It was a Sick Night..

My Seester's Bday was Friday and we made sure it was one heck of a birthday.

Seester and me, ready to go for the night =)

We started out at Applebee's for dinner with friends and family and had a nice turn out of around 30 people. A good time was had by all, but the real fun came afterward.

Delicious Margaritas that my buddy, Nate, and I had..yum!!

We a headed back to the house to finish getting ready and pick up a few people who couldn't make it to dinner. Then we headed out to catch our party bus. Josh and I booked her a 24 passenger limo bus for the evening. When the bus pulled up, you could just feel the excitement in the air. Or maybe that was the bitter cold single digit temperature...either way.

We all loaded up and dove into to making our drinks from the complimentary "bar" and started on demolishing what ended up being around 100/135 jello shots between 11 people. We talked, we danced, we sang, we had one heck of a good time.

Cooler full of jello shots

Josh and I dancing on the bus

One of my besties, Denise, and I 

Hahah, seester and I having a great time

We hit some traffic on our way up there, but that was quite alright, it was barely noticed. When we arrived we headed right for Club Diesel where I had got us a few things for free the day before. I emailed them to see if we could wave the cover charges and in turn they also gave us a Champagne toast for Aleece, among a few other things.

We started out steady and then came the shots, haha! A good time was had by all and Aleece experienced her first tequila shot with me (my persona favorite). There wasn't a time all night that she didn't have a drink in hand.

We moved around a few different times and I wish we could have been there longer, but alas the night had to end at some point.

And now to be honest..I don't remember much after boarding the bus. Whoops! Aleece and I both ended up getting sick, but I don't think I would have changed a thing. It was a night to remember and I hope she had as good of time as I did.

Now I just can't wait until she visits us down here and we can go into Baltimore or something together.

Love you, seester!!

Signing off,
Ida Jade

To: My Seester

Yes..You read correctly..she's my sEEster.

Today is her 21st Bday and oh boy will it be a great one. She's in for a night of her life, that's for sure. No one could deserve it more.

When Josh and I started dating back in 2006, I never thought of what else I would gain. On July 31, 2010 I married my best friend and my other best friend became my sister. How freaking lucky am I?!

Now for those of you who don't know, don't read normally, or haven't realized..I am an only child. I grew up wishing for a brother or sister and come to find god gave me one..just in a different way.

There is no "in-law" attached to my sister. No, it's far more than that. Truthfully, I believe if I had siblings, I would love her more. The way we connect is quite outstanding.

So with this short blog post I want to say..


Happy Birthday, Seester
..I love you and couldn't imagine my life without you.

I can only hope to be there as much as she was there for me. Especially come her wedding on 7.13.13. Love you seester!

Signing off,
Ida Jade

2012 Resolutions

Resolutions?

Those things that  most fail to follow through with past the end of January?

Yeah, those.

What are mine?

I have few...

0.1. The most common and overused resolution, of course. Weight loss. Okay, so more importantly tone and strengthen. If all goes well I would like to lose around 15 lbs. Since I'm weighing in around 165 now, I don't think this should be too difficult if I am able to keep with my promises to myself
         
          - Today, I joined our local Golds Gym for just $19.99 a month.
            They are are very accommodating, most days they are open
            24 hours. I'm excited to begin and even have 3 free sessions
            with a trainer.
          - Josh, who already goes to the gym, will be joining me on
            occasion and we will be helping one another to eat better and
            exercise regularly
          - In joining this gym, I join 2 others in the area, which allows
            me to go to whichever need be. This now allows me to go to
            the gym with a few of my friends, which it always helps to
            have a workout buddy.
          - I will also be joining in with my friend, Rachael, and her
            linky party of Waist Watcher Wednesdays.

0.2. To manage our finances, save, and pay off a chunk of our debt.

          - I am working to find a money management system that
            will work for us, currently I use a simple excel sheet to
            track bills, but I'd like to dig deeper than that and set for
            us a budget to abide by.
          - Josh and I have many things we would like to before we
            even think about having kids.Traveling amongst other
            things. The big trip we hope to make will be for an
            extended vacation in France. Notice, I did not say Paris.
            I've studied french and hope to again before we are able to
            go, and I am aware of what all France has to offer. And,
            while I'd I want to see such things as the Eiffel Tower,
            there is much more to be seen.

0.3. To take care of my self, this includes not stressing and treating myself to life's simplicities; such as tanning and getting my hair done on a decently regular basis.

          - While at Golds today, I also joined for unlimited tanning.
            Say what you will for those who are against it, but it
            relaxes me and a even, beautiful tan. My skin is clearer
            and I feel better about myself. I will not tan everyday,
            most likely not even more than 3 days a week.
          - I also started today by getting my hair highlighted and
            cut. It was simple pleasure. I often forget how great it
            feels to have my hair done.

0.4. To have a successful and prosperous year in Real Estate. June, will mark me a full year doing what I love and I hope to make it a profitable and fulfilling year.

          - I am making multiple steps to do so. Of which, I care not
            to bore anyone with, but if successful..I will post of my
            journeys.

0.5. I just thought of one more. I wish to right everyone who means something to me in my life at least a one page letter each this year, and send it by snail mail. I think it would be a wonderous thing to do and something an art that has been lost.

I believe that is all, for now. What are your resolutions?

