Elf'd

Check out Amanda's blog for our disco video. I think I'm a pretty good dancer, but I was really impressed with how well the dogs did.

Merry Christmas!!

Josh

8 Things...

I was tagged by Lori...

8 Shows That I watch:
The Office
Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
House
Criminal Minds
ESPN
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
We Mean Business

8 Favorite Restaurants:
Shogun
Jim n Nicks
Longhorn
Olive Garden
California Pizza Kitchen
Buffalo Wild Wings
Bob Baumhauers Wings
Chick fil a

8 Things I Did This Week/Weekend:
Went to Quin's Bball game
Watched Jumper
Slept
Played with the dogs
Cleaned the house (partially)
Searched the internet for a part time job
Blogged for the first time in forever
Went all over Alabama for work

8 Things I Look Forward To:
Heaven
Spending the rest of my life with Amanda
Kids
Finishing School
A new year
Strengthening my relationships with friends and family
Being a better friend
Hearing about the deals Amanda finds with coupons

8 Things On My Wish List:
Having Kids
Going on an awesome road trip with Amanda
Becoming debt free!!!
Losing the rest of the weight I want
Find a Career
Xbox 360
To make Amanda happier than she could ever be.
To learn not to stress.

Now you're tagged! Can't wait to read your 8 things...

No idea where this post will go.

It has been awhile since my last post. I have been busy but not too busy to write a couple of posts. I just haven't made myself sit down and type, plus Amanda has been hogging the computer with all of her coupon stuff. I guess that would be a good place to start. If you read my blog I'm sure you read Amanda's and you know of her obsession...COUPONS! I call it an obsession because that is what it is, the girl can't stop talking about them. It's pretty funny. But, I will say that she has saved us a lot of money and that she is really good at it. I'm proud of her for actually sticking with this, because she doesn't usually follow through with things, but this is different. And I will admit that she has gotten me hooked. I don't want to buy a single thing unless we have a coupon for it. So, good job Amanda!

School is going well, I don't know if I ever said what class I was taking but it's Marketing. I currently have a high B, but hope to push it up to an A with two tests remaining. I have registered for next semester and will be taking 2 courses, Finance and Management. I really enjoy school, just wish I had finished it when I had the chance to, but I'll get it done this time.

I'm not going to talk about the election. I was not happy with the outcome(I'm a capitalist not a socialist) and I know I never will be, but he is the new president and I will respect the position. I can only pray that he does the right thing while in office.

I gave blood Friday for the first time ever. Amanda has always been a huge supporter of the American Red Cross(as she stated on her blog) and since she organized this blood drive at the SCBOE, I told her I would come. I think she was expecting me to be nervous or scared or something because she kept making little comments to me the whole time I was there, but what she didn't realize was that I don't have a problem with needles and I have a high pain tolerance. I do have a bruise on my arm, but I expected that because I have rolling veins and the nurse had a tough time finding one. But I was a champ and filled the little bag in record time.

While I'm thinking about it...Roll Tide!! I'm a huge Alabama fan, I mean HUGE. When football season starts we don't make plans for Saturday unless they involve watching the Alabama game. It has been tough for Amanda to get use to but she's done well. I am extremely happy with this season. Not only is Alabama winning, but the Vols and Barners are going to have losing seasons. All is right with college football. :)

So, you all remember that I lost 100 pounds over the last year before I came home. It was my goal while in FPC to lose the weight and keep it off. I knew it would be tough once I got home and boy has it. I've gained back 10 lbs, I know I know, I've still lost 90lbs, but it's a big deal to me that I've gained it back. I promised myself that I would never go back to being like that again. I've also let it rub off on Amanda and we've both decided to not let it affect us anymore. We are starting a 4week program that I learned while I was gone. We both eat well, we aren't really over indulging. We're just not being active. I'm sure Amanda will be complaining about the workouts on her blog. She's a difficult workout partner because she doesn't want to listen to me. She says she can't stand my voice when I'm telling her how to do something. She's so sweet. Anyway, we're both going to make the other stick to it and I know once she sees the effects of this workout she'll forgive me....I hope.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I know I just rambled through a million different things, but I had a lot to cover. I'm serious this time when I say that I will blog more often. Take Care.


Josh

My Job

I've been needing a subject for a new blog and decided that my job would be great. As you may or may not know I used to work for a bank as a retail loan officer. That was before I made my mistake, but that's another story. Anyway, when I left the bank I had a tough time finding another job, it was about 6 months before I got a full-time job. In August of 2005 I began working for Cahaba Title in Pelham as a title researcher. What does Cahaba Title do? Well we are a title insurance company that has been around for about 30 years. We don't have anything to do with car titles as some people think, we deal in real estate. Whenever someone buys a piece of real estate and you go through a closing, title insurance is involved. We research real estate to verify that once you buy the property that you do in fact own it and don't have to worry about someone "from years gone by" coming up and demanding their property. It can be a very interesting job, but sometimes a little boring. I research property in Jefferson County mostly, but I occasionally do venture to other counties all over Alabama to do research. If you buy property in Jefferson County there is a chance that I will have researched your home(in fact I have researched several people's homes that I know).

