Happy New Year

xoxo- Tiff

new recipe & new year

On Monday night we had the Dunns & the Marandos over for dinner :) We have been trying to get together for a while so it was good to all hang out. We all are from Lafayette & all went to Harrison (besides Ryan-hes from Ohio) so its neat we all live in Indy now.
We tried this recipe -Sausage & Eggplant-Stuffed Shells in a Tomato Basil Cream Sauce ( we didn't add the fontina cheese, it was $8 for a block) I thought it was really good!! I never understand why we try new recipes on guest... I am pretty sure this is something you are NOT suppose to do haha. I will definitely save the recipe & make it again. -who am I kidding... Ryan did most of the cooking!!

Oh ... how could I forget... I went to work today!! I still didn't feel 100% & I could have stayed home one more day but I just felt like I needed to go to work. I am hoping to feel better by tomorrow because we are going downtown with friends to bring in the NEW YEAR!!
I can't believe it's almost 2011. I can remember when people were going crazy about Y2K & they thought the world was going to end!!
CHEERS TO the end off 2010 & the beginning of 2011

Day 29-3 Wishes

1. To continue to have a marriage with open communication, happiness, faithfulness & love with Ryan. To grow old together & love it
2. To have healthy, loving, compassionate, knowledgeable & friendly children, friends & family
3. To be financially stable to live an amazing life together as a family

sick baby

For the past 2 days I've been home sick from work! Yesterday I attempted to go to work but took my temperature at work & it was 100.9 so I decided to go home. I've been in bed for two days.
I HATE BEING SICK ... I AM THE BIGGEST BABY WHEN I AM SICK!!
I'm hoping I can go to work tomorrow. I have Friday off so if I go tomorrow I will only work 2 days this whole week--normally that would be nice but how I feel is not nice!

Day 28-Something that stresses you out

Something that stresses me out is my future.
I worry a lot about my future, especially if I am going to get into a nursing program. Being in a nursing program is something I've always wanted & I don't want to let myself or my family down. I know I shouldn't be stressed about my future but I can't help it! I think more than anything I worry a lot so that creates stress!

Day 27-Pets

Here is Archie when he was 8 weeks old :) Cutest puppy ever!! I just wish he was this small again

This was when Archie was teething! It was hilariousAt our engagement shoot :) Archie made a special appearanceLook how cute he is

I only have one pet & his name is Archie =) He is a 4 1/2 year old beagle. Archie loves snuggling & very warm, he loves sleeping under the blankets, he loves long walks/RUNS, he loves TREATS, he is very nosey, he is "overweight", he is calm & sleeps most of the day & he has a great personality.

Archie has a great love for food, not only his dog food but any food he can get a hold of. HE WILL EAT ANYTHING! Recently Arch ate a can of wasabi almonds... I can't even eat one & he ate a whole can!! Also he has been known to eat a couple loafs of bread (once a loaf of white & then another time a baguette). He also ate 24 no bake cookies!! All of these things were pushed back on our counter & I have no clue how he got them!! I tell Ryan that I think he has a step stool & he pulls it out when he needs it lol!! He hates getting his toenails clipped, baths & any type of grooming.

One thing that has always bothered me with Archie is that he doesn't like other dogs. He tolerates a few of them but for the most part he hates other dogs. He hates when other dog sniff him & also hates when he is not in control. This makes me so sad because I want him to be friendly with other dogs.

Day 26-Picture of your family

Well here are some pictures of my family from our wedding!!

Ry's mom's side of the family Ryan's Dad's side of the family My Dad's side of the family

My mom's side of the family

This picture was from Christmas Eve I have many more pictures I would like to put up but I don't have the energy to stay up any later :) (I've been home sick today!)

Merry Christmas :)

Ryan & I are leaving town tonight for a couple days to celebrate Christmas with our 8 different sides of the family!! I can't wait to relax & spend time with everyone!!!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

Love,

Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

OHHHH HOW I NEED TO UPDATE MY IPOD ... I have put it on my to do list many times but it always gets pushed to the bottom. I have wanted to find a new music downloading program (for free) & one of my friends suggested one, but I have yet to download it... so HERE GOES NOTHING! :)
1. Airplanes by B.o.B ft Hayley Williams
2. Stick-N-Bunz by Nicki Minaj
3. Ain't Thinkin Bout You by Chris Brown & Tyga
4. Mad House by Rihanna
5. Popular by Lil Wayne ft Lil Twist
6. Neighbors Know My Name by Trey Songz
7. Tip Drill (dirty) by Nelly
8. Over by Drake
9. Heaven Only Knows by John Legend
10. Everything (to me) by Monica

Well that's not as bad as I thought, I was thinking Hanson & Nsync might pop up hahahaha.

Day 24-Something you've learned

Something I've learned ...

