Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Quote

At the end of the day you can focus on what's tearing you apart or what's holding you together.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Photo Card

Holly Dotty Monogram Holiday
Shop hundreds of holiday photo cards at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Crazy October!

Things have been crazy around here. I've been working alot and the little free time I have has been spending time with hubby, friends and family.
Like I've stated before I'm not the best of balancing my time, I never have been. It's one thing I've been working on for a while now, it's defiantly a process.
October is a busy month for us here at the Hajrizi house:

The 5th was my mom's birthday. So there was a dinner the night of and then the family lunch on Sunday after church.

We are having a CutAThon at work on the 16th, I'm all for supporting BCR, after all my mom is a survivor, but it's on a Sunday which is my family day and I already have plans that day.

Also my friend AW is having a house warming party at her new place on the 15th.

And our church is having a guest speaker about missions on the 14th-16th and I really want to be there but I don't think I can because of work.

I also have two friends who want their hair done soon, which is stressing me out trying to fit that in.

It also has been a really slow month so far at work, and I'm not bringing in as much money as I usually do, it seems like I've been standing around doing nothing, it drives me crazy cause I keep thinking of all the stuff I could be doing instead.

I also have a Girls Night planned with my two bff's, Jess and Hil on the 28th.

I have my two clients that I see at home coming this month, which is really stressing me out cause our apartment is a mess because...
We are also in the middle of moving!
We'll be out of our apartment by the end of the month but we are trying to slowly move stuff into my sisters and my parents house. We will be moving into my parents house for about 6 months to save up the rest of the money we need and start looking for a house! YAY :-) I'm super excited to start taking the steps to have are own place!

We were also planning on revisiting the idea of starting a family after our one year but with the move back to the parents, that will be put on hold til we get our house. I love my parents but how awkward to be pregnant while living in their house!


We'll that's just the main events, I feel think I'm forgetting alot, but I'm hoping there will be alot of positive changes this month with the move and what it means for our future and hopefully a new job for one of us if not both (more to come on that).

Haha, I did forget the most important thing, L would kill me, the 23rd is our One Year Anniversary, and so far nothing is planned! Geesh :-)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

10 Days

That's how long it has been since my last post... 10 Days... sorry, it's isn't for the lack of motivation or time, I have both of those. It's for the lack of substence. I can't seem to shake this Negative Nancy feeling and I don't want it to creep into my bloggy world. I have plenty of stories typed up but they never made it to publishing because I don't want to be that whining biotch that everyone talks about but no one wants to read. So to protect my readers (all 4 of you and who ever else drops by but doesn't join) I have stayed away from posting. I'm hoping I can shake this soon and get back to my usual weekly fun postings! I really do miss it and all of you.

Now if you want to read something worthwhile from a person who can always see the positive in things and make you LOL, go check out Brynn from Wicked Sweet Tea. Exciting news: Her and future hubby finally picked a wedding date. So looking forward to what I can only imagine as hilarious wedding planning stories!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Serenity

There has been a lot of drama and bs going on at work and I have grown tired of it so I'm searching for a new job but in the mean time I had a friend mention this prayer so I've been trying to remind myself of it daily. It's always been one of my favorites but sometime I get so caught up that I forget how I should handle things.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Semi Wordless Wednesday



Doing things a little different this week by posting videos instead of pictures. I had a rough weekend and as usual when I'm feeling down I go in search of a song(s) that puts into words how I feel or make me feel better. So this is what I came up with on Sunday.
Help Me Hold On by Travis Tritt


How Far by Martina McBride

Friday, August 26, 2011

Quotes that describe me!


 

Me!
Oh how I think of work evey time I read this!

.
I think everyone I meet in life can fit in these three catagories!



haha, I SO do this


midnight snacks :)



Awkward Moment
Do this all the time :-)


HA HA HA! Yes. Totally.
True!
 

This is so me and my girls!

