Tootsie Roll Tuesday: Hangin' In Albany, NY

Yes, that's right: Little Tootsie has made her way to upstate New York.

But today it's not all about her {for once ... hehe!} 

We are here for Derek.

While he spends 16 hours in bar exam misery {two eight-hour exams in two days}, Tootsie and I are hangin' in our hotel, watching the rain and barking (well, her, not me ;) ... oh holy barking.  Tootsie is a little girl with a BIG bark -- and every time she hears a little peep outside the door, bark mode ensues. :-/ It's made for an interesting day.  Despite that, I do love having my sidekick to keep me company.  {Update: I think she finally barked herself to sleep!}

Anywho, we've been thinking about Derek all day ... hoping and praying that he is killing his exam!  We have no doubt he is, but, shoo ... the stress. {Perhaps I can chalk up Tootsie's barking to anxiety for her pops, added to the fact that she's in unfamiliar surroundings.}

Wherever Tootsie goes, the Potty Patch must follow. ;)

Exploring her new surroundings!  Terrible quality photo because she was too busy sniffing and WOULD NOT sit still!

We'll be headed out in just a bit to pick up Derek from Exam Day 1 {of 3}.  My husband is one hard-working guy, and I sure am lucky to call him mine! 

Here's to one bar exam down -- and a less bar-ky day tomorrow.  ;-)

 

{P.S. Blogger is being ultra weird with my formatting today.  Sorry 'bout that.}

I Won! I Won!

I'm thrilled to say ...

I WON MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!! :-D

A Mary Kay Pedicure Set :-) Picture via Life With Elizabeth

 

 Thank you, Elizabeth from Life With Elizabeth!  You made my day!

 When you get a second, head over to her blog and follow her.  You won't be disappointed! :-)

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Hello! :-)

It's time to tell you, my lovely readers, what I'm loving this Wednesday night!
I'm linking up with sweet Jamie for another round of WILW ...

I'm LOVING that I finally got to take advantage of our building's garage-top pool.  Last summer we were drowning in a sea of boxes {from moving, of course}, and I never really got to enjoy it.  Today was a scorcher, but it sure did feel good in the water!

I'm LOVING high-rise livin'!  I'm not sure I'll love it forever, but, at this point in our lives it's absolutely perfect for us.  Plus, our building has everything we could possibly want/need.  I truly feel lucky to live here -- and I really really don't want to move anytime soon!

I'm LOVING that we're going to see the Broadway show, Mamma Mia!, in about a week!  I've wanted to see this one for a while now, and it just so happened an awesome discount popped up last night!  YAY!  I'm really loving the fact that Derek gets show discounts through NYU.  It's a huge perk for students and alumni.  Without it, we would never be able to see anything {because normal show tickets are like $1,094,567.02 -- or something ridiculous like that ;-}

 

 

Source

 

 I'm LOVING all the "smart-food" I've been making Derek {and myself} lately.  Hey ... I'm trying to do all I can to get his brain working at its ultimate level, in preparation for his exams next week. ;-) Tonight's meal was salmon florentine {there's salmon under that spinach mix in the picture}, quinoa pilaf {with pine nuts and parsley} and grape tomatoes with sea salt, courtesy of my favorite chef and nutritionist, Ellie Krieger.  It was soooooo delicious!

I'm LOVING my new Tervis tumbler!  My sister-in-law, Megan, inspired this purchase.  Mine has an "L" for "Liz" on it and Derek got one with a "D."  Why is it so great?  Well, you can forget condensation with this little dude!  Also, it really is perfect to tote around or use at home, and it keeps your drink cold or hot!  I'm excited to take it to school!

Finally, I'm LOVING my Derek and all his hard work lately!  Poor guy's been studying 'round the clock.  I can't wait 'til we can just hang again!!!  

  
And, little Miss Tootsie Roll, I certainly am LOVING you, too, my sweet girl!

BABY TOOTSIE!!!  Just 8 weeks old here.

Good Wednesday night, bloggie friends!

'Til next time ... 
 

Random Ramblings, Part II

{1}
Since moving to the Northeast, it never fails: every single time someone asks me where I'm from and I respond, "Kentucky," the first thing out of his/her mouth is, "But you don't have an accent."  Nope, I don't -- and I know a lot of people from Kentucky who don't.  Okay, some people have told me they can hear a small accent in certain words of mine.  

What's worse, though, is when that same person tells me they can't locate Kentucky on a map.  Really?!?  Why would you even admit that? 

Yes, we wear shoes.  Yes, we know how to speak.  Yes, we are civilized.  Thankyouverymuch. 

{2}
Have any of you ever heard of Straight No Chaser?  They're an acapella group that originated from Indiana University and they're fabulous!  YouTube 'em!

{3}
How fun would it be to perform in a Broadway show?!  If you've read my blog, you know how much I LOVE Broadway shows.  Every time we see one, those little performers look like they're having a blast!  Yes, I know I'm failing to realize all the hard work that goes into it ...

{4}
Anywho, I've told hubs multiple times he should audition.  Okay, like not really, but he does have an amazing voice and he can act!  He's just lacking the dance skills.  Hehe ... he's a 6'4" white boy ... what can I say?!  He'll tell ya.  ;-)

{5}
While we're on the subject of music, Rhapsody may have been one of the best gifts I've ever received from my hubs! I'm a music lover, and if I could, I would have tunes playing all day long.  Have you heard of Rhapsody?


{6}
10 DAYS til the hubs' bar exams are over!  Need I say more?!


