A is for Apple!

Stud Muffin and I just couldn't justify spending tons of money to go to the OU vs. Texas game this weekend but that doesn't mean we sat around and did nothing! 

We went apple picking!

I had never been to an orchard before and it was amazing!

We went with Stud Muffin's Mother, Brother and family. It was a blast! His niece was super cute!

I had absolutely no idea there were so many different kinds of apples either! 

We picked, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Ida Red and my personal favorite Honeycrisp! Oh they are so good!! You can try them while walking around and boy did we!

I also learned that everyone seems to climb the trees while picking!

Fist Stud Muffin got in a tree.

Then his brother.

Then THEIR MOTHER!

 And they finally talked me into climbing a tree. I had a message while up there!!

You weigh your apple bags as you leave and pay. They were 60 cents a pound. Not so bad!

Until you realize you have 66 pounds of apples!! (There were 3 households involved!)

And I will leave you with my favorite pic from the trip!
Stud Muffin's mother insisted he get in the tree with me. Then she got his niece to clap and request a kiss.
Such a great picture!!

Lots more fun was had but I will have to write about it later... I am pooped!!

BOOMER!

The First Dance

Welcome to Wedding Wednesdays where I gush about every detail of planning my wedding! 

I am fascinated with the music people chose for their wedding. I think that it says a lot about them. Did they go with a standard? Something very independent? Or perhaps just personal? There are so many to choose from!! I just love it! 

Stud Muffin and I really didn’t have to search for our First Dance Song. We have known what it would be for a while. It is a song that we loved when we were first dating and it has always just sort of been “our song”. Not that it is the most perfect first dance song or that others will love it but we do and I think that is all that matters.

Am I going to tell you what it is? Nope. I will tell you this; it is by what some people would call a one hit wonder. Me? I have heard this person’s music forever so I know better. It is a love song of sorts but not really something you would expect to hear at a wedding. And… I am using the acoustic version. One more hint it was released in 2004. That is all ya get til June.

So what about you? What did you dance to on your “Big Day” or what do you think you would like to dance to? I would love to hear!!

Wedding Wednesdays are Here!

Because I am living and breathing this wedding and could talk about it for days on end, (Seriously, I am enthralled by this whole process and loving it!) I figured it would be best to just write about it one day a week and spare all my readers the torture of my crazy days! 

The day that I had NO IDEA was coming...

Sunday May 23, ,2010 began like any other day of vacation. Get up, have brunch + mimosa, go to pool + key lime colada, and then off to a nice dinner at sunset. Sounds about right. 

Stud Muffin plays with everything on the table. 

We love love love the pool.

And we also wear our SPF!!

We had dinner reservations at this great place called Latitudes on Sunset Key just off the coast of Key West. We had been there to see the beach the year before and thought the restaurant was so cute. So it didn't seem odd when Stud Muffin suggested that we go back for dinner this year. Here we are waiting for the boat to take us over to the island. (note:  in every pic someones hand in their pocket. and yet, I remain clueless)

We took the boat over with several other groups of people that were eating at Latitudes as well. When we went to the hostess stand she ushered us to what could be the best table in the place. On the white sand, out of the sun and this gorgeous view!

Stud Muffin and I took some pics while the sun was setting (Note: hand in pocket) and ordered our dinner.

After dinner Stud Muffin suggested we walk down the beach for some other great photo ops. We had to walk through this roped off area and I did not want to get in trouble but he had apparently asked the waiter about that while I was in the restroom. (Really Whitney? You don't know what's coming?!!) So, we headed down the beach with permission. ;) 

I would love to share the story of what my Stud Muffin said to me, but... I cannot for the life of me remember. I can tell you this. We were staring at the sunset and he was talking more than usual and the word WIFE came out of his mouth... I don't remember what else was said. I don't even know if he said "Will you marry me?" I think he did. He got down on one knee and all I could do was tell him to get up! I wanted to hug him and scream and oh yeah... I hadn't even looked at the ring yet! I was in shock! SHOCK!! 