Well in the past year I've learned that my life -or just life is amazing. I've been hard on myself the past year about not getting into nursing school. At certain times I thought my life was over & that I was never going to achieve my goal of being a nurse. Now I know that I WILL be a nurse!! No one/nothing can stop me! It might not be the quickest/cheapest route but I WILL achieve my goal. After getting denied I was depressed & cried (for a while) but things are starting to look up! I'm applying to Ivy Tech for their RN program. I went to Ivy Tech in Lafayette & loved it, it was such a good experience! Applications have to be in by April, but in the mean time I have to take a test called the TEAS & get a good score! I will take the test in Feb & again in March (to try to get a better score). :) So I've learned that even if you think your life is not going the way you wanted it to & maybe you are getting discouraged ALWAYS stay positive & think about how blessed you are.

I never really realized how lucky I am to have the life I have...I'm healthy, have great friends & family, an amazing husband, a warm apartment, food to eat, money to spend (Ryan doesn't always like this) & many opportunities .

Life & opportunities are all what you make them.
When things get tough, the tough get going.
Decide what you want ... believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, believe it’s possible for you.

Love the weekends!

I started this 30 day challenge on Nov. 21st so technically I should be done today but I got behind a couple days. I guess I could double up a couple days but I have to say I AM PROUD of myself for keeping up with this. I really hope it keeps me blogging after I am done.

This weekend was great!!!
Friday: Ryan & I had dinner & played the Wii w/ Jake & Rox :) We had a blast. We all went to the Cheesecake Factory & then they came over to see our apt. We ended up playing the wii! Rox & Ry are very competitive & they kept beating each other in this soccer game. It was hilarious to watch them go back & forth. I believe Rox ended up winning, she was so excited not to be the first loser (that's what Ryan says about 2nd place)!! We played a lot of games & it was so good to hang out with them!! Rox is by far one of the cutest preggos I've seen! Their baby Nora is going to be so cute & SO loved =)
Saturday: I had lunch with my Aunt Angie! She lives in Indy & we barely get together! We went to Le Peep & it was so good to talk to her. We actually stayed there for 2hrs & didn't even realize the time. She is so supportive of me & I love that! She is a nurse & great inspiration to me! She has one of my dream jobs...to teach nursing!! Then I SHOPPED UNTIL I DROPPED... I got everything on my list!! I felt so accomplished lol **Side note--One thing I did notice when I was in the mall is HOLIDAY SHOPPERS ARE CRAZY!! I think there is something that happens to people & they lose their marbles. I saw two ladies fighting over a parking space, I couldn't believe it! Then after one lady got the parking spot the other stayed in the lane & bashed her as a person & called her every name in the book---As she blocked traffic! Not to mention the lady who didn't get the parking spot then found one 4 cars down!! ** After Ryan got off work & I was done shopping we made our way to Monticello for my mom's side of the family's Christmas!! This year they wanted to keep the night simple, we had pizza, chicken & noodles & enough desserts to feed an army :) It was delicious. Then we played LCR & I DIDN'T WIN :( Ryan did though so we didn't lose money!
Sunday: I went to the Colts game w/ my dad & Amber!! It was such a great game!! My dad has been a season ticket holder forever so he has great seats. They're on one of the end zones & only 3 rows up! You can hear the plays & see the players up close! COLTS BEAT THE JAGS & now continue their road to the playoffs!! After the game I picked up gyros for Ryan & I and we spent the evening together watching 2 movies!! It was a great ending to a great weekend!

Day 23-Favorite vacation

I don't want to be repetitive so... please refer to DAY 8!!! :)

Day 22-Favorite city

My favorite city is hard to narrow down so I will do my 3 favorite cities :) (its my blog ... I can do what I WANT)
1. Lafayette, IN- our hometown, Ryan and I have so many friends & family members that live there. I love driving down a road that has 2 lanes & that's it (this barely happens in Indy), I love dognsuds, I love Arni's, I love that you can drive from one side of the town to the other in approx 15 minutes, I love the simplicity of the town & PU
2. Clearwater, FL / Indian Rocks, FL- Ryan's grandparents have a condo here & we love to visit this city. For a while we've visited them on spring break & have a blast. Their condo is great!!! It has an Olympic size pool, the inter coastal is right out their back porch & across the road is the ocean. There are great restaurants & fun shopping.
3. Indianapolis, IN - living here for the past year has been great! I am ready to buy a house & call this city my own :) or maybe Fishers or Carmel -it doesn't have to be in Indy. I love all the restaurants, stores & great things to do in this city. The only thing I don't like is how big the city is & all the highways/interstates. Oh & I love the COLTS, GO BLUE

Day 21-Picture of yourself

I dont have many pictures of just me!
First Pic: This is my twitter profile picture - FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @tiffanylmay =)

Second Pic: Is from my wedding day 6-20-09

new signature

Look at me ... I figured out how to add a signature! Now I need to work on the font :)

Day 20-Nicknames

• Tiff - obvious
• Biff - I think this was a combo of Tiff & Brown
• Biffsta- MY rap name haha
• Brownie - Ryan used to call me this all the time until we got married :( he even called me this after we got married a couple of times - I miss it!

