Things I've learned

1.  Blog challenges apparently are NOT my thing.  Fail.

2.  When you just up and quit aforementioned blog challenges right in the middle with no warning, it causes you to get worrisome emails and phone calls.  Oops.  Fail again.

Sorry friends, no need to worry!  All is well in the EyeCanSee world, just a little burnt out right now and taking a much needed blogcation!  See you all soon!

A rose by any other name

Day19: Nicknames

Growing up I was Em or Emy.

When I was really in trouble and my mom meant business it was Emily Christine.

My dad calls me Scooter which my mom sometimes shortened to Scootch.
My brother calls me Foe.

In french class I was Collette.

To our dear family friends I'm Esther.

A highschool friend called me Shmem-ily or Schmem for awhile.  Don't ask.  I never really got it either.

When I went to college I became Ems.  Or Embosabi on rare occasion thanks to my friend Joe.

The hubs usually calls me Em, hun or babe.

To Jamie, I'm mama.  Sometimes.  If he's in the mood.

The kids I work with call me Doctor.  Nurse.  Dentist.  Lady with the alligator. Or Miss Emily.

And of course you all know me as Mrs. EyeCanSee which is a play on our German catastrophe of a last name.

Happy Monday!  (Is it Friday yet?)

He Said/SheSaid

She Said: Do you think this
lotion smells manish?

              He Said: Well I didn't want to

say anything, but I was waiting

 for you to sprout an adam's apple.....

She Said: All righty then. 
Guess I have my answer.

Missing you

Day 18: What I Miss

My mom.  Every minute of every day.

Being pregnant.  There's nothing more amazing then feeling your baby move.

Those new relationship butterflies.  When you're knee deep in the daily grind, sometimes it's hard to rekindle those.

Itty bitty squishy newborn who had nothing better to do then snuggle up on your shoulder.

Sleeping in on Sundays.  Heck, sleeping in ever.  But waking up early when you get to spend it with this guy isn't so bad!

Forget regret.....Or life is yours to miss

Day 17: Regrets

Regret isn't a word I use very often.  In fact I think it's kind of a dirty word.  I believe everything happens for a reason.  So don't dwell on what you wish would have happened, be happy for what did.  That said, there is one thing I think about from time to time.  Some days, I wish I would have studied abroad during college.  A few of my friends did and the experiences they had were amazing!

At the time, it didn't even cross my mind.  My parents had graciously granted me the "David Family Scholarship" that came with a four year expiration date.  I was dead set on finishing college in four years to avoid student loans.  Which meant my Freshman year was spent taking all the required classes to apply to the Dental Hygiene program and once accepted in the Spring, the next 3 years were a very regimented schedule.  Taking off just ONE quarter would have delayed my graduation by an entire year.  Something that back then I wasn't willing to sacrifice. 

I wish I could go back and tell 18 year old me that I had my whole life to live in the grown up world so stop trying to get there so fast!  That one year in the scheme of things was a mere drop in the bucket.  That you have amazing parents who would probably be willing to renegotiate the terms of your "scholarship."  Enjoy those carefree college days.  Live more in the now and worry less about the future.  Don't be so afraid, just get out there and do it!  No regrets. 

Then I think about how different my life could have been.  And I remember that I don't do regrets.  But it would have been pretty awesome!  I'm hoping 18 year old me would have picked London, cause 30 year old me would have in a heart beat!

Blogging. Legal internet stalking since 1997.

Day 16: Blog Crushes

This is a tough one for me.  I follow soooo many wonderful and amazing woman in the blogging community, but we'd be here all day if I listed them all, so here in no particular order, are just a few of my daily blog obsessions.

The Heir to Blair

This is actually the first blog I EVER followed, so it only seemed right to mention this fabulous lady!

Sarcastic.  Funny.  Honest.  She's not afraid to tell you the ups AND downs of life and motherhood which is so refreshing in a world of blogs that make everyday seem like puppies and rainbows.  Plus her husband is a hottie.  (Can I say that?)

Life is Bananas.

 Oh Mayra.  What to say about her.  She's like that super cool trendy friend with no kids and a kick ass social life who you live vicariously through.....on the internet.  I drool over the dinners and brunches this girl eats on a daily basis.  Her dry sense of humor always cracks me up.  Plus she has great taste in fashion and two of the cutest bulldogs I've ever seen.

The Life of a Husband and a Wife

I've been following Stephanie's life since she was planning her wedding at the zoo!  How cool is that?!  And now after a long battle of trying to get pregnant, her and her hubby are getting ready to welcome their first baby in February!

This Years Love...

