Needing Ideas on Games to Play with Family or for gifts?

I love board and card games. They are a new found obsession of mine. I have decided to pass on my experience with board and card games on to the world. I have complied my top 10 favorite board and card games to share with everyone. All of these games have been played by me and some of my friends and family. If you have been wanting to start a family game night or need something to do at the holiday gatherings coming up, search no further. Any of theses games are sure to put a smile on your face and laughter in your house.

If you want any further information on any of these games, such as where to purchase them, please contact me. I would love to talk to you about them or even play a few rounds with you!

Top 10 Board Games

10. Scattergories

9. Sequence
8. Monopoly
7. Clue: The Office Edition

6. Yahtzee Free for All5. Rummikub
4. Phase 10 Twist
3. Blokus2. Carcassonne
1. Apples to Apples

Top 10 Card Games
10. Uno!
9. Fluxx8. Monopoly: The Card Game7. Phase 10
6. Zombie Fluxx
5. Munchkin

4. Lord of the Fries

3. Skip-Bo
2. Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot: Remix1. Monopoly Deal!

Happy Gaming and Happy Thanksgiving!
Larisa

Pictures of the Downstairs Entertaining/Gaming Room & My Office

Above is a picture of my "new" office. I am sharing it with my favorite four legged puppies. On the left side of the wall is all my high school graduation stuff.

Above is my book case full of cook books and scrapbooking supplies.

Above is my desk and behind it is more of my scrapbooking stuff. I have so much!

Here is the sitting area by the fireplace. Nice and cozy!

Here is our collection of board games. We LOVE game night!

Here is another view of our board games and the hallway door.

The long view of the room. Some of the folding tables are already set up for board & card gaming. During the Holidays, we will be using the open space for entertaining.

Enjoy the pictures!
Larisa

Getting Ready for All the Fun!

This week, I have been re-organizing my downstairs rooms to accommodate for all the family gathering that will be coming up soon. I have now officially turned the "dogs" room, which only held the dogs' cages and had plenty of room storage, into my new office/craft room and I have turned the "media" room, which had been my office for awhile but was way too big to just be an office, into the entertaining room. The entertaining room now has space for tables and chairs and has couches set up by the "fire place" (vent-less, gas heater with a fire place front) for lazing about in. Also, our board & card game collection has been moved downstairs into the entertaining room to allow for expansion (we were running out of room to put them all) and easy access to allow for more game nights! ;) Also moving all the board games downstairs has left me with a lot more space in our upstairs pantry/storage closet to keep kitchen stuffs in. So DOUBLE YEAH!

Hopefully I will be able to post pictures soon! I am really proud of all my hard work! And Josh helped too! :)

Organized!
Larisa

Taste of Fall

*Sniffle Sniffle* I have been under the weather for about a week or more now with a runny nose and the yucks, where you're not sure what it is that hurts but you just feel yuck.

However, I have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather from the comfort of my home by leaving all the windows open. Today I even made White Bean Chili! I only make it in the fall and it hit the spot!

Happy Fall Y'all,
Larisa

Wishing Already

Thank you God for the BEAUTIFUL autumn weather outside! I love sweatshirt/hoodie weather! It's my favorite kind of weather to be out and about in. My favorite weather of all is winter snow but being able to stay inside, in the warmth of my home, and watch it fall and not have to travel in it.

I am already CRAVING Christmas! I have started thinking about what my Christmas Craft/Gift will be for this year and singing Christmas songs in my head! :) Christmas is by far my favorite holiday! I can't wait to start baking goodies and decorate the tree and watch Christmas movies!

However, it will come and go too quickly. *sigh* All you can do is make memories while it lasts and remember them throughout the year.

Happy Fall!
Larisa

Guilt

Okay let me just start by saying I am aware I have not been writing on my blog and I'm not even sure if anyone ever was really following it. Anyways, I feel like I need to start writing again. I need a release that is my own and no one elses. Like I said when I first starting writing my blog, I honestly do not care if anyone or no one reads this. This is for me. I need a place I can let go and since I don't have money to go on an exotic vacation for several months and be pampered and waited on hand and foot, I have created my own world in my blog. I just need somewhere I can think and say what I want and let it go into wherever internet land keeps things so that I have some satisfaction knowing that it is out in the universe somewhere with lost socks and the Bermuda Triangle.

That being said ...whew... I am feeling guilty. No, I'm not Catholic and no I haven't committed any crimes. I just feel guilty. So many of my peers are starting families. While I am still OUTSTANDINGLY excited for them and wish them nothing but all the best God has in store, I can not help but feel like I should start a family too. This is where the guilt comes in. I don't want to. I am being selfish as an adult and I like it, truthfully. I like to get up when I want, eat what I want, go where I want, stay up as late as I want, watch what I want on TV, and be as lazy as I want. And I feel guilty. All these other women my age are just wanting to have children which is great but I don't. I mean sometimes I do. I always coo over new babies I see and fawn over how cute baby clothes are and for a few moments, I want nothing more in the world than to start a family. But then, I see the next Blu-Ray DVD I want and purchase it and the feeling is over. I have talked to some people about this guilt and they just console me and say "You're just not ready". Is anyone ever really ready? No. I don't think so but I keep waiting to be ready. I keep waiting on all kinds of things. I wait to go to the OB/GYN to find out what I need to do. I wait to get a better paying job. I wait to pay off debts. I wait to spend more time alone with Josh. I wait because we have 3 dogs already. I wait because I want to lose weight and get in shape. I wait, and wait, and wait, and wait. I keep waiting for God to come down from Heaven and give me liposuction, a million dollars, a dream vacation, and tell me I'm ready. I know this isn't going to happen. I can dream.