I guess I dont really have that many nicknames.

Day 19-Something you miss

Somethings I miss:

• Having no bills & being debt free - hahaha guess I am growing up.
• Laying by the ocean or by a pool in Florida!
• Living in Lafayette~ I know this sounds weird to say but I miss living close to my family & being able to go over on a random night. Now I have to plan when I see them.
• Being in high school & having school delays. I had the best high school experience ever! I don't know how people say... I hated high school!?!? I love the games on Friday nights, hanging out with my friends & the dances.
• living in apt 624 - I lived w/ Sara & Amber & Roxanne! This was a Fun time in my life! We had parties & girl time!!
• My freshman year @ Purdue & living in the dorms - I met some great people my freshman year, loved going to frats & kinda liked going to school haha
• Ryan having a job where he doesn't have to be up at 4:30am & he can actually stay up past a grandpa time!!
• SUMMER WEATHER!!! I am ready for winter to be over!!!

facebook rant

SO … some things on facebook are really getting to me lately. I thought about going on a de-friending RAGE but thought I would let some air out first.
#1 It seems like so many people cannot spell. NOT ONLY that but they don’t try to spell correctly. I am ok with abbreviations like: urs ppl etc. For some reason it drives me crazy that people spell incorrectly all the time & usually the same word. FOR EXAMPLE: Tomorrow – I have seen it spelled tamorrow or tomorow (& lots of other ways)
#2 There is a huge group of people that use the N word like it is common language. I get so annoyed when I am on facebook & I see some little 16 yr old white girl saying the N word on her status. Grow up
#3 Facebook statuses (on my News feed) have been NEGITIVE. I understand everyone will have a bad day every once in awhile but to be negative all the time is annoying. No matter how bad you think your life is, I know there are tons of people out there that would love your life.
#4 There is such a thing as TMI … it just seems like people are putting on their statuses when they take a poop. There are some things I don’t want to know about my facebook friends

FOR EXAMPLE here is a real life wall post ( I will change the names)
Someone’s Dad: i tell you what it is all i can do to keep from pulling my fukin hair out this woman is bout to drive me crazy.....ppl never get married ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday at 7:42pm
Girl who is close to family: Wow (dad’s name) What happened with u and mom?? Plz dont split or get a divorse:(
Someone’s Dad: she is drivin me crazy don't know how much more i can take....
Girl who is close to family: Cant u guys try to work it out. What if u guys actually go through with the divorse and i never see you again??
Daughter: and u dont post this shit on fb dad!! honestlyyy think u have children and i dont think we want EVERYONE knowing
Girl who is close to family: R u mad at me (insert daughters name) ???
Daughter: nooo not at alll jus my sperm donor
Wife/Mom: know hes talking about me but its not all me its him too
Girl who is close to family: Hes still your dad. And he loves you I went through it with my parents. It sucks. I hope everything goes well and keep your head up. I love all of you and im wishing all of u the best:)
Wife/Mom: hes talking about me he don’t what me any more

HELP!!

I need help. I have noticed other blogs that have cute or different style fonts & have different things they can do with the writing.
All I have is Font (8 types), size of text, bold, italic & color of text.
I want more of a variety for blogging & since I am blogging more often I want to have more options... SO I NEED HELP!!!
Please if you have anything I could do please COMMENT!!!

xoxo - Tiff

Day 18-Something you regret

When I first read this post title I thought to myself I don't regret anything I've done. I believe you shouldn't live in the past.
I like quotes like :
"Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience."
"I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person."

BUT THEN I READ THE DEFINITION OF REGRET
re·gret (ri gret′)
transitive verb regretted -·gret′·ted, regretting -·gret′·ting
to feel sorry about or mourn for (a person or thing gone, lost, etc.)
to feel troubled or remorseful over (something that has happened, one's own acts, etc.)
noun
a troubled feeling or remorse over something that has happened, esp. over something that one has done or left undone
sorrow over a person or thing gone, lost, etc

Then I began to think, how could I not have regrets or regret things. I have mourned for someone who is gone & I've had feelings of remorse over something that has happened.
Saying I have regrets is not necessarily saying I would change my past because I am who I am! ALSO I don't think I have the power to change my past! Whats done is done & I think you can only pick up the pieces and move on to be a better person. So I guess I am really torn on this post. I do think everyone has some regrets even if they say NO WAY NOT ME ... every person has to have something they've said/done that they wish they could take back. Also every person has lost someone & mourned for that person.

I've said in a post before that I regret not playing more sports & that is still true. I ran track in high school & I played softball for years when I was a child. I would stay with my Dad on the weekends & summer, he made it a point for us to be involved in some type of activity. As a child I was never pushed to be in sports by my mom. I know she was busy working sometimes 2 jobs & she did the best she could for my sister & I. BUT that's what is great about life --> I will change that for my children. I hope I will have children & I can instill in them the values & great things that come out of being on a team & active in a sport.

