Frank Fridays | Giggles & Galas

You made it!  It's officially TGI-FRIDAY!  Make that #bluefriday for all of my fellow Hawks fans!  Holla!  My Instagram feed has been blowing up with all sorts of Hawk love and it just makes my heart happy!

This weekend should be one for the books!  Today is the *almost* last day at my current temp assignment and if you read the last Frank Friday you'll understand how excited and giggly I am!  Also, the reason I'm ending early is that I have procured myself an amazing temp-to-hire, full time position with much better hours and pay at a seriously rad company!  I mean, when they tell me there's beer in the fridge and it's ok to drink it, there's a ping pong table in the building and I can bring my dog to work- I pretty much fell in love.  I was going to work there, whether they knew it or not.  Luckily, I didn't have to go all stalker status on me because they checked the "yes" box on yours truly!  Score!

So, Sunday is actually my truly last day for my current assignment.  Sunday!?!  Yes, Sunday.  There is a super fancy Gala that I've been helping with for that will finally come to fruition this weekend!  Don't worry, D has a fancy suit and I broke down and got the cutest maternity dress I could find for this shin-dig!  Who says bumps aren't stylish?  I'm starting to beg to differ!  Either way, as official DD for the next couple of months, I'm going to dawn my best people watching skills while the boat parties the night away!  It should be a stellar event.... and then I'm DONE!  Yeay!

Cheers to a Hawks "W", a great Gala and new opportunities on Monday!  Have a fantastic weekend, and don't forget to be frank!

Until next time...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://lifelaughsandladds.blogspot.com/" title="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Arnie21/image-115241520.jpg" alt="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Frank Friday: Alaska doesn't count?

Happy Frank Friday!

So there's this common misconception that Texas is the largest state in the US.  Well, that may be true for everything under our Canadian neighbors but if you go above the Mason-Dixon Line you'll be reminded who the real giant is, Alaska.  Now Alaska is pretty quiet up here and doesn't get too offended anytime someone forgets, they normally just kindly remind the poor soul that Alaska is actually twice the size of Texas and would cover most of the US if placed on top.  Here's an illustration if you're a visual person!

Oh, snap.  When they say reach out and touch someone they were talkin' about us!  You're welcome. 

This little misconception was brought to my attention by a friend of a Facebook friend- not my aunt's brother's cousin's first wife, I swear.  I saw this pic and just had to say something.  You know, it's all fun and games until someone uses you as the whopper of a joke in a national marketing campaign.  #punintended

Not cool Burger King, not cool.

Not naming source for privacy- from Facebook!

You think Alaska doesn't count?  Let me ask ya this... Do you like "Alaskan" King crab?  You can thank Alaska for that!  What about Copper River Salmon, heck almost any good salmon, yep- Alaska again.  What about some of the best heli-skiing in the world? Yep- that's us!  Purple mountains majesty?!  OMG, Alaska for the win!  And on, and on, and on....

My point, or rant, is simply that while I may be a transplant of this State and laugh about the weather, my Alaskan Native husband and I call it home.  I'm all for jokes until somebody counts us out or makes fun of this glorious land. You think there aren't that many people up here in Alaska? Just wait until you piss one off *coughs...Exxon* and then you'll see just how many there are!

Happy Frank Friday!  Now go out there, tell Burger King what you think and definitely be frank!!

 

Until next time...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://lifelaughsandladds.blogspot.com/" title="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Arnie21/image-115241520.jpg" alt="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Frank Fridays: #lifehacks

Happy Freaking Friday!!!  Today is a great day for many reasons but the most important three are:

• It's Friday!
• Thanks to the legging trend I wear yoga pants to work!
• Today is the last day at my current job!

Can I just tell you how excited and free I feel?

 I've been pretty good about not talking about my current job on here, or to anyone except close friends/my hubby and I'll keep it that way.  Let's just say that no one quits a job because they love it?  Am I right?  Today I feel the weight of the world lifting off of my shoulders.  I feel my creative juices returning to normal levels.  I feel my soul remembering that it exists!  Yeay, me!

