Game Night

My parents and i started playing games after dinner once or twice a week. We always eat dinner together- mama always makes something yummy and healthy. Tonight was turkey breast from the German Butcher Shop (yes! that is what its called!!) and a sweet potato.
After dinner I dug out of my closet, Clue, Disney Trivia and Picture Picture. We ended up playing a round of Clue (Daddy won $10!!) ((we also play for money too!) and We ended up playing multiple rounds of Picture Picture. Apparently there is no trace of this game on line. I ABSOLUTELY  love this game because you have to be creative and quick and very observant. The gist of this game is there are 50 photos that a person chooses from and places it in the holder. Everyone has 90 seconds to write down what they find in the photo on a little slip of paper with the letters A to Z on it. ( Only one word per letter) After 90 seconds you compare answers to see what everyone else got. If someone else wrote down the same word as you, neither of you get a point. (If three people are playing, and two write down Apple and one writes down Avalanche, only the third person gets a point)
I am a super observant person and I really enjoyed this game as a kid and I think I even enjoy it more now.
I really enjoy spending time with my parents, playing silly board games. Daddy always thinks mama and I are plotting against him so we win.

off to plan something super secret.

xx, gabrielle

the first day of the new year...

Beginnings are scary: the start of a new relationship; the first day of school; the first day of a new job; the first day in a new city... Beginnings are a way to start fresh, start new, forget what happened in the past and be something else. The first day of a new year is a great beginning- you can ((finally)) close the door on the previous year; you have the good memories, the lessons learned all tucked away in your memory. January 1st is the beginning of something new. If you want to change something, you can; if you want to start doing something new, you can. The possibilities are limitless.

How I spent the very first day of 2015, you ask?

In my pajamas, sitting on the couch, playing mindless games on my phone, reading and just relaxing; something I don't always get to do. My parents took it easy today- my mom watched some of the honeymooners marathon and daddy watched NCIS. We ate dinner as we always do as a family and we quietly welcomed the new year with open arms.

In case you were wondering, I kept on dreaming right into the new year last night.... I fell asleep watching Cutthroat Kitchen. HA. I am getting old.

As I settle down for more relaxing, I leave you with this photo from last New Year's Eve with my parents.

xx, gabrielle

New Years Eve

HAPPY 2015!

I am hopeful for this year.

My goals/resolutions are simple
1. be healthy
2. be happy
3. do good

I am not asking for a lot, you see.

Be safe for all who are heading out and I am very content sitting home tonight, snacking in my champagne bottle pajamas.

Blessings for all to have a splenderous new years start.


-Gabrielle

Begin Again.....

Its September 1st. The unofficial close of the summer. This was the summer that wasn't. I didn't get to the beach, a baseball game, a carnival, a special event. I didn't see fireworks, the city nor explore Atlantic city. It was a sad excuse for the summer.

I was diagnosed with Chrons Disease, a chronic disease that affects my GI tract. [I sure do win the great diseases, let me tell you. ] I spent the summer trying to figure out that I really wasn't crazy and I was really sick. After fainting for the third time, I KNEW I needed to see a doctor. Dr. B has been great and he has been right about what he thinks is going on with me. It is very frustrating.

I feel that I need to change some things in my life. Its not like I am doing terrible things but this diagnosis has opened my eyes. I need to start doing things that make me happy; make me less stressed and enjoy life. I know this is not life ending but to me, I need to start really living life.

Earlier in the year, I was a bump on the log all I was doing was working. I wasn't happy. I started painting in the spring and that slowly started to make me happier. I took up yoga for a short time before my anemia and chrons started acting up. I was sleeping so much because my iron count was SO LOW. My social life was almost non existant, a went on a few dates but nothing was real- there was no spark. I want a spark- is that so hard to get?! Apparently!

Its September, fall is starting and I have a new outlook on life so I am beginning again, again.

I want to come back to this blog, I missed you. It keeps me accountable, and it lets me document life, since I am not taking photos of my everyday life.

I have no idea who reads this- (Hi everyone! nice to meet ya!) but whoever you are, thanks!

Let me officially start this off by introducting myself and giving you a sneak peak into my life:

Name: Gabrielle or Elle for short
Location: the beautiful Jersey Shore (yes where Jersey Shore was filmed but I am nothing like them!)
Occupation: Paralegal and Hostess
Age: 26.7
Likes: Bright colors, creativity, people watching, the local summer, family, memories, photos, and reading, to do lists, productivity, organization and home décor.
Dislikes: liars, smokers, fake people, unorganized people and drugs.
Hobbies: painting, people watching, golf, reading, relaxing.

I am excited to start writing again and I am excited to have you along for the ride.

Have a great night.
-Elle

Taking stock///April

Making : a to do list to really complete this month
Cooking : cupcakes, whatelse?!
 Drinking : lots and lots of H2O
Reading: Lone Survivor
Wanting: Guidance, More Time, More Energy
Looking: for the “money tree” everyone seems to have found already
Playing: hid and seek with the world
Wasting: time not completing my todo list
Wishing: to find a part time job
Enjoying: this sunshine after so much rain.
Waiting: for the real spring to arrive
Liking: whats going on in my life right now
Wondering: where my prince charming is?
Loving: all my Easter decorations
Hoping: that this nice weather will stay
Marvelling: at the craziness of the human body and what it can do
Needing: someone to help me organize my bills and papers
Smelling: the roses!
Wearing: my favorite colors today- tiffany blue, navy and nude
Noticing: how my hair is just not cooperating with me anymore
Knowing: that I am content and unsettled at the same time
Thinking: about money, life, and lunch (its 9:01am )
Bookmarking: Organization tips and DIY tips on house repairs
Opening: a new chapter of my life (it’s a new month)
Giggling: at what I overheard in the office
Feeling: happy, content and unsettled at the same time (is that possible?!)

life gets in the way....

image

Hi everyone!