Alin just might be one of the funniest bloggers I ready.  And she's a fellow Ohioan and lover of the Buckeyes.  It's like fate really that I found her.  Seriously though, I can pretty much guarantee a laugh when one of her posts pops up in my readers.  When you can make shopping for a lawn mower funny, you're good.  She's also the only blogger I follow who my husband routinely asks about.  "Hey, has that funny girl blogged lately???"  He doesn't even read MY blog (so he says), so this is pretty huge for him.

And finally, when I'm in the mood for a new recipe....Gina at Skinny Taste ALWAYS has something up her sleeve.  Best part, it's all good for you!  Today she posted Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Icing.  Need I say more?

What are some of your faves??  I'm always looking for some new good reads!

You asked, I answered. {vlog}

A few weeks ago I did an "ask me anything" of sorts.

Well somewhere in the mix of life and the blog challenge I up and forgot about it!

I thought I'd mix it up and answer them vlog style, enjoy!

Fair warning, about half way through there was a glitch in the upload and it starts to look like a an old Chinese film where my lips don't match what I'm saying.  I tried to fix it, but couldn't figure it out.  Stupid technology.

Happy Thursday Friends!

Tricks of the trade

Day 15: Tips for New Bloggers

Half way through the challenge!  Where is time going??  Where has summer gone?  This morning I woke to a COLD house and a baby in my bed all snuggled under the covers.  Is there anything better?  I think fall is officially here!  Love it!  Looks like I better get a move on finding some boots! 

Now onto today's challenge!  Not sure if I have many new bloggers out there, but if I do....here's just a few suggestions for navigating through the blogosphere!

1.  Attach an email address to your account so people can reply back to you.  There's nothing worse than trying to respond to a comment to see the dreaded no-reply blogger!  Click here for some easy steps on how to do it.

2.  Don't make it all about how many followers you have.  A little self promotion to get your name out there is ok, but don't leave comments like "I'll follow you if you follow me."  It's just a turn off.

3.  No one is going to agree with everything you have to say and that's OK.  If someone disagrees with you, accept it.  Agree to disagree.  Don't start off every post with 100 disclaimers in an attempt to please everyone, it just makes you look like you don't stand behind your own beliefs.

4.  If you're going to take the time to comment (and definitely comment!), take the time to read the post.  There's nothing lamer than reading a comment, only to leave you scratching your head, wondering if they paid attention anything you just wrote.

5.  Be yourself!  Have fun!  Write from the heart!

The best is yet to come

Day 14: What I'm looking forward too

....Getting out of my work clothes.  I had to "dress" up today.  Meaning I had to wear dress pants and a button up shirt with.... (wait for it).... heels!  The horror!  From a strictly scrubs and flats girl this is torture.  Plus I feel like a cater waiter.

....Spending the day just me and Jamie on Saturday.  I'm not totally stoked that the hubs will be gone, but I have some fun "mommy and me" stuff in the works!  Hopefully Mr. McCrankypants doesn't spoil the fun.

....Heading to Lincoln for the Ohio State vs Nebraska game in October.  After growing up in Husker land, it's still weird for me to have them in the Big 10....playing my Buckeyes!

....Our five year anniversary trip to Hawaii (and yes I'm well aware of the fact that it's 2 1/2 years away!)

....Making Jamie a big brother (some day, some very very far away day)

....Fall evenings on our patio.  Enjoying some good wine, sitting by the fire

....Egg Nog Lattes

....The Plaza at Christmas

....Working part time.  Hopefully.  Some day

What are you looking forward too??

Bueller? Bueller?

Day 13: Favorite Quote

Growing up, Ferris Bueller's Day Off was one of my favorite movies, so the fact that this is what I chose as the quote in my Senior Year book came as no surprise!

 And because I couldn't pick just one....here's a few other words to live by!

 

A bucket list for the next 365

Day 12: Goals

Just a few of things I'd like to check off my To-Do list in the next year:

• Spend more time living life unplugged
• Try new restaurants instead of always going back to the same ones
• Date night with the hubs once a month
• Eat less, move more
• Be better about sending Birthday and Anniversary cards (like old fashioned, snail mail) for my family and friends
• Thank my husband more and nag a little bit less
• Get our finances in order and come up with a plan to finish knocking down our debt!
• Finish unpacking (yes I realize we moved well over a year ago)
• Decorate the house, hang pictures, maybe even throw some paint up onto those boring brown walls
• Get back into the habit of trying one new recipe a week
• Figure out a way to take a vacation this year (hopefully with my bestie and her family)
• Get a new family picture taken
• Do something fun this fall as a family!  (I'm thinking pumpkins and hay rides!)
• Actually read a book for book club
• Spruce up the yard
• Buy some fabulous brown riding boots
• Enjoy everyday because time is flying by!

