Four Eyes

thirty, flirty, and thriving

2013-06-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my other half turned 30. The big 3-0. I have an identity crisis every year on my birthday. He took 30 like a champ. Maybe that maturity comes with age, and I'm just not there yet. Bah-zing.

But seriously folks..

Bear, I want to wish you a happy birthday and look forward to many more to come. You are a generous, selfless, intelligent, and hilarious man. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us... and how awesome your beard will look at 31. Love ya and Happy Birthday!

So what's new? Well I'll tell ya.

My neighbor Juanita gave me a tomato plant to start my vegetable garden. So far all I am growing is tomatoes and cilantro, but alas.. we are reaping the rewards. Hello fruit of my labor.

I got a pretty serious haircut on Friday. More pics to come of that.

I skype with my bestie who lives in Kuwait every Monday. And I froze in a pretty awesome pose. GTL people. GTL.

Last night's stanley cup game one was AMAZING. I'm exhausted today. But so good. Watch some hockey.

Happy Thursday,

G of T

2013-06-01T11:31:00.001-07:00

I love Saturdays.

Friday Funday.

2013-05-31T06:32:00.001-07:00

The new Pistol Annies album is out. What a perfect weekend song.

See ya May!

-J

Picture dump

2013-05-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

Busy. Busy. Busy.

Story of my life lately.

But time to play a little catch up and get back on track.

Bear and I at my very last (wahhhhhh) King George Strait concert.

Minor league baseball action.

Crepes with Leesy.

Beans lovin.

3D movies... seen so many lately... Iron Man 3, Star Trek, Gatspy...

My bestie renewed her wedding vows.

B man taking the wheel.

18 mile action.

3 day weekend at a cabin in the woods.

Roller coastin at Silver Dollar City.

Wildlife.

3 flower shots from my new and improved landscaping

Super old super bowl pic... we obviously picked the wrong team to cheer for.

mmmmmm.

Best aunt ever.

Easter a la Casa de Halstedlers

2013-04-05T20:01:00.004-07:00

Fountain of Youth

2013-03-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

When I turned 26, I decided that in the name of staying young I was going to wear sunscreen everyday. Every. Single. Day. Not that I was a huge tanning person but I love the outdoors. My face, arms, and legs stayed somewhat tan. Some version of an ankle sock tan/soccer shinguard tan/farmers tan always adorned by body. But with my 100 spf lotion, the lines are gone for good. For awhile, I held onto my tan with sunless tanning lotion.

Then I went back to my natural hair color... I just decided... screw it. I am going au naturel. No tanning lotion. No high lights. Just me.... dark hair, blue eyes, pale skin. I had hoped I would end up looking like a chic Liv Tyler or Maggie Gyllenhaal. It wasn't until these pics from Friday that I realized just how pale my skin had gotten.

It rocks. I'm sold. Add some fangs or bloody sores and I am ready for my Sci Fi cameo.

red pleated dress, NY&Co - leather boots, Steve Madden

In case you want some good break up music... These have been stuck in my head. Two of the best duets I have heard in awhile.

Let's duet in ways that make us feel good.

-J

Lately.

2013-03-22T21:31:00.002-07:00

Lately, the sun has come out a lot. But then it got cold again. Arkansas weather is tricky.

Lately, I have watched some Razorback baseball. I can't wait for the weather to stay warm.

Lately, my man friend has kicked butt. He did a 3 hour snake trail run in Tulsa, OK. (Basically, how far can you run in 3 hours? The answer to that question is 20.3 miles.) Seriously. He rocks.

Lately, I can't stop listening to Tegan and Sara.

Lately, my living room looks like this.

Happy march madness!

-J

Challenge update

2013-03-22T09:29:00.001-07:00

My progress so far..

Day 3 march 13 push ups 17 sit ups 22.
Day 4 march 14 push ups 19 sit ups 21.

Day 5 march 15 push ups 20 sit ups 24.

Day 6 march 16 push ups 24 sit ups 23.

Day 7 march 17 push ups 22 sit ups 25.

Day 8 march 18 push ups 21 sit ups 20.

Day 9 march 19 push ups 23 sit ups 23.
Day 10 march 20 push ups 25 sit ups 26.
Day 11 march 21 push ups 24 sit ups 22.
Day 12 march 22 push ups 21 sit ups 23.

I have noticed that some days I am really sore and it makes it sooooo difficult to even to do one sit up or one push up. I do feel like I am getting stronger even though my numbers are fluctuating at best.

I signed up for a trail race that is coming up. I am doing the 12k. At this point, I am very nervous about it but excited.
Spring has sprung.
-J

Chuckles

2013-03-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

No matter what your profession is... there is always something to laugh about. And if there isn't well it's because you are a stink pot. Yeah, you.

My laugh today came in the form of a 9 year old boy. His mom brings him in saying.. "well he just isn't seeing well and I think he needs glasses. I have glasses and his dad has glasses and his grandparents have glasses.."