Day 17-Something you're looking forward to

I am looking forward to Christmas with my family & bringing in the New Year with friends!! Christmas can be kind of hectic because of all the different sides of family we want to visit with. *This Saturday starts our crazy Christmas schedule.*

• This Saturday we have Christmas w/ my mom’s side of the family in Monticello. We always play a game called LCR (it’s a dice game & very popular). My grandpa is a gambler & I love to take his money hahaha
• The 22nd we are going to South Bend to visit w/ Ryan’s grandma & stay the night. Ryan’s grandma is so sweet. She makes great food & it will be nice to see her.
• Thursday the 23rd we will stay over night at Ryan’s dad’s house in Lafayette. Ryan’s parents are divorced & ever since the boys were little they would go to their dads on the 23rd & wake up the morning of Christmas Eve and act like its Christmas morning. This works out for us because if we added one more Christmas morning activity I might go crazy. We will have drinks, eat & play card/board games!
• Christmas Eve night we will head to Noblesville for my step mom’s side of the family’s Christmas. We go to a candlelight church service every Christmas Eve with their side of the family. It is a great tradition that I love.
• Christmas Eve we will head back to Lafayette to Ryan’s mom’s house to stay the night.
  Christmas morning- We will wake up early on Christmas morning to go to my Dad’s house & open presents with my brothers & parents. We usually eat breakfast & hang out.
  Christmas morning after my dads we Then on to my Grandpa’s in Delphi (he lives by himself)
• Christmas afternoon- then to my Uncle’s house in Delphi to visit with my dad’s side of the family.
• Christmas night- Then finally back to Ryan’s mom’s house for Christmas Dinner (which is always great & table is set up so pretty)

I always look forward to New Years Eve! I love dressing up & going out with friends. Right now we are in the process of planning our festivities for the night! I am sure they will be GREAT!!!

Day 16-Dream house

Doesn't this wine cellar look AMAZING??? How about a home theater? Looks great to me!!
I love the island in this kitchen! All I want is a BIG island

Infinity Pool & hot tub :) especially in this weather I would love to be soaking in this pool

I would love to have a basement with a bar!

Day 15-Bible verse

( I know this is very common but I love it)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Day 14-A picture you love

I love not only this picture... I love the man in the picture - hey I even love the woman in the picture, I love the whole day, I love the preparation that went into this day, I love the meaning of our rings & words that were said that day, I love that I have my flowers in this picture (for those of you that dont know, I walked down the aisle & forgot my flowers. I think it was a combination of nerves & excitement!) , I love my dress, I love how handsome Ryan looks, I love that these memories are going to be with us forever.

On our wedding Day :) 06-20-2009

Happy Friday

YEAAAAA its Friday :) I look forward to this day every week!! I work Monday-Friday so I LOVE THE WEEKENDS!!! I always wonder why the weekends go so quick though?
These are my favorite things about the weekends:
I love sleeping in
I love getting things done around our apt (cleaning, laundry, organizing etc)
I love being able to hang out with friends
I love not working :)

This weekend my to do list is:

• Go out with a lot of my friends tonight for CRAIG & Tim's Birthday!!!!! I am so excited to see Craig! He his a great friend & so funny! He always makes me smile & laugh! Craig lives in Lafayette so I don't get to see him as often as I would like but maybe sometime soon he'll move to INDY!! (Right Craig?- or is this going to be MY city forever?lol) Craig grew up in Indy so we always joke about how we flipped hometowns & we are just taking care of each others city :)
• Clean & organize our guest bedroom. Since Amber & Sara moved out I haven't done anything to our guest bedroom. I need to organize the closet. Buy new sheets & make the room cute for guest to stay in!
• GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! I haven't started shopping at all! Ryan doesn't know it yet but I think WE will go shopping Saturday. I've started making a list of what people want/what I think they would want & my list is bare!!
• Grocery Shopping
• Laundry

Well that's not a huge list & the first thing will be really easy!! I'm excited because Ryan has the WHOLE weekend off!! Usually he works every weekend so it will be nice to have him around!! Also Sunday we are going to Lafayette, Ryan's dads side of the family is having Christmas!! I am making a spinach artichoke dip & Ryan's grandma is making lasagna YUMMM! We are going to play card games, watch football & hang out with family! Oh & how could I forget ...I WILL GET TO SEE BABY NOAH!!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend :) I HOPE we don't get the snow they are calling for... I hate driving in the snow!!!!