I don't think I told you yet that I did get another job!  I actually got it the day before I turned in my resignation!  In a tiny tiny town, word travels fast and opportunities usually fall into your lap even before you know you need them! #closingdoormeetopenwindow   I'm happy to report that I'll be working at the hardware store in town.  Yes, you read that right... I will be working at a hardware store.  hahaha- stop laughing.  Unless you're minion laughing because those little twinkies with eyes sing my heart song!  

This is not the hardware store, this is just too adorable for words.  #you'rewelcome

The owners of the store are amazing people, who just happen to be friends with my in-laws.  I married up, folks!  I'm so excited to be able to work with people in a more relaxed setting, have easy work that doesn't make me stay until all hours of the night and it comes with a pretty rad view!  While I'm not going to be a hardware connoisseur, I'm going to check you out like a champ (minds out of the gutter people) and point you to an owner for the hard questions!   I've already learned what a carriage bolt is and the different between brite, stainless steal and galvanized.  Booyah, owned you.  This is going to be fun, check out my new view!

So yesterday I tweeted this:


I know I might be late to the party on this one, shocker, but I am seriously excited about this life hack!  Yoga pants to work... sign me up!  With the whole leggings trend, yoga pants have become an acceptable form of work pant and I couldn't be happier!  I really hope that's not just in Cordova.






Think about this, leggings look great on almost anyone... well, I take that back, I've seen the funny "as seen in Wal*Mart" sites and if you could run a mile being chased by zombies, you can probably pull off yoga pants.  I'm pretty sure they were sent from God in a vision to the fashion designers to compensate for all of the trends that only look good seriously skinny people with no boobs!  #ihaveboobspeople!  But seriously, boxy and flowy shirts are a great idea until they just hang off of your lady shelves making you look like you're wearing a box.  Not attractive.  And can we talk about half shirts coming back- wait, let's not and pretend that's not happening.  Yoga pants, on the other hand, hug your J.Lo making you feel like you're wearing a sexy cat woman suit.  Anyone?  No...?  Just me... ok, whatevs!

Either way you look at it, today is a good day.  Happy Frank Friday y'all!!  Now go out there and be frank!

Until next time...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://lifelaughsandladds.blogspot.com/" title="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Arnie21/image-115241520.jpg" alt="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Frank Friday's: Everyone's getting pregnant but me.

Happy Frank Friday!  I've been MIA for, oh I don't know like, 50 of these.  my bad.  Hey Boo, I'm back!  This is a personal lady post so *insert little krill voices here* swim away if you don't want to read.  You've been warned!

So it's not secret that last June I shared that we were trying to have a little Ladd.  During one of the most traumatic lady Dr visits I've ever had, I was told that after taking out the baby barrier, things could happen immediately or could take up to a year.  Well folks, we're getting darn near that year mark and I can't tell you how impatient I'm becoming.  There are so many emotions that go along with this that it's not as simple as "just don't think about it and it'll happen".  If you think I'm even remotely capable of that, you have never met me.

I know there are TONS of factors in getting a bun in the oven.  First let's talk about the most obvious part to this equation... having your husband home.  Yeah, easy right?  Wrong.  Thanks to the lovely boat that my husband is stationed on, which I've been lovingly calling the boat that shall not be named... I'm a fan, can you tell?...  thanks to the boat my husband has done more tours that a Japanese person on vacation.  Long, short, sunny, arctic, you name it and he's been gone for it.  And when he is home, it's really a crap shoot on if it's the "right time".  So there's that.

