Birthday Fun

Oh.my.goodness.

The first few weeks of my Summer vacation have been more hectic than when I had to live by a daily schedule and go to class.

It's been 

go, go, go 

since I got back to Boaz.

BUT

I'm back on Blogger,

and, as we all know,

that's all the matters.

What have I been up to lately?

Well...

working, shopping, spending tons of time with my precious boy, and

CELEBRATING Diddy's birthday!

Oh, did we have a blast

Let me show ya!!

THE ever so gorgeous sunset over Lake Guntersville.

Here we have my boyfriend, Sean, me, the birthday boy man aka Diddy, and my cutie Momma!

Happy birthday, Pops!

We turned around and Diddy was missing. 

We found him on someone's boat.

"Diddy! You can't just go get on someone's boat!!!!" -Me

"Why not? I'm not even drinking their Sam's diet Cola. They don't have anything to worry about." -Diddy

He was not getting off of that boat. 

When we got back from dinner, I had a desert made for his birthday.

I know it doesn't look very pretty (it sunk), but it sure was tasty!

So

let's all have fun this summer.

Enjoy the warm weather, the lazy days by the pool, the fun times on the ski boats, the long days of shopping, and the perfect days on the beach.

Happy summer, y'all!

Do What You Love

Since I'm a golfer, it's kind of a requirement that my boyfriend be a golfer, as well.

Luckily, Sean loves golf!

Last Friday, he and I went out into nature, goofed around, and enjoyed each other's company.

We both had a hard time taking the game seriously because we were laughing through all 18 holes.

I forgot my camera, the lousy blogger I am, so I had to use Sean's iPhone for pictures.

Enjoy!

What a gorgeous day!

I suggest next time you have a free day, you spend it on the golf course.

What better way to enjoy perfect Summer weather?

It's Just History Repeating

Let's go back a few years...

2005- I was chunk-ay, very chunk-ay! I started playing golf regularly with my dad and started shedding weight without any effort. When I realized I was losing weight without trying, I decided to start trying. My mom had been a lifetime member of Weight Watchers for years and it had always worked for her so I decided to take guidance from her. 

2007- I was 35 pounds lighter than in 2005.

Yes, it took several years, but large weight loss like that is a process.

Needless to say, I was amazed at the difference and very pleased with the results of my weight loss.

Dear 11th grade body, 

Please come back to me.

Love, Jessica

Now, let's look at the present...

2011- Of the 35 pounds that I initially lost, I have been in constant battle with 10 of those pounds. My weight has fluctuated by those 10 pounds for several years now. Since 2005, I have been a cautious eater. Not to say every thing I have put in my mouth has been super healthy, but I have known what I was eating and have tried not to gain weight. Recently, I have become uncomfortable with the extra weight I've been carrying.

So...

Yesterday, I started

again. 

That basically means that I've been starving for two days, but it's ok.

My mom has been seriously focusing on the Weight Watchers program since October and has shed 20 pounds.

Let me tell ya, she looks great!

CONGRATULATIONS, Momma. You be lookin' supa fiiiine!

And for the future...

June 6, 2011- I will be 5-10 pounds lighter than I am right now. My big beach trip of the year is the first full week of June. My goal is to be -5 pounds before then. I know it will make me feel a lot more confident in a bikini, and I can't wait.

So here I go...

counting points like a maniac

and 

frequenting the gym 

just like old times.

I need a gym partner so if you're interested, let me know!

It's always easier and more enjoyable in the gym if I have someone to talk to and motivate/support me.

Motivation is everything. 

Wish me luck!!

He Is Risen

I'm sure I could have done an in depth post about Easter a week ago and you all would have been interested. 

Now, probably not so much. 

I am just getting around to doing a post about Easter because my life has been as hectic as ever for over a week. I have been running around like I don't have any sense.

Monday and Tuesday after Easter Sunday, I had class allll day then had to come home to laundry, cleaning, and homework.

Wednesday, I left for the beach and was there until Saturday. 

When I got back Sunday...well, it was already too late to do a super cool Easter post.

So...here we are.

Yes, I do realize it's Tuesday again, and I'm just getting around to this.

Please bear with me.

I'm sure you understand.

Easter Sunday, I got up bright and early and put on all of my 

Easter Frock.

The Biddle family and I attended the wonderful service at the Fellowship then enjoyed lunch together.

Meg, Molly, and I took a few pictures that I would like to share.

Enjoy.

The Biddles were lookin' mighty spiffy on Easter Sunday!

Sean's two sisters, Meg and Molly, are both so 

unbelievably sweet and stunningly gorgeous!

My adorable boyfriend is a goof ball!

I know you just said, "Awww!!"

I took this adorable picture of Meg.

(With her guidance, of course.)

Thank you, Meg, for taking all of these pictures of me! 