When we got back to the table I called my Dad and Mom and as you can see... I was HAPPY!

We ordered dessert and I only ate about 3 bites. I dipped my hair into my awesome pomegranate martini and got red all over my white dress. I had NO IDEA I was doing that either. I was a hot mess I tell you! A happy hot mess however. 

While waiting for the boat to go back to Key West, this wonderful woman asked if she could take our "first picture" as an engaged couple. So happy she did that because I doubt we would have had one otherwise. 

It is now a month after the fact and I am still BEAMING. Never knew I was gonna be so excited. Stud Muffin in now ready to book honeymoon and I am super excited about wedding planning. Let the year long festivities begin! We are getting married on June 4th, 2011!!!

Vacation in the Keys!

So very sorry for the delay in posting! Things have been a bit crazy for me these past few weeks.... But I am back and ready to post like crazy!!

Stud Muffin and I took off on our usual vacation to the Florida Keys on Saturday May 22. The flight to Key West was quite interesting as Stud Muffin is deathly scared of flying and we normally drive from Miami down the Keys. (I will give more flight details later) Once we arrived in Key West in one piece, all was grand. We headed to the Westin and were ready for some sunshine!! Our room was not ready as we arrived about Noon so we just decided to lay by the pool! 

On our first night in the Keys we hit up some happy hour spots that are off the beaten path. LOVED them!! 

At one spot we got a dozen oysters and 2 drinks for... wait for it...

$10!!!!

We really enjoyed our first night on the town. 

After happy hour, I met a friend...

Foofa had a margarita at a Duval Street Bar...

We ran into a bike rally.

And then we finished up the evening at a bar overlooking Duval Street. 

Stayed tuned for more Key West Vacation Details.... hmmm.... I wonder what happens tomorrow? ;)

Yippee!!!

I promise to post more soon but for the next two days... I am getting my life in order from vacation!!

I was clearly excited while talking to my Mommy!!

How I found my Stud Muffin (part two)

Remember how I said I sent the text message to Stud Muffin when I got home the night we met...

Well, that was the last bit of communication he had with me for the next 2 weeks. Sort of.

I have phone anxiety issues. (When I post the 500 reasons having children scares the crap out of me, I will explain the phone issues in depth.) He called. He left messages. He called some more. I never answered. I never called back. And, yet, he kept calling. This is where our stories begin to differ.

See, Stud Muffin says that he called me for (well, his answer to this goes up every time someone asks) a month. I say, he called me for 2 weeks. I keep a very detailed journal so I would know how long it was between the time I met the love of my life and the time I actually spoke to him on the phone.

If you are wondering what made me finally answer the phone... I didn't look at the caller ID before I answered. I was holding a couch (rearranging the furniture in the apartment) and just grabbed it. This does NOT mean that I didn't want to talk to him! I tried calling him back several times. I would pick up the phone and stare at it for a few minutes, type in the numbers and stare some more and then eventually chicken out and say I will do it tomorrow. I really liked him! I just couldn't seem to get the courage up to call or answer. I mean, he was the hottest guy I had ever seen!! I had to be prepared to talk to him!

Back to the story at hand... I answered, realized that Stud Muffin was on the other end and freaked! I was holding a couch and the potential love of my life was on the line! I told him that I would have to call him back when the furniture was in place. Um...me? Call him back? CRAP! I then spent the next several minutes pacing around my living room and telling myself that if I didn't call back he was NEVER calling again. I am nervous just thinking about how it made me feel! There was a lot at stake here people! I knew that I couldn't screw this up! He was HOT AND NICE!! Those 2 things almost never go together! Not too mention that he, for some strange reason, was still calling me!

I eventually got it together and called him back. He asked me to go out that night! What? I need preparation for these things! I had to work anyhow so that wasn't going to happen. We made plans to go out when he got back from his beach trip on Sunday. This was Friday... Awesome, 2 whole days to freak out about what I am going to wear!