Day 13-Goals

• Become a nurse Become a nurse Become a nurse Become a nurse (ME SHOUTING)
• Help Ryan own a Restaurant/Bar
• Buy a house- in a year ...or so
• Save money- something easier said than done! Ryan is really good at this but I have what is called a SHOPPING problem haha
• Find a church in the Indy area to attend
• Spend more time with family

Day 12-What you believe

• I believe in God & the power of prayer
• I believe that I have an amazing family. There are some things I would change with some relationships, but as a whole -> I have an amazing family
• I believe my friends are the best friends any one person could have.
• I believe in Ryan Alexander May
• I believe in miracles
• I believe in TRUE LOVE & even love at first sight
• I believe a smile could change someones day! So :)
• I believe laughter makes everything better ... even when it is hard, finding something to laugh at will make you feel better
• I believe in Karma
• I believe in the words "I am sorry"
• I believe in the saying "treat others how you would like to be treated"
• I believe life is what you make it ... & how you react to different situations
• I believe working in the health care field is the best job. Sometime it is hard to see sad/bad things but it is the most rewarding & exciting job. I love seeing different patients & hearing their stories.
• I believe Ryan has blessed me with a side to me I never had. He is my calm cool collective side :) (if you know me you've heard me joke about this but it is true)
• I believe people can/will change --some for the better & some for the worse.

Day 11-Favorite tv shows

I like a lot of TV shows but don't have a ton of time to watch them!! Needless to say my DVR gets quite the workout! I don't know how I ever managed before with out a DVR ;) haha but here are a few of my guilty pleasures (in no particular order)


Oprah
Real Housewives - any season/location
Jerseylicious
Simpson's
Family Guy
Big Brother
True Life -MTV hasn't made new ones lately
Glee -sometimes
Teen Mom (only the ones with Macy, Amber, Catelyn & Farrah lol)
Greys Anatomy
Private Practice
Dancing w/ the Stars
American Idol - depending on how I feel when the season starts
Law & Order
NCIS
The Big Bang Theory
How I met your Mother
Sister Wives
2 1/2 men
THE GAME -- new season begins 1/11/11 (I think)

Like I said before I don't have that much time to watch TV but when I do its usually things that are stupid/hilarious/suspenseful. There are some shows that I watch with Ryan but I couldn't tell you the name of them. They usually have to do with cops, bugs or pawn items

Day 10-Something you're afraid of

Something I'm afraid of...
1. Snakes - yuck!!
2. Dark areas when no one else is around- I've watched way to many scary movies & watch the news to much.
3. Fish - hate when they touch me when I am swimming in ponds, lakes or oceans
4. Not being able to have a baby - you never know
5. Not being successful
6. Not becoming an RN-- I know I will eventually but sometimes I worry
7. Divorce- my parents are divorced & so are Ryan's parents. This thought scares me but I believe in our relationship & what we have together
8. Car crashes/accidents
9. Fires
10. Losing someone close to me- death really scares me
11. Cancer - working in a Dr.s office I see patients that are diagnosed with Cancer & they have months, years etc to "live" their life. Cancer to me is one of scariest thing in life. So unexpected & some type don't have treatment :(


**these are all I can think of now but I am sure there are many more things I am afraid of :)

Day 9-A picture of your friends

I've truly been blessed with amazing friends :) There are so many people I can honestly say I would call in a time of need or if I just needed to chat! Some of my friends I do not talk to on a daily basis but I know they are special people in my life & I am so thankful for each & every one of them!

Sorry about the random sizes of the pictures ---some big & some small--- but I didnt want to reload them :)

ALso there are some people that I didnt have pictures with but I still love you & cherish you as a friend! :)

Day 8-A place you've traveled to

Most people would look at the pictures below & think they looks like PARADISE. I look at the pictures & KNOW it is paradise!! Below are pictures of Montego Bay, Jamaica where Ryan & I visited last June for our honeymoon!!

Jamaica was the best vacation of my life. We stayed at a Sandals Resort & I would go back in a heart beat. This resort was all inclusive. We had so much alcohol & enough food to feed an army -> some nights we ordered 2 meals each lol. The resort had different activities every day. We went on a glass bottom boat, play beach volleyball & went on skidoos. They also have plays, bands or activities every night. If you ever have the chance to go to Jamaica you definitely should! Ask Jamie & Matt they've been twice.

Day 7-Favorite movies

If you didn't know Ryan is a movie buff! He loves to spend his days off or any free time watching any movie that he has, is on TV, or on HBO ondemand. What amazes me about his love of movies is that he A) he doesn't fall asleep during them & B) that he could be doing so much other things (cleaning, laundry, cooking etc lol ) SO since I spend a lot of time with him, I have found a love for movies also. I have seen many different movies some good & some bad but here are some of my favorites:
1. Hangover -by far my favorite---
2. Baby Mama
3. Big Daddy
4. Lilo & Stitch
5. Finding Nemo
6. All the SAWS ever made
7. Elf
8. The Notebook
9. Step Brothers

**(I have many more favorites but just to name a few!! )

Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy

This picture makes me ohhhh so happy!! I love Florida, I love the ocean, I love Ryan's grandparents who let us stay with them, I love the sound of boats in the water, I love the thought that I will be seeing this beach in 3 months, I love the margaritas that I drink while in FL, I love the QT I get to spend with my amazing husband while in FL !!! I really love everthing about FL!

