Someday I will....

Someday I will...

Actually be organized. I buy a cute new planner every year that I hardly use and pretend I am organized but I'm not. I live in organized chaos. I don't like it but I never change it.

Live in California. Even if it's just for a year or for 10 years, I just want to live there.

Make enough money that I can buy things I want without feeling guilty.

Have a house that contains things from my Pinterest boards. I am in love with so many gorgeous things that people have in their houses. So let's hope I can find a guy who is handy and will love me enough to do DIY projects for me. ;)

Get my BSN. Someday, it will happen.

Get my teaching degree. Some days I want to be a nurse, other days I want to be a teacher. The days in between, I want to be 15 other things. Indecisive much?

Travel outside the U.S. To some tropical island or somewhere mega fun.

Be able to do my hair!! I am determined to learn. I am hair ignorant and mess it up. Every. single. time.

I will wake up on time and get out of bed easily. I have to have 4 alarms at least and am AWFUL at getting up.

I will successfully blog 3 or more times a week. Let's all cross our fingers that my life gets more interesting and I will have more things to blog about in the future :P

Happy Halloween everyone! I am going to be handing out candy dressed as a Lady Bug. I found the wings and headband in a box so that's as festive as I will be getting!

I was also going to link up with Erin's "5 Things I'd Rather be Doing than Celebrating Halloween" link up but then I realized that I would actually really like to go to a Halloween party and dress up so invite me to yours next year, k?

 

Train Adventure

Have the chance to ride a train? Don't do it.
1. There are a large number of crazies who ride the train.

2. People on the train are even more noisy, gross, and smell worse than on planes.

3. Who really wants to ride on a train for 9 hours straight? Not it.

I got to the train station at 4:30 am. There was 2 homely looking guys already in there, otherwise it was deserted. The place was a hole in the wall and kind of creepy.
Now you should know, I have a huge fear of being kidnapped...so me and 2 guys in a train station alone? Not good. Panic mode.
Eventually more people started coming, they were all sorts of strange. I mean that in a nice way but come on, they were weird.

We boarded the train and there was no "ALL ABOARD", I was so disappointed. People were laying all over the place inside already. I didn't know what to expect, being this is my first time taking the train and all. It was a lot nicer than I thought it would be. There were foot rests and the seats reclined. Of course, I kicked back and started blogging about the trip. ha!  I mean, I didn't want to get robbed by the creep across the aisle who kept staring at me, I was already up for 2 hours and had a lot of coffee. 

You should also know, that I get motion sickness. Mostly in cars but sometimes other places. So as soon as I get on, the train starts swaying. Oh shit. I have never puked before and I hope it's not my first time. The tracks are bumpy and the horn goes off every 10-15 min.
A little while after we left, the train comes to a complete stop in the middle of nowhere. Or I think it's the middle of nowhere..it was pitch dark at this point. We sat there for about 10 min and nothing happened. Okay really....It was not fun. {We are probably going to get robbed and I will have to run through the middle of nowhere until I find an almost deserted farm house with no cell reception and 3 cows. I really don't know what I would do...besides cry.} Thoughts like that are exactly why I don't watch scary movies.

The trip goes well from there, until we made a stop and the attendant for my car, made me scoot over so this guy could sit by me. There were empty seats open! He was my age and would not stop talking. Hello, earphones in my ears = no talky. He finally moved after a looong time and thank goodness for that. We had to stop for 45 min due to a "traffic jam" which made me miss my second train!!! BOO.
I wanted to explore the Union Station but I was afraid of getting lost. They now have "quiet cars," which you can't talk on your phone in or bring children. Holla! I loved it. Peace and quiet. Last time, people were talking nonstop. Ain't nobody got time for that.

On the way back, the train was packed. It was very uneventful like on the way here. I slept, stuffed my face with junk food and blogged more. This train thing is doing wonders for my blog. ha
So overall, it was interesting to suffer on experience the train, but I think it's safe to say the chances are low that we will be meeting again. I made it to my sister's fine and was so excited to see her and baby Bo!!! He is so stinkin' cute!