I really had the best intentions to try to post more regularly on here but, you all know that the best laid plans go awry.

The past two weeks have been a world wind I think it would be easiest to use bullet points and go from there:

• I am finally feeling better from being sick THANK GOODNESS! That flu really kicked my butt, the cough which was lingering, has finally made an exit! (Please do not come back!)

• I got to see one of my oldest friends, EP not just once but TWICE in the past two weeks! I enjoy seeing her because she is always filled with new stories and something new going on in her life. We were lucky enough to have a little girls night out at THE OFFICE with our old sewing teacher, MS, which was so much fun! EP and I have known MS for over 10 years (eek! How can that be possible? I just was in high school last year haha) As always with MS we were laughing our butts off and we even got free desert! Its always good to see people from your past who knew you back then and see you know and how much you have grown. Its a refreshing to hear their advice and see what they have to say because they know you so well!

• I went on a (part-time) job hunt on Wednesday since I had the day off ( Lincoln's Birthday) and that was exhausting needless to say. No word yet if anywhere wants to hire me

•  Now we had another crazy snow storm which made Thursday the 13th  very quiet in the office. Only 6 out of the normal 15 came in. It was so peaceful and quiet. Only 5 very brave clients came in which made me very productive at the front desk, making copies and cleaning. I was hoping that Friday was going to be same quietness that I enjoyed today but...

• NOPE FRIDAY was absolutely crazy. MB, my coworker and I were the only two clerks who came in and we both ended up sitting with 12 clients each! The amount of people that kept walking through the door was insane. We did so well though- we work great as a team and we made the best out of the situation. By 4:30, after all the clients were done, MB and I had a stack of paperwork still to finish. Needless to say, I have a to do list a mile long already waiting for me on Tuesday Morning (We have off tomorrow for President's day)

• Friday was Valentine's Day (duh! You already knew this!) and I really didn't know how I was going to feel about it since my recent split with my last suitor. I made my little Valentine's treat bags for everyone in the office and I wore my favorite red outfit and put a big red bow in my hair and put a smile on my face. (I kept thinking to myself, through all the craziness, I am a strong girl who can get through another breakup!) My parents had made plans to go out that night to a local favorite and the day before they got my takeout from my favorite restaurant (Gluten free chicken parm and mashed potatoes) so I had something special to eat. They also let me surprises for me! I was so surprised to see that they got me some Alex and Ani bracelets, a gift card to Redbox AND white chocolate non-parelies from the local chocolate shop. They are the sweetest parents in the world. I was so ravenous when I got home from work, I popped my dinner in the microwave and quickly realized that my favorite show (COPS) had a marathon on. THIS IS THE BEST VALENTINES DAY EVERRR... I thought to myself! HA. I grabbed a Redd's Apple ale and hopped in the shower (yup, I drank beer aka Redd's in the shower, am I a college frat boy?!) I picked out 'special' pjs for the evening- leopard pants and a red sweater - and hopped into bed to watch Valentine's Day (You know that silly cheesy movie with all those A-list stars in it?!) BEST VALENTINES EVERRR!

• OHHHH I almost forgot, I also sent my best girl friends a personalized GALantine and they all loved it! Each one of them is amazing in their own way and I couldn't be happier to have all 4 of them in my life. AM, AB, DK, & EP you are all amazing! LOVE YOU

• Yesterday was a snowy lazy day that was filled with pjs and cops all day!

• Today I was super productive this morning so I don't feel so terrible sitting on my bed, blogging and surfing the internet for the past hour.

My week ahead looks a little crazy, but nothing I cannot conquer. Speaking of conquering things, I have been feeling more and more blessed this week (among the craziness) and I have been prayer more and more which is unusual for me. I have been loving some of my instagram friends posting Sunday scriptures and I usually read them in my bible and mark them if I like them. I know He has plans for me and all of this heartache and craziness is part of it but I am impatient sometimes and I want to know where I will be ending up. I have big dreams but sometimes I am afraid to speak about them because they seem so grandiose. I am so curious to find out what's out there waiting for me. One of the Alex and Ani bracelets, my parents got me for Valentine's Day says "what's for you, wont pass you" and I thought that was so powerful and I just need to trust that this is all part of the plan. I am as always blessed and grateful for this life and I am so excited to see what the future holds?

Any exciting plans coming up this week?!

-the everyday jersey girl

New Month..... New Outlook.

Hello February!!!

Well, the everyday jersey girl is taking February on with a positive attitude and she is going to try to make things happen. Just because things end, that does not mean that the world is ending. It means it wasn't right for you and THATS OKAY! Just take a step back, regroup, and figure out a new game plan. Even the best laid plans go awry- even with the Superbowl (Nice try Broncs) ( I'm not even a football fan)

The quote above speaks volumes, I don' t settle. I know exactly what I want and I wont stop until I find the exact thing (what ever it might be) I am looking for. My path may twist and turn and I may have set backs, but I always have my eye on the prize.

Looking ahead to February, I have 2 days off and lots of exciting things happening. I want to continue with my new years resolutions of being a better me and I WILL try to get to the gym more.

Its a new month, What are you excited for? Any new goals for the Month?

xx the everyday jersey girl