Secondly, at the same amazingly horrific Dr appt I was told that my weight was a factor.  Ok, let's slow your roll for a second lady.  While I'm no Gisele, I can rock an awesome outfit with my J. Lo and feel fabulous.  Also, I totally and completely fit comfortably in an airline seat- so there.  Yes, I've put on some lovin' since moving to the frozen tundra, but I'm still on the side of the US average so let's not get carried away and think I'm Honey Boo Boo's Mamma... just sayin.  I have made an effort and lost 11lbs that has stayed off so far.  I'm still working with all of my Advocare products and will continue to shed this blubber before we leave for sunny Cali! Also- over weight people get prego and have babies ALL. THE. TIME.  *insert seriously annoyed face here*




I can't even talk about everyone who is getting pregnant on the first try, not trying or not, not trying but if it happens it happens.  Seriously, I can't.

Does anyone else's body play tricks on them?  I swear every month when I pop open my baby makin' tracker to see when my "aunt" will visit and see that I'm a couple days away I get down.  Then, about a week later I'm wondering where it is.  So I pop open my app and get little butterflies in my stomach.  I get hope.  Then, like clock work for the last couple of months it will be one- maybe even two weeks late, I'll call my two best girlfriends and of course the hubby with the "possibility" of something... maybe take a test and boom... like a horrible April fool's joke it starts.  Literally I've waited and waited to say something, finally decided to say SOMETHING and that day it starts.  I'm beginning to think my body hates me.

Maybe I just have a hostile V?  Maybe it's like a little swimmer kill zone *thinking of the Hunger Games scenes now*  Maybe I've been trying for so long to train it to stop the baby makin that the old dog can't learn a new trick.  Did I just call my V a dog?  I guess I did... can I take that back, that sounds weird??? 

Which brings me around to the title of this post... everyone is getting pregnant but me.  Frankly, I'm pouting.  I can't tell you how ecstatically excited I am for everyone around me because I truly am, but I'd be lying if I said that every month my heart didn't break when it doesn't happen. Tears are inevitable.  I don't always feel like I can be honest and express this with my friends who are and aren't pregnant because A) I'm sick of the comments.  Seriously, I know.  "It'll happen when it's horrible timing.  It'll happen when you stop trying.  You have to stop stressing about it..." and on and on.  I know...  B) I'm sick of the pity looks.  Sometimes I think people either really don't care or understand how badly I want this.  And seriously, if you don't want to talk about this with me- then stop asking when I'm going to have kids.  It's like a woman asking if she looks fat in an outfit and not wanting the answer.  Yes, if you have to ask, you probably do look fat.  #you're welcome

So, that's what's been going on in this little noggin lately.  I just had to be frank.  Can we all just take a moment and send prayers and positive thoughts my way?  I would be SO thankful!!

What about you?  What are you going to be frank about today?

Until next time...

<div align="center">
<a href="http://lifelaughsandladds.blogspot.com/" title="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays"><img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/Arnie21/image-115241520.jpg" alt="Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

2013 Show me what you got!

As I'm reading through the PILES of old blog posts I neglected over the holiday season I'm seeing a theme that I love and want to participate in.  Everyone is jumping on the reviewing band wagon and so shall I!  Let's recap, shall we?!

*Warning: Dangerously long post filled with awesome pictures!*

January 2013- Business as usual around the Ladd house!  I was busy coaching cheerleading and D was reffing.  Yes, we were totally that couple!  Our weekends were spent in the gym, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Also, we got our October 2012 wedding pictures back!  This was an exciting time!

Febuary- More gym time and more tournaments!  The Iceworm festival was the big highlight for this month!

I just lurve watching my man play bball!!

One of my favorites running the variety show & me doing Ms. Iceworm makeup!

March- District Basketball and I was voted South Central Conference Cheerleading Coach of the Year!!!  For my first time coaching- EVER... I took this as a HUGE compliment.  Working hard to repeat it this year!  Go Wolverines!

Cordova still lookin' like a winter wonderland!

April- What a crazy month!  April was the month I plunged head first into blogland and created Life, Laughs and Ladds!!  Check out my very first post, here!

