Top Blogs of 2014

Yesterday I celebrated a little blog milestone. I'm not sure if it's a real thing... but I think it's cool and I am always down to celebrate! Yesterday was my 200th blog of this fine 2014 year!! Like woah!!!! 200 times I have come to this space and shared joyous moments, tougher moments, been completely random, been completely vague, and lived out my year of 2014.

Now this year is coming to a close and it's a time to look back! So, I bring you... my favorite blogs of 2014! In chronological order.... because I couldn't choose a favorite if you made me!

New readers to original readers, I am glad you're here and you keep coming back. It amazes me every day. Seriously. Here we go!

January 29th, 2014 - One Year-ish

I went through my koozies somewhere around our first date anniversary and talked about them. I love this post and I cannot wait to do a second edition!

February 13th, 2014 - Why We Work

A link-up for Valentine's day.... that I did about my sisters. But it's all so true and I love that my sisters and I all work together. 

February 27th, 2014 - Seth Rogan

He's not a person that would typically grace the pages of my blog... but when I re-watched and read this blog.. I cried all over again. His speech was phenomenal.

April 16th, 2014 - The Glass Castle: A Book Review

This one is on the list for one reason. I stepped out of my comfort zone and looking back, I'm really proud of it. I'm not saying I did a good job, but I did it and that's why it's on here.

May 27th, 2014 - Duck Dude Fiance

Ok, fine. If I had to pick a favorite, it's obviously this one. Because I got a fiance!!!! Or a Beyonce. Or an almost permanent roommate. So yeah, it made the list.

May 29th, 2014 - What Men Say

I laughed out loud rereading this one. My two best guys answering questions in two totally different ways. It's a gem I tell ya.

June 24th, 2014 - White Dress Style

I had multiple people come up to me and say, "That blog was spot on.... did you say all that stuff?" Which made me laugh. I was so anxious to go wedding dress shopping and this is my anxiety in a blog post!

July 3rd, 2014 - NYC Recap

My country boy in the city that never sleeps and Jersey Shore. It was such a fun trip and we definitely got to knock several things off our bucket lists!

July 21st, 2014 - Punta Cana 2104

Aka heaven on earth... and you're not gonna change my mind... until we go to St. Lucia for our honeymoon. Then I might be conflicted. Places like this do exist. In real life.

August 13th, 2014 - You've Got To Go

The deletion of exs/flings/guys who wish they had a chance (so bougie). This was one of those super fun posts to write and one that was easy to write! It's a lot of memories all in one post and I think that's why I like it so much!

September 30th, 2014 - Engagement Pictures {Real}

Once again, an event that I was super nervous about! I think mainly because it's one of those events you associate with getting married. But I love our pictures. They are us and exactly what I wanted.

October 29th, 2014 - We Are Not Living Together

One of those outside of the comfort zone posts... that came a tiny bit out of frustration. But I was also a little apprehensive about posting it because I know there are so many bloggers out there/personal friends that have differing views.

November 24th, 2014 - Link Your Ink - Anchor

Good 'ol southern baptist and tattoos do not necessarily go together, but I love my tattoos and I love that there are Christians that are totally accepting of them! Because most of my tattoos relate back to my spiritual background.

December 10, 2014 - How to Write a Cursive "S"

Ha This is just so funny. I can't help it. I'm still horrible, but practice makes perfect..... or that's what I'm banking on.

2014 wasn't so bad. I cannot wait for 2015. 

Mollie Pocket... signing off for the year!

I Have Made a Grave Mistake!

Luckily, the grave mistake is not the fact that I'm moving out in 5 days and I have not started packing. The blonde and I packed alllll day Saturday. And got a whole lot accomplished... with the help of Spiderman duck tape, obviously.

     

I was in the "throwing out mood." Clothes I haven't worn in two years? Trash. A whole lot of random things I am going to use for DIY projects? Trash. I can recollect them when I get my permanent roommate. It ended with about 4 bags of heavy trash. We made our way to the dumpster only to encounter this. The first video is before the grave mistake, the second video is the grave mistake with slo mo because I love my iphone 6. Watch them both. You will not be disappointed.

Pre Grave Mistake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAv7KEHIeSs

Grave Mistake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6lwwAc7JA

And then she yelled "ABORT!!!!!" and we wanted to run away..... but we couldn't because we were laughing way too hard. The kind of laugh where you cannot even stand up straight. So we picked up what we could and felt really bad about everything we left. 

Then we went to Dave and Busters to help relieve the pain of failed dumpster fling. Shuffleboard is always the answer. We weren't great..... but we had a great time!!! And that's all that matters!

And by this point in the day, the California cousins have arrived, we have picked them up from the airport, and we are headed to the ranch. And I am ecstatic!!!! Peace out city folk.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope everyone just had the most marvelous Christmas days! 