Stay tuned for the first date story!

YOUR TURN!

This past weekend Stud Muffin and I went to his mother's house to do our Christmas with her.
I will be posting more about the weekend soon but I just had to post this ASAP!
Stud Muffin's mom always makes getting your Christmas gift a game or puzzle rather. I cannot wait for you to see what we got and if you can solve it as well!

First my gift...

The clues are Saffron, Egg, Coal, Berries, Bark, Chalk and Led.

The verbal clue I was given was to think of a woman.

Next Stud Muffin's gift...

The clues are Shells, Cards, Fish, Cow, Fur, and Whiskey.
The verbal clue... not sure if he got one.


Now it is your turn! Can you guess what we each received for Christmas?

Mommy's Chicken Pot Pie

Anyone that knows me, knows that cooking is not my thing. So, when I became an unemployed stay at home girlfriend... Stud Muffin suggested that I start cooking. Hmm... I wondered if he was trying to kill himself or something. I mean, seriously, there are national disasters when I am in the kitchen! But, I did what any other prissy, semi-spoiled, non-domestic girl would do... I called my Mommy!
This is now one of Stud Muffin's very favorite meals... and it is so easy I could do it!

Ingredients:
2 Cans Chunk White Chicken*
1 Large Can Veg.All Large Cut (or 2 small cans)
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup*
1 tsp. Celery Seed
1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese*
1 Can Frozen Biscuits

Drain all cans.
Pour into bowl and mix all.
Mix in 1 tsp. Celery Seed & 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar.

Pour into a 2 quart pan.
Add frozen buscuits on top (not touching)

Bake at 425 for 30 minutes.

*My Substitutions:
I normally cook 2 chicken breasts and chop them into some cubes instead of using canned chicken.
I use the 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken (The day I find a lactose free version I will be SUPER HAPPY!!)
I also go without the cheese. I know it tastes better with cheese but I try to stay away from dairy and Stud Muffin prefers it this way as well.
Also, if you have a round dish... the biscuits seem to fit just right. My apartment does not allow for me to have more than one pan so I cut the biscuits up to cover the entire pan.
I normally cook at about 375 as opposed to 425 but that is just my crazy oven.
Keep in mind that the biscuits get crispy on top and stay really gooey on bottom. Its the BEST PART!!
ENJOY!!

How I found my Stud Muffin (part one)

Meet Stud Muffin.

(Well, really he is just Brian, but I call him Stud Muffin.)

He and I have some differences in opinion about how we came to be a couple... I thought I would tell my side of the story first... because, as I am sure you already know, my version is the correct one!

First a little back-story:
I was working as a restaurant manager at a sports bar/ BBQ place in NYC's Murray Hill area. I was a whopping 23 years old and the restaurant was not the most seem-less place I had ever worked. I was cranky and unhappy 90% of the time I was there. There were several issues that made me crazy but my personal favorite was that the televisions in this place were a nightmare!! Every man that walked through the door assumed that he knew what channel it should be on or had a very good reason for why I should change it to what he wanted to watch. No one ever believed that I knew how to work them or what games were on each day. (I am a HUGE sports fan! I know what games are important!) But the real kicker with these TVs was that they lost signal when it was raining or windy! You can imagine the horrible things said to me when we lost signal during a huge 3rd down conversion or bases loaded-with A-Rod up situation! I thought theater people were dramatic... Nope! Men and their Fantasy Football... DRAMA!!

Moving on to July 24, 2009
A hot rainy evening at the sports bar. The Yankees were set to play the Red Sox at 7pm and the place was pretty empty. (Summers in NYC are normally pretty slow as most people are in the Hamptons.) So, at about 6:30 the normal chatter of men asking me to change the channel began. This really attractive guy comes over and shyly asks me if I am going to put the Yankees game on. Apparently, I was a bit short with my answer of "Oh, the Yankees are playing? I had no idea!" Can you blame me? He was about the 8th person to ask! After that I explained that I was and what TV it would be playing on. He then asked me if I could put the Mets on the other TV! I replied with "Nope! I don't like the Mets." (I put it on of course!)

