Monday, November 4, 2013

Slowing Down & Smelling the Roses




I just kind of love this song. And once you watch the music video, it gives it a whole new meaning. Right now, I feel like I'm kind of in a funk. I talked about it with my darling hubby the other night. He was getting frustrated with the fact that I kept asking him about if he was doing something.

I know that I am a typical nagger. I guess it's part of being a wife? :) But he told me,
"You keep looking forward to the next step. When you are done with your MBA, when you are done with your job now. Are you so busy looking forward that you are missing now?" 
I didn't really register that was happening to me until someone actually told me. Of course, I don't really think that there is anything wrong with having goals and wanting to accomplish something, but there is something to be said about enjoying the moment. 

I definitely was better at enjoying the moments last year. I mean, we had to document all of our firsts! Our first Halloween together, our first Thanksgiving, our first Christmas...you get the idea. But now, I am all about looking forward to starting again.

However, I do need to slow down and enjoy life. But How?!


  • Well, my little Hobbes chewed up my computer chord, and that has been helping.
  • I should probably stop making so many lists. I am a woman of lists, but that can get in the way of enjoying life. (dang it. I made a list...)
  • Focus on the big picture. So many times, I get caught up in the fact that something isn't going the way I need it to, I need to take a step back. 
  • Smile, even if it's not going my way. I'm a brat--I'll acknowledge it. And I absolutely hate when things don't go my way. I need to JGOI (just get over myself) 


I think that November is the perfect month to start doing this.
#thanksgiving
#thankful

This is a little reminder that I put up in my lil' cubicle:

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Life...

Life has been crazy lately.

I didn't even post about our amazing 1 year anniversary trip! Well, we went to FL and then a cruise. It was just what we needed. It was the perfect end of summer getaway, and a great way to celebrate being married for a year. I can't believe we've been married so long--it hardly seems like we've been married long!

Carlos gradumatated. 

So proud of him! #byualum

We got Hobbes. 


He's a red heeler/mini Australian shepherd mix. He is a cutie! We love him so much! It's been weird to have a lil' dog, mostly because we didn't really have one growing up. Luckily Carlos is a resident pup-expert, so we have it all covered!

We interviewed at Cornbelly's. 
Carlos was a poor lil' graduate with  no job for just a couple of weeks, so we decided to go to Cornbelly's to see if we could get a job there (extra money!), we got the job, but right as we started training, Carlos....

Got a Real Kid JOB!
After a couple of hits and misses (as it always goes when job searching) Carlos got an awesome opportunity to work in a lab! He pretty much does what he studied for his major! #microbiology I'm so proud of him, and we will be able to save up so he can take the OAT (for optometry school) and interviews for schools that accept him.

I Turned 24. 
I feel real old. It was a fun day full of family and friends. Here's to 24 being a wonderful year!

We Joined A Kickboxing Club
I finally made Carlos join a kickboxing club. It is awesome. Seriously, the workouts are intense, and I am pooped after I go. I'm trying to do a 60 day challenge, but my knee got tweaked and I was out for a week. #notfun

We Will Be Skiing This Year
Yes. Carlos got me passes to Sundance this year. He is going to learn to ski, and we are gonna have a blast! Yahoo!


Seriously, life is good here in the Grandela Household. I couldn't ask for more. #blessings




Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A Review of Every Single Candy Corn Flavor 2013

Guys. Guys.

GUYS. 

Seriously. I am freaking obsessed with CANDY CORN. I can't say it enough. #candycorn #cornmadeofcandy #oktoberfest

There are lit'raly a million flavors of candy corn on the market. Trust me, I've been a lookin'!

And since I'm such a peach, I've tried em all, and I'll give you the low-down on each.

Starburst candy corn. When I first saw this, I thought, this could not be. I'm a big fan of the Starburst jelly beans--so I thought--this is insanity! However, it didn't disappoint. At first bite, it was really weird--and tart! I could only eat like 3 in one sitting, but it was a fun change.