I don't know. Maybe it is that I am not ready. Will I ever be? What if I'm not supposed to have kids? What if I'm supposed to be a puppy mom forever? Does that mean I will feel guilty forever then? I'm so frustrated about this. I know I am over-analyzing this just like I do everything else.
ARGH! I wish I could erase this feeling. Why can't I just take a Xanax, a diet coke, and some chocolate and just be done with this guilt?

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty,
Larisa

My Goals List to Inspire Me and Others

1. Design and Build my dream home
2. Be a successful businesswoman
3. Watch all of the American Film Institute's top movies
4. Take a romantic vacation with my husband
5. Pay off all our debts and live debt free
6. Lose 20 pounds and stay healthy
   
7. Become closer to God and live a Godly life
8. Be a better friend and not take my friends for granted
9. Become a mother and be the best I can
10. Learn as much as I can about my career choice and always be willing to learn
11. Buy a new car! :)
12. Create memories with those I love!
13. Work hard at my marriage to be an example and to have a happy life with Josh
14. Read more
15. Listen more

Just thought I would let everyone know what I'm working towards,
Larisa

Loving Life!

Hello everyone! I are really honestly going to try to start updating weekly as the daily thing doesn't seem to be working well. :)

Congrats to JT on his Survivor sweep! Winning from unanimous jury votes and the MVP award from Sprint! I liked him from the very beginning! I am glad to see someone I actually liked from the first show win it all. He seems to be a very genuine person and I hope to hear good things about him in the future.

Congrats as well to Shawn and Mark from Dancing with the Stars! They won by a one percent margin. WOW! I was rooting for all three (Shawn Johnson, Melissa Rycroft, and Gilles) but I really thought Gilles had it in the bag. However, Shawn did an excellent job as well and I am glad for her and especially Mark because he had not won before. Mark is one of my favorite "non-celeb: dancers.

I am TOTALLY voting for Adam in the American Idol finale but I predict it will be a close call. Kris did very well tonight but Adam has been one of my all-time faves from the show. He is incredible and I'm sure no matter the outcome he will be famous!

My three year wedding anniversary is in two weeks! I can not believe it! God has blessed me with the perfect mate. Josh continues to encourage me and support me in everything I do. He is always by my side and loves me so deeply. I believe our marriage has been so strong because of the deep friendship we share and that we can still laugh at each other and uplift one another. My parents prayed for God to send me a husband that would be all those things and more and I am eternally grateful to both my parents for being thoughtful enough to start praying for Josh when I was so young and for God sending me him. Marriage is more incredible than I ever imagined. Thank you God for this enormous blessing. Thank you Mom and Dad for providing the foundation of the importance of marriage and love and being such a great example to follow. Thank you Mindy and Nate (Mom and Dad as well) for raising Josh to be who he is. Thank you Josh for being there every single second I needed you and more.

My job is going incredible as well! I am again so richly blessed to be working for someone like John. God laid out this job just for me and I am working and learning as much as I can! The checks come every week and they CASH! WOOHOO!

Well, it is getting late so I am going to "hit the hay". Gotta go to work tomorrow! I just love being able to say that!

BLESSED BLESSED BLESSED,
Larisa

Loving The New Job!

I have survived my first day of work and I am loving my new job so far! I have my first meetings tomorrow and Thursday. Please continue to pray for me and John(John is my boss) as we expand our business. If anyone knows of any small businesses or individuals needing some Quickbooks help or bookkeeping and organization, please let me know!

Also, thank you so much to everyone who has been sending me messages of encouragement! It means the world to me and helps me and inspires me to do better and to be better. I am definitely in need of encouragement and inspiration still! I am giving everything I have into this new opportunity and I am learning to use my abilities the best I can.

Working!
Larisa

Long Time No Type

Hello out there in internet land! Larisa is back! And boy, have I got some catching up to do.

I have a new job that starts on Monday. I will be working in bookkeeping, taxes, and payroll for several companies. I am very excited about this new opportunity and I feel like it is where I am meant to be. Also on a "self-plugging" note, if you or anyone you know needs someone to help with bookkeeping, taxes, or payroll, please let me know.

I have been reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and working through my own personal mission statement. It has been a great read and very helpful in preparing for my new job. I think in this point in my life it is very important to examine what I want to be. I want to be a person of principle and value so no matter what path God takes me down, I will succeed for me and my family. Below is the beginning of my personal mission statement. It is a clarification of values I want to adhere to and make decisions from. It has taken a lot of a soul searching and researching to make this list. I am proud to let others see what I am working towards.