I went back to my business and then... naturally... the TVs lost signal! The restaurant cleared out! I noticed that shy guy and his friends were still sitting at their table and I needed some customers so... I bribed them to stay until the TVs came back on with some free beer. (A bucket of free PBR works every time!) Then I went back to chat up my bartender who was really bored. She and I may have possibly spent the next 20 minutes or so talking about the shy guy (Stud Muffin) and his friends. We may have discussed his resemblance to that guy from the O.C. and that he seemed to be really hot! I mean, we might have noticed.

Then, I don't know how I missed it but suddenly Stud Muffin and one of his friends were sitting at the bar! And my lovely bartender decides she needs to go to the store... immediately... can I watch the bar for her?! What?! The rest is a bit blurry to me... I chatted with Stud Muffin until my bartender returned. I had a job to do, so somewhere in the night I managed to be a manager and close down the place, count the money, lock the doors and... I may have happened to tell the 2 boys at the bar they were welcome to hang out with us while we waited for the staff to clean.

Here are 2 of the highlights from that evening... or maybe they are low-lights not too sure.
1. I tell Stud Muffin that I am a dancer... he responds with the typical guy "Can you do the splits?" Hmmm... tacky I think but he doesn't seem tacky. I, of course, tell him that response is tacky and now to this day he denies ever saying this to me!
2. We have a drink together. He decides... he'll have what I am having. Ha! His face when he was given a mason jar with an inch worth of booze at the bottom... priceless! (I was having a martini... but at this classy joint we didn't have the correct glasses. So, you got it in a mason jar!)
The night came to an end about the time the sun came up. Yep! (That really wasn't all that odd for me. I had to stay at the restaurant until they were finished cleaning. That was normally 5:30am or so. Stud Muffin, however, I bet he was tired.) We exchanged phone numbers and went our separate ways. When I got home I sent him a text message that said "Boston Sux". This text may be the reason I still have Stud Muffin in my life.
Stay tuned for part two!

The Great Debate

This past weekend Brian and I attended a wedding here in NYC. And, like every wedding before, we had a heated debate over what the proper gift giving procedure should be. This may, in fact, be the only thing we cannot seem to agree on.

For those of you that have not figured out yet why we debate at each wedding... let me explain.

In Oklahoma, couples register for gifts and then we mail them to the couple. You can take it to the wedding but most gifts are mailed ahead of time. You receive things that you will need to make your home together. Sure, a blender and new dishes may not sound awesome but you will need them at some point. And, of course you will receive some interesting things that you never registered for or probably don't need but you may be pleasantly surprised! Even if you are not happy with what you were given it was a gift! Maybe just say "thank you" and move on.

In NYC, (and I am sure many other places) wedding gifts are a "cash only" policy. This "cash only" thing doesn't bother me so much, it is the how much that really gets me. $100 per guest + $100 for the gift. That makes it about $300 just to attend the wedding. (I cannot afford to give everyone I know that gets married $300. So chances are, I am just not attending your wedding.) I mean, that is before I pay for hotel and transportation and everything else. That is asking a lot from your guests!

Here is where the debate at our house begins...
Brian: You pay $100 per guest because you pay for your plate. Whitney: Why am I paying for their wedding? The gift is supposed to help start their lives together.
Brian: Exactly, that is what the last $100 is for.
Whitney: Oh, so I am paying for their wedding & giving them money for the future?
Brian: This is how it is done.
Whitney: I understand giving a gift of cash. I do not agree with paying for your plate.
Brian: Then they can't even cover the wedding costs.
Whitney: Why not throw a wedding you can afford then. Or hey, charge a cover at the door! That is the same thing right!
Brian: No! Now you are being unreasonable.
Whitney: Unreasonable is asking people to pay for your wedding and then asking for a "gift" on top of it!