Monday blues

Hope everyone is having a great Monday morning!! There are some reasons Mondays & I don't get along.
1. The weekends go so fast & the weeks drag on (for me at least)
2. I am usually tired from the weekend from trying to cram in as much fun as possible.
3. My bed feels so much better than getting in my cold car & driving to work.
4. I am sure there are many more reasons but my thought process this Monday morning is SUPER slow.

My weekend was great besides the fact that the BOILERS lost to Iwho in overtime. I have tons of IU friends so I am happy for them but I would have really liked to see the boilermakers come out on top. We had a tailgate with Ryan's dad's family & it was so much fun. OF COURSE I forgot my camera on the charger at home so I didn't get to take any pictures but there was tons of food, beer pong, flippy cup & lots of jello shots. The punch I made was really good! I made a double batch & it was plenty for the whole gang. We stayed the whole weekend with Ryan's dad & step mom. It was so much fun, it really made me miss living in Lafayette. We used to get together all the time but now that we live in Indy we don't get together that often.
OH MY GOODNESS how could I forget the COLTS also lost!! Wow ... I was super disappointed last night & stayed up to watch the whole game. I don't know what is going on w/ the Colts but hopefully they figure it out soon! I know injuries aren't helping them but the team as a whole is looking not put together. GO COLTS!!!!

Day 5-Your siblings

Ok DAY 5 is suppose to be about your siblings. Like I said in my last post my parents are divorced, so my family is very extended

My twin sister Amber is amazing! I explained her in my first post as my first love :) I am so lucky to have a sister like Amber. There were some hard times in our relationship but I can only see us getting closer & closer in our future. I think the hard times were due to each of us trying to figure out who we were with out the other. We have always been known by other people as one & we wanted to be known as ourselves. Now I love her for being her & I know she loves me for being me. We are different in our looks & personalities but most the time we are so much alike it is scary! (On Friday morning we both bought each other the same xmas gift & we weren't together haha) We have a unique bond & I can always count on her. I cant wait to see how we are with each other in the years ahead, with our own families & children!

My 1/2 brothers (My dad & Stepmoms children) Jared & Nathan: Jared is a 16 year old junior @ Harrison High school. He plays football & hopes to pursue a future in college football & even continue to the NFL after that. I've chatted with him a couple times about where he wants to go to college & he is only a junior but really has his head on straight. Nathan is a 14 year old freshman @ Harrison. He plays football & this year is on the swim team (my stepmom is the coach) Nathan said he doesn't like swimming but is good at it LOL he cracks me up. Nathan is very loving & has such a caring personality. He is the type of person if you are having a bad day he knows exactly what to say to make you feel better. Nathan & Jared are growing up so much & it is so weird to see them both have girlfriend, go to dances & play high school sports. I still feel like they should think girls have cooties & playing T-ball!

Nathan, me, Amber & Jared

( this picture was taken earlier this year)

My 1/2 brother (My mom & Stepdads child) Brock is a freshman in college. He lives in Logansport with my mom. I know he likes to work on cars & puts up really detailed facebook status but besides that I don't know that much about him. Since I haven't lived with my mom I've lost touch with him. I talk to him at family gatherings or holidays but its not at all like the relationship I have with Amber. My relationship with Brock is very distant.

My step sisters (My stepdads children) Kandi & Lindsey are both mothers & have their own families. I have very distant relationships with the both of them too. I hope the best for them but I'm not very close to them.

Thanksgiving :)