• Honesty - I will not tell lies. I will only promise what I can keep. I will not make excuses. I will trust others because I would want them to trust me.
• Integrity - I will be loyal to those who are absent. I will not gossip. I will know what is expected of me. I will fulfill the expectations placed before me. I will make commitments to myself and others that I can keep. I will follow my values even when no one is there to see me.
• Hard Work - I will give attention to quality over quantity. I will keep the best interest of the customer first. I will provide excellent service. I will finish one project completely before starting another. I will let my work speak for itself. I will get projects done in a timely fashion.
• Gratitude - I will be thankful. I will tell people how much I appreciate them, sincerely. I will not take people or things for granted.
• Discipline - I will be focused on my goals and creating a plan to reach them. I will change from the inside-out. I will not try to change others, I can only change myself and my response. I will take criticism and discipline to better myself and I will not take it personally to affect my work.
• Respect - I will respect others and myself. I will act respectably.
• Teamwork - I will not take credit for work that is not mine. I will uplift my teammates. I will help others to lighten the load on everyone. I will involve people in decision-making when they will be affected by the outcome of the decision. I will listen to others to help the team. I will be effective
• Resourcefulness - I will research my decisions and seek advice with others. I will be creative in my solutions to problems to come up with the best solution. I will ask questions. I will take every opportunity to learn the most that I can. I will use my imagination and creativity to be inspired and inspire others.
• Initiative - I will have a positive attitude. I will seek out opportunities from obstacles. I will be prepared. I will take time to plan. I will see all my challenges as an opportunity to succeed. I can change my world.
• Responsibility - I will admit my mistakes. I am able to choose my response to my environment. I will do every job that needs to be done, even those that no one else wants to do.
• Proactivity - I will take it upon myself to be better. I will make things happen. I will give my best even when I don't want to. I will not be afraid to make mistakes.
• Understanding - I will forgive myself so I can forgive others. I will listen to other people because they may have a better way. I will not try to please everyone. I will not be anxious about things I cannot change, they will change whether I worry about them or not. I will be slow to anger but quick to patience.
• Professionalism - I will dress in a professional manner. I will return all correspondence promptly and correctly. I will show the correct business etiquette in every situation. I will show up when I have promised. I will be confident in my skills and represent myself properly. I will be polite and kind.

I have been so inspired by reading this book and I hope anyone who hasn't read it will read it soon.

Inspired and WORKING!
Larisa

Keeping on, Keeping on

I am just going to start writing this and see where it goes. I know I haven't been writing lately but the past probably four to five weeks have been full of ups and downs. It all began when I couldn't afford to take my medication anymore and then couldn't afford to go to the doctor to get the prescription refilled. It was a bad decision. I know. Hindsight is 20/20. I had some very very dark days. I know I am beyond blessed with my parents and my husband. Without them, I don't think I would have had the inspiration and motivation to get help because I wasn't doing well. Morale of this story: Stay Medicated and Stay Happy! :)

Also, Jon and Debra came down to stay the weekend with us last weekend. It was amazing. I feel so rejuvenated in rediscovering what it means to have friends that accept me and encourage me and forgive me. I have not always been open, accepting or forgiving and now as I am learning and changing and making myself a better person, I am able to see the best in others as I would want them to see the best in me. I had the best time! We played card games and made brownies at 1am. We went to the zoo and laughed at the animals and ourselves. It was incredible! I can't wait see them again but I guess facebook and e-mailing will have to work for now.

The weight battle wages on. Ugh. I am trying so hard! I love exercising, no so much the dieting but I'm doing it. I am just going to keep trying. :)

The job search is still on-going. I am still praying that the correct opportunities and the best position for me will show itself. I am ready and I am positive!

Medicated and Happy,
Larisa

Nothing New to Report

Nothing New To Report So I thought I might post some pictures! I haven't forgotten about my blog, I've just been EXTREMELY busy and determined to get a job! :) Hopefully it will pay off BIG TIME! So in the meantime, enjoy!


This is my best"est" friend in the entire world, Elizabeth, and her beautiful baby girl, Madeleine.



This is my mom's dog, Mia, in her cool shades.



This is my Chloe! She is doing her prairie dog impression. You can also see Lola in the background.



Hope you enjoy the pics,
Larisa

More Goodness

I had another great interview today! Please continue to pray as decision making time for all the employers is coming! Please pray that I will be the perfect fit for one of them and that I will finally be able to begin a great career! :)

Josh and I have been budget designing lately in our home. Moving items we already had to different rooms for different looks. I just want the house to look the best it can for Jon and Debra's visit in two weeks. I can't wait to see them! :) It will definitely be a fun weekend! :)

My little Lola is still having "mommy" issues. She just doesn't want to share me or my attention with Hannah or Chloe. I hope the muzzling starts working more effectively soon. However, Hannah is a genius dog. She LOVES to play and tonight as Josh and I were absent-mindedly playing fetch with her while we were watching "Dancing With The Stars", Josh accidentally threw her toy through the pass through and into the kitchen. Hannah searched all around the couch, under, over, and beside. Since neither me or Josh wanted to get up and find the toy, we just continued to sit on the couch. Hannah didn't give up. She searched and searched as we ignored her and finally she triumphantly found it and brought to Josh to throw again. She is so smart! :)

I am now finished reading "Bridget Jone's Diary" and I am now reading the sequel "Bridget Jone's Diary: The Edge of Reason". If anyone has seen the movies and thought they were hilarious, these books are WORTH your reading time. :) I love how honest Bridget seems and the situations she goes through are definitely not sugar coated. She is an all around average woman, living an average life, where everything is messed up. So in short like real life. (BTW, the author of the Bridget Jones series is Helen Fielding if anyone is interested in reading them)

Praying for the "perfect" fit,
Larisa

Interviews Abound

Good news!