Brach's Pumpkin Spice candy corn. With the craze of the pumpkin spice, you can't go wrote with these candy corns! :) When you first bit the candy corn, it's a whole lot of spice and when you are done with it, it's a whole lotta pumpkin. It's a great way to curb your crave for pumpkin spice. However, the taste might remind you of a candle. . .

Brach's Indian Corn. Eh. I'll eat this one, but my heart doesn't jump for joy when I see it. It's an okay flavor, but maybe because I am into the crazy flavors. 

Brach's Carmel candy corn. This was a very flavorful candy corn--I think they should have named it Dulce De Leche candy corn--to give it that exotic flair! I liked it, but I'll definitely pick other flavors over it. 

Brach's S'mores candy corn. If you want to go the chocolate route, this is the candy corn for you. I thought it was going to be sick, but it was surprisingly different. The tip of the candy corn actually tasted like graham crackers! Weird!

Zachary Apple Cider candy corn. This was one of the pricier candy corns I picked up. But one of my favorites. It has this "melt in your mouth" quality that I can't put down. I had to put these in another room, because I could easily eat a whole container in one sitting.

Brach's Carmel Apple candy corn. This. is. my. favorite candy corn flavor of ALL time! Seriously. You can't get better than this flavor. This year, I've had a hard time finding it, I've hit up Wal-mart, Harmon's, and Walgreeens. I still haven't indulged in this amazing flavor this year--but it is the best of the candy corn flavors--I know it!




Brach's Original Candy Corn 
$1.49 

Starburst Flavored Candy Corn 
$2.50 

Apple Cider Candy Corn 
$3.63

Total Spent on Candy Corn
$16.92 (and counting) 

Trying every flavor of candy corn? 
Priceless. 



Did I miss any candy corn? 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

"Is this a circus or something?! It makes me cringe every time they open their mouths."..Bachelorette 2013

Guys.

It's Bachelorette season. If you are like me, and you love watching love unfold on national television, let's get started. 

Watching people make complete fools of themselves on national tv, while doing ridiculous things, The Bachelorette is for you.

Des(iree)--the bachelorette. She tells us of her rags to riches stories, as she sprawls out on a (california?) king bed. But goodness gracias, this chica is Boring. With a capital B. Instead of hearing her rant about how she wanted to share her life with someone, I was more concerned about what kind of candy they had put in those cute lil' apothecary jars on her bedside. Because, every morning, I get up & I need me a piece of candy.

Hubby joined in on the bachelor fun--and he was appalled at the caliber of men they picked this year. "Is this a circus or something?! It makes me cringe every time they open their mouths."

Within 30 seconds of the show starting, Des was already in tears. What a baby.

And that car? Sure it's a Bentley and everything...but let's get real. I was afraid she was going to crash if she started crying about something. Then I thought how awkward it would be to be those camera guys that were taking those shots of her in the car...they must have looked like stalkers...

Now to the Rose Ceremony/Party/Where the Freaks arrive:

Brad (wishybone): Wishbone was cute, but weird.

Brandon: Anyone else thinks he looks like Casey (from Emily's season?) The resemblance is striking.
KaseyBrandon Andreen

Kasey (#thehashtag): #canyoubemybestfriend #legit

Ben(mylittlekidwillwintheshowforme): how could you not win with that adorabs lil' kidlet?

Brian (mybestfriendswedding):
Brian Jarosinski
Doesn't he look like Rupert Everette (My Best Friends Wedding)?

Brooks(The Hair, THE HAIR): He seemed nice...

Briden (can't be eliminated first because he is a war veteran) : is that some sick Utah joke where two names are combined? (Brian and Aiden?) gag me.

Dan(SURVIVOR?)
Dan Cox


Diogo: Who told that poor soul it was a good idea to wear a 100+ lb suit of armor?

Drew (nicen'nervous): He seemed nice, but a little TOO nervous.

James: (Squidward): he looks like TOO perfect.
James Case


Jonathan (WHATTHECREEPER?!) What a creep. I wonder what kind of lawyer he is...cause he looked like he was on drugs.

Juan Pablo (Iwantmore): Uay for Juan pablo, seemed like a genuinely interesting guy...