I have so many blog profile pictures now.

I hope you all had as wonderful of an Easter as I did.

Yep, I just made you think back 9 days.

You're going to be ok, I guarantee it.

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Mark 9:9

Just Another Day in Paradise

Orange Beach, Alabama

April 27-30, 2011

Simply perfection.

College Dinner

Since moving away from home, 

the key to my survival has been

Smart Ones 

(more commonly known as Lean Cuisines, but they're different).

Smart Ones are made by Weight Watchers which my mom swears by so I go for the red box!

I cook sometimes, but Lean Cuisines are so much cheaper, easier, and quicker when it's just me eating.

For my college student budget and schedule, they're perfect.

Let me tell you how to cook one to PERFECTION

no matter which one it is...

Put it in the microwave for the whole time. No taking out and stirring nonsense.

When the time is up, leave it in the microwave for at least two minutes.

Then, take it out, stir it up, put it in another bowl, and enjoy!

These are my two favorites!

Trust me, I think I've tried them all and these are pretty noteworthy.

Try them...if you want. 

I, personally, think they're pretty tasty!

Ready in less than 2 minutes total and super yummy!!

Ignore the "stir it up" step for this one.

Usually, I don't eat the pasta ones with meat, but this one is so good. 

Find them in the frozen food section.

Healthy. Cheap. Quick. Tasty.

What could be better?

Don't Be Afraid

 Today's most common fears include 

flying, public speaking, heights, the dark, death, failure, needles, crowds, and germs.

I will not say that I am not scared of any of those, but I wouldn't call any of them my fears.

There are only a few things that make me absolutely cringe.

They are what I call my fears.

Yes, they're silly, but they are the things that scare me.

You can laugh all you want but here they are:

ICE CREAM TRUCKS

I had never been around ice cream trucks until I moved to Tuscaloosa. Now, it comes through the apartment everyday. 

You know the music ice cream trucks play? Yeah, that. That's what terrifies me.

 When the music stops and the creepiest voice I've ever heard says, "Hello," I almost come to tears.

 I won't even get started on how weird it is when a toothless old man is hanging out of the back window of a van serving ice cream to a line of small children.

NUTCRACKERS

Something about the way nutcrackers "chomp" just scares me. 

I don't know what it is.

 And that hair. Why is it even there? Ewww.

WOODEN ARTISTS

Don't ask me why I'm scared of these. I don't know. I think it's something about 

the way they move.

Of course I'm also scared of SNAKES and SPIDERS. Who isn't?

I won't put a picture of those on here.

I can't look at a picture long enough to upload it.

It seems as though in the last two weeks, I have constantly come face to face with all of these things. 

Since I am not at home with my parents anymore,

 I think it's time to grow up and throw my fears away.

As someone once said, 

"Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing."

So, with that being said, I am setting a challenge for myself. From today forward, I am going to not be afraid. These things will not scare me. I will face them with no fear.

Now, I am going to challenge you. Think of your fears then put yourself in contact with them and don't be afraid. I promise they won't hurt you.

I'm not saying go crawl in a bed of tarantulas or in a pit of pythons. Don't go jump off of a 40 story building, either. 

I'm talking about things within reason, guys.

Stylish Blogger Award

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Miss Brittany Purpura (www.bmaryandblessed.blogspot.com) for choosing Jelaco Design as the winner of the 

Stylish Blogger Award.

Thank you so much for that, girl. I truly appreciate this recognition.

As the recipient of this honor I must:

1. Link back and thank the person who gave it to me.

2. Share 7 things about myself.

3. Award 5 stylish blogs I read.

4. Contact them and tell them about their award!

Choosing only 7 things to tell you about has been hard, but here they are:

ONE

As an only child, I have always been very close to my parents. People ask, "Do you wish you had siblings?" I always answer, "I don't know. I don't know what it would be like to have one, but I do know that I like it just the way it is." I have always eaten dinner at the table with my parents, watched TV with them, and done my homework while sitting in the living room with them. My dad and I have spent many hours on the golf course together and he has taught me so much. My mom is who I go to when I need to talk to someone; she knows everything about me and is always there. 

I love my parents so much and enjoy going home to see them as often as possible.

TWO

I started begging for a Yorkie puppy when I was 5. I begged and begged and begged. Every holiday, I told my parents that if they would just get me a puppy that I would never ask for anything else. Finally, Christmas of my senior year, they decided that I was old enough to have a dog of my own. And along came Winston Frescott Cobb, you can just call him Winston, though. His first name, Winston, was chosen by Robby Spruiell, and his middle name is Frescott because my precious friend, Katie Mattox, calls me Frescott. My mother quickly fell in love with him and he now lives at home with her. She calls Winston her "surrogate child" now that I'm gone. I just love this little baby!

