Christmas Decorations!!

Okay, so normally Mondays are my "not my favorite" and "love me some" posts, but I feel the need to post about Christmas.

I finally finished decorating the way I wanted to. Last year we had only had our house for a little under 2 months so finding and buying things to decorate with wasn't the easiest. This year, I've put a good bit into it. So exciting..here's a look!

Yay, Christmas! 13 Days!!
Show me your Christmas decorations!

Signing off,
Ida jade

Introducing Me..#2

Introducing Me:
#2: Picture of you and the person you've been closest with the longest

This is really hard for me to choose. Besides family, I've been close to two of my friends for just about the same amount of time. I'm honestly not sure which I've known longer. So I'll do both, it's only fair.

Ber aka Amber

and just because I have this uploaded already, us when we were younger =)

If it weren't for our mom's we never would have met one another. Our mom's met at their workplace, Hilltop Lab Animals, and became pretty good friends. The first time they hung out outside of work my mom brought me along to meet Amber, 4 at the time. I'm pretty sure we hit it off right away. I'd like to say we've been friends since, but we've definitely had our ups and downs. Some how though we always wind up back together. We had some growing up to do, but now that all of it's in the past..we're closer than ever. I really hope she moves this way in the next year or so. Love you, girl! =)

Keishy aka Keisha

Ahaha '05 NYE

I'm not sure exactly when we became friends, but I know it was around the same age. My parents were friends with her neighbors and through them I met Keishy. We spent a lot of time together, one of our favorite memories was playing with our Lion King figures over the phone. Good times. As we grew up our classes weren't together and we saw each other less and less, but we always remained friends. Finally in 11th grade we had multiple classes together and reconnected all over again. I don't see her nearly enough, but she's always there and I know it goes vice versa. Love you, Keishy Babe!

# 2:  Something you feel strongly about.
I am completely against Affirmative Action. It's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard of. I could go on an on about and as a matter of fact I have; I once did this as a college assignment. If it weren't for Josh I never would have realized how terrible it is, but it's absolutely ridiculous. Race has nothing to do with your job performance. The fact that there are "percentages" that companies must abide by is asinine.

You know who should get the job?! The best man for the job, no matter their race or sex.

I know there are still backward thinking people, but I honestly think our society can figure this out on their own...it's the best man for the job, not who their parents were and what genes they wound up with.

As Peter Griffin would say, "It really grinds my gears!" Haha!

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Introducing Me..# 1

Introducing Me:
#1: Picture of yourself and 15 facts

1. I've been lost and locked in the Radio City Music Hall in NYC for around 15 minutes, after attending a Rockette Experience (class, tour, and mock audition).

2. I'm writing a book.
3. I used to be an extremely picky eater. I've gotten a lot better, but what bugs me most isn't taste it's the consistency of some foods. For instance..I have yet to find a dressing I like. The consistency is gross to me. Weird, I know.
4. Through Dance and Gymnastics I've met Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, Shannon Miller (Olympic Gymnast), and Dominque Moceanu (Youngest USA Gymnast..winning at the age of 13..my idol and the reason I started in gymnastics and later transitioned into dance)
5. I love tequila. Jose Cuervo is my favorite and I actually hate Patron. To me, tequila is meant to have salty "bite" and I feel Patron is just too smooth.
6. I don't think I could go one day without using sarcasm or sexual innuendos.
7. I've found my career in Real Estate.
8. I LOVE Pittsburgh and especially our sports. Steelers/Pens/Pirates<3
9. I was pulled over for the first time in October. Not bad for being 22. It was for making an illegal left turn into the casino. (FAIL)
10. I've been up and down the east coast and to Quebec, but I have yet to go west of the western end of Tennessee. This is going to need to change quickly.
11. I really disliked highschool. I always hear people say how they miss it..and really I don't and I know I never will.
12. I despise being called young or looked at differently for my age. I've done alot in 22 years, more than most do in their life. I am young, but do not judge me because you think I have "no experience".
13. With that being said, I'm a kid at heart. I work extremely hard, but I am so easily entertained. I still enjoy watching the Disney Channel and Josh makes fun of me for it, but it's simple, clean humor. I like that, makes me relax and not have to think about the list of things I need to do (which is pretty much always a mile long).
14. I have my career as a Realtor and I have 2 jobs in addition. I work at the Casino as a Chip Runner and I bartend as of last week. I'm pretty much a workaholic.
15. I've worn hoops every day since 7th grade (okay, so somedays I don't leave the house and they don't get put on..but just about every day). I even wore hoops the day of my wedding.