Larry (pessimist101): I guess with a name like Larry, you can't help but being depressed.

Michael G: (apennyforyourthoughts): He seemed nice, a little fratboyish, but kewl

Nick (nowyouseemhimnowyoudont): Ah....he completed the ultimate magic trick, not getting a rose.

Zack K.: (moviestarquality): Loved him, except for the Converses. You don't have to wear lame shoes to stand out honey.


Zak W. (theshirtlesswonder): I'll be the first to admit, he's got a rockin' bod. But unfortunately, has the Michael Phelps syndrome (akin to Butter Face).


I was more excited for the previews of the Bachelorette than the actual choosing of her men.



Would this season just be great if she ran off with Chris? I mean, he's single and everything.

#tatafornow #bachelorette2013

Friday, May 17, 2013

Guilty pleasures

These are some things I've been lovin on lately. 


Polka dot pants?! Oh yes! 
Popcorn and my fizzy drink is always a winner.
I don't even know what happened with these cookies. Sad face.
You can never, ever go wrong with little Caesars. Ever. 
So happy it's Friday. 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Easy Lemon Dream Bars

Oh mmmm geee you guys.

I just found the perfect recipe for lemon bars. Like the kind where-you-can-eat-a-whole-pan-and-not-even-feel-guilty-because-they-are-way-better-than-the-Krusteaz-brand-and-just-as-fast.

Try saying that in one breathe.
But really.

These are absolutely divine. 

And you will never have to purchase Krusteaz again, because these are about 1 million times better, and just as easy.



Are you ready?
Are you sure?

Here you go.

Try not to gain 30 pounds with this recipe.
Original recipe from here. 

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 fresh (or not) lemon juice
2 tablespoons flour
(optional: 2-3 teaspoons grated lemon peel)

Filling
 4 eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 (or more) lemon juice
2 tablespoons flour
(optional: 2-3 teaspoons grated lemon peel)

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix up all crust ingredients.
Then mix it up to the pan.

Bake for 20 min.

While waiting, beat together filling ingredients. (Try not to drink the mixture, since there's raw egg in it)

Put it in pan and bake for 15-20 min.

Let cool & then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Eat until you burst. :)


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

As of late...

As of late:
Job moved to draper (we might be moving to draper)
Hubby is working full time
We went to Virginia to see Angelina get her endowment
Loved the dc temple
Insanity sessions
Failure to blog
Craft sessions
Baking disasters & success
Easter
Started a new semester of MBA: marketing
I am in love with marketing
We end our nights at 11 because hubby gets up at 515 am, and I go to the gym at 6










Sunday, April 28, 2013

Enter Spring/Summer Term

Here at the Grandela household, it is craziness!

Poor Hubby thought he would have more time....he has unfortunately been so mistaken.

Because, 5 out of the 7 days, he has to get to work before 6 am. And then he works 2 overnights.

Not to mention he is taking 6 credits--but 4 classes--since BOTH his classes have labs.

And he got called as 1st councilor in the Elders Quorum presidency!

Hubby is busssssssssy.


I see him, but not as often as I'd like--but at least we have our weekends.

My schedule is crazy too--but I've gotten used to it.

I work full-time (and usually 10+ hours since there's so much to do), class at night twice a week, and as many gym classes that I can fit in :)

But we are gearing up for our AWESOME vacation in July! Where all our hard work will pay off! :)


We work hard, and play hard here.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Pic overload

Christmas, Vegas trips, yummy food, awesome hubby, legit job, MBA stress, St. Pattys day, valentines day.

Love, love, love.





























I'm back!!!

Where has the time gone?

Well, I started a new blog at Wordpress. But, I just wasn't feeling it.

I was looking at the posts here, and I missed it.

I missed blogging.

I feel bad that I've missed blogging about the holiday, and everything in between.

I promise I am going to get better now.

Loved this quote from General Conference 2013.

I never really thought about it this way. Elder Holland for the win.

I loved all of the spiritual enlightenment that was provided.
I definitely needed it.
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