THREE

I started playing golf when I was in 5th grade. My dad teaches school so he is off during the summers and he would take me to the course with him. I played varsity golf for seven years and I still enjoy playing when I have time.

FOUR

Since I have moved off to college, I have made so many new friends. Many of them go to the University of Alabama, but several go to Auburn University. College has allowed me to expand my boundaries and meet people from so many different places. My new friends are so special and I hope we keep in touch even after college. 

FIVE

Although I have made new friends, I will always have my friends that didn't move to Tuscaloosa with me. These guys have been there with me through everything and they mean the world to me.

Molly and I have been close since we were in 4th grade. We worked together at a shoppe in our hometown for several years. She now goes to UAH and is majoring in accounting. I LOVE YOU, MOLLY!

This is Robby. We didn't really become close friends until 10th grade, but he has been the best friend anyone could ever ask for. He now goes to Auburn University and is a pre-dental major. I LOVE YOU, ROBBY!

SIX

If you knew me before I moved to Tuscaloosa, then you know I haven't always said "Roll Tide!!" I was raised a Georgia Bulldog fan. It absolutely makes my dad's skin crawl for me to say "Roll Tide," he says he "raised me better than that." But now that I go to school at UA, I am a Crimson Tide fan. I won't lie, I still cheer for the bulldogs, I just do it very quietly. I may get in trouble for saying "Gooooo Dawgs!" in Tuscaloosa. What do you think?

SEVEN

Design is my passion. As you probably already know, I haven't always been a design major, but I am now and I couldn't be happier. I am interested in the architectural aspect of design and hope to one day work for an architectural firm as an interior designer.

Those are only seven things about me. Keep reading my blog and you're guaranteed to learn many, many more things!

And my Stylish Blogger Awards go to...

1. www.soocollegiate.blogspot.com

2. www.lovebrookelove.blogspot.com

3. www.itsthemogblog.blogspot.com

4. www.rileybelieves.blogspot.com

5. www.interiordesignroom.blogspot.com

Once again, thank you so much, Brittany, you're too sweet!

Tri Omega Formal 2011

After the A Day game and a long nap, I headed over to the

 4th Annual Tri Omega Spring Formal. 

Tri Omega, as the brothers say, is "everyone's favorite non-philanthropic egalitarian brotherhood." Basically what that means is a bunch of goofy boys who know how to have a good time made up a fraternity. You better believe that they go all out with it, too. They have the stickers on their cars and everything. It's hilarious!

I was so happy to get to see so many people that I haven't seen since high school. Allow me to share a few pictures...

Well, I may have seen Sean a few times since high school. Weren't we spiffy?

This is Trey Murphy. He used to live beside me at home. Love this boy!

Allison Davis is the most adorable, gorgeous girl ever. Seeing her made me miss Snead.

Chelci, Allison, Me, and Perry!

Girls just wanna have fun!

We may not always be classy, maybe we like to be trashy sometimes, but at least we know how to have a good time!

You're only young once so have fun!!

A Day

Yesterday was yet another Saturday consisting of sun burn, and I loved every second of it. Sun burn means warm weather and SUMMER so I'll take it!

Yesterday was A Day. 

It was almost as cool as an Alabama Saturday in Tuscaloosa in the fall but not quite. Ok, I won't lie. It was extremely boring. The excitement of football comes from having that undying passion for Crimson Tide football and wanting nothing more than for them to get out on the field and beat the ever loving stew out of the opponent. When they're playing against themselves, what are the fans supposed to do? Cheer against their own team?

 No. Notta gonna happen. Sorry, budreaux. 

Yes, I understand that here at the University of Alabama, we may take football a little too seriously. Just as the motto says, 

"At some places they play football, at Alabama, we live it."

My boyfriend, Sean, his roommate, Matt, and I had a wonderful time at the game despite the hot weather and boring game. It got us excited for fall 2011 football in Bryant Denny Stadium!

Sean and I went to the stadium today to just look around and enjoy the gorgeous weather. We had a conversation about how being on campus and at Bryant Denny Stadium makes us feel. It went a little something like this:

"I can not wait for football." -Sean

"Oh, I know. Something about being here just gives me chills. We're so blessed to get to go to school here." -Me

"Anyone who doesn't get chills when they see this stadium is messed up. I hope no one ever takes being here for granted." -Sean

"It is so incredible." Me while standing, amazed by the unbelievable size of the stadium and dreaming of the loudness and excitement of being at games. 

Oh! I can't wait!!!

Also, the new statue of Coach Nick Saban was unveiled before the A Day game. Here is what we've got here on campus now. It's MASSIVE. Compared to all of the other statues of National Championship coaches, it looks like Saban is of utmost importance. Saban is even bigger than the Bear...please explain that one to me.

Roll Tide Roll!!