So the boy cuts her off and says "Yeah, I was like the only human left and all of my family are zombies. Then I got infected. That's why I'm here."

I couldn't stop laughing.

Then Katie (elemetary school teacher bestie) sends me this...

Yay for zombies and butt cheeks.

-J

30 day 2 min challege

2013-03-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

I (and most everybody else) would say that watching reality TV is one of my biggest vices. My DVR is flooded with Survivor, The Bachelor, The Biggest Loser, Project Runway, Say Yes to the Dress, What Not to Wear... You get the point. Very rarely does anything good come of my endless hours of television nonsense. But, ALAS, this blind squirrel has found a nut. (Not talking about Tierra... shout out to all my Bachelor fans. Wowza. I have a problem.)

OK. Back on track. On episode two of the Biggest Loser, they had the contestants do a fitness challenge.. push ups, sit ups, running, the whole nine. Because I always overestimate my abilities, I was sure I could beat the national average of healthy 9 year olds in push up and sit ups. Not only was I wrong, I was also sore for three days. Maybe they did the test with 9 year old crossfitters? The only rationale explanation I could come up with. Flash forward one month.. I got to thinking about my poor at best performance at push ups and sit ups.

So I came up with a 2 minute fitness challenge for myself. Basically goes as follows..
One minute of push ups (real ones, not girly ones).

One minute of sit ups (real ones, not crunches).

Current results:
Day one: 17 push ups and 21 sit ups.
Day two: 25 and 24.

Hopefully I don't get too skinny.. I would hate for men to stop looking at me.

Happy Tuesday.
-J

LifeSavers

2013-03-05T19:21:00.001-08:00

I get by with a little help from my (family and) friends.

I love love love my new job. It is everything I have ever dreamed about. I own a beautiful home. Have two amazing puppies. Yet.. I miss my family and friends so badly. I wish they weren't strewn all over Arkansas, Missouri, and Kuwait. I was so overwhelmed with the job and moving that it was hard to have two seconds to myself. Now that I do, I miss everybody. So I just want to take some time to say I love you guys.

Mammaw, Dad, Mom, Ross, Heather, Amelia, Elise, Katie, Megan, Allison, Melinda, Taylor... I love you guys. You inspire me. Thanks for loving me then and loving me now.

-J

Monday Funday

2013-03-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

My boo's cousin makes some pretty hilarious shorts. Definitely share worthy.

There is some language... proceed with caution.

Happy Thursday!

-J

Puck Day

2013-02-21T18:26:00.000-08:00

I have heard many times over that hockey is the best sport to watch live. I just thought, yeah right?! I have watched hockey plenty of times on TV. I could never get into it. I don't know what it was. Hockey should be engrained into my being. I grew up during the time of the Mighty Ducks (1992), D2 (1994), and D3 (1996). I loved those movies. D2 had an awesome girl goalie. And of course that pleased this sports loving tom boy.

Flash forward a decade and a half... this 26 year old finally made it to a NHL battle. I was blown away. It was awesome. You could hear the players getting crushed against the wall. You could see them mouthing trash talk back and forth. There was a fight! So cool.

The Dallas Stars ended up beating the Anaheim Ducks 3-1. The final score was actually... Hockey 1 - cynical me 0.

Lately I am back on an Avett Brothers kick... kick drum that is.

Happy Thursday!

-J

Sunshine Bliss

2013-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

I sometimes forget how up and down Arkansas weather can be. We had an oddball day where the weather got up to the high 70s. Then one week later.. it snowed.

The nuggets are more than ready for the weather to stay warm. They LOVE it.

What's new for me?

I just wrapped up my no meat January... sweet potatoes and black beans are lifesavers.

I have decided to do a marathon relay with my coworkers... seven mile leg is mine.

I am putting together a pirate costume for my niece's 4th birthday... she's growing up too fast.

I fell back in love with tegan and sara... makes me want to have short hair again.

Happy Saturday!

-J

P.S. I didn't forget that the Oscars is around the corner...

Oscar update - my current ranking

1. Django Unchained

2. Beasts of the Southern Wild

3. Zero Dark Thirty

4. Silver Linings Playbook

5. Argo

6. Les Misérables

7. Lincoln

Amour... not seen it.

Life of Pi... not seen it.

Cinephilia

2013-01-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

I have already talked a few times about my interest in movies. I like them. I love them. I drink them in like the ambrosia that they are.

With the Academy Awards around the corner, I am making my way thru the nominees for Best Picture.

How I am doing so far?

Amour... not seen it.

Argo... seen it.

Beasts of the Southern Wild... seen it.

Django Unchained... seen it.

Les Misérables... not seen it.

Life of Pi... not seen it.

Lincoln... not seen it.

Silver Linings Playbook... seen it.

Zero Dark Thirty... seen it.

5 out of 9. Not too bad. I will start reviewing them soon. Until then, here is a little Django Soundtrack love.

