Just added to the Etsy shop.
8 x 10 poster
with “I Got This.” printed in navy and yellow coloring.
Check out the listing.
Month: May 2013
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
So this morning I concocted a yummy, healthy smoothie. It was super easy, super quick and did the trick.
Ingredients:
1/2 frozen banana (I already had it sliced and in the freezer)
1 c. fat-free milk
1 t. PB2 (powdered peanut butter is my favorite right now)
1 packet of Weight Watchers chocolate smoothie mix
Combine the ingredients in a blender until smooth. The frozen banana will give it a thicker texture and won’t water it down like ice will.
The best part of this smoothie? It’s only 4 PointsPlus values! The banana and PB2 are both 0 PP+ values.
If you haven’t tried PB2 yet then I recommend it. 2 Tablespoons are only 1PP+. It can be combined with water or your daily oil, which is my favorite because it makes it a bit creamier.
The only sad part about my smoothie was when I finished it! HA!
Cheers!
An exciting time
It’s a pretty exciting time for me right now. I’m ready for what the future has to offer, my eyes are open and I will not ignore any more opportunities.
The most exciting part of 2013 is J and I’s wedding in November. We’ve been planning, organizing, and buying items for it. The closer we get the more ready I am for it to get here. I haven’t been too overwhelmed yet, but I’m sure it’ll hit. We are almost 5 months away from the big day!
These two pups mean the world to me. The love I get from them and give to them is priceless.
And finally, my new Etsy venture is thrilling. I will be adding more items to the shop this coming week. I’ve spent time creating new designs, working on my policies, and even my business plan. I may have a degree in Marketing, but actually attempting to use what I’ve learned is a whole new ball game. I’ve been reading up on SEO, advertising, sponsorships, etc.
Cheers to exciting times!
Wee Bit Excited
So, I might be just a little too giddy about my new adventure that I told you about the other day (here). If you are in need of some new paper goods, then check out my shop over on Etsy.
I was so excited that I took a screenshot of my listing in the search results for my undated planner/organizer.
Thanks for all the support!
Cheers!
New Adventure
Alright, it’s time for a new adventure. I have to keep moving.
You may have noticed that the name of the blog has changed. That’s because ….
I would like to introduce you to my new Etsy shop – MereLynneConcepts. I will continue to add items over the next few days (hopefully) for a long time.
I would love it if you would take a look at my shop and I am open to any suggestions that you might have.
Prioritizing
photo by DColeman Photography.
Priorities. I’ve given it a lot of thought. I know what makes me happy in life from work-life to home-life. I know what I need to succeed and go to bed each night knowing that I have accomplished something that day. Whether my accomplishment is big or small.
For me, it’s pretty simple (at least I like to think so). I need:
– the love of my fiance, J
– cuddles from two rowdy pups, Maggie and Tiny
– a job that not only pays the bills, but one that I feel I am truly helping someone else
– a roof over my head
– something to be working towards
– my friends
– my family
– being creative
A lot of these parts intermingle with each other. For instance, being creative, having a job, and something to works towards can all be combined. I believe that if I find a passion that combines all three then I will have found my dream job.
Having something to work towards is something that I’ve recently struggled with. I graduated with my undergraduate degree. One year later, I started pursuing my Masters. Now, I’ve graduated and … now what? It’s hard for someone who has always been working towards some sort of degree to know where to go to next. I know that I need to find a career that I am passionate about; however, I am wanting to move out of Springfield within the next few years. So, for me this time needs to be spent finding out what qualities of a job make me the happiest, what qualities I want to avoid at all costs, and where J and I want to end up.
It’s a process. A deep process with quite a bit of thought and time. I cannot rush and I have to go with the flow.
For someone who is as Type A as I am, this time can be challenging. Here’s to hoping that I can take a deep breath.
Cheers!
6 months to go
Here we are: six months to go till J & I say “I Do.” Whew! TIme flies when you are having fun.
I found my dress – that was a huge weight off my shoulders! My dress is absolutely perfect, in every way.
Here are a few tips that I’ve discovered along this wedding planning process:
– check your budget. It’s very, very important to stay on top of your budget. Buying wedding gifts, favors, and little things here & there can really do a number on your budget. You think you are a-okay and in the green, but then as you get closer to the big day and final payments are due then you might shock yourself.
– prepare your rehearsal dinner. I have the venue booked for our rehearsal dinner and a menu in mind, but it’s time to start narrowing down your guest list. If you’re wedding plans are similar to ours then a small, imitate dinner is all you’re looking for. Our venue is a room at an event center where we can come and go easily. It’s small enough that we are envisioning a room full of family and future family sharing stories, laughing, and eating some good food.
– block hotel rooms. J had one task that he made his own. I had no input in which hotel he blocked, I just wanted to make sure that we had a room. I have to admit – he did good! We have one of the nicest hotels in Springfield reserved with a shuttle for our guests so no one will have too much to drink and no way to get back to their room.
We are still working on finding an officiant. It’s next on our list and will be done ASAP! It’s making me a little nervous that we don’t have someone booked yet, but can have everything fall into place perfectly. So far, I will not complain about how smooth the wedding plans are going.
Cheers!
Engagement Shots
Not too long ago J & met with our wonderful photographer, David Coleman to shoot our engagement session. It was a beautiful day between the rain in snow a few weeks ago. J will probably never admit to how much fun it was walking around a hospital park with our crazy mutts in tow and me in heels, but I’m pretty sure he loved every second of it – I know I did!
I love, love, love our photos. 
Check out the rest of our amazing pics at DColeman’s blog here.
I mean l-o-v-e, love.
Cheers!
Meanwhile at the firing range
Anytime J and I will be at home visiting my folks we always try to make a stop at the gun range. Something about showing up J and my dad on my awesome marksman skills makes a girl happy. However, I do have to admit that J isn’t too bad of a shot. 
Cheers!
Wacky Springtime
It’s finally springtime in Missouri … well at least it is today. It was in the 80s earlier this week and then snowing on Friday. So, we don’t know how long this weather is going to last. When we do get a burst of nice weather the dogs have eaten every second of it up. Well, J & I have soaked up using our new grill a lot too… I’m not complaining!
Cheers!