exciting news

So fun news guys, I recently got a job as a personal trainer at a new gym that is opening up by my house and I am super, super excited. I have kept it on the down low while interviewing just in case I didn't get the job. No one would have wanted to hear about a job I didn't get. Now when I say gym, I  don't mean your standard gym. The place I will be working at is fabulous. We are talking indoor and outdoor pools, a huge water slide, NBA sized basketball court, new equipment galore, spa, cafe, etc. 

VillaSport doesn't officially open until sometime in early August, but I started new hire training yesterday and have it all of July. With that being said my schedule is going to be crazy packed with my full time job, training for PT, trying to live up summer while I can, and heading off to Indiana at the end of next week to visit Brad's family. Basically, what I am saying is you might not see as much of me around this blog and your blogs. I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not actually sorry. Mostly I am excited for what is all to come. Don't worry, I'm not quitting this blog, I love it far too much to stop...I just might be a little more selective in my posts and with my time.

This whole selective with my time also means I have to force myself to get up at 5 am for early morning workouts to fit everything in. We'll see how long that lasts...

Then again, working out on mornings like this is a lot easier than in the dead of winter. 

Wish me luck with the new job, I am actually pretty nervous since it is my first real training experience since getting certified! 

Cheers! 

<3 BB

Hot Confessions

Today is Wednesday, so today means we confess things with Kathy for humpday confessions. It is what Sweet Baby Jesus would want us to do.

::I confess I was irrationally sad when I went to try out a new Ramen place yesterday after work and it was closed because it was too 'hot' out. Now granted it did reach 99 degrees yesterday which is hot for this early in the summer...but come on?!? Are you kidding me?!? Are you going to close your shop every time it is over 80 degrees? 

::I also confess it was probably a good idea I didn't actually eat it in 99 degree weather, I would have gotten really, really sweaty. 

::Speaking of hot, I confess I really, really, really wanted to be cheap and not turn the AC unit in our bedroom on, but there was no way I would have been able to fall asleep without it. Why do things like cool air have to cost moneys? 

::I confess after the US lost yesterday, I did what any good girlfriend would do and bought Bradley a large, cold beer to help with his sadness. My favorite quote form him yesterday was 'I know that the USMNT losing is not actually that important in the grand scheme of things that are my life...but on my list of things that are not actually important - they are at the top.' I know, Bradley. I know.

Lastly, I confess - I can't stop taking selfies. I am annoying myself now. And I found this old picture on the left in my phone. God that is frightening. Who let's me go out in public, ever? 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

independence day shenanigans

So, I didn't hunt any British, but I did have great 4th of July Shenanigans! Ones that featured the usual BBQ with friends and fireworks! Question: could you ask for anything more on the 4th? Answer: no. A few of us from our group even dared to head down to the Portland waterfront after the BBQ to see the fireworks, and better yet, managed to stay away from the huge crowds.

Kelley and I were twinning from head to toe.  What you don't see pictured is the matching white shorts and rainbow flip flops, which was all unplanned. 

The rest of the weekend was just as awesome.  It included the Waterfront Blues Festival where we saw 3 different performances, my favorite being Allen Stone. (Don't worry, I will introduce you to him more tomorrow on Tunesday) 

Fact: one can never go wrong with boyfriend fit jeans and rainbows.  Summer uniform has been found.

Brad and I also decided to get a little crazy and hike a mountain on Saturday.  Dog Mountain is no joke, but the views were sure pretty.  I just have to keep telling myself they were worth the sore butt I now have from the 3 plus miles of incline. 

Oh, and did I mentioned I made dessert for the BBQ?  There might not be any left, because this happened a lot over the weekend. Why dirty another dish, when you can eat it from the pan?!

This is why I do not keep sweets in my home. Thank God I hiked a mountain to counteract it a little bit.

Anyway, this 4 day weekend has me jonesing for summer break. Why can't I still be in grade school?! I was so jealous of the little kids riding their bikes in our neighborhood when Brad and I went on an evening walk before bedtime last night. You know they got to stay out past nine, because it wasn't a school night. Not fair.

Cheers to Amurica!

<3 BB

tunesday :: hot, tired, and hangry

Happy Thursday Tuesday!

It is officially hot in Portland and I plan on spending the rest of my summer on the floor of my apartment.

Care to join me?