I have had two interviews this week with two perspective employers! :) Please pray that God will lay the best decision on my heart and the employers' hearts. I have put in so many resumes and called so many different places for positions. It is nice to know God is working in ways to put me in the best position for me.

Dancing with the Stars in back! Here are my early pics: Shawn Johnson, Lil' Kim, and Holly Madison.No guys have really stood out to me yet but I'm sure they will when they've had some more practice.

On other subject, we are "muzzling" my little Lola. :( She is being very aggressive towards Hannah and Chloe over being with me. When she starts growling in an unfriendly way, we scold her and then put the muzzle on for a few minutes. She definitely does NOT like it and it seems to be working. We had to resort to this method because we were afraid she was going to get hurt or hurt the other dogs. Most of the time, all the dogs are very loving, playful and friendly but they can be very defensive as well. We really just wanna nip it in the bud now so no one gets hurt.

We also finished painting two rooms this weekend in preparation for Jon and Debra's visit. We painted the bathroom a light green and the master bedroom in a golden "cork" color. Both look amazing thanks to hard work and Breezy for some help! ;)

This weekend's project is either the yard or the living room area. Pictures will be coming soon.

Blessed through this mess,
Larisa

My House

I love being a homeowner, not the mortgage but definitely the home part. I especially love it when Josh lets me spread my interior design wings and do something cool. (Well it's more like when we have the money and right now I have the time) We will be expecting some very VIP guests at the end of March, Jon and hopefully his beautiful wife, Debra (we don't know if she'll be able to join us or not). So in preparation for our guests (rather a very plausible excuse for me) we are painting FINALLY!

Tonight we are painting the bathroom upstairs and tomorrow we will be painting the bedroom! The bathroom is a very light, muted green that is more on the warm side. The bedroom is going to be like a cork color and the hallway, living room and foyer are going to be more of a dark goldenrod harvest yellow color. I love earthy, natural colors. All the trim is going to be painted a FRESH white. :) This will be such a welcome change to the cream colored walls in every room (but the kitchen). I can't wait until it is all finished but I am having fun working on it.

We are also going to be working on our yard as long as weather permits. It's getting bad because we haven't picked up any of the branches or even raked the yard from the leaves falling in autumn. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we will also be able to finish the yard in time for Jon and Debra's arrival.

Pictures Coming Soon,
Larisa

First Quarter of 2009 Update

2009 started like yesterday didn't it? I can't believe it is March already! Seriously it's so scary how fast time goes by. I wanted to do quarterly updates to keep myself accountable to the many resolutions I made. I started doing Jazzerise with my mom and her friend, Sharon, in February. Mom and I attempt to do two classes a week. It is a really fun workout but it is a HUGE workout. I am the youngest person in the class and all the other women can totally kick my butt! I'm working on it though! I have also been dieting since February but I really don't wanna talk about that. I have been stuck at the same STUPID weight for a month at least! At first I thought that the scale was broke but no it's not. Apparently my weight loss gene is broke instead. :( Still dieting and jazzing it out! I also have been reading much more. I have successfully finished the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, the Twilight series by Stephenine Meyer, and I am currently reading Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding. I would recommend all these books to anyone especially Bridget Jones and Stephanie Plum if anyone needs a good laugh!

I am actively looking for a new job as well! I have an excellent resume and I am a great interviewee! :) If anyone knows of a great place looking to make a great addition to their team, please let me know! Also please keep me in mind if you or someone else you know needs any interior design work. Big or small problems or questions, I can do it all! :) I have interviewed at a few places but for one reason or another could not take the position. Obviously with my anxiety issues these are HUGE steps! So that is a blessing.

I have really enjoyed writing on my blog and I look forward to continuing documenting my life and having fun writing. I hope all of you who read this have just as much fun as I do writing it.

Blessed but stressed,
Larisa

Removing the Stitches

Each piece is pulled out slowly, gently
Cool hands against my bare, torn skin
The broken skin is healed
It has been so long since I've felt whole
I have lived with this injury for so long
Bandages couldn't heal
Antiseptics couldn't relieve
But you could
How is it that a person, another human being, could heal me?
I barely knew you
The magnetism that drew me to you, that continues to draw me
What is this?
After being beaten, bruised, cut, abused
You simply heal me
Without a word, without a question
You heal me
Without a thought, without a reason
You heal me
I am closed at first, scared of you
How can you exist? Where have you been?
You hold out your hand
You pull my broken heart together with the strings of your love
How can I repay you? What could I possibly have to give?
Smile.
Love.
Laugh.
Trust.
Forever.
Without you, I would not be whole.
I would not be healed.
I would not love.
I would not be me.
Thank you.

* For those requiring explanation, this is dedicated to the love of my life, my husband, Josh who is my perfect match and who continues to amaze me with his love. *

Larisa 2009

Actively Looking and American Idol Review!

I am still looking for an EXCELLENT job with EXCELLENT pay! It is out there for me! I believe it! :) Please continue to pray for both Josh and I during this time.

Did anyone else watch American Idol tonight? Awww yeah! Let me just go ahead and give my three votes for tomorrow's results show.

1. Adam Lambert
2. Allison Iraheta
3. Mishavonna Henson

I thought Allison Iraheta STOLE THE SHOW! She was so amazing! I love her style and her raw talent! I really think she will continue to go far in the competition as long as she continues to make good song choices. She was the tie for the top performance of the night in my opinion. For being so young, she had such a natural stage presence. YOU GO GIRL!

