Clay will be off on Friday and Monday and work on Saturday and Sunday. He enjoys his two weekdays to go and get business taken care of, and I enjoy that free weekend when I can go and shop and do lunch and things with the girls. This work weekend forces us to spend a little time away from one another and gives me the chance to do all of the catching up with my friends and things like that. So this weekend is MY weekend. Clay was off today to do his boy things, and I've planned all of my shopping, lunching, chick flicks, etc.

But sometime you accidentally get TOO much of a good thing. Clay's boss called today to see if he would spend ALL of next week in Little Rock. Being the good husband, Clay did call me first to make sure we didn't have any major plans (HELLO, Valentine's Day!! The FIRST anniversary of our ENGAGEMENT!) And so, Clay will be leaving Monday morning, and returning Thursday mid-day. And I'm really going to miss him. I'm not sure how it is that I could live very happily by myself for so many years, and after only a few months of marriage, I'm SCARED to go to sleep without him. I always laughed at women who were like that! I don't want to go home to an empty house (no, the cats don't count). I don't really need to spend the evenings dining out with friends and blowing our food budget.

I think the current plan for me is to go to Border's and spend a small chunk of the "entertainment" budget on some good new books so that I can snug into bed and read myself to sleep for those few lonely nights.

If you have any other suggestions, let me know!