My last Christmas as an unmarried person was fantastic! I have spent the last three days with a whole lot of family! My dad's family on Tuesday, my fiance's family on Wednesday, and my family yesterday!! 

We were visited by Santa Claus. No, for real. Santa!!!!!

And added one more to our morning of Christmas picture. Next year, I bet Duck Dude will wear his pajamas over!! 

We received more gifts than we need and feel super grateful for everything. So now, today I am figuring out what presents can go to Duck Dude's house, which one need to go to my moms, and which ones (ahem, clothes) I want with me! Then, it's off to switch my phones!! Bye bye, iphone 4.... helllllllo 6. And then, I'm picking up centerpieces!!! And then, it's movie time! Duck Dude and I have been waiting for Unbroken to come out all year! We are so excited and if Angelina did not do it justice, I will cut her.

And tomorrow, you got it.... back to packing!! And wedding planning. Am I crazy?

To Be Like Mary

Today, I am going to do something I have never done on this blog before. I am going to repost a post. Straight up copy and post an old post in here. But why? 

Here's the thing about this silly little space I call mine. I remember all of my posts. There are little things that remind me of blogs that I have written in the past. Yesterday at church, I was reminded of this blog consistently during the sermon. Then, when Duck Dude and I were at our favorite restaurant, talking to our favorite restaurant later that day, I was reminded of it again. 

So here is my post that I wrote exactly three years ago on December 23rd, 2014 and it's still applicable today.

This story has a build up.. I'll get to my point. Promise.

A few weeks ago I noticed my cousin, Josiah's, facebook status. Often around this time of the year you can hear the question being asked, "What's your favorite Christmas carol?" Josiah took this status a little further and  asked, "What's your favorite verse from a Christmas carol?" I could not answer the question immediately and have been listening a lot more intently to the lyrics of each Christmas song I sing rather than just belting them out in my car. Then last week I was watching Glee's Christmas episode. I was really impressed that they ended the episode by reading the Christmas story. Not frosty the snowman.. but the real "In those days Ceasar Augustus..." Christmas story. This got me thinking that I had not read the real Christmas story this year. So after the episode was over, I pulled out my Bible and decided I would read it. As I was reading it the same thought hit me.. "what is my favorite verse from the Christmas story?" It's a story I've heard all my life, but if I wanted to pinpoint just one verse that was my favorite.. what would it be?

So I started at Luke 2 and re-read the story for a second time and just focused on every line. If was after I read through the second time that I decided to back up and start at Luke 1. During Luke 1 is when the angel of the Lord comes to Mary and tells her she is going to have a son. Now, I do not know about you, but if someone told me that as a virgin I was going to have a child... I would scream? cry? freak out? throw something? hide? I am not sure what I would do, but I doubt my response would have been like Marys. And this is why I've decided that Mary's response is my favorite verse of the Christmas story: 

Luke 1:38 states "'I am the Lord's servant', Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'"

How many times in my life should I have said, God forget all my selfish, worldly desires... I am your servant. So my next step was to look up the exact definition of servant. Servant is defined as "a person in the service of another." And really, that is exactly what we are here on this earth for is to do the work and service of God. And I think it's pretty amazing that all of what we are supposed to live our lives by can be summed up into a 5 word statement. I am the Lord's servant. 

Normally, for my new year's resolution I pick a verse. This verse is one that I memorize and try and live by for the entire year. I still may do that, but I think my main new year's resolution this year is going to be to be more like Mary. To have an open and willing heart to do whatever service the Lord is asking of me.

 

5 on Friday: Christmas Break

I did it!!! Christmas break is here!!! Why yes, I get two weeks off, as my sushi friends so begrudgingly reminded me on Tuesday night through menacing glares!! But I earned it. Have you ever worked with 13 year olds the week before they're off for two weeks?

1. The Asian pear. I am very intrigued by this little guy. My student said, "It's not like an American pear. It's crunchy, but very good. Just peel back the skin and eat it!" My grandparents used to run a Chinese retreat center, so I texted my grandmother and asked if she had ever had one. She replied no, but she has heard they're very good. I think I will definitely try it.

2. Chocolate, on chocolate. My students apparently have not picked up on the fact that I do not like chocolate. Never have, most likely never will. Though I hear pregnancy changes some things. Most of my students typically know. My athletes always know because I always give them my chocolate chip cookie from our pre-game meals. Maybe they just think I give it to them out of the kindness of my heart? Maybe I can save it all until March and they can be wedding favors!

3.  Happy Elfin' Christmas. Hmm... that's an interesting one. Drawn by a seventh grader who is, um, repeating seventh grade. I'm not sure if she's trying to curse at me or tell me about stick figure Jesus. Tis the reason for the elfin' season.