I'm guessing by now, you think know, I am a huge paranoid freak....It happens?

I think I need to invest in this mace gun below. I can just see myself getting those bad guys left and right. Pow pow!




Badass right?  {Source}

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars

I am on my second day of eating gluten-free. I went grocery shopping today and it was difficult!! I was definitely not prepared so I will have to do more research on what is gluten-free and what is not.


Today was my dad's birthday so we made his favorite pumpkin bars. It was easy to turn into gluten-free. Lately, I have always been forgetting to take a before picture so I apologize that my pictures stink, but it really did taste delicious!

My pic taking skills need work.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin
• 2 cups gluten-free* flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. baking powder

Directions:
Mix eggs, oil, sugar, pumpkin. Add dry ingredients. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25 min.

The recipe says to use a 9 x 13 pan, but I usually double the batch and use a large baking pan.

Frosting ingredients:

• 3 oz. cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 6 T butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. milk

Directions:

• Cream all ingredients together and spread evenly.

*Just substitute regular flour in, if you have no problems with gluten. :)

This recipe came from my mom's 1990-1992 Woman's Club Cookbook. I was just a wee little thing ;)

I am surprised at some of the foods gluten is in. Unfortunately, there is a lot of gluten-free candy so I am working on cutting candy almost totally out of my diet and finding a healthy balance.


 Linking up with Ashley and Jessica!

A Day to Remember

This weekend, I rode the train back home on Saturday. {My recap will be up soon} I got home late and when straight to bed. Lesson learned: Don't ride the train, k. Sunday, I did boring stuff like laundry and cleaning my room. Whoooopie.

The lady from Plan Parenthood called me and they say they only call you for bad news so I think my heart stopped for a bit. It turned out fine though, thanks for the scare lady!

Check out a few more pictures of this cutie :)

Yesterday, 11 years ago, my sweet little sister, Naomi passed away. She was only 8 years old.

I shared this quote a few weeks ago, but it is one of my favorites.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.


I am starting to eat gluten-free officially today. I basically set myself up to fail but not buying gluten-free products before I started but I am making due so far.

Anyone else eat gluten-free? I need some good recipe ideas!

Maxi Dress Hunting

Now that fall is here, I have not stopped maxi hunting.  I have been looking for a maxi dress for quite some time now! There are so many cute ones but I just haven't had the best luck finding ones that are flattering for my body because my body is weirdly proportioned. I am skinny and short but I have hips and boobs (for a small girl k ha) So most of the time I need a small or medium for the ladies and XS for the booty. That makes it pretty hard to find a dress. Also only being 5'2", they are almost always too long.

I have always been nervous about buying them online due to the above facts but if I wasn't these would be some of the few I would buy.

Kiki La Rue has some a TON of cute ones. Some of my favorites are..

Other favorites:


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I finally ordered a few maxi's from Kiki La' Rue. They had a huge sale going on, $15 for a bunch of cute things so I went for it.

They all fit PERFECT! I was worried because some people had posted they wear mediums normally and fit into smalls, I figured they would be too big and too long. They aren't. I am soooo in love. So you should definitely go check out the sale or just buy some regulars!!!! I will definitely be buying more! They are so soft and pretty :)

My friend {;) ;) ;)} even said I looked beautiful. :D

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I am enjoying some time with my sweet little nephew. I hope everyone else is having a good week :)

 

Someone's in troubleee  hahah :P

Apple Pickin' and Finger Lickin'

Time for a little weekend recap.

Friday.
Beer and bonfire. I love bonfires but I hate smelling like smoke for the next 3 days after. I had two yummy s'mores too. {best part of a bonfire}

Saturday.

Excuse my momma's ugly bedspread ;)

My grandma turned 69...70..71. I'm not really sure, my dad and uncles all had different answers and I never asked for sure. Men, I tell ya.
We all got together at her house to celebrate. We had a feast of ribs, beans, mac n cheese, corn bread, and coleslaw. It was finger lickin' good...can you eat ribs without licking your fingers? lol Probably but come on.  I ate it most of it all....like woahhhh. Off subject, I have been eating like a real person lately, aka eating a whole plate of food at each meal. I don't know what has happened to me. :P

She makes this in a pressure cooker...weird but yummy!

