Cold sores...gross, but just read!

Yes, we're talking about those nasty blisters that pop up at the most inconvenient time.  I had my first outbreak back in high school and it was one of the most painful experiences of my life.  I won't go into the gross details, but ever since then I've gotten a cold sore almost once a month and high school was 7 years ago people, that's a lot of painful cold sores to deal with!

Now that it's summer, I've been getting that burning, itching sensation on my lips a lot.  Sun and heat are one of my biggest cold sore triggers.  I used to be on medication for them, but since we've moved, I've ran out and haven't gone to the Dr. to get it refilled.  Last month, when I felt a cold sore coming, I started doing some research online about natural ways to stop and heal cold sores.  Several of the websites I found suggested using garlic.  So I started by taking a clove of garlic, crushing it and then putting the "juices" on the site that was starting to get irritated.  It will sting like hell, I'm just warning you.  You'll think that a little bit of itching and a cold sore would be better, but just wait it out. After a minute or two, use a damp paper towel to rinse off your lips.  I could not believe that once the stinging from the garlic was gone, so was the itching and so was the cold sore.  I've done this twice and both times have resulted in it completely going away and not developing into a full blown sore.  After applying and rinsing the garlic, you might want to go wash your face cause you'll smell like a pizza or something similar.  After doing this I dabbed the area with Neosporin just for good measure.

So there you go! I'm curious if it will work for anyone else. I'm super excited that I found a way to stop these things without taking a pill every day. 

10 things I wish

1.  I wish I was getting up with the sun and getting ready to go to work every day.

2.  I wish I could sit down with a pen in my hand and "bleed" words all over the paper.

3.  I wish I knew what I'm most passionate about.

4.  I wish loving my husband was a full-time, paying job...'cause I'm pretty good at it.

5.  I wish I wasn't afraid of the possibility of moving overseas.

6.  I wish I could run as far as I wanted without stopping.

7.  I wish I could go back to the time of constantly learning in a classroom.

8.  I wish I could eat whatever I wanted without thinking about gaining weight.

9.  I wish for friendships that will never die or grow faint.

10.  I wish for the ability to stop stress and anxiousness dead in its tracks.

5 things

I'm working on a big post that my sister challenged me to write, but in the meantime here's this little one I've seen some bloggers writing recently.

 

5 little things about me:

1.  I don't think I've ever felt more beautiful in my life than I did on my wedding day.  I think it was due to my sister's flawless makeup and hair and the fact that my dress fit me like a glove.  There's also the fact that I was beaming with happiness the entire day.

2.  I hate losing eyelashes.  Every time one of those little guys falls on my cheek, I want to shed a single tear for it.  

3.  I have a Bachelor's degree.  Couldn't tell by my lack of employment, but it's there just waiting to be used and taken advantage of.

4.  If we had moved to any other state besides North Carolina I would be way more homesick, way more often then I am now.  North Carolina already felt like home because of my family's history here and I'm so grateful for that.

5.  I'm obsessed with our dogs.  I take way too many pictures of them and talk to them like they are people.

It's a little ridiculous.

Let's talk about posture and skin.

I have bad posture.  It's something that I've been aware of for a long time, but my husband has a habit of reminding me about it a lot.  It's not that I slouch really bad but, I tend to be in a constant shrug.  I don't know if it's partly because of stress or just because I find it more comfortable, but that's what happens.  So, I decided to try and do something about it.  I've been doing these stretches for a couple days now, plus working out and trying to strengthen my back and shoulder muscles.

I also decided to try and get really radical about it and I bought a posture brace off Amazon.  The same one in the picture below.  I've only had it two days so we'll see how well it works.  I'm determined to kick the bad habit. 

This winter has also been hell on my skin.  I have been dried out like a raisin for months and finally decided that all the lotion I was trying to use wasn't working.  So, after consulting Pinterest, I decided to try coconut oil.  I've been using it for almost a week and I can already tell a huge difference.  My skin isn't dry, my pores are smaller, and my skin is genuinely softer.  Coconut oil isn't just for dry skin either.  Google it and you'll find a whole host of ways to use it.  It's also easy to find.  I found this jar below in the organic section of our local grocery store and a friend said they found the same one at Costco.  A good friend also recommended lavender essential oils for dry skin, but I haven't been able to find it yet. 

