Thankful v6

Lately I've been thankful… 

[+] for pillows, comfy clothes, bright markers and blank white boards to study with

 [+] for surprises, because who doesn't love those

[+] for pups who insist on laying as close as possible, who snore and who keep you company

[+] for success, in all meanings of the word

[+] for fresh manicures and bits of sparkle

 [+] for encouraging husbands who want nothing but the best for you

[+] for cuddles and whispers and time spent together

[+] for fireplaces and warm beds on snowy nights

[+] for facing fears, big and small

 [+] for vanilla candles, soft blankets and warm heating pads for late nights in the office

[+] for first dips into fresh frosting tubs and puppy-dog-eyes that want some too

Happy Friday friends!

Five on Friday v3

Today I'm linking up with Christina from Carolina Charm for "Five on Friday" 

Check out the link up below.

[one] I literally haven't taken a picture on my phone or big girl camera in over two weeks. Which I definitely do not like. Granted it might be because there's nothing fantastic going on around these parts lately but I still love looking back at silly moments of our day-to-day so I need to change this anti-photo streak!

[two] Even though January isn't quite over yet, February is shaping up to be a fantastic month. My birthday is in twelve short days which means a handful of celebrations with all the special people in my life. The day after that is the start of the Winter Olympics and I'm a huge sucker for Opening Ceremonies. And then at the end of the month we'll be headed on vacay for a week at the beach. Come on February! Bring me your awesomeness!

[three] Speaking of birthdays and our Mexico vacation, my mom got me a new swim suit from VS for the trip as a birthday present and I love it. It's been quite some time since I've gotten a good quality suit that wasn't just a random purchase from Target or Walmart and I'm loving the bright colors in this one. I might have to make a stop somewhere for some metallic sandals to go with before we hop on the plane.

[four] A few weeks (months? I'm losing track of time these days) I won an awesome giveaway hosted by Meg @ Life of Meg for an 8x10 photo canvas from Easy Canvas Prints. At first I didn't know what picture to use, wasn't sure if I wanted to wait until I got a better picture of J and I or something and basically, just wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it. So I mentioned it to J and he said "why don't you have it printed with a picture of Ollie?" What a fantastic idea, I thought, and I LOVE how it turned out. The canvas is great quality and I love this pic of our silly pup with his fur blowing in the wind and can't wait to get it hung somewhere special. 

[five] Tonight my mom and I are headed to a surprise 60th birthday party for a family friend we've basically known my entire life. Their family used to live across the street from us and I have tons of memories being around their family growing up, especially those NYE nights where our parents tricked us into thinking it was midnight at 10pm! I haven't seen them since our wedding and before that it was long time too so it'll be great to catch up while spending some time with my mom too. 

Happy Friday and happy weekend everyone!

Finish This v3

1. A typical day in my life… usually includes a full day on campus filling my brain to the max, sometimes accompanied by some lab time in the afternoons and always with hours of studying in the evenings. Also thrown in are occasional walks with the pup, catching up with J over dinner and hopefully showering before crashing in bed. All of this is typical for a weekday, weekends are just full of studying. Ahh the joys of being a first year medical student, right?

2. You'll never see me… without my iPhone, water bottle and some form of chap-stick. Otherwise I'll try anything once, go anywhere once, etc. I'd like to say I'm open to most things. 

3. It's really unattractive when a guy… picks fights, is controlling and/or thinks too highly of himself. 

4. If I could buy one thing right now, it would be… a new wardrobe which would hopefully include some new jeans, a handful of adult-style tops (I'm trying to get rid of all the shirts I still have from high school) and some new fashionable pieces to wear on the beach in Mexico next month. 

5. I have high expectations for… the coming year. I feel like things are finally rolling for me in every aspect of my life and can't wait to kick butt in 2014!

Previous posts here: 

Finish This v1

Finish This v2

Linking up with these ladies (Nicole @ Three 31, Lisa @ The Coastal Chicster, and Becky @ The Java Mama, Jen @ The Arizona Russums) for Finish This. 

Finish This v2

1. If I could make anything grown on trees, it would be… time, definitely. I realize that this is a pretty standard answer (between this and money) but with the stress and consuming nature of medical school there are often times I could use extra hours. Sometimes it's too long between dates with my husband, between times seeing friends, between catch-up coffee breaks with my mom. Oh and what I wouldn't give to be able to take a nap without feeling guilty about the hours it wastes that could should be used studying!

2. I can't stop smiling… if I have a cup of coffee in my hand, quality time with great friends, success on a test, and/or acting goofy with my husband.

3. I get back to nature by… walks with the pup at a nearby park, walls of windows to watch the sun come up (and then go back down) from school, summer BBQs and yard games. Ahh, I'm ready for summer now.

4. I dread washing… the dog. Ha. Okay so it's not actually the washing part thats difficult considering it usually consists of standing on the driveway with a bucket and the hose. Not to mention that he just stands there and lets you do whatever you need to. It's the post-wash that's a pain. Wet dog for hours, all the loose hair, etc etc. But he always smells so fresh I wonder why it takes me so long to do it again.

To see last weeks answers, visit Finish This v1

Linking up with these ladies (Nicole @ Three 31, Lisa @ The Coastal Chicster, and Becky @ The Java Mama, Jen @ The Arizona Russums) for Finish This. 

Numbers v2

THIRTY-NINE: days until our mexican vacation. bring on the beach!
EIGHT: the number of friends going on said-vacay and it should be such a blast.

TWENTY-TWO: days until i'm 25, yikes!
SEVEN: number of birthday celebrations i will have spent with j. my how the years are flying.

FIFTEEN: number of grams of protein in my new recipe for green drinks. spinach, blueberries, half banana, half scoop of banana casiene protein powder, silk soy milk, ice. yum.

EIGHTY: the number of ounces of water i've drank yesterday. trying to be better about water and reach half my body weight (at least) in ounces each day.

TEN: the number of days i've been back at school. winter break just wasn't long enough and the grind is already setting in.

TEN: bowls of peppermint ice-cream eaten in a very short time frame. i didn't get any during the holiday season so i guess i'm making up for that?

TWO: starbucks trips since christmas. and that's quite an accomplishment for this coffee-addict. but it's all due to my awesome new keurig from j.

THOUSANDS: how many things i'm excited for in 2014, it's going to be a great year!

Numbers, v1 here