Me and my friends


Lol- Love
This is so me and I'm ok with that!
 
clearly
L says I do this all the time, but I can't help it


@Carrie Thompson this is for you!

Can find these  here plus more!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

What's For Dinner Tuesday

What's For Dinner Tonight 8-23-11

Tonight was spent with my sisters and mom at a local restaurant so I posting last nights dinner.

I was on my way home from a friends Saturday at 9:30 and still hadn't eaten dinner, I wasn't in the mood for my typical fast food so I decided to run into Kroger to pick some stuff up. L had gotten some veggies a couple days before and I wanted to make something with them but I needed to get some protein. I was originally going to get some tofu and make stir fry but then I saw buffalo chicken bites in the deli and thought that sounded better. The recipe I ended up with was delicious and I just had to make it for L last night.

Buffalo Chicken Stir Fry

1 Zucchini
1 Yellow squash
4oz Mushrooms
1/2 lbs Chicken
1 tbsp Goat cheese
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp of Buffalo sauce
Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper


Like I stated above I bought the buffalo chicken but you could just as easily buy chicken and saute with buffalo sauce. Heat oil in 9 inch saute pan. Saute mushroom, squash and zucchini until tender. Season to your desire spiciness. Add chicken and goat cheese, also at this time you can add more buffalo sauce if you wish (I've found that the sauce on the chicken will cook off a little) . Allow cheese to melt and serve. I like to sprinkle with parmesan.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Inspirational Thursdays

Completely set my alarm this morning to go off at 9 but when I woke up I couldn't remember why. I think I have officially lost it, needless to say I missed by bible study again so I'm taking inspiration from a few quotes I've pinned this week.



Truth!

Great reminder for me!

Bad days

yup!

Rain!

THAT'S RIGHT

I sure hope so.

Let Go....

I hope this is true.

My mantra for life.  I think I might have to change my blog tagline to this.
enough

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Homecoming!

I've been absent the past week, still trying to get use to managing my time better (I've had this problem since Kindergarten) but I had to post tonight real quick with some exciting news...

After 7 months my cousin is back home from his second deployment!
Arrived safe and sound this morning at home in NC.
Very excited for my cousin, their little girl and the rest of the family along with all the other Marine families that got their loved ones back today. 
They will be spending a couple weeks at home then headed down here to GA so the rest of the family can celebrate his homecoming in person.


Seeing each other for the first time.


I try to thank God everyday for the brave men and women who fight for this country and especially for the ones so close to home. Now only about 3 more months til one of my besties Whit's hubby comes home :-) 


Keep this family and everyone else who is still over seas in your prayers.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesdays

Happy Wednesday Y'all!



I'm Loving... being back at work!
(For the most part)

I'm Loving... that my two direct managers are on vacation this week!

I'm Loving... that I finally waxed my eyebrows!
(may seem trivial but those things were out of control, lol)

I'm Loving... my new hair do!

 
I'm Loving... that hubby made dinner last night!
(hence the no What's for Dinner Tuesday)

I'm Loving... the wonderful tips I got today!
(Oh yeah that was sarcasm, trying to stay positive)


I'm Loving... that I get to hang out with some of my favorite people this weekend
 and maybe even go to the lake!

I'm Loving... that I'm becoming more open on my blog!

I'm Loving... that L loves me enough to bring me a GIANT sweet tea at work today, driving 20 mins out of his way when all he wanted to do was take a nap!
(and he was sweet enough to bring my manager one too)

 

And as always... I'm Loving...my thoughtful Hubby!

Not the best one but I just finally uploaded these from our Fla. trip back in March.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Friends

Dear World,

As I sit at home alone on my day off watching the news with foils in my hair I realize one thing... I need more friends. Ones who will actually be around when I need them. Ones who drop what they are doing when I call. Ones who will follow through with their word. Ones who make me laugh unstead of stressed out. Ones who will listen to me complain all day and never judge me or feel sorry for me. Ones who give good advice but won't get mad if I don't take it. Ones who can understand my sarcasm. Just to name a few.