Does anyone else use their foam roller as a pillow? No just me? Cool. This was after my big struggle at the gym where I thought I might die after my workout. Ok, that is probably a slight exaggeration.  However, I was TIRED after the gym last night and hot and it made me hangry. Good news is, I got over it and by that I mean I ate and watched Love It Or List It.  Food and HGTV make everything better. 

So, in honor of this summer weather, let's give your ears some summer tunes! 

Grouplove :: Ways To Go 

The National :: Exile Vilify 

Casey Abrams :: Wore Out My Soul

Punch Brothers :: This Girl 

Vacationer :: Summer End 

Hey Ocean! :: I am A Heart 

Mount Kimbie feat. King Krule :: You Took Your Time 

A K U A :: Monsters 

Foals :: My Number 

Bad Books :: It Never Stops 

Purity Ring :: Obedear 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

welcome to my birthday month

Oh hello there,

Welcome to my birthday month. Glad you could join me.  I am also glad the 90+ degree weather could join us in Portland too, minus the whole no AC in our apartment thing. UGH. This does not bode well for a sweater like me.  Falling asleep each night has been a little bit of a struggle. Let's hope I start to get used to it or break down and use the window AC my mom has offered.  This  broke girl, just doesn't want to pay the electric bill after. wa wahhhh. Basically what I am saying is, my life is so hard, feel bad for me. 

Kidding. 

My life was pretty awesome this weekend.  Did a lot of this. 

And a lot of this.

And then when I was done, did a lot of this. Tiger Tail. Hurts so good.

Drank a lot of this. 

 Did summa this.

Don't worry only had one cider, so I didn't get sick like that one time.

Oh and did I mention sweating?! Because I did A LOT of that.

Yes, that's sweat dripping off my nose. 

Finished off my weekend with a conversation like this: 

Friend from college I haven't seen in a while: "So, do you like have a blog or something?!"

Me: "Yeah, started it up a little while ago. It's kind of a hobby these days, gives me something to do." 

Friend: "Yeah, I see you post it on Facebook. I don't actually read it, just the headlines." 

Me: "Cool?" 

What kind of shenanigans did you get into this weekend?!

<3 BB

tuesday tunesday + a grill

So Bradley bought a grill last night! Yayyy! Hooray, Summer! Then we woke up to rain this morning womp womp.

via

But that's okay! It is supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. Which if you're keeping track, that is the perfect temperature for grilling outside, so it deserves one of these:

Old pic, don't care.

Anyway, enough old selfies... Let's enjoy some music. I am pretty excited about these new tunes.

Josef Salvat :: Hustler
This song, I don't even know what it is I love so much, but dauuumn it's fantastic. 

Neil Halstead :: Full Moon Rising

I feel like I need to listen to this song at least twice in a row to get the full greatness of it. It's lovely.

Houndmouth :: Penitentiary 

You should know this band for a few reasons. Reason one: they are about to blow up in 2013. Reason two: Brad grew up with one of the guys in the band. Reason three: they look like they could be from Portland. So Hipster right now.

Air Review :: Young
There is whistling. There is clapping. Loves it. (Also, I know this video is a different size that the others and it is bothering my OCD, but I was struggling and gave up. Sorry, not sorry.)

Vacationer :: Good As New

This song has the perfect summer time vibe and I need that in my life right now.

The Cinematic Orchestra :: To Build A Home
Beautiful lyrics in this song. Plus it was on the show Friday Night Lights and who doesn't love the Taylors?!

Crystal Fighters :: You & I

Came across this song via the blog Lucky vs. the Globe. This girl has good taste in music. 

Mkkkkkk, enjoy the music. I will be back to bother you tomorrow :)


Cheers!

<3 BB 

Labor Day or Bust!

Oh Man...

It's Tuesday already, which kind of throws my week off for Tunesday, but that can be put on the back burner, because fun pics are way better to share.

Labor Day weekend is the one planned outing my family schedules where everyone ventures down to Glide for campfires, BBQing, relaxation, and eating.... lots of eating!!  There were 18 of us total (sadly a few fambam members had other commitments and couldn't make it) but the rest of us ate too much food, checked out Crater Lake, and some even went fishing - I opted to stay on dry land.

