Back in full force!

Sometimes you have to sit back and face harsh realities. In my case, this week I had to realize that I failed with a capital F at making posts! Let me just tell ya, I cannot even remember the last time that I was this tired/busy/exhausted.  I am not old by any means (twenty three and loving life!), however I find myself not even being able to remember what I did a week ago! PLEASE tell me other twenty-something gals have this same issue…otherwise I’m feeling pretty lame right now.  As always, let’s start with a little recap (of what I do remember from last week), shall we?

Last week was a pretty hectic one. Let me start off with my poor attempt at an explanation. I started working the 6am-3pm shift at work, so all last week (and still this week…) I have been trying to adjust my eating, sleeping, and breathing schedules! I am still not quite used to the change. Let’s just say that coffee and I will be hand in hand for quite a while. Seriously, y’all, I feel as if I’m running off of coffee and fumes.

On Wednesday of last week, we had the bridal shower! Ladies, when you think of your picture perfect bridal shower, you are picturing the shower my mom’s wonderful friends threw for me. My wedding is going to be a fall wedding, so I am incorporating a lot of burlap, lace, mason jars, twigs, etc. into my wedding theme, so the wonderful hostesses of the bridal shower did the same! They incorporated all of my favorite things into the shower, I was absolutely thrilled! We had some delicious bellini’s while we mingled, and then we snacked on delicious fruit and vegetables, absolutely ah-ma-zing Indonesian pork tenderloin (If you’re lucky, I might post the recipe …It’s pretty much heaven in pork form), and cupcakes! We opened gifts, took pictures, and just enjoyed the company of everyone around us. I cannot even express how blessed Charles and I have already been by our friends.

Me, my mom, and my sister at the shower!

The wonderful hostesses!!

Y'all know I couldn't resist my Arkansas Razorback loofah!

Enjoying the shower!<3

 

The next few days were spent celebrating the birthday of Charles’ brother Chris! We headed to the lake Friday after my 3pm meeting. Two of our friends went with us, as well as a few of Chris’ friends. We got down to the lake, and of course we got on the water immediately! There is nothing like a sunset boat ride and a nice drink after a long week at work. Nothing compares! Saturday, we all got up and on the water at an early hour, and stayed on the water until sunset. It was a much needed day of fun in the sun! After that, we all cooked dinner and stayed up chatting for a bit, then we all felt the exhaustion set in and called it a night early. We got back in town Sunday at around 2pm, and Charles and I made our typical Sunday-after-the-lake first stop: Pho Hoang! They have the most DELICIOUS Vietnamese fried rice ever. It’s the perfect lunch for coming home from a trip.

Sunset rides! xoxo

I’m not sure about your state, but mine participates in the tax free weekend shopping event. Stores get to participate in making things tax free, and it’s the perfect time to get out and get some back to school clothes shopping, supply shopping, etc. done while you don’t have to pay sales tax! For me, it was just an excuse to shop. I ventured out to the mall Sunday afternoon, and BOY was it a mad house. I did manage to get my Make Up Forever HD foundation from Sephora TAX FREE, which is a score, as well as a few new shirts and ties for Charles to wear to his bachelor party this coming weekend! I truly HAD to get my Make Up Forever HD foundation, because as much as I love my CC creams, and believe me, I do, I need something more full coverage for photos, and to cover up a few “stress blemishes” I seem to be getting more of as the wedding gets closer. While I was at the mall, I passed Things Remembered, and I saw a sign that said that if you were a bride to be (like me!) then you got a free keychain in the shape of a heart and you got it engraved with your new name on it! I got mine engraved to say my name and my wedding date. It is adorable; I just love being a bride to be! I then sat around writing thank you notes for the shower gifts, and sipped on a glass of wine while Charles watched the Cowboys game (can I get a HOORAY FOR FOOTBALL SEASON?!)

Monday was a LONG day. After work, I went to my mom’s house to work on addressing the wedding invitations, and about half way through, I got a phone call from Charles (who was studying for his final at the school library) saying that I needed to pick him up because he was really sick. I rushed there to pick him up, and we had to get him to the ER immediately. We were there for several hours. We finally got to take him home (the patient is doing okay, thank the Lord) and I had to get us something to eat (we were absolutely starving) and get to bed because it was extraordinarily late. I had to wake up at 5am for work yesterday, and I was absolutely dragging all day because of no sleep the night before. Upon reflection, I have NO idea how I made it through without falling asleep at least once!!

Tonight, we have another shower courtesy of the wonderful people at Charles’ mom’s work! I am thrilled. PLUS, it’s HAIR DAY, and ladies, we all know how exciting hair days are! It’s going to be another long day here in the daily life of Michele, but it’s worth it! We have a lot of exciting things coming up before the wedding (which, by the way, y’all is only 45 days away!!)

I’m feeling generous and thought I might go ahead and give you the recipe for the Indonesian Pork Tenderloin, and trust me; I know you’ll be thankful:

1lb. pork tenderloin
2T soy sauce
2T peanut butter
1t. dried crushed red pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c pineapple preserves (Ok, so I couldn’t find any! I substituted ¼ cup of orange marmalade, and it turned out wonderful!)

Mix Soy sauce, peanut butter, pepper, and garlic together and spread over pork. (Typically I would recommend wrapping this up and letting it sit in the fridge and marinade for a few hours, but if you’re short on time, skip this step!)
Roast at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and coat with preserves (or marmalade). Bake another 10 minutes. Enjoy!

If you try this recipe, PLEASE let me know how you liked it, because honestly, it’s divine. I’ll be back here in a few days to tell you all about our cocktail shower and our bachelor / bachelorette parties! I will also be sharing a few of the goodies I made up for the bachelor and bachelorette =)

 

I'm excited to blog with you soon! Until then,

 

Michele