We picked apples from my grandparent's tree, which was fun until an apple hit me on the head. Womp, womp.

My uncle picking apples.

My parent's picking.

I picked for awhile and then I let the tall people take over.

Below are a few pictures I took of some old buildings/equipment on their farm.

 

 

Small doors!

Old hog shed.

A tiny grain bin.

Sunday.
I was lazy in the morning and then worked at the movies. I took this picture, and was ready to jump start eating gluten free.

Did you know Twizzlers contained gluten? Me either..

Then I remembered that I was going to my sister's and had no food at my house to make meals with. I didn't want to make my sister buy gluten free food, or spend the money myself for 3 days there and at home so I decided to wait. I am hoping to start it next Monday. 
I made caramel apples later that night; they were messy but not too bad. The recipe will be featured on my Tasty Tuesday link-up...next week. Yep, I missed the bar on that one again. Shucks.

No matter how hard I try, I wait until the last minute when it comes to packing. I can manage buying Christmas presents 3 months early, but I can't handle packing more than 10 hours before I leave......don't ask me, it's messed up.

I bought my train ticket this day, yes 2 days before I left. I was thinking about driving, then I could take my time, leave when I wanted and it was only about $150. I decided later that I didn't want to drive alone and put miles on my car, so I booked the ticket. Then read all the awful things about train rides; don't do that.

Anyyyywhoo, I have 5 posts scheduled. It's a blogging miracle! I'm kinda, sorta on top of my game.

I hope you can read this. I am typing with one eye open. ;) I am zonked and will put my "train adventure" up soon.

Tooot, Toooot!
** Disclaimer: My picture quality stinks and they are just thrown in there. Sorry, not sorry. I am too tired to give two craps. :) I don't know how some people stay up super late or get up at the butt crack of dawn for this......

Sweet dreams.
P.S. Linkin' up with Sami!

Bloggy Moments

Another Sunday is here and almost gone. Time is flying by!!!!!



This Weeks Questions:

1. What is the first blog you ever followed? Mama Laughlin. My friend Brooke, introduced me to her blog. Even though I was not looking for weight-loss advice, I still enjoyed reading her blog. I then found a few other blogs and decided to start my own blog.

2. What was your first blog post about? It was a few random facts about me!
http://www.littleladyh.blogspot.com/2013/01/blogger-newbie.html 

3. Who left you your first blog comment? I'm sure it was my IRL friend, Brooke. She was my first follower and one of two people, I actually know who read this blog.
.
4. Who was the first blogger you ever met in person? I have only met Brooke, even though I already knew her haha I have quite the list of who I would like to meet though!!

5. What was your first “blogging milestone?” Probably when I got 10 followers...yes 10!! haha I also recently bought a blog design and a couple of sponsor spots.

I was looking forward to starting eating gluten free this week but I am going to start next week. I am going to visit my sister and my nephew this week!! EEEEK :) So I am going to wait, but I am eager to try it.

Thanks to people like Hubby Jack and Sarah, my blog is getting new additions little by little. They have awesome tutorials so you should check them out if you need a little extra somethin' somethin' ;) Yayyyy :)

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Have a great week, everyone!

Missing in Action

I was missing a little more than usual earlier this week. Monday night was the visitation for my classmate, Nate. About 20-25 of my classmates and I went to the bar after and had some drinks. It was fun!!! I don't like the reason we had to get together but it was nice to see everyone again!!

Photo dump!

Neighbors!!

We got our drunk faces on.

They said I was too short to photo bomb....I showed them! ;)

One of our teachers came and had a drink with us! ha

 

Shots, shots, shots!

Tuesday was the funeral. We all went as a class. I am not a fan of funerals.. The songs they played were totally him. The guys in my class were bawling. I have not seen most of them cry and it was sad to watch... I was doing pretty good until I saw his little brother carrying the urn down the aisle.

Songs they played:











Cheers to you, Neno!

Rest in Peace, Neno! We will all miss you.