RECEP -April, May, & June

Okay, for MOnths now, I haven't been the greatest at posting pictures && sharing EVERYTHING I've been up too. && tonight I have date night with myself. I'm loving it. I never get time anymore for me. I should be truthful and admit tonights date night also includes  my pillow, TV, & Lifetime. Oh I love it. My Man wanted us to go bowling w/ friends, and I really just wasn't up for anything. So, I sent him on his way! :)

These are some photos that will help share our latest events, vacations, & crafts i've been getting into. 
Oh and how on earth could I forget... Pictures on the HOUSE! :) Boy oh boy...Our Move in Date is  FIVE days away.

Let's start with April. My girlfriend, Heather's birthday was the 29th. I believe I posted a blog about going down to the beach to celebrate, but didn't have a picture at that time! Once upon a time.. I shared an apartment with these ladies in College... We have some [CrAzY] stories.

We are all still very close friends!

Me, Danielle, Brandi, Heather

Another close friend of mine, Holly owes a Dance Studio. As much as I love to dance, I don't teach it. But, I'm there if she needs me for anything. To organize, give ideas, gather information & so on. Her FIRST dance recital was in May. It was a wonderful turn out. To see more pictures click HERE and find STEPZ STUDIO

Me, Holly, & Heather

May 14th - We had our monthly game night w/ friends. This time Daniel & Candice DeLoach were are hosts. We ate Low Country Boil && had PLENTY for dessert. We played Taboo & Spoons.

 It was a great turn out.

Me & my girlfriend Kristie.

She's a blogger. Click her name to check her out.

Kristie & her Husband, Michael

Okay, MEMORIAL DAY- this past weekend.

We took the campers down to Fort McAllister, [in Richmond Hill Ga].

It was great. We had a lot of friends & family with us. We played cornhole, roasted smores over the fire... Yes, it was too HOTT for a fire, but it helped keep the horse flies away, & of course we found the sand bar during the day where we soaked up the sun, ate Watermelon, & Sipped on delicious drinks.

I brought the Watermelon...

 It was delicious

I loooved my toenail polish.

Got a little cRazY

Our Nephew, Reid 

First time in his CrAb!

Aaron && our friend, Jeremy

They just love each other!

We got WAAAY too much sun!

The Men played Poker after hours!

We had a blast. It was a great get-a-way!

*And last, but definitely not least..

the update on mi casa!

All we are waiting on is our carpet. Which SHOULD come monday, and should be laid down tuesday or wednesday. I'm getting so impatient. Really, I should say we are. Then of course, our painter has to come back, and paint the shoe molding. And we are done. I've already started working on my Bathrooms. I can't help it... it's been waay too long!

The BEST part of all this..

We've paid every bit of it.. with cash!

Thanks to Dave Ramsey... No CREDIT CARDS!

Craft Room / Guest Bedroom

Our Bedroom -

 I LOVE this room && can't wait to see my finished product.

Craft Room && Aaron's Man Room!

My Living Room, Craft Room, && Man Room

[Everyones FREAKING out about my living room accent wall... I have so many ideas]

Missing: My sticks & our carpet!

Guest Bath

These are a project I'm making...

I've taken my OLD shower curtains hangers && painted them

to match my Guest Bathroom Decor!

I'm SUPER stoked!

THis is the MASTER BATHROOM!

Again, Some people were unsure of my Orange walls...

but I wanted Orange SOMEWHERE in my house from the VERY start.

Isn't it just GORGEOUS?

I still  have work to do in here.. but it's getting there.

My Rug in my Bathroom.

Click HERE to the house before & afters...

You will appreciate the pictures more!

Have an awesome Sunday!
My Honey just called.. He's almost home.
Good Night -

♥ jla

Thursday Five with MannLand5

 Thursday FIVE with MannLand5


Happy

Joyful

Excited 

 Jubilant

Grateful



My Five

1. For once in a REALLY long time, I actually had a week where I get to come home and just... be free. Do whatever I want. Every week & weekend I have a million + 1 things to do, but this week it was so relaxing.  I loved it. I was able to cook a good dinner everynight! :) I love that.

2. Aaron & I are into American Idol. This year wasn't the greatest, but was still able to hold our attention. I was a Casey James Fan! His voice was amazing. Watch Casey. He was great! Aaron on the Other hand, Loved Lee Dewyze from the start. Lee has come a long way, and I believe he will go far. Watch Lee. Last Night, was the Final Night where the winner was announced. Lee DeWyze!!! Yay, we were excited, and yes I was Happy for Lee!

3. Our House!!!! Oh it's coming along. The painter is DONE! He only has to come back to paint the base trim after our floors are put in. [Which should be next week] We're beyond Siked! Also, All of our lights and light fixtures were installed!

