21 Days.

If it's true, and it indeed takes three weeks to form a habit, then I have officially formed my habit of no facebook/instagram/twitter for 2016. I still have 49 more weeks to go, but I've made it to the point of "forming a habit". Here's what I've learned/experienced so far!

1.) Are you pregnant yet or are you engaged yet?! Have you had your baby or did you break up? Guys, I know nothing over here except for what I'm being told. Admit it or not, but we are designed to love exciting or breaking news.

2.) Friends/Family from far away that I don't often get to see/talk to. I do miss this... I miss seeing their faces when they post pictures or knowing what they're up to when they shared stories/statuses.

3.) PHOTOGRAPHY & Hashtags! Okay, this is probably just a me thing, buuuuuut... My go-to way of researching somewhere quickly is to look up hashtags on IG (#zionnationalpark or #sydneyoperahouse) I really get a kick of exploring the pictures and seeing what people from all over the world are seeing... I know there is Google Image, but it's not as authentic.

AND to calm me down before I get too far into thinking I miss social media; the things I DON'T miss: 

1.) POLITICAL/SOCIAL RANTS. Hello! Just to be blunt, no matter what side of the spectrum you're ranting about - I don't care. #Trump2016, #Clinton2016 or #Bernie2016 - I'm not changing my mind. I form my own opinions based on facts and/or platforms that are not dominated by other opinionated people. By no means am I saying that you are wrong. I think you should stand up and speak out about whatever you believe, but I personally don't read them nor do I really care... So, there's that!

2.) "Like my depressing/"TMI" status so I can feel special" Yikes. Those people, amiright? Sorry you had a bad day... It happens though. 

3.) (Kind of related to # 2) Those pictures where someone says "I look super fat/ugly" on a caption of a photo. NO. If you felt that way, then why on earth would you share it? I call liar-face! 

Okay, this seems like it's getting mean and I don't think I'm a mean person... SO I'll stop. But really guys, Facebook is great to stay up to date with friends/family and share exciting things happening in your life... I don't think it's fair for someone to log-in and immediately feel anger or depression. 

ANYWAY - Life is awesome. I have bad days, I have amazing days and then I have so-so days but it's all good. I'm doing just fine without social media and I'm enjoying spending less time on my phone! Also, I have like... 70-75% battery at the end of every day which is kind of unheard of! 

Okay, to send you off - here is a photo of the clouds from last week. Mother Nature is a pretty amazing artist. I mean, she's no Cade Buckus, but she's good. I'll give her that! ;)

Life Lately // As of 1/17/16

Hello, hello! I'm currently playing "fake it 'til you make it" with this cold. If I act like I'm feeling 100% then hopefully I'll trick my brain into thinking that I am. Also, if I can vent for a minute. The weekend is the WORST time to get sick. Like, hello! I had plans and you are now forcing me to do nothing. >gr!<

I did, however, manage to get out and do some quick shopping with my mom yesterday. That two hours with her was much needed! After that, I laid on the couch and watched some Netflix & HBO. I just finished Togetherness which is like the more drama type of Modern Family and perhaps a little more realistic? Also, seeing Mark Duplass's face isn't hurting anything... (Sorry, Cade!). Now I am starting on The Newsroom. Only one episode in but I have a great feeling I am going to like it. I'm probably not alone, but I definitely started watching it because of this speech. (are you guys digging my hyperlinks here?!?!)

Other than the TV business (thanks sickness!), I've been incredibly swamped at work lately. Which makes coming home afterwards all the sweeter. This week was a great week for coming home! We planned our dinners ahead of time last weekend so we knew exactly what we were going to make every evening. I'd like to think that I'll continue it, but who am I kidding? I get most of my dinners ideas from Pinterest and I've learned now to really choose the dinners that are within my skills. Also, time limit. Unfortunately, I didn't hit the 1.5 billion dollar lotto so I can't pursue my dream to be a stay at home wife. 

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Here are some pictures of life lately! Enjoy: 

Ryan, Becca, Cade & I made some delicious pizzas a couple weeks ago which included this velveeta and bacon pizza. Nothing beats combining liquid gold with bacon. NOTHING!

I can't believe that little Maverick is going to be ONE in 11 days. How on earth did a year pass by that quick?! In either case, he is truly the most adorable and lovable little boy and I'm so glad I get to watch him grow up next to my best friend.

The house is all back to normal now after Christmas. I love all the decorations that I'm surrounded by during the holidays but there is nothing better than seeing your clean, beautiful house back to its normal state.

Little Franklin just has my whole entire heart. I'm so proud of this sweet dog and how much love he gives Cade & I. How did we get so lucky with him?!

This sunset was unreal Friday morning. I had to grab my camera to document it. Thank goodness I did too because it was gone within 10 minutes.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, exciting week! 

Renee

My love for movies!