4. My red head comes home today!!!!! And I am SO incredibly excited. My sisters and I have never been this far apart and I can't wait to just snuggle with them!!! Scoot over bro-in-law... I'm climbing in the bed!!!

5. I have my first dress fitting tomorrow. I haven't lost any weight and might have possibly gained weight since I bought it in July. But it's going to be here and it's going to be all mine. And I cannot wait to remember what it looks like.  It's something like this, I think.

6 days until Christmas. I have got to start wrapping presents.

All About That Trash

I did some packing last night. Just let that statement soak in a little bit. 
I packed all my spring clothes. They are in a suitcase ready to be taken to Duck Dude's house... since I won't need them before the wedding! Then I went through my purses and decided which ones I wanted to keep and which ones didn't need to be kept. And then I wrote a parody to All About That Bass. It was the only logical next step. I dare you to sing it out loud while you're reading. Double dog dare you.   

Yeah, it's pretty clear, I am a hoarder Cause I've got purses purses Like I'm supposed to  Cause I got that shelf room in that closet space And all the right junk in all the right places
I looked inside and found old lipstick and lip gloss A real fro-yo gift card And lots of pennies, pennies, a nickel too Cause every cent I added up and it's a dollar sixty two
Yeah my momma said have shoes for every outfit She says, "Buy them all now before you're put on a budget!!" You know I won't be a girl who clashes really badly So that's what I'm into and I will just be a hoarder!
Because you know I'm  All about that trash 'Bout that trash, all treasures I'm about that trash  'Bout that trash, all treasures I'm all about that trash 'Bout that trash, all treasures I'm all about that trash, 'Bout that trash
I secretly hope it gets stuck in all of your heads. Happy hump day.

How To Look Homeless

Today's objective for 12 grams til Christmas was simple an #ootd. Or, outfit of the day for my family that reads this and might not necessarily be up to date on that hashtag. (I said that nicely, right?)   It's the last week of school before break and I'm not into looking cute at all... it's all about comfy and out-lasting these kiddos for three. more. wake. ups. So, I bring you. How to look like a homeless person. 

  1. Layers. You're gonna need a lot of layers for this look. I'm currently wearing tights, boot cuffs, a very springy dress, denim vest, and navy cardigan. The bigger the better. The frumpier the better. Figure? What figure? Homeless people aren't concerned with their figure.     2. 2 Color Maximum. You can only stick with a very minimum of colors. Two max. Today I have chosen brown and blue. However many shades of those colors doesn't matter. You can't see my teal blue earrings, but they're there! Shades of brown are all basically the same color, so don't worry about how many you're currently wearing.    3. Random Object. Homeless people have random prized possessions. In this case, mine is a silver Christmas tree that I wrapped the cord around my arm. And it's only slightly crooked, so that's a plus.   

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And on a for real "fashion" note, the boot cuffs I am wearing are my absolute favorite. They're perfect for Texas when it's "cold" outside and 52 today. Find similar ones here, here, and here.

 

We Have Cake!!!

We did it!!! We have a cake and it's going to be delivered and it was SO much of a better experience than the last time we tried to have a cake!!!
But first we registered, and we rocked it. Travis was a master scanner, and I'm obviously very good at checking things off a list because all bloggers are. #embracethebasic (Which is also my new favorite hashtag in case you were wondering... because the holidays brings out the basic in all of us).

We tasted 9 different cake flavors with 8 different fillings... which is a total of 72 different combinations if you want to be a math nerd and do nine times eight. But I don't like chocolate and never have.. so I was technically down to 7 different flavors because I didn't throw marble out of the mix. Which is still a total of 56 different options. 

After we finally decided, Travis ate the rest of my cake that I didn't eat. And after he was finished with that he decided to make his own little cake and see if he was good enough to apply for the bakery. The guy told him he could maybe do cake balls. I'm not sure if he was satisfied with that answer or not. 

The cake is going to be 5 tiers! The bottom two layers will be vanilla with buttercream, the middle layer will be white chocolate with raspberry filling, and the top two layers will be mango with cream cheese. They were all absolutely delightful and the headache that was the whole cake dibacle is now checked off my list!!!
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And if you're following along with #12gramstilchristmas you can stop reading. Or keep reading and look again! 13. Outside

14. Red

15. Stocking 

10 days to go! It's not too late to join in on the insta-fun!!!

12 Grams til Christmas

Guess what tomorrow is?! 12 days until Christmas!!!! Say what?!

I know. Super Crazy. Where did November and half of December already go? I'm not totally sure, but I'm about to walk out the door to head to a slew of activities today on my day off! Wedding activities and hopefully fun ones! :) We are registering today at Macy's and Crate and Barrel and my Duck Dude is super excited to have a "gun" to point at home furnishings. And then we're going to try this cake testing thing again. Hopefully there will be no bridezilla moments this time!!