Adam Lambert has been one of my top faves from the beginning. His range is so incredible! I really think Adam and Allison should do a duet! It would ROCK! Especially that last note he hit! AMAZING!

Mishavonna really didn't give a terribly great performance tonight but I think she was the only other contestant that "tried" tonight. She seems WAY too old for her age. She really needs to show America that she can be contemporary. She is young. She needs to act like it. :)

Overall I was really disappointed with tonight's group. It seemed like only Adam and Allison brought their "A" game. Everyone else seemed uncomfortable and awkward. Seriously, the top 36 need to be coached on how to pick a song that plays to their stengths. Especially like Matt Giraud, the dueling piano player, I really wanted to wring his neck tonight!!! He was one of my favorites and what got him onto the show was his jazzy cool voice and he totally messed it up by changing his whole image and sound to like pop rock! :( Come on now! Group 3 BRING IT ON!

The Fifth Judge,
Larisa

Blog Inspiration Random Questions

Q: What were your fears, expectations, & anticipations about getting married?

A: I don't think I ever had any fears about getting married. I guess before I met Josh I had the fear that I would maybe marry the wrong person. That's so silly really. Once Josh was in my life, I had no question in my mind that he was the right person for me. The only time I ever think I was "afraid" of getting married was the second before I walked out of the door to start walking down the aisle. My heart skipped ONE beat. Then I saw him, smiling back at me and that was all that mattered. I had such a good example of marriage in my parents. Now, I didn't say it was perfect, no marriage is. I think that was what I expected though. My parents have a very strong marriage, filled with ups and downs, arguments and agreements. So I knew as long as I had the right partner that the marriage would be great. I expected it to be tough and I expected to work at it and we do.
It has been the best thing I have ever done. I love being married and having Josh beside me.

Q: What special things did you do with your father?

A: I remember waiting for dad to come home from a job and making him cards or crowns and leaving them on the kitchen table for him to see when he came in the door. He would also usually bring me candy like skittles when he came home too! I remember when he couldn't be at one of my dance recitals and he sent me flowers and a stuffed puppy dog. I remember being really little and always wanting to do office work like dad did. I would scribble through a whole legal pad. Boy I thought I was big! :) I remember my 13th birthday and the letter he wrote me and the necklace he gave me. I remember him reading the same letter at my wedding rehearsal dinner and there wasn't a dry eye in the auidence. I remember his smile on my wedding day and how proud he was of me and still is. :) I trully believe my dad is the most hard working man I have ever met. I am so proud of him and all the work he does. I hope I make him just as proud of me as I am of him.

Needing Inspiration & Finding It,
Larisa

Updates and Apologies

I am so sorry I have not been updating as regular as I normally do. I have been a busy girl!

Here are some updates to the blog:

1. Obviously I've been doing some "web designing". I hope everyone enjoys the new look. I know I do!

2. If you would rather receive blog updates by e-mail, please let me know. You can e-mail me at larisacrawley@insightbb.com or comment to this blog. If you do decide that you want to receive e-mails, the blog will automatically send you an e-mail whenever I update my blog posts.


Here are some updates to my life:

1. I have been going to exercise classes with my mom and one of her best friends, Sharon. I have been enjoying these classes so much! They are really fun! I mean it's not fun waking up early to go work out but the classes really get me motivated. I have also been dieting on Weight Watchers independently from the meetings. This also seems to be going well too. I am trying really hard to eat very healthy and cook healthier foods. If anyone is interested in seeing some really great recipes on here, let me know. I have plenty!

2. The job search continues. Please continue to pray for me and Josh during this time. Our marriage is so strong but our finances are not. I know all of you have been there. Please pray for us. I'm glad I picked my best friend to marry otherwise staying at home all the time because we can't afford to go out would get boring. :)

3. I got to see my Elizabeth and my Maddie yesterday! Both of them are such miracles to me. No matter how long it's been since we get together, Elizabeth and I have such a strong friendship bond that never wears thin. God has blessed me with such an incredible best friend who is now such an amazing mom to a beautiful baby girl! Maddie is such a doll! I could stare at her all day and never be bored. She is so unbelievable and smart and happy and so full of personality.

4. I am literally dying inside to get back to my music. I believe that will be my next obstacle. I just can't seem to get the nerve to sit at the piano and play what I remember because I'm afraid it won't be alot.:)

Well, there you have it. Updates and apologies all in one!

Updated,
Larisa

Needing Prayer Warriors

Calling all prayer warriors...urgent request! Larisa needs a job that pays MONEY! I can no longer do "volunteer" work. I am actively looking for a GREAT job with GREAT people that pays GREAT money. It IS out there. I need guidance and prayers PLEASE.

On an unrelated note, Hannah's birthday is on Valentine's Day and she turns 1! Yeah! Happy Birthday Hannah!Baby Hannah

Full Grown Hannah

Anyone who knows me knows I love my "babies"! Everyday they do something to make me laugh and smile. No mater what they always greet me with wagging tails and licking tongues. Here are some dog quotes that I have found true. Enjoy!