"I" statements

 via tumblr

I was...just re-reading a list of reasons why my husband loves me and feeling very thankful for my life.

I am...sitting on my bed, enjoying a clean blanket and bedroom and the sound of the laundry machine going.

I think...that sometimes it's hard to figure out what I think.

I wonder...where we'll be in the next few years.  There's a lot up in the air right now and I just always wonder how it will turn out.  I'm excited for the adventure.

I wish...that work days were shorter, family was closer, and our bank account was a little fuller!  I wish that I was working in my career field or writing a kick-ass book.

I save...jeans. I will hold onto those suckers until they are falling apart or I can't pull them up anymore.

I always...have a cup of tea in the morning. I always have my husband and family on my mind. I always want to live my life for God...even though that sometimes doesn't happen. I'm always looking for a new book to read.

I can't imagine...not being a mom.  I've been baby crazy since I was little and even more so now.  I want kids and to be a mom so bad.  I can't even imagine that not happening in the future.

I believe...that we were all saved by the grace of God.  I believe that you should always start and end the day with a kiss and say "I love you" as much as possible.  I believe that even if you don't get along all the time, your family should be the most important thing in your life.  I believe that a good cry can help you feel better and that laughter can change a situation for the good.  I believe that trust can be restored.

I promise...to be the best wife, sister, daughter, and friend I can possibly be.

I love...my amazing husband, my family and friends, my big dog, and my life right now.

cabin fever

via tumblr

For the past few weeks we have been back to being a one car family, and because of finances and being the stereotypical broke newlyweds, we (I) haven't left the house very much.

Here are things I have learned over the last few weeks of not going anywhere:

+  Letting the laundry pile up so you can be productive for more than 30 minutes will happen.

+  You will spend a lot of time on Pinterest and start to want to reinvent your life.

+  You will find that your bed is really the most comfortable couch ever and will search Craigslist for a daybed you can turn into a couch for your living room.

+  A dinner that claims it only takes 15 minutes to prepare will be stretched out as long as possible.

"Let's see how fine I can chop these bell peppers and green onions!"

+  Checking the mail and taking out/bringing in the trash cans will become an outing. 

+  If you're a military wife, you'll actually be bummed you can't get out and go to a FRG meeting.

+  You talk to your dog a lot.

+  The time between when you're husband gets home from work and when he leaves again in the morning is precious, precious time.

+  Driving feels weird when you actually get to go out.

+  Watching food shows should be avoided when you're running extremely low on groceries.

+  You will crave all the things that you can't go get.

+ You will be counting the days until things get better and pray every day for a job.  

A-Z

Does anyone remember doing "surveys" like this back in the days of Myspace?  I used to be all about these and decided that I would do one after seeing Emily, over at The Freckled Fox, do one.

Addictions: Tea/Coffee in the morning, Pinterest, and I think I'm starting to be addicted to Cracker Barrel.
Bed size: We have a queen and I love it.
Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom.  I will vacuum and sweep all day.
Dogs or cats: We have one big ball of dog fur and he's spoiled rotten.
Essential start of your day: A cup of tea or coffee and a kiss.
Favorite color: I'm a sucker for turquoise and red.
Gold or silver: I tend to lean more towards silver.
Height: 5'6"
Instruments you play (or have played):  I play/have played the violin since I was 7...I think.
Jobs titles you've had: Model, customer services rep, receptionist, bill collector, and now wife.
Kids: TBD...we're still a little ways off from having kids, but it's talked about weekly.
Live: In beautiful Pinehurst, NC.  We love, love, love living here.
Mom’s name: Holly Jane.
Nickname: Manda, Manders
Overnight hospital stays: Getting my tonsil/throat operated on.
Pet peeve:  Soaking wet sponges that are left in the sink.
Quote from a movie: "Don't cry shop girl, don't cry."
Right or left handed: I am right handed.
Siblings: Candace, Becca, and Matthew Mann and Sarah and Rachel Massingale, all younger.
Time you wake up: Ha...way too late.
Underwear: I don't even know. A mix of brands. Nosy.
Vegetables you dislike: I don't really dislike any vegetables that I can think of right now.
What makes you run late: Usually I try not to be late. The last time I was late for something a deer hit my car.
X-rays you’ve had done: Teeth, arm, and heel.
Yummy food you make: According to my husband, I've been on a roll lately with good food lately...thank you Pinterest!
Zoo animal: I haven't been to the zoo in a really long time, but I love watching the big cats.