Anyway, I do enjoy my job because it isn't very stressful and I am able to dress very casual. It can be very interesting to see how much property in Mountain Brook sold for in the 1930's, or some of the odd restrictions in a subdivision, or reading where a parent left a child the dust from the house in their will. Crazy stuff!! I don't know if it is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong I love my job and I'm extremely thankful that they gave me my job back when I came home from the FPC, but as I tell Amanda I want a grown-up job. A job where I have to dress professionally and deal with people again. Right now I'm focusing on finishing school and then I'll look more seriously at something else. Until then I'll keep researching property.

Hope you enjoyed this little look into my job. If you every have a question about real estate let me know I'll be more than happy to help. Take care!!

Josh

Guess who's birthday it is...

Happy Birthday Amanda! As I write this right now you are taking a shower to get ready for work. I am so nervous right now because I want to make this birthday so very special for you. I missed your birthday last year because I was gone and it still bothers me. I hope you are surprised when I give you your present. It is from my heart which will always belong to you. I love you very much so and hope to make your 27th birthday something special.

Hey everyone, take a moment today to wish my wife and the sweetest person I know a very happy birthday!

Take Care.

Josh

I'm a bad blogger...

Yes, I know it. I'm horrible. I said would be updating my blog more regularly, but that hasn't happened. The truth is not much has happened and I've been a little busy. But, that's no excuse with all of you suffering not knowing what is going on in my life because I haven't posted anything. So, I'll ease your pain and fill you in on what has happened in the last week.

First, I had an awesome birthday. My wife got me some great gifts. I already told you about the book,"Brisingr", but I also got a new Alabama baseball cap, a pair of amazingly comfortable Alabama flip-flops, and the best gift of all a bluetooth! I have been wanting a bluetooth for some time now, because with my job I am in the car driving to other counties, so it's safer for me to have the bluetooth. Plus, they are really cool. :) Anyway, Saturday Amanda and I drove up to Boaz that morning to go to the outlet mall there. If you have ever been there you know it use to be awesome with tons of stores, not anymore. They don't even have an Eddie Bauer outlet(I love EB)!! We were a little disappointed but we did find a few good deals on some clothes and plus we had a blast going there and coming back. We love road trips! On our way back we stopped in Trussville for lunch at Red Robin's. Let me say that they have a great burger. We had never eaten there but always wanted to, so we stopped. Great food and I got to see Ole Miss beat Florida! Oh I almost forgot...Amanda got me a cd of a band called "Me first and the Gimme Gimme's", Fabulous!! (LOL...Amanda will get that)

Anyway, that was my birthday weekend. Thanks Amanda for making my first bday back home great. I love you.

The rest of the week has been the usual, work, school, work, and so on. I just realized I've never mentioned what I do for a living. That will have to be another blog as I need to leave for work or I won't be doing anything for a living. I promise to blog sooner and more often. Have a great weekend and Roll Tide! Take Care.

Josh

They say it's your birthday....

It's my birthday too yeah!! That's right folks I'm 29 today. I kinda feel different, but kinda don't. Make sense? I guess this birthday feels different because of how bad last year's birthday was. I'm use to waking up on my bday and having Amanda tell me, "Happy Birthday Baby" before I even get out of the bed. But, last year there was no one to tell me that. No one knew. I basically spent that day reading and keeping to myself, because I was devastated. I'm the type of person that believes your bday is YOUR DAY. All other days belong to other people, but your bday, its a special day just for you. I have always felt that you should enjoy that day as your own. A little childish and silly I know, but I'm a big kid anyway. Being home for this birthday changes everything for me. I don't need any presents, or anything like that now. I'm home and I can spend as much time as I want with my best friend....that is present enough for me.

I wish I could really explain the feelings I am having right now. It is so amazing the feeling of thankfulness. I didn't realize how important things were to until I had to miss out on them for a year. Amanda says I get annoyed with things, true, but what she doesn't realize is that I love the fact that I can get annoyed about things. I love her and nothing she could do will ever change that. I guess what I'm trying to say is your birthday IS a special day and you should treat it as your own. But, also take advantage of every single day you have and be thankful for the things you have and the people in your life because one day you will have to endure without some part of your life and regretting things is not how you want to live.

OK, I know you are all tired of that stuff. Time for more birthday info, Amanda got me the book, "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini. It is the third book in a series of 4 about a boy who becomes a dragon rider. Yes, it is fantasy but such a good series. Amanda has something else planned for tonight but I don't know what. I'll let you know when I know. Well, take care and I hope your day is as good as mine.

Josh