How about you?  Anything big you want to tackle this year?

What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger

Day 11: Fears

That I'll never find the motivation to get healthier and lose weight

That one more thing will go wrong with our house

That I'm not always the best wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend that I could be

That my marriage will fail (No we aren't having problems, but you never know)

That Jamie's scar will never fade

That we will never be able to afford more children because daycare costs are so redonkulous and staying at home isn't an option

That Jamie's first molars will NEVER come in, leaving me with this miserable, cranky, tantrum throwing baby forever

That one day I'll wake up and not remember the sound of my moms voice

My better half

Day 10: Your Someone Special

I think life is about finding that one person you really care about. That one person that means more to you than anything else in the world. And when you find them, you fight for them. You risk it all, you put them in front of everything, your future, your life, all of it. Because in your heart you know, that the juice is worth the squeeze. That's what life's all about

Boob Tube

Day 9: TV Shows

So ready for fall TV to start up again!!  Here's just a few shows that will be in our prime time lineup!

Vampire Diaries

I rebelled against the whole Vamp craze for a loooong time, but the hubs actually turned me on to this one.  Ummm, with two leading men as hot as these guys, how could a girl say no?

Modern Family

LOVE this!  It's one of the few 30min sitcoms we watch these days.  Absolutely hilarious.  And fun side fact, the actor who plays Cameron is from Kansas City!

How I Met Your Mother

I didn't actually start watching this until they started re-runs on TBS.  Now I'm hooked.  I want to move to New York just to be friends with these people.  They are awesome.  What Up!

Say Yes to the Dress

Atlanta.  New York.  Bridesmaids.  Plus Sized.  You name it, I'll watch it.  It's really the only Wedding show left from my own wedding planning days they I still faithfully DVR.  Does anyone else think it's slightly ridiculous when a girl comes in and says her budget is *only* $1500 and they all gasp and wonder if they will EVER find anything that cheap?

Gossip Girl

It's gone downhill since those first few seasons, but I totally have to watch and see who's pregnancy test was in that trash can!  Damn you season finale cliff hangers!

Pan Am

Everyday on my drive to work I see a bulletin board advertising this new show.  I have no idea what it's about, besides the obvious, but I'm totally stoked about it.  I always thought it would be fun to be a flight attendant, plus who doesn't enjoy a good 60s flashback show?

(This isn't the actual billboard I drive by, but ironically the first google image that popped up!)

What's on the ole Boob Tube at your casa?

Cause you're my best friend

Day 8: Friends

When it comes to friends I've definitely been blessed with the best.

The kind that laugh with you.  Cry with you.  Hold your hair back after a late night.

The kind that throw surprise birthday parties for you...

And celebrate new babies!

The kind that not only stand beside you on the best day of your life....

....But are there to pick you up on the worst.

These are the people who make me smile at the end of the day and I can't imagine who I'd be without them!

Oh the places you go

Day 7: Favorite Vacation

Every trip I've been on has been a favorite for one reason or another...so how could I pick just one??

Here's just a few!

The New Year's Eve I spent with my parents in the Florida Keys.  Dinner in South Beach.  Sunsets in Key West.  Lazy days by the beach.  Cruising down the highway in our PT convertible.  A perfect way to ring in 2007!

There was the girls trip to NYC for my bestie's Birthday where we drank ourselves silly until 4am in an Irish Pub and ate breakfast in SoHo where I had the best French Toast.  Where we got stuck in the worst rainstorm ever, aka the Noreaster of 2007.  The airport shut down and we ended up renting a car and driving home to Ohio!

There was my Bachelorette weekend in Chicago where my bridesmaids surprised me time and time again.  From my mom showing up at the hotel to my best friend since 3rd grade walking into the restaurant for breakfast.  It was a blast!  We ate deep dish at Gino's East and sang our hearts out at Howl at the Moon.  My last vacay as a single woman and one I'll never forget!

Our honeymoon cruise where we zip lined through Costa Rica and hiked though the jungles of Panama.  Enjoyed the freshest fruit you've ever tasted and tried every local beer we could find.  Where I drank one too many Chocolate martinis and my husband earned the nickname Ansel Adams for taking 1,832,290 pictures.

My solo trip to Hawaii with some coworkers for a Dental conference.  Where we never set foot in a conference room, but instead spent our days at the beach and cruising the North Shore.  Boy do I miss working at that office....talk about some GREAT perks!

And of course my 30th Birthday in Vegas!

Next year my husband turns the BIG 3-0 and we'd love to do an Alaskan Cruise.  Here's to hoping Uncle Sam can help us out with that one come tax time!  ;)