Pasta For One

Isn't that such a sad title? But alas, I am flying solo for the next couple days. By flying I mean doing a lot of sitting on my bed...but anyways.  When it came time to eat dinner yesterday, I looked at the meager contents of my fridge and just started pulling out ingredients.  I wanted something that was going to be easy and filling.

So I came up with this pasta for one and thought I would share it because it's pretty bomb.

Ingredients:

* Olive Oil

* Black pepper

* Salt

* Red pepper flakes

* Minced garlic

* Red bell pepper

* Onion

* White wine

* Pasta (I used Penne, but it would work with any kind)

I started out by cutting up half a red bell pepper and onion.  

Once that was ready I started boiling the water for the pasta.  

Then I heated up my small skillet and added enough olive oil to coat the bottom.  

I tossed in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and let them cook there for only 30 seconds before I put in the onion and bell pepper.  

The water was boiling so I salted it and put the pasta in (I used two handfuls just for me).  

Once the bell pepper and onion were almost done I added the white wine.

I don't know how much exactly, but it was enough to make it coat the pasta completely.

 

 I let that cook down until the pasta was done...

Which shouldn't take too long.

I just tossed it all together and got to eatin'.  It was yummy and I was a happy girl.

Rain.

Happy Rainy Fall Day!

It was so nice to wake up rested and to the sound of rain this morning.

Then I got to eat some oatmeal, drink hot coffee, and watch "The Devil Wears Prada."

I thought I would share a few things I've found on the internet lately that also inspire me.

 + I really want to take pictures in a library with my baby someday.

+ This awesome holiday gift list for guys Ashley put together over at Adventures of Newlyweds.

+ This video. Did not expect that voice to come out of that kid.

+ This board on Pinterest. I scrolled through the entire thing.

+ I really want to visit this shop in South Carolina. Road trip?

What's out there that's inspired you lately?

Share with me!

Rut.

I'm stuck in a rut.

My "routine" over the last month hasn't been anything close to normal.

There's nothing to blog about except the occasional happy list, maybe list, and birthdays.

I'm anticipating that in two more days things will start getting back to a more normal state.

Hopefully we'll have a car in the next week and then a house shortly after.

Then holidays start and the job hunting will really pick up and I'll actually have things to write about.

Hang in there with me while this ginormous transition time is still, well, in transition!

guilty pleasures...we've all got em'!

I have just a few guilty pleasures.

Nothing crazy. They are as follows.

Reading a really good book.

Coffee, coffee, coffee.

Cheesecake.

Recipe for Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake here. 

And lastly, Vampire Diaries!

Season 4 starts in 15 minutes and I'm incredibly excited about it.

I'm sad I'm not going to be able to watch it with my CA family, but I'm glad I have some NC family here to watch it with me!

What is your guilty pleasure??

Katy Perry

Isn't it funny how looking back four years you realize that things can change a lot?

Four years ago, I was in community college and working on our campus newspaper. 

I was covering the presidential election that year.

I watched both Nation Conventions, I researched countless differences in both party's policies, and when it came time for the Presidential Debate (which was tonight if you don't have a Facebook or Twitter or live in a hole in the ground) I was all over it. Now mind you, I don't like politics.  I'm not outspoken about them, I really don't follow them that well, and when it came time to take a class about it I was still not super stoked.

Fast forward to tonight.  I could have watched the debate, but do you want to know what I did instead?  I watched the Katy Perry - Part of Me movie.  It's not because I wasn't interested in hearing what Obama and Romney were gong to spar about tonight, but I was more interested in watching someone who has made their dream a reality.

