Postive Outlook

Ugh. I am so.over.this.month. In fact, this entire year has been a little ehhh so far. But this month?! Atrocious. Not a whole lot has really gone right for me, or for a lot of my loved ones lately. And I'm talking both big and little things. I'm not going to go into huge details because a lot of it is very personal to me and to my friends and family, but I needed to vent somewhere and figured this was as good a place as any.

When tragic life events happen, you never know how much it will impact your life or the life of someone else. It's a moment in time that you will never ever forget. And it makes you very sad. We all remember where we were when we first heard about the planes hitting the twin towers on that gray September morning. Many, especially Hokies, can recall the first time they heard word of or personally experienced the tragedy on campus on April 16th, 2007. These moments are ingrained in our memories forever.

Now, when little things go wrong- work related stress, minor health issues/concerns, car trouble, bills, taxes, household chores- we don't necessarily remember these forever (thank goodness). But when the major life tragedies and the little daily nuisances all occur at the same time, over and over and over again, it gets a little annoying!

You know how people say, "bad things come in 3's?" I don't buy it. Because it feels like they just keep on coming. I know things could always be worse, that other's face so many more challenging issues, and that in the great big scheme of things, I am very lucky. But when you keep getting kicked while you're already down, it's exhausting!

Needless to say, I am currently battling the Ides of March for the duration of the entire month. It's been..... not so fun. And I needed something to keep me afloat as I continue to worry about and deal with the stress of one thing or another, both life changing events and small daily challenges. I often enjoy finding song lyrics or quotes that I can truly relate to and inspire me. I came across this quote and it gave me a little inspiration to tough out this rough patch with style, class, and perseverance. I hope it helps me get to the rainbow on the other side of all this rain. Maybe it can inspire someone else too...

"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it"

March Musings

Nothing too exciting or extravagant going on in the Saulitis household right now. It's all kind of status quo, and kind of boring. I remember last year at this time, I was having the time of my life planning our wedding. Now, I am just sitting back and watching several of my friends enjoy their time as brides-to-be and living vicariously through them. I miss it. The endless to-do lists. Watching non-stop wedding shows on TV. I am glad to actually have some free time this year, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit jealous of all of those with big life changes going on.


It seems like everyone is either planning a wedding, buying a house, having a baby, or experiencing some other glamorous life change. Well, everyone except me. Andy and I were kind of ahead of the game in our circle of friends. We bought a house 2 1/2 years ago. Then, we were the first to get engaged and married. Now, everyone else is catching up. Not that I think life is a race at all! I have just been missing out on the *excitement* of new things lately.

Andy and I have only been married 7 months and I'm already in a rut- ha! Not with him of course. Him and I are perfect, as we knew we would be given the 6 years we dated prior to getting married. But we have nothing exciting going on in our lives right now. I know, I know... I should probably be enjoying every second of being a newlywed and take the time I have to relax and enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. But when everyone else seems to be experiencing such wonderful things, I get envious! I know Andy and I are not at all ready for babies. I am entirely too selfish at this stage in my life to devote myself to a baby 24/7. I also know we don't need a new house right now. But I can't help feeling like I'm standing stagnant while the world moves on without me.

Weird? Yes. Irrational? Most definitely. One of my biggest character flaws is that I am almost incapable of living in the moment. I am always worried about the next thing, what tomorrow will bring, where the future will lead. I've always been this way. If I have nothing to worry about, I make something up to worry about. Consider it part of my OCD.

Oh well. Here's to hoping I can begin to enjoy where we are currently in our stage of life. In fact, I think I'll start right this instant with a delicious glass of wine and some episodes of Glee on a Saturday night :) Hey, this lack of to-do lists and copious amounts of free time is looking better already!

Spring Things

Despite a minor sleet/snow on Monday night and a 2-hour delay on Tuesday, I am dreaming of all things spring! I am super excited to wear my new rain boots and use my new umbrella in april showers. I can't wait to start wearing capri's and sandals to work. As I sit and wait for the temps to rise, I have been scouring the internet in search of some perfect spring *things*. Here's just a few I have my eye on!

Lilly Pulitzer

This dress would be perfect for one of the MANY bridal events for friends that I have this upcoming spring & summer! Cute bridal shower dress, right?!

I don't know which of these styles I like more, but I am absolutely IN LOVE with the pattern! This would be so cute to wear to one of the 6 (yes, 6!) weddings, I am going to so far in 2011. Lilly Pulitzer is amazing!

Forever21

Love this glitter beaded chain necklace for spring. I have several cute spring colored cardigans that this would go perrrrrfectly with!

LLBean

This bright berry raincoat from LLbean would match my brand new rainboots! I have a gorgeous green JCrew raincoat, but it has no hood. So, I need another jacket to supplement for those rainy days when holding a cute umbrella just isn't very feasible (ie. field trips!)

Just a few cute *spring things* on my mind!

Spring Fever

This past week in Northern Virginia it has been unseasonably warm! On Thursday and Friday, it reached 70 degrees! My students and I were both SO excited to finally get back outside on the playground for recess- so excited I let them play both days for extra long periods of time! It was just so beautiful after such a cold winter!

Now, I love snow as much as the next person- actually, I might even love it more. Snow storms have always felt *magical* to me. On a big snow day, the world literally stops. People aren't out on the roads. No one's walking around. The world is just so peaceful. I love the first few hours of  a good snow, where nothing has been plowed or scraped or shoveled, and the snow clings to the bare tree branches. I love snow and all it brings and I will never complain when it graces us with it's presence. But, I think I am now officially ready for spring...

