Top Ten Tuesday

Ten things I love about Aaron:

1. He loves to cook: I never have to cook if I don't want to, and he has never used the excuse "I don't know how to cook" (grrrrr). He usually always has dinner ready when I come home.

2. He doesn't mind doing laundry: I used to hate it, so he always did it, but now that we have our side by side front loaders (part of the reason I think he was so supportive of us spending the extra money ;) I like to do it.

3. He accepts my quirkiness, my reservedness, my sullenness, my silliness: He accepts all things Jessi.

4. He is always supportive and on my side; my #1 fan: I never have to worry about him not being a stand up guy. If someone is disrespectful or in any way hurtful to me he prepares for a fight. He sticks up for me to anyone. This is something that is very important to me as need to feel like my partner is on my side.

5. He is family oriented, in a balanced way: He loves spending time with his family and friends, but it never interferes in our life, our plans, or our personal time together. He is a big family man, but he also is great about balancing time with my family and his. Not all holidays have to be at his house and he absolutely loves my sister (which would have been a deal breaker.)

6. He has accepted, with open arms, two pesky chihuahuas: Two chihuahuas that compete with him for my attention (and he usually loses.) He has also accepted, without complaint, that sharing a bed with me means sharing a bed with me + chihuahuas. Additionally, God bless his heart, he has accepted my diagnosable neurosis about the health and well-being in regards to the canines.

7. He lets me have the nice stuff: I get the new car, I get to choose everything to decorate the house, I get the remote, I get to pick the restaurant, I get the window seat, (etc., etc.,)

8. He calls me on the carpet: At the time it happens I don't like it too much, but he has absolutely no issue letting me know when I am being rude, ridiculous, off the wall, absurd, or too hard on myself. Let's face it, I need discipline.

9. He lets me have my independence: I can go out with girlfriends, I can go away for weekends, I can have every meal of the day with my best friends, I can choose to do something with them instead of him (even if he wanted to go) and he is nothing but supportive.

10. The number 10 thing I love about Aaron: The fact that this list seems entirely too short and this was so easy to write. I could go on, and on, and on.....

TTFT- Ta-ta for now...

Hello World,

I'm losing steam. I think that means it's time I sign off for a short "blogcation" until things slow down for me in the non-virtual world. Those on Facebook can still catch up with me there, but, I'm going to peace out of the blog until I have some time to get my thoughts together. Don't worry, all is well, I am just very, very busy. My life is filled to the brim in every area possible.

Check back soon. I won't be gone long!

Fun Fact Thursday

• On average, women utter 7,000 words per day; men manage just over 2,000. Go figure :)
• ETAOINSHRDLUCMFGYPWBVKXJQZ: the alphabet in order of its frequency of use in written English.
• Bamboo is stronger than concrete.
• The Bible is the most ship lifted book in the world. Isn't coveting a sin?
• Dr. Seuss (my favorite!!) wrote Green Eggs and Ham after his editor challenged him to produce a book using fewer than 50 different words.

Top Ten Tuesday: Eats

10 things I love to eat: So maybe I'm not the picture of health...

10: Almond Joy: OMG, I love those two savory bars neatly contained in the beautiful blue and white wrapper. I rationalize that coconut is a fruit? and Almonds are packed with protein, right?

9. Yogurt with granola: I love, love, love this!!!

8. Aaron's breakfast wraps with sausage, eggs, cheese and hot sauce: Mmmmmm!

7. Ice cream: The flavor is secondary to the Jimmies. My ice cream has to have Jimmies!!! (oh and BTW-- do your research, Jimmies in NOT a racial term. The guy who invented the 'Jimmy' was named James ;)

6. McDonald's Happy Meal: Cheeseburger and french fries with a root beer and a boy's toy. No explanation necessary, that's why it's called the 'Happy Meal!'

5. Hostess Sno-balls: Mmmmmmmm.

4. Supreme Pizza: I love pizza with sausage and olives and green pepper and onions and pepperoni and, well, throw everything on it!!!!

3. Everything bagels with light cream cheese: All day long you're picking the seeds out of your teeth, but it's SO worth it.

2. Trail Mix: Peanuts, raisins, M&M, and almonds. Oh my!

1. D'Angelo's steak +cheese + onion + mushroom: Add a diet Sunkist + cool ranch Doritos = a near perfect night!

Wednesday, Oui? This old thing?

Without getting into a whole back story of personal information about finances I'll just say this: Aaron and I do NOT have a joint checking account. We "share our money" per se, but we also have our "own money" that we each, personally, keep track of. And, we are both VERY responsible with money.

I work very, VERY, hard. I work upwards of 50 hours per week (most weeks) and because of that I LOVE having my "own" money. I don't like having to belly up to the bar when I want to purchase something outrageous (a facial, a piece of jewelry, or a new wardrobe- on a whim) OR have to explain that to anyone. Not that I'm saying people who share finances have "explaining to do" and Aaron would never *ever* question my purchases because he knows how responsible I am. But, I have found in past experiences a certain level of guilt comes along with spending money, especially when it's not entirely "your own."

Well, in this household, purchasing has become sort of a joke.

For a "guy" (again, a stereo-type) Aaron is extremely observant. He notices everything! Especially when I buy new clothing- which I'm sure my lady readers would agree, is very flattering. Being observant myself, I will also notice when he gets something new (however, he is at an advantage because he purchases things for cycling and his bike and such, so it's harder for me to tell- unless he leaves the receipts laying around) Although, I must say, Aaron does like to collect expensive sunglasses which is easy to spot. I, personally collect jewelry.... also hard to hide. ;)

For the past year or so, since we've been saving for a house, we have BOTH become a little more secretive about our personal shopping habits. So we try to nail each other on purchases as much as possible. When he notices a new bag, or shirt, the conversation will go something like this:

A: Where did you get that?
J: What?
A: Your _____. (fill in item)
J: (feigning confusing, pointing to the item.) This?
A: Yes.... THAT!
J: (Sheepishly) This old thing?

We don't do it to punish each other, and as a matter of fact I think neither he, nor I, could care who buys what as long as the bills get paid and we're able to save for our future. But, it's funny to tease (especially when he tries to pull the "this old thing?" when the tags are still on the new item- LOL!!!)

So the other night, as we were watching TV, I put my feet up on the coffee table to change positions.
He pointed to my brand-spanking- new- just-took-the-tags- off, socks and said:
A: Hey! When did you get those?
J: What? (wiggling my toes) These old things?

Damn, is he good or what? Oui!!!