I know this may seem like alot but I'm just asking for someone to be there/ to talk to. I'm pretty sure laying all my problems on the all ready over stressed hubby is not good, plus I need someone to talk to about him!

Sincerely,
Lonely and bored Rachel

Monday, August 8, 2011

MIA

Life has taken over this week.
 Between my first week back at work and technology failing me I haven't done that much writing this week!
 (I tried to post a few short post this week via text but they never posted)

This week has proven that I need to go back to planning my day out, I can't just play it my ear anymore.

Monday: first day back was great and I got to spend it with my favorite AW!
Tuesday: supposed to be my day off but I had to go to a color class in downtown, again spent the day with AW. Got home and slept from 4-9, missed my meeting and didn't make dinner for Tuesday's post.
Wednesday: worked a mid-shift and went to bed early. Had some back lash text messages after Wednesday's post. But don't want to talk about that anymore.
Thursday: over slept and didn't go to bible study, closed at work
Friday: worked the Grand Opening of the Marietta Ulta, sat in Friday rush hr traffic on the way home, L went out for the night and I stayed home cause I was exhausted, drank some wine, ate some frozen yogurt, and caught up on my shows.
Saturday: slowest and worst day at work. L went to Helen with some friends and bought me back my favorite wine, White Muscadine! Got home at 9, drank a glass bottle of wine, watched "Just Go With It" (supper cute and funny). Got a foot rub since my puppies were killing me after a week back on my feet.
Sunday: Slept in, hung out just Hubby and I all day. Fabulous dinner of steak, mushrooms, and mash potatoes that L made!

It was a great but busy week, I look forward to this next week and getting back into the swing of things again.

Hope Y'all had a great week/weekend also!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

DRAMAAAA!

They drain every ounce of energy out of my body, I feel more exhausted after a hour with them than 48 hours of no sleep. You know the type, the ones who feed off of drama. They live for it, they like to cause it, they like to stick their nose in others people's and they love stirring the pot!

I've had my fair share this past weekend and I'm over it, over them! I've never been afraid of writing people out of my life for a good reason and I won;t be thinking twice this time. I'm 25 years old, I don't need these types of "friends" in my life. I have enough going on right now I don't need their added stress and drama. A professor of mine told me this once and I've always remembered it: "People are either wind in your sails our anchors on your tail"

This whole drama was something that was building between my husband and BIL, it's along story but the gist of it is: BIL was mad at hubby for something that happened 2 weeks ago outside of work, so he tried to get hubby in trouble at work on Thursday which almost cost hubby a week off work without pay. And then M blew up on me Sunday cause I said something to my parents about it (only because my mom wanted L to do something for her this week and I said he might be wide open and they wanted details).   I'm not claiming to know the whole story but messing with someones income is just messed up! And  9 out of 10 times I'm going to take my husbands back, even if he's wrong! (which he wasn't in this case)

During the mist of the drama unfolding it is brought to light that L's boss that he trusted with his secret of joining the Navy told my sister and BIL (the three of them work together). We have been very careful of the people we have told this news to 1) because we still aren't sure about all the details and 2) because it's still in the beginning stages we only want positive people who will encourage this decision to know.

So that's where we are now, neither one of us talking to each other and as sad as that is I'm okay with it for now. Hopefully things get worked out and we can all tolerate to be in the same room as each other and maybe even go back to hanging out since we do have alot of the same friends but for now family functions/ church might be a little awkward.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Weekend Whereabouts!

Friday:
Shopping with K, new dress for $15, "last day of summer break" swim party at D's, hanging with my extended family, asleep by 10!