As per usual, with any Schwabauer gathering, I ate entirely too much food and am going to be working off LD (Labor Day, for those of you that are not hip with the lingo) food for the next month, but it was worth it.  My Aunt Sue makes the best apple crisp, not to mention Grandma's potato salad and everything else that was consumed over the long weekend.  Yuuummmmm.

Here are a few photos to recap my weekend home.  It was super nice to be able to spend a few days home even if the weekend came and went too quickly.  At least I only have 4 days to get through this week!?

Mom and Dad finally decided to move down to Glide, after living 45mins away from civilization for years- after all of us kids quit going to school there, of course.   

They have put a lot of working into the back yard and the pond is proof. 

And here is the lovely view they have out the backyard. 

The new fire pit they installed might be my favorite spot.  Even if my hair still smells like campfire. 

I realize now, that I took living in such a pretty area for granted.  Growing up 25 mins from Crater Lake did have its perks and I was lucky enough to visit Crater Lake often.  So now it is nice to go back now and appreciate how beautiful it really is. 

Plus, Bradley got to experience it for the first time. Bet they don't have anything like this back in Floyds Knobs ;)  

Cheers to a Labor Free, Labor Day! 

BB 

Hitting the Links.

So I am super excited for the weekend.  I will be spending mine in Lincoln City:

via

I am looking forward to relaxing with friends, eating yummy food, and taking pretty beach pics with the new camera.  Maybe even get a few workouts in.. (we'll see how that last one goes)

While I am away check out these entertaining posts roaming around the internet.  

::I am still trying to find the perfect way to rock a sockbun.  Maybe this one will work? doubt it.

::WTF, Pinterest may be one of the funniest blogs I have come across recently.  Their posts here mocking fashion bloggers are spot on.

::Speaking of mocking fashion bloggers.  Not So Lonely Londoners also has a great post.  Check it out here. I promise it will make you laugh, hard. He is a straight, male fashion blogger and his 'poses' are legit.

::Also in line with mocking Pinterest...  This blog  posts real life things that have been featured on Pinterset that make you go, 'huh?'.

::Lastly, does someone want to make me these little nuggets of heaven for when I return?


Cheers to the weekend!

BB

Weekend Recap!

Helllllllo!

Another weekend in the books!   Mine went by too quickly as usual, but was great.  I got to see my good friend who was home from Denver and spend time with my family. Here are a few photos that I took with my new baby.  I am having a lot of fun learning how to use my new camera and once I get the hang of it a little more I definitely want to purchase editing software for it.

Saturday we had a family reunion, where as usual with any of my family gatherings I ate too much food.  I did however burn a little of it off with ladder toss and badminton. 

Everyone should ask Brad how bad the guys lost to the girls at Ladder Golf.  (spoiler alert: 23-2)

Senior photo shoot on the swing set? 

Creepy deer head. (Or at least I think it's a deer.)

Saturday night the Boy and I made two different Pinterest recipes and wow were they lovely.  The first was a Quinoa and Black Bean Salad - link here.  The second part of the meal was a Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder - link here .

I tried to take foodie blog pictures of the meal and laughed at myself the entire time, because it's actually really hard and I felt like a big nerd. There is the whole lighting issue and the perfect angles issue - not to mention the whole the meal getting cold while I photographed it issue.  Once I finally put down the camera though I was able to enjoy our yummy creations! nom, nom, nom! 


Sunday was spent working off all my meals and relaxing at my Grandparent's pool.  Hard knock life.


Cheers to the Weekend!

BB
 

Babbles Takes On Seattle!

Happy Sunday!

Another weekend has come and gone far too quickly.  Luckily, it was another awesome one and it is now leading into my birthday week - so you won't see me complaining!

Friday afternoon I hit up I-5 North to visit one of my favorite people and old college roomies, Rachel, to celebrate her birthday.  That night we hung out with her brother and a ton of their friends at his awesome and HUGE house up on Capital Hill.  I only knew a few people, but quickly made friends, which is always a good time. -- Make new friends, but keep the old. one is silver and the other gold? (anybody?! We Sing Sillyville?!)

After a late Friday night we spent the rest of the weekend being super low key.  This grandma is not used to being awake at 2:30 in the AM unless it happens to be because I have to pee in the middle of the night.  Good news though: I was responsible and didn't do anything crazy, so I was able to get a run in the next morning.  I always forget how hilly the Queen Anne neighborhood is, but it lead to a nice set of hills in the middle of my run, which was super needed since I ate like a 7 year old all weekend.  After living with Rachel for a year I can always expect to eat like a child when I am with her.  Pizza, Sour Patch Kids, ice cream, and shapes mac and cheese were all on the list!   