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill

"Even the tiniest poodle or chihuahua is still a wolf at heart." - Dorothy Hinshaw

"To err is human, to forgive, canine." - Unknown

"Money will buy you a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of its tail." - Steven Wright

"I hope if dogs take over the world, and they choose a king, they don't just go up in size, because I bet there are some chihuahuas with some good ideas." - Jack Handy

"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." - Louis Sabin

"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does." - Christopher Morley

"The average dog is nicer is a nicer person than the average person." - Andrew Rooney

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

"My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because she is not infected with the concept of what I should be doing." - Lonzo Idolswine

"I used to look at [my dog] Smokey and think 'If you were a little smarter you could tell me what you were thinking' and he'd look at me like he was saying 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to'." - Fred Jungclaus

"If a dog will not come to you after having looked at your face, you should go home and examine your conscience." - Woodrow Wilson

"You think dogs will not be heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." - Robert Stevenson

"Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job." - Franklin Jones

"No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has." - Will Rogers

"You do not own a dog, the dog owns you." - Unknown

"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." - Samuel Butler

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

"A dog wags his tail with his heart." - Martin Buxbaum

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself." - Josh Billings

"Man is a dog's idea of what God should be." - Holbrook Jackson

"My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am." - Toby & Eileen Green

Tail Wagging,
Larisa

Pink Polish

I am girly today.
Pink nail polish and a hair color change makes the world better.

I am beautiful today.
Expensive perfume and jewelry accessorize me perfectly.

I am sexy today.
Deep brown eyes and a sly grin bring out my gorgeousness.

I am singing today.
Listening to my voice is a powerful jolt of confidence.

I am strong today.
No one is taking my joy away today. No one.

I am confident today.
Fake people, I can see through you and so can everyone else.

I am original today.
Can't be anyone but myself and no one else can be me.

I am determined today.
Bad memories and haunting ugliness will NOT phase me, break me, kill me, or shatter me.

I am right today.
"They" may try to blame everything on me but "they" can't when it is "their" irresponsibility that causes it. NOT ME.

I am loud today.
I AM WORTH IT, VALUABLE, LOVED, INTELLIGENT, AND NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY ANYMORE.

Larisa 2009

Better Days

Finally, a semi-normal day for me. Ahh...it is pleasant. I am beginning to see more clearly. I hate the fogginess. I really do. I hate the sad, low, blue, negative, stressed, depressed, ugly, nastiness of being in that "bad place". Another sigh of much needed relief.

However, I have a new kind of pain. The good kind. The kind in your muscles from a good workout. I started my new exercise class on Friday with my mom. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's a good stress reliever. " Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't." (Elle Woods, Legally Blonde) Sorry I really couldn't help it, it was such a good movie quote moment. :) I guess it's easier to be more positive when you can see that something ANYTHING is happening. You are making an effort towards your goal. So, needless to say, I can't wait to go back to our class on Monday for another dose of butt kicking! :)

Also good movies always help me out. Josh and I rented "Zack and Miri Make a Porno". Yes it is rated R. Yes it is about Porn. Yes it has EXCESSIVE language and nudity. But what you may not know is that it is written and directed by one of my favorites, Kevin Smith, who also wrote and directed "Clerks", "Dogma", "Mallrats", "Chasing Amy" and "Jersey Girl". This movie is what you would expect from Kevin Smith, which means it delivers smart "word" comedy, dirty "naughty" comedy, sweet moments in unexpected places, and a great cast. If you are willing to lower your standards and are prepared for ANYTHING, see this movie! Seriously, you won't regret it. Well...maybe a little, but you'll definitely enjoy it more than you ever thought you would enjoy a movie about making a porno. I know I did.
Larisa's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" Rating: A+ for orignality, comedy genius, and a satisfying ending that only Kevin Smith can give me. (No dirty pun intended)

Feeling Better,
Larisa

Money, Weight, and Other Heavy Matters

Another wave of thanks to my mom, my husband, Mrs.Neutz and other friends and family who have helped to make me smile and laugh during these days. I have truly appreciated each of you more than you could possibly know. I am beyond blessed to have so many people encourage, inspire, help, care, and love me. Thank you for every e-mail, every song, every prayer, every smile, every phone call, every lunch date, everything. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my smiling dimples! :)

Each day is getting slowly easier while still being difficult. My main causes for this depression are my money, my job, and my weight. Money is difficult for everyone and I probably worry about it too much but doesn't everyone? There is never enough. I mean, we have enough to pay the bills but never any left to get ahead. I feel like we are stuck on like a money treadmill. No matter hwo much you run, you never get anywhere. I LOVE my job. Artemisia is seriously the best place I have ever worked with the best people and the best food! My two favorite things! It's just right now I can't afford the job I love and I would take a job that I would hate just to make the money. However, I have tiredlessly searched and searched for jobs and there is hardly anything out there that I am A) qualified for, B) close to home, or C) pays more than Artemisia. Now, keep in mind I am not making alot of money at Artemisia but apparently it is paying the bills.

I have never had problems with my weight until I got married. I don't think I "let myself go" it's just that circumstances changed. I wasn't running around Best Buy all day anymore, I had gotten an office job. Fast Food was cheaper and faster than home cooked food. All the normal excuses. For the first time in a long time, I don't wanna look in the mirror anymore. My clothes don't fit right anymore. I hate the way I look. Most of the time, I just wear sweats and a hoodie so I can't see it.

After all my complaining, I am actively doing something about each of my problems. I am going to exercise classes and dieting. I am calling about all of our bills to see what we can do or cancel or change to help with the monthly expenses. I am looking for work ANYWHERE doing just about ANYTHING. Of course, any ideas are always welcome.