See, my dream is to be a journalist.  Maybe not a political one, but one that delivers news to people everywhere.  A couple of days ago I sent off a e-mail to the editor of an online newspaper here at Ft. Bragg.  I was super nervous because I haven't applied to any jobs here yet and I even said a little prayer before I sent it off with lots of hope.  There hasn't been a response yet.  I'm debating whether or not to send another e-mail...it's hard to show up in person when you're still out a vehicle. 

That being said...

Sometimes I get caught up in the overwhelming talent of others.  

I get lost in other peoples' success and their gifts and then I start to throw myself a pity party.  Why do their dreams get to be a reality, when mine is still sitting on the ground waiting for its chance to take off?  Why was this student offered a job right out of college and I wasn't?  Why does this blogger have over a hundred followers and I don't?  Why can't some amazing breaking news happen right in front of me so I can jump start my career?

Then I have to stop and think logically for a second.

My life...is pretty damn good.

I have an amazing husband, family, and friends.

I have more support than I could ever need.

I have a God who has a plan for my life.

I might just be a little talented myself.

My career might not be taking off at lightening speed, but good grief, I'm only 23.

There is still time and there is no reason to give up hope.

  I'm also a firework...just kidding.

Quick update.

 

Currently:

Thinking: Way more than I could ever type out but, I'm thinking that I like hanging out with my siblings and watching the Olympics together.

Enjoying:  Laughing with my brothers and sisters and very much enjoying the fact that Aly Raisman stopped everyone else on floor and won Gold.

Feeling:  Anxious, stressed, and a little sad.

Wearing: A pair of True Religion jeans, a white tank top, and a red Atlantic Beach, NC sweatshirt.

Needing:  A massage and a hug.

Wanting:  My to-do list to be all done and for my almost-husband to be here already.

Listening: To my sisters read humors pins from Pinterest out loud and the announcers on the Olympics.

Making: This blog post.

Eating: Nothing at the moment, but Becca made pretty good chicken tacos tonight.

Drinking: Shock Top's Lemon Shandy.

Bossy.

I am a oldest child.

We tend to be a lot a bit bossy sometimes.

I spent this weekend being one of several bosses, in charge of a big event and lots of people.

Let me tell you, it is hard work making sure 70-something people are where they are supposed to be and doing what they're supposed to be doing for three days in a row, from sunup to wayyyyy past sundown.

Sometimes I get on my own nerves with my bossiness and my control-freak tendencies.

I can imagine I probably got on some peoples' nerves this weekend, but I really did have the best intentions, I promise!  I guess I just need to remember that...

Lots of eyeliner and skirt

Last night I helped serve dinner/drinks/dessert at a 50s themed Spring Fling.

It was a lot of fun and I think half of it happened before the event, while our house was full of girls getting dressed and ready in their 50s attire.  I think that the 50s gave us some of the best music out there.  There wasn't one song that was played last night that didn't attract most of the 350 people there onto the dance floor.  I hope your Saturday night, before this wretched time change, was enjoyable!

Car shot.

Skirt c/o my grandmother. 

Real vintage = love.  Heels that kill = not so much love.

Rebel without a cause and feeling better

On Friday I wrote a little note to myself telling me that I needed to get my $#&% together and get out of my funk.  I don't know if it was just having a pretty good weekend or what, but I felt a lot better today.  

There's a lot of rough stuff that's been happening to put a damper on my mood over the last month.

The biggest one is that my wedding venues keep falling through.  Can you yell say B-U-M-M-E-R???

We keep plugging on and moving to the next best thing.  If anyone has any ideas for a wedding venue in Central California, pass them my way pretty please *bats eyelashes*!

This was THE one that got away...*sigh* makes my stomach hurt.

 via

via

But despite all that, I'm feeling better and I'm ready for this last week of February and March to start!

March is going to be a good month, I can just feel it.


And now a picture of James Dean...The Rebel Without a Cause.
 Almost-husband and I had a funny exchange about this movie title and it made my night.
Enjoy.

Right now...

I am...