Side note:

My nieces got scooters for Christmas. Now I can't stop wanting to relive my childhood. My first two purchases on the road back to youth.

Happy Monday.

-J

Elephant in the Room

2012-12-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

First off, I am just going to ignore the fact that I haven't blogged in over three months. What elephant? Is there really an elephant in here? I didn't think so.

Over Thanksgiving break, I made a trip out to Gatlinburg, TN. While there I climbed Mt LeConte. It was a brutal 11 mile 2763 ft elevation gain kind of hike. I was underdressed and underprepared. But when I got to the top, holy cow the views. I remember thinking as I snapped these photos... "there is no way the photos will do it any justice". And even though I am no longer delirious with hunger, exhaustion, and freezing my bum off... I still agree. No justice is being served.

I hope to make this climb again in warmer weather because there is a lodge at the very top. LeConte Lodge is open during the warmer months and has a restaurant and everything. Only accessible by foot. Super cool.

Also, I am 100% sure that my hands didn't freeze off solely because I made a king hot hands in my front pouch pocket. If you don't know what that is... well it is a king rat made of hot hands. If you don't know what a king rat is... well I'm sorry for the images you will get when you google it. Gross.

New subject.

Have you heard the new Bruno Mars album? It is pretty amazing.

King Rat.

-J

Saturday morning hike

2012-09-22T19:48:00.001-07:00

Went for a couple hour hike this morning with the pups. The air was crisp and clean. Perfect. I loooooove fall.

I have been patiently waiting for fall. Fall is for football, tall boots, cooler weather, scarfs, pumpkin everything, bon fires, and guitar music. Here is one of my favorites.

Happy fall ya'll!

-J

Summer lovin'

2012-08-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

I am finally settled into my new house and my new job. It feels like my summer is just beginning. What gets me pumped for summer?

1. WATER

2. BLACKBERRY IZZE

and of course...

3. HALL AND OATS COVERS

You are on my list.

-J

Recent

2012-08-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

There is something so awesome about NEW. And I have had a lot of new lately. New Ray Bans. New blonde 'do. New shirtdress. New town to explore. New hawaiian food stand.

More pics to come.

Happy Saturday!

-J

Marshmallow puffed

2012-08-05T19:13:00.002-07:00

Francescas dress (similar)

Hello puffy sleeve. I haven't seen you in awhile. I have missed your luxurious airy feeling surrounding my shoulders. Who needs accessories? You give me hope that a shoulder pad trend is just around the corner. Fingers crossed.

So how do you feel about the trend? Rihanna cool or awkward prom hideous?

Either way, one thing is for certain.. Nothing says feminine like a strong shoulder.

-J

Regal

2012-08-03T19:12:00.001-07:00

Who is ready for a luxurious weekend?

Me.

And Murphy.

Artsy Fartsy

2012-07-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

A few shots from an art festival G and I went to at Crystal Bridges.

Been inspired lately?

Civil wars harmony is auditory ambrosia.

-J

P.S. USA! USA! USA!

BBQed

2012-07-28T12:45:00.001-07:00

What do you do when you plan a BBQ and it is 105 outside?

I don't know what you do. But I stay inside and order pizza.

I had three of my very best friends under one roof. I wanted to drink in every second.

So I did just that. Pictures were planned and forgotten.

I ended the night with four pictures. Two below. And two blurry action shots of people sliding.

Sounds to me like a success.

Meet best friend #1: Katie

Meet best friend #2: Taylor

Work it

Meet best friend #3: Megan

(No megan isn't a giant spool of thread.)

A past cince de mayo conversation was centered around quirks. It got me to thinking about how everyone has these strange notions. Weird things that we do/say/feel that only the closest to us know. Quirks that make us awkwardly and extremely unique. And seem completely rational until they are put on display. I can't wait to share mine. It is absurd. Can you guess it? Can you guess Megans?

My sister from another mister comes to town.

2012-07-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

Katie is in the USA for her annual summer visit. Once a year is NOT ENOUGH. I am soaking in the much needed girl time R&R. Gossip, reality TV, pedicures... the while nine. I have shamelessly been recruiting her to move to northwest Arkansas. Pleaseeeee Katie! A few snapshots from the weekend.

Toe cleav and regular clev.

Murph loves mud.

Sliding is fun.

Lap o nuggets.

Farmers market.

Slide fail.

Where have I been? TV guide version.

2012-07-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

I rode in a few bike races and ~~loathed~~ loved every minute.

I got a doctorate.

I ate the best cupcake/muffin ever.

I saw a movie luxury style. No mouth breathers allowed.

I moved. Goodbye Missouri. Hello Arkansas.

I bought a house.

I got a job.

I got my dream. Shoe closet.

I got older.

I had a pool party.

I exchanged a white dog for a brown one.

Now I am back. Ready to see where this blog is going to take me. Ready to explore a new city. Ready to fix up the first house I have ever owned. Ready ready ready.