# 1: 5 Ways to win my heart.

Thoughtfulness

Dancing.
Take me Dancing. =)

Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Auntie Anne's.
Especially their Lemonade.

Hugs.

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Introducing Me..in 30 Posts

I saw this on my fellow blogger/friend's site, Row Merrily, looks like fun and a way for me to get back on to blogging daily. Here we go..

Photo Challenge:

#1: Picture of yourself and 15 facts
#2: Picture of you and the person you've been closest with the longest
#3: Cast of your favorite show
#4: Picture of your night
#5: Favorite memory
#6: Someone you'd trade places with for a day
#7: Your most treasured item
#8: Picture that makes you laugh
#9: Person who has gotten you through the most
#10: Person you do the most screwed up things with
#11: Something you hate
#12: Something you love
#13: Your favorite artist
#14: Someone you couldn't imagine your life without
#15: Something you want to do before you die
#16: Someone who inspires you
#17: Someone that has made a huge impact in your life
#18: Your biggest insecurity
#19: Somewhere you'd love to travel
#20: Something you wish you could forget
#21: Something you wish you were better at
#22: Your favorite book
#23: Something you wish you could change
#24: Picture of your day
#25: Something that means a lot to you
#26: You and a family member
#27: Picture of you when you were little
#28: Something you're afraid of
#29: Picture that makes you smile
#30: Someone you miss

Pinterest 30 Post Challenge:

1. Five ways to win your heart
2. Something you feel strongly about.
3. A book you love.
4. Bullet your whole day
5. Things you want to say to an ex.
6. Your views on mainstream music.
7. Five pet peeves.
8. What you ate today.
9. How important you think education is.
10. Put your ipod on shuffle and write down the first ten songs that play.
11. Your family
12. Five guys you find attractive.
13. Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it.
14. What you wore today.
15. Your zodiac and if you think it fits your personality.
16. Something you always think "what if" about.
17. Something that you're proud of.
18. A problem that you've had.
19. Five items you lust after.
20. Your fears.
21. How you hope your future will be like.
22. Your academics.
23. Something that you miss.
24. Five words/phrases that make you laugh.
25. Something you're currently worrying about.
26. Things you like and don't like about yourself.
27. A quote you try to live by.
28. Somewhere you'd like to move or visit.
29. Five wierd things that you like.
30. One thing you're excited for.

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Page Update

So last night when I couldn't sleep I decided to work on my page. I've been wanting to add the main "stars" of my blog to my page. So I did!

If you look to the right of the page you'll see brief descriptions to my leading stars. My husband, my puppy, my sister, my mom, my dad, my mother in law, my father in law, and my soon to be brother.

Check it out and if you get confused at any point, just note the right side. I may add more at another date. =)

Signing off,
Ida Jade

Tried It Out: Holiday Wreath

Okay, the slacker in my is getting back on board.

Holiday Wreath
Okay, so this one didn't come from Pinterst or any other site for that matter. Josh and I were getting in the Christmas spirit and all of the wreaths we camea across were just too expensive. So we decided to head to Michaels and purchase our own supplies and make it ourselves. It turned out great, in my own opinion. Let me know what you think!

Plain wreath purchased at Michaels.

 

Glitter Purchased at Michaels and Left over spray glue from wedding crafts (love this stuff)

Josh and I took turns spraying the glue and sprinkling the glitter.
It held up pretty well, but we still had to shake off the excess.

A better representation of what it looks like. Snow. =)

We picked up a one "bunch"  of poinsettas and decontructed them. If you pull on the flowers "head" it will "pop" off. We took pipe cleaners and use them to secure the flower the wreath. Easy and subtle.

We then used our judgement and added the flowers and some pincones
we picked up for a different project (blog to come later)

The finished product.

I think it took  maybe 10 minutes total to complete this. Simple, easy, and so pretty!

Signing off,
Ida jade

Here's the Latest & Greatest

The latest and greatest is...I failed, miserably the past week and a half at keeping this up to date.