Broke, Fat, and on Xanax,
Larisa

"Could I" by Kim McMechan

The following lyrics are from a praise song I learned when I had vocal lessons with Mrs. Neutz. She has sent me so much love and encouragement since starting this blog. I appreciate her and having her in my life has been such a blessing. She continues to remind me of God's grace, mercy, and infinite wisdom. Thank you so much Mrs. Neutz. You have made such a positive impact on my life. This song describes how helpless I feel at this moment. I love this song. It is so beautiful. It is a release. It is a giving up of the spirit to God to take control. It is a realization that we are not in control and that we need to let go.

Could I

Kim McMechan

VERSE 1:
Could I just sit here a while
Know that there’s nothing that I need to say
Safe in the knowledge that You know my ways
Love me completely no need to hide a thing
         
Could I just stay here a while
Letting You melt away all of my fears
I feel Your comfort when You are so near
I’ll hide myself in this shelter You’ve made for me

CHORUS:
Could I    (x2)

VERSE 2:
Could I just kneel here a while
Doing what I was created to do
Bowing in reverence I long to adore You
Willingly giving all that I can surrender

Could I just rest here a while
Letting You whisper my burdens away
In all of my journeys there’s no other place
Where I find refuge strength for my weary heart

----------------


I have been down so much lately. I have never been as depressed in my life as I have been lately. I keep trying to find something to be happy about or be relieved that I don't have to worry about. I know I'm not the only one having a hard time in this economy. It just makes me feel so awful because usually I am the first one to be positive or be able to envision the good in the future. Now I can't see beyond the nose on my face.

Could I,
Larisa

Exhausted

I am empty today.
I have given all my strength away to worrying.
I have nothing left within me.

I am exhausted today.
I have done all I know to do.
I have nothing left I know.

I am down today.
I have lost my happiness for a minute.
I have no more positivity.

I am empty today.
I have to find hope.
I have to find peace.

I am needy today.
I have to lift my head up.
I have to stop crying.

I am exhausted.
I have used everything.
I have been used up.

Larisa 2009

Snow-meggedon 2009

Here are some pictures around our backyard of the latest snow storm that hit Louisville. I love the way the trees look all covered in ice. It is definitely the prettiest type of all storms but it is deceptively beautiful. It incapacitates us all by covering the roads, downing power lines, and generally just causing mass mayhem at groceries. My next vehicle will have 4 wheel drive. I'm just saying. As long as I live in the most unpredictable weather state, I need to be prepared better.

Iced in,
Larisa

Creepy Fix Accomplished

I have a HUGE obsession with movies. I can watch a movie a dozen times and never be bored of it,well, it depends on the movie. I get in the mood for certain movies and most of the time I want to watch something "light" like a romance or comedy, very rarely do I wanna watch something very scary or perceived as scary like a thriller. No I don't mean like hack 'em slash 'em movies or gory gross movies; I mean like psychological thrillers. The ones that are even more scary because you begin to think it could happen to you. Like the murder mysteries. I like those. I like to see them get the bad guy. I want to good guy to win or to figure it out in time to save people. I have been in one of the those moods.

My creepy need started with the remake of "Psycho". I have seen the original Hitchcock "Psycho". It amazes me. It is truly remarkable. Like on the documentary of the remake, the director compared Hitchcock's "Psycho" to a work of art. It is. The angles used, the music, the writing, it is mesmerizing to someone like me, a movie fanatic not an actual "psycho". The remake is also incredible. But the reason it is incredible isn't why you would think. It is great because they didn't change hardly anything. They kept the legendary and inventive angles orignally used. The writing was close to the same only slightly modernized. Perfect remake to a work of art.
Larisa rating for "Psycho" (the remake): A+ for respect for the late Alfred Hitchcock, thriller genius

Next, and this may surprise those who know me, was the Hannibal Lecter series. Yes I said it. I watched "The Silence of the Lambs", "Hannibal", and "Red Dragon". These are great movies. Creepy but great. The way Hannibal is portrayed is so amazing to me. Here is this really messed up crazy lunatic cannibal and the writers make you like him. You (as a viewer) don't want anything bad to happen to him. That takes awesome writing and acting talent (Hannibal Lecter is portrayed by Anthony Hopkins).
Larisa rating of "Silence of the Lambs": A+ for being my favorite of the series
Larisa rating of "Hannibal": B- for not involving the last victim enough to make you care, the plot is loose, lot of blood that was unnecessary, my least favorite of the series
Larisa rating of "Red Dragon": A- for being mediocre but relevant and a good movie because you find out more about Hannibal

Creeped out but needed it,
Larisa

Winning Post!

This week's winning post was "How did Larisa meet and fall in love with Josh".

Once upon a time (about 8 years ago) in a land called Louisville, KY lived a beautiful young girl named Larisa and a handsome young boy named Josh. One evening as Larisa was going to visit her boyfriend the evil Chris (we will discuss him in another blog) at church, she encountered a problem. Chris was no where to be found. Since she was visiting Chris's church and did not know anyone there, she was quite lost. She felt alone. She kept checking inside and outside, making sure she hadn't missed him. Larisa finally gave up and walked outside one last time before church started and a very nice boy, Josh, opened the door for her and said "Hey". And the rest is history.