This debate continues and continues...
The thing is, I can see parts to his side of the story. I mean, couples are older these days when they marry. They may have lived together and have the things that they need in their home. I also realize that a very good number of our friends paid for their own wedding and gifts of cash are greatly appreciated. Not too mention, when I someday get married... I can see really wanting cash! I get all of that. Really, I do, I love cash...

The real kicker for me is the way I have heard some people speak about friends and family after the wedding. The way that they judge what someone gave them and could not believe that they only sent them X amount when they came with a guest. Or how they knew how much the plate cost and they couldn't even cover that! People shouldn't feel obligated to give $300 when invited to your wedding. Gifts should not be the reason that people stop hanging out with dear friends. Money tends to be a sore issue with a lot of people these days and I think friendships are more valuable.

In all honesty, I know that this is just the difference in our cultures. And we solve the problem by Brian giving the gifts at his friends weddings and me giving to mine. FYI: My NYC friends, you know that I am a starving artist and cannot afford to shell out $300 when I come to your wedding. I will do my best to give you a wonderful gift but please do not make me call you to tell you about my financial situation so that we can remain friends.

So friends: what are your thoughts? Am I completely out of touch and need to step into the new millennium?

A LIL OKIE CHRISTMAS

A little late with the Christmas post but better late than never, I guess.

Last year I was in Ohio for the holidays singing Elvis tunes 8 shows a week. So it was nice to know that I was going to get to see the family for Christmas this year.

Christmas was a bit strange because Oklahomans do not deal well with snow. Not because they don't like it, but because they do not know how to drive in it. At all.

So, what is normally, Crites Family on Christmas Eve and Sadler Family on Christmas Day turned into a mix a families and other stranded friends on Christmas Eve and just the four of us (mom, dad, my stud muffin and me) at home alone on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve was festive as usual. We didn't go to church because driving across town seemed a bit scary. Gege didn't get to come over either because it was just too slick for her. Cousin Ross got stuck in a ditch on the way over and Cousins Josh & Blake got to spend the night with us because it was impossible to get to Edmond.

Dinner was grand and Mom's table looked fantastic. The front porch also looked super festive with the snow.

Christmas Day was nice and quiet. Missed seeing the OKC family but I am going back soon. We watched movies and sat by the fire. Mom and I got pink fishing poles for Christmas!! I am pretty excited about it to be honest. Dad got lots of new clothes... hint... ditch the digital camo please! Brian was given the usual Sooners gear and his fav gift... Yankees 2009 Champs Tervis Tumblers.

We got to see Gege the last day we were there and she was a hoot to be around. Just love her!! Cannot wait to go back!!

MY OH MY, HOW TIME FLYS

I cannot believe that it has been 10 years of the 2000s!

Many things have changed for me in the past decade. I would say that this has been the most interesting 10 years of my life by far. (Not that I have that many decades to choose from but ya know!) So, with inspiration from all the television "lists" this week, I have decided to recap the highlights of my past 10 years.

1999

* I graduated high school and thought that made me a real adult. Not so much!
* I began college as a modern dance major and learned quickly that it was much harder than I had ever expected.
* The first year I ever paid taxes. (blah blah blah!)

2000
* I left the dance department and changed my major to journalism. BUST! I wanted to dance, just not in a college setting.
* I moved into a house with 96 girls. One of the most fun things EVER!! I absolutely loved it there.
* The Sooners went UNDEFEATED and won their first national championship in 15 years! Yeah Baby!!

2001
* I MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY!!!
After moving, I quickly learned that I was not going to be "famous" overnight and that it took a lot more than talent to make it here. There is a reason people with far more talent than me left LA or NYC after just a year. It is lonely and you never really know who your friends are. Lucky for me, I guess, I was just too stubborn to admit I missed Oklahoma and normal life.
* After living here for just a short 8 months, the twin towers were hit in a terrorist attack. I have absolutely no idea why, but that one single event gave me more courage to stay here than anything else had done. I know that day will forever remain a memory in my mind.
* I also performed my very first show in NYC this year! It was a dance revue at Broadway Dance Center but I loved every minute of it!!