*shame, shame*

So here are my thoughts, I can keep this blog alive, I know I can, but I have to cut back my "dailies" a bit. So here is, where I'm going with this:

Sunday - Weekly Goals/NFL Picks      ..I just can't keep up with it, It literally changed every day, if not every hour!
Monday - Rant (Not My Favorite) & Rave (Love Me Some)
Tuesday - NFL/NHL Update (seasonally of course)     ...I think to save some time, I'll keep this to just NFLWednesday - House to Home        ..this should be doable - but I'm going to leave it "optional"
Thursday - Tried It Out - Before/After
Friday - Pic of the Week and Rachael's Hubby Rocks every other Friday.

Okay, so I didn't really "cut" that much  out, but I'm sure this will help.

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Thanksgiving Weekend update?

We headed up to PA and had a great time as usual and it was not as nearly as stressful as it had been in pervious visits. We were able to actually, just relax, a bit.

Friday we left decently early after Josh got off work. On our way we stopped and picked up the free turkey I had earned at Martins with my expertise (haha) in couponing. I was able to get a nearly 15 lb. turkey for free. We will be freezing and saving it for our New Year's Party (can't wait!)

When we got there, we just hung out with his parents, which was really nice. After awhile, we headed to my grandparents house and visited with them and my dad for a few hours. I wish we could have stayed longer!

When we got back to his parents house, Aleece (my sister-in-law/best friend), asked us if we wanted to go out with her fiance, Ryan, and her. So we met up with Gary (their cousin) and Devon (his girlfriend) at Buffalo Wild Wings. I don't know where I found the room to eat, but I did. We hung out for a good while, it was really a great time. I wish we could see them all more.

Molly, zonked out =)

Riley, "laughing" =)

My Grandma and I =)

My dad and I =)

Buffalo Wild Wings with Everyone

Hahah, love them!

Saturday, we lounged around all day. That was it,.. slept, watched movies, and slept some more. We did eventually get up and head over to my granny's where we had our "Thanksgiving". Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Gravy, Turkey, Ham, Buns....yummmm! =)

Afterwards, Josh and I headed to the mall and did some Christmas shopping. We actually bought something this time around! This is an amazing feat, because our typical routine is to go "shopping" about 5 or 6 times until it's a week before Christmas and we are both thinking "Oh S*#@!". Haha! I'm proud, we have a fairly good idea what we're doing and will be doing the rest of our shopping online. It's just SO much cheaper anymore.
Sunday, we all slept in and then Aleece, Ryan, Josh and I all headed to Pittsburgh. Oh man, did we have a good time. When we got there we went to the incline (which I've been wanting to do for quite a long time). It takes you up to Mt. Washington and it has the most beautiful view of the city. It was raining just a bit, so we pretty much had the sites to ourself. We did meet someone oringally from the area who lives in WV now, amazes me how small this world actually is.

Heading to the Incline

View from Mt. Washington

I just LOVE this city<3

After we got back down, we headed to Bar Louie in Station Square for a few drinks and a delicious appetizer. There were "loaded" fries, with bacon, queso, and scallions. I was in heaven, it was SO good!!

We then headed over to the Melting Pot, where we had made reservations earlier, and we had a even better meal. I absolutely LOVE that place! Josh and I ate there the day after the wedding and I've been dying to go back! Between the 4 of us we had two fondue cheeses (Spinach Artichoke ?? & Boston Lager Cheddar), two cooking oils to make our pork, beef, steak, buffalo chicken, and lobster tail (YUMM!), and two chocolate fondues (Cookies 'n' Cream & Chocolate Turtle?..I think). We were stuffed! Side note..if you haven't tried granny smith apples in cheese fondue..please do. It's aaamazing!
Such a great meal with some really great people. =)

Aleece's Love Martini and my Bourban Berry Bramble..YUM!

Afterwards, we went back to Bar Louie for a bit to watch the Steeeler game (GO STEELERS!!) and then headed home during the half time. Thank goodness, Aleece drove us home, because I past out a few minutes in to the drive home.

Watching the game, intently =)

It was such a nice weekend and we were able to see a lot of people without being too stressed out. A success in my book.

Signing off,
Ida Jade