It was also our year anniversary and honeymoon time :)  What you got married twice?  Yes, little viewers we did!  We got married in April (for military reasons) and then had our wedding in October!  For our anniversary, we stowed away on a Carnival ship- destination Bahamas.  It was an amazing cruise where we met some great people and spent time enjoying each others company, relaxing and sun bathing!  A couple weeks later we were lucky enough to attend the wedding of one of D's best friends in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

1st anniversary is paper.  D handmade me an origami flower and crane!  Major points!

It's always been the little things for me!

Selfies underwater?  Yes, please!

D, the handsome groom Ron, Jen and Chris!  Love them!

May- the month we started to say goodbye to our friends, my first Coast Guard "goodbye".

Favorite posts:  Letting my freak flag fly, What do I do? and 10 Things that make me smile!

June is one of the months where Cordova shines!  We had some beautiful weather which encouraged outdoor activities!  D and I hiked quite a bit and I even took a dip in glacier water.  D said this officially made me Alaskan haha  I'm not so sure of this, but it was fun!  May/June also brings a whole new batch of CG families to Cordova and most importantly, fishing season to the Copper River!  Ever heard of Copper River King Salmon?  Yep, we're spoiled to say the least!  I also got to see my father in law in action, it was very cool!

Favorite posts: I am thankful, Greek Spinach Feta Chicken Pockets and Breakfast Ham Cups! 

July was all about the girls!  My step daughters came up in early July and we had a whirlwind adventure.  We started out in Cordova and then drove through Alaska to Denali National Park and back to Anchorage.  It was SO fun!  We visited many places along the way including Talkeetna, Denali, North Pole, and everything Anchorage had to offer.  Denali National Park was by far everyone's favorite.  The trails and wildlife were awesome and our ranger cabin was an adventure!  I also ran my first 5k in July during the Salmon Jam festival!  The first of many hopefully!

Favorite Posts: Cara Box Reveal, Cordovaisms Vol. 2 and Salmonberries, like the fish?

The 4th was a little soggy, but we still got out and had some fun!

Left: Ice museum- seriously cool!  Right: A long lost friend I haven't seen since I was an exchange student in Belgium!  It was SO awesome/random to see her in the middle of Alaska!!

We were falling off the bear- what?

We never have ANY fun ;)

My first 5k!

Family picture time!  We had an amazing day with Cherie from Dashing Life Photography!

August- one of my best friends came to visit me in the Last Frontier! We had SUCH a great time while she was here.  I can't wait for her next visit!  I also caught my first halibut, which checked another thing off my 35x35 list!

Favorite Posts:  Are you ready for some football?, Searching for Nessie and Liebster Award

September- Hello 30, you little minx!  My friends and amazing hubby helped me celebrate in style!

Favorite Posts: Zuppa de Anna, El Presidente and Lions, Tigers and 30s Oh My!

   
October was our first Hawaii wedding anniversary, Halloween and a fun trip to see my parents!

Favorite Posts: Frank Fridays: Glee Club, What the Pho and Better than WHAT cake?!

This is what an anniversary dinner looks like when your husband is sick :(

November was my second sobriety celebration and D got a moose!  Oh, and I crossed another thing off my 35x35 list- my first homemade Thanksgiving!!

Favorite Posts: Balsamic Pot Roast, Sobriety Festival and Thanksgiving from scratch!

December started cheerleading, brought some snow and the girls were back for winter vacation!  It was a busy month!  Oh yeah, and football :)

Favorite Posts:  How to up-cycle Thanksgiving leftovers, Photography/Frank Fridays and Holiday Party Navigation Guide! 

Yep, we're those parents!  I love this picture :)

What a year!?!  As I look back it's nice to see how far we've come and think of all the exciting things that are going to happen next year!  In a few short months we'll be heading out on our new adventure to San Francisco!  I'm excited for the next chapter in our story!

Until next time...