It started out innocently enough. Larisa continued to talk to Josh that night and even gave him her e-mail address and IM address. Weeks pasted and they talked as often as possible. They became great friends. They enjoyed talking to each other so much and soon Larisa started to become excited when he called her or messaged her. She missed him when he didn't and then she realized suddenly how much she really cared for him. Not only as a friend but as something more. It was still almost a year before they began the ritual of "dating". Even when they were "dating", Larisa was still so young that she had to wait until her 16th birthday to actually go on a true one-on-one date with the handsome Josh since he was two years older than her but that didn't stop them from falling more and more in love.

He was everything she could've hoped for or dreamed for. He became her world and her his. They knew they were meant for each other, even being so young. Josh proposed on her 18th birthday and they were wed on June 2, 2006, a year after she graduated high school.

Today, they live happily ever after in their first home with three chihuahua puppies. They fall deeper and deeper in love each day and support each other through life together.

Married Happily Ever After,
Princess Larisa

My Sometimes Boring But Amazing Life

I'd have to say I do love my life, even in the boring times I am happy.

I just finished watching "The Office" in my pajamas on our comfy couch under our king sized micro-chenille blanket with all three puppies asleep between Josh and I. It's boring but it makes me happy. I would rather be here than anywhere else right now.

A lot of historical things have happened this week. On Monday we celebrated the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. On Tuesday we celebrated how far we've come in realizing Dr. King's dream by inaugurating our first black president. On Wednesday I turned 22 years old and realized fully how amazing my dad is and how amazing my new dishwasher is. :) Okay I know I'm not as important as all the rest of the stuff that happened this week but I think it's pretty awesome that I am alive to be able to witness all these great things happening. I will pray for President Obama because God has put him in the most powerful position in the world for a reason. I will be able to tell my kids and grandkids what I was doing when President Obama was elected. And that is amazing.

Amazed,
Larisa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I am now the proud new owner of an over the range microwave and dishwasher as well as turning 22 years old today! The following pictures document all the hard work that had to be done to make my gifts possible and usable. The first pictures are how my kitchen looked before and they continue to how it looks now! I'm so happy with how it turned out! It was better than I even imagined!




Another year older and two appliances richer,
Larisa

Exciting Things to Come

So after almost two years living in our house, I am FINALLY getting a dishwasher (other than my two hands) and an over the range microwave! I'm so excited! I will post before and after pics as soon as it is completed tomorrow by my wonderful dad!

This was what I really wanted for my birthday so I will go ahead and give a big THANK YOU to all those contributing to the small kitchen remodel. :) I thank you and so do my hands! :) Also another big THANK YOU to my dad for being as skilled and talented as he is for being able to install all this new awesome stuff for us!

When we first bought this house, the past owners had a portable dishwasher that worked just fine for them. Well, let's just say we do not and did not ever use it because it was WAY to bulky and with our dining table and chairs it would take up too much room in our eat-in kitchen. From day one, the plan has always been to get a dishwasher and it is happening! Thank goodness!

You know you are an adult when you get this excited about dishwashers,
Larisa

I'm a Big Kid...no really I am

Anyone that knows me will know these things about me especially Elizabeth and Josh. I am a REALLY BIG KID. Seriously, I'm not kidding about this one. I love to laugh and have fun! I love acting stupid, smiling, and making other people laugh too. Whether or not they are laughing AT me and not WITH me is another thing completely.

There are so many things I still enjoy doing even though I'm technically an adult now (Yikes!). I love to color! There is hardly anything I really love more than opening up a new box of crayons and getting a new coloring book and spending the whole afternoon coloring! Even thinking of it now makes me want to color. I remember my mom teaching me what she did when she was little with her new crayons and coloring books. She would test each and every color of crayon on the inside of the coloring book cover to see how the color really looked. I still do this to this day. :) Like mother, like daughter I suppose. The time I really like to color is when I'm sick or when I'm really stressed out. Josh knows all about this. When I ask him to break out the coloring stuff, he doesn't hesitate. It's a type of therapy for me I guess. I feel like I'm in control of the way the picture turns out. It can be as neat or as messy as I want it to be.

I also still completely love cartoons and Disney movies. I could probably watch the same Disney movie a million times and never be bored of it. I remember me and Elizabeth wore out her VHS of "Cinderella" because we watched it so much! :) If DVDs could wear out I guarantee my "Beauty & the Beast" would be wore out as well. I like old Disney cartoons and old Looney Tunes. The collector's DVDs I have of those are probably my most prized but I like alot of current cartoons too like Spongebob, Family Guy, King of the Hill, or Blues Clues. Yes Blues Clues. It's an awesome show. Just the ones with Steve not Joe. I like Steve ones alot better.

Of course since I'm married to Josh I am required to like video games. I would anyway but it's a requirement for me too. :) (Just kidding honey. I love you!) I have to say my favorites are Tomb Raider (Oh yeah Melissa!), any of the Mario games especially the older ones, the Final Fantasy series and Kingdom Hearts series (Seriously Kingdom Hearts was made for me, an RPG with Disney and Final Fantasy characters). I like computer games too but not as much. I like the short ones like Mystery Case Files or the Dash games. They are easy to play to pass the time.

Hmmm....I guess that's about it. Other than my HUGE soft spot for puppies and I doubt I will grow out of that EVER. :) I LOVE my puppies like they were my kids. I can't imagine being without them. They can always make me smile no matter what.

Kid at Heart,
Larisa