If I’m being totally honest, award season is kiiiiiiiiind of like a smaller, less family oriented Christmas for me. I love everything about them. I love seeing all the interesting movies up for nominations, I love seeing the stars and I really love watching in anticipation of whether my favorite movie/TV show is going to win an award or not. With that being said, since Cade and I have cancelled cable, we are really only watching Netflix/HBO and binge-watching “older” TV shows. (Our current favorite show to binge watch is 30 Rock) Also, I should add a quick note to let everyone know that over the past weekend, Cade and I successfully (and unashamedly) watched all SEVEN Star Wars. Yeah, you read that right. BOOM. Lazy weekends for the win.

I probably only have about 50 favorite movies... Narrowing it down to a top five or even 10 proves to be more difficult than it should be… But here are my current favorite movies.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – This probably isn’t in a whole lot of “Top Movies” but this movie is one of those “comfort movies” to me… If I need a good laugh, or something to keep me distracted… This is my “go-to” and I can easily and flawlessly recite this entire movie. Sorry to everyone who’s ever watched it with me. “YOU SOUND LIKE YOU’RE FROM LONDON”

4. The Last Kiss - #ZachBraff (I wish I could just include Garden State & The Last Kiss tied for fourth. That would only be fair.)

3. V for Vendetta – Remember, remember the … first time I watched this movie and fell in love. HI NATALIE PORTMAN, I LOVE YOU!

2. Little Miss Sunshine – Since the first time I saw this movie I knew it would be a forever favorite. Steve Carrel stole my heart in this movie and now I have to see everything he’s in. Although, this movie holds the trophy, I still love him in most everything!

1. Pride & Prejudice – Hello Mr. Darcy! You stubborn, arrogant, manly, handsome, lovable creature you.  It took me way too long to finally sit down and watch this movie but this truly is a "better late than never" situation. I love everything about this movie. It’s the perfect length with the perfect cast. This has been my # 1 for a while and I can’t really see it changing any time soon.

So, there they are! My Top Five. I did it! 

I also really love Interstellar, Stuck in Love, Avengers (both of them), The Lego Movie, Crazy, Stupid, Love Jurassic Park, The Gift … See what I mean?! I can’t decide! There are too many good ones. Also, my sister and I recently went to the theaters and saw “Sisters” with Tina Fey & Amy Poehler and now I think that’ll be a favorite. I know other people have this problem so I don’t feel so alone here… I just hope they never stop making great movies! 

Oh, and also all of the Pirates of the Caribbean! OK, I’m done now. I think!

Happy Awards Season!

Sunday Morning / / Easy Life.

In the last 11 days, I've worked a whoppin' two. While I could easily get used to this lifestyle, I'm now sitting here thinking about the week ahead knowing full well that it involves heading back to work. I love my job, but I also love cooking, organizing my house, spending time with Cade & Frankie, and relaxing when all is said and done.

Since today is the last day of the holiday break, I decided to make an easy, but delicious breakfast... Biscuits! Then I decided to photograph it. Cade and I manage to have THEE best mornings on the weekends. Yummy breakfasts, fun talks and lots of calmness. I always want to have my camera ready to photograph it and I never do. So today I did and I'm so happy. Here are a few snippets of our morning.

I think some of the best meals require the biggest messes. I've learned the hard way that the best thing to do is to clean as soon as I'm done cooking. Otherwise it turns into rock and haunts you forever. (slight exaggeration!)

I put them in some time apart so the back left ones are almost done and the front right just went into the oven.

I MADE THE BISCUITS!

Best. Jam. Ever! (Smuckers Sugar Free Blackberry Jam)

And then ... of course. Frankie! He's annoying the crud out of me as I type but he was really good this morning!

Hope everyone had a wonderful, productive and easy weekend.

Two - OH - Sixteen; Celebrate!

New Years Eve was spent playing fun games and celebrating the end of 2015 as well as the exciting, new 2016! I brought my camera with me to snap a few pictures below!

I judged a bottle by it's design. SO PRETTY! But, it was also pretty darn good for champagne.

Did you know there are markers to write on wine glasses with? Now that I know this I must find them.

We played "Never Have I Ever" and it was so much fun. Definitely a "Rated R" game, but very hysterical!

The girls! <3 span="">

I love the beginning of a new year. There's so much resolutions and goals and also just the unknown. When 2015 began I had no clue of what was to come, but I knew it had to be better than 2014 (terrible year!) and ... it was! There was an engagement, a marriage, lots of fun trips and also just growing stronger relationships. So, while I don't know if 2016 can top '15, I am anxious to see how it ranks. I know we're only two days in at this point, but so far it's fun.

My goals for the year are no social media (facebook & instagram) as you already know, and also to be wiser with my money and keep my car cleaner! My car is (regrettably and embarrassingly) always a mess.

Happy New Year! I hope 2016 is a wonderful year for everyone! May your cars be clean and your money be saved... At least in my case!