Signing off,
Ida Jade

2011 in Review

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I whole heartily mean this, I'm in hope that every one's year is prosperous and filled with an abundance of great memories with your loved ones.

I guess the ultimate question then becomes what are my new years resolutions?

I have a few, but first let me give you 2011 in review. It was a glorious year and it's not to be forgotten with the arrival of 2012.

January
Last January was slightly uneventful, but we did celebrate one of our best friends, Garret's,  birthday in Harrisburg, PA. It was a night to be remembered, I'll share a few photos.

Happy Birthday, Garrett! Haha!

One last shot, to end the night.

February
February was uneventful as well. We had a few visitors and had a small get together to watch the Superbowl. Our beloved Steelers faced the Green Bay Packers. I have the utmost respect for the Packers and was happy with their win, it would have been wonderful to see the Steelers win another, but there's always another year.

Mom, Ber, and I at Harpers Ferry

March
Another slow month, until the end. On March 27 we adopted Miss Ellie Mae. We had been looking for puppy/dog for a few months and when we found her we were in high hopes of bringing her home And we did, she was curious and playful, but also cuddly. She warms our hearts and is our little girl. She frustrates me on a daily basis, but I love her none the less.

The day we got her.

April
We had been planning a trip to Cancun for most the year and it ended up falling through. With the days requested off we began to search for our vacation destination. We waited until almost the last minute when we saw the best deal possible. We wound up in Daytona and were able to meet up with a high school friend to stay in Orlanda for a night. We went to Universal Studios and spent a lot of time on the beach. It was a relaxing and beautiful vacation. We hope to return many, many times again.

Hogwarts!

May
After about a month and half of studies the beginning of May came with my WV Real Estate exam in Charleston. I took the test on May 7 and a short week or so later I received an email from my mentor and good friend in Real Estate, Adam Shively, that I had made the passing list. An accomplishment I do not take lightly. I then joined Keller Williams at the end of the month.

June
June brings about Josh and I's birthdays, neither of which were very eventful this year. When receiving my license I was balancing beginning my career with a FT job at an optometry office. Without further discussion, it was months of unhappiness before I made the decision to not return to that office and I jumped full time into real estate. In doing so it was only a short few days after that I wrote my first contract. It was a glorious feeling and not one to be forgotten.

JulyAn eventful month, filled with visits from some dear friends. All in the matter of a few weeks I was blessed with visits from Denise & Alyssa, Ber, and Alexis. All the while I interviewed and was hired with the local casino for a simple part time job. And of course at the end of the month we celebrated our First Wedding Anniversary in Baltimore.

At the Power Plant in Baltimore celebrating our Anniversary

 

August

August was a mile marker in my life not to be forgotten. I closed on my first home and received my first commission check as a Realtor. That same month my dear sister in law, Aleece, was proposed to and I was asked to be her Matron of Honor in her wedding on 7.13.13. It was an overly blessed month, that's for sure.

September

I celebrated my first closing with a rather large house party, which included my in laws surprising us with their attendance. It was a great night amongst many great friends. September 10, was Josh's godson's birthday, little man Doltyn turned 1. So hard to believe! At the end of the month I made a trip to NYC for an extended weekend and visited a great friend of mine on the Upper East Side, thanks so much Megan..can't wait to come back!

Megan and I

On the Brooklyn Bridge

October

October we celebrated Aleece and Ryan's engagement party and took in part of a visit from Ber and her boyfriend, Brian. Towards the end of the month inspiration struck and I began this very blog, as well as a book I intend to finish someday. With October comes Halloween and I was able to celebrate in many ways this year. A night with some old friends, another with my favorites, and one spent working at the casino in costume. A great month without doubt.

1 of the engagement photos I took for them

..and another

Little man Doltyn and Josh =)

Josh, Aleece, and Garrett

 

Brian, Ber, Me, and Josh

November
November, an another slightly uneventful month, but Ber did visit us once again. We made our way into DC for an interview for her, and though it did not work out, I know that soon something will and she'll be living down here with us as well. Later in the month after Thanksgiving we spent some much needed time with family and friends.

In front of the White House

Jonah, Me, Ber, and Brian

Josh and I with Devon, Gary, Aleece, and Ryan at Buffalo Wild Wings

Aleece and Ryan in Pittsburgh

Ryan, Aleece, Josh, and I afetr riding the incline to the top of  Mt. Washington

December
Ahh, the holiday season. Stressful, yet wonderful. We were not able to spend Christmas Day amoungst blood family, but we did spend it amoung amazing friends. I was able to join Josh at the fire station for a delicious dinner. We then spent the next 2 1/2 days visiting family and friends. Then back quickly for the both of us to head back to work. All the while we prepared for this past Saturday, New Year's Eve. It was our "2nd Annual" and a great one at that. Couldn't imagine bringing in the New Year without them.

Little Man, Doltyn and Miss Ellie Mae

We certainly have a full spread

Denise and I

Jello Shots..AND whipped cream (oi!)

Champagne for Midnight!

So there you have it. Farewell 2011, you treated me well. I look forward to 2012 and hope that it in some way can live up to and maybe even surpass 2011. Here we go.... =)

This post has taken far longer than expected, so tomorrow I shall post my resolutions.

Signing off,
Ida Jade