Watching: Once Upon a Time with Candace and Colin.

Eating: Nothing, although I could go for some Goldfish that I know are in the pantry.

Drinking: Hot, apple cider from my adorable birthday mug I got this year.

Wearing: Gray sweater, flower thermal shirt, skinny jeans and socks.

Avoiding: Going to bed.

Feeling: A bit tired and very content.

Missing: My fiance. Who else would I be missing?

Thankful: That tonight was much better than my work day.

For moms who bring home little gifts and good friends with good wine and lots of talking to do.

Weather: 46 degress and cloudy. It feels a lot colder outside though.

Needing: To Christmas shop for everyone, to find the perfect white dress, and to see my love.

Thinking: That doing these things on my blog, reminds me of all the old Myspace surveys I used to do in high school.

Loving: That Christmas is so soon and this year is going to end soon.

Stole this from Goodnight Moon, who stole it from a few other bloggers.

This little dilemma of mine

Today is one of my very good friend, more like sister's 22nd birthday.

Happy Birthday Cassie!

Last year on New Years Eve

Tonight we are going out to get a celebratory drink, which brings me to my dilemma.

The thought of getting dressed up to go out...puts me out.

I started to realize this when I lived in Long Beach and my roommate, Hannah, and I would complain to each other about the amount of work it takes to get ready to go out for the night, for girls.

I'm not a huge fan of getting all dolled up!

I should be right?

For some reason I'd rather wear jeans and a nice shirt and call it a day.

Because I love Cassie, I will somehow find something nice to wear tonight,

 and we're going to have some fun!

Five things...

Saw this on  Le Musings of Moi's blog the other day and thought it would be fun to do!

5 things you don't know about me:

~ I was home schooled until high school! I'm totally normal and definitely not like this.

~ I've been going to the same church for 23 years.  That's my entire life and I love it.

~I have to play a game or two or three of Freecell before I go to sleep, no matter how late it is.

~ I remember random times of my childhood and sometimes amaze my parents with my memory.

~ I hate horror/scary/intense movies...I refuse to watch them.

5 things I'm knowledgeable about:

~ How to change a diaper. 
Hey, don't judge. Some people might have issues with this.

~ The violin.

~ Those frozen dinners you get in a bag and plop in the skillet.

~ I would say the military, which in some aspects I am, 
but they still like to throw curve balls my way sometimes.

~ Planning a wedding.

5 things I know nothing about:

~ Math.  Even simple 7-year-old math still makes me go crazy.

~ How to shop for the men in my life. Why is it so hard ya'll??

~ Football.  Touchdowns are the only thing I get in that sport.

~ How to be a wife...but I'm reading and listening and watching and I think I'll be fine.

~ Cars. I will gladly let my future hubby take care of those things.

5 things I believe:

~ I believe in Jesus Christ. He's pretty amazing.

~ That everything happens for a reason.

~ That a good cup of coffee can make the day better.

~ That family is one of the most important things in the world.

~ You can really do anything if you set your mind to it.

Two thoughts...

I'm about to go to sleep, but before I do, here are two little thoughts that are in my head.

1. Why are newlywed/newlyparents blogs sooooo ridiculously addicting??

I mean seriously, they make me feel giddy and then send me into a daydreaming tail spin about what my newlywed life is going to be like.

I've told ya'll about my love of Naomi, Josh, Eleanor, and Kingsly over at rockstar diaries before, but today I stumbled upon Sydney, Tyson, and their brand-new baby, Everette over at The Daybook.  My night was pretty much spent reading her posts...when I wasn't watching Vampire Diaries of course.

 I can't wait to be married!!!

2.  Sometimes darnit, butt, and crap just don't cut it.

Is it wrong that when my sister used the phrase, "Shit's about to hit the fan," in a sentence tonight it made me smile?  I will be painfully honest with you and say that when I moved away, I kinda developed a mouth, but since I've been back I've been working on it, I promise.  

It is true though, sometimes those fluffy words just don't cut it at all.

Goodnight everyone! Sleep well and I'll see you tomorrow for Day 3 of what I'm thankful for!