This month in pictures

So, I shamelessly stole this idea from Danica, who does this sometimes. I take weird random pictures of stuff all the time (seriously, is it just me???) so I thought I'd share the ones I've taken recently. Mainly because I don't have anything else fun to talk about.

Timewise they are in reverse order, but I didn't feel like spending all day moving them around. Because I do have a life you know. Sometimes.

Just got back from a work trip to Charleston. This is my Harp beer that I drank at one of my favorite Irish joints - Tommy Condon's.

My room overlooked the Market. Lots of shopping to be done here.

View driving over the bridge to the Isle of Palms. The sun popped out later.

I picked up this little nugget at the Coach Outlet on the way back home. I'm really into yellow right now for some reason!

Went to change clothes for the gym recently, and discovered that I had no running shoes. FAIL. (And no, I don't know why one leg looks bigger than the other. I promise it's not that way IRL)

My friend's little boy and the cutest 7 month old ever. He's so chill. I lurve him.

I felt a little bad about this one, but....if you are going to grow your hair this long, expect that someone is going to take a picture of it. It was past her knees.

The cake my mom made on V-Day. Awwww..... :)

I bought this shirt to keep me motivated. "Nobody trains to make excuses."

And last but not least...my cat is spoiled. Very. Spoiled.

Next up...my review of the Nike + and my new nano!

Reow. Is age just a number?

First off - thank you for all the suggestions on the stain removers! Looks like CLR will be my first purchase. Or FSR, which a frirend suggestion I get from a Boat place. If that doesn't work, I will be searching down the internet for some tang! Whatever works, baby.

So, tell me. Have you ever dated anyone that was significantly older or younger than you? If so, how did it turn out? I know that in rare occasions couples make it work. Personally, I think it's just a matter of lightening striking the same with any couple, regardless of age. I usually date guys older than me, always have. The Ex was 7 years older. Before that, I dated a guy 10 years older.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am in the very beginning stages of seeing someone. Who is younger. By quite a few years. And so far I really like him. And he seems to really be into me too. He's just an all around sweet country boy who keeps me laughing. And he knows how to spin a girl on the dance floor. Just sayin'.

However, the age difference freaks me out a little bit at times. I guess only time will tell. Right now, I'm just rolling with the flow. I just wanted to hear if any of you had any experience with this type of situation, and if you had any pearls of wisdom. I'm all ears. Unless it ended bad, then I'm not. (I kid)

Update on PA: We pretty much quit talking. I get a random text from him from time to time, but that's it. Not much fun can be had when you are dating someone who lives that far away.

I will keep y'all posted. Until then...

Sincerely,
The Cougar

Help! I have a embarrassing problem...

It just came up recently, and I don't know how to fix it! So I'm asking y'all to see if you have any wonderful suggestions.

I have *gasp* toilet bowl stains. I know. Gross! And to make matters worse, it's the guest bathroom! I wouldn't care as much if it were mine (ok I would) I'm obsessive about cleaning my toilets. I clean them constsantly. So where is this hideous stain coming from? And why all of a sudden? I would post a picture, but no one wants to see that on a Monday morning while downing their coffee and bagel.

The stains are where the water runs down the sides of the bowls, and only one side. Weird huh? I have scrubbed and scrubbed. I've used bleach cleaner. I've dropped a bleach tablet in the back of the toilet. I've used Comet. Nothing is working. It's so embarrassing, and I'm afraid when company comes over they'll think I haven't cleaned my toilets. This cannot be. I will buy a new toilet before that happens! haha

Please, help a sister out! Suggestions??

Pictures of Snowapalooza 2010

It snowed here yesterday. This is BIG TIME. It rarely snows here. As a matter of fact, Columbia's motto is "Famously Hot." And not only did it snow, it snowed 6 inches! Some of my friends got up to 8 inches. Here are some photos of the snow fun!

This is a picture of the back of my house back in the Fall:

And last night:

(yes the snowman is drinking a Coors Light.)

Toes (ok, boots) in the snow! :)

Holy Smokes!

I can't believe I forgot my anniversary!

February 3rd would have made my 7 year anniversary of quitting smoking. Hard to believe that I was once a smoker! It's so far removed from my life these days, that I even forget anniversaries and milestones. I remember the first year so vividly though. It was so tough. Every second was agony the first few weeks, and it was all I could think about.

I can tell you this without a doubt. Quitting smoking is hard. But the reward is HUGE. I feel amazing, and I would never have been able to start running if I was still doing this. Also, I feel like my skin, hair and teeth aren't suffering anymore.

Give it up, and be good to your heart and lungs. You'll NEVER regret it.

Wine Wednesday!

First of all, I just want to say thanks for all the awesome wine suggestions on my last wine post! Clearly, you all love wine as much as I do! :) I have been having a blast looking out for everything y'all mentioned. I have a little notepad, and am checking them off as I go.

The wine I'd like to feature today is one of my favorites and mentioned by several of you! And the name is sure to make you giggle. And perhaps not one to serve if you have the pastor, in-laws or other conservative folks over for dinner. ;)

This week's favorite: Menage a Trois




















From wine.com: "Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. To add complexity and retain character, each variety was fermented separately, then blended together prior to bottling. On top we’ve got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouth feel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal candidate for the bottom layer of the trio."

Simply stated, it's delicious. It's a great wine to serve if you are having a dinner party and just want a nice mild red to serve to your guests during dinner. It's smooth, and lots of good flavors. I love it, and I keep it stocked in my house quite regularly.

ETA: Ménage à Trois usually retails around $11-$12. Can't beat it for that price!

I almost wanted to mention a great wine tool that I've had for a while now. It's a wine preserver called the Wine Houdini. It pumps the air out of your wine, and keeps it tasting better longer.

How it works is that you place the wine stopper on the top of the wine.




















Then you take the vacuum pump and place it over the wine stopper, and proceed to pump all the air out of the bottle.




















This is a great tool for someone like me who likes to drink a glass of wine with dinner but that's usually about it. This will preserve your wine for at least several more days. I love it, and have used the heck out of it for at least several years. I'm sure there are more expensive (better?) wine preservers out there. But this one works really well for me, and cost less than $15 at Target or Walmart.

Cheers!

I fell off the wagon

My exercise has been spotty at best. I think I went to the gym once last week? My eating has been HORRIBLE. (and yes that deserves Kanye West caps.)

Nothing more to say about that other than it's time to just start over. Again. I did a Biggest Loser workout this weekend, and I am still sore. But I loved it, and am going to continue doing that. I also am going to the gym tonight to start running again. That 10K is just around the corner.

Last night, my friends and I celebrated a dear friend's birthday. We toasted to our friendship, K's birthday, life in general, and after several drinks, I'm pretty sure we toasted to the big, tasty pretzel's delivered to our table.

So here's to all of you! May your week be productive, your families stay safe, and your Friday come quickly.

Happy Birthday K!