This week of gorgeous spring-like weather has been such a tease! I know it is still February, but getting the chance to run outside instead of inside on the treadmill, and standing outside at recess in short sleeves has been glorious! It has even motivated me to get my butt back in shape! I was kind of a slacker this winter in regards to working out as much as I did the previous year (I guess nothing is as motivating as knowing you have to fit into a wedding dress!), but the warmer temps are making me focus on good workouts! Another fabulous motivator is that one of my dearest friends from Virginia Tech, Jenny, asked me to be a bridesmaid in her October wedding this fall. So, I now have a new dress to work myself into! Here is a picture of the dress (although the color will be sangria, not the navy that is shown) that has become my new motivator along with the fabulous warmer weather.

copyright

Thanks Jenny for the new source of motivation to look great in your pictures! :) Oh, and of course for letting me be a part of your special day :)

Hope you all are enjoying the warmer weather & are feeling more motivated while it lasts until spring officially arrives!

Bored on a Tuesday

1.What color are your socks right now?  Bare feeties

2.What are you listening to right now?   One Tree Hill on TV

3.What was the last thing you ate?   Doublestuff Oreo. My guilty pleasure.

4.Can you drive a stick shift?  Nope

5.Last person you spoke to on the phone?   Andy, BIG shocker.

6.Do you like the person who sent this to you?   Yes! She's a fabulous coworker

7.How old are you today?   26

8.What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?   Football, duh!

9.What is your favorite drink?  Tough call. Possibly an old fashioned Coca~Cola

10.Have you ever dyed your hair?   I highlight my hair several times a year

11.Favorite food?   Cheeseburgers

12.What is the last movie you watched?   The Sex & the City Movie on TBS. Love that movie.

13.Favorite day of the year?   May 17th & July 31st. My birthday & anniversary :)

14.How do you vent?   Alcohol & tears, sometimes a little yelling :)

15.What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies

16.What is your favorite season?   Fall aka Football season

17.Cherries or Blueberries?   Cherries.... especially on top of cheesecake

18.Do you want your friends to tag you back?   Sure

19.Who is the most likely to respond?   Stephanie Cooke

20.Who is least likely to respond?   Katie

21.Living situation?  Townhouse style condo

22.When was the last time you cried?  Watching our wedding video with all our friends

23.What is on the floor of your closet right now?   Shoes, shoes, and more shoes

24.Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?  I'm not really sending this to anyone...

25.What did you do last night?  Hung out with the hubs, watched the bachelor

26.What are you most afraid of?   Death

27.Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?   Cheeeeeeeeeeeese

28.Favorite dog breed?   Muts

29.Favorite day of the week?   Friday

30.How many states have you lived in?   1

31.Diamonds or pearls?  It depends on what I'm wearing, but typically...diamonds

32.Favorite Flower?   Pink Tulips

6-months of Newly Wedded Bliss

Exactly 6 months ago together, we were doing this...

And this...

 

And we sealed it like this...

 

Yup. We did a looot of this... 

 

Mmm, this was a good part...

And finally, after 7 years, us two became one.

 Happy 6 months to us newlyweds! <3

My Favorite 29-Year-Old

 

Today is Andy's 29th birthday! I just figured I'd take a moment before the present opening, fancy dinner & cake eating festivities commence in the Saulitis household to share with you all some of the things I LOVE so much about this birthday boy. 

1. He is sports-crazy. A lot of married couples have issues over how sports-crazy the men are in their relationships. Have you ever seen those little pillows that say "Marriage on hold until after football season"? Not in this house. Because we embrace it since we are both, well, crazy. We are both very lucky to have found someone as obsessed with sports as we each are. We plan major life events around them (fyi- be careful about planning any weddings, baby showers, etc. during football season. while we are willing to make some sacrifices for those we love, if it's a big game- you better believe our focus will only be partially with you on your big day! we have been known to attend parties with bluetooths and mini-tv's in hand for score updates... just a warning!) Afterall, how many people turn down an offer from their wife to go out to dinner ANYWHERE of their choosing on their birthday in order to stay home for a basketball game on tv? My husband :)
2. He is obsessed with clean carpets. Yes, you all read that right. Andy's favorite household chore is cleaning the carpets. And I mean cleaning. Not only does he vacuum the entire house at least once or twice a week, but he steam cleans the carpets every.single.month! And you know what?! I hate cleaning carpets! Vacuuming has always been my least favorite chore. So, I love that he worries about those carpets for the both of us because if it were left up to me- I wouldn't even know what a steam cleaner was!
3. He baby talks to his dog. You all know baby-talk. Now I should mention that he does not baby-talk to any children, not even his own nieces and nephews. But his dog? All the time. Even when he's having a bad day, that dog can sure put a big a smile on his cute face. I love how much he loves his dog, and how devoted he is to taking care of him. I can only imagine that he will be the same when we have our own little ones running around someday in the future...
4. He is as obsessed with our wedding as I am. Sometimes I wonder if he even beats me in this category. He casually says "I wish we could do our wedding day all over again", or "that was the best day of my life" all of the time. I love that he thought our day was as perfect as I thought it was too. He was such a willing and helpful contributer to all of the planning, so it is perfect that it turned out so ideally for the both of us. That day will forever be put on a pedastool in our lives and I love that it meant so much to him.
5. He loves me. This is by far the most important one. I love Andy for loving me, supporting me, taking care of me, worrying about me for 7 1/2 years. He is my best friend. My confidant. I love having him come home to me every day. My life is better because he is a part of it and for that, I hope he has the best 29th birthday ever!

Happy Birthday Andrew! I love you! <3

Now, let the official countdown to 30 begin... :)