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Wednesday night Ryan & I went to Lafayette to celebrate my sister-in-laws 21st birthday. I was the sober driver for the crew that night. We had a lot of fun being back in Lafayette! The bars were very busy & we loved seeing old friends! I dropped the crew off at Ryan’s parents house & had to come back to Indy (my family thanksgiving was in Indy & Archie was at home) so I made my way back to Indy late Wednesday night by myself. I left around 1:30am and it took me approx 35 mins to get to Frankfort (usually 20 mins) because of all the rain. I did not go over 60mph the whole time. When I was almost to Frankfort I hydroplaned & spun around on the interstate 3 times & then I was pushed into a ditch. There were no cars around me (thank goodness) & I was not hurt. While I was spinning I thought my (Ryan’s) car was going to be totaled! When I finally stopped I called 911. I didn’t know where I was because I was focused on the road I wasn’t paying attention to mile markers (I drive this trip to often & was way to comfortable) so I didn’t know where to tell the police officers to find me. Ryan’s car has an in dash GPS so I told them roads I could see on the GPS. I could see a sign on the road & tried to go look at it but I was up to my knees in water & it was poring rain!! Eventually after 40 minutes the police officer found me J & then it took another 30 minutes for the tow truck to come! Finally when the tow truck got there he pulled our car out of the ditch & the car was fine besides one little spot on the bumper!! I know God was really looking out for me!! IT WAS A MIRACLE!!! I think because of the way my car was jolting and spinning I thought I was hitting things but I actually didn’t hit anything besides the ditch. I FEEL SO SO LUCKY TO be able to walk away from this & my car was OK! This night brought a new meaning to Thanksgiving! I feel ohhhh so THANKFUL!!
Thanksgiving with my family was great!! I spent the day with my family @ my Aunt Angie’s house (HI AUNT ANGIE :) ) the food was amazing & the company was great. My family is hilarious. My grandma leads the pack with her goofy personality (she is an amazing person!!) & my uncles pick on each other the whole day. My uncles’ talk about who has the greyest hairs, who looks younger, who is more fun etc… but it is hilarious to hear them talk to each other like they are children. My stomach was so full with all the great food & then I went to Lafayette for Ryan’s family’s Thanksgiving. They had tons of food but I was so full from my aunt’s thanksgiving that I didn’t eat until 8pm again. I got to see baby Noah again. He is so adorable, he is growing so fast. I love Ryan’s family so much!! Since I’ve been around for years they all treat me as part of the family! We played card games all day & watched the football games!!
Today I am working until noon. I woke up at 5 am to go shopping for 1 hour before I had to go to work. I went to Target & Walmart & got a carwash (had so much grass under my car from the crash) all in 1 hr. J I got 11 new DVDs for Ryan (all $1.96), a couple presents for people, a speaker for my ipod,<--Ry’s mom is giving me for Christmas, a dice game, picture frames! I felt very accomplished for an hour of time LOL.
Tonight we are going back to Lafayette. TOMORROW IS THE PU vs. IU FOOTBALL game!!!!! I am so excited. This is my favorite game of the season!!! GO BOILERS!!!! We are having a big family tailgate with Ryan’s dad’s family. We have four parking passes (Thanks Becky!!!) and we are going to have a huge tailgate!! I’m so excited… did I already say that!! Ryan made 400 jello shots & I’m making a big punch… here is the recipe: 1 package Kool-Aid® Cherry mix, 1 package Kool-Aid® Strawberry mix, 6 ozfrozen orange juice, 6 ozfrozen lemonade, 2 qt water, 2 cups sugar, 2 qt ice, 1 1/2 cups vodka, 1 1/2 cups white rum, 2 liters ginger ale, 1 bottle Champagne- Sounds crazy, I know! I’m hoping it taste awesome! Also I am making taco dip, cookies & brownies. THERE WILL BE PICTURES TO COME!!
Today I am blogging but it won’t be about the 30 day challenge (hey at least I’m blogging) but I will be back on it after this holiday weekend!!
EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND & GO BOILERS!!!! =)

Day 4- Your Parents

My parents got divorced when I was 2 yrs old. As a child I lived with my mom until the 8th grade. In the 8th grade is when my sister & I decided to move to our dad’s house. We moved from Logansport to Lafayette. I couldn’t really tell you what happened and why exactly we moved. Through my high school years I did not really have a relationship with my mother. I was upset because she wasn’t trying to be in my life & she was upset because we left her. I think there were a lot of emotions that went through those 4 years. Amber & I dealt with it differently, I was sad but usually Amber was a combination of sad & mad. I still wish that she would have been more involved in our high school years. She didn’t see our dresses at prom in person, see us at football/basketball games having a blast, or come to our track meets. She missed out on a lot.
A couple years after high school my mom & I started talking on the phone & meeting in person more often. It was nice to have her back in my life but I used to not want to put myself out there completely because of the unknown. One event I was glad my mother could be apart of was my wedding day. Just having her there was nice; she was able to participate in the lighting of the unity candle. 4 years ago I can honestly say she would have not been invited.
Today our relationship is a lot better. I feel way more comfortable with her & if I need anything I know she is only a phone call away. My mother is the type of woman that would give the shirt off her back, she is friendly to every person, she has a great laugh & is shy sometimes. I am so glad our relationship is better & I love you mom
Like I said Amber & I moved in with my dad & step mom our 8th grade year. This was a very hard adjustment. My mother is more of a free spirit & my dad is protective & very strict. My dad is an amazing person. He is funny, intelligent & kind. My dad & Ryan’s personalities are a lot alike, which I LOVE!! My dad tells me a joke every time I see him or talk to him. If you didn’t know he is the Sheriff of my hometown county & he has been a police officer for 25 (approx) years. My step mom is a teacher at Harrison (where I went to high school) & has a very strong personality. We didn’t always get along but now that I’m an adult we get along a lot better. I know raising two girls in high school couldn’t have been easy. My step mom is very caring, intelligent & has a funny sense of humor. My father being a police officer & step mom a teacher while I was in high school was very interesting experience. What my dad didn’t know/think my step mom did. LOL
All this said, I had an amazing high school experience & would go back & live it all again. I really enjoyed Harrison HS & the friends and relationships I made while I was there. I can’t wait for the years to come with each set of my parents. I know we are going to continue to get closer & grow as people. **side note: I love the thought of my parents with grandchildren!**

p.s. I dont know if I will be able to keep up this blog tomorrow because of TURKEY DAY but if I don't I will be right back on it Friday! :)