So, I'm really only here to tell you I'm going to participate in 12gramstilChristmas. Each day, starting tomorrow, there's a different theme for an Instagram you post!

Woo hoo! Follow along or join in if you want! Missmolliemarie

How To Write a Cursive "S"

I had a revelation the other day. It was while I was counting money from our basketball tournament. After I finished counting, I had to sign my name at the bottom of the sheet. "Mollie Lindstrom" I've been writing my name for 21 years... assuming I started writing around 5. 21 years of practice and it still looks like this. 

 

 

My revelation? Holy cow. I actually need to practice signing my new name!!! I can write my name. That's it. It took me years to perfect that capital "L". Even then, my signature really stops after the "t." Who needs the "rom".... they get the idea by the "t." That's what I actually told my dad one time.

 

So, I sat down to practice my new name. "Mollie Sheridan." Ha It's even weird to type. My cursive is terrible! Terrible actually means "I have no idea how to write cursive." So imagine my frustration when I sat down to try and figure out how to write a cursive capital S. 

 

I went to my trusty friend Google and typed "How to write a cursive S" which led me to this elementary school cursive website. I laughed at myself and then I printed a sheet off. 

 

 

And I practiced. 

 

 

It takes me way too long to write my shorter last name, but I'm gonna keep working on it. I showed a coworker and he said, "It looks a little wobbly." So, I am feeling really confident about my abilities. It looks a little less wobbly with the marker than the pen... so I'll just require that all of my signatures be in marker!

 

And if all else fails, then I plan to just draw the really cool "S" that I spent hours practicing in middle school. Problem solving at it's finest.

 

Cursive is hard. Did anyone else actually practice their new name? 

Italian Sugar

I'm sorry to disappoint, but this is not a post about Jersey Shore. Although I have been to the Jersey Shore and I loved every second of it. At least the part I was in, was nothing like the tv show, and we had a wonderful time on the Boardwalk. 

It's also not a post about a really bad stripper name.

This is a recipe post. And it has to be one of the easiest recipes I have ever posted. Seriously. This is a three ingredient recipe. A 5 minute prep. Annnnd relatively healthy. I mean, it's healthier than fried chicken. So it's a healthy recipe. I paired mine with brown rice and broccoli, but you can pair it with whatever you want!

This is easy enough that I would also cook it for a lot of people, because it looks pretty and like you spent a whole lot more than 5 minutes preparing it. Italian Sugar. I'll let it speak for itself.

You might be wondering where the broccoli is. I ate it all while the chicken finished cooking. Oops.

The red head made this last night and she threw in some cayenne pepper. A little sugar and spice and everything nice! Enjoy!

Uncrafting

Uncrafting. It's a word I made up. At least I think I made it up... is it actually a real word? Hm, I'm only seeing it used in relation to "minecraft" and I am definitely not talking about a video game. So, uncrafting. My personal definition would be: the undoing of a craft.  Way back when I first moved into my apartment, I attempted this little project. I had no idea how easy it would be and how much I would love it. I covered my light switch plates with scrapbook paper. It made my little place seem like home. I titled my blog post "Favorite Project Ever".
So, Saturday night when I couldn't sit still while watching the Baylor game, I put boring, plain covers back on my light switches. And I was a tiny bit sad. My apartment is really starting to feel empty. I've taken most things off of the walls and now I have white light switches. Isn't it funny how a thing as simple as a light switch could mean a lot to me? 

Once I finished un-crafting, I had to do a little bit of re-crafting. These scrapbooked canvas' have also been on my wall since I moved in. They needed an update. 

I free-handed some letters, made an "established 2015" because that's the year I am getting married in!!!! Did some repainting over the scrapbook paper, and mod-podged everything back on! 

A simple project to keep my hands busy while watching the Baylor Bears win the Big 12 Championship for a second year in a row!!!!!!

Baylor > TCU

This theory is simple. Baylor should be above TCU in all of the college football polls. You will not change my mind. Do not even try. Here are four reasons Baylor should be in the top 4. 
1. We have scored more points than TCU has. My beautiful red head spent her lunch break one day creating this. We are clearly the more dynamic team!! The whole "schedule" thing only matters for the teams they want it to. 

2. At approximately, 10 pm on Saturday... we WILL be Big 12 Champs!!!! Because the song does not sing "We are the CO-champions, my friend"...... I was at the game last year, and we will do it again this year!!! People do not understand we have fought against doubt for a long time. People doubting us only gives us more fuel. Fuel, to win!!! And Big 12 Champions should be in the playoffs.

3. Because Whataburger says so. And in Texas, everything revolves around Whataburger. 

4. And last, but most certainly not least..... WE BEAT TCU!!!!!!!!!!!! 61-58 people. You don't have to like it... but it happened and you cannot change it.

Sic 'em Bears!!!!!

#BaylorbeatTCU