{7}
We bought a Groupon to the FAO Schwarz Cafe!  Excited?!  Why, yes I am!  Mostly because it's a good excuse to act like a kid again.  :-)


{8}
Have you ever caught a glimpse of a dog during its REM sleep?  It's freaky.  When they dream, however, well, that's just plain cute.


{9}
Because it promotes health and well-being, I'm loving this ...

Source

Strong, toned and lean ... is the way to go {atleast in my opinion}. :-)


{10}
At the gym yesterday, a 35 lb. weight rolled off the bench and fell right on my foot.  OUUUCCCHHH.  It was painful. :-(  I don't recommend trying it.  It took all I had to not let the waterworks go.  I did well for a while, but as soon as I saw hubs, I broke down.  Thankfully, I just have some swelling; it could have been a lot worse.


That's all I have for now, my friends.  Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

 It certainly has been a while since my last WILW post.  Boy have I missed it!  So, today {actually, tonight}, I'm linking up with Jamie, the hostess of this lovely little weekly feature.

I'm LOVING Pinterest!  Without some self-discipline, the captivating photos on this website could quite possibly suck me in for hours.  So, I'm dedicating most of my WILW post to some of my favorites!  Enjoy! :-)

Ah, Paris ... how I miss you.

... make me smile.

Well of course I love this one.

Oh my ... cuteness.

Christmas in July

Dreamy ...

Dreamy, part II

Simply stunning style

Perfection

A good laugh :-)

I'm also LOVING this video: Manhattan in Motion.  Turn up the volume on your computer and watch it.  It truly captures the essence of this grand city.

 

And, of course, I cannot leave without saying how much I'm LOVING my wonderful husband and doggie {much more than the dinos above ;-}.

From a New York Times article!

 Good night all!  I hope your Wednesday was divine!

Tootsie Roll Tuesday & A Giveaway!

When the sun is shining, Tootsie is a perpetual sunbather.  A perpetual indoor sunbather.  She'll follow the rays from floor to couch.  And, sometimes, she'll take matters into her own paws and pull her bed into the sun, just to try and soak up every last bit of warmth.  It's quite charming -- and I can't say I blame her. :-)

 

Tootsie at four months in our old apartment!

 Also, do yourself a favor and head on over to Gabriella's blog, Two Peeps and A Pooch , for a chance to win a surprise summer giveaway!

 

It's something having to do with San Francisco.  How could you pass up this one?!

 

Happy {Tootsie Roll} Tuesday, everyone!!

Catching Up/Lately!!

Alrightly, so here goes my 463rd time at reviving this little blog of mine.  After all, it has been 1.5 months {1.5 months!} since my last post.  Sheesh!  I very much envy those of you who can keep up with the daily grind and still find time to blog.  Obviously, I'm still working on that! ;-)

So anyway, here I sit now, finally ready to sum up what the heck we've been up to lately.  Ready??

{1}

I finished my dental school year!  Only three more years to go!  I've been study-free since June 27th.  Up until then, this was a consistent scene around our apartment {sorry about the grainy iPhone pic} ...

Yes, that is Little Miss Roll snuggled under the pillow.  She's the best study buddy around, but she sure does get the better deal of the two of us. ;-) 

{2}

Speaking of studying, everywhere I turn I see one {or stacks} of these guys ...

Seriously, they're everywhere around here; they're haunting dreams and stealing my husband.  18 days until the BAR exam is over!  Derek has been up to his ears in study material and I don't think he's ever been so anxious to get something over with as he has these exams.  I have no doubt his hard work will be rewarded.  {Ahem ... 18 days ... 18 days ... 18 days ... study-free August ... study-free August ... study-free August} 

{3}

Well, in order to keep Derek distraction-free {for a week, anyway}, Tootsie and I made a trip down South to my parents' house in Kentucky.  That's right my friends, Toots took her first flight!  And now, she's a seasoned traveler. ;-)  

Waiting to board at LaGuardia Airport in NYC.  "Whadda we up to, mom??"

All went fairly smoothly, for the most part.  You see, I may have been a wee bit nervous about Toots, and in LaGuardia I may have given her a wee bit too much water {out of fear she was thirsty ... ya weird}, and that may have made her go wee-wee in her bag, right before we boarded the plane.  It was superb.  Thankfully, the nice little flight attendant gave me some sanitizing wipes and we averted a pee crisis.  I cleaned up the bag so as to avoid any stench, gave Toots 1/2 a Benadryl {as recommended by the vet} and on we went.  {I thought I may have been able to avoid drugging her, but once she peed, she became completely stiff and refused to sit or lay down in her bag, so then it was necessary.}

On the way home, though, we were pee-free!  Can you spot here little nose rested on her blanket??

I plan to devote a whole post to my Kentucky trip.  But, for now: In short, I got the chance to chat and catch up with old friends {and their babies} ...

And, I got to spend some QT with my parents, sister, brother, brother-in-law and sister-in-law ... and the cutest little nieces and nephew around.  For some reason, I didn't get any pictures of my sister's kiddos, but here are a few of my brother's and SIL's little love, Grace ...

Happy 4th of July!

Turn your head for this one.  Blogger wouldn't upload it the right way!

{4}
Now that Tootsie and I have returned to the concrete jungle, I've been tackling some organizing projects around the apartment.  I hope to have some pictures soon!  Since my hubs has his head stuck in books, I figured this was the best time for me to get these kinds of chores out of the way.

{5}
When Derek takes breaks from studying, we hit the gym and try to enjoy the sun as much as possible, mostly by taking Tootsie on extensive walks!

Well, that pretty much wraps it up, for now.

I look forward to catching up with all you guys, too.  I hope you're still reading!! ;-)


Soooooo, here's to summer ... and better blogging!


Cheers!