I'll take two please

Seriously, how cute are these? They are laptop covers that look like books! Not only are they super protective, but they would be so adorable on your nightstand, right? Of course, I'd choose the vibrant red! And it has the cutest name, the "BookBook."

Love it. Want it.

Too bad it is nearly $80. :-(

Tuesday.

I am not loving the return of winter. Last week's 50 degree Saturday was fabulous. Is it too early to start a countdown to vacation? I'm ready for some sunshine, some waves, and some sand in my toes.

Jimmy Buffet's "I gotta go where it's warm" is playing on repeat in my office today. Ok, it's not really because it's not really appropriate for a law office, but it's definitely on repeat in my mind.

Ah well. We've got a ways to go before it's warm here in Ohio! In the meantime, why don't you enjoy these pictures of me and my sister back in the old days? Lovely, no? To this day I wonder why our mailman used to call us boys...oh wait. Pretty sure I am rocking a sweet mullet in that first pic. And, yes, those sunglasses made the outfit. Duh.Here we are in 1992 at the beach!!! Once again, hair is amazing-including my mother's. Seriously, who cut our hair? Yikes.

Amen.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.
-Irish proverb

Is it bad that I look forward to crawling into bed each night? I absolutely adore those moments before I fall asleep, reading a book...looking through a magazine...all comfy with Fi* curled up next to me.

It's no wonder I go to bed so early!

*It should be noted that said canine almost lost her life at the hands of her master this morning after I had to carry her back to the house in the pouring down rain. Apparently, "the princess" (as she will now be known) detests going #2 in the rain, and once she has (after being walked all the way up the street) refuses to walk back to the house and must be carried there!

Sunday is for Soup

I love my crock pot. I use it all the time. Yesterday, I decided to make some soup to have for lunches this week and came up with this recipe. Super easy. Nutritious and very filling!

Vegetable Tortellini Soup

Ingredients
1 Green Pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 Cup (2 stalks) celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 Cup frozen green beans
1 can diced tomatoes w/ basil and oregano
1 can canellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 palmful dried basil
2 cans fat free, reduced sodium chicken broth (14 oz cans, each)
9 oz. package refrigerated cheese tortellini

Directions
Heat olive oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium high heat. Add green pepper, onion, celery and garlic and saute until onions are translucent-about 5 minutes. Add mixture to crock pot. Add remaining ingredients, except the tortellini. Cook on LOW for 7 hours. When cooking is complete, add in tortellini and heat on low for 20-25 minutes, until tortellini is tender.

Top with some Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

The name game.

I haven't decided whether to change my name after Steve and I get married in June. I know, I'm terrible, right? While I wouldn't go as far as this author and say my name is my identity, it is rather strange to think of myself as no longer Liz B. I mean, this is the name I've had for nearly 30 years. I have a smattering of published case opinions with this name. More importantly, there's that 4x800 meter relay junior varsity league record still lingering out there from my freshman year in high school...

I kid. But, I kind of don't. I just don't know. I'm leaning towards changing it. I mean, it makes sense. We will be joined together as one (that phrase kind of makes me nauseous). We will be a new "family" for all intents and purposes. It's easier when dealing with joint accounts and things of that nature.

But, does it really mean I'm less of a wife if I don't take my husband's name? Everybody seems to have an opinion on it. My mother just assumed I'd change my name and when I mentioned I wasn't sure, she seemed thrilled. (Remember-my mother is a big feminist!). And then I have friends who seemed shocked that I'd even consider not taking Steve's name. At work it's a much higher percentage of women who keep their name professionally. So, I don't know what to do.

Either way I go, I'll tell you this much-it is just a name. Whether I'm Elizabeth Brashear or Elizabeth Fuller, come June, I'll still be me.

And it must be nice to be a man and never even have to consider this type of dilemma!

Grey.

It's so grey outside. These next few months are so hard, right? There's little to get excited about with all the lack of sunshine, frigid temperatures, end of football, and long string of 5-day work weeks ahead.

BUT...there's some things to be cheery about...

1. LOST returns Feb. 2 and I could not be more excited. I hope Penny and Desmond make a big return-they are my favorites.

2. Girl Scout cookies. Yes. I placed my order yesterday and come mid-February I will have 2 boxes of thin mints, a box of Samoas (aka caramel delites) and a box of shortbread (aka trefoil). Delightful. And they will come at just the time I am tired of trying to "eat healthy". He he.

3. Triple pay. I get paid 3 times in January since I get paid every other Friday. Sweeeeeeet. (Although I think there is some big upcoming event where most of that money is going...)

4. 12 whole hours of vacation to use before May when they expire. What to do, what to do! I'm thinking 1/2 day on Good Friday and the Friday before President's Day to give my self a 4 day weekend. That'd be nice in February!

5. My new steam mop. Yes, one of my favorite presents this Christmas is a cleaning device! I haven't tried it out yet and I think this weekend will be a perfect time to debut this fancy new toy.

Hmm. That's all I've got. Spring will be here before we know it, right?

Let's hope.

Did you know...

The average wedding costs $27,800-not counting the honeymoon or engagement ring!? (Source: the knot)

That made me laugh (read: choke) a little while I was eating my lunch and browsing the "budget" section on the knot's website. They categorize "budget" weddings as anything less than $20,000. Ummmm, right.

Weddings are funny. Attach the word "wedding" to any service or product and all of a sudden there's a huge mark up in cost. "Wedding" cakes are way more expensive than a custom birthday cake, for example.

And, of course, wedding dresses. Fun to look at and try on, but scary to look at the price! I'm already quite anxious about going to a bridal store to try on dresses and having to tell the consultant my budget is actually not 4 (or 5) figures. (I tried going the JCrew route with my wedding dress and avoiding the bridal boutiques all together, but the dress I ordered proved to be a bit "brides gone wild" as it was completely see through. Not exactly the theme I had in mind...)

It is fun, though... :) And, there's hope-this lovely ensemble is in my price range (hat-veil included)! Yes!