2002
* I was living in NYC's Greenwich Village and finally adjusting to life in the big city.
*I started working full time for Encore Performing Arts Showcase and was most definitely working as a full time waitress. (BOO!!) Although, I met some great people while working there!
* I performed in my first Elan Awards honoring Anne Reinking! Love her!!

2003
*My first NYC roommate moved out and went on tour with Hairspray. :(
* I lived alone for about 2 months and painted my apartment HOT PINK! It was fabulous!! (Sadly, I cannot find my pics of this lovely Barbie Dream House)
*That summer, we had a city wide (well, most of the northeast) blackout! It was HOT! I had 3 people from my hometown staying in my apartment that summer so we made the most of it! We did a lot of hanging out in Central Park.
*In the fall, I got to perform in another Elan Awards... this time, honoring Rob Marshall!! Needless to say, I was pretty excited to dance in front of that man!!
*And then that winter... I got to be Daffy Duck in the Holiday Parade! Oh, you know you wish you were in that costume!

2004
*Oh 2004... the year I took a step back from dancing (not on purpose) and became a restaurant manager! DUMB DUMB DUMB!
*Although, I met the love of my life while working there, so I will accept that year as a good one!
*And... 2 of my favorite people in the world got married!! I love em!!

2005
*2005 proved to be a much better year for me than the one before. I quite my job as a manager on Jan. 2!! Oh happy day!!
* I moved into my own apartment. It was the cutest little studio all to myself! I loved it!! (I think everyone should live alone for a year. It really helps you to become you!)
*I started auditioning more and more and dance became fun again!
*Brian took me to Fire Island for the first time, where I fell in love with the place! And I took him to Key Largo for the first time.

2006
*This was the year I became Big, Blue & Furry. I was cast as Bluedles on the short lived PBS show "Sheira & Loli's Ditty Doodle Works."
* It was a crazy job but it was fun for the most part. Can't say I miss dancing in that suit though!
*I got to do the choreography for the show when they performed with Johnny Weir at the Reckson Center Christmas Tree Lighting!
*Oh, and I got to dance with Chaka Kahn!!


2007
*This year was a bit of a downer compared to 2006 for me.
*Ditty Doodle went on tour for about 3 weeks and then we all lost our jobs because they weren't making enough money.
*I spent a lot more time teaching and judging dance competitions this year. (Which I love but it wasn't enough.)
*And... the real downer for me!! Coco joined the freakin Navy while we are at war!! I was angry for a while but I think it has made him a man!!

2008
*Eventful to say the least!
* We started the year off by meeting up with Coco's ship in FL. It was great to see the sailor!
*Then Brian & I took a trip with our friends Megan & John to St. Maarten. It was a blast!!
*I spent the summer on tour with Kidz Bop Live! It was a good time for sure. I still keep in touch with all of the kids and love them dearly. They are super talented and going places!
*Brian attended his first OU/TX game with me and the family in October. Unfortunately, we lost.
*I then spent 3 months in Akron, Ohio performing in a production of All Shook Up! One of the most fun times I have ever had!! I really missed Brian and hated working on all the major holidays but it was a great experience!

2009
*Well, this year started off slow... I came back from Ohio with the economy killing Broadway!
*I judged and did some choreography during the spring and summer.
*I went to LA for about 6 weeks in the end of summer to see about switching coasts and what do you know... I got a JOB!!
*The Yankees won the World Series!!
*Yo Gabba Gabba Live then took up the rest of my year! It was HUGE. I even got to watch Snoop teach the Peanut Butter Stomp!
*After that I took my first trip to Hawaii and got to see my brothers ship come in.
2010
Cannot wait!!

I cannot wait to see what the future brings. Happy New Years to everyone!! Be safe, wear your seat belt and have a DD!!