Saturday:
Up at 10, showered, dressed, packed and out the door by 11, in Athens by 12, doing updo's for 3.5 hrs.
I had about 2.5 hrs to waste and still needed to touch up my makeup and change clothes, so I meet up with M who was already at the venue with BIL/groomsman.
So we: sat in the car, did our makeup, I changed and fixed my hair. then we sat around the chapel and watched the bridal party take pictures and I was blowing up L's phone because he was running late and not answering. And then finally the wedding started.
It was a beautiful and amazing wedding. I don't know two people more meant for each other than Beau and Nikki. It was only the second wedding Hubby and I have gone to since our own so even though I was mad a L for being late it was still very surreal to sit there with my husband. And it was very nice not to have to get on the dance floor and pretend like I cared to catch the bouquet!
The reception was really nice as well. The food was delicious even if I did eat something that I thought was spinach artichoke dip but then turned out to be bacon blue cheese dip (barffff) and L went home early cause he wasn't feeling good.
 I didn't get home til after 12 and went straight to bed. It was a long and exhausting day but all in all it was wonderful.
The one picture I have of the happy couple taken back in Oct 2010

Sunday:
L still not feeling good, I went to church and lunch with K and my parents. Went back to parents to do K's hair, caught up with Mom, got back home at 4:30 and soon after drama unfolded (more on that later), dinner, L went to bed at 10 and I'm sitting here watching tv and blogging and getting excited about my first day back at work tomorrow.

This weekend was full of ups and downs. Filled with family, friends, and the joining of two lives forever and I'm so glad I was a part of it!

Hope Y'all had an equally great and blessed weekend!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

LOVE

Love is in the air... Headed home from Athens and my amazingly beautiful friends' wedding! Congrats Beau and Nikki! Love Y'all :-)

(details to come tmrw)

Friday, July 29, 2011

Inspirational Thursdays

New weekly series based on my Thursday morning bible study.

This weeks scripture- Ecclesiastes 2

10 "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
   I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
   and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
   and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
   nothing was gained under the sun. "

26 "To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. "

What I got from this:

It doesn't matter how much you acquire in your life, your still going to die the same as a poor man. It's how you live your life that counts. You can't take it with you.










I maybe a tiny portion of his story but I'm still a portion.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesdays

Happy Wednesday Everyone!



I'm Loving... What I'm Loving Wednesdays
Have I meationed this is probably one of my favorite post that I do, especially if I'm having a rough week.
 Even though it makes it hard to find things I love it also reminds me about the small things in life that truely make me happy!

I'm Loving... that I'm going into work tmrw to fill out the rest of my paper work so I can go back next week!

I'm Loving... that I got two of my sister addicted to Pinterest. haha now I'm not alone!

I'm Loving... my Bible study on Thursday mornings. It's really nice to finally find group of Godly women to spend some time with each week!

I'm Loving... that two of my good friends are getting married this weekend!
This is a reaccuring theme this week, that's how excited I am!

I'm Loving... that "George" is flying in tmrw from SD for the wedding.
Haven't seen him since March!

I'm Loving... that I'm over half way to my MK goal this month!

I'm Loving... that I get to see one of my favorite clients tmrw.

I'm Loving... my IPad that the hubby got me 2 weeks ago!
I'm really not that materialist but it really is awsome!

I'm Loving... that me and Hubby have spent alot of quality time together in the past week!
even though I hardly saw him this past weekend

And as always... I'm Loving... my wonderful Husband!

On our 5 year Anniversary, 2010


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What's For Dinner Tuesday

What's For Dinner Tonight 7-26-11


Well technically I picked up Sonic after my meeting but I made this last night and was going to eat leftovers tonight but didn't feel like it.

This is a recipe I make often because hubby loves it and it's full of veggies! I'm still trying to perfect this recipe and add a little more flavor (last night I realized I forgot to season the eggplant and add salt and pepper to the ricotta mixture). But that's why I love to cook is to try new techniques and figure out the secrets behind what makes a recipe work! My little secret to this recipe is using tomato paste instead of sauce.