Day 3- Your first love

As I said in the DAY 2 post, Ryan & I started dating in high school. I had one other serious boyfriend for 1 year in high school & at the time I thought I was in love with him.
Looking back on that time, I now know I was not in love with him. I might have loved him but I was not IN LOVE with him, I think there is a huge difference.
I tell many people (family & close friends) I love them & I truly mean it but there is only one person I have ever been in love with & that is Ryan. I believe to be IN LOVE with someone you have to have an unconditional love for them & a romance with them.

“The feeling of ‘in love’ entails two aspects – ‘being in love’ and ‘falling in love’. When you fall in love, certain neurochemicals and hormones are released into the system, which narrow our logic and awareness. This is why some people say that ‘love is blind’. On the other hand ‘being in love’ is different because here your blinders come off, and you can have love as a choice and it requires your resolute attention.”

This blog is supposed to be about your first love though so…
My first love would have to be Amber Nicole Brown. For those of you that don’t know, she is my identical twin sister. Having an identical twin has been an amazing experience for me (& I hope for her too). Since day one of my life I have always had someone there with me. **Side note- In our teenage years I would not have been writing this blog because I am sure I would have been to busy destroying Amber’s room for wearing my clothes. Haha we had some interesting years from the age 13-15** We might not get along every minute & we have had some hard times but in the end we are always going to be there for each other. I love her unconditionally & I am so proud of the woman she has become. Love you Bam :)

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child." - Barbara Alpert

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

HIGH SCHOOL SWEETS ~ Ryan & I starting dating at the end of our sophomore year of high school. At the time I didn't know he would be my husband. We met through my twin sister & track. Before we dated we were friends & he used to tell me "it would only take 5 minutes to fall in love with him." He was very funny, witty & friendly (& still is) .
We fell in love very fast...it took longer than 5 minutes lol . Thinking back about that time, we were probably very annoying to our parents lol. We wanted to be together every minute & talked on the phone for hours!! haha Ryan & I have an amazing relationship. We have grown up together & have been able to spend many holidays, celebrations & every day life together (8.5 years & many more to come). Being high school sweethearts is very unique & I am so lucky to have Ryan as MY husband. I look forward to our future together. There are many things I know we will accomplish TOGETHER. I love my husband & I love the feelings I still get when I'm around him, snuggling with him & especially when I am kissing him!!

30 day blogging challenge

So lately I've noticed I'm horrible at keeping up on my blog- even Roxanne said the other day that I need to pick it up lol
I've seen a couple of my fellow bloggers start a 30 day challenge to recommit to blogging. Katie started this idea & many people have followed. If you want to look at some of the blogs I follow take a look @ Christy, Laura, & Theresa
So I am going to try it, here it goes...

Day 1 Introduce yourself & 15 interesting facts

I'm Tiffany & I'm 24 yrs old. I'm married to the love of my life, Ryan :) We have been together for 8.5 years. My friends & family are the world to me.

1. I have always wanted to be a nurse & my dream is to work in an ER. Then I would love to get my masters & be a nurse practitioner in an office.
2. I love being a wife.
3. I can't wait to have a family. Ry & I want to wait a couple years but when we are ready I will love being a mom.
4. I regret not playing sports in high school.
5. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Target... in Lafayette the security guard used to recognize me ... it was funny & embarrassing.
6. I love taking pictures & wish I had a lot of money to spend on new cameras & lots of editing computer programs
7. My twin sister & I have a bond like words can not describe.
8. I wish I was more involved in a church group/community.
9. If there was a class for Sweet TEA addicts (McDonalds) I would have to attend on a daily basis.
10. I have a slight OCD ... I try to keep it in check but sometimes I cant!
11. I love the BOILERS & the Colts :)
12. I get goose bumps & sometimes emotional when I see a car crash/ambulance
13. I thought I was scared of spiders until I met Ryan. He is petrified of spiders & if we ever have a spider in our apartment I have to kill it. lol
14. I can't wait to go back to school... I might be in school for the rest of my life to get to my end goal!
15. I am excited to start my daily blogging. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Pictures

Here are a few pictures ... sorry they are backwards in order! Hope you enjoy them.

Baby Noah - 1 month old :)

Love my sister <3>
MNF w/ My dad & Ryan

Halloween 2010

My NERD crew

PU Game :) GO BOILERS

Introducing Noah :) Amy is so lucky to have such a sweetie

Night out in Broad Ripple

Harrison vs. HSE GO RAIDERS & #64

Ry & I with the new Mr. & Mrs. Marando

3 of my favorite people

Ry & I @ the Wedding

Taylor & I in the party bus

The Bride & I

Mr & Mrs Marando