 This pic was taken pre hills.  Post hills - I was not such a happy camper.

One of the highlights of my weekend was getting to play with the cutest puppy ever:

Everyone meet, Molly!

This might have also happened: 

Puppy kisses!

After our puppy play date we headed to Laurelhurst Beach Club for the afternoon. We were able to enjoy plenty of funshine and even had a chance to take kayaks out onto the lake.  I think it was Lake Union, but it might have been Lake Washington - I always get them confused.   Sadly, there are no photos of us on the kayaks. (I do not trust myself with electronics around water)  I did, however, snap a quick pic with the iphone when we got back on land :) 

Maybe someday I will be cool enough to have a membership at a Beach Club?

After a great weekend like the one I just had up in Seattle it's always hard to force myself to drive home and get ready for another week.  BUT I am quite excited for the one coming up since it is officially my birthday week.  As much as I loved celebrating Rachel's it's time to focus all your attention on me !!!! Kidding kind of.  Not sure what is all on the agenda yet, but I know my brother and sister will be up so I plan on getting some time in with them.  It bodes well for me that I actually like my family members. Makes things a lot less awkward during get-togethers ;)

Cheers to Birthday Week! 

-BB

It's Monday Night!

Which calls for my weekend recap slash Bachelorette: Men Tell All thoughts.

Low key weekend for this girl and boy did I need it :) after a busy week of work I was super excited for an easy weekend. 

Bradley and I spent our Saturday morning making an awesome egg scramble and banana pancakes to protein load before our workout. 

 True Story: Brad will make fun of me when he realizes I took this photo.

We rocked our Strong Like Susan Ab Challenge and then followed it up with an easier CrossFit workout.  Nothing too crazy: he got in 10 sets of 10 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 10 box jumps in and I finished up 7 rounds (we know, we know.  I am lazy).  After that we headed back for more protein, Bradley made his world famous protein shake, recipe here:

4-5 ice cubes 

1 banana

1 spoonful of both pb and cocoa

1-2 scoop(s) of protein powder

Milk to top off the concoction

After we nommed on the yummy shake we headed to the pool where we spent the rest of our day with our friends Justine and Tyler.  We ended the evening with Fro-Yo during halftime of the Galaxy and Portland game.

 Watermelon = Summer (medical science)

I would have to say overall Saturday was a success and Sunday did not disappoint either. Can I just reiterate how fantastic lazy Sunday mornings are?! I slept in until 10am.... 10 am!!! That is so late for me.  Like WHOA late.  I was so excited slash felt a little gypped at the same time.  Does anyone else feel like their day is wasted when they sleep in too late?

Once I finally got around to showering and starting my day Brad and I met up with our friends Jason and Erica for the afternoon.  The weather wasn't quite as nice as we had hopped for to have the BBQ we had originally planned, but we still had plenty of fun. 

And here is something I learned on Sunday: Happy Hour prices do not start until 3pm on Sunday at Oswego Grill.  Do not go there thinking they have Happy Hour all day Sunday.  You will be disappointed.  Well I shouldn't say that.... my chopped salad still tasted fantastic, but my Brad's bank account was not as happy with the full prices. 

Now enough details about my weekend that already happened...I must focus all my attention to the Bachelorette (or at least for the first hour - before bedtime).  I will even leave you with a few thoughts on the show:
::Sean I am sad to see you go, you were such a cutie.... and I mean --this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me maybe?! 
::Also - does anyone else think that Stevie is the most annoying guy ever... Seriously though, who brings a boombox to meet someone for the first time?!  And really, we get it - the dude with the 'choppa was annoying,  but it is way more annoying to hear you complain about it, when we all know you complain because you envy him.
:: I am torn on who I want to win.  I actually like both guys she has picked for the final.  I like them much more than I actually care for Emily.  Does she have anything else to talk about other than her kid?  Cool you're a single mom.  What else do you bring to the table?!

Do you go with Team Jef with one F or Team Fast like a NASCAR Ari..... Ah man! who to choose, who to choose.....


Cheers to 25 cuties telling all!

-BB