Eggplant Parmesan

2 medium eggplants
3 oz tomato paste
2 large eggs
1 cup parmesan cheese
4oz Ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper
Italian seasoning




Pre-heat oven  to 350. Slice eggplant 1/4 of an inch thick, I use a mandolin. Mix ricotta, eggs, half of parmesan, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper in a separate bowl. I do not pre-cook my eggplant, that;s the reason I use tomato paste because of the water in the eggplant would make it too watery. the next steps are just layering each ingredient one after another in any order you choose, I usually go sauce, eggplant, ricotta, eggplant, sauce, mozzarella, eggplant, ricotta, etc... the last layer i usually do eggplant ricotta, sauce, and then the rest of the parmesan. Cover with lid or foil and bake for 1hr. This time I used my round corning ware opposed to my usual rectangular Pyrex so I should have cooked it longer, but it turned out well.



 Like I said before I'm always changing up recipes til I perfect it so feel free to add or change to your desires. I've added mushrooms and leftover rotisserie chicken before. Next time I will be peeling the eggplant and see if I like that better. I also just found this recipe and think I might try this sauce cause I always like a little spice!

Sorry forgot to take a picture before we dug in :-)


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Weekend Whereabouts!

A weekend full of my 4 favorite F's: Fun, Family, Food, and Friends!

L headed to Athens Friday afternoon for our friend's Bachelor party weekend, so I headed to sis M's house for a girls night, since BIL would be in Athens too.  M and J just moved in last weekend so they are still trying to get the house order and K, M, and I love to decorate so after dinner we spend 3 hours between Target and Walmart shopping.

Saturday we got up, did some decorating and headed to meet our parents for lunch. After lunch they all headed to the mall to do some more house shopping and I headed back to the house to do some baking. I had my units Cadillac Cookout at my Director's house later that night and was making a special cake for her.

M is not much of a cook like me (even though she has every small appliance you need thanks to wedding gifts) so trying to bake a cake at her house and not having all my gadgets was difficult to say the least. But I think it turned out ok.


Pink Cadillac


My first attempt at Cake Pops, they were a hit!

At 6 I headed to C's house for the cookout, L was meeting me there cause he came from the lake. We had a great night eating, playing volleyball and hanging out with great friends celebrating C and her amazing accomplishment of earning her first Pink Cadillac. (with our help of course)! I stayed an hour after the party helping clean up and chatting. We had so much fun I didn't get any picture but I know someone did so I'll post some later (I use to be so good a taking pictures, I need to get back in the habit)

Saturday also happened to be me and L's 6 year dating anniversary and 9 month wedding anniversary. So after I finally got home at 11 we laid on the couch to watch Little Fockers but the dvd kept skipping so we ended up watching Medea Goes to Jail, and headed to bed.

Sunday we got up and meet the family at church and then went to dinner at our normal Sunday lunch place, Smokin' Poboys! Usually we go to my parents and hang out after lunch but it was a busy weekend so L and I headed home for our old married couple day: nap, tv, dinner, more tv, L heading to bed early and I stay up watch more tv and blog! 

I'm still working on these weekend whereabouts post, cause sometimes they get a little boring and long!

We got another hectic week ahead of us but it all going to come to a great conclusion at our great couple friends' wedding!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Semi Wordless Wednesday





Photobucket


So I'm joining this new craze a little late but I have one thing to say...

Hey, my name is Rachel and I'm addicted to Pinterest!

In a little over a week I've added close to 200 pins :-)

Anyway here are some of the things I'm obsessed over!




Story of my life :-)
 



The perfect back/side door area!
 






So looking forward to Fall to wear my black polish :-)

 





These have "Girls Night" written all over them!

 







Thinking about this or something like it






I want a place like this in the N.GA mountains





I NEED to find this ring!
 
Source: tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest





Trying this with the Sistas this weekend!





This will definitely be in our future home!


Source: etsy.com via Rachel on Pinterest