4. Memorial Day Weekend  is this weekend! Boy oh Boy am I excited! Of course, I have to work tomorrow, but I do get a four day weekeend. I'm stoked! We are headed down to Fort McAllister [Richmond Hill, GA - Right where I grew up as a kid] to camp for the weekend. That means No make-up, No Blow drying the hair, Flip Flops & relax clothes. There will be a bunch of our friends & family that are joining us. We usually Eat a whole lot, Ride Bikes, Go Boat riding, Hang out at a Sand Bar, Play Cornhole, [Click HERE to understand the Game] Sometimes throw Horse Shoes but Corn Hole has overruled our gang, Play Cards, Whatever we want. It's very relaxing. Sitting on a Sand Bar w/ a cold one in my hand, soaking up the Sun, surrounded my the wonderful people in my life just makes me Smile.

5. Cooking & Baking - Of course, in the time of Celebrations, Holidays, or Just get togethers... I love to Stir something delicious up in the Kitchen. It brings me great Joy. Usually, I bring my Buffalo Chicken Dip. Everyone usually Raves over it, but this time... I'm changing it up some.
Anyway, this year I'm making homemade Brownies, Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos, & Bacon Wraps. Hmmmm, Yummy! I'm so excited about baking/cooking it all. Visit My Recipe Book

NO MORE Stages!

It's that time again... Monday! The weekends just fly by too fast. Were do I even begin?
- We had a extremely eventful weekend, [as always].
Friday-  Leaving work at 6pm, I rushed home to leave immeditately for Tybee. My good friend, Heather just turned 23. Due to my grown up life, I had to work while her, and the rest of our friends stayed in a beach house. :( Although, We were able to go down there to celebrate a little friday night. Me, Aaron, & Joe Howell loaded up and headed that way. We stopped to grab a bite to eat at Applebees. Who ever knew we'd have loads of fun at Applebees. I had Heather a gift, and brought a card for the guys to give to her. [i believe in birthday gifts] As we ate dinner, we decorated the entire card with different suggestions she should do or advise she should know at age 23. It got pretty hysterical. There were graphic pictures drawn as well. After Dinner we met up w/ Heather, Brett [her bf], their friend... DArn I forgot, Brandi, Derek, Kevin, Danni, & Nic! We danced the night away. Well, until 12:30 when the three of us had to leave. :( I had to work at my grown up job the next morning.
Saturday - 5:30am came early for Aaron & Joe. They were partners in the First Baptist Church of Pembroke Fishing tournament! Aaron lost a few fish he was a little disturbed about, but caught a 7lb bass. They got second place & won the Biggest fish award. How it works, is they add up ALL the fishes weight... The first place winners beat them by 2lbs. Aaron said they had some nice looking ones! :) - While they competed, I worked! :( We were SUPER busy, and I was there by myself. Working Saturday aren't bad, but I was past  EXHAUSTED.. I treated myself to a Pedicure! My feet needed it, and my body needed relaxation. I actually fell asleep in the chair! I NEVER do that!
I got home, about the time Aaron walked in the door. I wanted a nap S0O00O0O badd, but I knew I'd be worthless. Aaron napped, as I curled my massive head of hair! It took me an hour & a half. ANNNNND.. I set the curling iron right on my chip! Who does that? I didn't drop it.. I just kinda placed it right there. I freaked.. but was able to cover it up with makeup. My chin was caked with foundation. [It now looks as if I have a hugh hickey on my chin] Saturday Night - Seven years ago... I was crowned. [An Amazing night, I will NEVER forget] They decided to ask all the past Queens [20 years] to be apart of this years pageant entertainment. When I got the call from my Ex Cheerleading Coach.. I was a little nervous, but said sure, due to then getting the past 20.  to make a loooong story short. I was never informed on what was going on. THanks to COach Clark, I had a bit of an idea. The night before the pageant I found out I was supposed to turn in a biography. No clue! Wrote it in seconds, just introducing myself, & where I've been since graduating.[OTC/Comestology/Insurance/Good Luck]
 Arriving to the pageant, feeling a little akward, they direct me to back stage.. and once again, ask me to rewrite my bio! [I tried not to let my nerves get the best of me!] So I through the second bio together, and kept it simple.: Jessica Arendes / Crowned 2003 / Property & Casulty Insurance Agent for First Acceptance / Would like to wish all the contestants Good luck & to always remember, It's the Beauty on the inside that Counts! Waa-La! The Pageant starts.. intermission is here... Our turn! [Butterflies] I'm not the stage kinda girl anymore.. So as they announce me, I'm escorted across the stage, and my legs are shaking. I see bright lights! All I wanted to do was stare at my love! [and I did] My Dad Aaron, Mama, & my love Aaron were smiling.. Watching.. and talking to me. Yes.. Talking to me. Apparently I looked "PISSED" or "upset" [were their words] But I wasn't.. I was nervous and felt akward. 
After the pageant, I was very comfortable to kick off the heels, and put some jeans on.. We ended the night playing Cornhole at the Chavis'!
SUNDAY.... Slept in, Fished by the pond, a little house work, and Ended our day with Hooters with friends. I think we've become addicted to Fried Pickles & Daytona Wings!

         Catching a Monster!



 Aaron's 12 pound Catfish

Our Living Room Windows are framed! Aren't they beautiful?